Ten-Koji
Encyclopedia
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 (430 Days) and are currently the first and only team to have won both the G1 tag league and World's Strongest Tag League in general (2001, 2006 respectively) and in the same year (2008)
was injured, as both were members of nWo Japan. In their first shot, they defeated Genichiro Tenryu
and Shiro Koshinaka
at Wrestling World 1999 on January 4, 1999 to claim their first IWGP Tag Team Title. The team would make one successful title defense against Yuji Nagata
and Manabu Nakanishi
on February 5, 1999 before losing the titles to Koshinaka and Kensuke Sasaki
on March 22, 1999.
Following the title loss, Ten-Koji largely spent most of 1999 representing nWo Japan against Masahiro Chono
's new group: Team 2000. The feud eventually would end in February 2000 when nWo Japan lost a best of 4 series to Team 2000 and a few days later: nWo Japan would merge into Team 2000 with Ten-Koji joining.
A few months later, Ten-Koji would defeat Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi on July 20, 2000 to win the Tag Team Championship for the second time. After winning the titles, Ten-Koji would have one of the most successful title reigns as they would hold the titles for a then record 430 Days (a record later broken by Cho-Ten who held the titles for 446). They would also make 6 successful title defenses also a then record (Cho-Ten also broke this record) fending off challenges from variations of Fighting Club G-EGGS
(Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi, Manabu Nakanishi and Yutaka Yoshie
), fellow Team 2000 members: Chono and Tatsutoshi Goto
, & BATT
members: Taiyo Kea
and Jinsei Shinzaki
before eventually losing the titles on September 23, 2001 to Tatsumi Fujinami
and Osamu Nishimura
.
After the title loss, Ten-Koji began to show dissention with Chono and they finally split in October 2001, taking Hiro Saito
, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Koji Kanemoto
with them and splitting Team 2000. The team then entered the 2001 G1 Tag League, despite losing their first 3 matches, the team would eventually persevere and win the remainder of the tournament eventually defeating Mike Barton and Jim Steele
to win the tournament and their first G1 Tag League.
defected to All Japan Pro Wrestling
and Kojima decided to follow with Tenzan deciding to remain in New Japan. Before leaving, Ten-Koji would wrestle one last match on January 24, 2002 where they defeated Kensuke Sasaki and Osamu Nishimura.
After breaking up, both Kojima and Tenzan would go on to success in their respective companies in both singles and tag divisions. One year after the breakup, Ten-Koji would reunite for one night as they defeated Chono and Nakanishi at Wrestling World 2003 on January 4, 2003. on February 20, 2005, Kojima and Tenzan would meet as opponents in a title vs. title match with Kojima defending the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and Tenzan defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Kojima would win the match with 11 seconds left to win the IWGP Championship. The win made Kojima the first person to hold both titles simultaneously. The two would face each other again in a rematch at Nexess VI on May 14, 2005 with Tenzan regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
to win the tournament and became the first team in history to win both the G1 Tag League and the World's Strongest Tag League. The teams next match would be a loss to their mentors: Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom In Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2007, after the loss Ten-Koji broke up again and returned to their companies.
In the summer of 2008, Ten-Koji would reunite again. First they defeated Togi Makabe and TARU
at Pro Wrestling LOVE in Ryogoku Vol. 5 on August 31, 2008. Despite the win the team would see a setback as they failed to win the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
from Taiyo Kea and Minoru Suzuki
on October 11, 2008. In October, they entered the 2008 G1 Tag League, they would win their block, then defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yutaka Yoshie in the semi finals, and then defeated Togi Makabe and Toru Yano
to win their second G1 Tag League. In November, they entered the 2008 World's Strongest Tag League and they would make history by winning their second World's Strongest Tag League by defeating Suwama and Shuji Kondo
. This win marked the first time a team won both tournaments in the same year.
On January 4, 2009, Ten-Koji were scheduled to take part in a 3 way for the IWGP Tag Titles against champions: Togi Makabe and Toru Yano and Team 3D
, but the team was forced to pull out of the match due to Tenzan suffering an eye injury. Upon his return, Ten-Koji attempted a comeback as they took on Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
in a #1 Contendership match at Wrestling Dontaku '09 on May 3, 2009 but they came up short. Despite vowing to continue and promise a "full revival", they haven't teamed since.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
tag team that has competed in 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...
and 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 :...
. In their history, Ten-Koji currently hold the second longest IWGP Tag Team Championship reign (430 Days) and are currently the first and only team to have won both the G1 tag league and World's Strongest Tag League in general (2001, 2006 respectively) and in the same year (2008)
First Run (1999-2002)
Ten-Koji first began teaming up in 1998 after Tenzan's regular tag team partner Masahiro ChonoMasahiro 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...
was injured, as both were members of nWo Japan. In their first shot, they defeated Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu , real name Genichiro Shimada , is a Japanese professional wrestler. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling...
and Shiro Koshinaka
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s...
at Wrestling World 1999 on January 4, 1999 to claim their first IWGP Tag Team Title. The team would make one successful title defense against Yuji Nagata
Yuji 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....
and 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:...
on February 5, 1999 before losing the titles to Koshinaka and Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
on March 22, 1999.
Following the title loss, Ten-Koji largely spent most of 1999 representing nWo Japan against 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 new group: Team 2000. The feud eventually would end in February 2000 when nWo Japan lost a best of 4 series to Team 2000 and a few days later: nWo Japan would merge into Team 2000 with Ten-Koji joining.
A few months later, Ten-Koji would defeat Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi on July 20, 2000 to win the Tag Team Championship for the second time. After winning the titles, Ten-Koji would have one of the most successful title reigns as they would hold the titles for a then record 430 Days (a record later broken by Cho-Ten who held the titles for 446). They would also make 6 successful title defenses also a then record (Cho-Ten also broke this record) fending off challenges from variations of Fighting Club G-EGGS
Fighting Club G-EGGS
Fighting Club G-EGGS was a professional wrestling stable that competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Led by Yuji Nagata, it consisted of wrestlers with sporting backgrounds.-History:...
(Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi, Manabu Nakanishi 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...
), fellow Team 2000 members: Chono and Tatsutoshi Goto
Tatsutoshi Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro Wrestling using the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in WCW as part of the nWo Japan.-Career:...
, & BATT
BATT (professional wrestling)
BATT was a professional wrestling stable that competed in both New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling from 2001 to 2002. The name: BATT is short for "Bad Ass Translate Trading", meaning a group of wrestlers that crossed borders...
members: 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...
and Jinsei Shinzaki
Jinsei Shinzaki
Kensuke Shinzaki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his stage names Jinsei Shinzaki and Hakushi...
before eventually losing the titles on September 23, 2001 to Tatsumi Fujinami
Tatsumi Fujinami
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is famous for his gimmick as "The Dragon." He is the one who is credited for inventing the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex...
and 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 :...
.
After the title loss, Ten-Koji began to show dissention with Chono and they finally split in October 2001, taking Hiro Saito
Hiro Saito
Hiroyuki Saito is a professional wrestler best known by the shortened name of .-Career:Hiro debuted in 1978 in New Japan Pro Wrestling. In May 1985, he defeated The Cobra to win the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship only to lose back to him 2 months later...
, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Koji Kanemoto
Koji Kanemoto
is a professional wrestler. He is of Zainichi Korean descent.-Career:Kanemoto practiced Judo during his high school days and won a few championships as a professional before being recruited by the New Japan Dojo. He debuted in November 1990, wrestling against Michiyoshi Ohara. In March 1992, he...
with them and splitting Team 2000. The team then entered the 2001 G1 Tag League, despite losing their first 3 matches, the team would eventually persevere and win the remainder of the tournament eventually defeating Mike Barton and Jim Steele
Mike Barton and Jim Steele
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.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
to win the tournament and their first G1 Tag League.
Breakup (2002-2006)
In January 2002, Keiji MutohKeiji 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...
defected to 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 Kojima decided to follow with Tenzan deciding to remain in New Japan. Before leaving, Ten-Koji would wrestle one last match on January 24, 2002 where they defeated Kensuke Sasaki and Osamu Nishimura.
After breaking up, both Kojima and Tenzan would go on to success in their respective companies in both singles and tag divisions. One year after the breakup, Ten-Koji would reunite for one night as they defeated Chono and Nakanishi at Wrestling World 2003 on January 4, 2003. on February 20, 2005, Kojima and Tenzan would meet as opponents in a title vs. title match with Kojima defending the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and Tenzan defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Kojima would win the match with 11 seconds left to win the IWGP Championship. The win made Kojima the first person to hold both titles simultaneously. The two would face each other again in a rematch at Nexess VI on May 14, 2005 with Tenzan regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
Reunion (2006-2009)
In 2006, Ten-Koji would reunite and participate in All Japan's 2006 World's Strongest Tag League. The team would make history eventually defeating Ro'Z and SuwamaKohei Suwama
is a Japanese professional wrestler also known simply as . He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Voodoo Murders stable, where he is a former two-time All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion....
to win the tournament and became the first team in history to win both the G1 Tag League and the World's Strongest Tag League. The teams next match would be a loss to their mentors: Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom In Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2007, after the loss Ten-Koji broke up again and returned to their companies.
In the summer of 2008, Ten-Koji would reunite again. First they defeated Togi Makabe and TARU
Yoshikazu Taru
Yoshikazu Taru is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name TARU. He works for All Japan Pro Wrestling and El Dorado Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:...
at Pro Wrestling LOVE in Ryogoku Vol. 5 on August 31, 2008. Despite the win the team would see a setback as they failed to win 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...
from Taiyo Kea and Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
on October 11, 2008. In October, they entered the 2008 G1 Tag League, they would win their block, then defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yutaka Yoshie in the semi finals, and then defeated Togi Makabe and Toru Yano
Toru Yano
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :...
to win their second G1 Tag League. In November, they entered the 2008 World's Strongest Tag League and they would make history by winning their second World's Strongest Tag League by defeating Suwama and Shuji Kondo
Shuji Kondo
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Prior to becoming a pro wrestler, he played rugby.-Toryumon/Dragon Gate:Kondo was part of the T2P class in Toryumon. At first he was a face in the Toryumon Seikegun....
. This win marked the first time a team won both tournaments in the same year.
On January 4, 2009, Ten-Koji were scheduled to take part in a 3 way for the IWGP Tag Titles against champions: Togi Makabe and Toru Yano and Team 3D
Dudley Boyz
Team 3D was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Brother Ray and Brother Devon, formerly sporadically joined into a stable by Brother Runt on several intervals...
, but the team was forced to pull out of the match due to Tenzan suffering an eye injury. Upon his return, Ten-Koji attempted a comeback as they took on Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
Karl Anderson
Chad Allegra is an American professional wrestler better known by his stage name Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently one half of the IWGP and GHC Tag Team Champions with partner Giant Bernard.-Personal life:Allegra grew up in Asheville,...
in a #1 Contendership match at Wrestling Dontaku '09 on May 3, 2009 but they came up short. Despite vowing to continue and promise a "full revival", they haven't teamed since.
In wrestling
- Finishing double team moves
- TenCozy Driver (Over the shoulder reverse piledriver (Kojima) / scoop slam piledriver (Tenzan) combination)
- Satoshi Kojima
- Finishing moves
- CCD – Cozy Crush Dynamite (Over the shoulder reverse piledriver)
- Koji 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...
, sometimes from the top rope) - Lariat
- Rydeen bomb – innovated
- Finishing moves
- Hiroyoshi Tenzan
- Finishing moves
- Anaconda vice, sometimes while trapping the opponent's other arm – innovated
- Diving headbutt
- MoonsaultMoonsaultA moonsault, moonsault press, or back flip splash is a professional wrestling aerial technique. Much of its popularity in American wrestling is attributed to The Great Muta, despite it being used in North America by "Leaping" Lanny Poffo years before Muta came from Japan.In a standard moonsault,...
- Original TTD – Original Tenzan Tombstone Driver (Cradle reverse piledriver)
- TTD – Tenzan Tombstone Driver (Scoop slam piledriver)
- Finishing moves
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 :...
- World's Strongest Tag Team LeagueWorld's Strongest Tag Team LeagueThe , more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977, usually run on the first weeks of December...
(2006, 2008)
- World's Strongest Tag Team League
- 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 (2 times)
- G1 Climax Tag LeagueG1 Climax Tag LeagueThe G1 Climax Tag League is a professional wrestling round-robin tag team tournament held by New Japan Pro Wrestling as a spin-off of the popular singles tournament, the G1 Climax. It was created in 1991 as the Super Grade Tag League, as a continuation of a regular tag team tournament held since...
(2001, 2008)
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Tag Team of the Year (2000)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Tag Team of the Year (2001)
External links
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/tenzan.html
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/kojima.html
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/Teams-TenzanKojima.html