Manabu Nakanishi

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This article is about the professional wrestler also known as Kurasawa. For the filmmaker, see Akira Kurosawa.
Manabu Nakanishi
Nakanishi in February 2020
Born (1967-01-22) January 22, 1967 (age 57)[1][2]
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Kurasawa[1]
Manabu Nakanishi[1][3]
Mascara Don[4]
Maybach Don[5]
Super Strong Machine Don
Billed height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Billed weight120 kg (265 lb)[2]
Billed fromTokyo, Japan
Trained byKarl Gotch
Joe Malenko
Hiroshi Hase
Kensuke Sasaki
DebutOctober 13, 1992[1][2]
RetiredFebruary 22, 2020

Manabu Nakanishi (中西 学, Nakanishi Manabu, born January 22, 1967) is a Japanese retired

IWGP Heavyweight Champion, one-time G1 Climax winner and three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion
.

Nakanishi has always stayed based in Japan, but has wrestled for various other promotions including World Championship Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1.[6] Nakanishi's career slowly declined after a spinal injury in 2011, but he continued to wrestle for a further nine years, before retiring on February 22, 2020.

In 1992, Nakanishi won bronze in freestyle wrestling at the Asian Championships. Later that year, he competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and placed eleventh.

Amateur wrestling career

Manabu Nakanishi
Medal record
Representing Japan
Men's Freestyle wrestling
Asian Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Tehran 100

Manabu Nakanishi began his amateur wrestling career in 1986, competing freestyle in the 220 lbs. division.

In July 1986, Nakanishi competed in his very first tournament, the World Cup in

Newfoundland, Canada, where he placed fifth. In October 1987, he participated in the Asian Championship in Bombay, India, where he placed fifth. In June 1989, he participated in another Asian Championship in Ōarai, Ibaraki
, Japan, and this time moved up to fourth place.

In September 1990, Nakanishi took part in two tournaments: On September 6, he participated in the World Championship in Tokyo, where he was placed tenth. Over three weeks later, on September 30, he participated in the Asian Games in Beijing, China, where he placed fourth. In October 1991, he took part in his second World Championship in Varna, Bulgaria, where he was placed eleventh. In April 1992, he took part in his third Asian Championship in Tehran, Iran, and was in third place, earning a bronze medal.

In his biggest tournament, Nakanishi participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, where he was placed eleventh.

Professional wrestling career

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1992–1995)

Nakanishi debuted for

Young Lions Cup in 1995, in order to hone his skills and bulk up, he went on an excursion to North America and joined World Championship Wrestling
(WCW).

World Championship Wrestling (1992, 1995–1996)

12 days after his pro debut Nakanishi appeared at

WorldWide and Pro, as well as a big win over Sgt. Craig Pittman on Nitro. He was also known there for nearly defeating "Macho Man" Randy Savage on an episode of Nitro. It was here that Nakanishi learned the infamous "Road Warrior Workout" from Hawk and Animal, who also taught this routine to Kenta Kobashi and Kensuke Sasaki
.

Return to NJPW (1996–2020)

Nakanishi in September 2015

Return from excursion and peak career (1996–2011)

When Nakanishi came back to NJPW in September 1996, he appeared more confident and stronger. With his new change in attitude and in-ring style, he found instant success. He formed The Bull Powers with

Keiji Mutoh
, to win the tournament.

As the years went by, Nakanishi was never able to capitalize on his win in the G1 Climax as he constantly came up short in big matches, and Antonio Inoki's focus on pushing MMA fighters from 2002 to 2005 made matters worse for him. When the company suffered a massive exodus in main event talent (including

Robert Roode).[12][13] On February 20 at The New Beginning, Muscle Orchestra received another shot at Bad Intentions and the IWGP Tag Team Championship, but were again unable to win the title.[14]

Spinal injury and final years (2011–2020)

On June 4 Nakanishi was injured during a six-man tag team match after taking a

Wataru Inoue. The match was stopped immediately and Nakanishi was stretchered out of the arena in a neckbrace.[15] The following day it was announced that Nakanishi had suffered a spinal cord injury, which resulted in numbness and temporary paralysis, but was expected to make a full recovery.[16]

Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Ryusuke Taguchi in February 2017

Nakanishi returned to the ring on October 8, 2012, at

2014 World Tag League, failing to advance from their block. On August 19, 2015, Nakanishi donned a mask and going as Maybach Don, teamed up with Nagata (as Maybach Blue Justice) and Maybach Taniguchi to win the Arukas Cup 6-Man Tag Tournament hosted by Pro Wrestling Noah.[26]

On January 5, 2017, Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi and

Henare the year prior, Nakanishi reunited with Yuji Nagata for the 2018 World Tag League, finishing second-last in a 14-team block with 3 wins and 10 losses, earning 6 points. They would team
once more in what would be Nakanishi's last World Tag League, finishing in last place in a 16-team block with 2 wins and 13 losses, earning 4 points.

Nakanishi would say farewell to the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2020, after losing a pre-show tag team match with longtime partner Yuji Nagata against Tencozy, being pinned by Satoshi Kojima following a lariat.[27][28] Nakanishi would announce his retirement three days later, scheduling it for a February 22 Korakuen Hall show.[29] Nakanishi had said that 'As a result of a neck injury [that he had sustained in 2011], I haven't been able to wrestle to the level I wanted, and rather than drag things out, I wanted to draw a line in the sand.'[30]

Other media

Nakanishi hosts his own variety show called Nakanishi Land on TV Asahi where he cooks traditional Japanese food, play sports, complete challenges alongside special guests that are fellow wrestlers or legends, like Kuniaki Kobayashi, Seiji Sakaguchi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yuji Nagata and others.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
By submission 0 0
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Kazuyuki Fujita TKO (punches) NJPW Ultimate Crush May 2, 2003 3 1:09 Tokyo, Japan [42]

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
0 wins (0 KOs), 1 loss
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
July 29, 2003 Loss Toa K-1 Beast II 2003
Saitama
, Japan 		KO (right punch) 1 1:38 0-1
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Manabu Nakanishi profile". OWOW. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  2. ^ a b c d e 中西 学. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  3. ^ "Profile at Puroresu Central". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  4. ^ "NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2014". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  5. ^ "マイバッハが増殖！8.19後楽園「アルカス杯争奪ワンナイト6人タッグトーナメント」にマイバッハトリオ出陣！". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). 2015-08-11. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  6. ^ "Career « Manabu Nakanishi « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  7. ^ "Stud Stable". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  8. ^ World Championship Wrestling (1995-08-06). "Sting & Road Warrior Hawk vs Meng & Kurasawa with Col. Robert Parker". WCW Clash of the Champions XXXI.
  9. ^ Mike Campbell (July 23, 2010). "Puroresu Love: NJPW: Dissidence – 5/6/09". 411Mania. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  10. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/7/10". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  11. ^ a b "2010 Tokyo Sports awards – New Japan involvement". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
  12. ^ レッスルキングダムV ｉｎ 東京ドーム. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  13. ^ Gerweck, Steve (2011-01-04). "1/4 TNA-NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  14. ^ "The New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  15. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 6/4/11". Strong Style Spirit. 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  16. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 6/5/11". Strong Style Spirit. 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  17. ^ "NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  18. ^ "NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  19. ^ "NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  20. ^ "Wrestle Kingdom 7 ～Evolution～ in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  21. ^ "Invasion Attack". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  22. ^ レスリングどんたく 2013. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  23. ^ "Dominion 6.22". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  24. ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  25. ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  26. ^ a b "Summer Navig. 2015". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  27. ^ "Tencozy def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi | Wrestle Kingdom 14 Results | New Japan Pro Wrestling | NJPW". The Overtimer. 2020-01-04. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  28. ^ NJPW. "2020.01.04 WRESTLE KINGDOM 14 in TOKYO DOME night 1 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  29. ^ S, Evan (2020-01-07). "Manabu Nakanishi to Retire on February 22". Se Scoops | Wrestling News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  30. ^ NJPW. "Manabu Nakanishi to retire February 22 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  31. ^ 戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  32. ^ "7月17日(月)札幌・月寒グリーンドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  33. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
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  35. ^ a b "PUROLOVE.com". www.purolove.com.
  36. ^ a b "2000 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  37. ^ a b "2002 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
  38. ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 1999". wrestlingscout. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  39. ^ ""PWI 500": 101–200". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  40. ^ Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max Results: 2008 at purolove.com retrieved on October 7, 2018
  41. ^ "Untitled Document". Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  42. ^ "Manabu Nakanishi profile". Mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved 2013-12-28.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manabu Nakanishi.
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