Former on-screen WWF President & WWE Hall of Famer (Legacy Wing) Hisashi Shinma has passed away at the age of 90.
WWE issued the following statement:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Hisashi Shinma has passed away.
Shinma was known as the on-show President of WWE in the late 1970s and early 1980s, preceding the administration of Jack Tunney.
Behind the scenes, he was known as a master booker. Assisting Antonio Inoki in bringing the legendary New Japan Pro Wrestling to prominence, he is credited with, among other things, giving Satoru Sayama the Tiger Mask character.
Shinma served a crucial role in helping negotiate a talent-sharing arrangement between New Japan and WWE that helped many talented competitors and launched Tatsumi Fujinami as an international Superstar.
WWE extends its condolences to Shinma’s family, friends and fans.”
NJPW issued the following statement:
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is saddened to hear of the passing of Hisashi Shinma, who was a prominent executive in the early years of NJPW, on April 21. He was 90.
Shinma was involved in New Japan Pro-Wrestling form its founding year in 1972. As senior managing director of the young promotion, he was the brains and business force behind the cultural phenomenon that Antonio Inoki became.
From putting together the famed Inoki versus Muhammad Ali fight of June 26, 1976 to conceiving the IWGP, and masterminding the sensation of the first Tiger Mask in Satoru Sayama, Shinma’s creative mind and business acumen was invaluable through a New Japan ‘golden age’.
Shinma left NJPW in 1983, founding the first UWF the next year. In Japan Joshi Pro-Wresting, Universal and more, Shinma’s influence was felt. That included in the west, and his time as WWF president saw his legacy recognised in 2019 by being entered into the WWE Hall of Fame.
He remained active in his final years along with close friend Sayama, acting as chairman of Real Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all at NJPW go to Shinma’s family and friends.”
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