Ombre No Problema Ahora!
We Japanese had about nine days off around the end of April and beginning of May this year. This was because there was a cluster of national holidays during this time. Yoshihiro Tajiri came home and relaxed during his brief holidays in Tokyo, Japan.
Unfortunately, Paul Heyman's ECW closed its doors after their eight year existence. They were forced off television and were overwhelmed by debt, and then they canceled most house shows, TV tapings, and its final PPV. Tajiri has signed a contract with the WWF, and he has been waiting to make his debut on WWF programming. Since then, Tajiri wrestled for John Zandig's CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling), facing Justice Pain in North Smyrna, Delaware on January 20, Super Crazy and Justice Pain in Sewell, New Jersey on February 10, 2001, and Nick Berk in Dover, Delaware on February 28. And, he wrestled for Dusty Rhodes' TCW (Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling) in Georgia. Then, he went over to wrestle for Victor Quinones' IWA (International Wrestling Association) in Puerto Rico, facing Essa Rios (a.k.a. Mr. Aguila/Papi Chulo) in Manatí, Puerto Rico on April 5, Super Crazy in Guayama, Puerto Rico on April 6, Essa Rios & Super Crazy in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on April 7, and San Germán, Puerto Rico on April 8.
Tajiri was born in Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture on September 29, 1970. He will be 31 years old this fall. Tajiri learned kickboxing in high school. When he was a college student, he was captivated by Lucha Libre style pro wrestling. He went abroad to Mexico to learn Lucha Libre. He joined IWA Japan Pro Wrestling and debuted as a professional wrestler against Takashi Okano (W*inger of Big Japan Pro Wrestling) at Gamagori City Gym in Aichi Prefecture on September 19, 1994. His serious efforts were recognized by the IWA's booker, Victor Quinones, who had been a part owner of Capital Sports in Puerto Rico and a heel manager in FMW, since he, Jose Gonzales, Mr. Pogo, El Gran Mendoza, and El Profe attacked Atsushi Onita at the WWC office in San Juan, PR on August 29, 1990.
Tajiri challenged for Dan Severn's NWA World Heavyweight title in Toms River, New Jersey on June 9, 1995, and in Williamstown, New Jersey on June 24, 1995. However, he couldn't stand the business style of the IWA's money backer, the infamous Kinroku Asano, who had owned Japanese style restaurants, and whose "Asano Office" had bought and run wrestling shows from various Japanese offices. Tajiri quit the IWA and went to the EMLL (Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre) in Mexico again in the fall in 1995. He always has a big respect for Lucha Libre style and very serious motivation about his future as a pro wrestler.
Tajiri hid his face and returned as the masked "Aquarius" in Great Kojika's Big Japan Pro Wrestling in March 1996. Aquarius beat Dr. Wagner Jr. to win the CMLL World Light Heavyweight title (12:28) at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 19, 1996 (the result was dropped from the official CMLL record). Big Japan brought in some ECW wrestlers such as Sabu, Jason Knight, Bull Pain, Axl Rotten, DWD, Hack Myers, and Ian Rotten in 1996. He really improved during this period, but he could appeal only to independent wrestling fans.
Tajiri was recognized by wrestling fans nationwide when he faced Shinjiro Ohtani on New Japan Pro Wrestling's "Wrestling World '97" at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 1997 (8:30 Ohtani beat Tajiri). Ohtani carried him very well. Tajiri showed his good potential and appeared in New Japan's "Best of The Super Junior" tournament and faced El Samurai, Shinjiro Ohtani, Chris Jericho, Robbie Brookside, Scorpio Jr., and Hanzo Nakajima in a round robin tournament from May 16 to June 5, 1997. He faced Chris Jericho in a singles match on May 24 (13:36 Jericho beat Tajiri). Tajiri lost to Taka Michinoku on WWF Raw is War in San Antonio, Texas on July 14. Tajiri and Ryuji Yamakawa won Big Japan's Tag Team title at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 23, 1997, and he also won Big Japan's Junior Heavyweight title at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on February 3, 1998. Tajiri suddenly quit Big Japan after he split with Big Japan's president, Great Kojika, and went to the EMLL in Mexico again in April 1998. He may be different from other young indy wrestlers who have no choice except bearing small salary and blood baths in front of small crowds.
At the beginning of 1999, Victor Quinones recommended Tajiri and Super Crazy to Paul Heyman's ECW. Super Crazy from Tulanlancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico, had lived in the Dojo of Wrestle-You-Me-Factory, one of the smallest wrestling companies in Japan, in 1995. So, Crazy knew both Lucha Libre and Japanese style. Tajiri and Crazy became good rivals and amigos. Then, they debuted in ECW. Tajiri beat Crazy and Little Guido in a three-way dance to win the ECW Television title in Buffalo, New York on April 8, 2000. Plus, Tajiri & Mikey Whipwreck beat Tommy Dreamer & Jerry Lynn and Simon Diamond & Swinger in a three way match to win the ECW Tag team title match in a one night tournament final in New York, NY on August 25, 2000.
Tajiri can't wait to join the severe competition with Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, Lance Storm, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. on Raw or Smackdown. Tajiri said, "I don't want to live with the framework of typical Japanese heels, I believe the fact is that there is a great possibility, because The Great Muta did make a reality as a Japanese main eventer in the United States in 1989."
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