Kaz Hayashi

For other uses of "Kaz", see Kaz (disambiguation).

Kaz Hayashi
Hayashi in November 2010
Ring name(s)	El Gringo The Great Hayashi Kaz Hayashi Kazu Hayashi Miguel Hayashi, Jr. Shiryu
Billed height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Billed weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Born	May 18, 1973 (1973-05-18) Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Trained by	Gran Hamada Último Dragón
Debut	November 19, 1992

Kazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi (born May 18, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is also the head booker for the company's junior division.^{[citation needed]}

Career

For much of his early career, Hayashi wrestled in Michinoku Pro under a mask, using the name Shiryu (Growing Dragon in Japanese). As Shiryu, he was part of the memorable rudo group, Kaientai Deluxe, which waged war with Michinoku Pro's Sekigun for many years, producing some classic matches. In June, 1997, he left for Mexico and Promo Azteca, before joining WCW in the United States in October of that year.

World Championship Wrestling

After unmasking, Hayashi joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1998. Early on, he was relegated to a jobber and comedy character. He would be taken under the management of Sonny Onoo. In late 1999, Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara began booking WCW programs and Hayashi was paired with La Parka. During interviews, the two would speak in their native languages which would be humorously dubbed over by charismatic English speakers, calling him names such as "The Kaz Master" and "Kazanova". This ended shortly when La Parka became upset and tossed the microphone down as Ferrera was speaking.

In mid 2000, Hayashi formed the stable Jung Dragons along with Jamie-San and Yang. Primarily feuding with 3 Count, the Jung Dragons consisted of high-flying cruiserweight talent and gained considerable popularity until the group's demise the following year.

Hayashi's contract was bought by World Wrestling Federation (WWF) when WCW folded in early 2001. He made his WWF debut during the Invasion storyline as a member of The Alliance, making only one appearance before heading back to Japan.

All Japan Pro Wrestling

After returning to Japan, Hayashi eventually decided to join All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) due to his friendship with Keiji Mutoh and established himself as one of their top stars, winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship and both the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship and the AJPW All-Asia Tag Team Championship with Satoshi Kojima. In 2006, Hayashi won the 2006 Junior Heavyweight Singles League Championship.

Now under the name Miguel Hayashi Jr., Hayashi, PEPE Michinoku, and El NOSAWA Mendoza formed a team during the AJPW Champions Carnival called Mexico Amigos. Nobutaka Araya joined the team after Six-Man Action between Mexico Amigos and Araya/Fuchi/Hirai at the Carnival’s final show.

After multiple bouts against Minoru Suzuki, Nosawa offered Suzuki an invitation into Mexico Amigos, which he declined. This resulted in the group changing multiple assets. Their name was changed to Mexico Amigos Black, the previous worn Mexican Flag attire became Black and Gold attire, and Nobutaka Araya was kicked out of the group. The groups is currently in a heated rivalry with Mazada's Samurai New Japan group, Minoru Suzuki, and Voodoo Murders.

At the AJPW's 12, 16, 2007 "FAN APPRECIATION DAY" show, The Mexico Amigos teamed with Ray Suzuki and defeated Ryuji Hijikata, Kikutaro, T28 and Ryuji Yamaguchi. After the match, Ray Suzuki reveled himself as Minoru Suzuki and stated that starting next year he would throw his Amigos tights away and return to NOSAWA Rongai, then kidnapped him to start early training. This led to Pepe and Miguel stating they would return to Mexico, but Kaz and Taka would return come the new year. After one last "Viva Mexico", the Mexico Amigos disbanded.

On February 6, 2009, Hayashi defeated Naomichi Marufuji to win the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship for a second time. During Hayashi's 23 month reign, he successfully defended the title a record–breaking seventeen times. He would lose the title to Minoru on January 2, 2011.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Final Cut / Hayashi Cutter (Spinning headlock elbow drop, sometimes from the second rope)
  • Power Plant (Wrist-clutch over the shoulder back to belly piledriver)
  • WA4 (Over the shoulder back to belly piledriver, sometimes from the second rope)

• Signature moves
  • Backbreaker
  • Corner sitout powerbomb
  • Corner slingshot splash
  • Crossface
  • Crunch Loop (Reverse figure four leglock)
  • Dragon suplex
  • Dropkick
  • Enzuigiri, sometimes while springboarding
  • Frog splash
  • Hurricanrana
  • Kneeling belly to belly piledriver
  • Senton bomb
  • Shoot kick
  • Somersault plancha
  • Slingshot DDT
  • Springboard back elbow smash
  • Springboard bulldog
  • Springboard moonsault
  • Spinning heel kick
  • Victory roll

• Managers
  • Sonny Onoo
  • Leia Meow
  • Yamaguchi-San

Championships and accomplishments

• All Japan Pro Wrestling

• AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Great Kosuke
• AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Satoshi Kojima
• AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
• AJPW Junior League (2006)
• Junior Tag League (2011) – with KAI
• World's Strongest Tag Team League (2003) – with Satoshi Kojima
• Real World Jr. Tag League (2002) - with Jimmy Yang
• Giant Baba Six Man Cup (2002) - with Keiji Mutoh & George Hines
• January 3 Korakuen Hall Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal (2004, 2008)

• Kaientai Dojo

• Strongest-K Championship (1 time)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI ranked him #45 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2008

• Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX

• NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Leonardo Spanky

• Tokyo Sports Grand Prix

• Technique Award (2010)

• Other titles

• Michinoku Central American Middleweight Championship (1 time)

External links

• Biography