Ryusuke Taguchi

Infobox Wrestler
name=Ryusuke Taguchi
names=Ryusuke Taguchi
Taguchi


img_capt=
height=
weight=
real_height=height|m=1.8
real_weight=convert|91|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date=birth date and age|1979|4|15
birth_place=Iwanuma, Miyagi
death_date=
death_place=
resides=
billed=
trainer=New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo
debut=November 22 2002
vs. Toru Yano
retired=
website=nihongo|Ryusuke Taguchi|田口 隆祐|Taguchi Ryusuke|born April 15 1979 is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

Pursuing several sports in high school, Taguchi competed in convert|76|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on class amateur wrestling in college before entering the NJPW dojo in March 2002 and debuting in November of that year at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/triathlon02.php |title=NJPW Triathlon Survivor tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] wrestling in New Japan's famous junior heavyweight division.

Taguchi's gimmick is akin to a disco dancer, often sporting a short afro and colorful, flamboyant attire and celebrating victories with a post-match dance, encouraging his partners to join in during tag team matches. This has earned Taguchi the nickname Funky Weapon.

Career

2002-2004

During high school, Ryusuke Taguchi dabbled in many athletic pursuits, including baseball, soccer, and track and field, before entering the convert|76|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on class in amateur wrestling at Tōkai University.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/roster/taguchi.php |title=Ryusuke Taguchi profile |accessdate= 2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] He enrolled in the New Japan dojo in March 2002, passing the promotion's notoriously tough entry test, before debuting on November 22 2002 in a losing effort against Toru Yano. Taguchi continued to wrestle in minor matches through early 2003, before being entered into the tenth annual Best of the Super Juniors (BOSJ) tournament by default after Heat pulled out. Taguchi finished in last place with zero points, losing all of his matches.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj03.php |title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors X tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

In November 2003, Ryusuke Taguchi and fellow New Japan graduate Hirooki Goto won a 4-team tournament to decide the #1 contenders to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, defeating Wataru Inoue and El Samurai in the semifinals and Masahito Kakihara and Masayuki Naruse in the finals.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/g1tag03.php |title=G1 Tag League tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] When the title was vacated just days later due to injury, Taguchi and Goto instead faced Gedo and Jado (who had won a separate tournament) on November 29 2003 to decide the new champions; Gedo and Jado won the match and the title.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/battle03.php |title=NJPW Battle Final tour results |accessdate= 2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] On December 27 2003, Taguchi defeated Naofumi Yamamoto to gain a spot on the card for New Japan's annual Tokyo Dome show, Wrestling World.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results03.php |title=NJPW results, 2003 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] He went on to defeat Akiya Anzawa at the event on January 4 2004 in under five minutes.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results04.php |title=NJPW results, 2004 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

On March 21 2004, Taguchi and Goto received their second opportunity at the junior tag titles, falling to champions American Dragon and Curry Man.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/hyper04.php |title=NJPW Hyper Battle tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] On the April "Strong Energy" tour, Taguchi was entered into the eight-man round-robin Young Lion Cup (YLC) tournament, earning nine points in the group stage and defeating Hirooki Goto and Michinoku Pro's Kazuya Yuasa in the semifinals and final, respectively.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/energy04.php |title=NJPW Strong Energy tour results |accessdate= 2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Winning the tournament earned Taguchi his first singles title opportunity, as he unsuccessfully challenged U-30 "(under 30)" Openweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi on May 13 2004. Taguchi once again competed in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in June 2004, finishing with 4 points by wrestling to 20-minute time limit draws with El Samurai and American Dragon, and defeating Jushin Liger in 45 seconds.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj04.php |title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors XI tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi again finished in last place for his block.

In October and November 2004, Taguchi competed in the 7-man, single-elimination Young Lion Toukon Tournament, a sort of "sequel" to the Young Lion Cup; he received a bye to the semifinals as a result of winning that tournament, defeating Hiroshi Nagao and Katsuhiko Nakajima in his two matches to punctuate his YLC victory.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/history/yltoukon04.php |title=NJPW Young Lion Toukon Tournament results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

2005-2006

On January 6 2005, Taguchi announced that he would be going on a learning excursion to Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), a common practice for young Japanese juniors, wrestling simply as Taguchi.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1105956504andsubaction=list-archiveand |title= NJPW news, January 1 to January 16 2005 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] He competed in two farewell matches in New Japan, losing to Wataru Inoue in the first and teaming with Taiji Ishimori to defeat Tiger Mask IV and El Samurai in the second.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/nygold05.php |title=NJPW New Year Gold Series tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi made his CMLL debut on February 11 2005 in the Arena México, teaming with Black Tiger IV and Shigeo Okumura to defeat Negro Casas, Felino and Safari.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1108645057andsubaction=list-archiveand |title= NJPW news, January 29 to February 15 2005|accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi also wrestled in Último Dragón's Toryumon Mexico, teaming with Hiromi Horiguchi to win the 4-team Yamaha Cup tournament on February 27 2005.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/history/yamaha05.php |title=Toryumon Mexico Yamaha Cup 2005 results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi continued to compete in CMLL throughout much of 2005, often teaming with fellow New Japan alumni Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi. He returned to Japan on October 7 2005cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1130057544andsubaction=list-archiveand |title=NJPW news, October 1 2005 to October 21 2005 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] and wrestled his official return match on October 22 2005, teaming with Masahito Kakihara to defeat Sangre Azteca and Hirooki Goto.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/toukonseries05.php |title=NJPW Toukon Series tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

On February 19 2006, Ryusuke Taguchi and veteran junior El Samurai defeated heel faction CTU's (Counter Terrorist Unit) Minoru and Hirooki Goto to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, giving Taguchi his first title.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuit06.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2006 Acceleration tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] They made their first defense on March 19 2006, defeating another veteran-young lion duo in Koji Kanemoto and Wataru Inoue,cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuittakeoff06.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2006 Takeoff tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] followed by three-time title holders Gedo and Jado on May 7 2006 in a match that lasted over 30 minutes.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/njcup06sp.php |title=NJPW New Japan Cup 2006 Special tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

Taguchi again competed in the BOSJ in June 2006, finishing in fourth place out of seven in his block with seven points, defeating Jushin Liger, Sangre Azteca and Fuego, and wrestling to a double count out with Jado.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj06.php |title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors XIII tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi and Samurai faced Gedo and Jado in a title rematch on July 8 2006, losing the belts to their challengers in another 30-minute match.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitturbulence06.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2006 Turbulence tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] On September 3 2006, Taguchi made his debut in New Japan's WRESTLE LAND brand, teaming with Pegasus Kid II to defeat Milano Collection AT and Makai Rey Cobra #3; he also wrestled in a brief "bonus track" match later in the night, winning a 14-man tag team match along with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tanaka, Jado, Gedo, Pegasus Kid and Gran Naniwa against Toru Yano, Milano, and five members of the Makai Club.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/wl/results06.php |title=WRESTLE LAND results, 2006 |accessdate= 2007-09-22 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi continued to participate in WRESTLE LAND through 2006 and 2007. On September 24 2006, Taguchi made his first attempt at a major singles junior title by challenging Tiger Mask for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, losing in 13 minutes.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitignition06.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2006 Ignition tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

2007

At New Japan's annual Tokyo Dome event on January 4 2007, Taguchi teamed with El Samurai and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Masanobu Fuchi to defeat Kikutaro, Nobutaka Araya and Akira Raijin, pinning Kikutaro after the Dodon.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results07.php |title= NJPW results, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Four days later on January 7 2007, Taguchi suffered a right eye injury in a tag team match with Tiger Mask against Jushin Liger and Milano Collection AT, forcing him out of action for two months. He had been scheduled to compete in a four-man tournament to decide the #1 contender to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but was removed as a result of the injury;cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1170775214andsubaction=list-archiveand |title=NJPW news, January 7 2007 to February 3 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi returned on March 3 2007. On March 11 2007, Taguchi was introduced as the first member of El Samurai's new Samurai Gym faction, and was later joined by Yujiro on March 18 2007.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1175128523andsubaction=list-archiveand |title= NJPW news, March 2 2007 to March 25 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-28 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] On April 13 2007, Taguchi challenged Minoru for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in his first shot at the title, albeit unsuccessfully.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitbrave07.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2007 New Japan Brave tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Minoru also stole the Samurai Gym signboard after the match, carrying it as a trophy for the next several months.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1177594468andsubaction=list-archiveand |title= NJPW news, March 25 2007 to April 24 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-28 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1180692242andsubaction=list-archiveand |title= NJPW news, April 25 2007 to May 8 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-28 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

Taguchi entered the 14th annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament in June 2007, having his strongest showing to date, winning five out of six group stage matches by defeating Tetsuya Naito, Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai, Dragon Gate's BxB Hulk, and junior champion Minoru, finishing in first place for his block with 10 points. Taguchi lost in the semifinals however, to eventual winner Milano Collection AT.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj07.php |title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors XIV tour results |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] As a reward of sorts for beating Minoru in the tournament, Taguchi was granted a second shot at the Junior Heavyweight title on July 6 2007, defeating Minoru once more to win his first singles championship, and retrieving the Samurai Gym signboard.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitsoul07.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2007 New Japan Soul |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/script/show_archives.php?archive=1187658061&subaction=list-archive& |title=NJPW news, July 6 2007 to August 15 2007 |accessdate=2007-09-24 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] He made his first defense of the title on September 24 2007, defeating Tiger Mask.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitgeneration07.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2007 New Japan Generation tour results |accessdate=2007-09-24 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] He defended the championship once again on October 7 2007 at independent promotion Pro Wrestling KAGEKI's tenth anniversary show, defeating the company's founder Azteca;cite web |url= http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/article.php?nwid=7407 |title=Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Azteca results |accessdate=2007-10-07 |publisher=NJPW.co.jp |language=Japanese ] the following day, Taguchi again defended the title, defeating Minoru once more.cite web |url= http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=76&TKNO=1 |title=NJPW Explosion '07 official results |accessdate=2007-10-08 |publisher=NJPW.co.jp |language=Japanese ] On October 28 2007, Taguchi defended the title for the third time in one month, defeating 5-time champion Koji Kanemoto in Kobe, Kanemoto's hometown.cite web |url= http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=77&TKNO=8 |title=NJPW G1 Tag League tour results, October 28 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-28 |publisher=NJPW.co.jp |language=Japanese ] Taguchi lost the title in his fifth defense on December 8 2007, falling to Wataru Inoue.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitalive07.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2007 New Japan Alive tour results |accessdate=2007-12-08 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

2008

On January 4 2008 at Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome, Taguchi teamed with Takashi Iizuka, Koji Kanemoto and Tiger Mask to face the "Alliance" of Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX's Masato Tanaka and Tatsuhito Takaiwa, and DRADITION's Katsushi Takemura and Yutaka Yoshie; the Alliance won the encounter, Yoshie pinning Taguchi.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results08.php |title=NJPW results, 2008 |accessdate=2008-01-29 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] Taguchi faced Wataru Inoue in a rematch for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on January 27 2008, losing to Inoue once more.cite web |url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitism08.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2008 New Japan ISM tour results |accessdate=2008-01-29 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ] On February 1 2008, it was announced that El Samurai would be leaving NJPW due to his contract expiring, effectively ending Samurai Gym.cite web |url= http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/article.php?nwid=7848 |title=Official announcement of El Samurai's departure from NJPW |accessdate=2008-02-01 |publisher=NJPW.co.jp |language=Japanese ] In March and April 2008, Taguchi represented NJPW in several interpromotional matches with the newly renamed Pro Wrestling ZERO1; on March 30 2008 at "New Dimension", Taguchi and Koji Kanemoto defeated ZERO1's Masato Tanaka and Tatsuhito Takaiwa. On the following "New Japan Brave" tour, Taguchi defeated Takaiwa in a singles match. He then teamed with Kanemoto and Manabu Nakanishi in three tag team matches in late April, he and Nakanishi defeating ZERO1's Takao Ōmori and Osamu Namiguchi, he and Kanemoto again defeating Tanaka and Takaiwa, and he and Kanemoto losing to Tanaka and Shinjiro Otani.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitbrave08.php |title=NJPW Circuit 2008 New Japan Brave tour results |accessdate=2008-06-18 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

On April 29 2008, Taguchi faced his former partner and generation rival, Hirooki Goto, who had since graduated to the heavyweight division. The match, which took place in Goto's hometown of Kuwana, was won by Goto in just under 15 minutes. In June of that year, Taguchi once again entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, finishing in first place for his six-man block with eight points, losing only to Tatsuhito Takaiwa in a rematch of their April meeting, and defeating the man who won the Junior title from him, Wataru Inoue. Taguchi advanced to the semifinals as a result, losing to Koji Kanemoto.cite web |url= http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj08.php |title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2008 tour results |accessdate=2008-06-18 |publisher=Strong Style Spirit ]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*"Enban Chuudoku" (180° corkscrew frog splash):*"Dodon" (Chickenwing facebuster):*"Shika Koroshi" (Vertebreaker):*Multiple suplex variations::*German::*X::*Fisherman::*Sn

Championships and accomplishments

*New Japan Pro Wrestling:*IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)cite web |url= http://www.titlehistories.com/NJPW_IWGP_Junior_Heavyweight_Title.htm |title=IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship title history |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=TitleHistories.com ] :*IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with El Samuraicite web |url= http://www.titlehistories.com/NJPW_IWGP_Junior_Heavyweight_Tag_Team_Titles.htm |title=IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship title history |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=TitleHistories.com ] :*Young Lion Cup (2004):*Young Lion Toukon Tournament (2004)

*Toryumon Mexico:*Yamaha Cup (2005) - with Hiromi Horiguchi

References

*

External links

* [http://www.njpw.co.jp/prof/taguchi.html Official profile at NJPW.co.jp]
* [http://puroresufan.com/roster/taguchi.php Taguchi on Strong Style Spirit]

Persondata
NAME = Taguchi, Ryusuke
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Taguchi
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Professional wrestler
DATE OF BIRTH = April 15 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH = Iwanuma, Miyagi
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =