Hardcore Japanese wrestling legend, Mr. Pogo (Tetsuo Sekigawa), has died.
The official cause of death has been ruled a cerebral infarction that occurred during back surgery. He was 66 years old.
Mr. Pogo is best known for his time spent in the Japanese hardcore promotion, Frontier Martial Arts (FMW). He is a former 2x FMW Brass Knuckles World Champion.
FMW deathmatches in the early 90s are what many credit as being the inspiration for ECW’s eventual hardcore style.
Pogo would also wrestle in Canada, in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling during the 70s and 80s. At one point Mr. Pogo held the promotion’s tag team titles with the Dynamite Kid (before losing them to Bret and Keith Hart) and the North American Heavyweight championship. He also wrestled in NWA’s Tri-State territory in the 80s.
He would spend the remaining years of his career freelancing while in semi-retirement.
