Details on Kenta Kobashi Retirement; Former Prime Minister Attends

Legendary Japanese professional wrestler Kenta Kobashi retired this weekend at Toyko Nippon Budokan, after a 26-year career. In a special main event for NOAH Final Burning, Kobashi went nearly 40 minutes in an eight man tag team match, teaming up with Jun Akiyama, Keiji Mutoh and Kensuke Sasaki, going over four of the icon’s proteges with one final top rope moonsault.

The list of attendees celebrating Kenta’s legendary career was equally impressive – over 17,000 fans attended live, including former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Olympic wrestler and PWF Chairman Hiroshi Hase, Hall of Famer Stan Hansen, and WWE Executive John Laurinaitis, who left a video message for his former tag team partner.

The great Kenta Kobashi retired today.I never met him but he was on the top of my opponent wish list.If you don’t know him,check him out.

— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) May 11, 2013

Just added Japan match with Kenta Kobashi, Johnny Ace and Barry Windham to YouTube.com/johnLayfieldSh…. Subscribe to channel to keep up!

— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) May 11, 2013