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Jim Ross comments on death of Misawa - 14th June 2009
(Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch)

WWE announcer Jim Ross says it's a shame that many U.S. wrestling fans won't understand the impact Mitsuharu Misawa had on pro wrestling across the world because he wrestled in Japan.

Misawa was generally considered one of the best wrestlers in pro wrestling during the 1990s and his legend grew as a master of in-ring psychology in the 2000s once his body was well past its prime.

"It's a damn shame that the vast majority of American wrestling fans won't give a second thought about the untimely death of 'a Japanese wrestler,'" Ross said on jrsbarbq.com.

Ross says he wasn't an acquaintance of Misawa, but he felt like he knew him from watching DVDs of Misawa wrestling over the years.

"Another significant piece of Japanese wrestling history died this weekend," Ross said. "Mitsuharu Misawa apparently died in the very spot that he gained his incredible fame and resounding respect from wrestling fans around the globe...inside a wrestling ring."

Ross also talked about the emotional connection Misawa made with pro wrestling fans in Japan, especially in the NOAH promotion that Misawa founded.

"Misawa was naturally tough and it showed. And his fans loved him for it," Ross said. "They also loved his passion and the emotional ride on which he would take them. That's what pro wrestling is, selling emotion."

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