theidealstranger

Considered one of the greatest wrestler of all times in Japan and arguably in US, he debuted in 1984 at 22 years of age, he is still going strong at 50.

Famed for the use of mist which he picked from Kabuki and the Muta scale which took off from his match with Hiroshi Hase for the bloodiest match, he has wrestled across U.S and Japan including WWC, WCCW, NWA, WCW, NJPW, AJPW for which he acted as a president during his tenure as well.

With a strong Judo and amateur wrestling background, he debuted in NJPW with a uneventful run since debut holding the IWGP tag titles for six days only. He quickly moved over to WCCW having a brief feud with Von Erich and a small run in Puerto Rico, he finally joined NWA as the Great Muta, son of Great Kabuki.

He feuded with Sting, Luger and Flair going on to win NWA TV title losing it to Arn Anderson before going back to Japan, this time as The Great Muta.

He joined NJPW quickly rising through the ranks soon winning the IWGP and NWA world title as well when he faced Kabuki, Sting and Hogan in epic matches. He dropped the Muta character and started out on his name post the run using the Muta character for special matches. He had a run against NWO Japan finally joining it after a lot of turn teases but got injured in the knee due to repeated use of Moonsault Press.

He however went on to win the heavyweight title as well as NWO leadership inspite of the injury but it took a toll on him and he had to take a hiatus.

He joined WCW during the break but it was at its lowest point and the run was uneventful and he came back to Japan with a makeover but his career, though decorated did not find as much success as before.

In a career that spawns over three decade winning 26 titles and wrestling across US and Japan; he upped the ante as to how entertaining a high flying match can and should be. He is a legend, revered in Japan, Forgotten elsewhere purely remembered for the Green Mist.

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“My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!” ~ De Sade

BruiserKC

His feud with Sting is one of the more underrated feuds in wrestling for that time and all-time. The two complimented each other quite well, it is a shame that he wasn't pushed to do more in the NWA as down the road having Muta and Sting feud for the NWA/WCW World title might have been something to watch.

One of my fave matches involving him was a battle royal that took place in Chicago, after which the opponents for the evening would be determined by order of elimination. Muta got to face a pre-roided Big Bad Booty Daddy and they put on a tremendous match.

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The original heel commentators

theidealstranger

Though I was not around at that time to watch the feud, i enjoyed the match in youtube immensely. He could have been put to better use by NWA/WCW and i wonder why WWF never wanted to do anything with him while they got a Samoan to play a Japanese.

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“My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!” ~ De Sade

sabufan101

wwe magazine said Daniel Bryan said that he was the new Great muta

sabufan101

another forgotten legend but i bet you know him Stu Hart

theidealstranger

Great Muta is still wrestling around, maybe he could have a short feud with DBry to show him some of his moves.

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“My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!” ~ De Sade

Fresh Dougie

Man, 1 of my favorites as a kid (eventhough he often feuded with Sting), Muta was 1 of the first wrestlers I've seen perform. IMO, GOAT Japanese talent. Like I said months back in another thread, Muta would have fit in perfect in WWE in '94-'95, when Bret was at the top. I'd much rather have seen him over Hakushi.

Last match I seen from Muta was a few years back, where he came and worked PWG's Kurt Russell Reunion and despite all the rumors I heard about his knees being fucked from years of moonsaults, Muta worked a great match, with his traditional style and was in great shape. IMO, he's the Hogan of Japan.

Muta & Sting are the only 2 guys I regret not seeing given a WWE run. And I feel WWE disrespected Muta with the Lord Tensai gimmick but I digress. Muta is without a doubt 1 of my all time favorites, ranks high on my GOAT list and IMO, is the GOAT of Japan.

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Lex Express 12

It is depressing for me when i think of that 1 day run with Vampiro as WCW tag team champions. Of all the teams they could lose them to, why Kronik!

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Not removing until-

- Daniel Bryan wins the WWE title
- Randy Orton wins another world or WWE title
- Randy Orton turns heel
- Curtis Axel wins the US title
- Curtis Axel wins the World title
- Fandango wins a title
- Summer Rae wins the NXT divas title

COPkilla

He is hardly forgotten. JR always used to mention him on commentary, he was one of the stars of Bloodstained Memoirs and he is still going strong in Japan today. I can see him going in the WWE HOF for sure, due to his WCW days and matches with Sting and Flair.

jcmmnx

Muta's 89 run in the NWA was one of my favorite things in wrestling.