Puroresu Central

Birthdate: February 15th, 1977
Debut: June 2nd, 1993
Background: Michinoku Pro
Formally: Yoshinori Kimura
Alliances: None
Ring Attire: See picture above
Card Position: Lower Mid-Card
Belts Held in 2007: None

Signature Moves:
- Choke Bomb
- Clutch The Naniwa
- Diving Body Press
- Double Underhook Backbreaker
- Double Underhook DDT
- Driver The Naniwa
- Emerald Frosion
- Frankensteiner
- Second Rope Crab Walk Elbow Drop
- Spinning Doctor Bomb

Trained in UWF, Gran Naniwa debuted in Michinoku Pro in 1993, and soon became a fan favorite. Naniwa was one of the most popular and influential wrestlers in Michinoku Pro in the mid ’90s and, despite being essentially a midcard comedy character, he also wrestled in more serious matches such as in numerous tournaments he participated in. Only 2 years after his debut, Naniwa reached the semifinals of the prestigious Super J Cup as a Michinoku Pro representative, defeating Damien 666 in the first round and losing in the semifinal to Liger.

Naniwa also took part to NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 1997 and 2001 and in the Michinoku Pro Mask League 1995. Naniwa was the leader of the Mask League 1999 after the 1st phase, but he broke his arm during the last match versus the Great Sasuke and was therefore forced to forfeit. Other than Michinoku Pro, Gran Naniwa worked very often in NJPW and AJPW too until 2003, when he broke his left arm again, and was forced to take a long break. After this latest injury, Naniwa never returned to full time wrestling, only randomly appearing in some special shows.

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