Yutaka Yoshie
Encyclopedia
, 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 New Japan he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion and in Zero1 a former NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion.
, joined New Japan Pro Wrestling
's dojo in February 1994 and made his professional wrestling debut on December 9, 1994, in a match against Satoshi Kojima
. In only his second match Yoshie broke his leg and was sidelined until December 1995. After spending years on the undercards of New Japan events, Yoshie wrestled his first major match on January 4, 1998, at Final Power Hall in Tokyo Dome, where he was one of the five men selected to face Riki Chōshū
in his Riki Road Final Message 5 series, set to end his retirement tour. The following year Yoshie picked up major victories over wrestlers such as Tatsuhito Takaiwa
and El Samurai, before leaving for a learning excursion to Germany
in August to compete for Catch Wrestling Association
(CWA). While in Europe, Yoshie bulked up and when he returned to Japan in March 2000, he was a completely different wrestler, basing his new style on sumo wrestling
, and was quickly recruited by Yuji Nagata
into his stable, Fighting Club G-EGGS
. Later that year Yoshie defeated former IWGP Heavyweight Champions Hiroyoshi Tenzan
and Satoshi Kojima in singles matches. However, Yoshie's climb was cut short, when Nagata disbanded Fighting Club G–EGGS in June 2001, sending him back down the card. On June 13, 2003, Yoshie won his to date only title in New Japan, when he teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi
to defeat Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono
for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They would hold the title for six months, before losing it to Tenzan and Osamu Nishimura
. After years of being unable to break through into the main fold of New Japan, Yoshie decided not to re–sign with the promotion in January 2006 and instead became a freelancer
.
. On February 25, 2006, Yoshie and Corino defeated Skull and Bones (Ikuto Hidaka
and Minoru Fujita
) to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship. They would hold the title for four months, before losing it to Kohei Sato
and Ryouji Sai
on June 20, 2006. Yoshie spent most of the rest of 2006 working for All Japan Pro Wrestling
, where he in April participated in his first Champion's Carnival. In late 2006 Yoshie also made his debut for Tatsumi Fujinami's and Osamu Nishimura's Muga World Pro Wrestling, for which he wrestled most of 2007. On December 13, 2007, Yoshie defeated Fujinami in the finals of a tournament to win Muga's Dragon Cup. On January 4, 2008, Yoshie made his return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome, where he, Masato Tanaka
, Tatsuhito Takaiwa
and Katsushi Takemura defeated Takashi Iizuka
, Koji Kanemoto
, Tiger Mask IV
and Ryusuke Taguchi
in an eight man tag team match, when Yoshie pinned Taguchi. Later that year Yoshie teamed with Manabu Nakanishi
to take part in New Japan's G1 Climax Tag League, where the team, named Big Mountain, reached the semifinals before losing to the eventual winners of the entire tournament, TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima). On December 6, 2008, Yoshie and Nakanishi unsuccessfully challenged The Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe
and Toru Yano
) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. On February 6, 2010, Yoshie made his debut for Pro Wrestling Noah
in a match, where he defeated Shuhei Taniguchi
. In June Yoshie made another return to New Japan to compete in the J Sports Crown 6 Man Openweight Tag Tournament, where, under a mask and the ring name Pink Strong Machine, he teamed with Super Strong Machine
and Tonga Strong Machine. The team was eliminated in the second round by Prince Devitt
, Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto
.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
professional wrestler
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...
, currently working as a freelancer
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...
in Japan, performing for promotions such as 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 :...
, 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...
, 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...
and Pro Wrestling Zero1. In New Japan he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion and in Zero1 a former NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1994–2006)
Yoshie, who had a background in judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, joined 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...
's dojo in February 1994 and made his professional wrestling debut on December 9, 1994, in a match against Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
. In only his second match Yoshie broke his leg and was sidelined until December 1995. After spending years on the undercards of New Japan events, Yoshie wrestled his first major match on January 4, 1998, at Final Power Hall in Tokyo Dome, where he was one of the five men selected to face Riki Chōshū
Riki Choshu
Mitsuo Yoshida , better known by his stage name Riki Chōshū , is a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a wrestler and a booker...
in his Riki Road Final Message 5 series, set to end his retirement tour. The following year Yoshie picked up major victories over wrestlers such as Tatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH....
and El Samurai, before leaving for a learning excursion to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in August to compete for Catch Wrestling Association
Catch Wrestling Association
The Catch Wrestling Association was a professional wrestling organization based in Austria and Germany and was founded in 1973. It was formerly run by famous AWA champion Otto Wanz. The CWA featured a traditional brand of mat wrestling mixed with various “Strong Man” competitions...
(CWA). While in Europe, Yoshie bulked up and when he returned to Japan in March 2000, he was a completely different wrestler, basing his new style on sumo wrestling
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
, and was quickly recruited by 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....
into his stable, 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:...
. Later that year Yoshie defeated former IWGP Heavyweight Champions Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is better known by his ring name . With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the Real World Tag League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the G1 Climax Tag League in NJPW becoming in the only tag team which has done...
and Satoshi Kojima in singles matches. However, Yoshie's climb was cut short, when Nagata disbanded Fighting Club G–EGGS in June 2001, sending him back down the card. On June 13, 2003, Yoshie won his to date only title in New Japan, when he teamed with 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:...
to defeat Hiroyoshi Tenzan and 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...
for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They would hold the title for six months, before losing it to Tenzan 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 years of being unable to break through into the main fold of New Japan, Yoshie decided not to re–sign with the promotion in January 2006 and instead became a freelancer
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...
.
Freelancer (2006–present)
After leaving New Japan, Yoshie made his debut for Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he, under the ring name Y2P–160 kg, formed a tag team called the P–Force Men with Steve CorinoSteve Corino
Steven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
. On February 25, 2006, Yoshie and Corino defeated Skull and Bones (Ikuto Hidaka
Ikuto Hidaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Pro Wrestling Zero1. Hidaka was the regular partner of Minoru Fujita, with whom he has held the Zero1-Max International Lightweight Tag Team and Intercontinental Tag Team Titles, making them the only team to do so...
and Minoru Fujita
Minoru Fujita
is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former AWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, having won a tournament final against Takuya Sugawara.-Career:...
) to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship. They would hold the title for four months, before losing it to Kohei Sato
Kohei Sato
is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted with Pro Wrestling ZERO1. Sato is also a former mixed martial artist.-In wrestling:*Finishing moves*Briging German suplex*Cross Armbreaker*Pole Star *Signature moves...
and Ryouji Sai
Ryouji Sai
is a Japanese professional wrestler contracted to Pro Wrestling Zero1, where he is a former two-time World Heavyweight Champion.-Career:...
on June 20, 2006. Yoshie spent most of the rest of 2006 working 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 :...
, where he in April participated in his first Champion's Carnival. In late 2006 Yoshie also made his debut for Tatsumi Fujinami's and Osamu Nishimura's Muga World Pro Wrestling, for which he wrestled most of 2007. On December 13, 2007, Yoshie defeated Fujinami in the finals of a tournament to win Muga's Dragon Cup. On January 4, 2008, Yoshie made his return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome, where he, Masato Tanaka
Masato Tanaka
Masato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
, Tatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa
Tatsuhito Takaiwa is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero-One, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH....
and Katsushi Takemura defeated Takashi Iizuka
Takayuki Iizuka
, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Early years :Takayuki Iizuka made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling in November 1986, wrestling against Akira Nogami. In June 1989, Iizuka and Hiroshi Hase went to the Soviet...
, 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...
, Tiger Mask IV
Tiger Mask IV
Yoshihiro Yamazaki , best known by his ring name Tiger Mask , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Yamazaki is the fourth wrestler to portray the Tiger Mask image / persona; having used it since 1995...
and Ryusuke Taguchi
Ryusuke Taguchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion....
in an eight man tag team match, when Yoshie pinned Taguchi. Later that year Yoshie teamed with 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:...
to take part in New Japan's G1 Climax Tag League, where the team, named Big Mountain, reached the semifinals before losing to the eventual winners of the entire tournament, TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima). On December 6, 2008, Yoshie and Nakanishi unsuccessfully challenged The Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe
Togi Makabe
, better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Tag Team Champion....
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 :...
) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. On February 6, 2010, Yoshie made his debut for 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...
in a match, where he defeated Shuhei Taniguchi
Shuhei Taniguchi
Shuhei Taniguchi is a professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah.-Amateur Background:Shuhei Taniguchi first started competitive wrestling when he was in high school. Just as NOAH wrestlers Takashi Sugiura and Tamon Honda before him, Shuhei represented the armed forces in...
. In June Yoshie made another return to New Japan to compete in the J Sports Crown 6 Man Openweight Tag Tournament, where, under a mask and the ring name Pink Strong Machine, he teamed with Super Strong Machine
Junji Hirata
is a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestles for the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, and currently uses the ring name .-Career:Hirata made his debut in New Japan on August 26, 1978 against Yoshiaki Fujiwara...
and Tonga Strong Machine. The team was eliminated in the second round by Prince Devitt
Fergal Devitt
Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler currently contracted by New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently in his second reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion...
, Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto
Hirooki Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Bridging / Release high-angle German suplex
- Canadian Hammer (Running inverted front powerslam)
- Diving splash
- Signature moves
- Back Blow (Standing or a discus kesagiri chop)
- Death Valley driver
- Lou Thesz press
- PowerbombPowerbombA powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position...
- Raiden Drop (Seated senton)
- Reverse figure four leglock
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s - "The Flying Pink Tank"
Championships and accomplishments
- Muga World Pro Wrestling
- Dragon Cup (2007)
- 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 time) – with Hiroshi TanahashiHiroshi Tanahashiis 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:...
- Triathlon Survivor League (2002) – with Manabu NakanishiManabu Nakanishiis 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 Osamu NishimuraOsamu NishimuraOsamu 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 :... - New Wave Award (2000)
- Pro Wrestling Zero1
- NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Steve CorinoSteve CorinoSteven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
- Toryumon
- Yamaha Cup (2008) – with Último Dragón