Shohei Baba

Shohei Baba (Baba Shōhei, January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was also known as Giant Baba. Baba, along with Antonio Inoki, became one of the most famous Japanese wrestlers of his time, with a popularity in Japan that was like Hulk Hogan's in the United States of America. He was also a 3 time NWA Champion. 

Baba died on January 31, 1999 from cancer.

In wrestling
Finishing moves
Coconut Crush (Side headlock facebreaker knee smash)
Running neckbreaker

Signature moves
Big boot
DDT
Dropkick
Overhead chop
Russian legsweep

Nicknames
"The Giant of the East"

Championships and accomplishments
All Japan Pro Wrestling
AJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Jumbo Tsuruta
NWA World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
PWF World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
Champion's Carnival (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981,  1982)
World's Strongest Tag Team League (1978, 1980) – with Jumbo Tsuruta

Japan Wrestling Association
NWA International Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
NWA International Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Michiaki Yoshimura (1), Antonio Inoki (4), and Seiji Sakaguchi (1)
World Big League (6 times)

NWA Detroit
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) - with Jumbo Tsuruta

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI ranked him #10 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years - with Jumbo Tsuruta in 2003.

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
Class of 2008

Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
Wrestler of the Year (1975, 1979) 
Outstanding Performance Award (1974, 1980) 
Special Popularity Award (1976) 
Popularity Award (1988) 
Special Grand Award (1977, 1980) 
30th Anniversary Special Achievement Award (1990) 
Special Award for breaking 5000 Matches (1993) 
Special Achievement Award (1999) 
Tag Team of the Year (1978, 1980, 1982)- with Jumbo Tsuruta 
Match of the Year (1979)- with Antonio Inoki vs. Abdullah The Butcher and Tiger Jeet Singh on August 26, 1979 
Match of the Year (1980)- with Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr. on December 11, 1980 
Match of the Year (1981)- vs. Verne Gagne on January 18, 1981 
Match of the Year (1982)- vs. Stan Hansen on February 4, 1982 

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
5 Star Match (1994) with Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi vs. Masanobu Fuchi, Akira Taue, and Toshiaki Kawada on February 13
Best Booker (1989-1991)
Promoter of the Year (1990-1994)
Worst Tag Team (1990, 1991) with André the Giant
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

Other websites

Category:1938 births
Category:1999 deaths
Category:Cancer deaths in Japan
Category:Japanese professional wrestlers
Category:People from Niigata Prefecture
Category:Professional wrestling promoters