Hisashi Shinma — a key figure from the early days of NJPW who was once recognized as the in-storyline president of the WWF — has passed away at 90 years old.

Hisashi Shinma was known as the on-show President of WWE in the late 1970s and early 1980s, preceding the administration of Jack Tunney. Behind the scenes, however, he was known as a master booker.

A member of The WWE Hall of Fame's Legacy Wing will be joining WWE in some capacity this week. According to WWE's Japanese site, Hisashi Shinma will appear at WWE Live Tokyo this Friday, June 28th.

In 1979, two wrestling icons collided in the ring in a talent-sharing arrangement between New Japan Pro Wrestling and the WWF, negotiated by then-WWF figurehead Hisashi Shinma. (He preceded Jack ...