Wataru Inoue

Infobox Wrestler
name=Wataru Inoue
names=Wataru Inoue


height=height|ft=5|in=11
weight=convert|208|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date=Birth date|1973|7|27
birth_place=Tokyo, Japan
death_date=
death_place
billed=Tokyo, Japan
trainer=Animal Hamiguchi
New Japan Dojo
debut=October 10, 1999

Wataru Inoue is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004. He aligned himself with New Japan Junior Sekigun, a face stable created in order to counteract Jushin Liger's Control Terrorism Unit in the latter half of 2005. Within this feud against the CTU, Inoue became known for his physical toughness after surviving a brutal brainbuster from Fergal Devitt in a tag match with Ryusuke Taguchi and Minoru as their respective partners. And another tag team match against Gedo & Jado where he bled profusely from his eyebrow but still picked up for the submission victory for himself & his mentor Kanemoto.

Along with making a name for himself in singles competition, he has also had success in tag team competition with Koji Kanemoto to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles in 2005.

Inoue was injured February 2007 and did not return until July of the same year where he & his mentor Koji Kanemoto lost an IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title Match against Kaientai. Inoue was pinned after an Michinoku Driver and was visibly dissapointed with his effort, as he realized he had lived up to the "underachieving loser" label he had been given. He left New Japan for an learning excursion in Mexico and added strength (going from 185 to 208 pounds) and more of a lucharesu/technical style similar to that of Dean Malenko, who Inoue admired growing up. He returned in November with his sights set on Ryusuke Taguchi and the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title with upgraded versions of his finishing moves at his disposal. The Staggerin' Blow was now a driver called the "Oracion Flame" & switched the roll that started the Triangle Lancer for an leg grapevine that would make it harder for his opponent to reach the ropes. On December 8, 2007, Inoue defeated Ryusuke Taguchi to capture his first IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, he defeated Taguchi in a rematch for the title on January 27, 2008. He vacated the title on June 16, 2008 after graduating to the heavyweight division and one day after winning the Best of the Super Juniors Tournament. Inoue is considered now as a rising superstar in puroresu, and has become one of New Japan's top stars since his return.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*"Oracion Flame" (Cross-legged sitout scoop slam piledriver):*"Triangle Lancer" (Kneeling step-over head-hold armbar, sometimes applied with an Indian deathlock or transitioned into a rolling inside cradle):*"Staggering Blow" (Cross-legged brainbuster):*"Wataru Panic" (Running high knee strike):*Belly to back suplex:*Spear:*Moonsault:*Leg hook brainbuster:*German suplex:*Brainbuster:*Octopus stretch:*Running elbow smash:*Diving elbow drop:*Inverted Indian deathlock

*Nicknames:*"Mr. High Tension"

Championships and accomplishments

*New Japan Pro Wrestling:*Best of the Super Juniors (2008):*IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time):*IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Koji Kanemoto