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{{Infobox Wrestler
#REDIRECT [[Funaki (professional wrestler)]]
|name=Shoichi Funaki
|image=<!--Please don't replace this image with a fair use one. This image is free and free images are favored on Wikipedia. See "Wikipedia:Image use policy" for more information -->Sho Funaki in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.jpg
|names=Shoichi Funaki<br>Funaki<br>Sho Funaki<br />'''Kung Fu Naki'''
|height= {{height|ft=5|in=7}}<ref name="wwe"/>
|weight={{convert|192|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}<ref name="wwe">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/funaki/bio|title=WWE Bio|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1968|8|24}}<ref name="oww"/>
|death_date =
|birth_place = [[Tokyo, Japan]]<ref name="oww"/>
|resides = [[Paris, Texas]]<ref name="oww"/>
|billed = [[Japan]]<ref name="wwe"/>
|trainer = Animal Hamaguchi<br>[[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]<ref name="oww"/>
|debut = 1990<ref name="oww"/>
|retired=
|}}

{{nihongo|'''Shoichi Funaki'''|船木 勝一|Funaki Shoichi}}<ref name="oww"/> (born August 24, 1968)<ref name="oww"/> 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]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] as '''Kung Fu Naki'''. Since wrestling in WWF/E, he became a [[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions|1 time]] [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship|Cruiserweight Champion]] and a [[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]] [[WWE Hardcore Championship|Hardcore Champion]].<ref name="cruiser"/><ref name="hardcore"/>

==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 [[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]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]]. Funaki also wrestled in the [[Universal Wrestling Association]] (UWA) where he won the UWA World Middleweight Championship from Pantera on March 19, 1997, in Japan.<ref name="uwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/uwa/uwa-m.html|title=U.W.A. World Middleweight Title|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>

===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998-present)===
====Kai En Tai (1998-2001)====
In March 1998, Funaki, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]].<ref name="oww">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sho-funaki.html|title=Funaki Profile|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Initially, they feuded with TAKA Michinoku and defeated him and his partner [[John Layfield|Justin Bradshaw]] in a 3-on-2 [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] at ''[[WWF Over The Edge#1998|Over The Edge 1998]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse22.html|title=Over The Edge 1998 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> They lost to TAKA and [[The Headbangers]] at ''[[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring 1998]]'' in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types|six-man tag team match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering98.html|title=King of the Ring 1998 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

TAKA eventually [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] and joined the group. At ''[[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam 1998]]'', Kai En Tai lost to [[Oddities]] members [[Robert Maillet|Kurrgan]], [[Giant Silva]] and [[John Tenta|Golga]] in a handicap match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1998/results|title=SummerSlam 1998 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> 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".

At ''[[WrestleMania 2000]]'', Funaki participated in a 15-minute [[Hardcore wrestling#Hardcore battle royal|hardcore battle royal]] for the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]]. Funaki pinned Viscera after a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving shoulder block|flying shoulder block]] from Bradshaw but he was later pinned by [[Rodney Leinhardt|Rodney]].<ref name="hardcore">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hardcore|title=History Of The WWE Hardcore Championship|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results|title=WrestleMania 2000 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> At ''[[WWE Unforgiven#2000|Unforgiven 2000]]'', Funaki once again participated in a hardcore battle royal which was won by the defending champion [[Steve Blackman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2000/results|title=Unforgiven 2000 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

In 2001, Kai En Tai started participating in [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark matches]] before pay-per-view events such as ''[[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble 2001]]''<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble01.html Royal Rumble 2001 results]</ref> and ''[[WWE Judgment Day#2001|Judgment Day 2001]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/judgment.html#2001|title=Judgment Day 2001 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref> After Michinoku left the WWF, Funaki found himself as a lower card wrestler and adopted the [[List of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] of "SmackDown!'s number one announcer", performing backstage interviews between matches, while competing in the WWF's cruiserweight division. The fans really took a liking to his backstage interviews

====Post-Kaientai (2001-2003)====
At ''[[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series 2001]]'', Funaki participated in an "Immunity Battle Royal" which was won by [[Andrew Martin|Test]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/results|title=Survivor Series 2001 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> In 2002, WWF was renamed "World Wrestling Entertainment" due to a lawsuit with [[World Wildlife Fund]]. Funaki was drafted to WWE's ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]]. As part of ''SmackDown!'' brand, Funaki wrestled for most of the time on ''[[WWE Velocity|Velocity]]''. At ''[[WWE Rebellion#2002|Rebellion 2002]]'', Funaki defeated [[Mike Lockwood|Crash Holly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/rebellion02.html|title=Rebellion 2002 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At ''[[Vengeance (2003)|Vengeance 2003]]'', Funaki participated in the [[Acolytes Protection Agency|APA]] Invitational Bar Room Brawl which was won by Bradshaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/2003/results|title=Vengeance 2003 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

====Cruiserweight Champion (2004-2005)====
Funaki started wrestling in the cruiserweight division around 2003. On March 4, 2004 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki lost to [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship|WWE Cruiserweight Champion]] at the time [[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040304.html|title=SmackDown! results - March 4, 2004|date=2004-03-04|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> On the March 11 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki participated in an 8-man cruiserweight tag team match teaming with fellow cruiserweights [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]], [[Último Dragón]] and [[Billy Kidman]] against [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]], [[James Yun|Akio]], [[Ryan Sakoda|Sakoda]] and [[Jamie Noble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040311.html|title=SmackDown! results - March 11, 2004|date=2004-03-11|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania XX]], Funaki participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Gauntlet match|Cruiserweight Open]] for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by Jamie Noble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results|title=WrestleMania XX official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

On December 9, on an edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki won a Cruiserweight Over the Top Rope #1 Contender's Battle Royal which included Chavo Guerrero, [[Paul London]], Billy Kidman, Akio, [[Shannon Moore]] and [[James Maritato|Nunzio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041209.html|title=SmackDown! results - December 9, 2004|date=2004-12-09|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At ''[[WWE Armageddon#2004|Armageddon 2004]]'', Funaki defeated [[Matt Hyson|Spike Dudley]] to win his first [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350108|title=History Of The Cruiserweight Championship - Funaki|accessdate=2007-12-30|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/results|title=Armageddon 2004 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Funaki defended the Cruiserweight title against Spike Dudley,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041230.html|title=SmackDown! Night of Champions results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Akio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050106.html|title=SmackDown! results - January 6, 2005|date=2005-01-06|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Nunzio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050113.html|title=SmackDown! results - January 13, 2005|date=2005-01-13|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> and Chavo Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050127.html|title=SmackDown! results - January 27, 2005 (Japan)|date=2005-01-27|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>

====Cruiserweight Division (2005-2008)====
Funaki lost the championship to Chavo Guerrero in a six-man Cruiserweight Open match at ''[[No Way Out (2005)|No Way Out 2005]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2005/results|title=No Way Out 2005 official results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Since then, Funaki has mainly been a [[Job (professional wrestling)|jobber]] to new and returning talent. At ''[[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon 2005]]'', he lost to Jamie Noble in a [[WWE Heat|Heat match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/armageddon05.html|title=Armageddon 2005 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> During an interview with then Cruiserweight Champion [[Kid Kash]] on an episode of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', Funaki was assaulted by Kash, who gave him a [[brainbuster]] onto the interview platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12302005/|title=A shocking return leads to new Champs|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

At ''[[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble 2006]]'', Funaki faced Kid Kash in a match for the title, when he was entered into a Cruiserweight Open along with four other former Cruiserweight champions, inclduing the champion Kash. Funaki was pinned in this one fall match by then [[WWE Raw|Raw]] superstar [[Gregory Helms]], who won the match and title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble06.html|title=Royal Rumble 2006 results|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At ''[[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out 2006]]'', Funaki participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Nine Man Cruiserweight Match]] for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but Helms retained the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2006/matches/194350621/results/|title=Gregory Helms wins a Nine-Man Cruiserweight Championship Match|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Since that time Funaki, would regularly team with [[Scott Garland (professional wrestler)|Scotty 2 Hotty]] during episodes of ''Velocity'' and ''SmackDown!''. However, during one such ''Velocity'' taping, Funaki suffered a [[Concussion#Grades|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|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]] and [[MEN'S Teio]] to face five other wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monksdiner.com/showthread.php?t=34925|title=Kaientai reunite at INDIE SUMMIT 2006|accessdate=2006-12-12|publisher=monksdiner.com}}</ref> Funaki returned to WWE TV on February 16, 2007 on ''SmackDown!'' in a brawl that involved the other ''SmackDown!'' cruiserweights and the then-Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02162007/|title=Out of control|date=2007-02-16|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

At ''[[No Way Out (2007)|No Way Out 2007]]'', Funaki participated in a Cruiserweight Open match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by the champion Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/3465668113/results/|title=Chavo makes a splash|date=2007-02-18|last=Tello|first=Craig|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On May 18 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki was made short work of by recently returned superstar [[Mark Henry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05182007|title=Passing Judgment|date=2007-05-18|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On the June 29 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki got a shot at the Cruiserweight title against Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and Jamie Noble, but came up short.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06292007|title=The Animal's revengedate=2007-06-29|last=Rote|first=Andrew|publisher=WWE}}</ref> At ''[[The Great American Bash (2007)|The Great American Bash]]'', he participated in a match for the Cruiserweight Championship which [[Dylan Postl|Hornswoggle]] won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/42789824/results/|title=A leprechaun's pot o' Cruiserweight golddate=2007-07-22|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|publisher=WWE}}</ref> On December 14, on an edition of ''SmackDown!'', he wrestled in a [[Squash (professional wrestling)|squash]] match against [[Adam Copeland|Edge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12142007/articles/creatingultimateopportunity|title=Creating the Ultimate Opportunity?|date=2007-12-14|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|accessdate=2008-08-07|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He also made a televised appearance on January 4, 2008 edition of ''SmackDown!'' where he lost to Chavo Guerrero in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Beat the Clock match|Beat the Clock match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01042008/articles/beattheclock|title=Time on Rey's side|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2008-01-04|accessdate=2008-03-22|publisher=WWE}}</ref>

Funaki [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] broke his nose at a joint SmackDown/ECW taping in [[Houston, Texas]] during a [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark match]] against [[Oleg Prudius|Vladimir Kozlov]]. He then returned to [[Job (professional wrestling)#Jobbers|jobber]] status.

====Kung Fu Naki (2008-present)====
On October 10, Funaki revealed his full name to be "Kung Fu Naki" in a backstage segment with [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]]. His first match as Kung Fu Naki saw him scoring a pinfall win over [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]] in a tag team match with R-Truth during which he debuted a new look and theme to go with his new Kung Fu gimmick. On November 11, Kung Fu Naki picked up a victory over MVP after the Great Khali distracted him for the win.

==Personal life==
Along with Japanese, Funaki is fluent in English, French, German, and 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]].

Funaki is good friends with [[Amy Dumas|Amy "Lita" Dumas]], [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and [[Yuji Ide]] 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.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}

He is married and has two children.{{fact|date=July 2008}}

On August 30, 2007, Funaki, along with nine other superstars, were named in ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' to have been given illegal steroids not in compliance with the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Funaki was said to have received [[somatropin]] in March 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline|publisher=SportsIllustrated|date=2007-08-30|accessdate=2007-08-31}}</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html?hpid=moreheadlines Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring - washingtonpost.com<!-- Bot generated title-->]</ref>

==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing and signature moves'''
*'''As Funaki'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
:*'''[[Professional wrestling holds#Cross kneelock|Cross kneelock]]''' - 1990-1992
:*'''''[[Japan|Rising Sun]]'''''<ref name="wwe"/> ([[DDT (professional wrestling)#Tornado DDT|Tornado DDT]])<ref name="oww"/>
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
:*[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Crossbody|Diving crossbody]]
:*[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diamond Dust|Diving somersault cutter]]<ref name="oww"/>
:*[[Professional wrestling attacks#Enzuigiri|Enzuigiri]]<ref name="oww"/>
:*[[Brainbuster#Fisherman brainbuster|Fisherman buster]]<ref name="oww"/>
:*[[DDT (professional wrestling)#Inverted DDT|Inverted DDT]]<ref name="oww"/>
:*[[Professional wrestling throws#One-handed bulldog|Jumping one-handed bulldog]]
:*[[Professional wrestling holds#Camel clutch|Seated chinlock]]
:*[[Superkick]]

*'''As Kung Fu Naki'''
:*'''[[Crane kick]]'''
:*[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Super|Diving]] [[Professional wrestling attacks#Overhead chop|overhead chop]]
:*[[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|Double backhand chop]]
:*[[Professional wrestling attacks#Sole kick|Sole kick]]

*'''[[Nickname]]s'''
:*''SmackDown'' 's #1 Announcer<ref name="wwe"/>

*'''[[Catchphrase]]s'''
:*"This is Funaki! SmackDown's #1 Announcer!"
:*"Indeed!" (Dubbed)

==Championships and accomplishments==

*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
:*PWI ranked him #'''103''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 2001<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50001.htm|accessdate=2008-07-07|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2001|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive}}</ref>

*'''[[Texas Wrestling Alliance]]'''
:*TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hwtwa.html|accessdate=2008-06-21|last=Eanes|first=Samuel|title=TWA - TEXAS WRESTLING ALLIANCE TWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY|publisher=Solie}}</ref>

*'''[[Universal Wrestling Association]]'''
:*[[UWA World Middleweight Championship]] ([[UWA World Middleweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name="uwa"/>

*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
:*[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions|1 time]])<ref name="cruiser">[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser WWE Cruiserweight Championship official title history]. WWE. Retrieved on [[2007-12-27]]</ref>
:*[[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref name="hardcore"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/funaki/bio/ WWE Profile]

{{Current World Wrestling Entertainment employees}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Funaki, Shoichi}}
[[Category:Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:People from San Antonio, Texas]]
[[Category:People from Tokyo]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers]]
[[Category:Living people]]

[[de:Shoichi Funaki]]
[[es:Shoichi Funaki]]
[[fr:Shoichi Funaki]]
[[nl:Shoichi Funaki]]
[[ja:船木勝一]]
[[pt:Shoichi Funaki]]
[[ro:Soichi Funaki]]
[[zh:船木勝一]]

Revision as of 03:41, 15 November 2008

Shoichi Funaki
Born (1968-08-24) August 24, 1968 (age 56)[1]
Tokyo, Japan[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Shoichi Funaki
Funaki
Sho Funaki
Kung Fu Naki
Billed height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Billed weight192 lb (87 kg; 13.7 st)[2]
Billed fromJapan[2]
Trained byAnimal Hamaguchi
Yoshiaki Fujiwara[1]
Debut1990[1]

Shoichi Funaki (船木 勝一, Funaki Shoichi)[1] (born August 24, 1968)[1] is a Japanese/American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its SmackDown brand as Kung Fu Naki. Since wrestling in WWF/E, he became a 1 time Cruiserweight Champion and a 1 time Hardcore Champion.[3][4]

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 UWA World Middleweight Championship from Pantera on March 19, 1997, in Japan.[5]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998-present)

Kai En Tai (1998-2001)

In March 1998, Funaki, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the World Wrestling Federation.[1] Initially, they feuded with TAKA Michinoku and defeated him and his partner Justin Bradshaw in a 3-on-2 handicap match at Over The Edge 1998.[6] They lost to TAKA and The Headbangers at King of the Ring 1998 in a six-man tag team match.[7]

TAKA eventually turned heel and joined the group. At SummerSlam 1998, Kai En Tai lost to Oddities members Kurrgan, Giant Silva and Golga in a handicap match.[8] 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".

At WrestleMania 2000, Funaki participated in a 15-minute hardcore battle royal for the WWF Hardcore Championship. Funaki pinned Viscera after a flying shoulder block from Bradshaw but he was later pinned by Rodney.[4][9] At Unforgiven 2000, Funaki once again participated in a hardcore battle royal which was won by the defending champion Steve Blackman.[10]

In 2001, Kai En Tai started participating in dark matches before pay-per-view events such as Royal Rumble 2001[11] and Judgment Day 2001.[12] After Michinoku left the WWF, 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 WWF's cruiserweight division. The fans really took a liking to his backstage interviews

Post-Kaientai (2001-2003)

At Survivor Series 2001, Funaki participated in an "Immunity Battle Royal" which was won by Test.[13] In 2002, WWF was renamed "World Wrestling Entertainment" due to a lawsuit with World Wildlife Fund. Funaki was drafted to WWE's SmackDown! brand. As part of SmackDown! brand, Funaki wrestled for most of the time on Velocity. At Rebellion 2002, Funaki defeated Crash Holly.[14] At Vengeance 2003, Funaki participated in the APA Invitational Bar Room Brawl which was won by Bradshaw.[15]

Cruiserweight Champion (2004-2005)

Funaki started wrestling in the cruiserweight division around 2003. On March 4, 2004 edition of SmackDown!, Funaki lost to WWE Cruiserweight Champion at the time Chavo Guerrero in a non-title match.[16] On the March 11 edition of SmackDown!, Funaki participated in an 8-man cruiserweight tag team match teaming with fellow cruiserweights Rey Mysterio, Último Dragón and Billy Kidman against Tajiri, Akio, Sakoda and Jamie Noble.[17] At WrestleMania XX, Funaki participated in a Cruiserweight Open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by Jamie Noble.[18]

On December 9, on an edition of SmackDown!, Funaki won a Cruiserweight Over the Top Rope #1 Contender's Battle Royal which included Chavo Guerrero, Paul London, Billy Kidman, Akio, Shannon Moore and Nunzio.[19] At Armageddon 2004, Funaki defeated Spike Dudley to win his first WWE Cruiserweight Championship.[20][21] Funaki defended the Cruiserweight title against Spike Dudley,[22] Akio,[23] Nunzio[24] and Chavo Guerrero.[25]

Cruiserweight Division (2005-2008)

Funaki lost the championship to Chavo Guerrero in a six-man Cruiserweight Open match at No Way Out 2005.[26] Since then, Funaki has mainly been a jobber to new and returning talent. At Armageddon 2005, he lost to Jamie Noble in a Heat match.[27] During an interview with then Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash on an episode of SmackDown!, Funaki was assaulted by Kash, who gave him a brainbuster onto the interview platform.[28]

At Royal Rumble 2006, Funaki faced Kid Kash in a match for the title, when he was entered into a Cruiserweight Open along with four other former Cruiserweight champions, inclduing the champion Kash. Funaki was pinned in this one fall match by then Raw superstar Gregory Helms, who won the match and title.[29] At No Way Out 2006, Funaki participated in a Nine Man Cruiserweight Match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but Helms retained the title.[30] Since that time Funaki, would regularly team with Scotty 2 Hotty during episodes of Velocity and 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 and MEN'S Teio to face five other wrestlers.[31] Funaki returned to WWE TV on February 16, 2007 on SmackDown! in a brawl that involved the other SmackDown! cruiserweights and the then-Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms.[32]

At No Way Out 2007, Funaki participated in a Cruiserweight Open match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by the champion Helms.[33] On May 18 edition of SmackDown!, Funaki was made short work of by recently returned superstar Mark Henry.[34] On the June 29 edition of SmackDown!, Funaki got a shot at the Cruiserweight title against Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and Jamie Noble, but came up short.[35] At The Great American Bash, he participated in a match for the Cruiserweight Championship which Hornswoggle won.[36] On December 14, on an edition of SmackDown!, he wrestled in a squash match against Edge.[37] He also made a televised appearance on January 4, 2008 edition of SmackDown! where he lost to Chavo Guerrero in a Beat the Clock match.[38]

Funaki legitimately broke his nose at a joint SmackDown/ECW taping in Houston, Texas during a dark match against Vladimir Kozlov. He then returned to jobber status.

Kung Fu Naki (2008-present)

On October 10, Funaki revealed his full name to be "Kung Fu Naki" in a backstage segment with R-Truth. His first match as Kung Fu Naki saw him scoring a pinfall win over Montel Vontavious Porter and Shelton Benjamin in a tag team match with R-Truth during which he debuted a new look and theme to go with his new Kung Fu gimmick. On November 11, Kung Fu Naki picked up a victory over MVP after the Great Khali distracted him for the win.

Personal life

Along with Japanese, Funaki is fluent in English, French, German, and 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.

Funaki is good friends with Amy "Lita" Dumas, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Yuji Ide 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.[citation needed]

He is married and has two children.[citation needed]

On August 30, 2007, Funaki, along with nine other superstars, were named in Sports Illustrated to have been given illegal steroids not in compliance with the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Funaki was said to have received somatropin in March 2006.[39][40]

In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • As Funaki
  • As Kung Fu Naki
  • SmackDown 's #1 Announcer[2]
  • "This is Funaki! SmackDown's #1 Announcer!"
  • "Indeed!" (Dubbed)

Championships and accomplishments

  • PWI ranked him #103 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 2001[41]
  • TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[42]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Funaki Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e "WWE Bio". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  3. ^ a b WWE Cruiserweight Championship official title history. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-27
  4. ^ a b c "History Of The WWE Hardcore Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  5. ^ a b "U.W.A. World Middleweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  6. ^ "Over The Edge 1998 results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  7. ^ "King of the Ring 1998 results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  8. ^ "SummerSlam 1998 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  9. ^ "WrestleMania 2000 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  10. ^ "Unforgiven 2000 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  11. ^ Royal Rumble 2001 results
  12. ^ "Judgment Day 2001 results". ProWrestlingHistory. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  13. ^ "Survivor Series 2001 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  14. ^ "Rebellion 2002 results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  15. ^ "Vengeance 2003 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  16. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 4, 2004". Online World Of Wrestling. 2004-03-04. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  17. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 11, 2004". Online World Of Wrestling. 2004-03-11. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  18. ^ "WrestleMania XX official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  19. ^ "SmackDown! results - December 9, 2004". Online World Of Wrestling. 2004-12-09. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  20. ^ "History Of The Cruiserweight Championship - Funaki". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  21. ^ "Armageddon 2004 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  22. ^ "SmackDown! Night of Champions results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  23. ^ "SmackDown! results - January 6, 2005". Online World Of Wrestling. 2005-01-06. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  24. ^ "SmackDown! results - January 13, 2005". Online World Of Wrestling. 2005-01-13. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  25. ^ "SmackDown! results - January 27, 2005 (Japan)". Online World Of Wrestling. 2005-01-27. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  26. ^ "No Way Out 2005 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  27. ^ "Armageddon 2005 results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  28. ^ "A shocking return leads to new Champs". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  29. ^ "Royal Rumble 2006 results". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  30. ^ "Gregory Helms wins a Nine-Man Cruiserweight Championship Match". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  31. ^ "Kaientai reunite at INDIE SUMMIT 2006". monksdiner.com. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  32. ^ DiFino, Lennie (2007-02-16). "Out of control". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  33. ^ Tello, Craig (2007-02-18). "Chavo makes a splash". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  34. ^ DiFino, Lennie (2007-05-18). "Passing Judgment". WWE.
  35. ^ Rote, Andrew. "The Animal's revengedate=2007-06-29". WWE.
  36. ^ McAvennie, Mike. "A leprechaun's pot o' Cruiserweight golddate=2007-07-22". WWE.
  37. ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-12-14). "Creating the Ultimate Opportunity?". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  38. ^ Dee, Louie (2008-01-04). "Time on Rey's side". WWE. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
  39. ^ "Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline". SportsIllustrated. 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  40. ^ Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring - washingtonpost.com
  41. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2001". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  42. ^ Eanes, Samuel. "TWA - TEXAS WRESTLING ALLIANCE TWA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY". Solie. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
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