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Japan News: Misawa's health history in question after death, Japanese referee dies, Sapolsky blogs on Misawa Jun 17, 2009 - 6:23:28 PM
-- There's been considerable fall-out in Japan this week following the tragic death of Mitsuharu Misawa on Saturday, June 13. Many questions have come up on Misawa's health history, including previous head/neck injuries that were overlooked where Misawa was allowed to continue wrestling because of how important he was to the NOAH promotion.
Based on medical exams, the blow Misawa took on a belly-to-back suplex in his final match on June 13 caused immediate trauma that knocked him unconscious and caused his death in the ring.
Autopsy results likely will not be released to give a definitive word on the death, but it's likely the accumulation of numerous head and neck injuries during Misawa's career led to his death.
Jim Ross said on his blog today: "Misawa delaying having his injured neck surgically repaired proved to apparently be his down fall. Damn shame."
-- The following night on June 14, Jun Akiyama relinquished the GHC Hvt. Title, citing back injuries. Go Shiozaki, who wrestled regularly for Ring of Honor in 2008, then won the GHC Title.
The last man to deliver a move on Misawa, Akitoshi Saito, wrestled the following night as NOAH continued its tour. He reportedly showed tremendous remorse before and after his match.
-- Japanese referee Ted Tanabe died on June 14 after refereeing the main event of Osaka Pro Wrestling's show the night after Misawa's death. Tanabe reportedly collapsed and died of a heart attack following the main event. Tanabe was 46 years old, the same age as Misawa.
-- Former ROH booker Gabe Sapolsky blogged on his interaction with Misawa, who was instrumental in bringing tremendous NOAH talent to ROH to work U.S. shows. Sapolsky also revealed that Misawa was fighting a serious flu in November 2007 when he wrestled in the U.S. for ROH.
Sapolsky said: "When he came to ROH, and he only did the 'Glory By Honor' weekend because he wanted to, he battled through a bad case of the flu to put on two great matches because he did not want to disappoint the fans. I actually felt terrible for Misawa that weekend because the trip to Philly and Manhattan was something he was looking forward to, but I don't think he enjoyed it that much since he was so sick. He still gave it his all to make sure the fans saw him at his best. That speaks volumes on his character."
Sapolsky also talks about meeting Misawa in-person during a trip to Japan for ROH shows in Tokyo. Sapolsky blog on Misawa.
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