
Bison Smith : Rest In Peace.
Today, I’ve been hit by the unexpected and terribly terribly sad news of Bison Smith’s passing due to a sudden heart attack in Puerto Rico, where he was on a tour to do what he loved best, wrestling… For those of you who don’t know him, he is one of the top foreigners working in Pro Wrestling Noah, besides being one of the most physically imposing wrestlers out there.
Smith has worked mainly in the Indies, in Puerto Rico and his country The US, but he had most of his success in Japan, where he is considered a tag team specialist, winning the tag titles a couple times. But he had also had great singles bouts, last of them being with Sugiura earlier this year.
A force to be reckoned with, his finisher the Bisontennial has pinned many many a wrestler. His lariats are some of the most powerful in the business.
This is only a fan’s perspective as I have grown to be a big Puroresu fan, and a huge NOAH fan in the process, but I have never met him, sadly. You can browse YouTube to check out his matches in Pro Wrestling Noah, if you have never seen him in action.
Titles won:
2-time GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Champion
1-time APW Tag Team Champion
1-time AWF Heavyweight Champion
2-time IWA World Heavyweight Champion
1-time IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion
1-time IWA Hardcore Champion
1-time IWA Tag Team Champion
1-time NBWA Heavyweight Champion
1-time Pro Wrestling IRON Heavyweight Champion
Tournaments won:
2008 Global Tag League
Accolades:
Global Tag League Outstanding Performance (2009)- with Akitoshi Saito.
Global Tag League Technique Prize (2011)- with Masao Inoue.
We have lost a great talent, and according to other wrestlers’ reactions, a big hearted man, a true gentleman and one who would never shy to give advice to others.
R.I.P “Big Buffalo” Bison Smith. We will never forget you. My sincerest condolences to his family and his friends.