Mike Barton and Jim Steele
Encyclopedia
The tag team
of Mike Barton and Jim Steele
was a professional wrestling tag team that competed in several puroresu promotions including All Japan Pro Wrestling
and New Japan Pro Wrestling
.
exodus as Barton and Steele both remained with All Japan. In late 2000, Barton and Steele entered the 2000 World's Strongest Tag League tournament where they finished in 4th place with 10 points.
On January 2, 2001, Barton won the yearly January 2 Korakuen Hall heavyweight battle royal. In March, Steele entered the 2001 Champion's Carnival
Qualifying League where he tied in first place with Mitsuya Nagai with 8 points. At the 2001 Champions Carnival, Both Barton and Steele entered the tournament. In the end, Steele finished in 8th place with 2 points while Barton finished 5th with 13 points. After the Carnival, Barton and Steele would have a quiet spring and summer, but in the fall entered the All Japan branch of Masahiro Chono
's stable: Team 2000
. In November, Steele entered World Wrestling Council
where he won the WWC Puerto Rican Championship. Later that month, Barton and Steele entered the 2001 G1 tag league where they became the runner ups losing to Ten-Koji
in the finals.
In early 2002, New Japan
and All Japan ended their relationship and as a result, Barton and Steele returned to All Japan. On January 14, Barton and Steele received their first shot at the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
, challenging Keiji Mutoh
and Taiyo Kea
but lost. In the spring, Barton and Steele entered the 2002 Champions Carnival with both being in Block A. Steele finished 3rd with 6 points while Barton became the runner up losing to Mutoh in the finals. On July 20, Barton and Steele won Stan Hansen Cup 4 way battle defeating Kronik
, George Hines
and Johnny Smith, and the Varsity Club
. One month later on August 30, Barton and Steele challenged Kronik for the AJPW World Tag Team Titles but were defeated. Following the loss, Barton and Steele left All Japan and signed with New Japan.
in the fall of 2002 where the team became the runner ups losing to Osamu Nishimura
, Manabu Nakanishi
, and Yutaka Yoshie
in the finals.
In February 2003 the team entered a tournament for the #1 contendership for the IWGP Tag Team Championship where they emerged victorious but the title shot would be delayed as Steele suffered an injury putting the team out of commission. The team returned in the fall of 2003 when they entered the 2003 G1 Tag League. During the league, Barton and Steele received their IWGP Tag Title shot against Hiroshi Tanahashi
and Yutaka Yoshie but they lost. The team would finish the tournament in 6th place with 6 points. In December 2003, Barton and Steele had two tryout matches with the WWE but weren't hired. They returned to New Japan until leaving February 2004 and the team broke up from there.
Jim Steele
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
of Mike Barton and Jim Steele
Jim Steele (wrestler)
James Rocha is an American Professional Wrestler who competed in World Championship Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. He's perhaps best known for using the gimmick: Wolf Hawkfield, based on the video game character from the Virtua Fighter video game series.-World Championship Wrestling :Rocha...
was a professional wrestling tag team that competed in several puroresu promotions including All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
and New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2000-2002)
Barton and Steele began teaming in the summer of 2000 after the Pro Wrestling NOAHPro Wrestling NOAH
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
exodus as Barton and Steele both remained with All Japan. In late 2000, Barton and Steele entered the 2000 World's Strongest Tag League tournament where they finished in 4th place with 10 points.
On January 2, 2001, Barton won the yearly January 2 Korakuen Hall heavyweight battle royal. In March, Steele entered the 2001 Champion's Carnival
Champion's Carnival
The Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
Qualifying League where he tied in first place with Mitsuya Nagai with 8 points. At the 2001 Champions Carnival, Both Barton and Steele entered the tournament. In the end, Steele finished in 8th place with 2 points while Barton finished 5th with 13 points. After the Carnival, Barton and Steele would have a quiet spring and summer, but in the fall entered the All Japan branch of Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
's stable: Team 2000
Team 2000
Team 2000 was a professional wrestling stable that competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Throughout its tenure, T2000 was New Japan's top heel stable.-Background:...
. In November, Steele entered World Wrestling Council
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
where he won the WWC Puerto Rican Championship. Later that month, Barton and Steele entered the 2001 G1 tag league where they became the runner ups losing to Ten-Koji
Ten-Koji
Ten-Koji is a professional wrestling tag team that has competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. In their history, Ten-Koji currently hold the second longest IWGP Tag Team Championship reign and are currently the first and only team to have won both the G1 tag league and...
in the finals.
In early 2002, New Japan
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
and All Japan ended their relationship and as a result, Barton and Steele returned to All Japan. On January 14, Barton and Steele received their first shot at the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
, challenging Keiji Mutoh
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
and Taiyo Kea
Taiyo Kea
Maunakea Mossman is an American professional wrestler, better known under his stage name Taiyō Kea . Although he was born in Hawaii, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan-based All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion...
but lost. In the spring, Barton and Steele entered the 2002 Champions Carnival with both being in Block A. Steele finished 3rd with 6 points while Barton became the runner up losing to Mutoh in the finals. On July 20, Barton and Steele won Stan Hansen Cup 4 way battle defeating Kronik
Kronik
Kronik may refer to:* KroniK, an American professional wrestling tag team* Kronik , 1998 album by Voivod* Kronik, a line of Warrior ice hockey sticks...
, George Hines
George Hines
George Hines is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, best known by his ringname Jackie Fulton, who competed in regional and independent promotions including the American Wrestling Association, East Coast Championship Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling...
and Johnny Smith, and the Varsity Club
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
. One month later on August 30, Barton and Steele challenged Kronik for the AJPW World Tag Team Titles but were defeated. Following the loss, Barton and Steele left All Japan and signed with New Japan.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2002-2004)
Barton and Steele debuted for New Japan in late 2002. The team entered the 2002 Triathlon Series tournament teaming with Yuji NagataYuji Nagata
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique....
in the fall of 2002 where the team became the runner ups losing to Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
, Manabu Nakanishi
Manabu Nakanishi
is a Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.-Amateur wrestling career:...
, and Yutaka Yoshie
Yutaka Yoshie
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer in Japan, performing for promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1...
in the finals.
In February 2003 the team entered a tournament for the #1 contendership for the IWGP Tag Team Championship where they emerged victorious but the title shot would be delayed as Steele suffered an injury putting the team out of commission. The team returned in the fall of 2003 when they entered the 2003 G1 Tag League. During the league, Barton and Steele received their IWGP Tag Title shot against Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi
is a Japanese professional wrestler who works primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his fifth reign.-Early life:...
and Yutaka Yoshie but they lost. The team would finish the tournament in 6th place with 6 points. In December 2003, Barton and Steele had two tryout matches with the WWE but weren't hired. They returned to New Japan until leaving February 2004 and the team broke up from there.
In Wrestling
Mike Barton- Finishing moves
- Barton Buster (Elevated powerbomb)
- Signature moves
- Barton Cutter (Three-quarter facelock bulldogCutter (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a cutter is a common term that refers to the three-quarter facelock bulldog maneuver. The move is also described as an inverted neckbreaker, though it is not one, it only bears an inverted style to it...
) - BrainbusterBrainbusterA brainbuster is a professional wrestling throw in which a wrestler puts his/her opponent in a front facelock, hooks his/her pants, and lifts him/her up as if he/she was executing a vertical suplex. The wrestler then falls onto his/her back so that the opponent lands on his/her head while remaining...
- Left-handed knockout hookHook (boxing)A hook is a punch in boxing. It is performed by turning the core muscles and back, thereby swinging the arm, which is bent at an angle near or at 90 degrees, in a horizontal arc into the opponent...
- Sidewalk slam
- Barton Cutter (Three-quarter facelock bulldog
Jim Steele
- Finishing Moves
- Turbo Drop
- Signature Moves
- Steele Trap
- DDTDDT (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler has the opponent in a front facelock, and falls down or backwards to drive the opponent's head into the mat...
- PowerslamPowerslamA powerslam is a professional wrestling body slam move in which the wrestler performing the slam falls face-down on top of his/her opponent. The use of the term "powerslam" usually refers to the front powerslam and the scoop powerslam.-Emerald Flowsion:...
- Diving Shoulderblock
Championships and Accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- Stan Hansen Cup (2002)
- January 2 Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal (2001)- Barton
- New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
- IWGP Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament (2003)
- World Wrestling CouncilWorld Wrestling CouncilThe World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
- WWC Puerto Rican Championship (1 Time)- Steele