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Taguchi Japan

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Taguchi Japan
Founding members (clockwise from top left) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and leader Ryusuke Taguchi in February 2017
Stable
MembersRyusuke Taguchi[1] (leader)
David Finlay[1]
Togi Makabe[1]
Hiroshi Tanahashi[1]>Kushida[1]
Sami Callihan[1]
A. C. H.[1]
Master Wato[1]
DebutJanuary 5, 2017
Years active2017–present

Taguchi Japan (タグチジャパン, Taguchi Japan) is a professional wrestling stable in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The group was formed the night after Wrestle Kingdom 11 on January 5, 2017. Starting out as a trio, the stable named Ryusuke Taguchi as their leader,[2] and have gone on to primarily feud with Los Ingobernables de Japón over the IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP Junior Heavyweight, and NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships.

The group was formed by Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi, and later came to include Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin and Ricochet. The stable initially found its roots as a tag team consisting of Tanahashi and Elgin, who had teamed with Robinson in the past. After an eye injury suffered by Elgin, Tanahashi teamed with Nakanishi and Taguchi to capture the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship from Los Ingobernables de Japón. Once Elgin was healed, he was invited into the stable, along with Juice Robinson and Ricochet, the latter of whom had recently lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to L.I.J. Their membership was certified when Ricochet teamed with Taguchi and Tanahashi to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship on April 4.

Due to Taguchi Japan open door policy, several wrestlers such as Yoshitatsu, Katsuya Kitamura and War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) have made one-off appearances representing the stable.[3][4] However, the regular members were Tanahashi, Makabe, Kojima, Nakanishi, Kushida, Ricochet and Finlay.[5]

History

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Background (2016)

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Through ROH's working relationship with NJPW, Ring of Honor mainstay Michael Elgin made his debut for NJPW by taking part in the 2015 G1 Climax between July 23 and August 15.[6] Elgin quickly became popular among Japanese crowds and his performance in the tournament was called a "career resurgence".[7][8]

On February 20, it was reported that Elgin had signed a two-year deal with NJPW.[9] This was confirmed by NJPW on March 3[10] and on March 20, he and Hiroshi Tanahashi teamed with Juice Robinson to unsuccessfully challenge Bullet Club (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[11]

On April 10, Elgin and Tanahashi teamed with Yoshitatsu at Invasion Attack 2016, to win the titles from Bullet Club.[12] They made their first successful defense on April 23 against Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi.[13] before losing the championships back to The Elite at Wrestling Dontaku 2016.[14]

On June 19 at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, Elgin replaced an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi and defeated Kenny Omega in NJPW's first ever ladder match to become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.[15] On September 25 at Destruction in Kobe, Elgin lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tetsuya Naito, beginning a feud between Elgin, Tanahashi and several others with Naito's Los Ingobernables de Japón stable.[16] At Wrestle Kingdom 11, Tanahashi unsuccessfully challenged Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[17][18]

Taguchi Japan (2017)

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On January 5, 2017, the day after Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome, Tanahashi teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi and Manabu Nakanishi to defeat Los Ingobernables de Japón (Bushi, Evil and Sanada to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[19] Shortly afterwards, the group became known as "Taguchi Japan", while adding Elgin, David Finlay, Dragon Lee and Kushida as members.[1][20] They lost the title back to L.I.J. on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, while Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[21][22] On March 6 at NJPW's 45th anniversary event, Taguchi unsuccessfully challenged Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.[23] Over the following month, Taguchi Japan expanded to also include Juice Robinson and Ricochet.[24] On April 4, Taguchi, Ricochet and Tanahashi defeated L.I.J. to bring the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship back to Taguchi Japan.[25] On April 29 at Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017, members of Taguchi Japan and L.I.J. faced off two title matches, which were both won by L.I.J. with Hiromu Takahashi retaining the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Ricochet and Tetsuya Naito retaining the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Juice Robinson.[26] On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2017, Taguchi Japan lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship back to L.I.J.[27] Also in May, Satoshi Kojima joined Taguchi Japan as a replacement for an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi.[28] On June 3, Kushida defeated Will Ospreay in the final to win his second Best of the Super Juniors. On June 11 at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time. Later that same event, Tanahashi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[29] As part of Taguchi Japan, Taguchi and Ricochet formed a tag team named "Funky Future",[30] defeating The Young Bucks for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on August 13.[31] On October 9 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Funky Future lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh), while Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Will Ospreay. Ricochet blamed himself for Funky Future's loss and resigned not only from Taguchi Japan, but NJPW altogether immediately following the match.[32]

Current members

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* Founding member
I First leader
Member Duration
Hiroshi Tanahashi * January 5, 2017 – present
Ryusuke Taguchi (leader) I * January 5, 2017 – present

Former members

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Member Duration
Juice Robinson February 21, 2017 – May 1, 2022
Kushida March 21, 2017 – January 29, 2019
Hanson August 11, 2017 – January 5, 2018
Manabu Nakanishi * January 5, 2017 – January 7, 2020
Raymond Rowe August 11, 2017 – January 5, 2018
Ricochet March 24, 2017 – October 9, 2017
Yoshitatsu April 14, 2017 - May 4, 2017

Sub-groups

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Affiliate Members Tenure Type Promotion(s)
FinJuice David Finlay
Juice Robinson		 2017–2022 Tag team NJPW
Impact Wrestling
War Machine Hanson
Raymond Rowe		 2017–2018 Tag team NJPW

Notes

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Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i 5月17日（水）後楽園大会に先駆けて通販先行発売！『タグチジャパンジャージ』『田口星形サングラス』『リコシェTシャツ新作』が完成！. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  2. ^ 戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents The New Beginning in Sapporo 〜復活！雪の札幌決戦〜. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  3. ^ 【いよいよ今週末！】4.22後楽園でオカダ＆石井vsファレ＆ケニー！4.23後楽園でジュース＆棚橋vs内藤＆Evil！ 5.1鹿児島にタイガーマスクW参戦！. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). April 10, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Rose, Bryan (August 12, 2017). "NJPW G1 Climax 27 B Block finals live results: Okada vs. Omega III". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "【9/19(火)12時まで予約受付!!】タグチジャパンの"選手別背番号Tシャツ(7選手)"を闘魂Shop通販で受注予約スタート!!".
  6. ^ Sempervive, Mike (July 18, 2015). "The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  7. ^ Rose, Bryan (August 11, 2015). "NJPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-11 full report: Tanahashi vs. Makabe, Styles vs. Fale". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  8. ^ Caldwell, James (August 16, 2015). "Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals report 8/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Tanahashi-Nakamura G1 Finals, plus IWGP Jr. Hvt. & Tag Title matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  9. ^ Caldwell, James (February 25, 2016). "Michael Elgin update – Elgin comments on signing with New Japan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  10. ^ 木谷オーナーが発表！ 柴田、エルガンが選手契約！『Super J-Cup 2016』開催！「タイガーマスク」アニメ化企画進行中！. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  11. ^ "Road to Invasion Attack 2016". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  12. ^ Meltzer, Dave (April 9, 2016). "NJPW Invasion Attack live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  13. ^ "Road to レスリングどんたく 2016". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  14. ^ レスリングどんたく 2016. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  15. ^ Meltzer, Dave (June 18, 2016). "NJPW Dominion live results: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP HW Championship". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  16. ^ "Destruction in Kobe". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  17. ^ Rose, Bryan; Currier, Joseph (January 3, 2017). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  18. ^ 棚橋弘至・Kushida時代の終焉…ロス・インゴベルナブレスがベルト席巻！. Battle News (in Japanese). January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  19. ^ 戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  20. ^ "Sengoku-Enbu -Kizna- Presents Road to The New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  21. ^ Rose, Bryan (2017-02-10). "NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  22. ^ Rose, Bryan (February 10, 2017). "NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  23. ^ Rose, Bryan (2017-03-06). "NJPW 45th Anniversary show live results: Okada vs. Tiger Mask W". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  24. ^ 【4月9日（日）両国・全カード決定！】オカダvs柴田！ヒロムvsKushida！後藤vsザック！テンコジvsウォーマシン！タイチ＆金丸vs邪道＆外道！ タイガーWも参戦!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). 2017-03-21. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  25. ^ 戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  26. ^ Rose, Bryan (April 29, 2017). "NJPW Wrestling Toyonokuni results: Naito vs. Robinson for IC title". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  27. ^ Rose, Bryan (May 2, 2017). "NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  28. ^ 鉄拳7 Presents Best of the Super Jr.24. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  29. ^ 保険見直し本舗 Presents Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  30. ^ "【8月13日（日）両国大会の"全カード"決定！】『G1』優勝決定戦は、内藤哲也vsケニー・オメガ！ オカダとEvilがタッグで再激突！ 棚橋＆飯伏＆エルガンが鈴木軍と対戦！【G127】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  31. ^ Rose, Bryan (August 12, 2017). "NJPW G1 Climax 27 finals live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  32. ^ Rose, Bryan (October 8, 2017). "NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
Achievements
Preceded by Best of the Super Juniors winner
2017
Kushida 		Succeeded by
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