NJPW’s Kuniaki Kobayashi passes away at 68
Kuniaki Kobayashi has passed away at 68.
NJPW shared the following message on Monday:
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and Noge Dojo manager Kuniaki Kobayashi. Our deepest sympathies go to Kobayashi’s family, friends and fans.”
A ten-bell salute will be held before tomorrow’s Road to Destruction event in Sendai.
Kobayashi started training at the NJPW dojo as a teenager in the 1970s and later became a figure in the early days of the junior heavyweight division. He was the second-ever World Junior Heavyweight Champion in AJPW, defeating Hiro Saito for the belt in 1986. The following year he became the fourth champion in IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship history when he defeated Nobuhiko Takada in the finals of a tournament. During this time, he had memorable bouts with Tiger Mask, Tiger Mask II (Mitsuharu Misawa), Hiroshi Hase, Jushin Liger, Owen Hart, and others.
His match against Tiger Mask II on June 12, 1985, was voted Match of the Year in the annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.
Kobayashi was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1992 and underwent multiple surgeries. He retired from full-time competition in 2000 and was awarded the Tokyo Sports’ Service Award that same year.
After retirement, Kobayashi became manager of NJPW’s Noge Dojo.
“Very sorry to hear of the passing of Kuniaki Kobayashi. A brilliant wrestler who wasn’t heralded enough for his exceptional skills and being a huge part of the early ‘80’s Jr Heavyweight division in @njpwglobal. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. I think every tour I did for NJPW I did in the 90’s he was on. Rest well,” wrote William Regal.
“Kobayashi-san was such a G. He will be missed. RIP my friend,” wrote Rocky Romero.
“Fisherman’s Suplex practice during the tour, stomping, daily breakfast, cockroach yogurt, ghost incidents, cat Kayo-chan, eat it up! I have countless memories with Kobayashi-san. Thank you very much. We sincerely pray for the repose of your soul,” reads a translation of a post by Hiromu Takahashi.
“After Mr. Kobayashi retired in April 2000, he took care of the dojo. He taught all of us, including the current students, many things. Thank you very much. I pray for your soul to rest in peace,” reads a translation of a post by NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi.
“Mr. Kobayashi was very kind to me even though I joined midway through the project, and would always tell me to “eat” if I needed anything. May he rest in peace,” a translation of Tomoaki Honma’s post reads.