The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

[CaptainZombie]

There are many wrestlers that have come and gone over the years, but I haven't been as amazed by 1 wrestler like I have by Keiji Mutoh a.k.a. The Great Muta. Ever since my avatar was posted last week, I have been getting PM's and questions asking who is this man. Mutoh would wrestle as Keiji Mutoh, but when he wanted to be evil/heel, he would transform to The Great Muta or one of his alter-egos, and there have been many. Enjoy the pics and alter-egos below.

Rookie Photo as Keiji:


White Ninja persona in 80's:


The Great Muta from the late 80's:




NWO Muta:


Keiji Mutoh during the years when he was a face:


Keiji Mutoh new look after The Great Muta gimmick couldn't be used:


Kokushi Gimmick, immitating Hakushi:


The New Muta:


Darkness Dragon:


Spider Muta is in my avatar.

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

I prefer this one:

[JiggidyJames]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

How come he couldn't use the Great Muta name/gimmick?

[CaptainZombie]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

How come he couldn't use the Great Muta name/gimmick?

New Japan Pro Wrestling owns the name and the gimmick. When Mutoh left NJPW for All Japan Pro Wrestling, he couldn't use the gimmick anymore. He went with his real name, Keiji Mutoh (bald, white/black tights, and basically rejuvented his move set).

There have been occasions where he has called himself "New" Muta, Spider Muta by wearing maks instead of face paint. He just made do with what he had.

The last few years, NJPW placed a new guy under the "Great Muta" persona. It didn't seem to work and I think since than the gimmick was dropped.

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

New Japan Pro Wrestling owns the name and the gimmick. When Mutoh left NJPW for All Japan Pro Wrestling, he couldn't use the gimmick anymore. He went with his real name, Keiji Mutoh (bald, white/black tights, and basically rejuvented his move set).

There have been occasions where he has called himself "New" Muta, Spider Muta by wearing maks instead of face paint. He just made do with what he had.

The last few years, NJPW placed a new guy under the "Great Muta" persona. It didn't seem to work and I think since than the gimmick was dropped.

Amazing how that didn't work. That would be like the WWE finding some young blonde guy, giving him a Hogan haircut and fu manchu, and trotting him out as "The New Hulkster"

[TheTruth916]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

The Answer to this is

The last few years, NJPW placed a new guy under the "Great Muta" persona. It didn't seem to work and I think since than the gimmick was dropped.

Johnny Stamboli became "The Great Muta" in New Japan Pro Wrestling and that is correct it was short lived it only lasted a few months after Johnny was released from the WWE.

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: The Many Faces of Keiji Mutoh

The Answer to this is



Johnny Stamboli became "The Great Muta" in New Japan Pro Wrestling and that is correct it was short lived it only lasted a few months after Johnny was released from the WWE.

So, they did the exact opposite of what they do with like, Tiger Mask. They take the worst possible person they can find, and give him the gimmick.