10 Major Career-Making Wrestling Matches

Weeks prior to this legendary match, Mitsuharu Misawa removed his Tiger Mask to announce himself, literally, to the All Japan Pro Wrestling public. On the day of 8 June 1990, that public loudly chanted his name outside of the walls of Budokan Hall, hours before showtime, compelling booker Giant Baba to bring forward the long-term philosophical sea change he had envisioned for the decade. He requested Jumbo Tsuruta - company Ace - to put Misawa over in an impromptu decision that underscored his immense acumen. Tsuruta was reluctant, bargaining for a count-out loss.

"No," came Baba's reply.

It was a match - an occasion - predicated on change. Tsuruta attempted to confine Misawa to the ring. Electrifying the Budokan, Misawa sent him tumbling out of it, fusing the bruising, traditional All Japan style with his jaw-dropping junior-influenced offence. He dove off the apron, time and time again, at once advancing the in-ring style and delivering a superb psychological message. This was Misawa's ring now. There was no way back in for the old guard. In a wonderful poetic visual, Misawa, after an incredibly popular result, was hoisted on the shoulders of fellow Four Pillars Kenta Kobashi and Toshiaki Kawada.

Misawa, literally elevated, elevated everything around him - attendances, match quality, an intrigue surrounding a promotion fading in popularity - in parallel.