My Top 10 Japanese Wrestlers: Part one

Selecting

the top performers in Japanese professional wrestling is a daunting task, as puroresu has always been more than just a spectacle—it is a display of "fighting spirit" and legendary endurance. From the foundational eras that defined the sport’s philosophy to the hard-hitting "Strong Style" and "King’s Road" revolutions, the Japanese ring has produced some of the most influential athletes in history. In this series, I am breaking down my Top 10 Japanese Wrestlers of All Time, counting down two iconic figures in each installment until we reach the pinnacle of the craft. We begin today with the first pair on our list: two icons who embody the prestige and physicality that make this style of wrestling unique. To give these legends the respect they deserve, I’ve divided this countdown into five parts.

Coming in at number ten is the legendary Jumbo Tsuruta, a man often cited as the "strongest wrestler" in the history of Japanese puroresu. Tsuruta’s journey began not in the ring, but on the basketball court and the Olympic mat, representing Japan in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Transitioning to the professional ranks shortly after, he was scouted by Giant Baba and sent to Amarillo, Texas, to train under The Funks. He made history as the first-ever Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion by unifying three major titles in 1989, and he spent the 1980s as the definitive "Ace" of All Japan Pro Wrestling, known for his incredible stamina and a backdrop suplex that few could survive.

While Jumbo’s in-ring dominance made him a global icon, his "now" is a legacy that endures through the many wrestlers he inspired. After a long battle with health issues, including Hepatitis B, Tsuruta retired in 1999 and moved to the United States to pursue an academic career as a professor. Sadly, he passed away in May 2000 due to complications during a kidney transplant.

Though he is no longer with us, his reputation as a "Final Boss" of wrestling remains untouched. Reflecting on his identity and the pride he took in his journey from a small-town athlete to a national hero, he once famously expressed his deep connection to his home:

"I want to be a person who can always say with pride that I was born and raised in Yamanashi."

Coming in at number nine on our countdown is the incomparable Asuka. Long before she was known as "The Empress of Tomorrow" in the United States, she dominated the Japanese ring under the name Kana. Her journey began in June 2004 with the promotion AtoZ, but it was nearly cut short by a brief retirement due to chronic nephritis in 2006. Upon her return in 2007, she transformed into a fierce freelancer, carving out a reputation for her "stiff" striking style and rebellious spirit.

She became a pivotal figure in promotions like Pro Wrestling WAVE, JWP, and SMASH, and even formed the influential "Triple Tails" stable alongside the Shirai sisters (lo and Mio), which allowed her to exert creative control over her own career through self-produced "Kana Pro" events.

Asuka’s championship record in Japan is a testament to her versatility, spanning both the tag team and singles divisions across multiple organizations. She reached the summit of the venerable JWP Joshi Puroresu by capturing the JWP Openweight Championship, and she dominated the SMASH Diva division as a two-time champion.

Her dominance extended to the tag team ranks where she secured the NEO Tag Team Championship with Nanae Takahashi, the WAVE Tag Team Championship twice (with Ayumi Kurihara and Mio Shirai), and even the REINA World Tag Team Championship. She even showcased her comedic and endurance range by winning the DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship FIVE times.

Today, Asuka has solidified her status as a global icon and one of the most decorated women in history. Currently performing on the WWE Raw brand, she has recently balanced her role as a veteran leader and tag team specialist, having held the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship for a third time as part of The Kabuki Warriors. Despite her decade-long tenure in the West, she has never forgotten the grit of the Japanese joshi scene that forged her. Reflecting on her journey and the path she paved for future generations, she once noted:

"I believe that ideals and convictions... hold more value than what one has actually accomplished... Creating a path is far more difficult than walking down a path that others have made. And therein lies the most beautiful aesthetic of all."

​As we continue our journey toward the top of the mountain, the competition only grows more legendary. Be sure to check back as we unveil the next part of our series, where we dive into the careers of #8 and #7—two titans who defined the "Strong Style" and "King's Road" eras and changed the landscape of professional wrestling forever.

Kimster AFW