The puroresu world felt the loss of one of their own this weekend, as Masa Saito, a popular Japanese wrestler from the 1960’s through the late 90’s, passed away on July 14 at the age of 76, from complications from Parkinson’s Disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2000.
Masanori Saito started as an amateur wrestler, representing Japan in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the freestyle wrestling category. He made his professional debut shortly after, wrestling in Japan and the West Coast of the United States. A student of Hiro Matsuda and Kinji Shibuya, his first success came with the World Wrestling Alliance (WWA) in California (which would later become NWA Hollywood). He would become a 6x Americas Tag Team Champion with NWA Hollywood, alongside his mentor Kinji Shibuya. He also competed with Championship Wrestling in Florida, All Star Wrestling in Vancouver, Georgia Championship Wrestling and various other NWA territories.
In 1974, he made his debut with NJPW in his homeland, although he would only wrestle sporadically with them at first. He spent most of his first two decades working in the United States and Canada. He joined the WWF in the early 1980s, replacing Professor Toru Tanaka as Mr. Fuji’s new tag team partner, where he would become a 2x WWF World Tag Team Champion. He only lasted a few years with the WWF, eventually moving to Verne Gagne’s AWA in 1983, where he remained until 1990. It was in the AWA that he finally won his first singles World title, winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Larry Zybysko at an NJPW/AWA Super Fight show in the Tokyo Dome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrQqo6ZbGPo
In 1987, Saito had finally began to become a regular with NJPW, the company he would remain with until he retired in 1999, winning the IWGP Tag Team titles on two occasions, once with Riki Choshu and once with Shinya Hashimoto.
Rest in Peace the legendary Japanese wrestler Masa Saito #goforbroke pic.twitter.com/wxyI1GD82Y
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) July 16, 2018
I’m very sad to hear of the passing of legendary Japanese Wrestler Masa Saito. I spent a lot of time with him between 1994 and 1997 in Japan.Masa always treated me very well. He will be remembered in our job as the “ Saito” suplex will keep his name alive.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 16, 2018
Do yourself a favor and watch a few Masa Saito matches today. Man… he was awesome. Go For Broke. RIP. pic.twitter.com/pDHB5L78cN
— Chris Hero (Is Back) (@ChrisHero) July 16, 2018
WWE is saddened to learn that Masa Saito, a former World Tag Team Champion and AWA Champion, has passed away. https://t.co/YiuOumxhAq
— WWE (@WWE) July 16, 2018
Masa Saito was in the first tag team match I ever saw on TV 1981.
I was fortunate to be a fly on the wall while him and Nick Bockwinkel (I was the 3rd wheel) had lunch at our hotel in Tokyo in 2006. I was floored by how nice of a man he was.
A true legend. Rest well. pic.twitter.com/IVQ73OrTL0
— Steve Corino (@KINGCorino) July 16, 2018
RIP Masa Saito.
One of the first wrestling matches I ever saw was Fuji/Saito vs The Strongbows…and from that day, I knew I wanted to be a tag team wrestler.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Ganbatte Kudasai 💪 pic.twitter.com/nqbW6UI5Vy
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) July 16, 2018
My condolences to everyone Mr. Masa Saito made an impression with, friends and family alike.
I cannot even begin to express the personal and professional impressions he made with me.Live a strong day today for this man in his honor.#MasaSaito#LEGEND#Pioneer#SaitoSuplex pic.twitter.com/QGaIRKZk6w
— Kevin Robert Kesar (@realKILLERkross) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/EBischoff/status/1018867566830342152
RIP Masa Saito. May your reigns of terror never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/WzwyH1dBva
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) July 16, 2018
Message from Antonio Inoki on the occasion of Masa Saito's death. pic.twitter.com/c78kkSjOrQ
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) July 16, 2018
The legendary wrestler Masa Saito passed away on Saturday after complications from an ongoing battle with Parkinson’s Disease. I was honored to wrestle him in 1995. A former WWF Tag Team Champion with Mr. Fuji, and a former AWA World Heavyweight Champion. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/llQG5K3T21
— Marc Mero (@MarcMero) July 16, 2018
Just heard the news that Japanese wrestling legend Masa Saito has passed away. He was an Olympian, tireless worker and Champion. My thought and prayers are with his family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zPhqQZhI35
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) July 16, 2018
MASA SAITO GOD BLESS YOU BUBBA
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) July 16, 2018
