Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu | |
---|---|
Giant Baba | |
Debut | November 13, 1976 |
Retired | November 15, 2015 |
Genichiro Shimada (嶋田 源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichirō, born February 2, 1950), better known as Genichiro Tenryu (天龍 源一郎, Tenryū Gen'ichirō) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his shikona. He had two stints with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he spent the majority of his career while also promoting Super World of Sports (SWS), Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Tenryu Project. Widely considered as one of the greatest professional wrestler of all time[2][3].At the time of his retirement, professional wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer wrote that "one could make a strong case [that Tenryu was] between the fourth and sixth biggest native star" in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.[4]
Sumo wrestling career
Tenryū Genichiro | |
---|---|
天龍 源一郎 | |
Personal information | |
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
Weight | 112 kg (247 lb) |
Career | |
Stable | Nishonoseki |
Record | 393-355-0 |
Debut | January, 1964 |
Highest rank | Maegashira 1 (January, 1974) |
Retired | September, 1976 |
Championships | 1 (Jūryō) 1 (Makushita) |
* Up to date as of Sep. 2012. |
As a sumo wrestler, Tenryu was ranked as a
Professional wrestling career
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1976–1990)
Scouted by Giant Baba, the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) owner, Tenryu was sent to Amarillo, Texas to be trained by Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk, and debuted in Texas in 1976, against Ted DiBiase. After returning to Japan, he stayed in the undercard until about 1982 when he began to get a slight push in that year's Champion Carnival tournament. In 1983, following a brief stint in Jim Crockett Promotions, his push began in earnest when Jumbo Tsuruta pursued the NWA International heavyweight title, now the main title in the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.
1984 saw Tenryu winning the NWA United National title, now also part of the Triple Crown, as well as the NWA International tag team title with Tsuruta. Their combination was called "Kakuryu" (鶴 = kaku = tsuru (the "tsuru" in Tsuruta) + 龍 = ryū in Tenryū). The team feuded with Riki Choshu and Yoshiaki Yatsu, who were the leaders in an "invasion" angle by the Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, an All Japan satellite made up of former New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent.
In 1987, following the departure of the Japan Pro talent, Kakuryu broke up after losing the tag team titles to
1989 was Tenryu's banner year. Tsuruta became the first Triple Crown champion on April 18 of that year, and just two days later Tenryu became his first challenger. The Tsuruta-Tenryu series that ensued set the standard for all Triple Crown matches and feuds to follow. When Tenryu won the belts on June 5, the match was so spectacular it was deemed Match of the Year by major Japanese publications. The same year saw him finally pin his mentor Baba, albeit in a tag match - but still a major success for a Japanese wrestler. Only
Super World of Sports (1990–1992)
In April 1990, Tenryu left All Japan Pro Wrestling to form Super World of Sports (SWS). He wrestled his first match for the nascent promotion in September 1990, teaming with Takashi Ishikawa as "Revolution" to defeat Dojo Geki (Isao Takagi and Yoshiaki Yatsu).[5]
In 1991, as part of a working agreement between Super World of Sports and the
Tenryu wrestled his final match for SWS in June 1992, teaming with
Wrestling and Romance (1992–1999)
After Super World of Sports collapsed in June 1992, Tenryu, aided by Masatomo Takei (brother of his wife Makiyo) formed
Tenryu made brief returns to the World Wrestling Federation at the
In 1998, as WAR went into decline, Tenryu began an earnest comeback, this time in New Japan. He first joined Heisei Ishingun, allied with its leader Shiro Koshinaka, and they won the IWGP Tag Team Championship from Team Wolf, Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. In December 1999, Tenryu made history as the first native to win the top two distinctions of professional wrestling in Japan (All Japan's Triple Crown and New Japan's IWGP Heavyweight title) by beating Mutoh for the IWGP title. (The first man to win both titles was Big Van Vader, an American.)
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2000–2004)
In 2000, following the near-collapse of All Japan due to the Pro Wrestling Noah split, Tenryu closed WAR and rejoined All Japan, eager to test his mettle against the remaining ace, his former disciple Kawada. Tenryu beat Kawada in the subsequent tournament for the vacant Triple Crown, winning the belts for a second time. In his second stay in All Japan, he would capture the belts a third time and also the World Tag Team Championship with former WAR-UWFI feud rival Yoji Anjo.
Late career and retirement (2004–2015)
In 2003, he joined
In 2005, he entered Noah, and began feuds with Misawa,
In December 2009, following the folding of Hustle, Tenryu began running his own Tenryu Project promotion. He continued to make forays into other promotions, remaining active even past age 60.
On February 7, 2015, it was reported that Tenryu had decided to retire from professional wrestling with his final match scheduled to take place later in the year.
Other media
Tenryu appears as a gang member in the 2017 video game Yakuza Kiwami 2, alongside Keiji Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami.[13] Tenryu is also a regular guest on the annual 24-hour comedy special, Gaki no Tsukai - No Laughing Challenge, often appearing as a character who occasionally (and intentionally) speaks unintelligibly to cause the contestants to laugh.
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Masanobu Fuchi
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
- NWA United National Championship (2 times)
- PWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- PWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ashura Hara
- Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- World Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Stan Hansen (3), Ashura Hara (1), and Yoji Anjo (1)
- Champion Carnival (2001)
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1984) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1986) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1989) – with Stan Hansen
- January 2 Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal (1982)[14]
- United National Title League (1986)[15]
- Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship Tournament (2000)[15]
- Champion's Carnival Technique Award (1982)[16]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League New Wave Award (1981) – with Ashura Hara[17]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1982) – with Ashura Hara[18]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Technique Award (1983) – with Jumbo Tsuruta[19]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Performance Award (1985) – with Jumbo Tsuruta[20]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Performance Award (1987) – with Ashura Hara[21]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Fighting Spirit Award (1987) – with Ashura Hara[21]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1988) – with Toshiaki Kawada[22]
- World's Strongest Tag Determination League Best Player Award (1989)[23]
- Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
- WMG Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Riki Choshu
- HUSTLE
- 1 time) – with Tadao Yasuda
- International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling/World Championship Wrestling
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mr. Fuji
- The Road Warriors
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- 1 time)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shiro Koshinaka
- Nikkan Sports
- Match of the Year (1999) vs. Keiji Mutoh on May 3[25]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 44 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Ranked No. 14 and 30 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Jumbo Tsuruta and Ashura Hara, respectively, in 2003
- Super World of Sports
- SWS vs WWF Tournament (1990)
- One Night Tag Team Tournament (1990) – with Koji Kitao
- Tenryu Project
- Hidden Genius R League (2013) - with Ryuichi Kawakami
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Tag Team Award (1983, 1985) with Jumbo Tsuruta[27]
- Best Tag Team Award (1987) with Ashura Hara[27]
- Fighting Spirit Award (1983)[27]
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2015)[28]
- Match of the Year Award (1987) vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on August 31[27]
- Match of the Year Award (1988) vs. Stan Hansen on July 27[27]
- Match of the Year Award (1989) vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on June 5[27]
- Match of the Year Award (1991) vs. Hulk Hogan on December 12[29]
- Match of the Year Award (1993) vs. Riki Choshu on January 4[29]
- Match of the Year Award (1994) with Ashura Hara vs. Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto on March 2[29]
- Match of the Year Award (1996) vs. Nobuhiko Takada on September 11[29]
- Match of the Year Award (1999) vs. Keiji Mutoh on May 3[29]
- Match of the Year Award (2015) vs. Kazuchika Okada on November 15[12]
- MVP Award (1986, 1987, 1988, 1993)[27][29]
- Outstanding Performance Award (1981, 1984, 1996)[27][29][30]
- Technique Award (1990)[29]
- Wrestle Association "R"
- J-1 Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[31]
- 2 times) – with Koki Kitahara and Animal Hamaguchi (1), and Nobutaka Araya and Último Dragón(1)
- Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow
- One Night Tag Team Tournament (1995) - with Último Dragón
- J-1 Heavyweight Championship Tournament (1998)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Keiji Mutohon June 8, Tokyo, Japan
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
Sumo career record
Year | January Hatsu basho, Tokyo |
March Haru basho, Osaka |
May Natsu basho, Tokyo |
July Nagoya basho, Nagoya |
September Aki basho, Tokyo |
November Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | (Maezumo) | West Jonokuchi #22 5–2 |
West Jonidan #96 4–3 |
East Jonidan #67 3–4 |
West Jonidan #87 5–2 |
East Jonidan #38 4–3 |
1965 | East Jonidan #13 5–2 |
East Sandanme #64 3–4 |
West Sandanme #77 5–2 |
West Sandanme #33 4–3 |
East Sandanme #22 2–5 |
West Sandanme #47 3–4 |
1966 | West Sandanme #58 3–4 |
West Sandanme #63 4–3 |
West Sandanme #51 5–2 |
East Sandanme #14 4–3 |
East Makushita #95 4–3 |
West Makushita #75 6–1 |
1967 | West Makushita #43 3–4 |
West Makushita #46 3–4 |
West Makushita #58 2–5 |
East Sandanme #12 3–4 |
West Sandanme #20 1–6 |
West Sandanme #50 5–2 |
1968 | East Sandanme #22 4–3 |
West Sandanme #11 3–4 |
West Sandanme #26 5–2 |
East Sandanme #5 5–2 |
East Makushita #43 4–3 |
East Makushita #36 3–4 |
1969 | East Makushita #39 5–2 |
West Makushita #24 3–4 |
East Makushita #29 5–2 |
West Makushita #18 3–4 |
East Makushita #24 4–3 |
West Makushita #20 3–4 |
1970 | West Makushita #24 6–1 |
East Makushita #7 3–4 |
West Makushita #9 3–4 |
East Makushita #14 3–4 |
West Makushita #19 6–1–P Champion |
East Makushita #4 3–4 |
1971 | West Makushita #7 3–4 |
West Makushita #12 4–3 |
West Makushita #10 5–2 |
West Makushita #3 6–1 |
West Jūryō #11 6–9 |
East Makushita #2 3–4 |
1972 | West Makushita #4 4–3 |
West Makushita #3 3–4 |
East Makushita #7 6–1–P |
East Jūryō #13 8–7 |
West Jūryō #8 10–5–P |
East Jūryō #3 10–5 |
1973 | East Maegashira #13 8–7 |
East Maegashira #10 9–6 |
West Maegashira #5 6–9 |
West Maegashira #9 6–9 |
East Maegashira #13 9–6 |
East Maegashira #7 9–6 |
1974 | West Maegashira #1 5–10 |
West Maegashira #5 6–9 |
West Maegashira #9 6–9 |
East Maegashira #11 8–7 |
West Maegashira #8 8–7 |
East Maegashira #7 5–10 |
1975 | East Maegashira #12 5–10 |
West Jūryō #3 8–7 |
East Jūryō #2 4–11 |
West Jūryō #10 13–2 Champion |
West Maegashira #13 6–9 |
West Jūryō #2 8–7 |
1976 | East Maegashira #14 4–11 |
West Jūryō #4 10–5 |
East Jūryō #1 7–8 |
West Jūryō #2 10–5 |
East Maegashira #13 Retired 8–7 |
x |
Record given as wins–losses–absencies Top division champion Top division runner-up Retired Lower divisions Non-participation Playoff (s)Divisions: Jonokuchi Makuuchi ranks: Maegashira |
Video games
- Tenryū Gen'ichirō no Puroresu Revolution
- HammerLock Wrestling
- Fire Pro Wrestling: Combination Tag
- Fire Pro Wrestling 2nd Bout
- Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Legend Bout
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling III: Final Bout
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling III: Easy Type
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling X
- Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium
- Gekitou Burning Pro Wrestling
- Fire Pro Wrestling Returns
- Super Star Pro Wrestling
- Virtual Pro Wrestling 64
- Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō
- King of Colosseum: Red
- King of Colosseum II
- Wrestle Kingdom
- Wrestle Kingdom 2
See also
References
- ^ USA: Sports and Entertainment publications LLC. p. 27. December 2004.
- ^ "Greatest Wrestler Ever: THE LIST!". Pro Wrestling Only. 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Spyke, T. J. "COUNIHAN: My New Greatest Wrestler Ever Top 100 List with a new no. 1, plus the top 247 wrestlers compiled from our panel". Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (November 30, 2015). "SHEAMUS WINS WWE TITLE, TENRYU RETIREMENT SHOW, PLUS TONS MORE". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 February 2020.(subscription required)
- ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Genichiro Tenryu - matches - Super World of Sports". Cagematch.net. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "天龍源一郎 現役引退を決意". Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "天龍引退興行に主要3団体が全面協力". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
- ^ "11・15天龍引退試合でオカダ戦"決定"". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). August 17, 2015. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ^ Axel Saalbach. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database".
- ^ 天龍が引退試合で凄絶負け「負けたぁ」. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "11/15 Tenryu Retirement in Tokyo, Japan: Tenryu vs. Okada, Funk & Hansen appear, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ a b 【プロレス大賞】ベストバウトは天龍引退試合 天龍の意地と心意気評価. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ "『龍が如く 極2』武藤敬司・蝶野正洋・長州力・天龍源一郎・藤波辰爾 VS 桐生一馬・真島吾朗が実現!?【TGS2017】". Famitsu (in Japanese). September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ "Misc. All Japan Events".
- ^ a b "Pro Wrestling History". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ a b "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (March 13, 2022). "Steve Austin & More: nternational Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Announced". PWInsider.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 1999". wrestlingscout. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "PUROLOVE.com".
- ^ a b c d e f g h "東京スポーツ プロレス大賞:選考経過(1980~1989)". 東スポWeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社. 24 May 2023.
- ^ 【プロレス大賞】天龍に特別功労賞 受賞総数「22」は鶴田さんと並ぶ最多タイ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "東京スポーツ プロレス大賞:選考経過(1990~1999)". 東スポWeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社. 24 May 2023.
- ^ "東京スポーツ プロレス大賞:選考経過(1974~1979)". 東スポWeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社. 24 May 2023.
- ^ Hoops, Brian (January 14, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/14): Christian wins NWA World Title". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ "Tenryū Genichiro Rikishi Information". Sumo Reference. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
External links
- Genichiro Tenryu at IMDb
- Genichiro Tenryu's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database