Puroresu Central

Masao Inoue

Birthdate: March 6th, 1970
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 233 lbs.
Debut: April 4th, 1991
Background: Trained in All Japan Dojo
Promotion History: All Japan (1991 to 2000) and NOAH (2000 to present)
Alliances: None
Ring Attire: Black pants
Card Position: Mid-Card
Major Tournaments Won: None
Championship History: All Asia Tag Team Championship and the WEW Tag Team Championship
Current Championship Held: None

Biggest Matches:
- May 31st, 1997 with Honda vs. Jun Akiyama and Takao Omori (title challenge)
- October 25th, 1999 with Honda vs. Johnny Smith and Mossman (title win)
- July 28th, 2000 with Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Jado and Gedo (title win)
- January 24th, 2003 with Honda vs. Jun Akiyama and Akitoshi Saito (title challenge)
- April 23rd, 2006 vs. Jun Akiyama (title challenge)

Pictures:
- Inoue with the Argentine Backbreaker

Signature Moves:
- Argentine Backbreaker
- Cobra Clutch Suplex

2005 Recap:
A seasoned vet at this point in his career, Inoue wrestles in a lot of mid-card matches against gaijins and newer wrestlers to NOAH. Because of this, Inoue doesn't get pinned very often, but he rarely is facing off against the upper tier of NOAH wrestlers. Inoue stayed out of any major storylines in 2005, but was an important part of the roster nonetheless.

2006 Recap:
Inoue had perhaps the biggest match of his career in 2006 had he made his first challenge of a major singles championship title. To find a new challenger for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, Akiyama called for a GHC Heavyweight Title Contender Tournament starting in March. Over the next month Inoue defeated Shuhei Taniguchi, Takuma Sano, and finally Akitoshi Saito to earn that shot. On April 23rd Inoue made his challenge, but in a long 20 minute match Akiyama prevented the upset and picked up the victory. Inoue continues to get respect in the mid-card as a veteran presence, but it is unknown if he will ever get another chance at a heavyweight title.

2007 Recap:
2007 was more of the same for Inoue as while he had success in the mid-card and against wrestlers that are ranked below him, he struggled against the upper tier. In October Inoue was surprisingly defeated by Doug Williams, and he also dropped singles matches over the course of the year to Sano and Akira Taue. At the Budokan events Inoue wasn't pinned until the final one in December, when Buchanan picked up the win in a tag team match.

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