2. Mitsuharu Misawa Dies Mid-Match
Mitsuharu Misawa was as big as they come in Japan. Throughout his career he was able to establish himself as a true legend in the world of professional wrestling. He actively competed for nearly thirty years for various promotions in Japan, and became an eight-time world champion. Misawa got his start in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he originally competed as the second Tiger Mask. After a number of years under the hood, Misawa was allowed unmask and compete as himself. He quickly became an immensely popular star and would continue to thrill audiences until his death. In 2000, Misawa left All Japan -- following legendary wrestler, Giant Babas death. Misawa took nearly the entire All Japan roster with him and quickly formed his own company -- Pro Wrestling Noah. Under Misawas leadership, Noah went on to establish itself as one of the premier promotions in Japan. However, it would all come to an end for the legendary wrestler in the green tights on June 13, 2009. Misawa was competing in a tag team match at a Noah event in the Hiroshima Green Arena. Together with Go Shiozaki, Misawa battled the GHC Tag Team Champions Akitoshi Saito and Bison Smith. Saito delivered a belly to back suplex to Misawa at one point, and everyone noticed that something was immediately wrong. Misawa was unconsciousness and not responding. The match was stopped almost immediately and many from the locker room ran to the ring. CPR was performed in the middle of the squared circle, until finally an ambulance arrived. It was too late, however. Misawa was pronounced dead at 10:10 PM local time. Doctors have speculated that the cause of death was a spinal cord injury which caused a heart attack. However, no official statement was ever made, as Misawas family requested the police not release the official cause to the public.