Shoichi Funaki: Difference between revisions
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'''Shoichi Funaki''' (born [[August 24]], [[1968]]) is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[United States|American]] [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] currently signed to [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] wrestling on its ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' brand. Born in [[Japan]], Funaki now lives in [[San Antonio]]. |
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==Career== |
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Funaki started as a [[shoot style]] wrestler in [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]'s [[Fujiwara Gumi]] promotion and moved to its successor promotion, [[BattlARTS]]. He later found the [[lucha libre]] style more to his liking, so he moved to the [[Masanori Murakawa|Great Sasuke]]'s promotion, [[Michinoku Pro Wrestling]]. In that promotion, he joined with [[Takao Yoshida|TAKA Michinoku]], [[Dick Togo]], [[Mens Teioh]] and [[Kaz Hayashi|Shiryu]] in the [[Kai En Tai]] [[stable (professional wrestling)|stable]]. Funaki also wrestled in the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) where he won the World Middleweight Championship from Pantera on [[March 19]], [[1997]] in Japan. |
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===World Wrestling Federation=== |
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In [[1998]], he, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the World Wrestling Federation. Initially, they feuded with TAKA Michinoku, until TAKA eventually turned [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] and joined the group. Over time, the stable turned into a tag team, as in [[1999]], Teioh and Togo (and manager [[Wally Yamaguchi|Yamaguchi-san]]) were given their releases. Michinoku and Funaki were often used for comedic purposes, often having their pre-match promos dubbed—while Michinoku would "deliver" the majority of dialogue for the duo, Funaki would "respond" strongly with a simple "INDEED". After Michinoku left the WWE, Funaki found himself as a lower card wrestler and adopted the [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] of "SmackDown!'s number one announcer", performing backstage interviews between matches, while competing in the WWE's cruiserweight division. |
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===World Wrestling Entertainment=== |
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In 2004 Funaki entered and won a cruiserweight Over the Top Rope Battle Royal for the #1 Contendership for the Cruiserweight Championship. The Battle Royal included such talent as Rey Mysterio, Spike Dudley, and Scotty 2 Hotty. At [[WWE Armageddon#2004|WWE Armageddon 2004]], Funaki defeated [[Matt Hyson|Spike Dudley]] to win his first [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship]]. He later lost the championship in a six-man cruiserweight elimination match at [[WWE No Way Out#2005|No Way Out 2005]]. Since then, Funaki has mainly been a [[Job (professional wrestling)|jobber]] to new and returning talent. |
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During an interview with then Cruiserweight Champion [[David Cash|Kid Kash]] on an episode of ''SmackDown!'' after ''[[WWE Armageddon#2005|Armageddon 2005]]'', Funaki was assaulted by Kash, who gave him a [[brainbuster]] onto the interview platform. |
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At the ''[[Royal Rumble 2006]]'' pay per view, Funaki had the chance to face [[Kid Kash]] in a match for the title, when he was entered into a Cruiserweight Open along with 4 other former Cruiserweight champions, and the champ, [[Kid Kash]]. Funaki was pinned in this one fall match by [[Gregory Helms]], who won the match and title. |
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Since that time Funaki, would regularly team with [[Scotty 2 Hotty]] during episodes of ''[[WWE Velocity]]'' and ''WWE SmackDown!''. However, during one such ''Velocity'' taping, Funaki suffered a [[Concussion#Grades|2nd Grade concussion]], where he was unconscious for just under two minutes. |
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Funaki would resume wrestling later that year, forming a tag team of sorts with Scotty 2 Hotty, which was mainly used to put over debuting wrestlers or tag teams. |
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Shoichi Funaki made a one off appearance at the Puroresu King Indy Summit, on [[December 31]], [[2006]], reuniting with [[Kai En Tai|Kai En Tai DX]] in what was being billed as a Kai En Tai DX Revival Ten-Man Tag Match; Funaki reteamed with [[TAKA Michinoku]], [[Kaz Hayashi]], [[Dick Togo]] & [[MEN'S Teio]] to face five other wrestlers.<ref>[http://www.monksdiner.com/showthread.php?t=34925 Kaientai reunite at INDIE SUMMIT 2006] froma forum at monksdiner.com. [[December 12|12-12]]-[[2006]]</ref> |
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Funaki returned to WWE TV on [[February 16]], [[2007]] on an edition of ''SmackDown!'' in a brawl that involved the other ''SmackDown!'' cruiserweights and the then-[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship|Cruiserweight Champion]] [[Gregory Helms]]. |
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Months later, on the [[May 18]], [[2007]] edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki was made short work of by recently returned superstar [[Mark Henry]]. |
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==Wrestling facts== |
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*'''Nicknames''' |
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:*"''SmackDown!'''s #1 Announcer" |
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*'''Finishing and signature moves''' |
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:*'''''Rising Sun''''' ([[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super|Top rope]] [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Tornado DDT|tornado DDT]]) |
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:*'''[[Professional wrestling throws#Bulldog|Jumping one-handed bulldog]]''' |
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:*[[Dropkick]] |
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:*[[Professional wrestling holds#Camel clutch|Camel clutch]] |
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:*[[Brainbuster#Fisherman BrainBuster|Leg cradle brainbuster]] |
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:*[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diamond Dust|Forward somersault three-quarter facelock jawbreaker]] |
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:*[[DDT (professional wrestling)#Inverted DDT|Reverse DDT]] |
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:*[[Professional wrestling attacks#Enzuiguri|Enzuiguri]] |
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:* Super Kick |
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*'''Quotes''' |
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:*"''Indeed!''" (dubbed) |
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:*"''This is Funaki - [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown]] number one announcer!''" - in [[Engrish]] |
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==Championships and accomplishments== |
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[[Image:Yume.jpg|right|thumb|170px|Funaki (right) and [[Takao Yoshida|TAKA Michinoku]] as [[Kai En Tai]].]] |
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*'''[[Texas Wrestling Alliance]]''' |
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:*TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time) |
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*'''[[Universal Wrestling Association]]''' |
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:*[[UWA World Middleweight Championship]] (1 time) |
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*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment]]''' |
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:*[[WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]]) |
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:*[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions|1 time]]) |
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==Personal information== |
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*Funaki is fluent in Spanish. This was helpful when he was a regular in the short-lived WWE Spanish-language show Los Super Astros, which was televised on [[Univision]]. |
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*Is married and has a son. |
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*Is good friends with [[Amy Dumas|Lita]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] in real life. Austin, a native Texan, suggested that Funaki relocate to Texas. Funaki fell in love with the state, and has been good friends with Austin ever since. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* [http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/funaki.html Funaki at Accelerator3359.com] |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/funaki/bio/ WWE Profile] |
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[[Category:Japanese professional wrestlers|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[Category:1968 births|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[Category:People from San Antonio, Texas|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[Category:People from Tokyo|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[Category:Living people|Funaki, Shoichi]] |
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[[de:Shoichi Funaki]] |
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[[es:Shoichi Funaki]] |
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[[fr:Shoichi Funaki]] |
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[[ja:船木勝一]] |
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[[pt:Shoichi Funaki]] |
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Revision as of 03:19, 6 June 2007
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. |
| Shoichi Funaki | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 24, 1968 Tokyo, Japan |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Shoichi Funaki Sho Funaki Funaki |
| Billed height | 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Billed weight | 81 kg (180 lb) |
| Trained by | Animal Hamaguchi, Yoshiaki Fujiwara |
| Debut | 1990 |
Shoichi Funaki (born August 24, 1968) is a Japanese American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its SmackDown! brand. Born in Japan, Funaki now lives in San Antonio.
Career
Funaki started as a shoot style wrestler in Yoshiaki Fujiwara's Fujiwara Gumi promotion and moved to its successor promotion, BattlARTS. He later found the lucha libre style more to his liking, so he moved to the Great Sasuke's promotion, Michinoku Pro Wrestling. In that promotion, he joined with TAKA Michinoku, Dick Togo, Mens Teioh and Shiryu in the Kai En Tai stable. Funaki also wrestled in the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) where he won the World Middleweight Championship from Pantera on March 19, 1997 in Japan.
World Wrestling Federation
In 1998, he, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the World Wrestling Federation. Initially, they feuded with TAKA Michinoku, until TAKA eventually turned heel and joined the group. Over time, the stable turned into a tag team, as in 1999, Teioh and Togo (and manager Yamaguchi-san) were given their releases. Michinoku and Funaki were often used for comedic purposes, often having their pre-match promos dubbed—while Michinoku would "deliver" the majority of dialogue for the duo, Funaki would "respond" strongly with a simple "INDEED". After Michinoku left the WWE, Funaki found himself as a lower card wrestler and adopted the gimmick of "SmackDown!'s number one announcer", performing backstage interviews between matches, while competing in the WWE's cruiserweight division.
World Wrestling Entertainment
In 2004 Funaki entered and won a cruiserweight Over the Top Rope Battle Royal for the #1 Contendership for the Cruiserweight Championship. The Battle Royal included such talent as Rey Mysterio, Spike Dudley, and Scotty 2 Hotty. At WWE Armageddon 2004, Funaki defeated Spike Dudley to win his first WWE Cruiserweight Championship. He later lost the championship in a six-man cruiserweight elimination match at No Way Out 2005. Since then, Funaki has mainly been a jobber to new and returning talent.
During an interview with then Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash on an episode of SmackDown! after Armageddon 2005, Funaki was assaulted by Kash, who gave him a brainbuster onto the interview platform.
At the Royal Rumble 2006 pay per view, Funaki had the chance to face Kid Kash in a match for the title, when he was entered into a Cruiserweight Open along with 4 other former Cruiserweight champions, and the champ, Kid Kash. Funaki was pinned in this one fall match by Gregory Helms, who won the match and title.
Since that time Funaki, would regularly team with Scotty 2 Hotty during episodes of WWE Velocity and WWE SmackDown!. However, during one such Velocity taping, Funaki suffered a 2nd Grade concussion, where he was unconscious for just under two minutes.
Funaki would resume wrestling later that year, forming a tag team of sorts with Scotty 2 Hotty, which was mainly used to put over debuting wrestlers or tag teams.
Shoichi Funaki made a one off appearance at the Puroresu King Indy Summit, on December 31, 2006, reuniting with Kai En Tai DX in what was being billed as a Kai En Tai DX Revival Ten-Man Tag Match; Funaki reteamed with TAKA Michinoku, Kaz Hayashi, Dick Togo & MEN'S Teio to face five other wrestlers.[1]
Funaki returned to WWE TV on February 16, 2007 on an edition of SmackDown! in a brawl that involved the other SmackDown! cruiserweights and the then-Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms.
Months later, on the May 18, 2007 edition of SmackDown!, Funaki was made short work of by recently returned superstar Mark Henry.
Wrestling facts
- Nicknames
- "SmackDown!'s #1 Announcer"
- Finishing and signature moves
- Quotes
Championships and accomplishments
- TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- UWA World Middleweight Championship (1 time)
Personal information
- Funaki is fluent in Spanish. This was helpful when he was a regular in the short-lived WWE Spanish-language show Los Super Astros, which was televised on Univision.
- Is married and has a son.
- Is good friends with Lita and Stone Cold Steve Austin in real life. Austin, a native Texan, suggested that Funaki relocate to Texas. Funaki fell in love with the state, and has been good friends with Austin ever since.
References
- ^ Kaientai reunite at INDIE SUMMIT 2006 froma forum at monksdiner.com. 12-12-2006