Hiroaki Hamada, better known as Gran Hamada, has passed away at the age of 74. The Japanese wrestling icon was a trailblazer in both his home country and Mexico, where he helped bridge the gap between lucha libre and puroresu.
A Legacy Spanning Japan, Mexico, and the U.S.
Hamada began his wrestling career in 1972 as one of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s first dojo trainees. After spending three years with NJPW, he moved to Mexico, where he adapted to lucha libre’s fast-paced style. His ability to blend Japanese and Mexican wrestling led to the creation of his own promotion, Universal Lucha Libre, which was the first Japanese company to fully integrate the lucharesu style.
Hamada’s influence extended beyond Japan and Mexico. He briefly competed in the U.S., making appearances in ECW against notable names like Justin Credible and Jerry Lynn. He also had a historic partnership with WWE, which resulted in him and Perro Aguayo becoming the first—and only—WWF Intercontinental Tag Team Champions, a title created during a short-lived collaboration between WWE and Hamada’s promotion.
A Revered Figure in Lucha Libre
Throughout his career, Hamada shared the ring with some of the biggest names in lucha libre history, including René Guajardo, El Perro Aguayo, Aníbal, and Los Villanos. His contributions to the industry helped shape the modern crossover between Japanese and Mexican wrestling.
Gran Hamada’s impact on professional wrestling will be remembered by fans and wrestlers alike, particularly for his role in pioneering the lucharesu style that influenced future generations.
