Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰爾, Fujinami Tatsumi^?) (born Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰巳, Fujinami Tatsumi^?)) is a Japanese professional wrestler who is famous for his gimmick as "The Dragon." He is the one who is credited for inventing the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex. He is also the owner & founder of the Dradition wrestling promotion.

Career[link]

Japanese Wrestling Association (1971-1972)[link]

Fujinami started in the old Japanese Wrestling Association under Antonio Inoki's wing at the age of 17. When Inoki was fired from JWA in 1971, Fujinami and a few others followed him in forming a new promotion, New Japan Pro Wrestling. Inoki, Fujinami, Osamu Kido and Kotetsu Yamamoto are recognized as NJPW's founding fathers.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1972-2006)[link]

In those early days, he served as opponent for debuting rookies, such as Mr. Pogo, Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Gran Hamada. Fujinami, Fujiwara, Hamada and three other rookies competed in the 1974 Karl Gotch Cup (a tournament for rookies, forerunner to the later Young Lions Cup).

In the late 1970s, Fujinami was sent abroad, to Mexico's Universal Wrestling Association and to Jim Crockett Promotions in the U.S. In the late 1970s he went to the WWWF where he first made a name for himself. He won the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship on January 23, 1978.^[1] and brought it back to Japan, establishing it as the premier junior heavyweight title in Japan. In October 1981, he graduated to the heavyweight division. Fujinami would be the first wrestler to be successful in both the junior heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.

1988 proved to be Fujinami's banner year. On May 8, he defeated Big Van Vader by disqualification, to win the title vacated by Antonio Inoki. However, within days, the title was held up after he fought Riki Chōshū to a no contest; he would win the title back a month later in the rematch. In October, he won the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship, and he ended the year by winning the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship in December.

1989 proved to be a heartbreaking year for Fujinami. In April, he vacated the title to be determined in a tournament at New Japan's first Tokyo Dome show; he would lose to eventual winner Big Van Vader in the semi-finals. In June, during a match with Vader, Fujinami suffered a severe back injury and pulled a hernia. He wouldn't wrestle at all until he returned in September 1990, changing his kanji from "辰巳" to "辰爾" (both are pronounced Tatsumi).

In December 1990, he regained the title he never lost, the IWGP Heavyweight title from Chōshū. His reign was short-lived, as he lost the title to Vader a month later. Fujinami rebounded by regaining the title two months later. Within days, Fujinami made history, as he defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, making him the very first man to hold the IWGP and NWA World titles simultaneously.

His "most remembered" match in the U.S. was when he defended his NWA World Heavyweight title against Ric Flair in a title vs. title re-match at the first ever WCW SuperBrawl in Florida after a controversial match in Japan that March. Flair retained his WCW Championship and regained Fujinami's NWA title by a school boy pin with a handful of tights.

In recent years Fujinami has decreased his work load upon being named President of NJPW in 1999 (he was nevertheless ousted in 2004). His last title reign in NJPW was a IWGP Tag Team Championship with disciple Osamu Nishimura in October 2001, and his last title shot ever was a AJPW Triple Crown bout against Keiji Mutoh in December of the same year (Mutoh had not affiliated himself exclusively with AJPW at the time).

In 2006, after nearly 35 years in the company, Fujinami left NJPW, after giving an ultimatum of either Riki Chōshū leave or Fujinami leave. New Japan stuck with Chōshū, causing Fujinami to leave. Another veteran and Fujinami's long-time tag team partner, Kengo Kimura, would follow suit.

Muga / Dradition (2004-present)[link]

Recently he and Nishimura began running their Muga promotion again, focusing on pure catch wrestling which seems to have been relegated by NJPW. In a tag team dream match, Fujinami, along with his close friend Nishimura beat Mitsuharu Misawa and Go Shiozaki in the main event of the first "Muga World" show. The name of Fujinami's new promotion has since been changed to Dradition, after the departure of Nishimura.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Dragon Backbreaker (Belly to back suplex backbreaker)
  • Dragon sleeper – Innovated
  • Dragon suplex – Innovated

• Signature moves
  • Abdominal stretch, sometimes to a grounded opponent
  • Double underhook DDT
  • Dragon Rocket (Suicide dive)
  • Dragon screw – Innovated
  • Enzuigiri
  • Figure four leglock
  • Front dropkick
  • Gory special
  • Reverse rolling prawn hold
  • Running sitout powerbomb
  • Sharpshooter

• Nicknames
  • "Honoo no Hiryū"
  • "The Dragon"

• Entrance themes
  • "Dragon Suplex" (1978–1985, 1987–1988, 1998–present)
  • "Macho Dragon (Instrumental)" (1985–1987)
  • "Rising" (1988–1989)
  • "Rising - Epilogue" (1990–present)
  • "Super Dragon" (1997–1998)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Catch Wrestling Association
  • CWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
  • IWGP Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Kengo Kimura (4) and Osamu Nishimura (1)
  • NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWF International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kengo Kimura
  • WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • G1 Climax (1993)^[2]
  • Super Grade Tag League (1991) – with Big Van Vader^[3]

• Pacific Northwest Wrestling
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #31 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003

• Universal Wrestling Association
  • UWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation
  • WWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Best Technical Wrestler (1985, 1986, 1988)
  • Most Outstanding Wrestler (1988)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

References[link]

Mike Masters

Personal information
Full name	Michael Masters
Date of birth	(1967-04-26) April 26, 1967 (age 45)
Place of birth	Leesville, Louisiana, United States
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
1985-1988	Williams College
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1989–1990	Albany Capitals	?	(?)
1990–1991	San Francisco Bay Blackhawks	16	(4)
1990–1991	→ Colchester United (loan)	11	(1)
1991–1992	Colchester United	15	(7)
1992–?	Newbury Town	?	(?)
?–1994	Boston Storm	?	(?)
1994–1997	Long Island Rough Riders	?	(?)
National team
1992	United States	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Michael “Mike” Masters (born April 26, 1967 in Leesville, Louisiana) is a former U.S. soccer forward who is the first American to score a goal in Wembley Stadium. He played one season in the American Soccer League, three season in its successor, the American Professional Soccer League, and the end of the 1991-1992 English season during which his team, Colchester United, won the FA Trophy final. Masters also earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1992.

High school and college[link]

Masters grew up on Long Island and graduated from The Wheatley School of Old Westbury, New York in 1985. In 1991, the school inducted Masters into its Athletic Hall of Fame for his high school soccer, basketball and track and field exploits.^[1] Masters then attended Williams College of Williamstown, Massachusetts. At Williams, he played on the NCAA Division III men’s soccer team from 1985 to 1988. In 1987 and 1988 he was selected as a first team All American.^[2] He finished his four years Williams with a school record forty-six goals, a record broken in 1996 by Brad Murray.^[3]

Professional[link]

Following his graduation from Williams in 1989, Masters signed with the Albany Capitals of the American Soccer League (ASL). In 1990, the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League to form the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). Masters and the Capitals then played the 1990 and 1991 APSL seasons. In 1990, he was the third leading scorer in the APSL with 14 goals. In 1991, Masters scored seven goals as the Capitals went to the APSL title game only to lose to the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks. Despite this success, the Capitals folded during the off-season and Masters moved west to join the Blackhawks for the 1992 season. He played sixteen games, scoring four goals as the team finished 8-8.^[4] At the end of the APSL season, Masters traveled to England for a trial with Colchester United which, after relegation the previous year, played in the GM Vauxhall Conference. The Conference is the fifth tier of English football and, while classified as 'non-league', still receives significant media coverage and support from fans. Masters quickly attained cult status amongst Colchester supporters, scoring many vital goals in the clubs promotion winning 1991-92 season, including a hat-trick in the final game - a 5-0 win against Barrow FC that saw the 'U's' promoted back to the football league. A few days later, Masters headed the first goal in Colchester’s 3-1 victory over Witton Albion in the FA Trophy final, sealing the so-called 'non-league' double for his side. That was the first goal scored by an American in a Wembley Stadium cup competition. Despite his productive time with Colchester, the British Home Office denied Colchester a work permit for Masters and he returned to the United States.^[5] In 1994, the Boston Storm traded Masters to the Long Island Rough Riders during the season.^[6] He played for the Roughriders through the 1997 season.^[7]

National team[link]

On June 27, 1992, Masters earned his one and only cap with the U.S. national team as a substitute for Dominic Kinnear in a scoreless tie with Uruguay.^[8][9]

Post-soccer[link]

Following his time with the national team, Mike spent some time coaching at DePaul University. He went on to receive his MBA at DePaul. He currently works on Wall Street as an investment banker with Barclays Bank.

He resides in New York with his wife and son.

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Colchester United^[10][11]

• Football Conference Winner (1): 1991–92
• Football Conference Runner-up (1): 1990–91
• FA Trophy Winner (1): 1991–92

References[link]

Shinya Hashimoto
Hashimoto in January, 2004
Ring name(s)	Shinya Hashimoto Shogun Hashif Khan
Billed height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Billed weight	130 kg (290 lb)[1]
Born	(1965-07-03)July 3, 1965 Toki City, Gifu, Japan
Died	July 11, 2005(2005-07-11) (aged 40)
Trained by	Antonio Inoki Stu Hart Mr. Hito
Debut	September 1, 1984

Shinya Hashimoto (橋本 真也, Hashimoto Shin'ya^?, July 3, 1965 - July 11, 2005), was a Japanese professional wrestler. Along with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh, Hashimoto was dubbed one of the "Three Musketeers" that began competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid 1980s and dominated the promotion in the 1990s.

He is one (the other being Keiji Mutoh) of two wrestlers that have held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the AJPW Triple Crown Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He is often compared to All Japan Pro Wrestling's Toshiaki Kawada, as both are widely known for their stiff kicks and violent matches. As of 2010, he has the longest IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign in history, lasting 489 days.

Career[link]

Early years (1984-1988)[link]

Hashimoto grew up in Toki City in Gifu, and began training in judo in his late teens. His training helped him in his transition to professional wrestling, as he joined the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in April 1984. He made his debut for NJPW in September 1984 at the age of 19, wrestling against Tatsutoshi Goto. Hashimoto worked on becoming a skilled wrestler over the next few years, travelling whenever necessary to gain more seasoning, such as over in the United States (Continental Wrestling Association), Canada (Stampede Wrestling), and Puerto Rico (World Wrestling Council). During his excursion in the United States, he visited the Elvis Presley museum in Memphis. Instantly, Hashimoto became a huge fan and because of this, his dressing up in Elvis costumes, and his sideburns, many of his peers commonly refer to him as "Fat Japanese Elvis."

It was in Puerto Rico in 1988, that Hashimoto formed The Three Musketeers with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1988-2000)[link]

Upon Hashimoto's return to New Japan in July 1988, he started to climb his way up the NJPW ladder. In April 1989, he took part in the IWGP Heavyweight Championship tournament at New Japan's first show in the Tokyo Dome; he defeated Riki Chōshū and Victor Zangiev, before losing to Big Van Vader in the finals. In September 1989, Hashimoto teamed with Masa Saito to win his first gold, the IWGP Tag Team Championship, beating Chōshū and Takayuki Iizuka. The two would hold the belts until the next year, losing in April 1990 to two other up-and-comers: Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh.

In August 1991, Hashimoto, Chono, and Mutoh cemented their status as the aces of NJPW during the G-1 Climax, surpassing longtime aces Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Riki Chōshū. In July 1992, he replaced an injured Akira Nogami to team with Hiroshi Hase to participate in the NWA World Tag Team Championship tournament held by World Championship Wrestling; they defeated the Fabulous Freebirds in the quarterfinals, before losing to Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham in the semi-finals. Hashimoto finally hit the big time in 1993, as he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from the Great Muta in September. Hashimoto would hold the biggest belt in NJPW for the next 7 months before being taken down by the legendary Tatsumi Fujinami. However, Hashimoto didn't sit back after the defeat, as he regained the gold only a month later, in May 1994. For the next year, Hashimoto stayed a dominating force in New Japan, defeating challenger after challenger. In fact, Hashimoto reigned as the IWGP champion for over a year, losing the belt to Mutoh only two days after celebrating the milestone.

A few months after losing the gold, Hashimoto teamed up with Junji Hirata in July 1995 to face and defeat Scott Norton and Mike Enos to win the vacated IWGP Tag Team Championship, making Hashimoto a two-time champion in both divisions. Soon, Hashimoto enjoyed another lengthy championship run, as he and Hirata remained the champions for almost another year. Hashimoto also became a double champion, as he defeated Nobuhiko Takada to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Title on April 29, 1996. Hashimoto & Hirata would lose the tag titles in June 1996, when they fell to Takashi Iizuka and Kazuo Yamazaki. Hashimoto soldiered on to focus solely on the singles gold, as he worked on another lengthy run. In 1997, he was presented with a new championship belt (the second-generation IWGP Heavyweight Championship). On August 31, 1997, Hashimoto lost the title to Kensuke Sasaki, after reigning as champion for a record-breaking 489 days. Hashimoto continued to work for NJPW for the next few years, earning another great honor by winning the G-1 Climax in 1998.

Hashimoto launched into a brutal rivalry against Judo champion Naoya Ogawa in 1997, leading to Hashimoto vowing to retire if he lost again, which happened in April 2000. Despite the vow, he returned to New Japan for the New Japan/All Japan "Do Judge!" card on October 9, where he defeated Tatsumi Fujinami by submission. He appeared at the Great Voyage 2000 event for Pro Wrestling Noah on December 23, where he successfully defeated Takao Ōmori.

Different Style Fights[link]

Between 1990 and 1998, Shinya Hashimoto successfully competed in various worked Mixed Martial Arts-like bouts in New Japan Pro Wrestling, called Different Style Fights, where he defeated the likes of Volk Han, Tony Halme, Ramzin Shibiev and Dennis Lane. Most of the bouts lasted from 3 to 14 minutes and usually ended via submission or knockout.

Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (2001-2005)[link]

Even though Hashimoto was assumed to be retired, Hashimoto registered the Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE name on November 13, 2000, after being fired from New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the promotion had its first show on March 2, 2001. Hashimoto challenged Steve Corino for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in October 2001. The match ended in controversy, leading to the belt being held up. In December 2001, Hashimoto faced off against Corino and Gary Steele in a Triple Threat Match, winning the vacated NWA World Heavyweight Title. Hashimoto's NWA World Title reign would come to an end in March 2002 through duplicitous means, as a crooked referee gave a fast count, allowing Dan Severn to win the belt. Hashimoto then went back to concentrating on Zero-One, where he was an active competitor. In October 2002, Hashimoto teamed with his old rival, Naoya Ogawa, to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag-Team Titles (which were usually defended in Zero-One) from John Heidenreich & Nathan Jones. The two would defend the belts for the next few months, before falling to Matt Ghaffari and Tom Howard in December 2002. The two teams feuded on and off over the next few months, even as Hashimoto looked to another organization for a major accomplishment.

On February 23, 2003, Hashimoto defeated the Great Muta to win the AJPW Triple Crown Championship; as a result, Hashimoto became only the second man to have held the NJPW, AJPW, and NWA World Titles (as Keiji Mutoh was the first).^[1] Hashimoto added to that gold, temporarily, when he and Ogawa won back the NWA Intercontinental Tag-Team Titles from Ghaffari and Howard in April 2003. However, due to Ogaya having thrown Ghaffari over the top rope at one point in the match, NWA President Richard Arpin stripped them of the belts a few days later, as throwing an opponent over the top rope is against the rules in the NWA. Hashimoto's AJPW Triple Crown would face a similar fate, as Hashimoto suffered a knee injury in August 2003 and had to vacate the belt.

Despite the build-up of several injuries, Hashimoto continued to wrestle on and off in Zero-One, including teaming with Yoshiaki Fujiwara to get the NWA Intercontinental Tag-Team Titles for a third time, defeating Takao Ōmori and Shiro Koshinaka in June 2004. The two would stay the champs for the next few months, before Ōmori found a new partner in Shinjiro Otani to take the belts away in August 2004. Going into 2005, Hashimoto left Zero-One and placed Otani in charge, citing financial problems as the reason for his departure. However, many of his peers testified that once Hashimoto recovered from various injuries, he was planning on returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling, as well as making an appearance at an All Japan Pro Wrestling event on July 26 in Yoyogi National Gym #2 for a "Three Musketeers" reunion.^[2]

Death[link]

The Japanese wrestling world was shocked when Hashimoto suddenly died of a brain aneurysm in Tokyo, Japan, on July 11, 2005, 8 days after celebrating his 40th birthday; he was pronounced dead at approximately 10:36 a.m. while en route to the hospital. Hashimoto’s sister Masanari claimed that Hashimoto had been complaining about chest pains and thought that his heart was beating too fast a week prior to his death, but refused to contact his doctor about the conditions.

Hashimoto had a heart problem in 2004 and was put on medicine, but he had to stop taking it after having shoulder surgery. Hashimoto's doctor claimed that high blood pressure was the most likely cause for his brain hemorrhage, and proposed that other stress over the years led to these problems, which should not have happened for someone his age.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Hashimoto had a son, Daichi Hashimoto, who made his pro wrestling debut for the Zero1 promotion at their 10th Anniversary Show on March 6, 2011, facing Masahiro Chono in a losing effort.^[3] He also left behind two young daughters.

Tributes[link]

In the years following Hashimoto's death, numerous wrestlers and promotions have paid tribute to him. Immediately following his death, New Japan retired the second IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt as Hashimoto was the first to wear it. A third IWGP Title belt was created and debuted in October 2005 but New Japan lost it in July 2006 when Brock Lesnar left New Japan and took the belt with him which forced New Japan to bring the second belt back. After regaining the third belt in Feberuary 2008 and the creation of the fourth IWGP Title belt, the second was retired once again. On March 2, 2008, then IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Shinsuke Nakamura visited ZERO1 for their anniversary show where he defeated Kohei Sato. After the match, he gave the second IWGP Title belt to Hashimoto's son: Daichi.^[4]

In August 2005, Masahiro Chono used Hashimoto's Bakusho Sengen theme during the final match of the 2005 G1 Climax. At PRIDE Shockwave 2005, Naoya Ogawa wore Hashimoto's signature headband and came out to Bakusho Sengen for his fight against Hidehiko Yoshida. In late 2005, Hashimoto was posthumously awarded an achievement award by Tokyo Sports.^[5] At Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2007, Chono and Mutoh would pay tribute after defeating Ten-Koji as they wore Hashimoto's Headbands while his theme song played. On September 21, 2009, ZERO1 held the Shinya Hashimoto 25th Anniversary Destructive King Legend In Korakuen Hall show which celebrated Hashimoto's would be 25th anniversary.^[6] In 2010, Hashimoto would be inducted into both New Japan's Greatest Wrestlers Hall of Fame^[7] and the NWA Hall of Fame.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Jumping spike DDT^[1]
  • Vertical drop brainbuster^[1]

• Signature moves
  • Multiple DDT variations
    • Elevated
    • Flowing
    • Running
  • Multiple suplex variations
    • Bottom rope super
    • Exploder
    • German
  • Overhead chop
  • Running leg drop
  • Spinning heel kick
  • Triangle choke^[8]

• Entrance themes
  • "Prologue" by Seiji Yokoyama (1984–1989)
  • "Never" by Moving Pictures (1989)
  • "Bakusho Sengen" (1989–2005)
  • "Bakusho Sengen (with "Open The Door" intro)" (1991–1993, big matches)
  • "Bakusho Sengen (with "Welcome To The Pleasuredome (Into Battle Mix)" intro)" (1993–2005, big matches)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[1]

• National Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2010)

• NWA Pro-Wrestling Xpress
  • NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[1]

• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
  • IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Masa Saito (2) and Junji Hirata (1)
  • G-1 Climax (1998)^[9]
  • Super Grade Tag League (1992) - with Riki Chōshū^[10]
  • Super Grade Tag League (1996) - with Scott Norton^[10]
  • Greatest Wrestlers (Class of 2010)^[11]

• Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE
  • NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Naoya Ogawa (2) Yoshiaki Fujiwara (1)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #45 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

• Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
  • Achievement Award (2005)^[12]
  • Fighting Spirit (1993)^[13]
  • Performance Award (1989)^[14]
  • Wrestler of the Year (1994)^[15]

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2000)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shinya Hashimoto

• Profile at Strong Style Spirit
• ZERO1-MAX official English Language site
• Extensive profile at Accelerator3359

This article may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (September 2011)

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (September 2010)

Antonio Inoki (アントニオ猪木^?) (born Kanji Inoki (猪木寛至, Inoki Kanji^?) on February 20, 1943) is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who now resides between New York City and Tokyo. He was also the founder and former owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling before selling his controlling share in the promotion to Yukes.^[3][4] He fashioned his name after the wrestler Antonino Rocca as an homage to him.

Early life[link]

Inoki was born in an affluent family in Yokohama in 1943. He was the sixth son and the second youngest of the seven boys and four girls. His father, Sajiro Inoki, a businessman and politician, died when Kanji was five years old. Inoki entered the Higashidai Grade School. Inoki was taught karate by an older brother while in 6th grade. By the time he was in 7th grade at Terao Junior High School, he was 180 centimeters tall and joined the basketball team. He later quit and joined a track and field club as a shot putter. He eventually won the championship at the Yokohama Junior High School track and field competition.

The family fell on hard times in the post-war years, and in 1957, the 14 year-old Inoki emigrated to Brazil with his grandfather, mother and brothers. His grandfather died during the journey to Brazil. Inoki won regional championships in Brazil in the shot put, discus throw, and javelin throw, and finally the All Brazilian championships in the shot put and discus.^[5]

Professional wrestling career[link]

Japan Wrestling Association (1960–1966)[link]

Inoki met Rikidōzan at the age of 17. He went back to Japan for the Japanese Wrestling Association (JWA) as Rikidōzan's disciple. One of his dojo classmates was Giant Baba. After Rikidozan's death, Inoki worked in Baba's shadow until he joined the original Tokyo Pro Wrestling in 1966.

Tokyo Pro Wrestling (1966–1967)[link]

After wrestling a long excursion in the United States, Inoki found a new home in Tokyo Pro Wrestling. While there, Inoki became their biggest star. Unfortunately, the company folded in 1967, due to turmoil behind the scenes.

Japan Wrestling Association (1967–1971)[link]

Returning to JWA in late 1967, Inoki was made Baba's partner and the two dominated the tag team ranks as the "B-I Cannon", winning the NWA International tag team belts four times. Wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino tells a story about Inoki trying to "shoot" on him during a tag match in Osaka to build his reputation against the then-world champ. Bruno powered out of the hold, pounded Inoki mercilessly and threw him out of the ring. Inoki refused to re-enter the ring with Sammartino and tagged in Baba to finish the match.^{[citation needed]}

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1972–1994)[link]

Fired from JWA in late 1971 for planning a takeover of the promotion, Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972. His first match as a New Japan wrestler was against Karl Gotch. In 1995 the Japanese and Korean governments came together to hold a two-day wrestling festival for peace in Pyongyang, North Korea. The event drew 150,000 and 190,000 fans respectively to May Day Stadium. The main event saw the only match between Inoki and Ric Flair with Inoki coming out on top. Days before this event, Inoki and the Korean press went to the grave and birthplace of Rikidōzan and paid tribute to him.

On November 30, 1979, Inoki defeated WWF Champion Bob Backlund in Tokushima, Japan to win the title. Backlund then won a re-match on December 6. However, WWF president Hisashi Shinma declared the re-match a no-contest due to interference from Tiger Jeet Singh, and Inoki remained Champion. Inoki refused the title on the same day and it was declared vacant. Backlund later defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas Death match to regain the title on December 12. As Inoki refused the title his reign is not included nor is it recognized by WWE in its official history and Backlund is recognized as having one reign from 1978–1983.

Final countdown and retirement (1994–present)[link]

Inoki's retirement from professional wrestling matches came with the staging of the "Final Countdown" series between 1994 and 1998. This was a special series in which Inoki re-lived some of his mixed martial arts matches under professional wrestling rules, as well as rematches of some of his most well known wrestling matches. Inoki faced Don Frye in the final match of his professional wrestling career.

Culminating in 2006, Inoki's influence within New Japan declined. An example of this has been the purchase of his image by YUKE's, who in 2005 purchased his controlling 51.5% stock in New Japan. As a result New Japan is now able to control Inoki's appearances and the use of his image. Inoki began a new promotion in 2007 called Inoki Genome Federation that competes with New Japan.

On February 1, 2010, World Wrestling Entertainment announced on its Japanese website that Inoki would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. On February 9, WWE held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan to officially announce the induction, making him the first ever Japanese person to receive the induction.^[6] Inoki was presented with a Hall of Fame certificate by WWE's Ed Wells and stated that he would be attending the WrestleMania XXVI weekend festivities, which saw him officially inducted.

Mixed martial arts[link]

This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (September 2011)

Inoki was amongst the group of professional wrestlers who were tutored in the art of hooking and shooting by the professional wrestler Karl Gotch. Inoki named his method of fighting "strong style". This method of wrestling (which was taught to Inoki by Gotch) borrowed heavily from professional wrestling's original catch wrestling roots. It is one of the most important influences of modern shoot wrestling. Inoki is also one of the founders of Kansuiryu Karate.^[7]

Inoki faced many opponents from all dominant disciplines of combat from various parts of the world, such as boxers, judoka, karateka, kung fu practitioners, sumo wrestlers and wrestlers. . These bouts included a match a match with then-prominent karate competitor Everett Eddy.^[8] Eddy had previously competed in a mixed skills bout against boxer Horst Geisler, losing by knockout.^[9] The bout with Eddy ended with the karateka "knocked out" by a professional wrestling powerbomb followed by a Hulk Hogan-esque leg drop, strongly suggesting a pre-determined outcome.^[10] Another such match pitted Inoki against 6'7" Kyokushin karate stylist Willie "The Bear Killer" Williams. (So-called because he had allegedly fought a bear for a 1976 Japanese film entitled "The Strongest Karate 2".^[11]) This bout ended in a doctor stoppage after both competitors repeatedly fell out of the ring.^[12] Although many of the matches were worked, they are seen as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

Perhaps his most famous bout was against heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali on June 26, 1976 in Tokyo.^[13] Inoki initially promised Ali a worked match to get him to fight in Japan, but when the deal materialized, Ali's camp feared that Inoki would turn the fight into a shoot, which many believe was Inoki's intention. Ali visited a professional wrestling match involving Inoki and witnessed Inoki's grappling ability. The rules of the match were announced several months in advance. Two days before the match, however, several new rules were added which severely limited the moves that each man could perform. A rule change that had a major effect on the outcome of this match was that Inoki could only throw a kick if one of his knees was on the ground.^[13] In the match, Ali landed a total of six punches to Inoki, and Inoki kept to his back in a defensive position almost the full duration of the match of 15 rounds, hitting Ali with a low kick repeatedly.^[14] The bout ended in a draw, 3-3. Ali left without a press conference and suffered damage to his legs as a result of Inoki's repeated leg kicks.^[15]

Following his retirement, Inoki has promoted a number of MMA events such as NJPW: Ultimate Crush (which showcased pro wrestling matches and MMA matches on the same card), as well as annual Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye shows which took place on New Year's Eve in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Some of the major attractions of these events involve the best of NJPW against world renowned fighters in mixed martial arts matches. Inoki vs. Renzo Gracie was a professional wrestling match that took place at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2000 against mixed martial artist Renzo Gracie. Inoki was also the ambassador for the International Fight League's Tokyo entry before that promotion's demise.

Personal life[link]

Inoki was married to actress Mitsuko Baisho from 1971 to 1987.^{[citation needed]}

Inoki appeared in the movie The Bad News Bears Go to Japan as himself. A subplot in his scenes involved Inoki seeking a rematch with Ali. His appearance in the movie culminates with a match against the main character, Marvin Lazar (played by Tony Curtis). Fellow wrestler Hector Guerrero was Curtis's stunt double for the wrestling itself.

Inoki had the starring role in the film Acacia directed by Jinsei Tsuji.^{[citation needed]}

In other media[link]

Inoki appears both in the manga and anime Tiger Mask, in a secondary role: in the Japanese series he is the only one who was able to win over Naoto Date, i.e. Tiger Mask, and the two became best friends subsequently.

In Oh!Great's manga Air Gear, Inoki is regularly referred to by the author, and also the characters as an influence on their fighting style. The manga also makes several less than complimentary references to Inoki's large chin. Along with Inoki, Stone Cold Steve Austin of the World Wrestling Federation has been referred to in Air Gear's pages, often in naming things. (This is based on the translation by Tanoshimi Manga, and later by Balantine Books/Del Rey Books. Other translations may omit these references)

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Bridging fallaway slam
  • Enzuigiri^[1] - Innovated
  • Manji-Gatame^[1][16] - Octopus Hold
  • Sleeper hold

• Signature moves
  • Bare knuckled punches
  • Cross armbreaker^[16]
  • Diving knee drop
  • Indian deathlock
  • Seated armbar
  • Slap
  • Stepover standing armbar^[16]

• Entrance themes
  • "Honō No Fighter" (炎のファイター) – originally used in the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Lou Thesz Award (2004)

• Japan Wrestling Association
  • NWA International Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Shohei Baba
  • JWA All Asia Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Michiaki Yoshimura (2) and Kintaro Ohki (1)
  • 11th World Big League
  • 1st and 2nd World Tag League (with Kantaro Hoshino and Seiji Sakaguchi)

• National Wrestling Federation
  • NWF Heavyweight Championship (4 times)

• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles/Japan version) (1 time) - with Seiji Sakaguchi
  • WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NJPW IWGP League (1984, 1986)
  • NJPW Japan Cup Tag Team League (1986) with Yoshiaki Fujiwara
  • NJPW MSG League (1978–1981)
  • NJPW MSG Tag League (1980) with Bob Backlund
  • NJPW MSG Tag League (1982) with Hulk Hogan
  • NJPW MSG Tag League (1983) with Hulk Hogan
  • NJPW MSG Tag League (1984) with Tatsumi Fujinami
  • NJPW World League (1974, 1975)
  • Greatest Wrestlers (Class of 2007)^[17]

• NWA Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) - with Duke Keomuka

• NWA Hollywood Wrestling
  • NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Los Angeles/Japan version) (1 time) - with Seiji Sakaguchi
  • NWA United National Championship (1 time)

• NWA Mid-America
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-America version) (1 time) - with Hiro Matsuda

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Class of 2009^[2]

• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)

• World Wide Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
  • WWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)¹
  • WWWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2010)

• Universal Wrestling Association
  • UWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Promoter of the Year (2001)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

1 ^ Inoki's WWF Heavyweight Championship reign is not officially recognized by WWE.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Puroresu.com: Antonio Inoki
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile
• TWC: Antonio Inoki Home Page
• WWE Hall of Fame Profile
• Antonio Inoki and Mizutani-sensei form Kansuiryu Karate in 1979

Genichiro Tenryu
Ring name(s)	Genichiro Tenryu Tenryu Hayabusa Hustle General Big Hayabusa
Billed height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Billed weight	124 kg (270 lb)[1]
Born	(1950-02-02) February 2, 1950 (age 62) Katsuyama, Fukui
Trained by	Dory Funk, Jr. Terry Funk Giant Baba
Debut	November 13, 1976

Genichiro Tenryu (天龍源一郎 Tenryū Gen'ichirō), real name Genichiro Shimada (嶋田源一郎 Shimada Gen'ichirō, born February 2, 1950), is a Japanese professional wrestler. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his shikona.