Hisashi Shinma

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Hisashi Shinma was a figurehead president of World Wrestling Entertainment, then known as the World Wrestling Federation and World Wide Wrestling Federation, from 1978 to 1984. He was succeeded by Jack Tunney.

[edit] Career

Shinma was chairman and one of the bookers for New Japan Pro Wrestling at the time and negotiated a talent-sharing arrangement with the World Wrestling Federation within the junior heavyweight division, which ultimately launched Tatsumi Fujinami as an international superstar and an eventual successor to Antonio Inoki.

Shinma’s most famous moment as WWF “President” occurred on December 6, 1979, after Bob Backlund regained the WWF title from Antonio Inoki at the end of his Japan tour. Shinma overruled the decision due to interference from Tiger Jeet Singh. Inoki refused to accept the belt, but Backlund regained the vacant title after returning to the United States.[1] Backlund's title loss to Inoki is still not officially acknowledged by WWE and was kept hidden from American audiences until Pro Wrestling Illustrated recognized Inoki's reign in the late 1990s. Shinma's other accomplishments included fitting Satoru Sayama with the Tiger Mask gimmick, discovering Akira Maeda[2], and forming the UWF in Japan after leaving New Japan.[3]

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

[edit] References

Professional wrestling
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  1. ^ Slagle, Steve. Professional Wrestling Online Museum - Ring Chronicle Hall of Fame Inductee - Antonio Inoki. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  2. ^ Online World of Wrestling: Akira Maeda. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  3. ^ The Internet Wrestling Encyclopedia: Directory of Wrestling Promotions. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.