in the final. On August 15 he participated in the last card of New Japan's G1 Climax tournament for the year, teaming with mentor Tenryu and Tiger Mask to defeat Riki Choshu, Junji Hirata and Akira Nogami. This turned out to be the last match Kawada has wrestled to date. Although at the time, Kawada hadn't announced a formal retirement, he admitted that the death of his rival Misawa in 2009 diminished his passion for the sport. In 2013, he attended Kenta Kobashi's own retirement ceremony and greeted his also former rival; however he refused to participate in Akira Taue's retirement match later in the year, although he similarly attended the ceremony and greeted Taue. Championships and accomplishments All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Samson Fuyuki Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (5 times) World Tag Team Championship (9 times) – with Akira Taue (6), Mitsuharu Misawa (2) and Taiyō Kea (1) Champion Carnival (1994, 1997) World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1992) – with Mitsuharu Misawa World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1996, 1997) – with Akira Taue Asunaro Cup (1989) Autumn Festival Tag Team Tournament (2004) – with Taichi Ishikari World's Strongest Tag Determination League Newcomer & Fair Play Award (1989) – with Samson Fuyuki World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1990) – with Mitsuharu Misawa World's Strongest Tag Determination League Skill Award (1991) – with Mitsuharu Misawa Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship Tournament (2003) World Tag Team Championship Tournament (2000) – with Akira Taue HUSTLE GP Tournament (2008) New Japan Pro-Wrestling Singles Best Bout (2000) Nikkan Sports Match of the Year (2000) Pro Wrestling Zero1 World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No. 6 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004 Ranked No. 42 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003 Ranked No. 8 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Akira Taue Ranked No. 11 of the top 100 tag team of the "PWI Years" with Mitsuharu Misawa Ranked No. 69 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Samson Fuyuki Tokyo Sports Outstanding Performance Award (2004) Fighting Spirit Award (1994, 2000) Tag Team of the Year (1991) with Mitsuharu Misawa Tag Team of the Year (1997) with Akira Taue Match of the Year (1992) vs. Stan Hansen on June 5, 1992 Match