Travicity
11-21-2010, 04:08 PM
Michinoku Pro Wrestling disclosed on their website last night that Gran Naniwa, a star for the promotion during its heyday in the 1990s, passed away on 10/6 from a heart attack at the age of 34.
Naniwa was a regular babyface for Michinoku Pro, known as Northeastern Wrestling in Japan, wearing a crab-like mask and mannerisms to define his persona. He later went on to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He competed in the 1995 Super J Cup, losing to Jushin Liger.
During his time in Michinoku, Naniwa traveled to the United States to work a series of six man tags building to an appearance at the debut ECW PPV, Barely Legal. Naniwa suffered an arm injury and missed the PPV, replaced by Masato Yakashiji. Naniwa later returned to ECW in 1998, facing Gran Hamada at the 1998 House Party event in Philadelphia.
PWI
Naniwa was a regular babyface for Michinoku Pro, known as Northeastern Wrestling in Japan, wearing a crab-like mask and mannerisms to define his persona. He later went on to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He competed in the 1995 Super J Cup, losing to Jushin Liger.
During his time in Michinoku, Naniwa traveled to the United States to work a series of six man tags building to an appearance at the debut ECW PPV, Barely Legal. Naniwa suffered an arm injury and missed the PPV, replaced by Masato Yakashiji. Naniwa later returned to ECW in 1998, facing Gran Hamada at the 1998 House Party event in Philadelphia.
PWI