”PRO WRESTLING MASTER” Keiji Muto: Part One—Three Musketeers of New Japan

This episode of Write That Down! is about all-things Keiji Muto. The 58-year-old legend captured Pro Wrestling NOAH’s GHC title at their Destination iPPV held in Tokyo Budokan in February '21. In part one, Fumi and Justin discussed:

 

-Pro Wrestling NOAH: Destination 2021: Muto wins GHC

-Muto's NJPW debut in ’84 vs Masahiro Chono

-His first excursions to USA and Puerto Rico + training with Hiro Matsuda in FL

-’87 and his return to NJPW

-’88–’89 The Great Muta is born: Muto in WCCW, NWA, & Gary Hart

-’90–’95 Muto/Muta rises to icon status in NJPW

 

In 2021, at 58 years old, Keiji Muto stepped onto the grand stage of Nippon Budokan, headlining PRO WRESTLING NOAH’s return to the storied venue after an eleven-year hiatus. It was a triumphant moment that marked his final title reign as he captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship, solidifying his legacy as one of Japan’s most enduring wrestling icons. Fumi Saito aptly noted, “People will be talking about the year 2021.” 

 

The big win, which came after his shock victory over Go Shiozaki, was more than just another title; it was the culmination of a career that spanned generations, promotions, and personas.

 

After his victory, Muto made it official: he signed a two-year contract with NOAH, and the announcement quickly drew Kaito Kiyomiya, a rising star, who challenged the legend in the ring. For fans, this wasn’t just a championship celebration; it was a moment that held the weight of history. NOAH’s Budokan show felt distinctly different from the spectacle of a New Japan Pro-Wrestling event, as Justin Knipper observed: “It felt more sporty, catering to a primarily Showa and Heisei audience.” The event featured legends from various eras—Kazushi Sakuraba, Kazuyuki Fujita, Kendo Kashin—and carried an almost reverent sense of Japanese wrestling’s rich past.

 

In Japanese wrestling, few have achieved what Muto has—a championship reign in each of Japan’s major promotions, a feat dubbed the “Grand Slam of Japanese Wrestling.” Muto had held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in NJPW, AJPW’s Triple Crown in the 2000s, and finally NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight title. But to appreciate the significance of this journey, we must look back to where it all began, in Yamanashi Prefecture, where Keiji Muto was born on December 23, 1962.

 

Before he was a wrestler, Muto was a standout in judo. Taller and more solidly built than many of his peers, he placed third in national judo competitions, a background that later shaped his physicality and resilience in the wrestling ring. Muto initially pursued chiropractic studies, earning his license after three years of training. Yet his ambition was set on wrestling, and by age 21, he found himself at NJPW’s dojo, where he would face grueling physical demands alongside Masahiro Chono and Shinya Hashimoto. Together, the three rookies—who would come to be known as NJPW’s “Three Musketeers”—represented the future of a promotion that had recently lost two waves of talent, first to Japan Pro Wrestling and later to UWF, the country’s first shoot-style wrestling promotion.

 

NJPW’s dojo was almost empty when Muto arrived, with major names like Riki Choshu, Animal Hamaguchi, and Akira Maeda gone. Still, training was harsh; at one point, Muto tried to persuade his fellow trainees to quit with him. Yet, resilience won out, and Muto debuted on October 5, 1984, facing Chono. Soon, Muto was gaining recognition alongside his peers, though fans didn’t immediately warm to him. By NJPW standards, he was relatively inexperienced for his early opportunities in major programs with stars like Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami.

 

In 1985, Muto embarked on the classic Japanese wrestling “excursion,” a rite of passage that saw him spend time in the U.S. southern territories as “Ninja” and in Puerto Rico as “Super Black Ninja,” mentored by veterans like Hiro Matsuda and Kendo Nagasaki. He then traveled to Dallas for World Class Championship Wrestling before making his way to Jim Crockett’s NWA. There, Muto took on a new identity as “The Great Muta,” a mysterious figure crafted by American promoters as the “son” of The Great Kabuki, who was known for his mist-spraying theatrics. Managed by Gary Hart, The Great Muta was an instant hit, dazzling fans with his precision and flair. His style combined the power and crispness of American wrestling with the finesse and fluidity of Japan, and his image—a product of American ingenuity with Japanese spirit—drew countless fans.

 

By the time Muto returned to NJPW in 1989, he was a transformed wrestler. He moved with unmatched athleticism and confidence, showcasing new moves like his Flashing Elbow and Moonsault, which set a new standard for Japanese high-flying maneuvers. The Great Muta persona didn’t initially resonate with Japanese fans, who were accustomed to Muto’s original, purer style, but over time, he would balance his two identities, wrestling as both Muta and Muto—a duality that enhanced his appeal and kept audiences intrigued.

 

Throughout the 1990s, Muto continued to evolve. His match against UWFi’s Nobuhiko Takada at the Tokyo Dome in 1995 showcased his innovative approach, debuting his Dragon Screw Legwhip-to-Figure Four Leglock combination. The move was strategic—a counter to Takada’s stiff kicks and a masterful blend of wrestling techniques that demonstrated Muto’s thoughtful ring psychology. As Muto described to Saito, he approached wrestling as “a chef who tries to mix simple, perfect ingredients to create the perfect meal—or match.”

 

Physical limitations, especially chronic knee injuries from years of judo and wrestling, forced Muto to adapt. His low, calculated Basement Dropkick reduced strain on his knees, while his Shining Wizard—a dynamic running knee strike—became an iconic finishing move that defined his later years. With his American-inspired style and creativity, Muto set himself apart from contemporaries like Shinya Hashimoto, whose hard-hitting, traditional Japanese style served as a stark contrast.

 

Back in the United States, the Great Muta persona remained legendary. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan requested NJPW tapes to study Muta’s work, captivated by his unique style. However, Muto’s true versatility shone in Japan, where he embodied both the flamboyant villainy of The Great Muta and the noble, dynamic spirit of Keiji Muto. While Japanese fans didn’t embrace Muta as fully as Americans had, the character’s lasting popularity meant Muto would continue to weave between these two identities, keeping audiences worldwide in awe of his adaptability.

 

In his decades-long career, Muto pushed boundaries, defied expectations, and inspired countless wrestlers with his dedication and craft. As one of Japanese wrestling’s most iconic figures, he stands as a bridge between eras, blending old-school athleticism with a flair for showmanship that has captivated fans around the world. And as he made his final run as champion in 2021, it was a reminder that Keiji Muto—through every reinvention and comeback—remained, at his core, a true wrestling legend.