Riki Choshu

[9.0] "Inventing the Scorpion Death Lock/Sharpshooter that was used by two bona fide legends is enough to justify a high rating. Choshu was also an awesome wrestler and total bad ass."

[7.0] "I mostly enjoy Choshu's matches for the storytelling and psychology, but when it comes to carry a match step by step, he has to rely on the other part. You'll rarely see Choshu do something else other than his Scorpion Lock, a Backdrop, some random pounding and a Lariat. Choshu is known for being mostly the antagonist of someone's story, only being the babyface when his opponent on the other hand is a bigger evil like Vader or Chono after turning heel, and he trained some of our faves like Makabe and Ishii (who cried when he retired). But he was also involved in some vile crap that tainted his reputation as a human being, but I'm still giving him a high rate due to his impact and how he managed to make his name synonymous with main event. Hats off!"

[10.0] "Gun to my head, he's my favourite all time. Revolutionised the puro game twice. Carries the most aura with the least smoke & mirrors attached. Elite tag worker and damn good on his own. Knocks down guys twice his size with that lariat. Just don't ask him to work over 20 in a singles match, otherwise you deserve to get hit by that lariat."

[10.0] "Choshu was the first major Japanesse heel in NJPW, as before it was mostly Inoki vs. evil foreigner. Choshu's Ishin Gundan was the first Japanese stable that set up the whole system of NJPW's roster being split by stables. However his biggest influence probably came when he became turncoat and joined rival promotion AJPW, coming in as an invader Choshu completely changed AJPW's in-ring style and his introduction of strikes and suplexes into AJPW eventually resulted in the creation of the legendary King's Road style. But if his influence as a wrestler is not enough to convince you, then perhaps his return to NJPW in the 90s where he was the booker for the greatest period financially in the company's history is enought to convice people of him deserving the full 10."

[8.0] "A great wrestler and an even better booker in NJPW. His time in JPW was a definite miss. Ishin Gundan is one of the most important stables in puroresu history. Great work as the big all-arounder in the 80s and early 90s. Still goes strong today, somehow."

[9.0] "Great! Choshu revolutionised Japanese wrestling to become more fast paced and impactful, moving away from the NWA inspired style that both major promotions (but mostly AJPW) had been working since the days of Rikidozan, and was one of the first guys to have a proper wrestler invasion storyline in Japan with his Ishin Gundan stable. He might be infamously lazy during the B shows, but the guy's influence over the wrestling scene is almost universal. The guy was a really simplistic but effective wrestler, focusing on simple moves or strikes but presenting them as deadly holds through pacing and his own selling. He can really do it all: grappling with technical wizards? Sure. Hard hitting brutal brawls? Done and done. Being one of the only guys who could bring out the very best in stubborn workers like Inoki or a pre SWS Tenryu? Easy. He was also insanely over as well, probably one of the top guys in terms of popularity (at least until he went back to NJPW a second time, where he was still popular, but lost a lot of favour with the crowd) I could give him less for his consistency and the fact that the latter part of his career wasn't as sensational, but I think Choshu gets a pass here for just how much he did for the business as a whole."

[7.0] "Very hard to rate. On one side he was actually better in the ring than all the Musketeers minus Muto. Much better I dare say: it's a no brainer picking between him and Hashimoto. On the other he was a typical huge name from that time in that he had no love for smaller and lesser venues and was often inexcusably lazy after he had made a name for himself. In short if he didn't work in front of a sold out Nippon Budokan his motivation was lukewarm at best. Very good wrestler, but Tanahashi he ain't."

[10.0] "Excellent fighter! Still going strong at 67. He is memorable in NJPW and AJPW. Strong and fast in the ring."

[10.0] "Riki Choshu is a certified hall of famer. Not only was a great worker, but he also had a great track record as a booker."

[9.0] "Hihgly influential wrestler in many ways. Great wrestler who was highly charismatic and was able to show emotions through excellent facial expressions as well as body language. Great list of matches to pick from; was arguably the best wrestler of the 80's depending on who you asked. Great booker too. Great theme too :)"

[10.0] "Awesome wrestler, the match I saw from him were great. One of the most charismatics japanese wrestlers ever ! I don't really understand his rating..."

[8.0] "THE REVOLUTION WARRIOR, Riki brings in a ton of charisma and drama into his matches. His moveset though basic is fundamentally effective in every way. Being the leader of the Ishin Gundan he made them formedable opponents against Inoki's army. His AJPW work is excellent as well against Tenryu and Jumbo."

[10.0] "Choshu is one of the best from the past, sure he's slowing down in speed and quality but back in the day he knew how to get a good match out of most people. he still has a mean lariat too!"

[10.0] "Riki Choshu was a huge influence on Japanese wrestling with his immense charisma and strike and sprint style. A true legend."