Boo: Getting Misty

Kabuki vs. Jimmy Valiant
Photo by WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

When I was a kid World Class Championship Wrestling was one of my favorite things to watch.  I'm not talking just wrestling, but TV in general.  WCCW featured some of the best talent and I seemed to connect more with the product than I did with the WWF in those early days.

One of the many characters to come through Texas, included the Japanese superstar The Great Kabuki.  While he was no giant or a muscled monster, there was something creepy about Kabuki.  Maybe it was his face paint, or maybe it was the way manager Gary Hart had trouble controlling his charge, but Kabuki was one of the most intimidating guys on the roster.

In addition to the long hair, pre-match masks, and face paint, Kabuki was the first wrestler to blow that mysterious green mist into the eyes of his opponent.  Because of his association with Hart, Kabuki wrestled as a heel, but eventually he turned face.

Kabuki
Photo by WWE

He wrestled briefly in the NWA, again with Hart and was touted as the father of the Great Muta.  Kabuki spent most of his career overseas in Japan, but did do a spot at the 1994 Royal Rumble.  He was one of the henchmen who took out the Undertaker during his casket match with Yokozuna.  Kabuki also appeared in the Rumble match itself.  To my knowledge it was his only time in New York.

Although retired now, Kabuki shows up on list on the WWE's website from time to time.  It's good to see this interesting international star has not been forgotten.