Gran Hamada obit

Former WWF Star Gran Hamada Passes Away at 74

 

He was not on the list.

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its pioneers, as Gran Hamada has passed away at the age of 74. His passing was first reported by San Luis Potosí, marking the end of a career that spanned decades and left a lasting impact on lucha libre and Japanese wrestling.

Born in Maebashi, Japan, in 1950, Hamada’s career took him across the globe, making him one of the most influential junior heavyweights of his time. He trained under the legendary Antonio Inoki and started his career with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the early 1970s. With his quick, technical style, he became one of the first Japanese wrestlers to fully embrace lucha libre, blending high-flying maneuvers with strong grappling techniques.

His work in Mexico helped bridge the gap between Japanese puroresu and Mexican lucha libre. Hamada became a staple of Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), capturing multiple championships, including the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title, the UWA World Light Heavyweight Title, and the UWA World Middleweight Title. His innovative offense and ability to seamlessly transition between different wrestling styles made him a respected figure in both countries.

In the 1980s, Hamada held the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship while competing in Mexico and Japan, long before the title became an official part of WWE programming. His influence extended far beyond just holding gold—his style directly impacted future stars like Jushin Thunder Liger, Ultimo Dragon, and countless others who followed in his footsteps.

In 1990, Hamada founded Universal Lucha Libre, a promotion that played a key role in popularizing lucha-inspired junior heavyweight wrestling in Japan. The company helped launch the careers of wrestlers such as TAKA Michinoku and the original Kaientai, who would go on to make a name for themselves in both Japan and the United States.

He made appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Michinoku Pro Wrestling, continuing to prove that he could still go even as younger generations emerged. Hamada even had a brief run in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he wrestled in a memorable six-man tag team match at ECW Barely Legal 1997, teaming with Masato Yakushiji & The Great Sasuke against Dick Togo, TAKA Michinoku & Terry Boy. The match was an introduction for many U.S. fans to the fast-paced Japanese junior heavyweight style.

Despite slowing down in later years, Hamada continued to wrestle into his late 60s, with his last recorded match taking place in 2018. His contributions to wrestling cannot be overstated, as he helped shape an entire generation of junior heavyweight and lucha-inspired wrestlers.

Gran Hamada’s legacy will live on through the countless wrestlers he influenced and the promotions that embraced his innovative style. His impact on NJPW, UWA, AJPW, Michinoku Pro, and beyond is undeniable, and he will always be remembered as one of the true pioneers of junior heavyweight wrestling.

What are your thoughts on Gran Hamada’s legacy? Did you ever watch him wrestle, and if so, what was your favorite match? Share your memories in the comments below.