|
Makoto Saitō (wrestler)
, better known by his ring name K-ness (stylized with a period as K-ness. and read as ), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his 23-year tenure with Toryumon and later Dragon Gate, where he was NWA World Welterweight Champion, Open the Brave Gate Champion, two-time Open the Twin Gate Champion and three-time Open the Triangle Gate Champion. He was also known under the ring name while he was part of the Jimmyz stable. Career Early years Saitō debuted in Michinoku Pro Wrestling around the same time as Yoshito Sugamoto, and then went on to wrestle on the Japanese independent circuit. Toryumon He joined Tōryūmon in 1999 as Makoto, with a vampire style gimmick. As Makoto he was a member of the legendary Crazy Max stable. However, he did not get along with Taru, and eventually was kicked out of the stable after losing to Taru in a loser leaves match. He returned to Tōryūmon as Darkness Dragon, a takeoff on the Último Dragón lineage, joining ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dragongate
Dragongate Japan Pro-Wrestling, often referred to simply as Dragongate or Dragon Gate (, ''Doragongēto''), is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded and headquartered in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Hyōgo, Japan. Most of the promotion's wrestlers are graduates of its Dragongate#Trueborn (Dragongate Dojo), dojo or Último Dragón, Yoshihiro "Último Dragón" Asai's Toryumon (Último Dragón), Toryumon Gym, and thus the promotion is based on a Cruiserweight (professional wrestling), junior heavyweight style with varying emphasis on high flying maneuvers, flashy technical grappling, and submission wrestling. The promotion is the byproduct of the original Japanese promotion. History On July 4, 2004, Último Dragón departed from the Toryumon (Último Dragón), Toryumon Gym and seized ownership of the "Toryumon" trademarks. The Toryumon (Último Dragón), Toryumon Japan promotion subsequently restructured and changed its name to Dragon Gate. Dragon Gate declared Nobuhiko O ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yoshikazu Taru
is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known simply as Taru (stylised in all capital letters). He is signed to Makai, while also working for Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is the leader of the Voodoo Murders. He also previously worked in Diamond Ring, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Toryumon Japan, later known as Dragon Gate (DG). Professional wrestling career Taru trained in professional wrestling from a karate background as part of Koji Kitao's Buko Dojo and started wrestling in 1996 for Wrestle Yume Factory, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and other independent promotions. Wrestle Association R (1996–2008) He debuted in WAR in December 1996 under his real name as part of Kitao's entourage. Like his partners, Taru wrestled in a modified karategi and utilized kicks and grappling holds in a shoot-style gimmick. Although he sometimes teamed up with Masaaki Mochizuki and Takashi Okamura, Taru wrestled mostly low level matches, hav ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fumiyuki Hashimoto
(born April 21, 1982), known by his ring name Kagetora (formerly stylized in all capitals), is a Japanese professional wrestler who works for Dragon Gate. He wrestles in independent wrestling leagues all around Japan and has wrestled in the United States for Chikara and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He has wrestled many famous wrestlers including Jinsei Shinzaki. Career Toryumon (2002–2004) Hashimoto was part of Mini Crazy MAX as SUWAcito early in his career with Takuya Sugi (Mini CIMA) and Masaki Okimoto (Small Dandy Fuji). They were little version of the Japanese wrestlers CIMA, Suwa and Don Fujii. Michinoku Pro Wrestling (2004–2009) Hashimoto started competing in Michinoku Pro Wrestling in 2005 under the new name of Kagetora, based in Uesugi Kagetora. He initially wore a menpō mask during his matches, but he dropped it. After a tag team tenure with Shanao, Kagetora turned on him and became a heel. He joined Gamma's faction STONED, and after Gamma departed from Mic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Takuya Sugawara
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently wrestling for Pro Wrestling Zero1. Career Toryumon/Dragon Gate (2001–2004) He debuted in the 9th term of Toryumon 2000 Project as Henry III Sugawara, an English prince character. He joined with and eventually with Anthony W. Mori and Phillip J. Fukumasa, forming the Royal Brothers unit in T2P. The gimmick was that all three wrestlers were royal princes. However, the Royal Brothers would never make much of an impact. Fukamasa retired almost immediately after T2P closed, and Sugawara spent most of his time back in Mexico while Mori wrestled in Toryumon. When he finally came to Toryumon himself, he was courted by heel stable Aagan Iisou, led by Shuji Kondo. Although he initially refused the request to join, he would eventually betray Mori and ally with Aagan. He and Mori would feud, with the finish coming in a hair vs hair match. Sugawara lost the match, but escaped losing his hair. While a member of Aagan Iisou, he regularly te ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yasushi Kanda
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently performing for the Dragon Gate wrestling promotion in Japan. He is considered one of Toryumon's greatest heel characters, and was a founding member of the M2K stable. In his pre-injury days, he was famous for his mohawk hairstyle. Professional wrestling career Early years Kanda was trained by Ultimo Dragon as a second term student. Shortly after debuting, he allied with Susumu Mochizuki. He would win the Young Dragons Cup, and the IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Titles along with Susumu Mochizuki. Debuting in Toryumon Japan, Kanda and Susumu Mochizuki proved a disruptive heel presence. They were accepted into heel stable Crazy Max, but turned on them later that same night. Crazy Max retaliated by hog tying them with the ring ropes and beating them with baseball bats. They were saved by Masaaki Mochizuki. Although Susumu Mochizuki was thankful for the assist, Kanda was not, and he and Masaaki exchanged words. He would then wre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Naoki Tanizaki
(born December 1, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Dragon Gate. He previously went under the ring name . Professional wrestling career Toryumon system and Dragon Gate (2002–2006) Originally from the Toryumon X promotion, Naoki Tanizaki debuted in a Toryumon Mexico show in December 2002. When Toryumon X made their Japanese landing in August 2003, Naoki debuted as a surfer (similar to Genki Horiguchi) defeating Kenichi Hanai. After losing to Horiguchi, he partnered with Horiguchi as the Surfing Brothers for his final two appearances in Toryumon X. The next month, Tanizaki made the jump to Toryumon Japan as a part of El Numero Uno 2004. When Toryumon Japan became, Dragon Gate in July 2005, Tanizaki was the only Toryumon X graduate to fully integrate into Dragon Gate, prior to Kagetora in 2009. Due to his relationship with Horiguchi, appealed to join Magnum Tokyo's Do Fixer stable. Magnum agreed provided that Tanizaki won one match ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Susumu Mochizuki
, better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Dragon Gate. He is not related to fellow Dragon Gate wrestler and long-term ally/rival Masaaki Mochizuki, who debuted much earlier for WAR. Professional wrestling career Mexico After a brief stay in the Michinoku Pro Wrestling dojo, he entered Ultimo Dragon's dojo in Mexico. He debuted in 1998 as a third-term student. He and Yasushi Kanda formed a tag team there, and they found success, winning the IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Championship. They would hold these titles upon their arrival in Toryumon. Toryumon / Dragon Gate M2K He and Kanda debuted in Toryumon as a heel team, causing mayhem in matches and frequently forcing double count-outs to disappoint fans and ruin shows. They were invited to join the legendary Crazy Max stable and accepted but turned on them later that same night. A few months later they were joined by Masaaki Mochizuki, and they dubbed themselves M2K (meanin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Genki Horiguchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name . He is currently a full-time wrestler for Dragon Gate (wrestling), Dragon Gate. He has also competed in Wrestling Society X and Ring of Honor. When Horiguchi's hairline began receding, the fans began to chant H-A-G-E ( being Japanese language, Japanese for "baldness") at him. He managed to use this to gain a sort of cult popularity, and his catchphrase, "Who has called me hage?", is one of the best known in Japan. ''Hiromi Horiguchi'', a wrestler currently working for Toryumon (Último Dragón), Toryumon Mexico, was thought for some time to be Genki's brother, but the relationship was only a gimmick. Career Toryumon Horiguchi debuted in Toryumon as a face wrestler with a surfer gimmick. In 2001, he began to lose his hair, and in November he turned heel, cast away his surfer gimmick, and he joined the original M2K as a replacement for Chocoflake K-ICHI. He was the last wrestler to be added to the group. During ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Magnitude Kishiwada
, better known under his ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. Career During high school, Fujita trained in artistic gymnastics, mixed martial arts and powerlifting, and years later, he showed interest in professional wrestling. For many years Fujita trained in worked in preliminary matches in Japan's hardcore wrestling promotions, including FMW, W*ING, and Big Japan Pro Wrestling, competing under his real name, and as Toryu ("Dragon Slayer"). Osaka Pro Wrestling (1999–2005) In 1999, he landed in Osaka Pro, where he became a kaiju character named Monster Zeta Mandora. However, he gained fame in late 2001 by turning heel, donning a more traditional wrestling mask and renaming himself Big Boss MA-G-MA. He left the promotion in 2005. Dragon Gate (2005–2010, 2012) His debut in Dragon Gate was heavily hyped. He first arrived wearing a motorcycle helmet, referring to himself as "Big Boss" MA-G-MA. In what was to be his debut match, a singles match against CIMA, he ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Open The Triangle Gate
The Open the Triangle Gate Championship is a professional wrestling trios title in Japanese promotion Dragon Gate. It was created on November 7, 2004 when The Italian Connection faction of Milano Collection A.T., Anthony W. Mori and Yossino defeated Aagan Iisou's Shuji Kondo, Takuya Sugawara and "brother" Yasshi in a tournament final. Each title belt's face has three emblems on it, shaped in a triangle, that represent Power, Technique and Mind. Not including interim reigns, there have been a total of 69 recognized individual champions and 80 recognized trios, who have had a combined 94 official reigns. The current champions are Z-Brats (Homare, Ishin and Yoshiki Kato) who are also in their first reign as a team. Title history Combined reigns By team As of , . {, class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" !Rank !Team !No. ofreigns !Combineddefenses !Combineddays , - !1 , Natural Vibes , , 2 , , 7 , , 343 , - !2 , Blood Generation , , 1 , , 3 , , 319 , - ! ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Don Fujii
, better known by his ring name , is a Japanese wrestler who currently works for Dragon Gate. He was one-half of the inaugural Open the Owarai Twin Gate Champions and is also a former two-time Open the Twin Gate Champions with Masaaki Mochizuki. He was previously in the Crazy Max and Blood Generation stables. Biography He was one of the original graduates from the Toryumon dojo. He was also one of the founding members of the Crazy Max and Blood Generation stables. He made a few appearances in World Championship Wrestling as Sumo Fuji. He has wrestled as Karaoke Machine #1 at times as well. From 1999 until 2002, he changed his name annually. He first went from Sumo Fuji to Sumo "Dandy" Fuji, then to Sumo "Dandy" Fuji 2000, then to Big Fuji, and finally to Don Fujii. Fujii has spent most of his Toryumon/Dragon Gate career in heel stables. He was a founding member of Crazy Max, as well as a founding member of Blood Generation. When Blood Generation ended in December 2006, Fujii ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Masaaki Mochizuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling Noah. Mochizuki is a former FIP World Champion and three-time Open the Dream Gate Champion. Professional wrestling career Early years A former karateka and graduate of Koji Kitao's Bukō Dōjō, Masaaki spent the early part of his career wrestling for various promotions across Japan, namely WAR and BattlARTS. Most notable was his appearance in the 1995 Super J-Cup, where he took on Shinjiro Otani of New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the first round. Despite losing, Masaaki looked very competitive, using his sharp kicks and quick submission holds to pose a serious threat to the more experienced Otani. Toryumon In late 1999, Masaaki joined Toryumon, Último Dragón's upstart promotion, and quickly became recognized as one of the three "aces" of the company, alongside Cima, and Magnum Tokyo. In April 2000, he formed the heel group M2K with Susumu Mochizuki (no relation), and Yasushi Kan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
