Rikidōzan: Profile, Career Stats, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won & Gimmicks

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Rikidōzan, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Mitsuhiro Momota (百田光浩) (born Kim Sin-rak (김신락)) was born in Hongwon County, Kankyō-nan Prefecture, Japanese Korea on November 14, 1924.

He died on December 15, 1963 at the age of 39.

Rikidozan would kickstart pro wrestling in Japan as an inspirational nationalist hero for the Japanese post-World War II, engaging in legendary battles with Lou Thesz and the Destroyer, as well as being the trainer of Antonio Inoki. Despite his untimely young death, Rikidozan is revered to this day as a wrestling legend, and in the video game All Star Pro Wrestling, literally descends from heaven in his entrance to the ring.

Rikidōzan was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017 as part of the Legacy wing, in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2011 and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2006 as part of the International wing.

Rikidōzan Profile Index

Profile Info

Gender Male
Real Name Mitsuhiro Momota (百田光浩) (born Kim Sin-rak (김신락))
Ring Names
- Rikidōzan ( October 28, 1951 - December 7, 1963)
Born November 14, 1924
Died December 15, 1963 (aged 39)
Nationality Japan, North Korea
Birth Place Hongwon County, Kankyō-nan Prefecture, Japanese Korea
Billed From
- Nagasaki
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight
- 243 lbs (110 kg)
Nicknames The Father of Puroresu
Notes Rikidozan would kickstart pro wrestling in Japan as an inspirational nationalist hero for the Japanese post-World War II, engaging in legendary battles with Lou Thesz and the Destroyer, as well as being the trainer of Antonio Inoki. Despite his untimely young death, Rikidozan is revered to this day as a wrestling legend, and in the video game All Star Pro Wrestling, literally descends from heaven in his entrance to the ring.

Career History

Roles
- Promoter ( July 30, 1953 - December 15, 1963)
- Coach ( January 1, 1957 - December 7, 1963)
- Wrestler ( October 28, 1951 - December 7, 1963)
Promotions History

Promotion from to
Promotion NWA, JWA July 30, 1953 December 15, 1963
Images History

Dec 1954
Face / Heel Turns

Alignment from to
Face October 28, 1951 December 7, 1963

Promotion	from	to
Promotion NWA, JWA	July 30, 1953	December 15, 1963

Alignment	from	to
Face	October 28, 1951	December 7, 1963

Finishers
- Overhead chop ( October 28, 1951 - December 7, 1963)
- Piledriver ( October 28, 1951 - December 7, 1963)

Titles & Accomplishments

Halls of Fame
- WWE Hall of Fame - Year 2017, Legacy
- NWA Hall of Fame - Year 2011, Individual
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Year 2006, International
Japan Wrestling Association
- 1 All Asia Heavyweight Championship
- 4 All Asia Tag Team Championship (with Toyonobori)
- 1 JWA All Japan Tag Team Championship (with Toyonobori)
- 1 NWA International Heavyweight Championship
- 1 Japanese Heavyweight Championship
Mid-Pacific Promotions
- 3 NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 with Bobby Bruns, 1 with Azumafuji, 1 with Koukichi Endoh)
NWA San Francisco
- 1 NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (with Dennis Clary)
- 1 NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (with Koukichi Endoh)
North American Wrestling Alliance / Worldwide Wrestling Association / NWA Hollywood Wrestling
- 1 WWA World Heavyweight Championship
Other Accomplishments
- International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2021)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
- 5 JWA World Big League Wins (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963)