Puroresu Central

Ryusuke Taguchi

Birthdate: April 12th, 1979
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 200 lbs.
Debut: November 22nd, 2002
Background: Amateur Wrestling, Baseball, and Track and Field
Promotion History: New Japan (2002 to present)
Alliances: New Japan Jr. Sekigun
Ring Attire: Green and black pants
Card Position: Mid-Card
Major Tournaments Won: None
Current Title Held: None

Championship History:

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship:
- Defeated Minoru on 7/6/07 and lost to Wataru Inoue on 12/8/07

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with El Samurai:
- Defeated Minoru and Hirooki Goto on 2/19/06 and lost to Jado and Gedo on 7/8/06

Biggest Matches:
- February 19th, 2006 with El Samurai vs. Minoru and Hirooki Goto (title win)
- June 2nd, 2006 vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
- July 6th, 2007 vs. Minoru (title win)

Pictures:
- Taguchi with a Dropkick
- Yet another Dropkick by Taguchi
- A Double Dropkick by Taguchi
- Taguchi flies with a Pescado

Signature Moves:
- Dodon
- Dropkick
- Enban Chuudoku
- German Suplex Hold
- Post-Match Dance!
- Shika Koroshi

2005 Recap:
Along with Goto, Taguchi is considered one of the biggest prospects in New Japan. In 2005, Taguchi spent much of the year in Japan, wrestling for CMLL. It is normal for young lions to take excursions to other countries, and when Taguchi returned in the fall his growth was noticeable. Since he has been wrestling for New Japan for three years and has completed his excursion, look for Taguchi to shoot up the card soon.

2006 Recap:
The new Funky Taguchi has finally gotten past the young lion phase of his career as he has started working his way up the card. Taguchi won the first title of his career on February 19th when he teamed with El Samurai to defeat Inoue and Kanemoto for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. They would hold the titles for five months before losing them to Jado and Gedo on July 8th. At the Best of the Super Jr. Tournament, Taguchi came in fourth in his bracket, but did have a big win over Jushin Thunder Liger during the tournament. Taguchi teamed with Inoue and El Samurai to close out the year and should get a shot soon for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship.

2007 Recap:
It was a banner year for Taguchi, as he finally achieved his goal by winning the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship for the first time. He first tried for the title on April 13th, but Minoru proved to be too strong and Taguchi failed in his quest. At the Best of the Super Jr. Tournament, Taguchi scored victories over Kanemoto and Minoru but would fall to Milano in the semi-finals. On July 6th he received another shot at Minoru, and this time he won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. He would successfully defend the title four times during his reign, defeating Tiger Mask, Azteca, Minoru (again), and Kanemoto. His run would be stopped by Wataru Inoue on December 8th, however, when Taguchi submitted to the modified Triangle Lancer.

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