Kuniaki Kobayashi has passed away.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Kuniaki Kobayashi passed away at the age of 68 following a battle with illness.
Kobayashi joined the NJPW Dojo in 1972 and officially debuted in 1973. He had multiple international excursions and later became known for his red martial arts gear. He also had a run as Chin Kobiashi in the WWF.
Among other accolades, Kobayashi held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. He also held the World Junior Heavyweight Championship in AJPW. Kobayashi was one of NJPW's top stars in the 1990s. He continued to make appearances over the years, most recently in the Wrestle Kingdom 11 kickoff Ranbo in 2017. He also remained involved in the management of the NJPW Dojo until he passed away.
From NJPW:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kuniaki Kobayashi after a battle with illness. He was 68.
Entering the professional wrestling world as a teen, Kobayashi would join the NJPW Dojo in 1972. He went on to make his official debut in January 1973.
Kobayashi would go on multiple international excursions through the 1970s, including to Mexico, and for NWA Los Angeles in the States. After returning from the US in 1982, he would begin using his red martial arts gear that would become a signature, and with Tiger Mask on the rise in Japan, would set his sights on the dynamic fan favourite. Kobayashi would appoint himself NJPW’s ‘Tiger Hunter’ and engaged in memorable battles on prime time TV broadcasts.
Along with his Ishingun faction mates, Kobayashi would head to Japan Pro-Wrestling and AJPW, where he battled the second Tiger Mask Mitsuharu Misawa, and defeated Hiro Saito to become the second ever World Junior Heavyweight Champion. With time in the WWF as Chin Kobiashi under his belt as well, Kobayashi returned to NJPW in 1987. By now, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship had been established, and with a win over Nobuhiko Takada in Ryogoku Sumo Hall, Kobayashi became the fourth ever holder of the prestigious title.
In 1989, the spirit of Kobayashi’s vendetta against Tiger Mask would be reinvigorated when he became the first opponent for Jyushin Liger in his Tokyo Dome debut. A centerpiece of the revived Heisei Ishingun, Kobayashi was a key figure through the 1990s, while circling back round to Liger on several occasions. The two wrestled in four singles matches over the years, with the last being at Kobayashi’s official retirement in 2000.
Post retirement, Kobayashi would make occasional special appearances, most recently in the Wrestle Kingdom 11 kickoff Ranbo in 2017. He was still extremely active within the management of the NJPW Dojo all the way to his passing, paving the way for new generations of wrestlers.
The thoughts and utmost sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling are with Kobayashi’s family, friends and fans.
NJPW also announced that a ten-bell salute will be held for Kuniaki Kobayashi at the Road to Destruction event on September 11th in Sendai.
On behalf of Fightful, we send our condolences to Kobayashi's family, friends, and fans.
