For these ten years, the wrestling business has changed kaleidoscopically. As The Rock's father, "Soulman" Rocky Johnson, said, "Everything you see actually happens."
When Gen-ichiro Tenryu appeared and shook hands with Mrs. Motoko Baba (widow of the late Shohei "Giant" Baba), Toshiaki Kawada, Masanobu Fuchi, and Maunakea Mossman at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 2, all the feelings of love and hate were awakened. Tenryu jumped from All Japan Pro Wrestling to a new promotion in April 1990. Since then, he was never permitted to return by Mr. & Mrs. Baba.
However, the infamous Mrs. Baba was in death agony when Mitsuharu Misawa, who has had conflicts with Mrs. Baba, and 24 other wrestlers and 18 office workers left her All Japan Pro in the middle of July. On the other hand, Tenryu's contract with New Japan Pro expired in January, and he has worked for FMW as masked "Hayabusa" and faced LLPW's Shinobu Kamdori in a man vs. woman match recently, as if he didn't care about trifles.
This week's View From The Rising Sun (No. 84) will look back at the career of Tenryu from 1977-2000.
Gen-ichiro Tenryu (real name: Gen-ichiro Shimada) was born in Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture on February 2, 1950. He was scouted to become a SUMO wrestler when he was 13 years old. He was a sumo wrestler for 13 years.
October 15, 1976
Gen-ichiro Tenryu joined Giant Baba's All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Baba sent him to Amarillo, Texas to be trained by Dory Funk Jr.
November 13, 1976---Hereford City Arena, Hereford, Texas
"Tenryu" drew Ted DiBiase (15 minutes time up)---Tenryu debuted as a professional wrestler
June 11, 1977---Setagaya Ward Gym, Tokyo
Giant Baba & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Mario Milano & Mexico Grande (Ricky Romero) (12:09 Tenryu beat Grande)
September 9, 1977---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
All Asian Tag Team title match
Great Kojika & Motoshi Ohkuma drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Rocky Hata
(1) Tenryu beat Kojika (29:48)
(2) Kojika beat Tenryu (15:24)
(3) 60 minutes time up---Kojika & Ohkuma
December 2 - December 15, 1977
World Open Tag Team Tournament
(1) Dory & Terry Funk
(2) Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta
(3) Abdullah the Butcher & The Sheik
(4) Rusher Kimura & Great Kusatsu, Kintaro Ohki & Kim Duk
(6) Bill Robinson & Horst Hoffman
(7) The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) & Texas Red (Red Bastien)
(8) Akihisa Takachiho (The Great Kabuki) & Mighty Inoue, Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Rocky Hata
Baba sent Tenryu to the Florida and Georgia territories from February 1978 to September 1979. He had gotten into a long slump in those days. He even wore a mask as one of the "Rising Suns" with Sonny Driver, managed by Masao Hattori (now New Japan referee Tiger Hattori), in Florida. Baba sent him again to Jim Crockett Jr.'s Mid-Atlantic area from February 1980 to May 1981.
November 8, 1979---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
All Asian Tag Team title match
Great Kojika & Motoshi Ohkuma beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Akihisa Takachiho (The Great Kabuki) (2-1)
(1) Tenryu beat Ohkuma (19 seconds)
(2) Ohkuma beat Tenryu (20:43)
(3) Ohkuma beat Takachiho (5:33)---Kojika & Ohkuma kept the title
February 7, 1981---Greensboro Coliseum, North Carolina
Mid-Atlantic Tag Team title match
Mr. Fuji & Tenryu beat Dewey Robertson & George Wells
Fuji & Tenryu lost the title to Dewey Robertson & Johnny Weaver.
July 30, 1981---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
International Tag Team title match
Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta beat Bill Robinson & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (2-1)
(1) Robinson beat Baba (14:57)
(2) Baba beat Robinson (5:11)
(3) Baba beat Tenryu (6:05)---Baba & Tsuruta kept the title
October 6, 1981---Miyagi Prefectural Sports Center, Sendai
NWA World Heavyweight title match
Ric Flair beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (2-1)
(1) Flair beat Tenryu (22:59)
(2) Tenryu beat Flair (5:50)
(3) Flair beat Tenryu (3:40)
November 27 - December 13, 1981
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka
(2) Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta
(3) Dory & Terry Funk
(4) Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda
(5) Harley Race & Larry Hennig
(6) The Sheik & Mark Lewin
(7) Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara, Great Kojika & Motoshi Ohkuma, Baron Von Raschke & Killer Karl Krupp
March 19 - April 16, 1982
10th Champion Carnival Tournament
(1) Giant Baba (2) Bruiser Brody (3) Jumbo Tsuruta, Ted DiBiase (5) Gen-ichiro Tenryu (6) Billy Robinson (7) Mongolian Stomper (8) Alexis Smirnoff (9) Buck Robley (10) Mighty Inoue (11) Rocky Hata, Prince Tonga, Motoji Okuma, Akio Sato (15) Takashi Ishikawa (16) Great Kojika (17) Bill Howard (18) Ashura Hara
March 26, 1982---Koshigaya City Gym, Saitama
Giant Baba beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (16:09)---Their first singles match
April 16, 1982---Fukuoka International Center
Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Jumbo Tsuruta (30 minutes time up)---Their first singles match
September 26, 1982
Tenryu married Miss Makiyo Takei at Tokyo Prince Hotel.
October 20, 1982---Aomori Prefectural Gym
International Heavyweight title match
Bruiser Brody beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (12:14)---Brody kept the title
November 26 - December 13, 1982
World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Dory & Terry Funk
(2) Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody, Giant Baba & Jumbo Tsuruta
(4) Harley Race & Dick Slater
(5) Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara
(6) Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood
(7) Super Destroyer (Scott Irwin) & Umanosuke Ueda
April 16, 1983---Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya
International Heavyweight title match
Bruiser Brody beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (9:05)---Brody kept the title
October 14, 1983---Sasebo City Gym, Nagasaki
United National Heavyweight title match
Ted DiBiase beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (15:59)---DiBiase became the 22nd champion
October 23, 1983---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Ted DiBiase drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu (20:24)---DiBiase kept the title
November 25 - December 12, 1983
World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody
(2) Dory Funk Jr. & Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu
(4) Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda, Mil Mascaras & Dos Caras
(6) Barry Windham & Ron Fuller
(7) Ashura Hara & Mighty Inoue
(8) The Mongolian (Gene Lewis) & Goro Tsurumi
December 12, 1983---Kuramae Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Real World Tag Team League Tournament Final
Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (17:45 Hansen beat Tenryu)---Hansen & Brody won the tournament
International Tag Team title was vacated when Giant Baba was injured.
February 23, 1984---Kuramae Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Ricky Steamboat (21:23)---Tenryu became the 25th champion
March 24, 1984---Kuramae Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Ted DiBiase (17:07)---Tenryu kept the title
April 11, 1984---Oita Prefectural Gym
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Ashura Hara (19:38 double countout)---Tenryu kept the title
April 18, 1984---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Ashura Hara (23:46)---Tenryu kept the title
May 20, 1984---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda (20:57 No Contest)---Title was still vacated
June 1, 1984---Obihiro City Gym, Hokkaido
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Umanosuke Ueda (16:36 disqualification)---Tenryu kept the title
June 8, 1984---Kawasaki City Gym, Kanagawa
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Tiger Jeet Singh & Umanosuke Ueda (18:24 double disqualification)---Title was still vacated
July 25, 1984---Fukuoka Sports Center
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Dick Slater (25:18)---Tenryu kept the title
September 6, 1984---Osaka Furitsu Gym
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jim Garvin (17:49)---Tenryu kept the title
September 12, 1984---Mito Civic Gym, Ibaraki
NWA World Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Ric Flair (2-1)
(1) Tenryu beat Flair (13:44)
(2) Flair beat Tenryu (8:16)
(3) Tenryu beat Flair (5:38 DQ)
September 3, 1984---Hiroshima Prefectural Gym
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Bruiser Brody & Crusher Blackwell (18:13 Tsuruta beat Blackwell)---Tsuruta & Tenryu became the 34th champions
October 16, 1984---Toyama City Gym
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes (19:00 disqualification)---Tsuruta & Tenryu kept the title
October 22, 1984---Nagasaki International Gym
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Michael Hayes (15:20)---Tenryu kept the title
November 22 - December 12, 1984
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu
(2) Dory & Terry Funk, Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody, Harley Race & Nick Bockwinkel
(5) Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith
(6) Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura, One Man Gang & Goro Tsurumi
(8) Tiger Jeet Singh & Mike Shaw (Makhan Singh [Stampede], Norman The Lunatic [WCW], Bastion Booger [WWF])
December 12, 1984---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
Real World Tag Team League Tournament Final
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody (18:47 disqualification)---Tsuruta & Tenryu won the tournament
Riki Choshu and his Ishin Gundan left New Japan Pro Wrestling, formed Japan Pro Wrestling, and came into All Japan Pro Wrestling.
February 25, 1985---Osaka Castle Hall
Riki Choshu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (9:12 countout)
March 9, 1985---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Road Warriors (2-1)
(1) Hawk beat Tsuruta (7:35)
(2) Tsuruta beat Hawk (2:13)
(3) Tsuruta & Tenryu beat Warriors by disqualification
March 21, 1995
Bruiser Brody jumped to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
April 3, 1985---Yamagata Prefectural Gym
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen & Ron Bass (11:53 disqualification)---Tsuruta & Tenryu kept the title
April 12, 1985---Tosu City Gym, Saga
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Killer Khan (17:30 disqualification)
June 4, 1985---Osaka Castle Hall
International Heavyweight title match
Jumbo Tsuruta beat Terry Gordy (18:35 countout)---Tsuruta kept the title
June 6, 1985---Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Hall, Kanazawa
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Yoshiaki Yatsu (16:54 countout)---Tenryu kept the title
July 29, 1985---Kagoshima Prefectural Gym
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen & Texas Red (Gene Lewis)---Tsuruta & Tenryu kept the title
August 31, 1985---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
PWF World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (15:30 Hansen beat Tsuruta by referee's stop)
September 7, 1985---Nagareyama City Gym, Chiba
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Tiger Jeet Singh (9:53 double countout)---Title was held up
September 14, 1985---Matsumoto City Gym, Nagano
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Killer Khan & Yoshiaki Yatsu (17:54 Tsuruta beat Khan by countout)---Tsuruta & Tenryu kept the title
November 23 - December 12, 1985
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase
(2) Dory Funk Jr. & Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu
(2) Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu, Harley Race & Jesse Barr
(6) Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith, Rusher Kimura & Ashura Hara
(6) Nick Bockwinkel & Curt Hennig
January 28, 1986---Tokyo Gym
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu (22:21 Tenryu beat Yatsu)---Tsuruta & Tenryu kept the title
February 5, 1986---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
International Tag Team title match
Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (24:01 Yatsu beat Tenryu)---Choshu & Yatsu became the 35th champions
March 4, 1986---Osaka Castle Hall
International Tag Team title match
Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu drew Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (24:47 double countout)---Choshu & Yatsu kept the title
April 26, 1986---Omiya Skate Center, Saitama
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Ted DiBiase (21:07)---Tenryu became the 26th champion
June 12, 1986---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata) (15:17)---Tenryu kept the title
July 26, 1986---Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Hall, Kanazawa
AWA World Heavyweight title match
Stan Hansen drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu (12:08 double countout)
July 27, 1986---Nagano City Gym, Aichi
PWF World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase drew Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (11:48 double countout)---Hansen & DiBiase kept the title
July 31, 1986---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Yoshiaki Yatsu (15:17)---Tenryu kept the title
October 17, 1986---Tokushima City Gym
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Tiger Jeet Singh (20:10 double countout)---Tenryu kept the title
October 27, 1986---Niigata City Gym
International Tag Team title match
Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu drew Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (22:10 double countout)---Choshu & Yatsu kept the title
November 4, 1986---Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Tony Zane & Brody Chase
November 7, 1986---Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Art Pritts & Grim Reaper
November 22 - December 12, 1986
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu
(2) Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase
(3) Dory & Terry Funk, Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu
(5) Terry Gordy & Killer Khan
(6) Giant Baba & Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa), Rick Martel & Tom Zenk
(8) Rusher Kimura & Goro Tsurumi
(9) Ashura Hara & Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata)
December 12, 1986---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Real World Tag Team League Tournament Final
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase (8:13 Tsuruta beat DiBiase by countout)---Tsuruta & Tenryu won the tournament
January 24, 1987---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
International Tag Team title match
Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (17:56 Choshu beat Tenryu)---Choshu & Yatsu kept the title
January 31, 1987---Hachinohe City, Aomori
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Frank Lancaster (8:17)---Tenryu kept the title
February 5, 1987---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
International Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Riki Choshu & Yoshiaki Yatsu (17:05 Tenryu beat Yatsu)---Tsuruta & Tenryu became the 36th champions
February 23, 1987
Riki Choshu left All Japan.
March 12, 1987---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
International Tag Team title match
Road Warriors beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (11:17 Animal beat Tsuruta by countout)---Warriors became the 37th champions
April 7, 1987---Ota Ward Gym, Tokyo
PWF World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase drew Jumbo Tsuruta & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (17:59 double countout)---Hansen & DiBiase kept the title
May 9, 1987---Nagano Civic Gym
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Yoshiaki Yatsu (14:28 double countout)---Tenryu kept the title
June 1, 1987---Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Hall, Kanazawa
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) (11:33)---Their first singles match
June 4, 1987
Tenryu's "Revolution" started.
July 23, 1987---Asahikawa City Gym, Hokkaido
World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Ted DiBiase drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara (14:31 double countout)---Hansen & DiBiase kept the title
August 31, 1987---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jumbo Tsuruta (21:35 countout)---This match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
September 3, 1987---Aichi Prefectural gym, Nagoya
World Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara beat Stan Hansen & Austin Idol (12:18 Hara beat Idol by countout)
September 11, 1987---Hiroshima Prefectural Gym
PWF / United National Heavyweight double title match
Stan Hansen drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu (23:10 double countout)
September 12, 1987---Kurashiki Gym, Okayama
World Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara beat Stan Hansen & Joe Deaton (10:23 Tenryu beat Deaton)---Tenryu & Hara kept the title
September 17, 1987---Koide-go Gym, Niigata
World Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara drew Stan Hansen & Dick Slater (10:16 double countout)
Bruiser Brody returned to All Japan Pro in October, and Abdullah the Butcher returned in November.
November 21 - December 11, 1987
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu
(2) Dory & Terry Funk, Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy, Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka, Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara
(6) Abdullah the Butcher & TNT (Savio Vega)
(7) Giant Baba & Hiroshi Wajima
(8) Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) & Shin-ichi Nakano, The Great Kabuki & John Tenta (Earthquake)
(9) Tom Zenk & The Terminator (Mark Laurinaitis / Wrecking Crew Fury)
(10) Mark & Chris Youngblood
(11) Rusher Kimura & Goro Tsurumi
January 9, 1988---Ehime Prefectural Hall, Matsuyama
World Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara beat Abdullah the Butcher & TNT (Savio Vega)---Tenryu & Hara kept the title
March 9, 1988---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
PWF / United National Heavyweight double title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen (14:40)---Tenryu became double champion
March 27, 1988---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
PWF / United National Heavyweight double title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Stan Hansen (15:32 disqualification)---Tenryu kept the title
April 15, 1988---Osaka Furitsu Gym
PWF / United National / International Heavyweight Triple title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Bruiser Brody (30:00 double countout)---both champions kept the titles
June 4, 1988---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
PWF World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara (22:53 Yatsu beat Hara)---Tsuruta & Yatsu became the seventh champions
June 10, 1988---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
United National Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Danny Spivey (13:30)---Tenryu kept the title
July 27, 1988---Nagano Civic Gym
PWF / United National Heavyweight double title match
Stan Hansen beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (14:33 countout)---Hansen became the double champion, and this match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
August 29, 1988---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Bruiser Brody Memorial Night
World Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (29:51 Tenryu beat Tsuruta)---Tenryu & Hara became the fourth champions
August 30, 1988---Osaka Furitsu Gym
World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara (25:18 Tsuruta beat Tenryu)---Tsuruta & Yatsu became the fifth champions
The title was vacated for the Real World Tag Team League tournament in November.
November 19 - December 16, 1988
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy
(2) Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu
(3) Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura
(4) Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada, Abdullah the Butcher & Tiger Jeet Singh
(6) Danny Spivey & Johnny Ace
(7) The Great Kabuki & Hiroshi Wajima, Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) & Jimmy Snuka
(9) Shunji Takano & John Tenta (Earthquake)
(10) Dick Slater & Tommy Rich, Crusher Blackwell & Phil Hickerson (P.Y. Chu Hi)
December 16, 1988---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Real World Tag Team League Tournament Final
Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada (21:02 Hansen beat Kawada)---Hansen & Gordy won the tournament
February 15, 1989---CSU Convocation Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Clash of the Champions V / St. Valentine's Day Massacre
NWA World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Road Warriors & Gen-ichiro Tenryu drew Mike Rotunda, Kevin Sullivan, & Steve Williams (5:53 DDQ)---Warriors & Tenryu kept the title
February 23, 1989---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada (24:58 Tsuruta beat Kawada)---Tsuruta & Yatsu kept the title
March 29, 1989---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
PWF / United National Heavyweight double title match
Stan Hansen beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (20:20)---Hansen kept the title
April 4, 1989---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Stan Hansen & Gen-ichiro Tenryu (27:28 Yatsu beat Tenryu by countout)---Tsuruta & Yatsu kept the title
April 20, 1989---Osaka Furitsu Gym
Triple Crown Heavyweight title match
Jumbo Tsuruta beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (16:03)---Tsuruta kept the title
June 5, 1989---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Triple Crown Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jumbo Tsuruta---Tenryu became the second champion, and this match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
July 11, 1989---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (21:28 Hansen beat Tsuruta)---Hansen & Tenryu became the eighth champions
July 18, 1989---Shiga Prefectural Gym, Ohtsu
Triple Crown Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Yoshiaki Yatsu (18:57)---Tenryu kept the title
July 22, 1989---Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial Hall, Kanazawa
World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen (21:58 Tsuruta beat Hansen)---Tsuruta & Yatsu became the ninth champions
August 29, 1989---Osaka Furitsu Gym
World Tag Team title match
Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada (23:04 Yatsu beat Kawada)---Tsuruta & Yatsu kept the title
September 2, 1989---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Triple Crown Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Terry Gordy (12:12)---Tenryu kept the title
October 8, 1989---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Toshiaki Kawada (11:59)
October 11, 1989---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
Triple Crown Heavyweight title match
Jumbo Tsuruta beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (22:38)---Tsuruta became the third champion
October 20, 1989---Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya
World Tag Team title match
Stan Hansen & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (22:28 Hansen beat Yatsu)---Hansen & Tenryu became the 10th champions
The title was vacated for the Real World Tag Team League tournament in November.
November 17 - December 6, 1989
Real World Tag Team League Tournament
(1) Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen
(2) Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu
(3) Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura
(4) Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith
(5) Abdullah the Butcher & Tiger Jeet Singh
(6) Danny Kroffat & Doug Furnas
(7) Terry Gordy & Bill Irwin
(8) Toshiaki Kawada & Hiromichi Fuyuki
(9) The Nasty Boys
November 29, 1989---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen beat Giant Baba & Rusher Kimura (20:22 Tenryu beat Baba)---Tenryu beat Baba for the first time
December 6, 1989---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Real World Tag Team League Tournament Final
Stan Hansen & Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Jumbo Tsuruta & Yoshiaki Yatsu (28:57 Hansen beat Yatsu)---Hansen & Tenryu won the tournament and World Tag Team title
February 10, 1990---Tokyo Dome
Super Fight in Tokyo Dome
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Tiger Mask (Mitsuharu Misawa) beat Riki Choshu & George Takano (18:59 Tiger beat Takano by countout)
March 6, 1990---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
World Tag Team title match
Terry Gordy & Steve Williams beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Stan Hansen (17:06 Williams beat Tenryu)---Gordy & Williams kept the title
April 13, 1990---Tokyo Dome
Japan-USA Wrestling Summit
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Randy Savage (10:49)---This combined show was held by All Japan, New Japan, and the WWF.
April 19, 1990---Yokohama Bunka Gym, Kanagawa
Triple Crown Heavyweight title
Jumbo Tsuruta beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (12:32)---Tsuruta kept the title
April 26, 1990
Gen-ichiro Tenryu left All Japan Pro and signed with one of the biggest optical companies in Japan, named "Megane Super," which would bankroll a new promotion named SWS (Super World Sports). All Japan Pro's Fuyuki, Shunji Takano, Nakano, Kitahara, and Orihara all joined SWS, as well as New Japan Pro's George Takano and Naoki Sano. SWS signed a working agreement with the WWF in November. But, the fans, press, and other promotions criticized SWS.
March 30, 1991---Tokyo Dome
Wrestle Fest in Tokyo Dome
Road Warriors beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Hulk Hogan (14:03 Hawk beat Hogan by countout)
December 12, 1991---Tokyo Dome
Super Wrestle in Tokyo Dome
Hulk Hogan beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (13:57)---This match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
February 14, 1992---Kyoto Furitsu Gym
SWS Tag Team title match
Yoshiaki Yatsu & Haku beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara (10:46 Haku beat Hara)---Yatsu & Haku became the first champions
June 19, 1992
SWS had its final card at Nagasaki International Gym. Tenyru created the WAR (Wrestling And Romance) promotion, then bounced around afterwards to several other groups, including New Japan Pro.
September 15, 1992---Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa
WWF World Heavyweight title match
Ric Flair drew Gen-ichiro Tenryu (1-1)
(1) Tenryu beat Flair (13:03)
(2) Flair beat Tenryu (13:03)
(3) 13:46 double countout---Flair kept the title
January 4, 1993---Tokyo Dome
Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome 1993
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Riki Choshu (18:14)---This match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
April 6, 1993---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Riki Choshu beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (14:53)
May 3, 1993---Fukuoka Dome
Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka Dome
Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Riki Choshu (26:25 Fujinami beat Choshu)
June 17, 1993---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Shinya Hashimoto (18:23)
September 12, 1993---Makuhari Messe, Chiba
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Masahiro Chono
September 23, 1993---Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Hiroshi Hase
September 26, 1993---Osaka Castele Hall
Tatsumi Fujinami beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (9:32)
December 15, 1993---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Tenryu's 30th Anniversary (Sumo & Wrestling) show
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Tatsumi Fujinami
January 4, 1994---Tokyo Dome
Battle Field in Tokyo Dome 1994
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Antonio Inoki (15:56)
February 17, 1994---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Shinya Hashimoto beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (15:04)
March 2, 1994---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ashura Hara (18:13 Onita beat Tenryu)---This match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
May 5, 1994---Kawasaki Baseball Stadium, Kanagawa
No Rope / Barbed Wire / Electric Explosive / Steel Cage Death Match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Atsushi Onita (23:55)
June 30, 1994---Miyagi Prefectural Sports Center, Sendai
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Tournament Final
Kodo Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi (15:26 Fuyuki beat Kitahara)---Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo became the first WAR Six-Man champions
July 17, 1994---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
WAR Six-Man Tag Team Tournament
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Atsushi Onita, & Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow beat Ashura Hara, John Tenta, & Jinsei Shinzaki (15:14 Tenryu beat Hara)---Tenryu, Onita, & Bigelow won the tournament
November 8, 1994---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Kodo Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi (42:56 Fuyuki beat Kitahara)---Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo kept the title
December 4, 1994---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Koji Kitao beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (3rd Round / 1:28)
April 2, 1995---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Riki Choshu, & Animal Hamaguchi beat Shiro Koshinaka, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Michiyoshi Ohara (12:09 Tenryu beat Goto)---Baseball Magazine Sha, the publisher of Weekly PURORESU, had a show at Tokyo Dome with wrestlers from 13 offices. On the same day, WAR had a show at Korakuen Hall with wrestlers from New Japan Pro, Michinoku Pro, and LLPW.
April 20, 1995---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Shiro Koshinaka, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Michiyoshi Ohara beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi (18:13 Koshinaka beat Kitahara)---Koshinaka, Goto, & Ohara kept the title
April 30, 1995---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi beat Shiro Koshinaka, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Michiyoshi Ohara (24:06 Hamaguchi beat Ohara)---Tenryu, Kitahara, & Hamaguchi became the fourth champions
May 3, 1995---Fukuoka Dome
Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka Dome
Antonio Inoki & Koji Kitao beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Riki Choshu (10:25 Inoki beat Choshu)
June 24, 1995---Hakata StarLanes, Fukuoka
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi beat Shiro Koshinaka, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Michiyoshi Ohara (17:19 Tenryu beat Ohara)---Tenryu, Kitahara, & Hamaguchi kept the title
June 30, 1995---Higashi-hiroshima Sports Park Gym
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi beat Kodo Fuyuki, Gedo, & Nobutaka Araya (21:06 Tenryu beat Gedo)---Tenryu, Kitahara, & Hamaguchi became the fourth champions
July 7, 1995---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Koji Kitao
August 5, 1995---Kagoshima Prefectural Gym
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Kodo Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Koki Kitahara, & Animal Hamaguchi (17:53 Fuyuki beat Kitahara)---Fuyuki, Jado, & Gedo became the fifth champions
December 8, 1995---Ota Ward Gym, Tokyo
WAR Tag Team Tournament
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Ultimo Dragon (Yoshihiro Asai) beat Jado & Gedo (8:13 Tenryu beat Gedo)---Tenryu & Dragon won the tournament
September 11, 1996---Jingu Baseball Stadium, Tokyo
Nobuhiko Takada beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (19:30)---This match was awarded "Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
December 13, 1996---Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall), Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Nobuhiko Takada (19:22)
October 28, 1997---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu, Ultimo Dragon (Yoshihiro Asai), & Nobutaka Araya beat Kodo Fuyuki, Yoji Anjo, & Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow (17:22 Tenryu beat Fuyuki)---Tenryu, Dragon, & Araya became the 13th champions
January 14, 1998---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Nippon J-1 Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Nobutaka Araya (13:20)---Tenryu became the first champion and was awarded the old Japanese Heavyweight Championship belt originally held by Rikidozan
June 5, 1998---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
IWGP Tag Team title match
Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka (19:51 Tenzan beat Koshinaka)---Chono & Tenzan became the 34th champions
July 15, 1998---Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center, Hokkaido
IWGP Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka beat Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan (25:10 Tenryu beat Chono)---Tenryu & Koshinaka became the 35th champions
August 8, 1998---Osaka Dome
Nippon J-1 Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Shinya Hashimoto (14:12)---Tenryu kept the title
September 23, 1998---Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa
IWGP Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka beat nWo Sting (Jeff Farmer) & Brian Adams (13:04 Tenryu beat nWo Sting)---Tenryu & Koshinaka kept the title
October 18, 1998---World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Hyogo
IWGP Tag Team title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka beat Keiji Muto & Hiroyoshi Tenzan (23:36 Koshinaka beat Tenzan)---Tenryu & Koshinaka kept the title
January 4, 1999---Tokyo Dome
Wrestling World in Tokyo Dome 1999
IWGP Tag Team title match
Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka (16:35 Tenzan beat Koshinaka)---Tenzan & Kojima became the 36th champions
January 31, 1999
Giant Baba passed away.
March 20, 1999---Matsumoto City Gym, Nagano
Nippon J-1 Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Nobutaka Araya (8:41)---Tenryu kept the title
May 3, 1999---Fukuoka International Center
IWGP Heavyweight title match
Keiji Mutoh beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (25:37)---Mutoh kept the title, and this match was awarded
"Match of the Year" by Tokyo Sports
April 10, 1999---Tokyo Dome
Strong Style Symphony New Japan Spirit 1999
IWGP Tag Team title match
Kensuke Sasaki & Shiro Koshinaka beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (17:33 Koshinaka beat Fujinami)---Sasaki & Koshinaka kept the title
October 11, 1999---Tokyo Dome
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Kensuke Sasaki (14:49)
December 10, 1999---Osaka Furitsu Gym
IWGP Heavyweight title match
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Keiji Mutoh (26:32)---Tenryu became the 25th champion and became the only Japanese to hold both All Japan's Triple Crown and New Japan's IWGP Heavyweight title
January 4, 2000---Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome 2000
IWGP Heavyweight title match
Kensuke Sasaki beat Gen-ichiro Tenryu (14:43)---Sasaki became the 26th champion
March 11, 2000---Yokohama Arena, Tokyo
Memorial Rikidozan
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & B.B. Jones [Ron Studd] beat Shinya Hashimoto & Naoya Ogawa (8:51 Jones beat Ogawa)
May 13, 2000
Jumbo Tsuruta passed away in Manila, Philippines.
June 16, 2000---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Hayabusa (Gen-ichiro Tenryu) & "H" (Eiji Ezaki) beat Kodo Fuyuki & GOEMON (Koji Nakagawa) (14:45 "H" beat Fuyuki)
June 21, 2000---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Hayabusa (Gen-ichiro Tenryu), "H"(Eiji Ezaki), Tetsuhiro Kuroda, & Ricky Fuji beat Kodo Fuyuki, Mr. Gannosuke, GOEMON (Koji Nakagawa), & Kyoko Inoue (23:16 "H" beat Fuyuki)
July 2, 2000---Differ Ariake, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu beat Shinobu Kamdori (2nd Round / 2:11 Technical KO)
July 13, 2000---Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu vs. Hayabusa (Eiji Ezaki / "H")
July 23, 2000---Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Gen-ichiro Tenryu & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Stan Hansen & Maunakea Mossman
Please address all questions and comments about Japanese wrestling to Masanori at
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