Tatsumi Fujinami

Professional wrestling career

Japanese Wrestling Association (1971) Fujinami was trained to wrestle by Antonio Inoki, Karl Gotch, and Kotetsu Yamamoto. He debuted in the Japanese Wrestling Association (JWA) in 1971 at the age of 17. His early opponents included Akio Sato and Mitsuo Momota.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1972–1975) When Inoki was fired from JWA in 1971, Fujinami and several other wrestlers followed him to his new promotion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Fujinami wrestled his first match for NJPW in March 1972, shortly after its formation. In the early years of his career, he competing in the junior heavyweight division, serving as an opponent for debuting rookies, such as Mr. Pogo, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, and Gran Hamada.

In late-1974, Fujinami, Fujiwara, Hamada and three other rookies competed in the Karl Gotch Cup (a tournament for rookies, forerunner to the later Young Lion Cup). Fujinami won the Cup by defeating Masashi Ozawa in Kariya, Aichi.

International seasoning (1975–1978) Beginning in 1975, Fujinami was sent to wrestle abroad for seasoning. In June 1975, he began wrestling for the Internationaler Berufsringkämpfer-Verband (IBV) in Germany. He made his final appearance for the IBV in October 1975.

In December 1975, Fujinami made his United States debut in a match for NWA Hollywood Wrestling, defeating Mickey Doyle in a bout in Los Angeles' Grand Olympic Auditorium.

In March 1976, Fujinami began wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions in the United States as "Dr. Fujinami" (or "Dr. Fujiani"). He wrestled his final match for Jim Crockett Promotions in March 1977, losing to Ricky Ferrara in the Richmond Arena.

In May 1977, Fujinami began wrestling for Mexico's Universal Wrestling Association (UWA). In his debut match, he unsuccessfully challenged UWA World Middleweight Champion René Guajardo in Monterrey's Plaza de Toros La Monumental. Later that month, he unsuccessfully challenged UWA World Light Heavyweight Champion El Solitario in the Palacio de los Deportes. He left the UWA in December 1977.

After a brief return to NWA Hollywood Wrestling, in January 1978, Fujinami debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). In his debut match in New York City's Madison Square Garden, he defeated José Estrada for the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship. Later that month, he successfully defended the title against the Masked Canadian in the Grand Olympic Auditorium. In February 1978, he successfully defended the title against Ted Adams in Madison Square Garden.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1978–2006)

Junior Heavyweight Champion (1978–1981)

In March 1978, Fujinami returned to NJPW, having spent nearly three years wrestling around the world. He brought the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship with him, defending it both in NJPW and overseas. In April–May 1978, Fujinami competed in the inaugural MSG Series round robin tournament, placing fourth with 38 points. In November–December 1978, he competed in the Pre-Japan Championship League, which was won by Antonio Inoki.

In April–June 1979, Fujinami took part in the second MSG Series tournament, placing fifth with 22 points. In October 1979, he lost the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship to Ryuma Go in the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, ending his reign after 21 months. He regained the title from Go just two days later in Tokyo's Kuramae Kokugikan.

In February 1980, Fujinami faced NWA International Junior Heavyweight Champion Steve Keirn in a title versus title match in the Nakajima Sports Center in Sapporo; he defeated Keirn to become a double champion. Later that month, he lost the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship to Mike Graham in a bout for Championship Wrestling from Florida in the Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida. In April 1980, Fujinami regained the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship from Graham in a bout in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. In April–June 1980, he competed in the third MSG Series, placing six with 20 points. In July 1980, he vacated the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship. In August 1980, Fujinami successfully defended his WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship against Chavo Guerrero at the WWWF's Showdown at Shea event in New York City's Shea Stadium. In November–December 1980, Fujinami and Kengo Kimura competed in the inaugural MSG Tag League, placing sixth with 15 points.

In May–June 1981, Fujinami competed in the fourth MGS Series tournament, placing sixth with 29 points. In November–December 1981, he competed in the second MSG Tag League with Antonio Inoki as his partner; the duo placed joint second with eight points. In December 1981, he vacated the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship upon moving to NJPW's heavyweight division, ending his second reign after 14 months.

Heavyweight division (1981–1985)

In late-1981, Fujinami was moved to the heavyweight division to make room for Tiger Mask in the junior heavyweight division.

On March 19, 2015, it was announced that Fujinami would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2015. Fujinami was inducted by Ric Flair at the ceremony, which took place on March 28 in San Jose, California. On July 12, it was announced that Fujinami had signed a "Legends" deal with WWE. The contract effectively made him an ambassador for WWE, but did not restrict his Japanese bookings.

On January 4, 2020, Fujinami was a part of Jushin Thunder Liger's team for the first of Liger's retirement matches at Wrestle Kingdom 14. On January 4, 2022, he was a part of Wrestle Kingdom 16 as a surprise entrant in the New Japan Ranbo battle royal.

On January 4, 2023, Fujinami was part of an Antonio Inoki memorial 6-man tag. He teamed with Minoru Suzuki and Tiger Mask in a losing effort against Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima, and Yuji Nagata. It was the last match of the Wrestle Kingdom 17 pre show.

Personal life Fujinami is married to a woman named Kaori. He received a WWE tryout in July 2015.

Championships and accomplishments

Catch Wrestling Association CWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship (1 time) DDT Pro-Wrestling KO-D Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mikami International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2021 New Japan Pro-Wrestling IWGP Heavyweight Championship (6 times) and Osamu Nishimura (1) NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times) NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) WCWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) WWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time, final) WWF International Tag Team Championship (1 time, final) – with Kengo Kimura WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) G1 Climax (1993) IWGP Tag Title League (1985) - with Kengo Kimura Japan Cup Tag League (1987) - with Kengo Kimura Super Grade Tag League (1991) – with Big Van Vader Karl Gotch Cup (1974) Pacific Northwest Wrestling NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Pro Wrestling Heat Up PWL World Championship (1 time) Heat Up Universal Championship (1 time) Heat Up Universal Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Kazuhiro Tamura Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #31 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 Ranked No. 12 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Antonio Inoki in 2003 Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Match of the Year Award (1986) vs. Akira Maeda on June 12 Technique Award (1979) WWF International Heavyweight Championship (3 times) WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times) Niigata Pro Wrestling Niigata Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Leona Gojappe Pro Wrestling GJP Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Technical Wrestler (1985, 1986, 1988) Most Outstanding Wrestler (1988) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)