10 Reasons Kenta Kobashi Is The Greatest Wrestler Of The Modern Era

Very few wrestlers get a proper sendoff in the pro wrestling industry. Many of them are forced into retirement after suffering a career-ending injury, while many others simply wrestle one last match and leave rather unceremoniously. In other cases, the retirements are ‘temporary’, and before you know it, that wrestler is back in the ring.

When looking at ‘memorable’ retirements, there are only a few that truly come to mind. ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair’s WWE retirement was one of the most emotional and memorable moments in WWE history, but some say he tarnished it with his run in TNA. Shawn had his own emotional farewell in the ring. Finally, when it happens, one can guarantee that the Undertaker’s retirement will also be great.

However, Kobashi trumps all of them, because he had his own retirement Pay-Per-View: Final Burning in Bukodan, named after both his ‘burning spirit’ character and the legendary hall where he had his most famous matches. It was one of the first sold-out shows that NOAH had in years, and featured guests like former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, legendary TV announcers, and many former colleagues (including a message from Johnny Ace).

His final match was one of the most emotional moments in Japanese wrestling history. With fans watching nationwide on closed-circuit TV, the audience was louder than ever as Kobashi made his way down the aisle for the final time, and even with his body as worn-down as it was, he still put on an awesome performance, and finished the match with the final Moonsault of his career.

Kobashi is the only wrestler to date to have his own retirement PPV. That says a lot about his skill, significance to wrestling history, and the respect the wrestling fandom have for him.