Mitsuharu Misawa was a mythical figure when I first saw him by trading tapes in the early 90s. I had never seen anything like the skills and style he adroitly executed in the ring. His presence resonated off the TV screen. He almost didn't seem real since the wrestling was such a departure from what was available in the United States, and Japan was another world away in my youth.

Fast forward to July 2007 and one of the most surreal and incredible moments of my life. I was being led down the back halls of Budokan Hall to meet Mr. Misawa. I tried to keep myself composed, remain professional and keep that "mark out" look out of my eye as I entered his locker room. If you told me in the early 90s that my life would reach this moment I never would have believed it.

Misawa immediately rose from his seat as we entered the room. He emitted an aura. He was a wrestling God. He was also humble and soft-spoken as he thanked us for booking NOAH talent and asked if he could come wrestle in the United States. The fact of the matter is that he was the one that gave the ok to everything and made the ROH/NOAH relationship happen. He was the leader, but he didn't need to act like it.

I never said much more to him than "hello" and "thank you" in the few moments I was in his company. I can't speak personally on what kind of man he was, but what tells the entire story is the company he led. As president and founder of NOAH, the promotion is a direct reflection on who Mitsuharu Misawa was. I have had an extensive amount of experience with other members of the NOAH office and roster. As an extension of Misawa, they are unselfish, cooperative, professional, trustworthy, respectful, loyal and completely by the book. This is the example that Misawa set.

Misawa led to the way for the fans of the United States to see some of NOAH's best. He provided an incredible place to work for not just NOAH talent, but several American independent workers, which allowed them to base a living off their wrestling careers. When he came to ROH, and he only did the "Glory By Honor" weekend because he wanted to, he battled through a bad case of the flu to put on two great matches because he did not want to disappoint the fans. I actually felt terrible for Misawa that weekend because the trip to Philly and Manhattan was something he was looking forward to, but I don't think he enjoyed it that much since he was so sick. He still gave it his all to make sure the fans saw him at his best. That speaks volumes on his character.

All our sympathies and thoughts need to go to his friends and family. I can't even imagine how they are coping in NOAH now. Many people in that organization have been friends and confidants with Misawa for at least 10-20 years. Their loss is incomparable.

The world has lost a true warrior. RIP Misawa.