Giant Baba

Shohei Baba (Baba Shōhei, January 23, 1938 - January 31, 1999) was a professional wrestler and 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 era, with a popularity in Japan comparable to Hulk Hogan's in America. He was also a 3 time NWA Champion.

Finishing and signature moves

 * Running neckbreaker
 * Coconut Crush (Side headlock facebreaker knee smash)
 * 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) (First)
 * Champion's Carnival (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982)


 * 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)


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


 * 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


 * 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
 * Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)