Hisashi Shinma | |
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.jpg) Shinma in 2017 | |
| Born | (1935-03-22)March 22, 1935 Tokyo,Japan |
| Died | April 21, 2025(2025-04-21) (aged 90) Tokyo, Japan |
| Education | Chuo University |
| Occupations |
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Hisashi Shinma (新間 寿,Shinma Hisashi; March 22, 1935 – April 21, 2025) was a Japaneseprofessional wrestling booker andprofessional wrestling promoter. Shinma is noted for having been anon-screen authority for theWorld Wrestling Federation, from 1978 to 1984, billed as the President of the promotion.[1] He was succeeded byJack Tunney.[1]
Shinma was chairman and one of the bookers forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling at the time and negotiated a talent-sharing arrangement with the World Wrestling Federation within the junior heavyweight division, which ultimately launchedTatsumi Fujinami as an international superstar and an eventual successor toAntonio Inoki.
Shinma's most famous moment as WWF President occurred on December 6, 1979, afterBob Backlund regained the WWF title from Antonio Inoki at the end of his Japan tour. Shinma overruled the decision due to interference fromTiger Jeet Singh. Inoki refused to accept the belt, but Backlund regained the vacant title after returning to the United States.[2] Backlund's title loss to Inoki is still not officially acknowledged by WWE and largely unknown to American audiences untilPro Wrestling Illustrated recognized Inoki's reign in the late-1990s.
Shinma's other accomplishments included fittingSatoru Sayama with theTiger Maskgimmick, discoveringAkira Maeda,[3] advocated the concept of theInternational Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) in NJPW and forming theUniversal Wrestling Federation in Japan after leaving New Japan.[4] Shinma remained in UWF until disagreements arose with Sayama over the match content.
His son Hisatsune Shinma was also a promoter, and co-foundedUniversal Lucha Libre withGran Hamada, one of the original UWF members, but with the promotion focusing on thelucha libre style brought from Mexico.
In his later years, Shinma was active as the chairman ofReal Japan Pro Wrestling. When RJPW evolved intoStrong Style Pro Wrestling, he became their representative director. He retired in October 2024.
In March 2025, Shinma was admitted to a Tokyo hospital forCOVID-19. Although he recovered and was discharged, he developed pneumonia and died at his home on April 21, 2025, at the age of 90.[5]
,Internet Wrestling Database| International | |
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