Taka Michinoku

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Taka Michinoku
The Great Sasuke[7]
Gran Hamada[8]
DebutSeptember 4, 1992[1][2][3]

Takao Yoshida (吉田 貴男, Yoshida Takao) (born October 26, 1973),

mixed martial artist. He currently appears for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he is a member of the Just 5 Guys stable. From 2011, he was a member of Suzuki-gun, until the faction's disbandment in 2022. Michinoku also is the founder and regularly appears for Just Tap Out (JTO), which was founded in 2019. He remains a beloved WWE superstar.[9]

Michinoku is also known in

Kaientai Dojo
(now Active Advance Pro Wrestling), where he also primarily wrestled until 2019.

Having held championship titles in Japan, North America, Mexico and Europe, Yoshida is known for his long title reigns. He held the FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Title for a combined duration of more than 15 months, the WWF Light Heavyweight Title for a then record-setting 10 months and the WEW Six-Man Tag Team Title for almost a year. Yoshida has held the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, Michinoku Pro Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship and Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo) Strongest-K Championship simultaneously for almost 10 months. During his reign, he has defended his titles against both AJPW and independent circuit talent to increase his base of opponents, and thus has increased the reach of the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, which was closed off to outside competition in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1992-1997)

Taka Michinoku took his name as a sign of respect for his mentor

Great Sasuke, they lost to Super Delfin & Terry Boy. He would later move to Federacion Universal De Lucha Libre and debuted by beating the team of Mongolian Yuga & Shiryu with Buffalo Chohe. Then he debuted for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling in a six-man tag team match at Summer Spectacular in 1993. Michinoku would primary compete at MPW, UWF and FMW in his early career.[10]

His debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling came during Super J-Cup 1994 and was eliminated from the competition in the first round by Black Tiger. He competed in Best of the Super Juniors 1994 and only gained two points therefore losing the tournament. He also went up against Super Delfin for the CMLL World Welterweight Championship and had a J-Crown Title #1 Contendership match with Koji Kanemoto, both of which he lost.[11]

Michinoku's first title reign came in the form of the

El Satanico after holding the title for one year and one month and defeating fellow young wrestlers Minoru Tanaka, Naohiro Hoshikawa and Hayato Nanjyo, he would later regain the championship two months later. He would vacate the championship to focus on the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.[11]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1997, 1999)

Michinoku made his ECW and American debut on February 14, 1997, in a match where he teamed with

pay per view appearance. After this Michinoku left the company to join the World Wrestling Federation.[12]

In 1999 Michinoku would return at ECW

Papi Chulo. He also wrestled Super Crazy at Hardcore Heaven 1999. Other matches include two tag matches teaming with Yoshihiro Tajiri, a Hardcore Heaven rematch with Super Crazy ending In another victory for Super Crazy, a loss against Jerry Lynn & his last two matches for ECW was in the form of two wins against Mosco de la Merced.[12]

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (1997)

While competing in ECW and then in WWF, Michinoku also had a spell in

Ultimo Dragon and Yoshihiro Tajiri. Michinoku fought between the others The Headhunters and Val Venis
, at the time using the mask of Steele. In the summer of 1997, both Taka Michinoku and Yoshihiro Tajiri moved to World Wrestling Federation.

World Wrestling Federation (1997–2001)

Light Heavyweight Champion (1997–1998)

He made his

Christian at Judgment Day: In Your House on October 18.[12][15]

Kaientai (1998–2001)

Main article: Kai En Tai

Taka started to become "Americanised" and on Raw, he teamed with Bradshaw and segments where shown of Taka and Bradshaw doing generalised and stereotyped American activities. He was attacked by Kai En Tai for unknown reasons, and their alliance with Taka in Japan was not mentioned. Taka began feuding with

WWF European Championship.[12]

After Togo, Teioh and both Yamaguchis left the WWF, Michinoku and Funaki began wrestling as a tag team using the name Kaientai. They were primarily comedy jobbers, best known for their "Indeed!" skits in which voices in English were dubbed by

WWF Jakked.[12]
Taka was released by WWF.

Kaientai Dojo (2002–2019)

After departing from the WWF in early 2002, Michinoku returned to Japan to rehabilitate a serious shoulder injury.

On May 19, 2002, Michinoku debuted for

Kaientai Dojo at K-Dojo New Talent Presentation where Michinoku had several matches with four new K-Dojo talents and won all four matches.[16] In June, Michinoku took part in CLUB-K Super Take tournament and would be knocked out by Daigoro Kashiwa. In March 2003, Michinoku teamed up with Mr. X5 to take part in UWA/UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship number one contendership tournament and were eliminated in the second round by MIYAWAKI and Ofune.[17]

On January 10, 2005, Michinoku defeated

Kazma, which led to several championship matches between the two where Michinoku would come out on top. He would go on to beat Bambi in the finals of Strongest-K 2005.[17] The beginning of 2006 proved to be a problem for Michinoku as on January 6, 2006, he would lose the Strongest-K Championship to JOE, holding the championship for almost one year and making him the longest Strongest-K Champion up to that point.[17]

However, after losing the championship, a few months later on June 4, 2006, Michinoku teamed up with

WEW Hardcore Tag Team Championship and would lose the championship to Apple Miyuki and YOSHIYA almost a month later on July 8.[17] K-DOJO was separated into two distinct sides, GET and RAVE, which ran separate shows but often joined during large shows and tours and GET was led by Taka Michinoku while RAVE's leader was Hi69. Michinoku participated in the GET block of Strongest-K 2006, Michinoku gained four points and therefore did not progress forward. Michinoku teamed up with TAKU Michinoku to take part in a four-way match for the WEW Hardcore Tag Team Championship and lost.[17]

2007 kicked of for Michinoku in the form of a New Year battle royal, which was won by Boso Boy Raito.[17] Michinoku teamed up with Kazma to take part in the GET block part of K-DOJO Tag League 2007, the pair reached the final before being eliminated by Makoto Oishi and Shiori Asahi. After Hi69's departure, Taka Michinoku became commissioner of RAVE and 296 became commissioner of GET. On April 22, 2007, RAVE ran its last show; the two brands merged and now run joint shows. Michinoku would go on to win Strongest-K 2007 after defeating Yuji Hino in the final. With this win, he went on to take on Strongest-K champion Kengo Mashimo in September and lost.[18]

Michinoku would bounce back from this defeat by teaming up with JOE and defeated Kengo Mashimo and Madoka to become the Strongest-K Tag Team Champions in November.[18] Michinoku and JOE would begin calling themselves Handsome. At the same time Michinoku and Dick Togo became the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Handsome and Strongest-K Tag Team Championship was put on the back burner somewhat. In the beginning of 2008 Handsome took part in K-DOJO Tag Tag League 2008 and were eliminated in the first round by Kazma and Yuji Hino. During this time, Michinoku and Togo lost their championship and Handsome would compete a lot more because of it.[18] They would defend their championship against other factions such as Omega and Gekirin. However, on June 20, 2008, Handsome would lose the Strongest-K Tag Team Championship to Omega's Kazma and Miyawaki.[18] Handsome would regain the championship a few months later on August 31.[18] They would lose it to Omega once again with Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi defeating them on December 14.[19] Handsome would take part in K-DOJO Tag Team League 2009 but didn't progress further. Michinoku won Strongest-K next challenger tournament and went on to beat Kengo Mashimo to become a two time Strongest-K Champion. Michinoku finally lost the championship to his longtime rival Kazma on October 10, 2009.[19] In late 2009, Handsome went separate ways.[19]

Michinoku teamed up with

Teppei in his seventeenth title defense.[30] On July 12, 2015, Michinoku won the Strongest-K Tag Team Championship alongside Men's Teioh.[31]

In November 2018, it was revealed Michinoku had an extra-marital relationship of 8 years with a woman. After this scandal, K-Dojo fired Michinoku from the administration and a one-year payment suspension.[32] On January 22, 2019, Michinoku also left the promotion, working as a freelancer.[33]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2003–2010, 2017)

Michinoku debuted for

Taiyo Kea and gained only five points and didn't progress further.[36]

Pepe Michinoku (Taka Michinoku),

El Nosawa Mendoza, and Miguel Hayashi Jr formed a team during the AJPW Champion Carnival called Mexico Amigos.[37] El Hijo del Araya Segundo (Nobutaka Araya) joined the team after Six-Man Action between Mexico Amigos and Araya/Fuchi/Hirai at the Carnival's final show. After multiple bouts against Minoru Suzuki, Nosawa (NOSAWA Rongai) offered Suzuki an invitation into Mexico Amigos, to which he declined. This resulted in the group changing multiple assets. Their name was changed to Mexico Amigos Black, the previous worn Mexican Flag attire became Black and Gold attire, and Nobutaka Araya was kicked out of the group.[37] At the AJPW's December 16, 2007 "Fan Appreciation Day" show, The Mexico Amigos teamed with "Ray Suzuki" and defeated Ryuji Hijikata, Kikutaro, T28 and Ryuji Yamaguchi. After the match, Ray Suzuki revealed himself as Minoru Suzuki and stated the starting next year he would throw his Amigos tights away and return to Nosawa Rongai, then kidnapped him to start early training. This led to Pepe and Miguel stating they would return to Mexico, but Kaz and Taka would return come the new year.[37] After one last "Viva Mexico" Mexico Amigos disbanded.[37]

Between 2008 and 2009, Michinoku would sporadically compete at All Japan, which included Nobutaka Araya retirement show.

Black Tiger VII
.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2007–present)

In the beginning of 2007, Michinoku would team up sporadically at New Japan events with Kaientai Dojo wrestler

Prince Devitt and Minoru.[38]

Michinoku with Suzuki-gun in February 2012

In late 2010, Michinoku returned to New Japan and began teaming up with

Máscara Dorada and Tiger Mask.[42]

Michinoku in September 2014

Both Michinoku and Taichi participated in

Super Junior Tag Tournament 2012 and made it to the semifinal before losing to the Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and Kushida). From late May to early June 2013, Michinoku took part in the 2013 Best of the Super Juniors. After originally failing to advance from his block, Michinoku was given a spot in the semifinals, after original block winner Ryusuke Taguchi suffered a hip injury. He was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals on June 9 by Alex Shelley.[46] On July 20, Michinoku and Taichi received another shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by the defending champions, the Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero).[47] On September 29 at Destruction, Michinoku and Taichi failed to earn another shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, when they were defeated in a number one contender's match by Time Splitters.[48] However, when Alex Shelley was sidelined with an injury,[49] Michinoku and Taichi were given the title shot and, on October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, defeated the Forever Hooligans to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.[50] Michinoku and Taichi made their first successful title defense on November 1, defeating Gedo and Jado at their self-produced independent event.[51] After a reign of 26 days, Michinoku and Taichi lost the title to The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) on November 9 at Power Struggle.[52]

In January 2015, Suzuki-gun entered a storyline, where the entire stable invaded the

2017 Best of the Super Juniors, where he finished second to last in his block with a record of two wins and five losses.[58] From March 2018 until May 2019, he was the manager and occasional tag team partner of Zack Sabre Jr.

In May 2019, Michinoku participated in the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors. Going winless in his first 5 matches, he injured his ankle during his 6th match against Shingo Takagi. He would then forfeit his remaining matches, finishing the tournament with 0 wins and 9 losses.[59] Michinoku would disappear shortly after to focus on starting his new promotion, Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out.[60]

In November 2021, through the NJPW website, it was announced that Michinoku would return after 2 years and 6 months away to participate into the

New Japan Rambo but failed to last till the final 4.[63]

In March, Michinoku competed in the New Japan Cup, losing to Cima in the first round.[64] Michinoku continued to team with his Suzuki-gun stablemates for the remainder of the year in mainly tag-team matches. In December 2022, at the World Tag League & Best of the Super Juniors finals, Minoru Suzuki announced the disbandment of Suzuki-gun by the end of the year.[65] The final match between the faction took place on December 23, where the team of Taichi, Sabre Jr, Kanemaru and Douki defeated Suzuki, Archer, Desperado and Michinoku. After the match, each of the Suzuki-gun members spoke about their memories as a part of the group and thanked leader Suzuki. The night ended with all members posing with the Suzuki-gun flag, only to be interrupted by former member Takashi Iizuka, causing all 9 men to pose in the ring, behind the Suzuki-gun flag, which was raised by Michinoku.[66]

Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out (2019-present)

On April 12, 2019, Yoshida announced that he would be creating a new promotion, called Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out (JTO).[60] They held their first show on July 8, 2019, in Korakuen Hall, where Yoshida (still wrestling as Taka Michinoku) was defeated by Minoru Suzuki.[67] Although the second and later rounds were delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, on August 14, 2020, Michinoku won the 'Only Give Up Tournament' by defeating Hayato Tamura.[68]

Michinoku holding the Suzuki-gun banner in March 2014

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 1
By decision 0 0
By disqualification 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Keiichiro Yamamiya Submission (
keylock
) 		Pancrase: Alive 4 April 27, 1997 1 7:36
Tokyo, Japan

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External links

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