05/09/2026
27 years ago, a full house in the Budokan witnessed the arrival of the future Emperor of Puroresu; Yoshihiro Takayama. This is one of the more fascinating “breakout” type matches of Misawa’s late-All Japan era, not because Takayama wins, but because Misawa wrestled him as though he’s dealing with a genuinely dangerous heavyweight rather than simply another challenger.
Takayama was still relatively new to All Japan in 1999. A student of Nobuhiko Takada, Takayama had spent 4 years in UWFi learning shootstyle, he’d even faced Dangerous K Toshiaki Kawada there. By 1997 and with UWFi closing its door, Takayama has made his way to All Japan and transitioned into tag team wrestling. It was during this time that he became one half of NO FEAR with Takao Omori, establishing himself as one of All Japans most physically imposing young wrestlers.
By 1999 though, All Japan is beginning to wane in the light of Giant Baba’s passing. With Misawa equally beginning to find himself being passed by Kawada and Kobashi, the Emerald Warrior began looking for younger talent in hopes of boosting business.
Enter shoot style Takayama.
From the get go, Takayama takes to Misawa and refuses to be intimidated, unleashing barrage after barrage of punches, kicks and knees. When they fail, he transitions to grappling, attempting to arm bar Misawa. What’s interesting is that Misawa changes his approach in the match and tries to equal Takayama’s grappling, doijng holds of his own.
The last 5 minutes of the match descends into who can hurt the other the most, as both men unleash sickening elbows and kicks. In the end though, it is Misawa that stands tall….but only just. It might not be the classic of their 2001 and 2002 GHC matches, but it was evidence that Takayama as a singles star was the future.
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