Print this page

391. Masakatsu Funaki

  • Published in WWE
  • Read 4355 times
  • Rate this item
    5 1
    (1 Vote)
391. Masakatsu Funaki
One of the most natural adoptees to professional wrestling in New Japan history, Masakatsu Funaki eschewed being one of the best Japanese pro wrestlers to become a pioneer in Mixed Martial Arts.  Funaki would leave New Japan and later co-found Pancrase with Minoru Suzuki wherein the late 90's he was considered one of the greatest fighters in the world.  After a loss to Rickson Gracie in 2000, he retired from fighting but would come back and later return to pro wrestling after a long absence, and he became the All-Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.  In terms of MMA influence few are in his league but translating that to a WWE Hall of Fame induction is a hard sell.

The Bullet Points

  • Billed From: Japan
  • Key Championships Held:

    King of Pancrase (2)

    All-Japan World Strongest Tag Determination League w/Keiji Mutoh

    All-Japan World Tag Team w/Keiji Mutoh

    All-Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight

    Pro Wrestling Zero 1 Heavyweight
  • Why they will get in: This man is a legend.
  • Why they won't get in: He is a legend in MMA, not necessarily pro wrestling.
  • Five Greatest Matches/Moments:
    1. Beat Jason DeLucia becoming the King of Pancrase 12/15/96
    2. Lost to Rickson Gracie in one of the biggest matches in Japanese MMA history 3/26/00
    3. With Keiji Mutoh, won the All-Japan World Tag Team Titles 1/3/10
    4. Defeated Jun Akiyama for the All-Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship 8/26/12
    5. Won the Pro Wrestling Zero 1 Heavyweight Title from Kohei Sato 7/6/14.

Should Masakatsu Funaki be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 57.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 0%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 14.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 28.6%

WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

Mar 29, 2024

Buy your Tickets to see WWE Friday Night SmackDown HERE!

WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN

Mar 29, 2024

Buy your Tickets to see WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN HERE!

WWE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA

Mar 30, 2024

Buy your Tickets to see WWE Road to WrestleMania HERE!

WWE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA

Mar 31, 2024

Buy your Tickets to see WWE Road to WrestleMania HERE!

 
Last modified on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 00:01
Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment