Jump to content

Yoshihiro Tajiri

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thegreatluigi (talk | contribs) at 14:19, 21 April 2020 (Reverted edits by 80.192.137.43 (talk) to last version by TPalkovitz). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Yoshihiro Tajiri
Tajiri in March 2019
Born (1970-09-29) September 29, 1970 (age 54)[1][2]
Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan[2][3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
Billed height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Billed weight85.7 kg (189 lb)[2]
Billed fromYokohama, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Trained by
DebutSeptember 19, 1994[1]

Yoshihiro Tajiri (田尻 義博, Tajiri Yoshihiro, born September 29, 1970), is a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter primarily known under the ring name Tajiri (sometimes stylized as "TAJIRI"), he has also competed under his real name as well as under the names Aquarius and Kikkoman and briefly worked as the masked character Tigre Blanco.

He rose to international attention through his work for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1998 to 2001 and World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment in 1996 and 1997 and again from 2001 to 2005 and a return in 2016/2017. Early in his career, he worked for several Mexican promotions such as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). After leaving WWE in 2005 he has worked for a number of Japanese promotions including New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Hustle, Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and Wrestle-1 (W-1). He was also the promoter and featured wrestler for the Smash promotion as well as its successor Wrestling New Classic (WNC). He is currently under a full-time contract with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).

Over the years Tajiri has trained various wrestlers including Kushida, Minoru Fujita, Ray and Syuri. In ECW he won the ECW World Television Championship and formed a regular tag team with Mikey Whipwreck that won the ECW World Tag Team Championship on one occasion. During his years with WWE, he won the WCW United States Championship once, their Cruiserweight Championship on multiple occasions, the WWE Tag Team Championship with Eddie Guerrero and the World Tag Team Championship with William Regal. In AJPW, he's won their Gaora TV Championship, World Junior Heavyweight Championship two times and the 2018 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory tournament with Koji Iwamoto.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1994–1998)

Tajiri originally wanted to become a kickboxer and began training in the sport. However, after watching countless wrestling matches from Mexico, he entered the Animal Hamaguchi Wrestling gym and won its test match tournament. Tajiri debuted professionally in 1994 for International Wrestling Association of Japan (IWA Japan) with a loss to Takashi Okano.[7] In 1996, Tajiri left CMLL to join the hardcore wrestling promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) in Tokyo, Japan. He debuted for BJW under the name Aquarius. On July 19, 1996, he defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. to win the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship but lost it to him on July 27.[8] The championship changes were not approved by CMLL but done by Dr. Wagner Jr. and Aquarius as part of the tour. Since CMLL did not approve the championship reign they do not officially recognize Aquarius' championship reign, listing Dr. Wagner as one continuous reign during the time he toured Japan.[8] On July 23, 1997, Tajiri teamed up with Ryuji Yamakawa to win the vacant BJW Tag Team Championship. They lost it to Gedo and Jado on December 22. The team would regain the titles eleven days later, before losing it to Shadow Winger and Shadow WX. Tajiri then beat Gedo to become the first BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion. He would later be stripped of the title when he left the company.[9] That same year, Tajiri competed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), participating in the promotion's Best of the Super Juniors IV tournament as a guest from BJW. He won three matches but also lost three and did not advance from the first-round.[10]

In 1996 and 1997, Tajiri made several appearances for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the name Yoshihiro Tajiri as enhancement talent. On an episode of Monday Night Raw in July 1997, he lost to Taka Michinoku, whom the WWF was pushing as its rising star in the Light Heavyweight division at the time. Tajiri's final appearance was a tag match with Brian Christopher, losing to Scott Taylor and Michinoku.[11] He would briefly work for CMLL in 1997 and 1998, before leaving in 1999 to work for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) full-time.[12]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1998–2001)

See also: The Network
Tajiri in ECW in 1999

After working in Mexico, Tajiri was hired by Extreme Championship Wrestling based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He made his television debut in ECW on the December 24, 1998, episode of Hardcore TV, clad in traditional blue and white trunks with an insignia of Japan's rising sun, and picked up a victory over Antifaz Del Norte.[13] He began a notable storyline rivalry with Super Crazy. The duo traded wins throughout 1999.[14] His other notable single feuds included Little Guido and Jerry Lynn.[5]

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 Karate gi pants, and he began spraying green mist into the face of his opponents.[5] He aligned himself with 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 Heat Wave,[15] and on an episode on ECW on TNN but failed to capture the title on both occasions.[16] In 2000, he earned another shot at the championship against Justin Credible but lost once again.[17]

World Television Champion (2000)

In early 2000 Taiji was recruited by Cyrus to join The Network group along with Steve Corino.[18] During this time, Tajiri went up against Super Crazy for the ECW World Television Championship in a Japanese death match, wa match with no disqualification and all weapons are legal. 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 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. Tajiri lost the title to Rhino on April 22. His rematch came on May 6, but he was unable to regain the title.[17]

Unholy Alliance (2000–2001)

Tajiri would then form a tag team with Mikey Whipwreck, known as The Unholy Alliance, who were managed by The Sinister Minister. They entered the World Tag Team tournament and won the vacant ECW World Tag Team Championship. The team then started feuding with The Full Blooded Italians and lost the World Tag Team Championship to them only a day after they first won them. They failed to recapture them at Anarchy Rulz and again at November to Remember.[17]

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 in ECW. Tajiri remained loyal to the company until it 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.[17]

Independent circuit (2000–2001)

With ECW's television deal being canceled in October 2000, the company had to make massive cuts. This resulted in Tajiri wrestling for the company for lower wages and led to him wrestling more frequently on the American and Mexican independent circuit. In IWA Puerto Rico, Tajiri teamed with Super Crazy as they unsuccessfully wrestled Andy Anderson and Vyzago for the World Tag Team Championship. He would also enter the Hardcore Championship invitational match but lost.[19]

During this period, Tajiri had multiple CZW World Heavyweight Championship matches in the Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) promotion. His first would be against Justice Pain. Tajiri lost to Pain twice but would later go on to beat Nick Berk to become CZW World Heavyweight Champion on February 28, 2001; however, Tajiri lost the title that same night to Zandig.[20]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001–2005,2006–2008)

Soon after the closure of ECW, Tajiri was hired by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Tajiri debuted on the May 24, 2001, episode of SmackDown! as a face. He was given the gimmick of WWF Commissioner William Regal's comedic assistant. With the help of Regal, Tajiri made his in-ring debut defeating Crash in a King of the Ring 2001 qualifying match.[21] He was later eliminated by Rhyno.[22] Tajiri would win his first championship in WWF by defeating X-Pac for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship on an episode of Raw. X-Pac would quickly capture the WCW Cruiserweight Championship,[23] and at SummerSlam, Tajiri would lose a championship unification match, therefore retiring the Light Heavyweight Championship.[24] 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.[25] However, Tajiri would lose the belt to Rhyno soon afterward at Unforgiven in September.[26] After Regal turned heel by joining The Alliance, Tajiri feuded with him throughout late 2001.

Cruiserweight Champion (2001–2004)

Yoshihiro Tajiri performs the Tarantula on Robért Conway.

Tajiri won his first WCW Cruiserweight Championship on October 22, 2001, on Raw.[27] The title became the WWF Cruiserweight Championship and replaced the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship when the WWF defeated The Alliance at Survivor Series on November 18.[28] 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 the Cruiserweight Championship a SmackDown! exclusive title. Tajiri went on to lose the title to Billy Kidman on an episode on Smackdown!.[27] He would go on to beat Kidman at Backlash once again and won the Cruiserweight Championship again only 19 days after losing it.[29]

He turned heel by forcing Wilson to dress like a geisha against her will. Tajiri would go on to lose the Cruiserweight Championship to The Hurricane in a triple threat match that also included Billy Kidman.[29] Wilson eventually abandoned him during a Cruiserweight Championship match against The Hurricane; she did so 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. Tajiri became a face in WWE once more after Jamie Noble attacked him for touching Noble's girlfriend Nidia. This led to several Cruiserweight Championship matches between the two including matches at No Mercy and Rebellion.[30][31] He also participated in his first Royal Rumble match in January 2003.[32]

Tajiri would leave the Cruiserweight division and moved to the tag team division where he formed various tag teams, many of which were somewhat comical. These included Rey Mysterio, Funaki, and Rikishi. Five days prior to the 2003 Judgment Day show, Chavo tore his biceps, forcing Eddie Guerrero to look for another partner. He chose Tajiri. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship, at Judgment Day by defeating Team Angle in a ladder match.[33] 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 at Madison Square Garden. After Guerrero and Tajiri lost the titles to Team Angle on the July 3 episode of SmackDown!,[33] Guerrero turned on Tajiri, slamming him through the windshield of his lowrider truck. On the next SmackDown!, Guerrero explained that this was because, during the match, Tajiri had accidentally hit his lowrider. At SummerSlam, Tajiri competed in a Fatal four-way match for the WWE United States Championship but failed to win the title.[34]

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.[35] Tajiri would successfully defend the championship in Mysterio's rematch at No Mercy after Akio and Sakoda, later known as "Kyo Dai", interfered in the match.[36] Tajiri would, however, lose the championship after 93 days to Mysterio on SmackDown!.[35] 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 Cruiserweight Championship which was won by the reigning champion Chavo Guerrero.[37]

Various storylines (2004–2005, 2006, 2008)

In 2004, Tajiri had two chances to earn a shot at the WWE Championship. The first chance was in the 2004 Royal Rumble, where the winner would get a championship match at WrestleMania XX, but he was eliminated by Rhyno.[38] His second chance was in a battle royal on SmackDown!, in which the winner would face then-champion Brock Lesnar at No Way Out. However, he lost once again when he was eliminated by the Big Show.[39]

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 Garrison Cade. He would later feud with the Evolution stable for a good portion of 2004. Also that year, Tajiri formed a tag team with Rhyno. This team dissolved quietly after a failed attempt at winning the World Tag Team Championship from La Résistance at Unforgiven.[40] On February 4, 2005, in Saitama Super Arena, Tajiri reunited with William Regal to defeat La Résistance for the World Tag Team Championship on an episode of Raw emanating from Japan.[41] After several defenses against La Résistance, among others, their reign ended on May 1 at Backlash, when they were eliminated from a tag team turmoil match by La Résistance.[42]

Tajiri lost a 3-Way Dance (that also featured Little Guido) to Super Crazy at ECW One Night Stand 2005 on June 12.[43] Later that year, he formed a short-lived team with Eugene. In December 2005, Tajiri left WWE, stating that 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. Tajiri returned for a one-night appearance at WWE's ECW One Night Stand 2006 pay-per-view, teaming with Super Crazy to lose to The Full Blooded Italians (F.B.I.).[44] 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.

Hustle (2006–2010)

Tajiri wrestling in Hustle.

Tajiri's return to Japan came at Hustle on March 5, 2006 defeating Kohei Sato, The Monster PTA and Yoji Anjo with Razor Ramon Hard Gay and Shinjiro Otani.[45] In the Hustle promotion, he was originally aligned with the babyface Hustle Army, a group which 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 hypnotized by Yinling into joining the Monster Army. In 2006, Tajiri took Yujiro Kushida under his wing and trained him while at Hustle. They participated in multiple tag team matches and tag team tournaments, and they also had several matches against one another.[45] He also participated in Hustle GP, Hustle's only tournament, but was knocked out of the tournaments in the first round by Wataru Sakata.[45] In his last appearance at Hustle, Tajiri defeated Muscle Sakai in a two out of three falls match which Tajiri won two to one.[45]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2006–2007, 2011)

Tajiri made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling, losing to The Great Muta;[46] 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 achieve victory.[47]

Tajiri was a title contender in All Japan Pro Wrestling throughout 2007, including a feud with Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Minoru Suzuki.[48] This feud started on March 30, 2007, at the final Champion Carnival 2007 event, following Tajiri's victory over Suzuki via count-out when Tajiri tied Suzuki's foot to the guardrail and went on to steal the Triple Crown championship belts following the match.[48] 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.[48] 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.[48] Tajiri also teamed with The Great Muta to defeat Kohei Suwama and Scott Steiner.[48]

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 and Minoru Suzuki) and KAI.[49] 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.[49]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2009–2011)

During the summer of 2009, Tajiri invaded NJPW, where he started a feud with the International Wrestling Gran Prix (IWGP) Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, by attacking and green misting him after his title defense against Takashi Sugiura.[50] 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.[51] 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,[52][53] but in the end lost the feud, when Tanahashi pinned him cleanly in a one-on-one match on December 5.[54] Afterwards, Tajiri set his sights on Seigigun, led by Yuji Nagata.[55] On January 4, 2010, at Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome Tajiri teamed up with fellow ECW alumnus Masato Tanaka and together they defeated the Seigigun team of Nagata and Akebono when Tajiri pinned Nagata after the green mist and a Buzzsaw kick.[56] On February 14 Nagata defeated Tajiri in a one-on-one match in under five minutes to seemingly end the feud and Tajiri's run with the company.[57][58]

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. He then helped Tanahashi shave Yano's head following their Hair vs. Hair match.[59] 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.[60][61] 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.[62]

Smash (2010–2012)

In 2010, Tajiri was placed in charge of Smash, a new promotion taking the place of Hustle. The promotion held its first show on March 26 which saw Tajiri wrestle two matches in one night. The first was a hardcore match against Tommy Dreamer. Tajiri lost to Dreamer but then beat Mentallo in his second contest. Later that same night, Tajiri and Dreamer saved Kushida from Leatherface. To end the show, Dreamer paid tribute to Tajiri which led him to break into tears.[63]

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.[64][65] 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.[66] On February 25, 2011, Tajiri gave Kushida his blessing to leave Smash and become a full-time member of the New Japan roster on April 1. 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.[67] On September 8 at Smash.21, Tajiri defeated Akira in the semifinals of the Smash Championship tournament.[68] On October 28, Tajiri was defeated in the finals of the tournament by StarBuck.[69]

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.[70] On February 19 at Smash.25, Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged Dave Finlay for the Smash Championship.[71] On March 14, Tajiri wrestled in Smash's final match, where he and AKIRA defeated Hajime Ohara and StarBuck.[72] Following the match, Tajiri announced his intention of starting a new promotion.[73]

Wrestling New Classic (2012–2014)

Tajiri performing a roll-up on Lance Cade.

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.[74][75] On April 26, Tajiri was defeated by Akira in the main event of WNC's first event.[76] 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.[77] Two days later, Tajiri and Whipwreck defeated Yo-Hey and Yusuke Kodama in another hardcore tag team match.[78] On June 22, Tajiri's longtime partner Akira turned on him and, the following month formed a new alliance with StarBuck and Syuri.[79]

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.[80] Following the match, Ohara also turned on Tajiri and WNC, forming a new partnership with debuting female wrestler Nagisa Nozaki.[81] 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.[82][83] In a September 1 match, Whipwreck pinned StarBuck for the win, ending the villainous trio's win streak in the process.[84] On September 20, Tajiri defeated Syuri in an intergender match at Korakuen Hall.[85]

On October 26, Tajiri entered the WNC Championship tournament, defeating Carlito in his first-round match.[86] On November 28, Tajiri defeated Hajime Ohara to advance to the finals of the tournament.[87] On December 27, Tajiri was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Akira.[88][89] On August 8, 2013, Tajiri defeated Osamu Nishimura in his home prefecture of Kumamoto to become the third WNC Champion.[90] After five successful title defenses, Tajiri lost the title to StarBuck on February 27, 2014.[91]

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.[92]

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.[93][94] On September 22, Tajiri entered the Wrestle-1 Championship tournament but was defeated in his first-round match by Masakatsu Funaki.[95] Tajiri then entered a storyline, where he began helping Funaki train for his semifinal match in the tournament.[96] 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.[97][98]

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.[99] On November 30, Tajiri and Kono were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Akira and Manabu Soya.[100]

On May 16, 2015, Tajiri defeated Minoru Tanaka at a Wrestle-1 event to capture the European Wrestling Promotion (EWP) Intercontinental Championship.[101] A week later, Tajiri unsuccessfully challenged Tanaka for the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship.[102] 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.[103] Following the match, Desperado turned on Tajiri and kicked him out of the stable.[104] 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.[105] On January 31, 2016, Tajiri, Kaz Hayashi and Minoru Tanaka won the vacant UWA World Trios Championship.[106]

On June 28, 2016, Tajiri announced he was leaving Wrestle-1 due to his contract with the company expiring.[107] On July 29, Tajiri, Hayashi, and Tanaka lost the UWA World Trios Championship to Andy Wu, Daiki Inaba and Seiki Yoshioka in their fifth defense.[106][108]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014)

Tajiri debuted at the August Impact Wrestling tapings in New York City, defeating Robbie E on August 5 (aired September 24),[109] and working matches on the August tapings; Tajiri and Austin Aries lost to James Storm and Sanada and then on the September 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, he competed in the NYC Gold Rush Final fatal five-way match which also included Abyss, Mr. Anderson, MVP and Austin Aries with Anderson winning the match. 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.[110]

Return to WWE (2016–2017)

On June 13, 2016, Tajiri was announced as a participant in WWE's Cruiserweight Classic tournament.[111] The tournament kicked off on June 23 with Tajiri defeating Damian Slater in his first-round match.[112] On July 14, Tajiri was eliminated from the tournament by Gran Metalik.[113]

On December 3, at the NXT special at Osaka, Japan, Tajiri teamed with Akira Tozawa, losing to NXT Tag Team Champions DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano). On December 4, 2016, Tajiri announced he signed a full-time contract with WWE, and that he would make his return in early 2017.[114] On the December 13 episode of 205 Live, vignettes for Tajiri's return began airing.[115] On January 3, 2017, Tajiri debuted on 205 Live defeating Sean Maluta. Following the match, The Brian Kendrick tried to welcome him back to the WWE, only for Tajiri to spit green mist onto his face. In January, Tajiri suffered a knee injury at an NXT taping.[116] After weeks of recovery, Tajiri returned at a 205 Live taping in February, following a match between Lince Dorado and Brian Kendrick. On April 22, Tajiri officially announced his departure from the WWE. According to him, he had been medically cleared to return and compete from a knee injury, but WWE decided not to use him due to his age.[117]

Return to AJPW (2017–present)

Tajiri in 2017

Following his departure from WWE, Tajiri returned to Japan, with All Japan announcing his first post-WWE booking for June 11.[118] On July 30, Tajiri defeated Hikaru Sato to win the promotion's World Junior Heavyweight Championship.[119] He lost the title to Último Dragón on August 27, before regaining it on October 21.[120] His reign as Junior Heavyweight Champion lasted until February 3, 2018, when Atsushi Aoki won the championship from Tajiri.[120] Tajiri defeated Jun Akiyama on July 15, 2018, to win the Gaora TV Championship.[121] AJPW further pushed Tajiri as he and tag team partner Koji Iwamoto were entered into the 2018 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory tournament. The duo won four of the six first-round matches, then defeated Atsushi Aoki and Hikaru Sato in the finals to win the tournament.[122]

Professional wrestling persona and style

Tajiri performing the Tarantula on Wataru Sakata.

Originally Tajiri performed as a face, without much ring character as such on display, until joining ECW where he adopted his heel "Japanese Buzzsaw" ring character. As the "Japanese Buzzsaw" Tajiri began to display a more ruthless, deranged persona, focusing more on inflicting pain on his opponents than winning matches, which included creating the Tarantula submission hold.[123] The Tarantula is a Rope-hung Boston crab, where Tajiri himself is hung upside down over the top rope as he applies the hold. Since the move involves the use of the ring ropes, it is technically an illegal hold, and must be broken before a referee's count of 5 or risk disqualification. Since a submission from this position is not valid,[124] it is a symbol of the "Sadism" that his "Japanese Buzzsaw" character displays. When Tajiri transitioned to the heel character in 1998 he began wearing baggy pants, using the heavy pants to hide just how much contact his foot actually has with an opponent's chest when Tajiri performs a "Buzzsaw Kick" (a high-speed roundhouse kick to the head) on an opponent that often finishes his matches.[5] As part of the deranged Buzzsaw persona, Tajiri began using "Asian mist" during his matches, spraying a mist of water and green food coloring in the face of an opponent who sells the mist as being blinding.[123][125] The mist was one of the signature moves of the Great Muta, Tajiri's wrestling inspiration and adopted by Tajiri in the late 1990s and has been a trademark move ever since.[125] When working as a heel the mist usually draws a strong negative reaction, but when he's a face it draws a positive reaction from the crowd when he uses it as payback on a heel during a match.[123] During his partnership with William Regal, the face Tajiri portrayed a more comedic version of the Buzzsaw character, often either disgusting or disturbing Regal with his antics.[123]

In other media

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.[126]

Wrestlers trained

Over the years Tajiri has been involved in training several wrestlers, both male and female, especially after his return to Japan in 2005. These include:

Championships and accomplishments

Tajiri performing a camel clutch on René Duprée.

Luchas de Apuestas record

See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Ringo Mendoza and Tajiri (hair) Chicago Express and Moghur (hair) Mexico City, Distrito Federal CMLL Domingos de Coliseo June 14, 1998 [138]

Footnotes

  1. ^ The championship reign was not officially recognized by CMLL.[8]
  2. ^ Tajiri won the championship during The Invasion storyline.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Online World of Wrestling profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Smash profile". Smash (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Cagematch.net profile". Cagematch. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  4. ^ "Tajiri". Wrestling Data. Retrieved January 21, 2019. Alias Aquarius, Ashuraman, Kikkoman, Tajiri, TAJIRI, Tigre Blanco, Yoshihiro Tajiri
  5. ^ a b c d "Tajiri's WWE Alumni Profile". WWE. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Wrestlingdata.com profile". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  7. ^ "Tajiri >> Matches >> International Wrestling Association Japan". CageMatch. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: CMLL EMLL Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 395. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  9. ^ a b c "BJW Junior Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. August 12, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Best of the Super Juniors 1997". ProWrestlingHistory.com. May 16 – June 5, 1997. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
  11. ^ "Tajiri >> Matches >> World Wrestling Entertainment >> 1997". CageMatch. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Tajiri >> Matches >> Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre". CageMatch. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  13. ^ "ECW Ring Results 1998". The History of WWE. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  14. ^ "House Party 1999 results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  15. ^ "Heat Wave 1999 results". Pro Wrestling History. July 18, 1999. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  16. ^ "ECW on TNN #2". CageMatch. August 26, 1999. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  17. ^ a b c d "Taijiri >> Matches >> ECW". CageMatch. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Network". CageMatch. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  19. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « TAJIRI « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "CZW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  21. ^ "WWF SmackDown Results". Online World of Wrestling. June 14, 2001.
  22. ^ "WWF Raw is War Results". Online World of Wrestling. June 18, 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "Tajiri's first WWF Light Heavyweight Championship reign". Archived from the original on June 16, 2012.
  24. ^ "SummerSlam results (prowrestlinghistory.com)". Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  25. ^ a b "Tajiri's first WCW United States Championship reign". Archived from the original on July 31, 2012.
  26. ^ "Unforgiven 2001 official results". World Wrestling Entertainment. September 23, 2001. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  27. ^ a b c "Tajiri's first WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign". Archived from the original on November 12, 2012.
  28. ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling's Historical Cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 109.
  29. ^ a b c "Tajiri's second WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign". Archived from the original on November 12, 2012.
  30. ^ "WWE No Mercy". Pro Wrestling History. October 20, 2002. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  31. ^ Cawthon, Graham (October 26, 2002). "2002". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  32. ^ "Royal Rumble 2003 official results". World Wrestling Entertainment. January 19, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
  33. ^ a b c "Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign". Archived from the original on October 19, 2013.
  34. ^ 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. Vol. 2007 (Wrestling's Historical Cards ed.). Kappa Publishing. pp. 113–114.
  35. ^ a b c "Tajiri's third WWE Cuiserweight Championship reign". Archived from the original on November 12, 2012.
  36. ^ Powell, John (October 20, 2003). "No Mercy for WWE fans". Canoe: Slam Wrestling. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
  37. ^ Powell, John (March 15, 2004). "WrestleMania XX bombs". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  38. ^ "Rumble Match: Chris Benoit (spot No. 1) wins the Royal Rumble Match". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  39. ^ Sowers, Kevin (February 16, 2004). "2/15 WWE No Way Out PPV review: Sowers's "Alt Perspective" detailed rundown". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 22, 2008.
  40. ^ Dunn, J.D. (September 12, 2004). "The WWE Unforgiven 2004 Breakdown". 411.com. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  41. ^ a b "Tajiri and William Regal's first World Tag Team Championship reign". Archived from the original on October 24, 2012.
  42. ^ "All-time Results: Backlash pay-per-view results". WWE. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  43. ^ "Power Slam". ECW! ECW! ECW!. SW Publishing LTD. pp. 30–31. 132.
  44. ^ "One Night Stand 2006". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  45. ^ a b c d "Tajiri >> Matches >> Hustle!". CageMatch. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  46. ^ "AJPW Pro-Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Summer Impact 2006 - Tag 5". CageMatch. August 27, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  47. ^ "AJPW Shining Series 2006 - Tag 10". CageMach. October 29, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  48. ^ a b c d e "Tajiri >> Matches >> AJPW >> 2007". CageMatch. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  49. ^ a b "Tajiri >> Matches >> AJPW >> 2011". CageMatch. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  50. ^ "Results New Japan, 7/20/09". Strong Style Spirit. July 20, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  51. ^ "Results New Japan, 8/13/09". Strong Style Spirit. August 13, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  52. ^ "Results New Japan, 12/2/09". Strong Style Spirit. December 2, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  53. ^ "Results New Japan, 12/4/09". Strong Style Spirit. December 4, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  54. ^ "Results New Japan, 12/5/09 & first 1/4 matches announced!". Strong Style Spirit. December 5, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  55. ^ "Goto challenges Sugiura, Tajiri targets Aogi-gun, Hogan in NJ rumours". Strong Style Spirit. December 8, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  56. ^ "Results New Japan, 1/4/10". Strong Style Spirit. January 4, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  57. ^ "Results New Japan, 2/14/10". Strong Style Spirit. February 14, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  58. ^ "March lineups, Yujiro name change, RISE & Legend dead, new rookie, more!". Strong Style Spirit. February 15, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  59. ^ "(Results) New Japan "DOMINION 6.19", 6/19". Strong Style Spirit. June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  60. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 6/28/10". Strong Style Spirit. June 28, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  61. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 6/30/10". Strong Style Spirit. June 30, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  62. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/6/10". Strong Style Spirit. November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  63. ^ Byers, Ryan (April 27, 2010). "Into the Indies 04.27.10: Hustle Gets Smashed". 411Mania. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  64. ^ a b "Smash.3". Cagematch. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  65. ^ a b "Jessica ja Valentine Japanissa– suomenmestaruus Tajirille!" [Jessica and Valentine in Japan & - Finnish Championship for Tajir!]. Fight Club Finland (in Finnish). May 31, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  66. ^ a b "2010 Smash results". Purolove. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  67. ^ "2011 Smash results". Purolove. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  68. ^ "9・8『Smash.21』全試合結果" [9 · 8 "Smash.21" All match results]. Smash (in Japanese). September 8, 2011. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  69. ^ "10・28『Smash.22』全試合結果" [10 · 28 "Smash.22" All match results]. Smash (in Japanese). October 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  70. ^ "【※重要】「Smash」第１章活動休止のお知らせ" [【※ important】 "Smash" Chapter 1 Notice of suspension of activity]. Smash (in Japanese). February 10, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  71. ^ "2・19『Smash.25』全試合結果" [2 · 19 "Smash.25" All games result]. Smash (in Japanese). February 19, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  72. ^ "3・14『Smash.Final』全試合結果" [3 · 14 "SMASH.FINAL" All match results]. Smash (in Japanese). March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  73. ^ "Tajiri が Smash 終結宣言　2年間の歴史に幕" [Tajiri ends a two-year history marking story with Smash closing]. Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  74. ^ プレ旗揚げ戦決定！ [Pre match decision]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). April 5, 2012. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  75. ^ "Ｔajiri新団体発表「若手を海外に」" [Tajiri new group announcement 'Young people overseas']. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  76. ^ "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！" [Tajiri loses to Akira in WNC battles! Preceding Yano's introduction to the battle with the alien who broke Ohara! Hua and Makoto fight big!]. Battle News (in Japanese). April 27, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  77. ^ "Wrestling New Classic「旗揚げ戦」" [Wrestling New Classic "Fighting the Flag"]. Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. May 24, 2012. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  78. ^ 5・26大阪大会　試合結果 [5 · 26 Osaka show Results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  79. ^ "Akira、スターバック、朱里、渦中の3人が密会!?" [Akira, Starback, Zhu Li, three people in the mist of secret !?]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  80. ^ "今度は大原がまさかの造反！ 8・2新宿Face大会 全試合結果" [This time Ohara is in violation of the rules! 8 · 2 Shinjuku Face match results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). August 2, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  81. ^ 【結果】ＷＮＣ８・２新宿 [【Result】 WNC 8 · 2 Shinjuku]. Ringstars (in Japanese). Ameba. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  82. ^ 8・30後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 [8 · 30 Korakuen Hall Games results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  83. ^ 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！ [Barbed wire board Deathmatch in three consecutive matches, first the dissident defeats the main force! Nozaki wins over Makoto! Ohara defeated the two masters!]. Battle News (in Japanese). August 30, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  84. ^ "WNC軍、一矢報いる！ 9・1豊橋 名豊ビル大会 全試合結果" [WNC army, I will reward you one! 9 · 1 Toyohashi Nagatomi Building results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). September 1, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  85. ^ 皇帝対決の行方は!? 9・20後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果 [The way of the Emperor Showdown!? 9 · 20 Korakuen Hall results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  86. ^ "10・26 後楽園ホール大会 全試合結果&Tajiri総括" [10 · 26 Korakuen Hall Competition results and Tajiri Summary]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). October 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  87. ^ "11･28WNC後楽園ホール大会　試合結果" [11 · 28 WNC Korakuen Hall Competition Result of game]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). November 29, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  88. ^ "2012-12-27 後楽園大会 試合結果" [2012-12-27 Korakuen Games match result]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  89. ^ "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！" [Akira took Tajiri, Shuri downed Nozaki, synapse monopolized the belt from Finley! Kuroshio used a suicide bomb to get a hair cut!]. Battle News (in Japanese). December 27, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  90. ^ a b "2013-08-08 WNC熊本大会　試合結果" [2013-08-08 WNC Kumamoto Competition results]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). August 8, 2013. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  91. ^ "2014-02-27 WNC新宿Face大会 試合結果" [2014-02-27 WNC Shinjuku Face result]. Wrestling New Classic (in Japanese). February 27, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  92. ^ "新入団選手発表～武藤敬司、Tajiri会見" [New promotion announcement - Keiji Muto, Tajiri interview]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  93. ^ "Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「衝撃～Impact～」" [Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 "Impact ~ Impact ~"]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). July 6, 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  94. ^ "PWTorch.com - TNA NEWS: Result from Tag Title match in Japan, plus Muta vs. Sanada, TNA heel duo in tag action". www.pwtorch.com.
  95. ^ "Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント" [Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Championship Tournament]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  96. ^ "戦いを通じて「心が通じ合った」！船木＆Tajiriタッグ結成へ！10.8後楽園でまさかの船木毒霧噴射も示唆！～船木誠勝選手、Tajiri選手と合同練習公開" [hrough battle "My heart began to communicate"! To Fun Fun & Tajiri Tag Formation! 10.8 Implicit funnel poisoning spray also suggested at Korakuen! ~ Funaki Seijaku, joint practice release with Tajiri players]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  97. ^ "Wrestle-1「Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント」優勝決定戦" [Wrestle-1 "Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Championship Tournament" Winner]. Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. October 8, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  98. ^ Lions, Phil (October 8, 2014). "Alberto Del Rio heading to Japan and more Wrestle-1 news". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  99. ^ "「First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～」公式戦全日程終了！11月30日（日）東京・後楽園ホール（18時試合開始）大会での決勝トーナメント組み合わせ決定のお知らせ" [irst Tag League Greatest ~ First Tag Champion Decision League Battle ~" Official Game All schedule is over! November 30 (Sunday) Tokyo · Korakuen Hall (18 o'clock game start) Notice of the final decision of the tournament combination at the event]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  100. ^ "Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～" [Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Tag League Greatest ~ First Tag Champion Decision League Battle ~]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). November 30, 2014. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  101. ^ a b "Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Royal Battle Weekend". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). May 16, 2015. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  102. ^ "Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Royal Battle Weekend". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). May 23, 2015. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  103. ^ "Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Royal Battle Weekend". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). May 30, 2015. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  104. ^ "「時の流れに身をまかせた結果」Tajiriの真意とは一体…？" ["The result of letting meself up by the flow of time" What is the real intention of Tajiri ...?]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  105. ^ 契約選手に関するお知らせ [Announcement concerning Contracted Players]. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  106. ^ a b c "Universal Wrestling Association World Trios Title". Wrestling-Titles. March 4, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  107. ^ Ｗ１、５選手が退団を発表 [W1,5 announces closure]. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. June 28, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  108. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Symbol」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). July 29, 2016. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  109. ^ Caldwell, James (August 6, 2014). "TNA news: Impact spoilers - results from New York City for "Hardcore Justice," follow-up episode, Xplosion, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  110. ^ "Spoilers: TNA Bound for Glory 2014 PPV results". PWInsider. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  111. ^ Caldwell, James (June 13, 2016). "All 32 wrestlers announced for WWE's cruiserweight tournament". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  112. ^ Williams, JJ (June 23, 2016). "WWE Cruiserweight Classic round one spoilers: Sabre Jr, Swann, Gargano, Ibushi, more!". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  113. ^ Williams, JJ (July 14, 2016). "WWE Cruiserweight Classic round two spoilers". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  114. ^ Macklin, Matthew (December 4, 2016). "Former WWE star announces full-time return to the company". PWInsider.com. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  115. ^ Middleton, Marc. "Tajiri's WWE Return Announced, WWE 205 Live Update, New Cruiserweight Debuts". DailyWrestlingNews. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  116. ^ "Tajiri suffers knee injury". WWE. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  117. ^ Currier, Joseph (April 23, 2017). "Tajiri not returning to WWE after knee injury". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  118. ^ "【全日】WWE退団のTajiriが参戦　６・１１後楽園６人タッグで秋山" [【Total day】 Tajiri from WWE withdraws participation 6 · 11 Korakuen 6 people Tag with Akiyama]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  119. ^ a b 7.30大阪大会[観衆]560人(満員) [7.30 Osaka Games [audience] 560 people sell ou)]. All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  120. ^ a b c "World Junior Heavyweight Title [All Japan]". Wrestling-Titles. November 29, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  121. ^ a b "Gaora Television Title". Wrestling-Titles. July 15, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  122. ^ a b "AJPW Summer Explosion Series 2018 - Tag 8". CageMatch. August 25, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  123. ^ a b c d e "Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 – 2002 23) Tajiri". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States: Sports and Entertainment publications LLC. August 2002. p. 22. October 2002.
  124. ^ "What a manoeuvre! 15 moves that really exist". WWE. November 30, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  125. ^ a b "the 50 coolest maneuvers of all time". WWE. February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  126. ^ "Tajiri: The Japanese Buzzsaw". July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011.
  127. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Tajiri >> Entourage >> Wrestlers trained". CageMatch. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  128. ^ Barrasso, Justin (March 9, 2016). "Week in Wrestling: Dean Ambrose's time to shine; Yujiro Kushida". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  129. ^ "BJW Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. October 25, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  130. ^ "Combat Zone Wrestling Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  131. ^ "EWA Intercontinental Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  132. ^ "EWP Intercontinental Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  133. ^ "Tajiri's first ECW World Television Championship reign". Archived from the original on May 5, 2014.
  134. ^ "Tajiri and Mikey Whipwreck's first ECW World Tag Team Championship reign". Archived from the original on December 28, 2013.
  135. ^ "International Wresling Alliance Hardcore Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  136. ^ "PWM Heavyweight Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  137. ^ "Special Award". Cagematch. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  138. ^ "CMLL Domingos de Coliseo". CageMatch. June 14, 1998. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yoshihiro Tajiri.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yoshihiro_Tajiri&oldid=952292540"