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Mr. Fuji

[Mr. Fuji GALLERY]

[Japanese Wrestlers GALLERY]

[Fuji/Saito] [Fuji/Tanaka]

Wrestlers Managed

  • George Steele
  • Magnificent Muraco
  • The Moondogs
  • Killer Kahn
  • Jim Neidhart
  • Sika Kamala
  • Demolition (Ax / Smash / Crush)
  • Powers of Pain
  • Warlord
  • Barbarian Berzerker
  • Orient Express
  • Crush
  • Yokozuna
  • Owen Hart

Title History

  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Curtis Iaukea defeating Neff Maivia and James Blears (January 7, 1965);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles w/ Haru Sasaki defeating Pepper Martin and Rene Goulet (July 27, 1966);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles w/ Tony Borne defeating Shag Thomas and Rene Goulet (October 27, 1966);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles w/ Haru Sasaki defeating The Claw and Beauregard (August 1, 1970);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight title defeating Moondog Mayne (August 8, 1970);
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles w/ Haru Sasaki defeating Tony Borne and Moondog Mayne (November 12, 1970);
  • IWA (Australia) World Tag Team titles w/ Tiger Jeet Singh defeating Curtis Iaukea and Mark Lewin (May 1971);
  • WWWF World Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka defeating Jay Strongbow and Sonny King (June 27, 1972);
  • WWWF World Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka defeating Haystacks Calhoun and Tony Garea (September 11, 1973);
  • NWA Georgia Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka won a tournament (September 19, 1975);
  • NWA (San Francisco) United States Heavyweight title defeating Pat Patterson (Febuary 7, 1976);
  • WWWF World Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka defeating Larry Zbyszko and Tony Garea for vacant titles (September 27, 1977);
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team titles w/ Karl Von Steiger defeating John Tolos and Steve Strong (August 16, 1978);
  • AWA Southern Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka defeating Robert Fuller and Bill Dundee (May 14, 1979);
  • NWA Southeastern Tag Team titles w/ Toru Tanaka defeating Buddy and Ron Fuller (June 29, 1979);
  • NWA (New Zealand) British Empire Commonwealth Heavyweight title defeating Peter Maivia (September 3, 1979);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Heavyweight title defeating Invader I (January 26, 1980);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Tag Team titles w/ Pierre Martel beat Dick Brower and Luke Graham (May 23, 1980);
  • NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Team titles w/ Genichiro Tenryu defeating George Wells and Dewey Robertson (Febuary 7, 1981);
  • NWA (Toronto) Canadian Heavyweight title defeating Angelo Mosca (July 12, 1981);
  • WWF World Tag Team titles w/ Mr. Saito defeating Rick Martel and Tony Garea (October 31, 1981);
  • WWF World Tag Team titles w/ Mr. Saito defeating Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow (July 13, 1982);

Career Highlights

NWA: Pacific Northwest Wrestling:

  • July 27, 1966: Mr. Fuji and Haru Sasaki defeated Rene Goulet and Pepper Martin to win the Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • October 6, 1966: Rene Goulet and Shag Thomas beat Mr Fuji and Haru Sasaki for the Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • October 27, 1966: Mr. Fuji and Tony Bourne defeated Rene Goulet and Shag Thomas for the Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • December 10, 1966: Pepper Martin and Shag Thomas dethrone Mr Fuji and Tony Bourne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag titles.
  • August 1, 1970: Mr. Fuji and Haru Sasaki defeat Beauregard and The Claw to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • August 8, 1970: Mr. Fuji defeats Moondog Mayne to win the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight title.
  • October 28, 1970: Tony Bourne and Moondog Mayne beat Mr. Fuji and Haru Sasaki for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • November 12, 1970: Mr. Fuji and Haru Sasaki regain the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • November 28, 1970: Tony Bourne and Moondog Mayne defeated Mr. Fuji and Haru Sasaki for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles.
  • May 1971 – IWA: Mr. Fuji and Tiger Jeet Sigh defeated Mark Lewin and King Curtis Iaukea to win the IWA Tag Team titles.

World Wide Wrestling Federation:

  • 1972: Mr. Fuji joined Vince McMahon Sr’s World Wide Wrestling Federation.
  • Mr. Fuji forms a tag team with Professor Toru Tanaka and were managed by the Grand Wizard.
  • ~~~Toru Tanaka provided his massive physical strength while Mr Fuji brought his devious ring psychology to the team.
  • June 27, 1972: Mr. Fuji and Prof. Toru Tanaka defeated Sonny King and Chief Jay Strongbow to win the WWWF Tag Team titles.
  • August 22, 1972: Mr. Fuji receives a WWWF title shot against champion Pedro Morales.
  • October 16, 1972 – MSG: Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka wrestle Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino in the main event of the card.
  • May 30, 1973: Tony Garea and Haystacks Calhoun defeated Mr Fuji and Toru Tanaka to win the WWWF Tag Team titles.
  • September 11, 1973: Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Tony Garea and Haystacks Calhoun to recapture the WWWF Tag Team titles.

Touring the Territories:

  • September 19, 1975 – NWA Georgia: Mr. Fuji and Prof. Toru Tanaka win the NWA Georgia Tag Team titles in a tournament final.
  • November 14, 1973: Tony Garea and Dean Ho defeated Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka to win the WWWF Tag Team titles.
  • February 7, 1976 – NWA San Francisco: Mr. Fuji defeats Pat Patterson for the NWA United States title.
  • February 12, 1977: Mr. Fuji leaves the NWA San Francisco territory and is stripped of the U.S. title and banned.

World Wide Wrestling Federation:

  • Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka take Classy Freddie Blassie on as their manager.
  • September 27, 1977: Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Tony Garea and Larry Zbyszko in the tournament final to win their 3rd Tag titles.
  • January 23, 1978 – MSG: Fuji/Tanaka/Stan Stasiak/Mikel Scicluna wrestled Bob Backlund/Peter Maivia/Tony Garea/Larry Zbyzsko.
  • February 20, 1978 – MSG: Mil Mascaras defeated Mr. Fuji.
  • May 20, 1978 – MSG: Dusty Rhodes/Mil Mascaras/Andre the Giant defeated Mr. Fuji/Toru Tanaka/Ken Patera in a “2-out-of-3” falls match.

Touring the Territories:

  • August 16, 1978 – NWA Hawaii: Mr. Fuji and Karl Von Steiger defeated Steve Strong and John Tolos to win the NWA Hawaii Tag titles.
  • May 14, 1979 – AWA: Mr. Fuji and Toru Tanaka defeated Bill Dundee and Robert Fuller to win the AWA Southern Tag Team titles.
  • June 29, 1979 – NWA Southeastern: Fuji/Tanaka beat Ron Fuller and Buddy Fuller to win the NWA Southerneastern Tag Team titles.
  • 1979 – NWA New Zealand: Mr. Fuji defeated Peter Maivia to win the British Empire/Commonwealth title.
  • ~~~Rick Martel defeated Mr. Fuji for the British Empire/Commonwealth title.
  • January 26, 1980 – WWC: Mr. Fuji defeated Invader 1 to win the WWC North American title.
  • May 23, 1980: Mr. Fuji and Pierre Martel defeated Luke Graham and Bulldog Brower to win the WWC North American Tag Team titles.
  • Feb 7, 1981 – NWA Mid-Atlantic: Mr. Fuji and Gen’ichiro Tenyru beat Dewey Robertson and George Wells for the Mid-Atlantic Tag titles.
  • July 12, 1981 – NWA Canada: Mr. Fuji defeated Angelo Mosca to win the NWA Canadian Heavyweight title.

World Wrestling Federation:

  • Mr. Fuji returns to the WWF and forms a new tag team with Mr. Saito, managed by Captain Lou Albano.
  • October 13, 1981: Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito defeated Tony Garea and Rick Martel to win the WWF Tag Team titles.
  • June 28, 1982 – MSG: Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow defeated Mr Fuji and Mr Saito for the WWF Tag Team titles.
  • July 13, 1982: Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito defeated the Strongbows to regain the WWF Tag Team titles.

World Wrestling Federation – Manager:

  • 1985: Mr. Fuji slowly makes the transition from wrestler to manager and took on George “the Animal” Steele as his first client.
  • In one of the WWFs most infamous moments, George Steele and Mr. Fuji team up against Hulk Hogan and “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
  • George Steele would eventually turn face and leave Mr. Fuji, who would then begin managing Magnificent Don Muraco.
  • Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco were part of a famous Tuesday Night Titans skit called “Fuji Vice” – a mock soap opera.
  • Mr. Fuji briefly managed Jim Neidhart before selling his contract to Jimmy Hart, who would create the Hart Foundation.
  • Mr. Fuji also managed a tag team known as the Moondogs — an unorthadox team made up of Rex, King and Spot.
  • September 14, 1985 WWF Championship Wrestling: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat defeated Mr. Fuji.
  • October 31, 1985 – Saturday Night Main Event: Ricky Steamboat defeated Mr. Fuji in a Martial Arts match.
  • December 19, 1985 – Saturday Night Main Event: Junkyard Dog and Ricky Steamboat defeat Mr. Fuji and Magnificent Muraco.
  • WrestleMania II: Mr. Fuji managed the Magnificent Muraco in the opening match against Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff.
  • Mr. Fuji brings Kamala into his stable for a brief time and even had Kamala eat a live chicken on the Tuesday Night Titans program!
  • Magnificent Muraco hosts the Body Shop, a WWF Talk Show that replaced Pipers Pit when Piper left for a brief time.
  • ~~~Mr. Fuji also gained the services of “Cowboy” Bob Orton who came with the Talk Show deal.
  • WrestleMania III: Mr. Fuji manages Magnificent Muraco and Bob Orton in the opening match against the Can-Am Connection.
  • Mr. Fuji gains the contracts of Demolition from Johnny V, and also re-introduced Killer Khan back into the WWF, as well as Sika.
  • ~~~Killer Khan received a number of WWF title shots against Hulk Hogan.
  • WrestleMania IV: Mr. Fuji leads Demolition to victory when they defeated Strike Force for the WWF Tag Team titles.
  • SummerSlam 1988: Mr. Fuji (accompanied by Jimmy Hart) manages Demolition to defeat the Hart Foundation to retain the Tag titles.
  • Survivor Series 1988: Mr. Fuji turns against Demolitions and aligns himself with the Powers of Pain.
  • ~~~Mr. Fuji helps the Powers of Pain become the sole survivors when Fuji deliberately trips one of the Conquestadors with his cane.
  • ~~~After the match, Warlord and Barbarian lift up Mr. Fuji onto their shoulders as the crowd gives a confused reaction.
  • ~~~Later on in the card, Mr. Fuji and the Powers of Pain cut a promo which then confirms their heel status.
  • WrestleMania V: Demolition defeated Mr. Fuji and the Powers of Pain in a handicapped match to retain the Tag titles.
  • Mr. Fuji managed Kendo Nagasaki during his very brief stint with the WWF.
  • Royal Rumble 1990: Mr. Fuji and Bobby Heenan get into a brief shoving match over Andre the Giant eliminating the Warlord.
  • February 13, 1990 – Superstars of Wrestling: Mr. Fuji introduces the Orient Express (Pat Tanaka and Akio Sato)
  • February 20, 1990 – Superstars of Wrestling: Mr. Fuji sells the Warlord and Barbarian separate contracts to Slick and Bobby Heenan!
  • WrestleMania VI: Mr. Fuji manages the Orient Express to victory over the Rockers by count out.
  • SummerSlam 1990: Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Nikolai Volkoff defeat the Orient Express.
  • Akio Sato leaves the WWF and is replaced by the masked Kato (Paul Diamond-‘secret’ reunion of ex-AWA tag team Badd Company).
  • October 9, 1990 – Superstars: Mr Fuji organised an ambush where Orient Express and Demolition ran out for a 5-on-2 attack the LOD.
  • ~~~The signified Mr. Fuji’s reunion with Demolition – Ax, Smash, and Crush.
  • Late 1990: Mr. Fuji teamed up with the Orient Express to face Legion of Doom in handicapped matches.
  • Royal Rumble 1991: Mr. Fuji leads the Orient Express in the match against the Rockers.
  • ~~~Later in the card, Mr. Fuji accompanied Smash and Crush to the ring for the Royal Rumble match.
  • WrestleMania VII: Koji Kitao and Genichiro Tenryu defeat Demolition (managed by Mr. Fuji).
  • Not long after, Mr. Fuji severed his ties with Demolition and Crush leaves the WWF.
  • Mr. Fuji adds the Berzerker to his stable of wrestlers.
  • April 24, 1991 – UK Rampage ’91: The Rockers (accompanied by Andre the Giant) defeat the Orient Express.
  • ~~~Before the match started, the Rockers brought out Andre to counter Mr. Fuji’s interference.
  • Royal Rumble 1992: Mr. Fuji accompanies the Orient Express in the opening match against the New Foundation.
  • Mr. Fuji brings in the mammoth Yokozuna.
  • Survivor Series 1992: Yokozuna makes his WWF ppv debut squashing Virgil.
  • Royal Rumble 1993: Yokozuna wins the Royal Rumble, earning him a shot at the WWF Title at WrestleMania IX.
  • Mr. Fuji abandons the Berzerker.
  • WrestleMania IX: Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart for the WWF title when Mr. Fuji throws salt into Bret Harts eyes.
  • ~~~After the match, Mr. Fuji issues an open challenge to the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan, who comes out and wins the WWF title!
  • King of the Ring 1993: Yokozuna defeated Hulk Hogan to regain the WWF title.
  • July 12, 1993 – Monday Night Raw: Mr. Fuji is in the corner of Yokozuna as he defeats Crush to retain the WWF title.
  • ~~~After the match, Yokozuna repeatedly executes the Bonzai drop on Crush until Randy Savage makes the save!
  • Mr. Fuji and Yokozuna enlist the help of Jim Cornette as their American Spokesperson.
  • SummerSlam 1993: Lex Luger defeats Yokozuna by count out.
  • Royal Rumble 1994: Yokozuna needed 9 other men to help him defeat the Undertaker in a Casket Match.
  • WrestleMania X: Mr. Fuji accompanies Crush to the ring for his match against “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
  • ~~~Later in the card, Mr. Fuji appeared two more times to co-manage Yokozuna for his matches against Lex Luger and Bret Hart.
  • King of the Ring 1994: Mr. Fuji accompanies Yokozuna and Crush to the ring for their match against the Headshrinkers.
  • Survivor Series 1994: Mr. Fuji accompanies Yokozuna for his second casket match against the Undertaker.
  • WrestleMania XI: Mr. Fuji accompanies Yokozuna to the ring as Owen Harts mystery tag team partner!
  • ~~~Owen Hart and Yokozuna defeated the Smokin’ Gunns for the WWF Tag Team titles!
  • In Your House: Owen Hart and Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette) defeated The Smoking Gunns to retain.
  • King of the Ring 1995: Savio Vega defeats Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji) by count out to qualify for the 2nd round of the KotR tournament.
  • July 23, 1995 – In Your House: Owen Hart and Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette) defeated the Allied Powers to retain.
  • October 22, 1995 – In Your House: Yokozuna and Mabel wrestle to a Double disqualification.
  • Mr. Fuji’s long WWF career comes to and end and is phased out of the picture.
  • Mr. Fuji retires due to health problems that prevent him from travelling
  • WrestleMania XII: Mr. Fuji makes a special appearance accompanying Yokozuna (recently turned face) in the opening match.

American Wrestling Federation:

  • Mr. Fuji made a few brief appearances in Tito Santana’s upstart American Wrestling Federation, airing on the FOX network.
  • Mr. Fuji retired from wrestling and became a ticket-taker at a movie theatre (I think?) somewhere in Tennessee.

WWE Hall of Fame:

  • March 12, 2007 – RAW: The devious Mr. Fuji will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2007.
  • March 31, 2007 – Hall of Fame: Mr. Fuji was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his protege Don Muraco in Detroit, Michigan.
  • April 1, 2007 – WrestleMania 23: Mr. Fuji and the other HOF inductees were introduced to the audience at Fords Field in Detroit.
  • August 28, 2016: Mr. Fuji passed away at the age of 82 of natural causes.
Updated:

Trained By

Debut

1966-1985

Birthday

May 4, 1935

Hometown

Originally: Hawaii

Gender

Male

Height

5'10"

Weight

235 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Kamikaze Clothesline

Favorite Move(s)

Cobra Hold

Notable Feuds

Hillbilly Jim,
Demolition,
Powers of Pain

Status

Deceased