Kuniaki Kobayashi

[Grimmas]

Discuss here.

[El-P]

He used to be overrated during the "Tiger Mask is king" years. At this point, no idea.

[PeteF3]

I think he was pretty clearly Sayama's best opponent, or at least the best opponent he wrestled multiple times. And goddamn, do I love that AJPW match with Fuchi, though I guess it's more of a feather in Fuchi's cap. Even all-washed-up Kobayashi put on a pretty kickass match with Koki Kitahara during the NJPW-WAR feud. I don't know if it'll be enough for him to rate, but he would definitely make a top 150 for me.

[Badlittlekitten]

Love this guy. Agree his Tiger Masks best opponent, love watching him ground him and twist him into the mat. Cool as fuck too, especially in his red trackies. He looks like the anti hero in some old war comic and he probably smells of whiskey.

[goodhelmet]

He was pretty good in All Japan and New Japan. I would have to revisit some of his stuff to see if he can sneak in near the bottom.

[JerryvonKramer]

I remember his trousers more than his matches.

[El-P]

The worst martial-art strikes this side of Stan Lane. Not very good, but had a coolness factor to him, mostly because he worked like an asshole.

[JerryvonKramer]

This guy has taken a quantum leap forward in my estimation from recent New Japan watching, think he was tremendous.

[Childs]

He was Sayama's best New Japan opponent but his peak was short. The move to All Japan hurt him because the light heavies were so de-emphasized there.

[JerryvonKramer]

Also like him less when he doesn't have the red pants.

[JerryvonKramer]

Just wanted to mention again how much I love this guy and he's an outside bet for making my list.

[JerryvonKramer]

I can't be sure that he'll make my list, but more people need to talk about this guy.

 

His run in early 80s NJ is as good as anyone who isn't Fujinami.

[Ma Stump Puller]

Him and Tiger Mask work a good European Rules match in 95 that was surprisingly fun to watch and played off their prior encounters pretty well. Not a sensational top 10 ballot pick for his best hits but a solid outing for a guy who mostly fell off the radar after the cancer scare.

Might be a rogue choice if you are especially keen of the 80's Jr heavyweight scene. Certainly a great opponent for Tiger Mask and remained so arguably up until his very last few matches despite his rust, even if he always kinda awkwardly fit in with his opponents (and at times could drag with his long technical work) but his heel work was always very snug and worked with a wide range of opponents. Never anything sensational for the most part but a very competent worker that proved he could fit into basically any slot needed. If consistency is the big ranking for a top 100, he might just squeeze on.