RIP. A true legend and one of the best gajin wrestlers in Japan. His match v Kobashi in where he successfully defended his Triple Crown in 1994 was the match which made me stop watching American wrestling. Thanks for that Steve!! First Misawa now Steve Williams. All Japan lost 2 of its best this year. His Achievements at Oklahoma 1981: Steve Williams is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he played football and wrestled. Steve set a then record for the fastest pinfall by pinning Perr Kaufman in twenty seconds. Steve Williams was named an All American[SIZE=-1].[/SIZE] His Achievements in Japan: 1 Times Triple Crown Champion 6 times All Japan Tag Team Champion [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxanIU_8Ka0&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gplbNSvpEEU&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TN-HVDQg0Y&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AsjhRd9JHU&feature=related[/ame]
Okay, but how is this more appropriate than the Lounge? It'd be about as fitting in the Classic Boxing Forum, or Suggestions & Requests. :? Just because he did real wrestling in high school? That seems a bit of stretch to me. And the Japanese stuff, despite having some shoot elements, is no more legitimate a competition or "martial art" than the American promotions. The lines between MMA and puroresu need less muddling, not more. This thread is all well and fine - for the Lounge. All the same, RIP. I remember the guy's stint on Turner WCW back during my last viewing phase as the enforcer for "Oklahoma" (portrayed by Ed Ferrara IIRC). Vampiro dumped BBQ sauce on him one time? Seemed a good solid wrestler, but a bit past it by then.
One of the last true shooters in professional wrestling. He defeated Dan Severn and Mike Rotundo in the amateurs---makes you wonder, had he changed sports sooner, how he would have faired in the early UFC days, since Severn later became a triple title holder in the HW division. RIP.
Very sad news. I had heard he was ill but it is still shocking to hear that such a fine strong man has passed.
Never heard of him,but RIP,anyway.This should be in the Lounge though.MMA is for real-wrestling is entertainment(for those of you who watch such garbage).
Was he an alcoholic or did he smoke or something? That's usually the cause of throat cancer. He even fought in K-1 vs Alexej Ignashov if I'm not mistaken.
I remember in 1995 he was interviewed and actually said he was considering fighting in the UFC then. He probably would of done really well around those times.
