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|birth_name = Yoshihiro Tajiri
|birth_name = Yoshihiro Tajiri
|caption = Tajiri in November 2005.
|caption = Tajiri in November 2005.
|names = Aquarius<ref name=OWOW/><br />Kikkoman<ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=54|title=Cagematch.net profile |accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=June 2012}}</ref><br />'''Tajiri'''<ref name=OWOW/><br />Yoshihiro Tajiri<ref name=OWOW/><br />Tigre Blanco<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/343-11-9-tajiri.html | title = 10・9まこかなプロでTajiriが「白い虎のマスクマン」に変身!! | date=2012-10-03 | accessdate=2012-10-03 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>
|names = Aquarius<ref name=OWOW/><br />Kikkoman<ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=54|title=Cagematch.net profile |accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=June 2012}}</ref><br />'''Tajiri'''<ref name=OWOW/><br />Yoshihiro Tajiri<ref name=OWOW/><br />Tigre Blanco<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/343-11-9-tajiri.html |title=10・9まこかなプロでTajiriが「白い虎のマスクマン」に変身!! |date=2012-10-03 |accessdate=2012-10-03 |work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes }}</ref>
|height = {{height|m=1.75|precision=0}}<!-- In Japan they measure height in meters so that should be first --><ref name=Smash/>
|height = {{height|m=1.75|precision=0}}<!-- In Japan they measure height in meters so that should be first --><ref name=Smash/>
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure weight in kilograms so that should be first --><ref name=Smash/>
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure weight in kilograms so that should be first --><ref name=Smash/>
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|retired =
|retired =
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Yoshihiro Tajiri'''|田尻 義博|Tajiri Yoshihiro|extra=born September 29, 1970}},<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/tajiri.html|title=Online World of Wrestling profile|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=Smash>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/pwl.html#tajiri|title=SMASH profile|accessdate=2011-10-28|work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|SMASH]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], perhaps best known for his appearances with the [[United States|American]] [[professional wrestling promotion]]s [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] and [[World Wrestling Entertainment]].
{{nihongo|'''Yoshihiro Tajiri'''|田尻 義博|Tajiri Yoshihiro|extra=born September 29, 1970}},<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/tajiri.html|title=Online World of Wrestling profile|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=Smash>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/pwl.html#tajiri |title=SMASH profile |accessdate=2011-10-28 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|SMASH]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110722125252/http://www.smashxsmash.jp/pwl.html |archivedate=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> is a [[Japanese people|Japanese]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], perhaps best known for his appearances with the [[United States|American]] [[professional wrestling promotion]]s [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] and [[World Wrestling Entertainment]].


==Career==
==Career==
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On February 25, 2011 TAJIRI gave KUSHIDA his blessing to leave SMASH and become a full-time member of the New Japan roster at the beginning on April 1.
On February 25, 2011 TAJIRI gave KUSHIDA his blessing to leave SMASH and become a full-time member of the New Japan roster at the beginning on April 1.


During 2010, TAJIRI, along with other SMASH talent made crossover appearances in [[Finland|Finnish]] promotion [[Fight Club Finland]] (FCF). At SMASH.3 on May 29, 2010, TAJIRI defeated Valentine to win the FCF Finnish Heavyweight Championship for the first time.<ref name=Smash3/><ref name=Smash3FCF/> He would drop the title to StarBuck on July 24 at SMASH.6, before regaining it from him on November 22, 2010, at SMASH.10.<ref name=Smash10/> At SMASH.12 Tajiri would successfully defend his title against Super Crazy but would lose the title later on in the night to Michael Kovac at SMASH.13, at SMASH.13.<ref name=Smash2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/smash/results11.php|title=2011 Smash results|work=Purolove|accessdate=2011-01-29}}</ref> On September 8 at SMASH.21, TAJIRI beat AKIRA in the semifinals of the [[Smash Championship|SMASH Championship]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smashxsmash.jp/cgi-bin/topics/diary.cgi?no=762 | title = 9・8『SMASH.21』全試合結果 | date=2011-09-08 | accessdate=2011-09-29 | work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On October 28, TAJIRI was defeated in the finals of the tournament by StarBuck.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smashxsmash.jp/cgi-bin/topics/diary.cgi?no=813 | title = 10・28『SMASH.22』全試合結果 | date=2011-10-28 | accessdate=2011-10-28 | work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On February 10, 2012, Smash announced that the promotion would be folding after its March 14 event, following a disagreement between Tajiri and financial backer Masakazu Sakai.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/news/smash/episode1final.html | title = 【※重要】 「Smash」第１章活動休止のお知らせ | date=2012-02-10 | accessdate=2012-02-10 | work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On February 19 at ''SMASH.25'', Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged [[Dave Finlay]] for the SMASH Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/smash25/smash25_allresult.html | title = 2・19『Smash.25』全試合結果 | date=2012-02-19 | accessdate=2012-02-19 | work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On March 14, Tajiri wrestled in Smash's final match, where he and AKIRA defeated Hajime Ohara and StarBuck.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/314_smashfinal/smashfinal_result.html | title = 3・14『SMASH.FINAL』全試合結果 | date=2012-03-14 | accessdate=2012-03-14 | work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Following the match, Tajiri announced his intention of starting a new promotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/headlines/20120314-00000020-spnavi-fight.html | title = TAJIRIがSMASH終結宣言　2年間の歴史に幕 | date=2012-03-14 | accessdate=2012-03-14 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>
During 2010, TAJIRI, along with other SMASH talent made crossover appearances in [[Finland|Finnish]] promotion [[Fight Club Finland]] (FCF). At SMASH.3 on May 29, 2010, TAJIRI defeated Valentine to win the FCF Finnish Heavyweight Championship for the first time.<ref name=Smash3/><ref name=Smash3FCF/> He would drop the title to StarBuck on July 24 at SMASH.6, before regaining it from him on November 22, 2010, at SMASH.10.<ref name=Smash10/> At SMASH.12 Tajiri would successfully defend his title against Super Crazy but would lose the title later on in the night to Michael Kovac at SMASH.13, at SMASH.13.<ref name=Smash2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/smash/results11.php|title=2011 Smash results|work=Purolove|accessdate=2011-01-29}}</ref> On September 8 at SMASH.21, TAJIRI beat AKIRA in the semifinals of the [[Smash Championship|SMASH Championship]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/cgi-bin/topics/diary.cgi?no=762 |title=9・8『SMASH.21』全試合結果 |date=2011-09-08 |accessdate=2011-09-29 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.http://www.webcitation.org/65LsE4Joa |archivedate=February 10, 2012 }}</ref> On October 28, TAJIRI was defeated in the finals of the tournament by StarBuck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/cgi-bin/topics/diary.cgi?no=813 |title=10・28『SMASH.22』全試合結果 |date=2011-10-28 |accessdate=2011-10-28 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.http://www.webcitation.org/65LqdMJ1e |archivedate=February 10, 2012 }}</ref> On February 10, 2012, Smash announced that the promotion would be folding after its March 14 event, following a disagreement between Tajiri and financial backer Masakazu Sakai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/news/smash/episode1final.html |title=【※重要】 「Smash」第１章活動休止のお知らせ |date=2012-02-10 |accessdate=2012-02-10 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130703183307/http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/news/smash/episode1final.html |archivedate=July 3, 2013 }}</ref> On February 19 at ''SMASH.25'', Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged [[Dave Finlay]] for the SMASH Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/smash25/smash25_allresult.html |title=2・19『Smash.25』全試合結果 |date=2012-02-19 |accessdate=2012-02-19 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130703180349/http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/smash25/smash25_allresult.html |archivedate=July 3, 2013 }}</ref> On March 14, Tajiri wrestled in Smash's final match, where he and AKIRA defeated Hajime Ohara and StarBuck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/314_smashfinal/smashfinal_result.html |title=3・14『SMASH.FINAL』全試合結果 |date=2012-03-14 |accessdate=2012-03-14 |work=[[Smash (professional wrestling)|Smash]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130703183119/http://www.smashxsmash.jp/smash_archives/information/314_smashfinal/smashfinal_result.html |archivedate=July 3, 2013 }}</ref> Following the match, Tajiri announced his intention of starting a new promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/headlines/20120314-00000020-spnavi-fight.html |title=TAJIRIがSMASH終結宣言　2年間の歴史に幕 |date=2012-03-14 |accessdate=2012-03-14 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120322181724/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp:80/fight/headlines/20120314-00000020-spnavi-fight.html |archivedate=March 22, 2012 }}</ref>


===Wrestling New Classic (2012–2014)===
===Wrestling New Classic (2012–2014)===
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri announced the follow-up promotion to Smash, [[Wrestling New Classic]] (WNC), which would hold its first event on April 26.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/news-navi/4-news2.html | script-title=ja:プレ旗揚げ戦決定！ | date=2012-04-05 | accessdate=2012-04-05 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20120406-929400.html | title = Ｔajiri新団体発表「若手を海外に」 | date=2012-04-06 | accessdate=2012-04-06 | work=[[Nikkan Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On April 26, Tajiri was defeated by Akira in the main event of WNC's first event.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/04/001167.php | title = WNCプレ旗揚げ戦でTajiriがAkiraに敗れる！大原を一蹴した外道が旗揚げ戦に矢野の投入を予告！華名と真琴が大喧嘩！ |date=2012-04-27 | accessdate=2012-04-26 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> For WNC's second event on May 24, Tajiri reunited with former ECW tag team partner, Mikey Whipwreck, to defeat Gedo and Jado in a hardcore tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2012/2012052402/index.html|title=Wrestling New Classic「旗揚げ戦」|date=2012-05-24|accessdate=2012-05-26|work=Sports Navi|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> Two days later, Tajiri and Whipwreck defeated Yo-Hey and [[Yusuke Kodama]] in another hardcore tag team match.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/news-navi/66-2012-5-26-result.html | script-title=ja:5・26大阪大会　試合結果 |date=2012-05-27 | accessdate=2012-05-26 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On June 22, Tajiri's longtime partner Akira turned on him and, the following month, formed a new alliance with StarBuck and [[Syuri]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/results/11-results/129-2012-6-22-wrapup.html| title = Tajiriによる大会総括 |date=2012-06-23 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/199-2012-7-16-press.html | title = Akira、スターバック、朱里、渦中の3人が密会!? |date=2012-07-16 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Tajiri, Hajime Ohara and [[Kana (wrestler)|Kana]], the former partners of the three, formed an alliance of their own to battle the three, but were on August 2 defeated in the first match between the two groups.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/234-2012-8-2-shinjuku-result.html | title = 今度は大原がまさかの造反！ 8・2新宿Face大会 全試合結果 |date=2012-08-02 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Following the match, Ohara also turned on Tajiri and WNC, forming a new partnership with debuting female wrestler [[Nagisa Nozaki]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ameblo.jp/ringstars/entry-11318789659.html | script-title=ja:【結果】ＷＮＣ８・２新宿 | date=2012-08-03 | accessdate=2012-08-03 | work=Ringstars | publisher=[[Ameba (website)|Ameba]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On August 30, Tajiri teamed with Kana and the returning Mikey Whipwreck in a [[Hardcore wrestling|Barbed Wire Board Deathmatch]], where they were defeated by Akira, StarBuck and Syuri.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/282-2012-8-30-korakuen-result.html | script-title=ja:8・30後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-08-30 | accessdate=2012-08-30 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/08/001384.php | script-title=ja:有刺鉄線ボードデスマッチ3連戦、まずは反体制が本隊に勝利！野崎は真琴に圧勝！大原は2人の師匠に暴挙！ | date=2012-08-30 | accessdate=2012-08-30 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> Tajiri, Kana and Whipwreck were also defeated in a rematch the following day in Osaka.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/283-2012-8-31-osaka-result.html | script-title=ja:8・31大阪ムーブ・オンアリーナ大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-08-31 | accessdate=2012-08-31 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> In the second rematch on September 1, Whipwreck pinned StarBuck for the win, ending the villainous trio's win streak in the process.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/294-2012-9-1-toyohashi-result.html | title = WNC軍、一矢報いる！ 9・1豊橋 名豊ビル大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-09-01 | accessdate=2012-09-01 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On September 20, Tajiri defeated Syuri in an intergender match at Korakuen Hall.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/329-2012-9-20-korakuen-result.html | script-title=ja:皇帝対決の行方は!? 9・20後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-09-20 | accessdate=2012-09-20 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On October 26, Tajiri entered the [[WNC Championship]] [[WNC Championship#Championship tournament|tournament]], defeating [[Carly Colón|Carlito]] in his first round match.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/367-10-26-tajiri.html | title = 10・26 後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果&Tajiri総括 | date=2012-10-27 | accessdate=2012-10-27 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On November 28, Tajiri defeated Hajime Ohara to advance to the finals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/396-20121128kekka.html |title=11･28WNC後楽園ホール大会　試合結果 |date=2012-11-29 |accessdate=2012-11-29 |work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes }}</ref> On December 27, Tajiri was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Akira.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6DNj2MdiO | title = 2012-12-27 後楽園大会 試合結果 | archivedate=2013-01-02 | date=2013-01-02 | accessdate=2013-01-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/12/001634.php | title = AkiraがTajiriを、朱里が野崎を下し、シナプスがフィンレーからのベルトを独占！自爆し髪を刈られた黒潮が覚醒！ | date=2012-12-27 | accessdate=2012-12-27 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> On August 8, 2013, Tajiri defeated [[Osamu Nishimura]] in his home prefecture of [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]] to become the third WNC Champion.<ref name=WNC080813>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php?p=1&ckey=31 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6Iicj4Hwb | title = 2013-08-08 WNC熊本大会　試合結果 | archivedate=2013-08-08 | date=2013-08-08 | accessdate=2013-08-08 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> After five successful title defenses, Tajiri lost the title to StarBuck on February 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php?p=1&ckey=55 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6NhaAHEBu | title = 2014-02-27 WNC新宿Face大会 試合結果 | archivedate=2014-02-27 | date=2014-02-27 | accessdate=2014-02-27 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri announced the follow-up promotion to Smash, [[Wrestling New Classic]] (WNC), which would hold its first event on April 26.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/news-navi/4-news2.html | script-title=ja:プレ旗揚げ戦決定！ | date=2012-04-05 | accessdate=2012-04-05 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20120406-929400.html | title = Ｔajiri新団体発表「若手を海外に」 | date=2012-04-06 | accessdate=2012-04-06 | work=[[Nikkan Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On April 26, Tajiri was defeated by Akira in the main event of WNC's first event.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/04/001167.php | title = WNCプレ旗揚げ戦でTajiriがAkiraに敗れる！大原を一蹴した外道が旗揚げ戦に矢野の投入を予告！華名と真琴が大喧嘩！ |date=2012-04-27 | accessdate=2012-04-26 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> For WNC's second event on May 24, Tajiri reunited with former ECW tag team partner, Mikey Whipwreck, to defeat Gedo and Jado in a hardcore tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2012/2012052402/index.html |title=Wrestling New Classic「旗揚げ戦」 |date=2012-05-24 |accessdate=2012-05-26 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120527164325/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2012/2012052402/index.html |archivedate=May 27, 2012 }}</ref> Two days later, Tajiri and Whipwreck defeated Yo-Hey and [[Yusuke Kodama]] in another hardcore tag team match.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/news-navi/66-2012-5-26-result.html | script-title=ja:5・26大阪大会　試合結果 |date=2012-05-27 | accessdate=2012-05-26 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On June 22, Tajiri's longtime partner Akira turned on him and, the following month, formed a new alliance with StarBuck and [[Syuri]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/results/11-results/129-2012-6-22-wrapup.html| title = Tajiriによる大会総括 |date=2012-06-23 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/199-2012-7-16-press.html | title = Akira、スターバック、朱里、渦中の3人が密会!? |date=2012-07-16 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Tajiri, Hajime Ohara and [[Kana (wrestler)|Kana]], the former partners of the three, formed an alliance of their own to battle the three, but were on August 2 defeated in the first match between the two groups.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/234-2012-8-2-shinjuku-result.html | title = 今度は大原がまさかの造反！ 8・2新宿Face大会 全試合結果 |date=2012-08-02 | accessdate=2012-08-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Following the match, Ohara also turned on Tajiri and WNC, forming a new partnership with debuting female wrestler [[Nagisa Nozaki]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ameblo.jp/ringstars/entry-11318789659.html | script-title=ja:【結果】ＷＮＣ８・２新宿 | date=2012-08-03 | accessdate=2012-08-03 | work=Ringstars | publisher=[[Ameba (website)|Ameba]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On August 30, Tajiri teamed with Kana and the returning Mikey Whipwreck in a [[Hardcore wrestling|Barbed Wire Board Deathmatch]], where they were defeated by Akira, StarBuck and Syuri.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/282-2012-8-30-korakuen-result.html | script-title=ja:8・30後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-08-30 | accessdate=2012-08-30 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/08/001384.php | script-title=ja:有刺鉄線ボードデスマッチ3連戦、まずは反体制が本隊に勝利！野崎は真琴に圧勝！大原は2人の師匠に暴挙！ | date=2012-08-30 | accessdate=2012-08-30 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> Tajiri, Kana and Whipwreck were also defeated in a rematch the following day in Osaka.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/283-2012-8-31-osaka-result.html | script-title=ja:8・31大阪ムーブ・オンアリーナ大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-08-31 | accessdate=2012-08-31 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> In the second rematch on September 1, Whipwreck pinned StarBuck for the win, ending the villainous trio's win streak in the process.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/294-2012-9-1-toyohashi-result.html | title = WNC軍、一矢報いる！ 9・1豊橋 名豊ビル大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-09-01 | accessdate=2012-09-01 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On September 20, Tajiri defeated Syuri in an intergender match at Korakuen Hall.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/329-2012-9-20-korakuen-result.html | script-title=ja:皇帝対決の行方は!? 9・20後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 | date=2012-09-20 | accessdate=2012-09-20 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On October 26, Tajiri entered the [[WNC Championship]] [[WNC Championship#Championship tournament|tournament]], defeating [[Carly Colón|Carlito]] in his first round match.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/367-10-26-tajiri.html | title = 10・26 後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果&Tajiri総括 | date=2012-10-27 | accessdate=2012-10-27 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On November 28, Tajiri defeated Hajime Ohara to advance to the finals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestling-newclassic.com/ja/396-20121128kekka.html |title=11･28WNC後楽園ホール大会　試合結果 |date=2012-11-29 |accessdate=2012-11-29 |work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] |language=Japanese |deadurl=yes }}</ref> On December 27, Tajiri was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Akira.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6DNj2MdiO | title = 2012-12-27 後楽園大会 試合結果 | archivedate=2013-01-02 | date=2013-01-02 | accessdate=2013-01-02 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/12/001634.php | title = AkiraがTajiriを、朱里が野崎を下し、シナプスがフィンレーからのベルトを独占！自爆し髪を刈られた黒潮が覚醒！ | date=2012-12-27 | accessdate=2012-12-27 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}</ref> On August 8, 2013, Tajiri defeated [[Osamu Nishimura]] in his home prefecture of [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]] to become the third WNC Champion.<ref name=WNC080813>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php?p=1&ckey=31 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6Iicj4Hwb | title = 2013-08-08 WNC熊本大会　試合結果 | archivedate=2013-08-08 | date=2013-08-08 | accessdate=2013-08-08 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> After five successful title defenses, Tajiri lost the title to StarBuck on February 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wnc-pro.com/result.php?p=1&ckey=55 | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6NhaAHEBu | title = 2014-02-27 WNC新宿Face大会 試合結果 | archivedate=2014-02-27 | date=2014-02-27 | accessdate=2014-02-27 | work=[[Wrestling New Classic]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>


On June 18, 2014, Tajiri announced that WNC would be going inactive following June 26. Effective July 1, six former WNC wrestlers, Tajiri included, transferred over to the [[Wrestle-1]] promotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2663 | title = 新入団選手発表～武藤敬司、Tajiri会見 | date=2014-06-18 | accessdate=2014-06-18 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>
On June 18, 2014, Tajiri announced that WNC would be going inactive following June 26. Effective July 1, six former WNC wrestlers, Tajiri included, transferred over to the [[Wrestle-1]] promotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2663 | title = 新入団選手発表～武藤敬司、Tajiri会見 | date=2014-06-18 | accessdate=2014-06-18 | work=[[Wrestle-1]] | language=Japanese}}</ref>
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**[[CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<sup>1</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/emll/cmll-lh.html|title=C.M.L.L. World Light Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>
**[[CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<sup>1</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/emll/cmll-lh.html|title=C.M.L.L. World Light Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref>
*'''[[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[ECW World Television Championship]] ([[List of ECW World Television Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtvtitlehistory/4298342|title=Tajiri's first ECW World Television Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[ECW World Television Championship]] ([[List of ECW World Television Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtvtitlehistory/4298342 |title=Tajiri's first ECW World Television Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20140505170539/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtvtitlehistory/4298342 |archivedate=May 5, 2014 }}</ref>
**[[ECW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of ECW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[Mikey Whipwreck]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtaghistory/42983449|title=Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck's first ECW World Tag Team Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[ECW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of ECW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[Mikey Whipwreck]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtaghistory/42983449 |title=Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck's first ECW World Tag Team Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20131228105654/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/ecwtaghistory/42983449 |archivedate=December 28, 2013 }}</ref>
*'''Fight Club Finland'''
*'''Fight Club Finland'''
**FCF Finnish Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name=Smash3>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=50513|title=Smash.3|accessdate=2010-06-13|work=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=September 2013}}</ref><ref name=Smash3FCF>{{cite web|url=http://fightclubfinland.fi/index.php?news=192&all=|title=Jessica ja Valentine Japanissa&nbsp;– suomenmestaruus Tajirille!|date=2010-05-31|accessdate=2010-06-13|work=Fight Club Finland|language=Finnish}}</ref><ref name=Smash10>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/smash/results10.php|title=2010 SMASH results|accessdate=2010-11-23|work=Purolove}}</ref>
**FCF Finnish Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name=Smash3>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=50513|title=Smash.3|accessdate=2010-06-13|work=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=September 2013}}</ref><ref name=Smash3FCF>{{cite web|url=http://fightclubfinland.fi/index.php?news=192&all=|title=Jessica ja Valentine Japanissa&nbsp;– suomenmestaruus Tajirille!|date=2010-05-31|accessdate=2010-06-13|work=Fight Club Finland|language=Finnish}}</ref><ref name=Smash10>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/smash/results10.php|title=2010 SMASH results|accessdate=2010-11-23|work=Purolove}}</ref>
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**Special Award (2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=97&nr=15|title=Special Award|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=June 2012}}</ref>
**Special Award (2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=97&nr=15|title=Special Award|accessdate=2010-01-24|publisher=Cagematch}} {{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=June 2012}}</ref>
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<sup>2</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/3044541313|title=Tajiri's first WCW United States Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]])<sup>2</sup><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/3044541313 |title=Tajiri's first WCW United States Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120731082230/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates/3044541313 |archivedate=July 31, 2012 }}</ref>
**[[WWF Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWF Light Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/lightheavyweight/357114|title=Tajiri's first WWF Light Heavyweight Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[WWF Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWF Light Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/lightheavyweight/357114 |title=Tajiri's first WWF Light Heavyweight Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120616065859/http://www.wwe.com:80/classics/titlehistory/lightheavyweight/357114 |archivedate=June 16, 2012 }}</ref>
**[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship|WCW/WWF/E Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions|3 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350586|title=Tajiri's first WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350538|title=Tajiri's second WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350384|title=Tajiri's third WWE Cuiserweight Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship|WCW/WWF/E Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions|3 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350586 |title=Tajiri's first WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121112094153/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350586 |archivedate=November 12, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350538 |title=Tajiri's second WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121112093507/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350538 |archivedate=November 12, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350384 |title=Tajiri's third WWE Cuiserweight Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121112093955/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/cruiser/350384 |archivedate=November 12, 2012 }}</ref>
**[[WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WWE Tag Team Champions|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[Eddie Guerrero]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330108|title=Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WWE Tag Team Champions|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[Eddie Guerrero]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330108 |title=Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20131019084943/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwetag/330108 |archivedate=October 19, 2013 }}</ref>
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[William Regal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321322|title=Tajiri and William Regal's first World Tag Team Championship reign}}</ref>
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|1 time]])&nbsp;– with [[William Regal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321322 |title=Tajiri and William Regal's first World Tag Team Championship reign |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20121024164322/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321322 |archivedate=October 24, 2012 }}</ref>
*'''[[Wrestle-1]]'''
*'''[[Wrestle-1]]'''
**[[EWP Intercontinental Championship]] ([[EWP Intercontinental Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=W1051615/>
**[[EWP Intercontinental Championship]] ([[EWP Intercontinental Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=W1051615/>

Revision as of 23:40, 20 July 2016

Yoshihiro Tajiri
Tajiri in November 2005.
Birth nameYoshihiro Tajiri
Born (1970-09-29) September 29, 1970 (age 53)[1][2]
Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan[3][2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Aquarius[1]
Kikkoman[3]
Tajiri[1]
Yoshihiro Tajiri[1]
Tigre Blanco[4]
Billed height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Billed weight95 kg (209 lb)[2]
Billed fromYokohama, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Trained byAnimal Hamaguchi[3] />Kendo Nagasaki[1]
Great Kabuki[3]
Great Kojika[3]
Bill DeMott
Ricky Santana
DebutSeptember 19, 1994[1]

Yoshihiro Tajiri (田尻 義博, Tajiri Yoshihiro, born September 29, 1970),[1][2] is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with the American professional wrestling promotions Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.

Career

Early years (1993–1998)

Tajiri had originally wanted to become a kickboxer and trained in kickboxing, but after watching countless wrestling matches from Mexico, he entered the Animal Hamaguchi Wrestling gym and soon won its test match tournament. He debuted professionally in 1994 for Michinoku Pro Wrestling beating Akihiro Yonekawa and also wrestled for Wrestle Association-R. On 16 October 1994 Tajiri made his debut for IWA Japan under his real name. In 1996 he joined Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre.[5]

In 1996 he left CMLL and joined the hardcore wrestling promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo. He debuted for BJW under the name Aquarius and beat Unicorn in his first match. On 19 July 1996 he beat Dr. Wagner Jr for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship and lost it to him on 27 July. On July 23, 1997 Tajiri would team up with Ryuji Yamakawa to win the vacant BJW Tag Team Championship and lost it to Gedo and Jado on December 22. The team would regain the titles eleven days later and lose it to Shadow Winger and Shadow WX. He beat Gedo to become the first BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion he would later be stripped of the title when he left the company.[5]

Tajiri participated in Best Of The Super Juniors IV and won three matches but lost three also giving him three points and therefore missing out on the next stage.[5]

Tajiri made several appearances for World Wrestling Federation under the name Yoshihiro Tajiri, his first being defeated by The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn) with Ken Paterson. On WWF Monday Night Raw in July 1997 he went up against Taka Michinoku, whom the WWF was pushing as its rising star in the Light Heavyweight division at the time. He was also beaten by Brian Christopher and Michinoku once again. His final appearance was a tag team match with Brian Christopher against Scott Taylor and Taka Michinoku.[5]

Tajiri would also rejoin CMLL in 1997 until 1999 when he signed to Extreme Championship Wrestling.[5]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1998–2001)

Tajiri in ECW in 1999

While wrestling in Mexico in late 1998, Tajiri was spotted by Extreme Championship Wrestling owner Paul Heyman, who invited him to wrestle for ECW in the United States. He debuted in December 1998, clad in traditional blue and white trunks with an insignia of Japan's rising sun, picking up a victory over Antifaz Del Norte. The match was well received by the fans in attendance at the ECW Arena, who gave many standing ovations during the match.

One of Tajiri's best known feuds was with Super Crazy; which played out in a lot of wrestling rings, in many wrestling promotions in the United States and around the world. His other notable single feuds included Little Guido, Tommy Dreamer, Taz, and Jerry Lynn.[6]

In early 1999, Tajiri began to emulate The Great Muta, who was one of Tajiri's wrestling heroes growing up. His wrestling trunks were replaced with baggy "ninja pants," and he began spraying green mist into the face of his opponents. He aligned himself with manager in tights Steve Corino, who promised to teach him the American way and help him to integrate himself into United States culture. With Tajiri's notoriety increasing, he received an ECW World Heavyweight Championship title shot against Taz at ECW Heat Wave 1999 and on an episode on ECW on TNN but failed to capture the title on both occasions. In 2000, he earned a second shot at the championship against Justin Credible and lost once again.[7]

Tajiri's bond with Corino eventually blossomed into a relationship with Cyrus and The Network. During this time, Tajiri went up against Super Crazy for the ECW World Television Championship in a Japanese death match. He lost, but gained the title back in a three-way dance involving Super Crazy and Little Guido. Shortly after becoming champion, Tajiri was asked by Cyrus to relinquish the belt to The Network, so that they could award the title to Rhino. Tajiri refused to turn the belt over, and turned his back on the Network, becoming a babyface in the process. His first defense of the title ended in a no contest with Tommy Dreamer. He lost the title to Rhino on April 22; his rematch came on May 6 but was unable to regain the title.[7]

Tajiri would then form a tag team with Mikey Whipwreck, known as The Unholy Alliance, and they were managed by The Sinister Minister. They entered the ECW World Tag Team Title Tournament and won the overall tournament and therefore won the vacant ECW World Tag Team Championship. The team then started feuding with The Full Blooded Italians and lost the ECW World Tag Team Championship to them only a day after they first won them, they failed to recapture them at ECW Anarchy Rulz 2000 and again at ECW November To Remember 2000.[7]

Shortly after his alliance with Whipwreck, Tajiri's amusing antics in the ring, stiff contact with opponents, and comedic backstage vignettes, made him one of the most popular wrestlers with the ECW fans. Tajiri remained loyal to ECW until the company folded in April 2001. He participated in ECW's final two shows: on January 12, where he picked up a victory over Super Crazy, and January 13, 2001, when he lost to Super Crazy.[7]

Independent circuit (2000–2001)

With ECW television deal being cancelled in October 2000 ECW had to make massive cuts and would mean that Tajiri would wrestle for the company less and less and started to begin wrestling on the American and Mexican wrestling independent circuit.

At IWA Puerto Rico Tajiri team up with Super Crazy against Andy Anderson & Vyzago for the IWA Puerto Rico Tag Team Championship and would also enter an IWA Puerto Rico Hardcore Championship invitational match and lost both matches.[8]

Tajiri had multiple CZW Heavyweight Championship matches, his first would be against Justice Pain and lost to him twice and would eventually beat Nick Berk to become CZW Heavyweight champion on 28 February 2001 but would lose the title in the same night to Zandig, this made Tajiri the joint shortest reign with Nick Berk and John Zandig.[8]

Tajiri beat Low Ki at Impact Championship Wrestling.[8]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

Debut (2001)

Soon after the closure of ECW, Tajiri was hired by the World Wrestling Federation. Tajiri debuted on the May 24, 2001 episode of SmackDown! as a face and was given the gimmick of WWF Commissioner William Regal's assistant. With the help of Regal, Tajiri made his in ring debut against Crash in a King of the Ring 2001 qualifying match which Tajiri won, he was later eliminated by Rhyno. Tajiri would win his first championship in WWF by defeating X-Pac for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship on an episode of Raw is War. X-Pac would quickly capture the WCW Cruiserweight Championship and at SummerSlam 2001 Tajiri would lose a championship unification match therefore retiring the Light Heavyweight Championship. Tajiri would quickly bounce back as he began an on-screen relationship with Torrie Wilson and defeated Chris Kanyon for the WCW United States Championship. However, Tajiri would lose the belt to Rhyno soon afterwards at Unforgiven in September. After Regal turned heel by joining The Alliance, Tajiri feuded with him throughout late-2001.

Cruiserweight Champion (2001–2004)

Tajiri won his first WCW Cruiserweight Championship in October 22, 2001 on Raw. The title became the WWF Cruiserweight Championship when the WWF defeated The Alliance at Survivor Series 2001 on November 18 and replaced the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. WWF was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment, and the roster was divided into two "brands": Raw and SmackDown!. Tajiri, along with Torrie Wilson, was drafted to SmackDown!, therefore making WWE Cruiserweight Championship a Smackdown exclusive title. Tajiri went on to lose the title to Billy Kidman on an episode on Smackdown! He would go on to beat Kidman at Backlash once again and won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship again only 19 days after losing it. He turned heel by forcing Wilson to dress like a geisha against her will and Tajiri would go on to lose the WWE Cruiserweight Championship to The Hurricane in a triple threat match between the two and Billy Kidman. Wilson eventually abandoned him during a WWE Crusierweight Championship match against The Hurricane, she did this by stripping on top of a table during the match that caused Tajiri to be counted out and later joined forces with Tajiri's rival, Maven. Later on, as a special guest referee, Tajiri would begin his second face run after being betrayed by a heel Jamie Noble after Noble caught Tajiri touching his girlfriend, Nidia. This led to several Cruiserweight Championship matches between the two including matches at No Mercy 2002 and Rebellion 2002. He also participated in his first Royal Rumble Match at Royal Rumble 2003.

Tajiri would leave the Cruiserweight division and moved to the tag team division where he formed various tag teams, many of which being some what comical, which included Rey Mysterio, Funaki and Rikishi.

Five days prior to Judgment Day, Chavo tore his biceps, forcing Eddie Guerrero to look for another partner. He chose Tajiri. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship, Guerrero's second and Tajiri's first at Judgment Day by defeating Team Angle in a ladder match. The following week, Guerrero and Tajiri managed to retain their title by cheating. In addition, they also defeated Roddy Piper and his protégé Sean O'Haire in Madison Square Garden. After Guerrero and Tajiri lost the titles to Team Angle on the July 3 episode of SmackDown!, Guerrero turned on Tajiri, slamming him through the windshield of his low-rider truck. The next Smackdown! Guerrero said he did it because during the match Tajiri had accidentally hit his low-rider.

Tajiri would mark his return to the Cruiserweight division by taking on the champion Rey Mysterio and after losing he spat green mist in Mysterio's eye, turning him heel once again. On September 23, Tajiri would beat Rey Mysterio for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship which would be his third and last reign. Tajiri would successfully defend the championship in Mysterio's rematch at No Mercy 2003 after Akio and Sakoda, later known as "Kyo Dai", interfered in the match. Tajiri would however lose the championship after 93 days to Mysterio on SmackDown. Tajiri kept his heel persona going by spitting black mist in Nidia's eyes and "blinding" her (Nidia and Noble were both faces by this time.) Noble and Tajiri started a new feud, which quickly ended after Noble betrayed his blind girlfriend and turned heel again. Kyo Dai would quickly be separated from Tajiri and eventually split up after Tajiri refused the WWE writers proposal of Kyo Dai portraying Japanese gangsters, Tajiri feared that it might anger the real Japanese Yakuza if they saw the gimmick as an insult. At WrestleMania XX, Tajiri took part in a cruiserweight open for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship which was won by the reigning champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr..

Yoshihiro Tajiri performs the Tarantula.

In December 2003, Tajiri released his autobiography, Tajiri: The Japanese Buzzsaw, in Japan. The book chronicles his wrestling career, from the Mexican and Japanese circuits to ECW and WWF/WWE. Written entirely in Japanese, it was the first book published by WWE in a non-English language.[9]

Various storylines and departure (2004–2005)

In 2004 he had two chances to earn a WWE Title Shot. The first chance was in the 2004 Royal Rumble, where the winner would get a championship match at WrestleMania XX, but was eliminated by Rhyno. His second chance was in a battle royal on Smackdown!, in which the winner would face then-champion Brock Lesnar at the No Way Out pay-per-view. However, he lost once again after he was eliminated by the Big Show.

Following WrestleMania XX, Tajiri was drafted to Raw, where he turned face once again and feuded with the group of Eric Bischoff, Jonathan Coachman, and Lance Cade. He would later feud with the Evolution stable for a good portion of 2004. Also that year, he formed a tag team with Rhyno. This team dissolved quietly after a failed attempt at winning the Tag Team Championship from La Résistance at Unforgiven. On February 4, 2005, in Saitama Super Arena, Tajiri teamed with William Regal to defeat La Résistance for the World Tag Team Championship on an episode of Raw emanating from Japan. After several defenses against La Resistance (among others), their reign ended on May 1 at Backlash, when they were eliminated from a tag team turmoil match by La Résistance.

Tajiri lost a 3-Way Dance (that also featured Little Guido) to Super Crazy at ECW One Night Stand 2005 on June 12. Later that year, he formed a short-lived team with Eugene. In December 2005, Tajiri left WWE, stating he wanted to try to become a journalist and spend more time with his wife and family in Japan. His final televised WWE match was a loss to Gregory Helms on Heat. After the match, he received a standing ovation as a farewell.

Sporadic appearances (2006, 2008)

Tajiri returned for a one-night appearance at WWE's ECW One Night Stand 2006 pay-per-view, teaming with Super Crazy to take on The Full Blooded Italians (F.B.I.) in a losing effort.

On February 12, 2008, Tajiri made an appearance at a WWE house show in Tokyo, where he accompanied William Regal to the ring for a match against Ric Flair, which Regal lost. Tajiri also appeared at the WWE WrestleMania Revenge Tours shows in England.

Hustle (2006–2010)

Tajiri wrestling in HUSTLE.

TAJIRI's return to Japan came at HUSTLE on the 5th March 2006 defeating Kohei Sato, The Monster PTA & Yoji Anjo with Razor Ramon Hard Gay and Shinjiro Otani. In the Hustle promotion, he was originally aligned with the babyface Hustle Army, a group who defends the sport of professional wrestling against the Monster Army (led by Monster General and Monster K, who aim to destroy the sport). However, he was hypnotised by Yinling into joining the Monster Army. In 2006 TAJIRI took Yujiro Kushida under his wing and trained him while at Hustle and participated in multiple tag team matches and tag team tournaments, they also had several matches against one another. He also participated in HUSTLE GP, Hustle's only tournament, but was knocked out of the tournaments first round by Wataru Sakata. On his last appearance for Hustle TAJIRI defeated Muscle Sakai in a two out of three falls match which TAJIRI won two to one.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2006–2007, 2011)

Tajiri made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling in a losing attempt with The Great Muta however he did gain the respect of Muta. Tajiri and Muta would team up for a few matches, the most notable of which was against Kaz Hayashi and Satoshi Kojima when the pair used double Asian mist to get the win.

Tajiri was a title contender in All Japan Pro Wrestling throughout 2007, including a feud with AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Minoru Suzuki. This feud started on March 30, 2007 at the final Champion Carnival 2007 event, following Tajiri's victory over Suzuki via countout when Tajiri tied Suzuki's foot to the guard rail, and went on to steal the Triple Crown championship belts following the match. Because of Tajiri's refusal to return the titles, Suzuki created paper belts to temporarily represent his championship. Tajiri opposed Suzuki again on April 22, 2007 in a tag team match, in which Tajiri taunted Suzuki repeatedly. At the conclusion of the match, Suzuki (after losing the match because of the Tarantula) chased Tajiri around the Korakuen Hall, only for Tajiri to jump the guard rail and steal the paper belts. Days later, Tajiri returned the titles in exchange for a title match on April 30, 2007, where he was unsuccessful. Tajiri also teamed with The Great Muta to defeat Kohei Suwama and Scott Steiner.

Tajiri returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2011 to team up with Great Muta and KENSO in a loss to Partisan Forces (Masakatsu Funaki & Minoru Suzuki) & KAI. Tajiri would then bring SMASH's biggest stars to AJPW for a one night event where he and his partners AKIRA and StarBuck defeated BUSHI, Keiji Muto, and Shuji Kondo

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2009–2011)

During the summer of 2009, TAJIRI invaded New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he started a feud with the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, by attacking and green misting him after his title defense against Takashi Sugiura.[10] TAJIRI participated in G1 Climax 2009 and won his first match of the tournament and his first match of his return. On August 13 TAJIRI pinned the IWGP Heavyweight Champion in a non-title match during the G1 Climax tournament, after using the green mist. TAJIRI ended the tournament with only four points, finishing bottom of block A.[11] Hustle folded in October 2009, after which TAJIRI began wrestling for NJPW full-time. He would score two more pinfall victories over the now former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in multiple man tag team matches,[12][13] but in the end lost the feud, when Tanahashi pinned him cleanly in a singles match on December 5.[14] Afterwards, TAJIRI set his sights on Seigigun, led by Yuji Nagata.[15] On January 4, 2010, at Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome TAJIRI teamed up with fellow ECW alumnus Masato Tanaka and together they defeated Seigigun of Nagata and Akebono, when TAJIRI pinned Nagata after the green mist and a Buzzsaw kick.[16] On February 14 Nagata defeated TAJIRI in a singles match in under five minutes to seemingly end the feud and TAJIRI's run with the company.[17][18]

On June 19 at Dominion 6.19, TAJIRI returned to New Japan, turning face and saving former rival Hiroshi Tanahashi from Toru Yano and Takashi Iizuka and helping Tanahashi shave Yano's head following their Hair vs. Hair match.[19] On June 28 TAJIRI, Tanahashi and KUSHIDA entered the J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament, where they made it all the way to the finals on June 30, before being defeated by Prince Devitt, Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto.[20][21] In October and November 2010, TAJIRI teamed with Tanahashi in New Japan's 2010 G1 Tag League. After a strong start in the tournament, TAJIRI and Tanahashi were defeated by the IWGP Tag Team Champions Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) on November 6, the last day of group stages, and slipped to third place in their block, narrowly missing the semifinals of the tournament.[22]

Smash (2010–2012)

Tajiri was then placed in charge of SMASH, a new promotion taking the place of Hustle. The promotion held its first show on March 26, 2010, Tajiri wrestled two matches on the first night, the first of which was a hardcore match with recently released from WWE Tommy Dreamer which he lost and then he beat Mentallo. Later on in the same night Tajiri and Dreamer saved Kushida from Leatherface. Also to end the show Dreamer was honoring Tajiri and Tajiri broke into tears.[23]

On February 25, 2011 TAJIRI gave KUSHIDA his blessing to leave SMASH and become a full-time member of the New Japan roster at the beginning on April 1.

During 2010, TAJIRI, along with other SMASH talent made crossover appearances in Finnish promotion Fight Club Finland (FCF). At SMASH.3 on May 29, 2010, TAJIRI defeated Valentine to win the FCF Finnish Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[24][25] He would drop the title to StarBuck on July 24 at SMASH.6, before regaining it from him on November 22, 2010, at SMASH.10.[26] At SMASH.12 Tajiri would successfully defend his title against Super Crazy but would lose the title later on in the night to Michael Kovac at SMASH.13, at SMASH.13.[27] On September 8 at SMASH.21, TAJIRI beat AKIRA in the semifinals of the SMASH Championship tournament.[28] On October 28, TAJIRI was defeated in the finals of the tournament by StarBuck.[29] On February 10, 2012, Smash announced that the promotion would be folding after its March 14 event, following a disagreement between Tajiri and financial backer Masakazu Sakai.[30] On February 19 at SMASH.25, Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged Dave Finlay for the SMASH Championship.[31] On March 14, Tajiri wrestled in Smash's final match, where he and AKIRA defeated Hajime Ohara and StarBuck.[32] Following the match, Tajiri announced his intention of starting a new promotion.[33]

Wrestling New Classic (2012–2014)

On April 5, 2012, Tajiri announced the follow-up promotion to Smash, Wrestling New Classic (WNC), which would hold its first event on April 26.[34][35] On April 26, Tajiri was defeated by Akira in the main event of WNC's first event.[36] For WNC's second event on May 24, Tajiri reunited with former ECW tag team partner, Mikey Whipwreck, to defeat Gedo and Jado in a hardcore tag team match.[37] Two days later, Tajiri and Whipwreck defeated Yo-Hey and Yusuke Kodama in another hardcore tag team match.[38] On June 22, Tajiri's longtime partner Akira turned on him and, the following month, formed a new alliance with StarBuck and Syuri.[39][40] Tajiri, Hajime Ohara and Kana, the former partners of the three, formed an alliance of their own to battle the three, but were on August 2 defeated in the first match between the two groups.[41] Following the match, Ohara also turned on Tajiri and WNC, forming a new partnership with debuting female wrestler Nagisa Nozaki.[42] On August 30, Tajiri teamed with Kana and the returning Mikey Whipwreck in a Barbed Wire Board Deathmatch, where they were defeated by Akira, StarBuck and Syuri.[43][44] Tajiri, Kana and Whipwreck were also defeated in a rematch the following day in Osaka.[45] In the second rematch on September 1, Whipwreck pinned StarBuck for the win, ending the villainous trio's win streak in the process.[46] On September 20, Tajiri defeated Syuri in an intergender match at Korakuen Hall.[47] On October 26, Tajiri entered the WNC Championship tournament, defeating Carlito in his first round match.[48] On November 28, Tajiri defeated Hajime Ohara to advance to the finals of the tournament.[49] On December 27, Tajiri was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Akira.[50][51] On August 8, 2013, Tajiri defeated Osamu Nishimura in his home prefecture of Kumamoto to become the third WNC Champion.[52] After five successful title defenses, Tajiri lost the title to StarBuck on February 27, 2014.[53]

On June 18, 2014, Tajiri announced that WNC would be going inactive following June 26. Effective July 1, six former WNC wrestlers, Tajiri included, transferred over to the Wrestle-1 promotion.[54]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014)

Tajiri debuted at the August Impact Wrestling tapings in New York City, defeating Robbie E on August 5,[55] and working two matches on August 7; teaming with Austin Aries in a losing effort against James Storm and Sanada in the first and losing to Aries in a match, which also included Abyss, Mr. Anderson and MVP, in the second. His final appearance for the promotion was at the October 12, Bound for Glory pay-per-view event in Tokyo, teaming with The Great Muta in a tag team main event, where they defeated James Storm and The Great Sanada.

Wrestle-1 (2014–2016)

Tajiri wrestled his first match under a Wrestle-1 contract on July 6, 2014, teaming with Yusuke Kodama in a tag team match, where they defeated the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) team of Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud.[56][57] On September 22, Tajiri entered the Wrestle-1 Championship tournament, but was defeated in his first round match by Masakatsu Funaki.[58] Tajiri then entered a storyline, where he began helping Funaki train for his semifinal match in the tournament.[59] However, on October 8, Tajiri turned on Funaki, costing him his semifinal match against Masayuki Kono. Post-match, Tajiri was announced as the newest member of Kono's villainous Desperado stable.[60][61] In November, Tajiri and Masayuki Kono took part in the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions, where they won their block with a clean record of four wins and zero losses, advancing to the semifinals.[62] On November 30, Tajiri and Kono were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Akira and Manabu Soya.[63] On May 16, 2015, Tajiri defeated Minoru Tanaka at a Wrestle-1 event to capture the European Wrestling Promotion (EWP) Intercontinental Championship.[64] A week later, Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged Tanaka for the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship.[65] On May 30, Tajiri lost the EWP Intercontinental Championship back to Tanaka in a Title vs. Title match also contested for the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship.[66] Following the match, Desperado turned on Tajiri and kicked him out of the stable.[67] On June 19, Wrestle-1 announced a new contractual status for Tajiri, which would see him work only sporadic Wrestle-1 events from July onwards due to looking for a new career as an acupuncturist abroad.[68] On January 31, 2016, Tajiri, Kaz Hayashi and Minoru Tanaka won the vacant UWA World Trios Championship.[69]

On June 28, 2016, Tajiri announced he was leaving Wrestle-1 due to his contract with the company expiring.[70]

WWE Cruiserweight Classic (2016–present)

On June 13, 2016, Tajiri was announced as a participant in WWE's upcoming Cruiserweight Classic tournament.[71] The tournament kicked off on June 23 with Tajiri defeating Damian Slater in his first round match.[72] On July 14, Tajiri was eliminated from the tournament by Gran Metalik.[73]

In wrestling

Tajiri performing the Tarantula on Wataru Sakata.
Tajiri performing a camel clutch on René Duprée.
Tajiri performing a roll-up on Lance Cade.

Wrestlers trained

Championships and accomplishments

1Title reign not recognized by CMLL.
2Won during the Invasion storyline.

References

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