Japanese wrestling legend and one of my all-time favorite wrestlers Kenta Kobashi, age 45, announced today that he is retiring from pro wrestling. Kobashi said that a recover from an accumulation of injuries at this point is "impossible". Kobashi's retirement ceremony and likely farewell match will take place on February 26, 2013. This will also mark his 25th anniversary as a professional wrestler.
This is as big an announcement as anything else in wrestling this year as Kobashi is one of the most respected and influential men in the history of the sport. It saddens me to see him go, but I'm glad he was able to do so on his own terms and in relatively good condition.
Kobashi along with Mitsuharu Misawa, Akira Taue, Jun Akiyama and another one of my favs Toshiaki Kawada, were the five corners of the now legendary AJPW promotion in the 1990s. In an era where gimmickry was often showcased over athleticism, these men were going out and having some of the greatest matches of all time. Aside from a select few (Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Curt Henning etc.), most of the WWF's performers were circus acts and comedy troupes who couldn't (few still can) hold a candle to the level of work that Kobashi & Co. have put in during this amazing time period.
Kobashi's notoriety in the US is a bit more "word of mouth" amongst hardcore wrestling fans, but he truly is one of the most special talents the wrestling world has had the pleasure of witnessing. If you have not been familiarized with Kobashi and many of his legendary matches with the likes of Samoa Joe, his protege KENTA, Steve Williams, Johnny Ace and the four men mentioned above, then please take your next available opportunity to do so. Thank me later.
Speaking of thank yous, I just want to extend one Kobashi's way and say that it has truly been an honor to have been able to watch his excellence in the ring and that it does not go unappreciated as I will continue to educate everyone I know on all of his greatness as I'm sure many a wrestling nerd shall do the same. The man is every bit the definition of the word "legend" and as such, it's a sad day for pro wrestling to see him retire. Still, Kobashi wouldn't want us all to sit here and pout, instead to celebrate what will go down as one of the finest bodies of work in any sport.
Thank you for your never ending brilliance Mr. Kobashi, you've earned your place in every wrestling Hall Of Fame you're undoubtedly going to be inducted into.
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