378. Masakatsu Funaki

Published in WWE
Read 6607 times
Rate this item
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
5 1
(1 Vote)

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.