Tajiri

Photo credit: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Real name: Yoshihiro Tajiri
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 180 lbs.
Date of birth: September 29, 1970
From: Tokyo, Japan
Pro debut: 1994
Trained by: Kendo Nagasaki
Finishing move: Brain Buster

Biography

– Tajiri made his in ring debut for the Japanese IWA (International Wrestling Association) promotion.
– On June 24, 1995, Tajiri received a NWA title shot against Dan “The Beast” Severn in Williamsport, NJ.
– Tajiri wrestled under a mask and the alias of Aquarius for EMLL in Mexico.
– Aquarius pinned Dr. Wagner Jr. on July 19, 1996, for the EMLL/CMLL Light Heavyweight title in Tokyo, Japan.
– In front of a Japanese audience, Aquarius unmasked to reveal his true identity.
– On January 4, 1997, Tajiri faced Shinjiro Otani before 50,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome.
– In the spring of 1997, Tajiri competed in the prestigious Super Junior tournament for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Jushin Liger, Chris Jericho, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. also competed in the three-week tournament.
– On June 7, 1997, Tajiri and Otani defeated the duo of Liger and Elsamurai in Yokohama, Japan.
– On July 23, 1997, Tajiri and Ryuji Yamakawa captured the vacant Big Japan Tag Team title from Takashi Ishikawa and Kishin Kawabata.
– Yamakawa and Tajiri claimed their second Big Japan Tag Team title on January 2, 1998, defeating Gedo and Jado.
– On February 3, 1998, Tajiri defeated Gedo in the finals of a tournament to crown the first ever Big Japan Junior Heavyweight champion in Tokyo.
– In late 1998, Tajiri joined Extreme Championship Wrestling. In his ECW debut on December 11th, Tajiri defeated Antifaz Del Norte.
– Tajiri’s first feud was with the insane luchador, Super Crazy.
– Tajiri pinned Super Crazy at the inaugural Guilty As Charged PPV in Kissimmee, FL.
– At Hardcore Heaven ’99, Tajiri pinned Little Guido.
– On September 19, 1999, Tajiri overcame Super Crazy and Little Guido in a “three way dance” at Anarchy Rulz.
– Tajiri and Super Crazy beat Jerry Lynn and Little Guido when Tajiri pinned Lynn at Guilty As Charged 2000.
– On April 8, 2000 in Buffalo, Tajiri was victorious in a “three way dance” over Super Crazy and Little Guido for the ECW Television title.
– Tajiri pinned Steve Corino at Hardcore Heaven 2000.
– At Heatwave 2000, Tajiri beat Mikey Whipwreck, Psicosis, and Little Guido in a “four-corners” contest.
– On August 25, 2000, Tajiri and Whipwreck won a one-night tag team tournament to capture the vacant ECW World Tag Team title.
– Tajiri and Whipwreck fell under the guidance of the Sinister Minister (Jim Mitchell), who portrayed James Vandenburg in WCW.
– At the Massacre on the 34th Street PPV in New York, Tajiri and Whipwreck defeated Super Crazy and Kid Kash.
– In January 2001, Tajiri signed a letter of intent to join the World Wresting Federation. Weeks later, he signed an official contract.
– On February 28, 2001 in Dover, DE, Tajiri defeated Nick Berk to capture the CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling) title.
– Tajiri made his WWF television debut on the May 24, 2001 episode of “Smackdown,” talking Japanese to commissioner William Regal.
– On the July 19, 2001 edition of “Smackdown,” Tajiri teamed with Kane and the Undertaker to defeat the Dudley Boyz and Tazz.
– At the Invasion PPV in Cleveland, OH, Tajiri used his patented green mist to distract and defeat Tazz.
– On the August 6, 2001 episode of “Raw” in Anaheim, CA, Tajiri pinned X-Pac to capture the WWF Light Heavyweight title.
– In late Summer, the WWF linked Tajiri with Torrie Wilson.
– On the September 10, 2001 edition of “Raw,” Tajiri captured the WCW United States title from Kanyon.
– On the October 22, 2001 episode of “Raw,” Tajiri defeated Kidman for the WCW Cruiserweight title in Kansas City, MO.
– On March 3, 2002, Tajiri defeated Kidman to retain the Cruiserweight title in Singapore.
– At Backlash ’02, Tajiri pinned Kidman to regain the Cruiserweight title.
– On January 24, 2003, Tajiri defeated Chris Jericho in Tokyo, Japan.
– At Judgment Day ’03 in Charlotte, NC, Tajiri (subbing for Chavo Guerrero) and Eddy Guerrero defeated Team Angle (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) for the Smackdown Tag Team title.
– At the September 23, 2003 Smackdown taping in Philadelphia, PA, Tajiri defeatd Rey Mysterio Jr. to capture the WWE Cruiserweight title.
– A short time later, Tajiri formed a stable with Sakoda and Akio (Jimmy Yang).
– Tajiri was “drafted” by Eric Bischoff to join the “Raw” roster on the March 22, 2004 edition of “Raw.”
– At Vengeance ’04, Tajiri and Rhyno defeated Jonathan Coachman and Garrison Cade.
– At the February 4, 2005 in Saitama, Japan, Tajiri and William Regal defeated La Resistance to capture the World Tag Team title.
– In December 2005, Tajiri and WWE worked out a full release.