Former WWE Tag Team Champion, Masa Saito Passes Away At Age 76

We have some sad news to report today, as Masa Saito, a former WWE World Tag Team Champion and AWA Champion, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76.

WWE has posted the following regarding his life and career:

Saito’s career in grappling began in freestyle amateur wrestling, and he represented his home country of Japan in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Turning pro in 1965, he utilized a punishing style in the ring that made him a feared competitor in both Japan and the U.S. Saito spent time competing in California, Florida and Alabama, racking up championships before heading to WWE in 1981.

Upon his arrival, Saito joined forces with Mr. Fuji, and under the tutelage of Captain Lou Albano, the two captured the World Tag Team Championship on two separate occasions. Saito later joined Verne Gagne’s AWA, where he defeated Larry Zbyszko to become AWA World Champion in his home country at the Tokyo Dome.

Saito continued to compete, mainly in Japan, with several appearances for WCW, before retiring in 1999.

You can see a clip of one of his matches in WCW below:

Harlem Heat vs Masahiro Chono & Masa Saito Pro May 18th, 1996

We at Wrestling Rumors send our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family during this difficult time.

Do you have any fond memories of Masa Saito? Leave us a comment below, or post a comment on our Facebook page! Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and download our App from your favorite App Store!

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