New Japan is saddened to report the passing of former wrestler Osamu Kido, who died Monday. He was 72.
Kido made his debut in the Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) in early 1969 before competing on New Japan’s first event in March 1972 before an excursion to the US. He moved to the original UWF in 1984 before returning to NJPW in 1985, and became IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Akira Maeda on August 5, 1986.
That title match is one of 3 Kido matches New Japan World is making available for viewing for free, along with a 10-man elimination tag match from 3/26/1986 and his 30th Anniversary Match from 2/5/1999.
I join New Japan in expressing my condolences to the family, friends and fans of Osamu Kido.
