11. Shohei 'Giant' Baba
By Japanese standards, the 610, 300lbs. Giant Baba certainly lived up to his name. Though not as technically-gifted as his great rival (whom well get to next), Baba exuded this aura that made him feel like a big star, which was amplified by his sheer size. Inside the ring, he was a very successful wrestler; he was the first Japanese wrestler to hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which he contested in matches against Jack Brisco, Ric Flair, and other big stars of the 1970s. He also wrestled for Vince McMahon Sr., and challenged Bruno Sammartino for the World title. But his lasting legacy was All Japan Pro Wrestling, the promotion he opened and ran until his death. By the late 1980s, his style of booking had truly benefited All Japan. Known as Kings Road he emphasized clean finishes, as opposed to many matches during the 1980s that ended in draws or other dirty finishes. This was essential, as it made the matches his wrestlers took part in tell more emotional stories that captivated viewers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLT-vfX2EY Thanks to Baba, fans were treated to some of the greatest matches in history, at least according to independent wrestling observers. Babas All Japan was so popular that tickets for his shows at Bukodan Hall would be sold out within 24 hours of being going on sale. Whether as a wrestler or as a booker, Giant Baba accomplished very big things, just like his rival. Speaking of which