The Great Kabuki has retired

[Crappler El 0 M]

The legendary Great Kabuki (now 69 years old) wrestled his final match on 12/22 on a Pro Wrestling Noah show. In his final match, Kabuki teamed with Akitoshi Saito and Shiro Koshinaka to defeat Go Shiozaki, Masao Inoue & Yoshinari Ogawa.

Akihisa Mera debuted in 1964, but his career didn't take off in a big way until 1981 when Gary Hart gave him the Great Kabuki gimmick. The Great Kabuki was a major success in multiple territories and around the world. Kabuki popularized using "Asian mist." The gimmick also inspired The Great Muta gimmick, also developed by Gary Hart. Initially, the Great Muta character was introduced as the son of Kabuki, though this was later dropped.

[Ultimo Gallos]

I figured Kabuki retired years ago. Saw lots of him growing up watching World Class.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Well, he doesn't like to say that this was his "retirement" match. He had a retirement show in 1998, and he likes to say that was his retirement. He has continued to make special appearances since then, mostly working tag matches where he wouldn't have to do much. He has gotten by in the ring swinging the nunchucks and blowing mist. That's mostly what the fans want to see. Over the past few years, he has made some appearance in the New Japan Rumble matches at the Tokyo Dome. He considers this his "final" match.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

I thought he died years ago.

[froggyfrog]

Shoutout Kabuki. Wouldn’t mind seeing someone with the Kabuki, Muta gimmick again (not sanada and not in TNa pls)

[The 1Watcher Experience]

Kabuki has his own restaurant. A friend of mine went to see him and they talked about World Class. Kabuki said Fritz Von Erich was like a father to him. I know that could be inviting some tasteless jokes quoting this post now but I thought it was nice that Kabuki was treated well there. ESPN used to air Legends of World Class Championship Wrestling Monday through Friday at 4:00 PM when I was in school so I grew up a big World Class fan. I was a fan of Kabuki ever since.

[corndog]

Dec 22, 2017 11:52:50 GMT -5 Ultimo Gallos said:

I figured Kabuki retired years ago. Saw lots of him growing up watching World Class.

He's been working All Japan regularly as of late. They book quite a few older stars in the bigger shows.