Congratulations from all of us at WWE.com to Taka. During our conversation, he took on another role, translator for his tag team partner. He also keeps a full schedule of wrestling dates in Japan. ( WATCH). “The Great Sasuke was making his WWE debut and needed an opponent,” Taka explained of the renowned masked Japanese wrestler. Click here to find out the top ten richest wrestlers on the planet. Taka quickly became the centerpiece of WWE’s new Light Heavyweight division, winning the tournament to crown the very first champion. Michinoku, to this day, remains one of the five greatest cruiserweight-level wrestlers the company ever employed. “He recommended me.”. Taka and Funaki may have lost their allies, but they had no intention of leaving the U.S. so quickly. “I went to a Packers game and fell in love with the team.”. July 14, 1997 – RAW: Taka … For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, WWE legend Taka Michinoku, who formed Kaientai with Funaki, has been hit hard for having an affair, The star has reportedly been playing away since 2011, Taka Michinoku and Funaki join forces with Tazz to deliver cutting promo on Too Cool, The Japanese star was the first-ever WWE Light Heavyweight Champion in 1997. Kaientai's interviews were often dubbed over by voice actors straight out of a Japanese monster movie. Taka caught on with Michinoku Pro Wrestling, the company from which he took his ring name. Wrestlers from Kaientai Dojo, NJPW, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Stardom, Okinawa Pro Wrestling, Michinoku Pro Wrestling, and a handful of freelancers came together for the joint-promotion show at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall. 3 Dink … Taka and Funaki weren’t sure what to make of the goofy voiceovers, where “Taka” would declare that they were “EEEEVILLLL” before letting out an over-the-top cackle. Taka Michinoku works for NJPW now as manager to British star Zack Sabre Jr. Have WWE stopped staff from publicly mentioning legend despite his recent return? Singles Wrestler (1992 - today) Tag Team Wrestler (1992 - today) Booker Promoter (2002 - 2019) Trainer Taka Michinoku was originally a rival of Kaientai, but joined them in summer 1998. Despite the fact that the two found their biggest success in America as part of Kaientai, they weren’t members of the group’s original incarnation in Japan. Michinoku might be really into social media, but don’t think Taka just sits around all day taking selfies with his phone. “I learned a lot while I was there, so I teach them whatever I can.”. Togo first appeared in an NJPW ring in 1994 and … However, Taka Michinoku's reign stands out for a few reasons. “I was so happy to be on TV.”, Funaki balanced his announcing duties with a busy in-ring schedule on SmackDown, competing in the fast-paced, high-flying Cruiserweight division. Because there's a … Michinoku debuted for the company in 1997 alongside fellow Kaientai DX stable members Dick Togo and Men's Teioh to feud with Gran Naniwa, Gran Hamada, and The Great Sasuke. Due to the cultural differences in his homeland to Europe, extra-marital activities are looked upon much more seriously. Taka Michinoku works for NJPW now as manager to British star Zack Sabre Jr. Credit: NJPW. A fine example of this would be Taka Michinoku. Career. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Managed by Yamaguchi-San, the original Kaientai consisted of Dick Togo, Mens Teioh and Funaki. Funaki settled in San Antonio instead of heading back to Japan. “I wasn’t nervous at all [about moving to America],” Michinoku said. In the main event, TAKA teamed up with Kota Ibushi to face Gedo and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. After a show-stealing match at ECW’s inaugural pay-per-view, Barely Legal ( WATCH), Michinoku was on WWE’s radar, and would be making his debut on a much bigger stage soon. It’s even harder when you don’t speak a lick of Japanese. — TAKAみちのく (@takam777) June 13, 2017. In 2008, WWE fans learned that Funaki was also an expert in the martial arts. Last week, Kaientai Dojo held TAKA Michinoku’s 25th Anniversary show. 1 announcer. And Michinoku, who shot to fame alongside fellow countryman Funaki in the 1990s and early noughties as tag-team Kaientai in WWE, is now set to pay a heavy price. For more information on Funaki Dojo, visit www.FunakiDojo.com. TAKA Michinoku Active Also known as Taka Michinoku, BLUE-K, Pepe Michinoku, PIZA Michinoku WRESTLING legend and NJPW star Taka Michinoku has been suspended without pay for a year for an illicit affair. After debuting with the company in July 1997, that December he defeated Brian Christopher to become the promotion's first Light Heavyweight Champion. 10. He held the now defunct title for ten months until he was beaten by Christian in October 1998. ( WATCH) Led by the devious Yamaguchi-San, the latest incarnation of Kaientai made life hell for Michinoku. Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Unfortunately, whoever did the voice dubbing for the two “EEEEEEEVILLLL” Superstars during their WWE tenure wasn’t available. The opportunity didn’t come in the ring, but backstage, when an official gave him a microphone and asked him to handle some interviewing. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Funaki was joined by Togo and Teioh, and the three invaded WWE the night after WrestleMania XIV, when they attacked Taka. We thought about what looks good, how to speak better English, all sorts of things.”, It turned out that their mastery of English wouldn’t need to be a big concern. TAKA Michinoku (September 4, 1992 - Present ) Pepe Michinoku (March 12, 2007 - December 16, 2007 ) BLUE-K (August 3, 2003 - September 30, 2005 ) Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) Weight. The exciting stable of wrestlers caused a stir in Japan, so much so that American companies had to take notice. ( WATCH) Taka made such a big impression on WWE officials that he soon earned a full-time contract. As the first recognised WWE Light Heavyweight Champion, Taka Michinoku will always be able to claim a piece of company history. Twitter: BorneoSights Twitter: BorneoSights. Taka Michinoku official Sherdog mixed martial arts stats, photos, videos, breaking news, and more for the fighter from . From there, we dialed out to Japan, where it was just after midnight. Taka was the Light Heavyweight Champion at the time and he defended it against Águila, who is another forgotten WrestleMania competitor, with this match being one that most fans aren't aware of. We’re sure he will make an excellent father indeed. Funaki, now on his own, was searching for a way to stay fresh. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Taka Michinoku's World Wrestling Federation career was memorable for three reasons. 10 Taka Michinoku (WrestleMania XIV) The Light Heavyweight Championship isn't one that a lot of fans remember as much as other mid-card titles, so those matches are typically forgotten anyway. Damian Lewis reveals Peaky Blinders star wife Helen McCrory has died aged 52, Queen seen for 1st time since Philip's death as she takes new puppies for walk, Royal Mail postman 'calls house a "f***ing s***hole"' as he delivers letters, Cricket player DIES after batsman strikes his head with speeding ball, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Debuting in 1991, Dick Togo first made his mark in the now defunct Universal Pro-Wrestling organization. In fact, they’d have all their talking done for them. News . WWF Light Heavyweight Champion (as Taka Michinoku) 315 days: Matches: 25.08.1997 - 18.12.1997: FMW World Junior Heavyweight Champion (2x) 115 days: Matches: 05.05.1996 - 29.06.1997: FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Champion: 420 days: Matches The 5'8" Taka Michinoku will always be best known in wrestling for a WWE run with admittedly mixed blessings, but his entire career reflects that of a grizzled and hardened wrestling veteran. 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