Kaz Hayashi

Kaz Hayashi

Hayashi in March 2012.
Birth name Kazuhiro Hayashi
Born May 18, 1973[1][2]
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan[1][2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) El Gringo[1]
The Great Hayashi[1]
Glacier II
Kaz Hayashi[1]
Kazu Hayashi
Miguel Hayashi Jr.
Shiryu[1]
Billed height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Billed weight 83 kg (183 lb)[2]
Trained by Gran Hamada
Último Dragón
Debut November 19, 1992[1][2]

Kazuhiro "Kaz" Hayashi (born May 18, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling,[1] where he was also the head booker for the company's junior division.

Career

Early career (1992–1997)

For much of his early career, Hayashi wrestled in Michinoku Pro under a mask, using the name Shiryu (Growing Dragon in Japanese). As Shiryu, he was part of the memorable rudo group, Kaientai Deluxe, which waged war with Michinoku Pro's Sekigun for many years, producing some classic matches. In June, 1997, he left for Mexico and Promo Azteca, before joining WCW in the United States in October of that year.

World Championship Wrestling (1997–2001)

After unmasking, Hayashi joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1998. Early on, he was relegated to a jobber and comedy character. He would be taken under the management of Sonny Onoo and even come to inherit Glacier's ceremonial armor and light show for a time. In late 1999, Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara began booking WCW programs and Hayashi was paired with La Parka. During interviews, the two would speak in their native languages which would be humorously dubbed over by charismatic English speakers, calling him names such as "The Kaz Master" and "Kazanova". This ended shortly when La Parka became upset and tossed the microphone down as Ferrera was speaking.

In mid 2000, Hayashi formed the stable Jung Dragons along with Jamie-San and Yang. Primarily feuding with 3 Count, the Jung Dragons consisted of high-flying cruiserweight talent and gained considerable popularity until the group's demise the following year.

World Wrestling Federation (2001–2002)

Hayashi's contract was bought by World Wrestling Federation (WWF) when WCW folded in early 2001. He made his WWF debut during the Invasion storyline as a member of The Alliance, making only one appearance before heading back to Japan.[3]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002–2013)

Hayashi in November 2010.

After returning to Japan, Hayashi eventually decided to join All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) due to his friendship with Keiji Mutoh and established himself as one of their top stars, winning the World Junior Heavyweight Championship and both the World Tag Team Championship and the All Asia Tag Team Championship with Satoshi Kojima. In 2006, Hayashi won the 2006 Junior Heavyweight Singles League Championship.

Now under the name Miguel Hayashi Jr., Hayashi, PEPE Michinoku, and El NOSAWA Mendoza formed a team during the AJPW Champion Carnival called Mexico Amigos. Nobutaka Araya joined the team after six-man Action between Mexico Amigos and Araya/Fuchi/Hirai at the Carnival's final show.

After multiple bouts against Minoru Suzuki, Nosawa offered Suzuki an invitation into Mexico Amigos, which he declined. This resulted in the group changing multiple assets. Their name was changed to Mexico Amigos Black, the previous worn Mexican Flag attire became Black and Gold attire, and Nobutaka Araya was kicked out of the group. The groups is currently in a heated rivalry with Mazada's Samurai New Japan group, Minoru Suzuki, and Voodoo Murders.

At AJPW's "Fan Appreciation Day" show, The Mexico Amigos teamed with Ray Suzuki and defeated Ryuji Hijikata, Kikutaro, T28 and Ryuji Yamaguchi. After the match, Ray Suzuki reveled himself as Minoru Suzuki and stated that starting next year he would throw his Amigos tights away and return to NOSAWA Rongai, then kidnapped him to start early training. This led to Pepe and Miguel stating they would return to Mexico, but Kaz and Taka would return come the new year. After one last "Viva Mexico", the Mexico Amigos disbanded.

On February 6, 2009, Hayashi defeated Naomichi Marufuji to win the World Junior Heavyweight Championship for a second time. During Hayashi's 23 month reign, he successfully defended the title a record–breaking seventeen times. He would lose the title to Minoru on January 2, 2011.[4]

Hayashi in November 2010.

In June 2013, Hayashi announced his resignation from All Japan in the aftermath of Nobuo Shiraishi taking over as the president and Keiji Mutoh leaving the promotion.[5] Hayashi's final match for the promotion took place on June 30 and saw him and his longtime tag team partner Shuji Kondo, who was also leaving All Japan, unsuccessfully challenge Burning (Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki) for the All Asia Tag Team Championship.[6]

Wrestle-1 (2013–present)

On July 10, 2013, Hayashi was announced as part of Keiji Mutoh's new Wrestle-1 promotion.[7][8][9] During the promotion's inaugural event on September 8, Hayashi teamed with Shuji Kondo in a tag team match, where they were defeated by the Big Japan Pro Wrestling team of Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi.[10] As part of a working relationship between Wrestle-1 and American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Hayashi and Kondo earned a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship by defeating Desperado (Kazma Sakamoto and Masayuki Kono) on February 15, 2014.[11] On March 2 at Kaisen: Outbreak, Hayashi and Kondo unsuccessfully challenged The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship in a three-way match, which also included The BroMans (Jessie Godderz and Robbie E), who went on to win the match and become the new champions.[12] On September 22, Hayashi entered the Wrestle-1 Championship tournament, but was defeated in his first round match by Kondo.[13] On October 12, Hayashi worked TNA's Bound for Glory event in Tokyo, unsuccessfully challenging Samoa Joe for the TNA X Division Championship in a three-way match, which also included Low Ki.[14] In November, Hayashi and Kondo took part in the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions, where they finished second in their block with a record of three wins and one loss, advancing to the semifinals.[15] On November 30, Hayashi and Kondo first defeated Kai and Ryota Hama in the semifinals and then Akira and Manabu Soya in the finals to win the tournament and become the inaugural Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions.[16]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 "Kaz Hayashi profile". OWOW. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 カズ・ハヤシ. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-09-09.
  3. ↑ citation needed
  4. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (2011-01-02). "Complete Sunday update: Legendary feud, ratings, long time champ drops title today, Reaction to UFC". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  5. ↑ 武藤新団体に船木が合流へ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  6. ↑ "2013 プロレスLove in 両国～an abiding belief～". All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  7. ↑ "武藤敬司が新団体『Wrestle-1』を旗揚げ". Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  8. ↑ "武藤が新団体「Wrestle-1」設立". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  9. ↑ "武藤新団体は「Wrestle-1」". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  10. ↑ "武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦". Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  11. ↑ "【Wrestle-1】TNA三大タイトル挑戦者決定戦". Battle News (in Japanese). 2014-02-15. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  12. ↑ "Fighting Entertainment Wrestle-1 「開戦～Outbreak～」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  13. ↑ "Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2014-09-22. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
  14. ↑ McNeish, Greg (2014-10-12). "TNA Bound for Glory PPV Results - 10/12/14 (From Tokyo, Japan)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
  15. ↑ "「First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～」公式戦全日程終了！11月30日（日）東京・後楽園ホール（18時試合開始）大会での決勝トーナメント組み合わせ決定のお知らせ". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2014-11-28. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2014-11-30.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 World Championship Wrestling (2001-03-21). "Air Raid Vs Jung Dragons". WCW Thunder.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 World Championship Wrestling (1999-09-12). "Lenny Lane vs Kaz Hayashi". WCW Fall Brawl.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 World Championship Wrestling, TNT (2000-06-19). "3 Count Vs Jung Dragons". WCW Monday Nitro.
  20. ↑ World Championship Wrestling, TNT (2000-08-07). "Dark Carnival Vs Jung Dragons". WCW Monday Nitro.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 合体技“狼殺しウノ＆ドス”披露。ウルブズ撃破で「僕とカズさんでアメリカに行く」～カズ・ハヤシ選手＆近藤修司選手、公開練習. Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/alljap/ajtourn.htm
  23. ↑ http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/results/08nyshiningseries.php
  24. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2008". Retrieved 4 February 2015.

External links