Kobashi retires.

RoaringElbow · Post by **RoaringElbow** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:43 am

At tonight's NOAH event the legend Kenta Kobashi announced his retirement due to injuries. It doesn't sound like it was forced and wrestling will hate to see him go but it's for the best. He deserves to step away the way he chooses w/ whatever faculties remain. Kobashi is one of the greatest if all time. Numerous titles and 5-Star matches, including one here in ROH w/ Samoa Joe. Personally I think that's one of the greatest matches I've ever seen, and it may not even be Kobashi's greatest match. We're lucky to have had him be a part of this company's history.
What's your favorite Kobashi match or moment?

DieHard · Post by **DieHard** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 10:31 am

I start watching a 5 hour set of his title reign at NOAH in 2003 (all of his defences) in July and right now I'm only in the half of the DVD lol but the first match against Misawa is the best match in the wrestling history in my opinion. If I could giving it ten start I would. Every wrestling fan needs to watch this match.

Hellfont93 · Post by **Hellfont93** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:00 am

RoaringElbow wrote:At tonight's NOAH event the legend Kenta Kobashi announced his retirement due to injuries. It doesn't sound like it was forced and wrestling will hate to see him go but it's for the best. He deserves to step away the way he chooses w/ whatever faculties remain. Kobashi is one of the greatest if all time. Numerous titles and 5-Star matches, including one here in ROH w/ Samoa Joe. Personally I think that's one of the greatest matches I've ever seen, and it may not even be Kobashi's greatest match. We're lucky to have had him be a part of this company's history.
What's your favorite Kobashi match or moment?

His match with Samoa Joe is one of my favourite matches in ROH history, it's atmosphere and intensity will never be replicated. To be honest I'm surprised it took this long for him to retire.

thatwrestlingshow · Post by **thatwrestlingshow** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:29 am

I was surprised to learn he's only 45. He has a legendary career to look back on, he retires without regrets. His match with Joe, though perhaps not technically a great one, had amazing atmosphere that I have never seen replicated.

donkitrk99 · Post by **donkitrk99** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:46 am

DieHard wrote:I start watching a 5 hour set of his title reign at NOAH in 2003 (all of his defences) in July and right now I'm only in the half of the DVD lol but the first match against Misawa is the best match in the wrestling history in my opinion. If I could giving it ten start I would. Every wrestling fan needs to watch this match.

Is this one of the three Misawa/Kobashi matches that Meltzer gave *****? I have the three of them waiting to be watched.

DieHard · Post by **DieHard** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:17 pm

donkitrk99 wrote:
DieHard wrote:I start watching a 5 hour set of his title reign at NOAH in 2003 (all of his defences) in July and right now I'm only in the half of the DVD lol but the first match against Misawa is the best match in the wrestling history in my opinion. If I could giving it ten start I would. Every wrestling fan needs to watch this match.
Is this one of the three Misawa/Kobashi matches that Meltzer gave *****? I have the three of them waiting to be watched.

Yes. Date is 01.03.2003. If you want to watch the DVD I was talking about you can find it at Youtube under the title "Kenta Kobashi GHC Heavyweight History", this was maybe the best reign ever match-quality.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:03 pm

I honestly thought Kobashi died a few years back. Who am I confusing him with?

wordsasbombs · Post by **wordsasbombs** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:19 pm

Most likely Misawa.

SteenMark23 · Post by **SteenMark23** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:25 pm

Hawkeye wrote:I honestly thought Kobashi died a few years back. Who am I confusing him with?

Misawa?

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:09 pm

Yup, Misawa. thanks gents

supersonic · Post by **supersonic** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:15 pm

About time he retired, time for him to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

YimYac · Post by **YimYac** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:40 am

This seemed to mostly stem from him getting fired by Noah

For those that didn't know, Noah recently released Kobashi because he was making too much money during a time where the company is having horrible business.

Because of this a lot of other Noah wrestlers are leaving like Go Shiozaki, Suzuki, Kanemaru, and Aoki etc.

DBSommer · Post by **DBSommer** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:52 am

I think my favorite was a tag match he and Misawa had against Akira Taue and Kawada on 10/15/95. One of the rare 5 stars in my book. Not a bad moment in the whole thing. It's on youtube so everyone can enjoy

WrestlingMatters · Post by **WrestlingMatters** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:25 pm

He's a legend but I am pleased about this, saw some matches from his comeback last year and he could barely walk out there. His match with Joe is still one of my favourite matches, his trilogy with Misawa was incredible as well.

Misawa's Neck · Post by **Misawa's Neck** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:56 pm

It's very good news. He'll get a retirement match and end things with some dignity in toe. He has been useless in every match after his 2007 comeback bout. He's not retiring by choice. He's retiring to save face because NOAH wanted to fire him, as paying him the highest salary of everyone for undergoing surgeries makes no sense for a dying company. He's not worth the name value anymore. It's good for NOAH too because now they don't look like the bad guys for reasonably wanting him gone. Plus, Akiyama's going freelance/to All Japan. Everyone wins.

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