gold star for USAHOF

252. Gran Hamada

  • Published in WWE
  • Read 719 times
  • Rate this item
    1 0
    (0 votes)
252. Gran Hamada

Many Japanese wrestlers learned early in their career in Mexico, but it was Hiroaki Hamada who first embraced Lucha Lubre, and created a unique style all his own.

Hamada wrestled more in Mexico in Japan, and would even marry a Mexican woman, and they had two daughters who would also wrestle professionally, mostly in Mexico.  He won multiple titles in Mexico and Japan, and even ventured into the United States on occasion, winning the NWA Americas Title in Los Angeles in 1981.  

Hamada was a near top guy for decades and although he never wrestled for the WWE, in terms of influence, we will argue that he is the most underrated performer of all-time.

The Bullet Points

  • Other Aliases:

    Hiroaki Hamada (Real Name)
    El Gran Hamada
    Little Hamada

  • Billed From: Maebashi, Japan
  • Key Championships Held:

    UWA World Middleweight (3)
    UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight (5)
    UWA World Light Heavyweight (2)
    NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight
    WWF Light Heavyweight (2)
    WWF Intercontinental Tag Team w/Perro Aguayo
    UWA World Tag Team (3) 1w/Riki Choshu, 1w/Perro Aguayo & 1w/Kendo
    UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team w/Great Sasuke
    UWF Super Middleweight
    WWA (Mexico) World Junior Light Heavyweight
    BJW Heavyweight
    All-Japan International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League w/Mighty Inoue (1984)

  • Why they will get in: If they ever base this primarily on global influence, Hamada is an excellent choice.
  • Why they won't get in: They won’t.
  • Five Greatest Matches/Moments:

    1.  Beat Ray Mendoza for the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title 11/4/79.
    2.  Won the NWA Americans Title from Timothy Flowers 11/6/81.
    3.  Defeated Gran Cochisse for the EMLL NWA World Middleweight Title 11/18/84.
    4.  With Mighty Inoue, won the All-Japan International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League 9/12/84.
    5.  Gained a new generation of fans at the ECW PPV Barely Legal where he led his team to a six-man tag team victory 4/13/97.

Should Gran Hamada be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 100%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Saturday, 27 April 2024 06:31
Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment