Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura is not to be confused with Shunsuke Nakamura, the Japanese soccer player.Shinsuke Nakamura (ä¸é‚‘真è¼"; Nakamura Shinsuke) is a
Japanese professional wrestler currently working for
New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Shinsuke Nakamura joined NJPW in
2002 and quickly began making a name for himself as a bright prospect for the company. Having earned the nickname "Super Rookie", Nakamura impressed both NJPW officials and fans with an excellent combination of strength, speed, and technical skill. On
December 9,
2003, Nakamura defeated
Hiroyoshi Tenzan for the
IWGP Heavyweight Title, thus becoming the youngest wrestler in history to win the title. Nakamura held the
IWGP World Tag Team Championship with
Hiroshi Tanahashi after winning it in a decision match by beating
Kensuke Sasaki and
Minoru Suzuki at the end of
2004. They left for an excursion to
Mexico where they feuded with
Los Guerreros del Infierno and defended their titles against
Rey Bucanero and
OlÃmpico. A few weeks later, on
October 30,
2005, they lost the titles to
Masahiro Chono and Tenzan.
Shinsuke Nakamura also has competed in
Vale Tudo against the likes of
Alexey Ignashov and
"Giant" Nortje in various
mixed martial arts events.
Nakamura challenged
Brock Lesnar for the
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on
January 4,
2006, but lost.
In March 2006, Nakamura announced that he will depart on a learning excursion in order to further improve his wrestling skills. Among other things, he will travel to Mexico, Brazil and Russia, as well as train with
Brock Lesnar at his personal gym in order to gain muscle mass.
NJPW President
Simon Inoki later suggested that as part of his learning excursion, Nakamura will be loaned to
WWE to gain experience in working large American shows; this was reportedly at the request of
John Laurinaitis and
Dean Malenko. However, this is mostly speculation at this point -- and may be moot, as with Lesnar's departure, the primary (kayfabe) reason has gone, while (out of kayfabe) New Japan may need Nakamura's presence more immediately.
*Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
*Weight: 104 kg (229 lb)
*Born:
February 14,
1980*Town of birth:
Mineyama, Kyoto,
Japan*Debut:
August 29,
2002 against
Tadao YasudaFinishing and signature moves
*
Shining Triangle (Steps off one of the opponent's knees and applies a
triangle choke)
*
Cross armbreakerEl Niño (
Springboard moonsault knee drop)
*
Front sleeper*
German suplex holdTepito*
New Japan Pro Wrestling:*1-Time
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion:*1-Time
IWGP World Tag Team Champion, (w/
Hiroshi Tanahashi):*1-Time
IWGP U-30 Champion:*1-Time NWF Heavyweight Champion
#
Report of Nakamura going to WWE from Strong Style Spirit#
Follow-up on #1, also from Strong Style Spirit#
Newspaper article of Nakamura's move to WWE (in Japanese)
*
Profile at Puroresufan.com
