Former NJPW Booker & WWE Hall of Famer Hisashi Shinma Passes Away at 90

– Tokyo Sports reports that former New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) booker Hisashi Shinma has passed away. Shinma reportedly passed away earlier today. He was 90 years old.

Individuals close to Shima indicated that he was previously hospitalized three weeks ago due to ailing health, and he was then discharged two days ago. He reportedly passed away at his home in Tokyo, Japan. Shinma was part of NJPW when the company first launched in 1972. He served as the right hand-man of the late founder and wrestling legend, Antonio Inoki. He helped produce many matches, including Inoki’s iconic matchup with MuhammadAli that took place in 1976.

Additionally, Shinma helped create the iconic Tiger Mask character, and he’s credited as the one who came up with the gimmick for Satoru Sayama. Shinma also discovered Akira Maeda. Additionally, Shinma advocated for the International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) concept in New Japan. He also later formed the UWF after leaving NJPW.

Hisashi Shinma was previously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Hall of Fame’s Legacy Wing. He also appeared as an on-air authority figure in WWWF and WWF from 1978 to 1984. Shinma served as WWE’s on-air president before later being replaced by the administration of Jack Tunney.

Developing a relationship with Vincent J. McMahon, the father of former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, Shinma helped negotiate a talent-sharing agreement with NJPW and WWE. This helped many wrestlers cross over, including WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami.