Keiji Mutoh

Keiji Mutoh (武藤敬司 Mutō Keiji) was born December 23, 1962 in Yamanishi, Japan.

Mutoh stands 6'1" and is (roughly) 245lbs. He was trained in the art of puroresu by Hiro Matsuda in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Academy. He debuted on October 5, 1984. In high school Mutoh participated in judo.

The Great Muta

Alter-Egos

Great Muta, which he has wrestled as fairly continuously throughout his career, switching back and forth between this character and his real name. Great Muta is a mysterious Gimmick where he formally wore face paint. In his newer version of the character, he wears a mask.
Kokushi-Muso, a Gimmick used only for a few shows (possibly just one). It is a play off of Jinsei Shinzaki's American character known as Hakushi. Hakushi means "White Angel" and "Kokushi" means "Black Angel"
White Ninja, used early in his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling and in Florida Championship Wrestling.
Super Ninja, used in the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico.
Super Black Ninja, used in World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas.

The Shining Wizard (A knee/shin to the face as he steps up on his opponents knee when his opponent is down on one knee)
The Moonsault (A backflip from the top-rope onto an opponent laying on the mat)
The Dragon Screw Legwhip (A move where he grabs his opponent's leg and holds it horizontal to the mat while they are facing eachother. He then spins in toward the inside of his opponent's leg, bringing them down in a turning motion)
Figure Four Leglock
The Space Rolling Elbow (He stands at one corner while hit opponent is in the opposite. He runs toward them and does a cartwheel ending in a position where his back is to his opponent, his momentum brings him backwards and he hits a back elbow smash)
Spewing Green Mist (As Great Muta he will usually spit a colored mist, usually green, in his opponent's face, blinding them)
- This move has since become popular among Japanese wrestlers; current WWE wrestler Tajiri, for example, spits different colors of mist at his opponents.

Keiji Mutoh has held many prestigious Japanese titles, including the IWGP Tag and Heavyweight titles (New Japan Pro Wrestling), The All Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown title (a combination of 3 unified belts), and even the National Wrestling Alliance TV and World titles.

Keiji Mutoh

Great Muta with Masa Chono in nWo

3-Time NJPW IWGP Heavyweight Champion
6-Time NJPW IWGP Tag Team Champion (with Shiro Koshinaka once, Masa Chono twice, Hiro Hase twice and Taiyo Kea once)
2-Time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion
2-Time AJPW Unified Tag Team Champion (with Taiyo Kea & Arashi)
1-Time WCW World Tag Team Champion (with Vampiro)
1-Time NWA World Heavyweight Champion
1-Time NWA World Television Champion
1-Time Florida Heavyweight Champion
1-Time WWC Puerto Rican Champion

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 25 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked # 22 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Hiro Hase.