Magnum TOKYO

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Katsumasa Kuroki
Statistics
Ring name(s) Magnum TOKYO,
Tokyo Magnum
Billed height 180 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Billed weight 83 kg (187 lb)
Born January 9, 1973(1973-01-09)
Nerima-ku, Tokyo
Billed from Tokyo, Japan
Trained by Ultimo Dragon
Debut May 11, 1997, vs. Nobuhiko Oshima
Retired April 2007

Magnum TOKYO, (born Katsumasa Kuroki on January 9, 1973 in Nerima-ku, Tokyo, Japan) is a retired professional wrestler that wrestled primarily for Dragon Gate (formerly Toryumon Japan). He also competed briefly for WCW (from April until November of 1998) as "Tokyo Magnum."

Contents

[edit] Career

Magnum TOKYO is a popular mainstay in Japan's Dragon Gate promotion. He was trained by Ultimo Dragon and graduated from Dragon's "Toryumon Gym" in 1997, making his professional debut on May 11 of that year.

[edit] World Championship Wrestling

Less than a year into his professional career, he gained some mainstream notoriety in North America with WCW in the Spring and Summer of 1998. While there, he participated in a brief program wherein he wanted to become a member of The Dancing Fools (a tag team consisting of Disco Inferno and Alex Wright), and would appear dancing behind them (without their knowledge) during their entrance. The program came to a head when his interference backfired in a tag team match between The Dancing Fools and The Public Enemy at the 1998 "Road Wild" pay-per-view. Two nights later on the August 10 edition of Monday Nitro, he was told by Wright and Disco Inferno that if he wanted to be a member of The Dancing Fools, he needed to impress them in a match against Eddie Guerrero. He lost the match in under two minutes, which would be his last appearance with the company until he returned briefly in October and November of that same year. During those two months, he appeared sporadically in squash matches and as a participant in the annual "World War 3" battle royal on November 22, 1998. One night later (on the November 23 edition of Monday Nitro) he made his final televised appearance for WCW in a loss against Kanyon.

[edit] Return to Japan

Magnum TOKYO has become popular in Japan for both his high-flying junior-heavyweight style (a style common amongst students of Ultimo Dragon) and his elaborate entrances, which have included dancing through the crowd and dance sequences in the ring with his own dance troupe. His gimmick is that of an adult entertainer, and he often wears eye-masks to the ring while carrying a pink umbrella. At one point in his career, some members of the crowd would actually stuff dollar bills into his tights. Magnum Tokyo most recently competed for the Dragon Gate promotion as part of the "Do Fixer" faction.

[edit] Retirement

Unfortunately, tragedy struck Magnum's career in 2006. TOKYO suffered a very serious eye injury in August 2006. After being out for 7 months with little to no improvement to the condition of his eye, TOKYO announced his retirement in April 2007.

[edit] In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • Nicknames
  • Mr. Viagra (Pre-2002)
  • Mr. Egoist (2002-2007)
  • Stables
  • Toryumon Japan Seikigun
  • M2K
  • Do Fixer
  • Pos. HEARTS

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

  • IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Championship (1 time)
  • Michinoku Pro Wrestling
  • Ultimo Dragon Gym Championship (1 time)
  • UWA World Trios Championship (1 time) – with Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito
  • 1997 Young Dragons Cup winner
  • 2002 El Numero Uno League winner

[edit] References

Languages