is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler. He first gained international fame during his time in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He is best known for his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) where he competed under the ring name The Great Muta in the 1990s. Mutoh is a former owner and president of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and was a full-time wrestler for them from 2002 to 2013. Mutoh has also served military service in Japan and was able to reach the rank of master sergeant.
He is credited as one of the first Japanese wrestlers to gain a fan base outside of his native Japan in the United States. His Great Muta gimmick is one of the most influential gimmicks in puroresu. He is one of three wrestlers to hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Mutoh is an eight-time World Champion, having held the NWA World Title once, the IWGP Title four times, and AJPW's Triple Crown three times. He also has held a dozen World Tag Team Championships in the U.S. and Japan. Between NJPW, AJPW, and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Mutoh has held 21 total championships.
Mutoh is also known for competing in what is generally considered to be the bloodiest professional wrestling match of all time against Hiroshi Hase, which lead to the creation of the "Muta Scale".
He is the founder of Wrestle-1 (W-1) and is the current owner of the promotion. He also wrestles for it semi-regularly, and also makes occasional special appearances for the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as part of a TNA/W-1 talent exchange partnership.
In wrestling
Finishing moves
Figure-four leglock
Moonsault
Muta Lock – Innovated
Shining Wizard / Senkou Youjutsu – 2001–present; Innovated
Signature moves
Asian mist
Cradle piledriver
Cross armbreaker
Dragon screw
Dragon suplex
Dropkick, sometimes from the top rope or to an opponent's knees
Flashing Elbow (Running twisting elbow drop) Frankensteiner Handspring back elbow Leaping clothesline Nenbutsu Powerbomb (Sitout powerbomb with theatrics) – adopted from Hakushi Rib breaker Rope hung snap swinging neckbreaker Rolling savate kick Space Rolling Elbow (Cartwheel back elbow to a cornered opponent) Triangle choke Managers Gary Hart Oliver Humperdink Megu Fujiura Entrance themes New Japan Pro Wrestling (1984–2002) "Champion At Heart" by Hong Kong Explosion (1984–1986) "The Final Countdown" by Europe (1986–1988) "Hold Out" by Osamu Suzuki (1990–1995, also used in WAR and Pro Wrestling ZERO1) "MUTA" by Osamu Suzuki (1990–1995, also used in WAR) "Triumph" by Andre Andersen (1995–1997, also used in Catch Wrestling Association, WAR and UWF International) "Great Muta Concerto" by New Japan Pro Wrestling (1996–1999) "nWo Triumph" (1998–2000) "Muta Materno" (2000) "Outbreak" (2000–2002, also used in All Japan Pro Wrestling) "Kokushi Muso" (2001, also used in Michinoku Pro Wrestling) International excursions (1986–present) "Friday The 13th, Part III Theme" by Black Ice (World Wrestling Council and World Class Championship Wrestling, 1988–1989) "Luminous Forces I" (World Championship Wrestling, 1989–1990) "Kimi Ga Yo" (WCW, Starrcade '90: Collision Course, December 16, 1990) "War Lords" (WCW, Clash Of The Champions XV: Knocksville USA, June 12, 1991) "Tokyo Takeaway" (WCW, 1992–1995, 1997, 2000) "Tear It Up" (WCW, 1997–1998) "Take It" by Insane Clown Posse (WCW, 2000) All Japan Pro Wrestling (2001–2013) "Outbreak" (2001–2002, also used in New Japan Pro Wrestling) "Trans Magic" by All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2009, also used in NJPW and Pro Wrestling NOAH) "Kokushi Gikyoku" (2002–2005, also used in Pro Wrestling ZERO1) "Muta Sanbika" by All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2006, also used in Ring Of Honor, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, and Toryumon Mexico) "Kingly" by Wu Bai and China Blue (2005–2013) "Muta Inden" (2006–2010, also used in NJPW, WWC, HUSTLE, Real Quality Wrestling, and Juggalo Championship Wrestling) "Symbol" by Osamu Suzuki (2009–2013, also used in NOAH) "Muta Galaxy" (2010–2013, also used in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Pro Wrestling Syndicate) Wrestle-1 (2013–present) "Hold Out" (2013–present)