Kuniaki Kobayashi

Kuniaki Kobayashi
Born (1956-01-11) January 11, 1956
Komoro, Nagano
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Kuniaki Kobayashi
Kid Koby
Billed height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Billed weight 105 kg (231 lb)
Trained by NJPW Dojo
Debut February 1, 1973
Retired April 21, 2000

Kuniaki Kobayashi (小林邦昭) is a retired Japanese Junior Heavyweight professional wrestler. He wrestled numerous acclaimed matches against the first two Tiger Masks: Satoru Sayama and Mitsuharu Misawa.[1]

Career

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1973–1980)

Kuniaki Kobayashi debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling in February 1973, against Masanobu Kurisu, at the young age of 17. Kobayashi stayed on the undercard, until he was sent abroad to North America in 1980.

North American Excursion (1980–1982)

Upon entering North America in 1980, Kobayashi's first stop was in Mexico, where he stayed until moving to the United States, in Los Angeles, where he wrestled under the name Kid Koby.

Return To NJPW (1982–1984)

Upon returning to New Japan in October 1982, Kobayashi was involved in a feud with Tiger Mask. Because of his anti-heroic actions, he became regarded as the "Tiger Hunter." He also allied with Riki Choshu, Masa Saito, and Killer Khan to form Ishin Gundan. In September 1984, Ishin Gundan left NJPW to form Japan Pro Wrestling.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1984–1987)

Japan Pro Wrestling had a working agreement with All Japan Pro Wrestling. While there, Kobayashi feuded with Tiger Mask II, and he held the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship and the World Junior Heavyweight Championship.

Return to NJPW (1987–2000, 2017)

Upon returning to New Japan in 1987, Kobayashi won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in August, before losing the title to Hiroshi Hase in December. In April 1989, he served as the first opponent of Jyushin Liger (Keiichi Yamada's first match under the Liger persona). In 1990, he moved up to the heavyweight division. In 1992, he joined Shiro Koshinaka in forming Heisei Ishingun.

Between 1992 and 1993, Kobayashi had two surgeries to combat colorectal cancer. In 1999, he had surgery to combat liver cancer, leaving him with a large scar under his chest. This and the treatments to combat the cancer forced him to bring an end to his in-ring career. In April 2000, Kobayashi wrestled his final match as an active wrestler, losing to Jyushin Thunder Liger. He received flowers from Satoru Sayama and a message from Mitsuharu Misawa.

On January 4, 2017, Kobayashi made a special appearance for NJPW, taking part in the New Japan Rumble on the pre-show of Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome. He was eliminated from the match by Tiger Mask.[2]

Retirement

Upon his retirement, Kobayashi has remained involved in puroresu, currently as caretaker of the NJPW Dojo. He occasionally wrestles in legends matches, including a series of matches in 2011 against Sayama and a team with him in 2013 against Atsushi Onita (who led the AJPW junior heavyweight division in 1983, before Kobayashi showed up). He would also do color commentary for NJPW shows.

Championships and accomplishments

  • PWI ranked him #256 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003.[4]

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Gran Hamada, Enrique Vera and Kobayashi (hair)Los Misioneros de la Muerte (hair)
(El Signo, El Texano and Negro Navarro)		Mexico City, MexicoLive eventJune 7, 1981[6]
Kobayashi and Saito (hair)Coloso Colosetti and César Valentino (hair)Naucalpan, Mexico StateLive eventSeptember 25, 1981 
Los Misioneros de la Muerte (hair)
(El Signo, El Texano and Negro Navarro)		Takano, Saito and Kobayashi (hair)Mexico City, MexicoUWA Live eventJune 13, 1982[7]
Akira Nogami (hair)Kuniaki Kobayashi (hair)Sapporo, Hokkaido, JapanNJPW Fighting Spirit 1996 - Day 2February 3, 1996

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Japan Satoru Sayama KO (high kick) Shooto: Vale Tudo Perception September 26, 1995 1 6:05 Tokyo, Japan

References

  1. ↑ "Profile at Puroresu Central". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  2. ↑ Johnson, Mike (January 4, 2017). "Omega vs. Okada classic, Tanahashi vs. Naito, lots of title changes & more: complete New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 11 coverage". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  4. ↑ WIA hobby site, rated No.256 of 500 wrestlers Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 May 2011
  5. ↑ http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past1/
  6. ↑ Centella, Teddy (June 6, 2015). "En un día como hoy… 1981: Promociones Mora llega a la Arena México, Los Misioneros, pelones… Black Shadow se despide de Pantitlán" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras". Signo (in Spanish). Mexico City, Mexico. September 2007. p. 31. Tomo V.
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