Shinya Hashimoto

Birthdate: July 3rd, 1965
Death: July 11th, 2005
Cause of Death: Brain aneurysm
Famous Matches and Storylines:  One of the "Three Musketeers" in New Japan (along with Mutoh and Chono), Hashimoto was one of the most popular and influential Japanese wrestlers of the 90s.  Hashimoto would feud with the best, including Tenryu, Mutoh, Liger, Fujinami, and Mutoh.  Hashimoto also teamed with Masahiro Chono during the Super Grade Tag League in 1993.  After achieving all he could in New Japan, Hashimoto left in 2001 to help start the Zero-One promotion.  In Zero-One, Hashimoto feuded with Steve Corino and would eventually win the NWA Heavyweight Championship.  After leading Zero-One for many years, in 2004 he would suffer a shoulder injury that would put him on the shelf.  In late 2004, he would quit the Zero-One promotion and seemed poised to rejoin New Japan at the time of his passing.
Major Titles Held:  IWGP Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Tag Team Championship, and the NWA Heavyweight Championship
Other Notes:  Hashimoto was set to return from a year-long injury-induced hiatus when he unexpectedly passed away.  With a great brainbuster, Hashimoto was one of the most feared men in the ring and one of the most respected men out of it.  Since he was unaffiliated at the time of his death, there was a hot bidding war in Japan to obtain his services when he recovered from his injury.  New Japan and Hustle were considered the front runners.

Signature Moves:
- Jumping DDT
- Kick to the Chest
- Oregotokarire with Naoya Ogawa
- Vertical Drop Brainbuster