10 Wrestlers Who Secretly Changed WWE History

7. Gran Hamada

Unless you're a fellow smelly wrestling geek, chances are you won't have heard of Gran Hamada. Born Hiroaki Hamada, he was one of the first trainees at NJPW's dojo. Owing to his small stature, he was sent on excursion to Mexico, which is where he really hit his stride. 

While performing for the Universal Wrestling Association, Hamada developed a unique style that blended traditional Japanese striking with lucha libre high-flying. Upon returning to Japan, he introduced this style to a brand new audience, forming his own promotion, Universal Lucha Libre, in 1990. 

A number of future legends cut their teeth here. Último Dragón, The Great Sasuke, and Taka Michinoku all wrestled there, as did American star Jerry Lynn. The company only lasted five years, but its impact lasted much longer.

Nowadays, a hybrid style of hard-hitting offense and impressive acrobatics is commonplace. A number of Japanese wrestlers also followed in Hamada's footsteps by moving to Mexico, most notably Tetsuya Naito. 

Hamada died in 2025 at the age of 74. His legacy lives on through his two daughters, Ayako and Xóchitl, who are both wrestlers in their own right.