Keiji Mutoh
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Keiji Mutoh (武藤敬司 Mutō Keiji born December 23, 1962) is a Japanese professional wrestler who became famous in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and who now owns, operates, and competes in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He has also competed in World Championship Wrestling.
Career
Mutoh was trained to be a professional wrestler by Hiro Matsuda in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Academy. He debuted on October 5, 1984 against Masa Chono. Mutoh's initial NJPW run was largely uneventful, and he went to North America for seasoning. After runs in Puerto Rico and Florida, Mutoh's "Great Muta" personality and ring skills earned him a high billing in the National Wrestling Alliance. During this period, Muta would feud with stars like Sting, Lex Luger, and Ric Flair. Muta would then return to Japan.The working agreement between World Championship Wrestling and NJPW would allow Muta to climb the ranks of both companies, in singles ranks and tags. He would eventually capture both the NWA and IWGP Heavyweight titles. Muta would then take time off to heal injuries to his knees. Upon his return he formed the Japanese version of the nWo along with Masahiro Chono, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan, among others.
Muta had another run in WCW in 2000, but was unable to recapture his former popularity in the company. He would return once more to Japan. At this point Muta would radically change his appearance and wrestling style. He would abandon his evil ninja persona, instead using his real name. He would also shave his head, which had gained a noticeable bald spot for the past several years, and grow a goatee, resembling a Japanese Stone Cold Steve Austin. Mutoh had been using the moonsault when wrestling as Muta which had caused damage to his knees. As an alternative finisher, Mutoh invented the Shining Wizard, which he uses now as his finisher for both characters. The Shining Wizard has become a very popular move, even a cliché in the wrestling industry, with many people adopting the original Mutoh version or a variation of it.
At the conclusion of an All Japan/New Japan interpromotional war, Keiji Mutoh surprisingly jumped ship to the rival company. He brought along his student Satoshi Kojima as well as Kaz Hayashi from the recently sold WCW. A grateful Motoko Baba (widow of AJPW's former owner and founder Giant Baba) would then transfer her stock of the company to Mutoh. Mutoh wrestles to this day, defending All Japan against the Voodoo Murders faction.
Mutoh, regardless of his allegiance and his personality, is one of the biggest stars in the history of Japanese wrestling.
He did some shows teaming with Ultimo Dragon in the mexican CMLL promotion.
In a 1992 match with Hiroshi Hase, Mutoh, wrestling with his Great Muta gimmick, bladed himself although cut too deeply and bled severely. Scars can be seen on Mutoh's forhead. Due to this incident the "Muta Scale" is used to judge bleeding in a wrestling match.
Alter-egos
- Great Muta, which he has wrestled as fairly continuously throughout his career, switching back and forth between this character and his real name. Great Muta is a mysterious gimmick where he spits green or red mist and plays mind games to distract his opponents. Muta was originally billed as the son of Japanese wrestler Great Kabuki who used a similar gimmick. The two are not related in real life. Originally he wore face paint, which was later exchanged for a mask after he shaved his head. The Great Muta gimmick is the gimmick most fans of the United States know Mutoh for, as he wrestled as The Great Muta thoughout the late '80s and early '90s for the NWA with it.
- Kokushi-Muso, a gimmick used only for a few shows. It is a play off of Jinsei Shinzaki's monk character known as Hakushi. Hakushi means "White Angel" while "Kokushi" means "Black Angel".
- White Ninja, was used early in his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling and in Florida Championship Wrestling.
- Super Ninja, was used in the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico.
- Super Black Ninja, was used in World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas.
Finishing and signature moves
- Shining Wizard (Strike to the side of the opponent's head with the side of the knee after stepping off one of the opponent's knees)
- Moonsault
- Dragon screw
- Figure four leglock
- Space Rolling Elbow (Cartwheel to back elbow)
- Flashing Elbow
- Handspring back elbow
- Sickle hold
- Asian mist (dokukiri) (As Great Muta he will usually spit a colored mist, usually green, in his opponent's face, blinding them)
Championships and accomplishments
- *2-Time AJPW Triple Crown World Heavyweight Champion
- *2-Time AJPW World Tag Team Champion, with Taiyo Kea once and Arashi once
- *2002 Champion Carnival winner
- *2004 Champion Carnival winner
- *2001 Real World Tag League winner, with Taiyo Kea
- *2003 World Tag Team Tournament winner, with Arashi
- *Giant Baba Memorial Six Man Tag Tournament winner, with Kaz Hayashi and George Hines
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
External links
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