Kawada was good. One of the best Puro wrestlers ever, but when it comes to popularity, Misawa and Kobashi have him beat. But I will say that Kawada should be included in the discussion along with Misawa and Kobashi. I just didn't include him because the other two guys have recieved a greater amount of accolades than Kawada. Also, I don't know what hipster means. So, if you were trying to insult me... you failed.
I have absolutely no right to judge based on what little I've seen and considering that all I've seen is what they've done past their prime... and mostly in America. So basically, it's Joe vs Kobashi and KobashiCide vs JoeKi against Misawa vs KENTA and some NOAH flavored tag that I can't quite recall that ended in a draw and my favorite parts were KENTA vs Marufuji. Advantage Kobashi. Plus, I've always held it against Misawa for ending Marufuji's GHC Title run and then holding the belt forever.
This is only my opinion, but for me, Kobashi. Both were/are pound for pound 2 of the aboslute best of all time in the entire world, but i always found Kobashi slightly more entertaining and charismatic. Misawa in his prime was fantastic but peaked around the late 90's - early era of NOAH. Im sure alot of that had to do with working such a rough physical style for so many years and settling into a promoter role, but Kobashi went on for many years to have so many more great matches with all kinds of opponents (some being somewhat inept like Takeshi Rikio) and seeminly never lost a step. I can only think of a few great matches Misawa had after 2000, one of them being with Kobashi in 2003 and another i saw live in Manhattan against KENTA at ROH Glory by Honor 6 in 2007. Never the less, he should always be remembered and respected as one of the best ever to step into the ring. Im honored that i got the chance to see him live on American soil.
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