Shunji Kosugi
Encyclopedia
, is a retired Japan
ese professional wrestler, who was based in New Japan Pro Wrestling
.
, before Sayama became Tiger Mask
. He was also the very first opponent of the future Jushin Liger
, Keiichi Yamada.
Kosugi's biggest accomplishment came in April 1985, when he defeated Keiichi Yamada to win the very first Young Lion Cup.
As time went on, Kosugi suffered a severe back injury, which forced him to retire in March 1988. His last match as an active wrestler occurred on March 18, teaming with Don Arakawa, losing to Hiro Saito
and Norio Honaga
.
In September 2010, after over 22 years since his last match, Kosugi made a surprise return in a battle royal
, held by Tatsumi Fujinami
's Dradition promotion. Although he lost, he received a standing ovation by bodyslamming Kikutaro
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese professional wrestler, who was based in New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
.
Career
Shunji Kosugi made his debut in February 1981. He was known for his technical prowess in the ring, influenced by Karl Gotch. He was the last man to defeat Satoru SayamaSatoru Sayama
is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known as the original Tiger Mask. He's wrestled under his real name as well as the names Sammy Lee, and masked Super Tiger, Tiger King, Tiger Mask and The Mask of Tiger...
, before Sayama became Tiger Mask
Tiger Mask
is a Japanese manga series written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Naoki Tsuji. The series was first published in Kodansha's Bokura Magazine from 1968 to 1969 and was later published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1970 to 1971...
. He was also the very first opponent of the future Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, Keiichi Yamada.
Kosugi's biggest accomplishment came in April 1985, when he defeated Keiichi Yamada to win the very first Young Lion Cup.
As time went on, Kosugi suffered a severe back injury, which forced him to retire in March 1988. His last match as an active wrestler occurred on March 18, teaming with Don Arakawa, losing to Hiro Saito
Hiro Saito
Hiroyuki Saito is a professional wrestler best known by the shortened name of .-Career:Hiro debuted in 1978 in New Japan Pro Wrestling. In May 1985, he defeated The Cobra to win the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship only to lose back to him 2 months later...
and Norio Honaga
Norio Honaga
is a Japanese professional wrestler.Honaga started in New Japan Pro Wrestling but jumped to Riki Chōshū's Japan Pro Wrestling satellite of All Japan Pro Wrestling in an "invasion" angle. He returned to New Japan with Choshu and others in 1987...
.
Retirement
After retiring from the ring, he returned to his hometown to run a liquor store, owned by his wife's family.In September 2010, after over 22 years since his last match, Kosugi made a surprise return in a battle royal
Battle royal
Battle royal traditionally refers to a fight involving three or more combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing. In recent times the term has been used in a more general sense to refer to any fight involving large numbers of people that are not organized into factions...
, held by Tatsumi Fujinami
Tatsumi Fujinami
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is famous for his gimmick as "The Dragon." He is the one who is credited for inventing the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex...
's Dradition promotion. Although he lost, he received a standing ovation by bodyslamming Kikutaro
Mitsunobu Kikuzawa
, better known by his wrestling persona and formerly Ebessan, is a freelance Japanese professional wrestler primarily competing for Kensuke Office and Osaka Pro Wrestling...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Oklahoma Stampede
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
- Young Lion Cup (1985)