Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
Encyclopedia
is a professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer
. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling
and Pro Wrestling NOAH
. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid
.
. Like many, Kikuchi spent his early years wrestling in opening and low midcard matches, paying his dues. By late 1990, Kikuchi began moving up the card and before long was becoming a Jr. Title contender. His first title shot was on July 12, 1990 when he challenged Masanobu Fuchi
for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
but he would come up short. He would challenge for the title four more times between January 26, 1991 to February 28, 1993 coming up short each time. By 1991, Kikuchi also began teaming with future legend: Kenta Kobashi
. The two first received a shot at the vacated AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
on April 6, 1991 against The British Bruisers
but lost. A few months later on June 1, 1991 they received another shot against then-champions Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat
but failed to win the titles. Kikuchi and Kobashi also entered the 1991 World's Strongest Tag League but finished 11th place with 4 points.
On May 25, 1992 Kikuchi and Kobashi would once again challenge Furnas and Kroffat for the All Asia Tag Team Titles and this time would be victorious as Kikuchi would win his first title. Along with the title win, the match would win numerous honors as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave it 5 Stars and named it the 1992 Match of the Year. During the title reign, Kikuchi would also enjoy success in the Junior Division by winning the yearly January 3 Junior Heavyweight Korakuen Hall Battle Royal on January 3, 1993 and also won a Junior Heavyweight Tournament on January 31, 1993. After a year as champions, Kikuchi and Kobashi would finally lose the titles on June 2, 1993 to The Patriot
and The Eagle
. Following the title loss, Kikuchi and Kobashi broke up with Kobashi forming a successful team with Mitsuharu Misawa
while Kikuchi would remain in the midcard.
From 1993-1996, Kikuchi would largely remain in the midcard with little to no direction, he would continue to receive shots at the Jr. Title and All Asia Tag Titles but would continully fail to win either. On July 24, 1996, Kikuchi would defeat Fuchi to finally win The AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship. He would go on to make two successful title defenses and hold the title throughout the remainder of 1996 before eventually losing the title to Yoshinari Ogawa
on January 15, 1997.
After losing the title, Kikuchi's push would end as he spent the remainder of his All Japan tenure wrestling in opening and lowcard matches as he would wrestle young up and comers or aging legends. Also with the exception of a failed Jr. Heavyweight title shot on January 22, 2000, he for the most part was out of the title loop. In June 2000, Kikuchi would leave All Japan with the majority of the native roster and joined Misawa's new promotion:Pro Wrestling NOAH
.
in 2001 making all the way to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru
. In 2002, Kikuchi began teaming with Kanemaru as the two invaded New Japan Pro Wrestling
and defeated Jushin "Thunder" Liger and Minoru Tanaka to win the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. The two would hold on to the titles for four months and made 4 successful title defenses before eventually losing the titles to Liger and Koji Kanemoto
on January 26, 2003.
After losing the titles, Kikuchi once again returned to opening matches, over the next few years, he would occasionally get title shots at the GHC Jr. Title, the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
and GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship
but would come up short each time. In 2010, Kikuchi along with a few others were released from NOAH.
. On September 20, 2010, Kikuchi challenged Kaz Hayashi
for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
but lost. In November, Kikuchi returned to All Japan to participate in the 2010 World's Strongest Tag League teaming up with Tamon Honda
. On January 3, 2011, Kikuchi and Honda challenged Seiya Sanada
and Manabu Soya
for the AJPW All-Asia Tag Titles but lost. In January 2011, Kikuchi also debuted in DDT
. In the spring, Kikuchi returned to New Japan for their NEVER brand by taking part in the Road to the Super Juniors tournament where the two finalist would qualify for the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors. On April 7, Kikuchi defeated Ken Ohka in the first round. Then on April 8, he defeated Kazuhiro Tamura in the second round but lost in the semi finals later that night to Daisuke Sasaki. In April, Kikuchi returned to All Japan to take part in the 2011 Jr. Tag League teaming with Masanobu Fuchi.
Freelancer
A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is somebody who is self-employed and is not committed to a particular employer long term. These workers are often represented by a company or an agency that resells their labor and that of others to its clients with or without project management and...
. He has previously worked for 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 Pro Wrestling NOAH
Pro 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...
. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid
Dynamite Kid
Thomas Wilton Billington , best known by the ring name Dynamite Kid, is a retired British professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation, Stampede Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid- to late-1980s...
.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1988-2000)
Kikuchi turned pro on February 26, 1988, his debut was against veteran wrestler Mitsuo MomotaMitsuo Momota
is a Japanese professional wrestler and executive, known for his work in the Japanese promotions All Japan Pro Wrestling and later in Pro Wrestling NOAH. He is the son of wrestler Rikidōzan.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
. Like many, Kikuchi spent his early years wrestling in opening and low midcard matches, paying his dues. By late 1990, Kikuchi began moving up the card and before long was becoming a Jr. Title contender. His first title shot was on July 12, 1990 when he challenged Masanobu Fuchi
Masanobu Fuchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. Fuchi holds the record for the longest AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign and has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling longer than any wrestler on the...
for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
but he would come up short. He would challenge for the title four more times between January 26, 1991 to February 28, 1993 coming up short each time. By 1991, Kikuchi also began teaming with future legend: Kenta Kobashi
Kenta Kobashi
Not to be confused with his protégé Kenta Kobayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler currently under contract to Pro Wrestling Noah. He worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling from 1988–2000, where he became one of the promotion's top stars....
. The two first received a shot at the vacated AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
on April 6, 1991 against The British Bruisers
The British Bruisers
The British Bruisers were a professional wrestling tag team that competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling. The team consisted of The Dynamite Kid and Johnny Smith...
but lost. A few months later on June 1, 1991 they received another shot against then-champions Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon were a professional wrestling tag team that wrestled in All Japan Pro Wrestling , Extreme Championship Wrestling , Universal Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation . They teamed up together for nine years from 1989 to 1999 and held success as tag team...
but failed to win the titles. Kikuchi and Kobashi also entered the 1991 World's Strongest Tag League but finished 11th place with 4 points.
On May 25, 1992 Kikuchi and Kobashi would once again challenge Furnas and Kroffat for the All Asia Tag Team Titles and this time would be victorious as Kikuchi would win his first title. Along with the title win, the match would win numerous honors as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave it 5 Stars and named it the 1992 Match of the Year. During the title reign, Kikuchi would also enjoy success in the Junior Division by winning the yearly January 3 Junior Heavyweight Korakuen Hall Battle Royal on January 3, 1993 and also won a Junior Heavyweight Tournament on January 31, 1993. After a year as champions, Kikuchi and Kobashi would finally lose the titles on June 2, 1993 to The Patriot
Del Wilkes
Del Wilkes is a former American professional wrestler. Over the span of 14 years, he performed in various promotions such as American Wrestling Association, All Japan Pro Wrestling...
and The Eagle
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...
. Following the title loss, Kikuchi and Kobashi broke up with Kobashi forming a successful team with Mitsuharu Misawa
Mitsuharu Misawa
was a Japanese professional wrestler. He made his professional debut on August 21, 1981 for All Japan Pro Wrestling . From 1984 until 1990, Misawa wrestled as the second generation Tiger Mask, as All Japan Pro Wrestling had purchased the rights of the Tiger Mask gimmick from New Japan Pro Wrestling...
while Kikuchi would remain in the midcard.
From 1993-1996, Kikuchi would largely remain in the midcard with little to no direction, he would continue to receive shots at the Jr. Title and All Asia Tag Titles but would continully fail to win either. On July 24, 1996, Kikuchi would defeat Fuchi to finally win The AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship. He would go on to make two successful title defenses and hold the title throughout the remainder of 1996 before eventually losing the title to Yoshinari Ogawa
Yoshinari Ogawa
Yoshinari Ogawa is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah. He has earned the nickname of "Rat Boy" due to his sneaky, clever in-ring tactics and baiting his opponents into quick pins.- Career :...
on January 15, 1997.
After losing the title, Kikuchi's push would end as he spent the remainder of his All Japan tenure wrestling in opening and lowcard matches as he would wrestle young up and comers or aging legends. Also with the exception of a failed Jr. Heavyweight title shot on January 22, 2000, he for the most part was out of the title loop. In June 2000, Kikuchi would leave All Japan with the majority of the native roster and joined Misawa's new promotion:Pro Wrestling NOAH
Pro 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...
.
Pro Wrestling NOAH (2000-2010)
Kikuchi debuted for NOAH at their first show on August 5, 2000. For the most part, his time in NOAH was like the end of his All Japan tenure as he spent it in opening matches and in the low midcard. Despite this, Kikuchi did occasionally receive title shots as he entered a tournament to crown the first GHC Junior Heavyweight ChampionGHC Junior Heavyweight Championship
The Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, specifically for junior heavyweight The Global Honored Crown (GHC) Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro...
in 2001 making all the way to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Yoshinobu Kanemaru is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Kanemaru holds the records for the most reigns for both of Noah's Jr...
. In 2002, Kikuchi began teaming with Kanemaru as the two invaded 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 defeated Jushin "Thunder" Liger and Minoru Tanaka to win the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. The two would hold on to the titles for four months and made 4 successful title defenses before eventually losing the titles to Liger and 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...
on January 26, 2003.
After losing the titles, Kikuchi once again returned to opening matches, over the next few years, he would occasionally get title shots at the GHC Jr. Title, the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
The Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight wrestlers. It was created on July 16, 2003 when Kenta and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Jushin Liger...
and GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship
GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship
The Global Honored Crown Openweight Hardcore Championship is a semi-official professional wrestling championship contested in Pro Wrestling Noah. It was originally created in 2004 as a singles title known as the GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship; in 2007 it was announced that it would be...
but would come up short each time. In 2010, Kikuchi along with a few others were released from NOAH.
Freelancer (2010-)
After leaving NOAH, Kikuchi became a freelancer doing shows for All Japan and Dragon GateDragon Gate
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion formerly known as Toryumon Japan. Most of Dragon Gate's wrestlers are graduates from Último Dragón's Toryumon Gym, and thus the promotion is based on a Junior Heavyweight style with varying emphasis on high flying maneuvers, flashy technical grappling,...
. On September 20, 2010, Kikuchi challenged Kaz Hayashi
Kaz Hayashi
Kazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is also the head booker for the company's junior division.-Career:...
for the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
but lost. In November, Kikuchi returned to All Japan to participate in the 2010 World's Strongest Tag League teaming up with Tamon Honda
Tamon Honda
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is currently a freelancer, he most recently worked for Pro Wrestling Noah.-1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics:Honda represented Japan in three Olympic Games in freestyle wrestling in 1984, 1988, and 1992...
. On January 3, 2011, Kikuchi and Honda challenged Seiya Sanada
Seiya Sanada
Kiyonari Sanada is a Japanese Professional Wrestler currently competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling as Seiya Sanada.-History:...
and Manabu Soya
Manabu Soya
Manabu Soya is a Japanese professional wrestler loyal to All Japan Pro Wrestling. Currently he is living in Canada training at the Can-Am Wrestling School under Scott D'Amore and a regular for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Maximum Pro Wrestling.-2007 :Soya debuted in MUGA as Osamu Nishimura's pupil,...
for the AJPW All-Asia Tag Titles but lost. In January 2011, Kikuchi also debuted in DDT
Dramatic Dream Team
Dramatic Dream Team, better known by its initials DDT or its logo reading D2T, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1997 by Sanshiro Takagi...
. In the spring, Kikuchi returned to New Japan for their NEVER brand by taking part in the Road to the Super Juniors tournament where the two finalist would qualify for the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors. On April 7, Kikuchi defeated Ken Ohka in the first round. Then on April 8, he defeated Kazuhiro Tamura in the second round but lost in the semi finals later that night to Daisuke Sasaki. In April, Kikuchi returned to All Japan to take part in the 2011 Jr. Tag League teaming with Masanobu Fuchi.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Fireball Bomb (Spin-out powerbomb)
- Signature moves
- Cradle suplex
- Crucifix armbar
- Diving headbutt
- Rolling German suplexes
- Running elbow smash
- Zero-Sen Kick (Running modified leg lariat)
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 :...
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
(1 time) – with Kenta KobashiKenta KobashiNot to be confused with his protégé Kenta Kobayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler currently under contract to Pro Wrestling Noah. He worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling from 1988–2000, where he became one of the promotion's top stars.... - AJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipAJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
(1 time) - Junior Heavyweight Tournament (1993)
- January 3rd Korakuen Hall Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal (1993)
- Apache Army
- Apache Opendivision Championship (1 Time)
- Dramatic Dream TeamDramatic Dream TeamDramatic Dream Team, better known by its initials DDT or its logo reading D2T, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1997 by Sanshiro Takagi...
- DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (2 times)
- 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 Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on August 8, 1998 at a NJPW live event...
(1 time) – with Yoshinobu KanemaruYoshinobu KanemaruYoshinobu Kanemaru is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Kanemaru holds the records for the most reigns for both of Noah's Jr...
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- 5 Star Match (1992) with Kenta Kobashi vs. Doug FurnasDoug FurnasDoug Furnas is a former American professional wrestler and powerlifter. Furnas briefly worked for World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s...
and Dan Kroffat, Sendai, May 25 - 5 Star Match (1992) with Kenta Kobashi vs. Yoshinari OgawaYoshinari OgawaYoshinari Ogawa is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah. He has earned the nickname of "Rat Boy" due to his sneaky, clever in-ring tactics and baiting his opponents into quick pins.- Career :...
and Masanobu FuchiMasanobu Fuchiis a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. Fuchi holds the record for the longest AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign and has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling longer than any wrestler on the...
on July 5 - Match of the Year (1992) with Kenta Kobashi vs. Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat, Sendai, May 25
External links
- Profile at Puroresufan.com
- http://www.noah-usa.cc/kikuchidetailprofile.html
- http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/tsuyoshikikuchi.php
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/kikuchi.html