The chants of “KOBASHI” and “ARIGATO” echoed through the venue, as the audience rose to their feet (October 2005, Manhattan, New York, USA)
The Dream Since My Debut... My First Overseas Expedition Realized in 2005
Original source
After winning the Best Bout Award for the match against Kensuke Sasaki at the Tokyo Dome, 2005 became an unforgettable year. That year, a long-cherished dream of mine was also realized—my first overseas expedition.
When I was younger, I had always wanted to train abroad, but due to Mr. Baba’s view that “there’s not much left to learn in America now,” I continued training in Japan. So, going overseas remained a long-standing dream of mine.
My first overseas expedition was in Eldon, Missouri. This small town had a population of only around 5,000 people, a remote countryside town and the base of WLW, hosted by Harley Race (former NWA World Heavyweight Champion). Surrounded by farmlands, the area was extremely spacious. On September 25, 2005, in the 18th year of my career, I had my first overseas match, facing WLW champion Wade Chism. He was a hero in that region. I eventually won the match with a Lariat, and hearing chants of “KOBASHI” overseas deeply moved me. Incidentally, on the plane heading there, I had the awkward experience of a white man touching my crotch...
Then on October 1, I took part in an ROH event in New York, having a singles match against Samoa Joe. Although Joe was a popular babyface, chants of “KOBASHI” erupted, and in the end, the entire crowd stood and chanted “ARIGATO (Thank you).” The venue held only about 1,500 people, but everyone stood up. A photographer who often covered overseas soccer matches even told me, “I’ve never heard a crowd chant ‘Thank you’ before.” Hmm, this is the true essence of pro wrestling—I felt it strongly.
The day after the match, at the request of Tokyo Sports, I did special training on a farm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The training involved facing off against a wild bull weighing around one ton. My task was to try to rope this bull. The farm staff were very cooperative and prepared a rope for me called a “Lariat.”
If I failed, the bull would charge at and trample me. I had no choice but to give it my all. I spun the rope while slowly approaching the bull. I couldn’t avoid eye contact—if I did, I would lose. I stepped forward, bit by bit, and finally, the bull turned its back to me. I had won. The tension at that moment was intense. But it wasn’t just that—every single one of Tokyo Sports’ special training series was not just for show. I always gave it my all. That’s why the series has continued for so long.
In America, swinging a rope in a showdown with a wild bull.
In November, I embarked on my first European expedition, traveling from the UK to Germany. To be honest, the journey was exhausting, and all I remember are the airports, planes, hotels, and venues. Though it was my first time in Germany, all I could think was, “All the taxis at the airport are Benzes...”
Later, in June 2008, I visited the UK and Germany again. The passionate fans treated me like a god—it was unforgettable. Privately, I’ve only been to Hawaii, Guam, and Taiwan, but on professional wrestling expeditions, the places I’ve visited gave me a unique sense of freedom. Maybe next time, I’ll travel leisurely to the American countryside or Europe with my wife (Mayuko-san).
Next, I’ll talk about my wife.
When I told her I had cancer, she said, “Then let’s get married.”
The first time I met my wife (Mayuko-san, also an enka singer known as Mizuki Mai) was in May 1996 during a tour stop in Sapporo. At the time, (Jun) Akiyama had been appointed as Misawa’s tag partner and won the World Tag Team Championship, leaving me without a partner. I had a brief talk with Mr. Baba at a hotel in Sapporo, but all he said was, “Wait a little longer.” I was feeling down and joined a dinner gathering at a friend’s invitation that night.
She was also invited to that gathering through a mutual acquaintance. She appeared on a travel poster for Hokkaido and was said to be in Sapporo for work. My mood wasn’t great, so I drank a bit too much at the dinner. I downed drinks in big gulps with the juniors who came along...
I don’t remember who else was there or what we talked about that night. I was dead drunk. I probably caused her some trouble. The next day, I realized, “Oh no!” and got her phone number through an acquaintance to call and apologize.
After a turbulent time, Kobashi and Mayuko-san eventually got married.
But it didn’t go smoothly. Though I sincerely apologized, her response was, “Is something wrong? Do you need help with anything?” Her reply felt cold. It only lasted about 30 seconds. I felt awkward and hung up. I thought I’d never call her again.
However, a month later, I found her phone number in my backpack and called her again. Maybe I still had feelings for her somewhere in my heart. From there, our conversation became lively, and we ended up arranging a dinner together. From that point on, our relationship gradually deepened, and by summer, we officially started dating.
From that time, we’ve been together for 17 years. But just like my eventful wrestling career, our relationship didn’t go smoothly. Although I always wanted to get married, wrestling was my top priority, and I knew, “You never know what’s going to happen.” Plus, she was a singer—that was her profession too.
In 2003, her agency gave her an ultimatum: “Choose between love or singing.” I told her, “It would be better to focus on singing.” After that, we stopped having meals together and avoided visiting each other’s homes. After three years of maintaining that kind of relationship, she decided to continue both singing and being with me, and we got back together.
Ironically, the first time the word “marriage” came up was when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. And it was from her. When I told her, “I have cancer,” she cried and said, “Please marry me.” I couldn’t say yes at the time. I couldn’t even see my own future—how could I carry hers too? But from the next day onward, she came with me to the hospital, and those days continued.
After overcoming cancer, we got married on October 2, 2010, following the first anniversary of Mr. Misawa’s passing. The following year, on April 9, we finally held our wedding ceremony. Together, we were 80 years old. Singer Chiharu Matsuyama gave a speech at the wedding and laughed, saying, “I’ve attended many weddings over the years, but I’ve never seen a newlywed couple this old.” (laughter)
Chiharu Matsuyama (right) gives his blessings to Kobashi and Mayuko-san at their wedding at the Imperial Hotel in April 2011.
I’m someone who lives entirely at my own pace. Even when we’re together, I’ll suddenly say, “I’m going to practice,” just as we’re about to eat, and she won’t be surprised. She understands everything I say (Note: That’s not something just anyone can do).
Thanks to her, I was able to have a fulfilling wrestling career and overcome cancer. We haven’t had a honeymoon trip yet, so I think we should go to the place where we first met—Sapporo—and enjoy a relaxing hot spring trip together. (To be continued)