Changes: Masa Saito

Revision as of 13:52, 30 July 2019

Masanori Saito (February 1, 1942 - July 14, 2018) was a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Saito or Masa Saito. He wrestled for several years in various promotions operated by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He later joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he teamed with Mr. Fuji to hold the World Tag Team Championship twice. He also won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1990. In Japan, Saito wrestled for both All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Saito gained notoriety for his arrest after throwing a boulder through the window of a McDonald's restaurant in Waukesha Wisconsin and for a match wrestled against Antonio Inoki on a deserted island in Japan.

Amateur wrestling career

1964 Summer Olympics

Saito competed in freestyle wrestling for Japan in the 1964 Olympic Games, placing seventh, making him one of the Top 10 Olympic wrestlers that year.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

He began his pro wrestling career in 1965 and quickly established himself in both Japan and the United States. Nicknamed "Mr. Torture" for his punishing and sadistic style, Saito held numerous titles while wrestling in North America and Japan.

National Wrestling Alliance

On July 13, 1968, Saito won his first title, teaming with Kenji Shibuya to win the San Francisco version of the World Tag Team Championship. The following year, he defeated Dale Lewis to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship. After losing the title to Jack Brisco on February 10, 1970, he continued to team with Shibuya in the Los Angeles-based NWA Hollywood Wrestling, winning the NWA Americas Tag Team Championship three times in 1971 and 1972. While wrestling in Los Angeles, he also won the NWA Beat the Champ Television Championship twice in 1972.

Saito's next championship came in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he teamed with Gene Kiniski to win the Vancouver version of the Canadian Tag Team Championship. They held the belts for almost four months before dropping them to Ormand Malumba and Guy Mitchell on March 3, 1975. Saito regained the championship later in the year, however, teaming with Dale Lewis.

Saito next wrestled in NWA Florida, where he teamed with Ivan Koloff to defeat Rocky Johnson and Pedro Morales for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship in 1977. After losing the belts, Saito and Koloff won them twice more. Their final loss, on January 25, 1978 was to Jack and Jerry Brisco. Saito regained the title, however, teaming with Mr. Sato to defeat the Brisco Brothers. They lost the belts back to the Brisco Brothers three months later but succeeded in regaining them from Mike Graham and Steve Keirn later in the year. While wrestling in Florida, Saito also teamed with Sato to win the NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship on two occasions in 1978 and 1979. In 1979, he also won the Japan version of the North American Tag Team Championship, teaming with Hiro Matsuda to win the belts on April 5.

Wrestling in the United States again in 1981, Saito won the Alabama Heavyweight Championship twice, defeating Bob Armstrong and Ray Candy. That year, he was also involved in a controversy regarding the Florida version of the North American Tag Team Championship. The Assassins were stripped of the title when it was discovered that Saito was wrestling under a mask as a third member of the team.

World Wrestling Federation

Later in the year, Saito signed with the World Wrestling Federation. He formed a tag team with Mr. Fuji, which was managed by Captain Lou Albano. They began a feud with tag champions Tony Garea and Rick Martel, whom they defeated on October 17, 1981 edition of Championship Wrestling to win their first WWF Tag Team Championship, though it was Fuji's fourth individual reign. They began feuding with The Strongbows (Chief Jay and Jules) in the fall of 1981. This culminated in a title match on June 28, 1982 at Madison Square Garden (MSG) where Strongbows won the titles. On July 13 edition of Championship Wrestling, they defeated Strongbows in a two out of three falls match for Fuji's fifth and Saito's second WWF Tag Team Championship. The feud of these two teams ended after Fuji and Saito lost the titles to Strongbows on October 30 edition of Championship Wrestling.

Arrest

On April 6, 1984, Saito and Ken Patera were refused service at a McDonald's restaurant after the restaurant had closed. The two men threw a boulder through the restaurant's window in retaliation. When the police came, Saito and Patera fought with them before being arrested. As a result of the incident, Saito and Patera were convicted of battery of a peace officer and sentenced to serve two years in prison.

Later career

Following his release, Saito wrestled mainly in Japan, where he became involved in a feud with Antonio Inoki. To settle the feud, the two competed in an Island Death match on October 4, 1987. They were placed on Ganryujima Island and wrestled a match that lasted two hours and spread across the island. Ultimately, Inoki was victorious, defeating Saito by technical knockout. The following year, after leaving All Japan Pro Wrestling to return to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Saito won his first IWGP Tag Team Championship while teaming with Riki Chōshū. He followed this with a second victory the following year, this time with Shinya Hashimoto.

Saito's final major title came in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where he defeated Larry Zbyszko for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in front of a hometown crowd of 63,900 fans at the Tokyo Dome on February 10, 1990. He lost the title two months later in a rematch with Zbyszko at AWA SuperClash IV. While wrestling in the AWA, Saito also formed a tag team with Jesse Ventura known as the Far East-West Connection.

Retirement

Saito had a short spell in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1995 and 1996, which included an appearance at Starrcade. Wrestling as part of a series of matches between New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling, Saito lost his match to WCW representative Johnny B. Badd. On February 14, 1999, Saito retired from wrestling. His last match was a loss to Scott Norton. Since 2006 Saito worked with the Kensuke Office promotion as a supervisor and manager/advisor to the promotion's younger talent.

Death

In 2000, Saito was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He died from complications of the disease on 14 July 2018 at the age of 76.

In wrestling

Finishing moves
- Saito suplex – Innovated
- Prison lock

Signature moves

Managers
- Lou Albano
- Sonny Onoo

Championships and accomplishments

American Wrestling Association

AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Championship Wrestling from Florida

NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Ivan Koloff (3) and Mr. Sato (2)
NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (2 times) – with Mr. Sato

New Japan Pro Wrestling

IWGP Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Riki Chōshū (1) and Shinya Hashimoto (1)
NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles/Japan version) (1 time) – with Hiro Matsuda

NWA All-Star Wrestling

NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (2 times) – with Gene Kiniski (1) and Dale Lewis (1)

NWA Hollywood Wrestling

NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Kenji Shibuya
NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship (2 times)

NWA San Francisco

NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (2 times) – with Kenji Shibuya

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #89 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003

Southeastern Championship Wrestling

NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

World Wrestling Federation

WWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mr. Fuji

Other

George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2007)

External links

1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers
1-100
Hulk Hogan • Lex Luger • Ric Flair • Randy Savage • Sting • Scott Steiner • Ricky Steamboat • Steve Williams • Arn Anderson • Rick Steiner • Ultimate Warrior • Jerry Lawler • Curt Hennig • Barry Windham • Road Warrior Hawk • Sid Justice • Ted DiBiase • Road Warrior Animal • Nikita Koloff • The Great Muta • Bret Hart • Terry Funk • Jake Roberts • Stan Hansen • Big Bossman • Rick Rude • Jushin Liger • Jeff Jarrett • Ron Simmons • Bobby Eaton • Steve Austin • Eric Embry • Big Van Vader • Antonio Inoki • Abdullah the Butcher • Sgt. Slaughter • Shawn Michaels • Larry Zbyszko • Irwin R. Schyster • Kerry Von Erich • Rick Martel • Mr. Saito • Eddie Gilbert • Brian Pillman • Cactus Jack • Davey Boy Smith • Dino Bravo • Tom Zenk • Konnan • Earthquake • Tony Anthony • Terrence Taylor • Greg Valentine • Bob Backlund • The Patriot • Richard Morton • Marty Jannety • Bam Bam Bigelow • Doug Furnas • Michael Hayes • Stan Lane • Dan Spivey • Robert Gibson • Tony Atlas • Bill Dundee • Chris Adams • Col. Debeers • Bezerker • Iceman Parsons • Jim Neidhart • Victor Zangiev • Austin Idol • Hercules • Al Perez • Warlord • Diamond Studd • The Mountie • Kevin Von Erich • Roddy Piper • Samu • Gary Young • Hacksaw Duggan • Jeff Gaylord • Big Bully Busick • The Barbarian • P.N. News • Manny Fernandez • Tracey Smothers • Black Blood • Smash • Riki Choshu • Dynamite Kid • Jim Garvin • Axis the Demolisher • Beau Beverly • Samoan Savage • Billy Jack Haynes • Ken Patera • Bad News Brown • Joel Deaton
101-200
Johnny B. Badd • Robert Fuller • Larry Cameron • Angel of Death • Brad Armstrong • Jimmy Snuka • Chris Benoit • The Grappler • Naoki Sano • Jerry Estrada • Negro Casas • El Gigante • Blake Beverly • One Man Gang • Paul Orndorff • Andre The Giant • Dick Murdoch • Dr. Tom Prichard • The Skinner • B. Brian Blair • Thomas Rich • Buddy Roberts • Butch Reed • Don Muraco • Paul Roma • Ron Garvin • Randy Rose • Big Josh • Carlos Colon • Bob Orton, Jr. • Dustin Rhodes • Steve Armstrong • Brickhouse Brown • Tito Santana • Akira Nogami • Brad Rheingans • Dan Davis • Jimmy Jack Funk • Billy Black • Fatu • Scott Norton • Mil Mascaras • Wendell Cooley • Haku • Mike Davis • Steve DiSalvo • Pat Tanaka • Kokina Maximus • Doug Gilbert • Ricky Rice • Jim Brunzell • Kevin Sullivan • Derrick Dukes • Ivan Koloff • Rip Oliver • Buzz Sawyer • Johnny Smith • Junkyard Dog • John Tatum • Hiroshi Hase • Awesome Dog • Scott Anthony • Kato • Bobby Fulton • Dick Slater • Brian Knobbs • Makhan Singh • Mr. Hughes • Dan Kroffat • The Honky Tonk Man • Shane Douglas • Steve Doll • Masa Chono • Chris Walker • Yellow Dog • Jumbo Tsuruta • Tim Horner • D.C. Drake • Vic Steamboat • Lou Perez • Paul Diamond • Steve Regal • The Equalizer • Buddy Landell • Chris Chavis • David Sammartino • Mitsuharu Misawa • Al Madril • Jerry Sags • Joe Savoldi • Destruction • The Sheik • Tommy Rogers • Soultaker • Johnny Ace • Tommy Jammer • Rex King • Harley Race • Rochester Roadblock • Brad Anderson
201-300
Jerry Morrow • Billy Travis • Sam Houston • Tom Brandi • D.J. Peterson • Cheetah Kid • Octagon • Ricky Santana • Terminator • Steven Dane • Steve Sawyer • Apocalypse • Ken Wayne • Doug Masters • Col Mustafa • Charlie Norris • King Cobra • Larry Sharpe • Todd Morton • Larry Oliver • Firebreaker Chip • Sunny Beach • Jonnie Stewart • Dutch Mantel • Miguel Perez Jr. • Stevie Ray • Bill Irwin • Afa • Lanny Poffo • Typhoon • Ranger Ross • Ray Odyssey • Kamala • Jay Strongbow Jr. • Preston Steele • Tyree Pride • Steve Simpson • Badstreet • Adrian Street • Rip Rogers • Ray Stevens • Jacko Victory • The Juicer • Russian Brute • Scott Putski • Virgil • Terry Garvin • Mr. Pogo • Steve O • Dean Malenko • Doug Somers • Skip Young • Lightning Kid • Eric Sbracchia • Handsome Stranger • TNT • Teijho Khan • Barry Horowitz • Koko B. Ware • Nikolai Volkoff • Ken Timbs • Rob Zakowski • Mondo Kleen • Fire Cat • Rip Morgan • Toshiaki Kawada • Tazmaniac • Pez Whatley • Ivan Putski • Joe Malenko • Buddy Rose • Jackie Fulton • Ron Harris • Luke Williams • Gama Singh • Leo Burke • T.C. Carter • Scott Casey • Chris Champion • Chick Donovan • Dory Funk Jr. • Greg Gagne • Mike George • Mike Graham • Invader I • Rocky Johnson • Cpl. Kirchner • Rufus R. Jones • Wahoo McDaniel • Van Hammer • Yoshihiro Asai • Killer • El Hijo Del Santo • Crush • Larry Power • Motor City Madman • Brian Adias • Mark Rocco • Ron Bass • Brad Baiton
301-400
Bobby Blair • Bob Bradley • Mark Miller • Dragon Master • John Rambo • Johnny Rich • Nelson Royal • Greg Wojokowski • Akio Sato • Soldat Ustinov • Fabulous Lance • Humongus • Jeff Collette • Bart Batten • King Kaluha • Johnny Rodz • Dennis Condrey • Gary Albright • Ole Anderson • Don Bass • Mark Youngblood • Jon Michaels • Equalizer Zip • David Power • Jerry Grey • Equalizer Zap • Sika • Frank Lancaster • Mike Sharpe • Steve Cox • Chris Youngblood • Baron Von Raschke • Steve Lawler • Ray Candy • J.W. Storm • Buck Zumhofe • Joey Maggs • Psycho • Les Thornton • Bob Brown • Shaun Simpson • Mike Samson • Festus • Tiger Conway Jr. • Barry O • Mike Jackson • Tugboat Taylor • Jason the Terrible • Kevin Kelly • Mike Winner • Terry Daniels • Scott Armstrong • Jim Backlund • Hurricane Walker • Black Bart • Tom Davis • Texas Ranger • Jimmy Valiant • Killer Brooks • Boris Zhukov • Botswana Beast • Bonecrusher • Cuban Assasin • Rikki Nelson • Brady Boone • Larry Winters • Oz • Bull Rantos • Axl Rotten • Buddy Lee Parker • Jimmy Powell • Rod Price • J.T. Smith • Mark Starr • Hoss • Ron Cumberledge • Steve Lombardi • Tony Capone • Brian Donohue • Tommy Angel • G.Q. Madison • Madd Maxx • Dusty Wolfe • Frank Melson • Ron Shaw • Bob Cook • Jose Luis Rivera • Mike Cervich • Sabu • G.I. Bro • Mr. Atlanta • Jerry Lynn • Gene Ligon • Chris Michaels • Leatherface • Moondog Spot • Carl Styleas • Tony Stetson • Jim Powers • G.Q. Stratus
401-500

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+{{Tabs
-{{Images needed}}
+|backcolor=#FFE93E
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+|bordercolor=silver
+|borderradius=6
+|height=2.2
+|maxwidth=20
+|tab1=General
+|tab2=Event history
+|tab3=Image gallery
+|tab4=Magazine covers
+|tab5=Toys
+}}
 {{Infobox Wrestler
 |name=Masa Saito
+|image= [[File:Masa Saito.jpg|220px]]
-|image=
 |names=Mr. Saito<br>Masa Saito<br>Assassin #3<br>The Unknown Soldier
 |height= 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
 |weight= 260 lbs (120 kg)
-|birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1942|2|1}}
+|birth_date= {{Birth date|1942|2|1}}
-|birth_place=Tokyo, Japan
+|birth_place=[[Tokyo, Japan]]
-|death_date=
+|death_date={{death date and age|2018|7|14|1942|2|1}}
 |death_place=
 |resides=
@@ Line 17: / Line 29: @@
 |website=
 }}
-'''Masanori Saito''' (February 1, [[1942]]) is a former Japanese [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] better known as '''Mr. Saito''' or '''Masa Saito'''. He wrestled for several years in various [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotions]] operated by the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA). He later joined the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), where he teamed with [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]] to hold the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] twice. He also won the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in 1990. In Japan, Saito wrestled for both [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] and [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]. Saito gained notoriety for his arrest after throwing a boulder through the window of a McDonald's restaurant in Waukesha Wisconsin and for a match wrestled against [[Antonio Inoki]] on a deserted island in Japan.
+'''Masanori Saito''' (February 1, [[1942]] - July 14, [[2018]]) was a [[Japan|Japanese]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] better known as '''Mr. Saito''' or '''Masa Saito'''. He wrestled for several years in various [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotions]] operated by the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA). He later joined the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), where he teamed with [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]] to hold the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] twice. He also won the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in 1990. In Japan, Saito wrestled for both [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] and [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]. Saito gained notoriety for his arrest after throwing a boulder through the window of a McDonald's restaurant in Waukesha Wisconsin and for a match wrestled against [[Antonio Inoki]] on a deserted island in Japan.
 ==Amateur wrestling career==
 ===1964 Summer Olympics===
-Saito competed in [[Wrestling#Freestyle_wrestling|freestyle wrestling]] for Japan in the 1964 Olympic Games, placing seventh, making him one of the Top 10 Olympic wrestlers that year.
+Saito competed in [[Wrestling#Freestyle wrestling|freestyle wrestling]] for Japan in the 1964 Olympic Games, placing seventh, making him one of the Top 10 Olympic wrestlers that year.
 ==Professional wrestling career==
@@ Line 28: / Line 40: @@
 ===National Wrestling Alliance===
-On July 13, 1968, Saito won his first title, teaming with Kenji Shibuya to win the [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] version of the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version)|World Tag Team Championship]]. The following year, he defeated Dale Lewis to win the [[NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship]]. After losing the title to [[Jack Brisco]] on February 10, 1970, he continued to team with Shibuya in the Los Angeles-based NWA Hollywood Wrestling, winning the [[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship]] three times in 1971 and 1972.<ref name=nwaamericas/> While wrestling in Los Angeles, he also won the NWA Beat the Champ Television Championship twice in 1972.
+On July 13, 1968, Saito won his first title, teaming with Kenji Shibuya to win the San Francisco version of the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version)|World Tag Team Championship]]. The following year, he defeated Dale Lewis to win the [[NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship]]. After losing the title to [[Jack Brisco]] on February 10, 1970, he continued to team with Shibuya in the Los Angeles-based NWA Hollywood Wrestling, winning the [[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship]] three times in 1971 and 1972. While wrestling in Los Angeles, he also won the NWA Beat the Champ Television Championship twice in 1972.
 Saito's next championship came in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he teamed with [[Gene Kiniski]] to win the Vancouver version of the [[NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version)|Canadian Tag Team Championship]]. They held the belts for almost four months before [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Drop|dropping]] them to Ormand Malumba and Guy Mitchell on March 3, 1975. Saito regained the championship later in the year, however, teaming with Dale Lewis.
@@ Line 37: / Line 49: @@
 ===World Wrestling Federation===
-Later in the year, Saito signed with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]. He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]], which was managed by Captain [[Lou Albano]]. They began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with tag champions [[Anthony Garcia|Tony Garea]] and [[Rick Martel]], whom they defeated on October 17, 1981 edition of ''Championship Wrestling'' to win their first [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]], though it was Fuji's fourth individual reign. They began feuding with The Strongbows ([[Joe Scarpa|Chief Jay]] and [[Jules Strongbow|Jules]]) in the fall of 1981. This culminated in a title match on June 28, 1982 at [[Madison Square Garden]] (MSG) where Strongbows won the titles. On July 13 edition of ''Championship Wrestling'', they defeated Strongbows in a [[two out of three falls match]] for Fuji's fifth and Saito's second WWF Tag Team Championship. The feud of these two teams ended after Fuji and Saito lost the titles to Strongbows on October 30 edition of ''Championship Wrestling''.
+Later in the year, Saito signed with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]. He formed a [[tag team]] with [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]], which was managed by Captain [[Lou Albano]]. They began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with tag champions [[Anthony Garcia|Tony Garea]] and [[Rick Martel]], whom they defeated on [[October 17]], 1981 edition of ''Championship Wrestling'' to win their first [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]], though it was Fuji's fourth individual reign. They began feuding with The Strongbows ([[Joe Scarpa|Chief Jay]] and [[Jules Strongbow|Jules]]) in the fall of 1981. This culminated in a title match on June 28, 1982 at [[Madison Square Garden]] (MSG) where Strongbows won the titles. On July 13 edition of ''Championship Wrestling'', they defeated Strongbows in a [[two out of three falls match]] for Fuji's fifth and Saito's second WWF Tag Team Championship. The feud of these two teams ended after Fuji and Saito lost the titles to Strongbows on October 30 edition of ''Championship Wrestling''.
 ===Arrest===
@@ Line 43: / Line 55: @@
 ===Later career===
-Following his release, Saito wrestled mainly in Japan, where he became involved in a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Antonio Inoki]]. To settle the feud, the two competed in an Island Death match on October 4, 1987. They were placed on Ganryujima Island and wrestled a match that lasted two hours and spread across the island. Ultimately, Inoki was victorious, defeating Saito by technical knockout. The following year, after leaving [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] to return to [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]], Saito won his first [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] while teaming with [[Riki Chōshū]]. He followed this with a second victory the following year, this time with [[Shinya Hashimoto]].
+Following his release, Saito wrestled mainly in Japan, where he became involved in a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Antonio Inoki]]. To settle the feud, the two competed in an Island Death match on [[October 4]], 1987. They were placed on Ganryujima Island and wrestled a match that lasted two hours and spread across the island. Ultimately, Inoki was victorious, defeating Saito by technical knockout. The following year, after leaving [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] to return to [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]], Saito won his first [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] while teaming with [[Riki Chōshū]]. He followed this with a second victory the following year, this time with [[Shinya Hashimoto]].
-Saito's final major title came in the [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA), where he defeated [[Larry Zbyszko]] for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in front of a hometown crowd of 63,900 fans at the Tokyo Dome on February 10, 1990. He lost the title two months later in a rematch with Zbyszko at [[SuperClash#SuperClash 4|SuperClash 4]]. While wrestling in the AWA, Saito also formed a tag team with [[Jesse Ventura]] known as the Far East-West Connection.
+Saito's final major title came in the [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA), where he defeated [[Larry Zbyszko]] for the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in front of a hometown crowd of 63,900 fans at the Tokyo Dome on February 10, 1990. He lost the title two months later in a rematch with Zbyszko at [[AWA SuperClash IV]]. While wrestling in the AWA, Saito also formed a tag team with [[Jesse Ventura]] known as the Far East-West Connection.
 ===Retirement===
-Saito had a short spell in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1995 and 1996, which included an appearance at [[Starrcade#1995|Starrcade]]. Wrestling as part of a series of matches between New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling, Saito lost his match to WCW representative [[Marc Mero|Johnny B. Badd]]. On February 14, 1999, Saito retired from wrestling. His last match was a loss to [[Scott Norton]].
+Saito had a short spell in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1995 and 1996, which included an appearance at [[Starrcade 1995|Starrcade]]. Wrestling as part of a series of matches between New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling, Saito lost his match to WCW representative [[Marc Mero|Johnny B. Badd]]. On February 14, 1999, Saito retired from wrestling. His last match was a loss to [[Scott Norton]].
-Since 2006 Saito has worked with the Kensuke Office promotion as a supervisor and manager/advisor to the promotion's younger talent.
+Since 2006 Saito worked with the Kensuke Office promotion as a supervisor and manager/advisor to the promotion's younger talent.
+==Death==
+In 2000, Saito was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He died from complications of the disease on 14 July 2018 at the age of 76.
 ==In wrestling==
@@ Line 95: / Line 110: @@
 :*[[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
-*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]
+*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]'''
-:*[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|2 times]]) &ndash; with [[Harry Fujiwara|Mr. Fuji]]
+:*[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|2 times]]) &ndash; with [[Mr. Fuji]]
+*'''Other'''
-==References==
+:*[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]] (2007)
-{{Reflist}}
+==External links==
+*[[File:Cm logo.jpg|50px]] [http://cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=2867&gimmick=Masanori+Saito Profile]
+*[[File:Wrestling Data logo.png|50px]] [https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=1456 Profile]
+{{1991 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Saito, Masa}}
+[[Category:George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]
 [[Category:1942 births]]
-[[Category:Japanese professional wrestlers]]
+[[Category:Japanese wrestlers]]
+[[Category:1965 debuts]]
+[[Category:1999 retirements]]
+[[Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:American Wrestling Association alumni]]
+[[Category:Championship Wrestling From Florida alumni]]
+[[Category:Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre alumni]]
+[[Category:Georgia Championship Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:Jim Crockett Promotions alumni]]
+[[Category:Maple Leaf Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni]]
+[[Category:New Japan Pro Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:NWA Big Time Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:World Championship Wrestling alumni]]
+[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
+[[Category:AWA World Heavyweight Champions]]
+[[Category:WWE World Tag Team Champions]]
+[[Category:Former amateur wrestlers]]
+[[Category:Olympic athletes]]
+[[Category:Male wrestlers]]
+[[Category:IWGP Tag Team Champions]]
+[[Category:2018 deaths]]
+[[Category:Wrestlers who have died]]