(NOAH/ALL JAPAN) Mitsuharu Misawa's last All Japan match was in Fukuoka in 2000, the details of Steve Williams "attack threat".

20th April 2025

Tokyo Sports

I was surprised when Tetsuya Naito left New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

In recent years, he has led the promotion as a central wrestler in LIJ (Los Ingobernables de Japon), but since February of this year, he has not renewed his contract and has been competing as a freelancer. His final appearance will be in Fukuoka on May 4th. What he does in the future will be of interest. 

Now, when we think of a top wrestler leaving a company, it brings to mind the scandal of twenty-four years ago in June 2000, when Misawa Mitsuharu left All Japan Pro Wrestling. On the front page of its issue on the 12th, Tokyo Sports reported, "All Japan Shock: President Misawa Resigns!" and "Decision on Retirement or New Promotion to Be Made Within a Day or Two." Following Giant Baba's death on January 31, 1999, Misawa became the new president in May. However, a feud arose between him and Baba's wife, Motoko, the rift could not be bridged, leading him to finally decide to leave the company. However, he had already informed close associates and several members of the media that he was quitting, and Tokyo Sports was waiting for the right time to report it. 

On June 16th, Misawa held a press conference to announce the formation of a new promotion. A total of twenty-six people attended, excluding Toshiaki Kawada and Masanobu Fuchi. The following July, the name of the new promotion was announced as "Pro Wrestling Noah". Although Misawa had left All Japan, he was still under contract to take part in some shows, and so out of consideration for the promoters, Misawa and the other Noah wrestlers took part in four All Japan events on July (Ehime on the 13th, Nanao on the 15th, Toyama on the 17th and Hakata on the 20th). 

After Misawa and the others left All Japan, it was "Murder Doctor" Steve Williams, who harshly criticized Misawa in Numazu on July 4th. In a loud voice that echoed not only backstage, but even out into the hallways, he ranted "Misawa left All Japan with many of the staff and wrestlers. I'm really pissed off. I want to punish him. Misawa is a bad businessman." He went on to call for a direct confrontation at one of the venues in which Misawa would be competing. The only matches between the Noah wrestlers who had participated in All Japan, were matches between wrestlers from Noah.  

In the first match, Ehime on the 13th, Misawa teamed up with Yoshinari Ogawa and Masao Inoue to face Yoshihiro Takayama, Takao Omori and Takeshi Morishima. Williams arrived just before the match started, and watched from the front row. 

Was he really going to attack Misawa? The interviews had continued with the same tense atmosphere. After the match, he quickly retreated backstage. 

"Why didn't I attack today? There is no reason. Misawa will have three more matches. That's the answer." 

So with Williams practically hinting at an attack, however in Nanao on the 15th, Misawa simply stared. 

Before the match in Toyama on the 17th, Misawa declared, "I don't intend to attack him, but if he does, I won't hold back. I don't know what Steve intends to do. It's fine if he just watches, but if he attacks one of the younger guys or he ruins the match, then I won't keep quiet. I'll hit him." 

Then, on the final day that Misawa was to compete, at the Hakata tournament on the 20th, Williams finally made his move. 

After Misawa's match ended, he quickly ran up on to the apron. There was a commotion in the ring as Misawa was on his guard, and several young wrestlers* jumped into the ring.

Williams took the microphone and made some kind of appeal before approaching Misawa. He then extended his right hand and asked for a handshake. He cheered Misawa on with a smile, saying "Good luck!" before leaving. Misawa watched him looking disappointed. Williams explained the true meaning of the handshake, "I told Misawa, "Let's fight one more time before I retire. Do your best in the new promotion." After thinking about it, I decided not to attack because I thought it was unbecoming of All Japan. From now on, we can both do our best, and we will make All Japan number one by our own efforts." Misawa later revealed that, "I realized that he was holding out his hand, and that it was for a handshake. I shook it as if to say, "thank you for your hard work".

The media was stunned by this "unexpected punchline". 

Williams later privately sounded out the possibility of joining Noah, but Ryu Nakata, the director of public relations, did not agree. 

By the way, Misawa revealed that the most painful moment for him during his participation in All Japan Pro Wrestling was after the match in Matsuyama. When he left the ring, a man in the crowd shouted "Traitor!" at him. Misawa confessed, "To be honest, I wanted to grab him and punch him. What was I doing fighting in the All Japan, and risking my life? I think I've fully repaid the kindness All Japan Pro Wrestling gave me."

 

Notes

*Several young wrestlers: Including Naomichi Marufuji

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports