10 Wrestlers With The Most Five Star Matches
1. Mitsuharu Misawa - 26
As if it could be anyone else.
Mitsuharu Misawa was All Japan Pro Wrestling's ace during the promotion's most successful period. Puroresu's ultimate stoic babyface, he was Japan's crown jewel, and a man who literally gave everything for the sport, as he tragically died in the ring in 2009.
Misawa's five-star legacy began in 1985, when he faced Kuniaki Kobayashi while working as Tiger Mask II. He'd eventually lose the gimmick and resume competing under his own name in 1990, and that's when his career started taking off. Misawa's elevation began with a ***** performance against Jumbo Tsuruta in 1990, then he became the company ace during a two-year run with the Triple Crown Championship from 1992 onward, putting on great singles, tag, and six-man tag matches on the regular.
He had a six star match with Kawada in 1994, and a legendary string of three ***** clashes with Kobashi around the turn of the century. As a tag worker, Misawa was an indomitable foil for Kobashi's fiery passion, though he knew more than a thing or two about fighting spirit himself. His excellence cannot be overstated, and while Kazuchika Okada may eventually come within touching distance, it's hard to imagine anyone beating Misawa's record of 26 *****+ star matches.