37. Mitsuharu Misawa

This one was actually our hardest to rank. Mitsuharu Misawa has been called by many to be the best wrestler that Japanese wrestler of his time; which is saying a lot! The problem is that he never set foot in a WWE ring, nor had he real exposure to North America, which has to be considered a factor for a North American based Hall of Fame.

Misawa was the backbone of All Japan wrestling for years and was a complete package in the ring. He was fast, strong and possessed a strong arsenal of wrestling moves. He would also take some of the sickest bumps in Japanese wrestling history and was determined to give fans their money’s worth in his matches. The centerpiece (and booker) of All Japan would eventually lead a mutiny and took the bulk of the roster with him to form his own promotion, Pro Wrestling NOAH which became one of the must see promotions in his country. In 2009, Misawa died in the ring, giving his life to the profession he loved. Should there ever be a major wrestling Hall of Fame in Japan, Mitsuharu Misawa would be a first ballot inductee. Without a single match in the United States of note, it will be very difficult for the king of the five star matches to find his way into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Should Mitsuharu Misawa be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 84.9%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 5.4%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.3%

No opinion. - 1.1%

No way! - 4.3%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: Tiger Mask II
Billed From: Japan
Key Championships Held: NWA International Junior Heavyweight
PWF Tag Team w/Jumbo Tsuruta
AJPW All Asia Tag Team (2) 1w/Toshiaki Kawada, 1w/Yoshinari Ogawa
AJPW Unified World Tag Team (6) 2/Toshiaki Kawada, 2w/Kenta Kobashi, 1w/Jun Akiyama, 1w/Yoshinari Ogawa
AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight (5)
NOAH Global Honored Crown Heavyweight (3)
NOAH Global Honored Crown Tag Team (2) w/Yoshinari Ogawa
AJPW Champions Carnival Winner (2) 1995 & 1998
AJPW Strongest Tag League Winner (4) 1w/Toshiaki Kawada 1992, 3w/Kenta Kobashi, 1993, 1994 & 1995
Why they will get in: He is one of the best of all time, and it would be a nice gesture to Japanese wrestling.
Why they won't get in: He never competed for the WWE, WCW or really anywhere important in the U.S.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Won his first All Japan Unified Title defeating Stan Hansen (8/22/92)
2. Wins his first of three Strongest Tag League with Kenta Kobashi(12/3/93)
3. Wins the All Japan Triple Crown against Kenta Kobashi (1/20/97)
4. Wrestles one of the best matches of all time against Kenta Kobashi(10/31/98)
5. Leaves All Japan and takes the bulk of the roster to form his own wrestling company, Pro Wrestling NOAH (2000)