It’s been a decade since Kenta Kobashi’s last match in pro wrestling, marking the end of an era in Japanese wrestling.
The All-Japan and NOAH legend wrestled some of the most iconic matches in history, with clashes against the likes of Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada in particular wowing fans.
Sadly, injuries and the death of his colleagues caused Kenta Kobashi to retire from the ring, but not before wrestling one last match in front of one of the biggest crowds he every performed in front of.
Kenta Kobashi’s Last Match
Kenta Kobashi’s last match in wrestling took place at a show paying tribute to him and his career.
Final Burning in Budokan was Kobashi’s retirement show, being built around the final match of his storied career.
It was originally meant to take place months earlier (on the 25th anniversary of his debut), but due to injuries Kenta Kobashi’s final match was pushed back to May 11th, 2013.
In one of the most star-studded main events in NOAH history, the team of Jun Akiyama, Keiji Mutoh, Kensuke Sasaki and Kenta Kobashi defeated Go Shiozaki, Kenta, Maybach Taniguchi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Kobashi fittingly picked up the win, hitting one final moonsault and pinning Kanemaru to pick up the victory in his last match.
After the match, a ten-bell salute sounded to honor the end of Kobashi’s career, as well as a reading of all his accomplishments in wrestling.
It was a touching moment that truly showed what Kenta Kobashi meant to wrestling in Japan.
Kenta Kobashi has remained retired following his last match. although fellow Four Pillar Kawada could be tempted to face off with one of the stars of NJPW in one final bout.