I just heard that only a few hours ago, Japanese pro wrestling legend and figurehead of the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion Mitsuharu Misawa died after receiving a backdrop during a tag team match in Hiroshima. The cause of death is said to be a heart attack. He was 46 years old.

Misawa is commonly acknowledged as one of the all-time greatest wrestlers ever, specifically due to his incredible performances during the 90s when he shot to prominence in the All Japan promotion as both himself and as the second incarnation of the hugely popular "Tiger Mask" gimmick, before leaving All Japan to form NOAH. To completely list all of his classic bouts would probably take me hours, and he deservedly enjoyed Hulk Hogan-level popularity in his home country, as well as with die-hard fans in North America.

During recent years, he allowed his physical fitness to seriously decline, while continuing to wrestle a punishing style that would have exacted a heavy toll on even a well-conditioned body. I never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but as a longtime pro wrestler I have trouble thinking about the business of wrestling without Misawa in it, and it goes without saying that he will be terribly missed.

UPDATE June 15/09: The Wrestling Observer is now reporting that the actual cause of Misawa's death was a spinal cord injury caused by the suplex that he took. I sincerely hope that Akitoshi Saito, the man who delivered the suplex in what was reported to be a safe manner, does not take this excessively hard, seeing as Misawa's bad physical condition was undoubtedly the main reason for his death.