Hisashi Shinma: The WWE President Who You Forgot About

Many figures stand out in WWE history, such as Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior. However, a name that is only often mentioned by superfans is Hisashi Shinma. From 1978 to 1984, he was the figurehead President of WWE (known as the WWF at the time), bridging the gap between American and Japanese wrestling. While Vincent J. McMahon (and later, Vincent K. McMahon) was the owner, Shinma served as the authority figure representative of the company.

Hisashi Shinma's story begins in Japan, where he was a respected matchmaker for NJPW. However, Shinma's influence eventually extended beyond Japan, as he helped negotiate a talent-sharing arrangement between NJPW and the WWF that brought him to the forefront of American wrestling, at a time when such a relationship was very unique. During this period, Shinma made appearances in the authoritative role of president as he represented an important link between two distinct wrestling cultures.

The WWF-NJPW agreement saw American wrestlers travel to Japan, including Hulk Hogan while he was the world heavyweight champion. Meanwhile, Japanese stars wrestled in the United States and held WWF championships, with Tatsumi Fujinami winning the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Antonio Inoki being awarded the newly-created WWF Martial Arts Championship by Vincent J. McMahon, which Inoki began defending that day. This cross-cultural combination of styles and personalities contributed to the evolution of both companies. Hisashi Shinma's presence symbolized this unique partnership, a testament to the growing interconnectedness of the wrestling world.

By spring of 1984, Hisashi Shinma was no longer in NJPW, but he continued to be a central figure in the wrestling world, playing a key role in the formation of a new promotion- the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). He helped the UWF and the WWF come to an agreement for a working relationship. As a result UWF star Akira Maeda went to the United States in March and wrestled at a, "WWF All American Wrestling" taping at Madison Square Garden, where he won the WWF International Heavyweight Championship, which was previously vacant. As president, Shinma was in attendance to present the title and to crown Maeda as the new champion.

Hisashi Shinma was never in the spotlight on the level of WWE authority figures who followed him, but Shinma's contributions were significant. He helped to establish a foundation for the company's future international collaborations, laying some of the groundwork for the modern WWE, which have strengthened the company's global dominance.

Hisashi Shinma's most notable acknowledgement came in 2019, when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's legacy wing. This recognition cemented Shinma's place in wrestling history, a testament to his lasting impact. In addition to the ceremony that took place in the United States at "WWE Hall of Fame" the day before WrestleMania 35 in April, an additional ceremony was held for the WWE Universe in Japan two months later during a WWE Japan tour.

Hisashi Shinma story is an example of how the history of professional wrestling is not only defined by the wrestlers in the ring- behind the scenes, figures like Shinma play vital roles, shaping the industry and laying the cornerstone for the global phenomenon we know today. His legacy shows that beyond the spectacle are individuals who should be appreciated for their contributions to professional wrestling.