Every Star Of The Last WCW Nitro: Where Are They Now?

14. Kaz Hayashi

Evan Karagias
WWE.com

Kaz Hayashi realised his lot in the North American mainstream following his banishment to the Heartland Wrestling Association, and resurfaced in All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002. While he never recovered the cult sensation reputation he cultivated in the vastly influential puro-lucha Michinoku Pro league throughout the mid-'90s, Hayashi was and remains a solid veteran presence in the C tier of Japanese pro wrestling.

He's still working an impressively loaded schedule for WRESTLE-1, having defected from AJPW through his loyalty to Keiji Mutoh. In his 40s, he entered an energetic and well-received performance at the jointly-promoted TNA Bound For Glory in 2014 in a quality three-way sprint opposite Samoa Joe and Low Ki.

Hayashi, all these years later, is the quintessential good and dependable midcard talent.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!