Shoichi Funaki

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Shoichi FunakiJapanJapan
Kung Fu Naki.jpg
Data
Ring name Shoichi Funaki
Sho Funaki
Funaki
Kung Fu Naki
height 170 cm
Fighting weight 82 kg
birth August 24, 1968
Tokyo , Japan
Announced from Japan
Trained by Animal Hamaguchi
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
debut 1990

Shoichi Funaki , (born August 24, 1968 in Tokyo , Japan ) is a Japanese wrestler who competed in the WWE SmackDown!

Career

Beginnings

Funaki began his career as a so Shootfighter in Yoshiaki Fujiwara's Fujiwara Gumi promotion and then moved on to successful promotion BattlARTS . There Funaki specialized in the Lucha Libre style and signed a contract with Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW). Here he formed the wrestling team Kai En Tai together with Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo, Mens Teioh and Shiryu . After his departure from MPW Funaki was employed by the Universal Wrestling Association and was able to win the World Middleweight Championship title here .

WWF / WWE

In March 1998, Funaki signed with what was then the World Wrestling Federation . There the Kai En Tai made a comeback . After Togo and Teioh were released by the WWF, the team consisted only of Michinoku and Funaki. When Michinoku moved to the ECW , Funaki returned as a single wrestler. In 2000 he was allowed to compete in several appearances for the cruiserweight and the hardcore title , which he was not allowed to win in each case. In 2002 he came to the SmackDown -Roster, where he was used almost exclusively in the B-Show Heat .

In December 2004, Shoichi Funaki became the # 1 challenger to the WWE Cruiserweight Title . He was allowed to win this on December 12th at the WWE major event ( PPV ) Armaggedon . But already on February 20, 2005 he lost the title to Chavo Guerrero . In 2006 he had chances for the Cuiserweight title again in several matches, but could not win it.

At the turn of the year 2006/2007 Funaki was briefly employed at the Puroresu King Indy Summit , where there was another comeback of the group Ken En Tai . In February 2007 he returned to SmackDown and in the following years had a few matches again in which it was a question of the title. He couldn't win any of these matches.

Funaki made negative headlines when his name appeared on August 31, 2007 on a list of wrestlers alleged to have obtained doping substances from Signature Pharmacy. The WWE then suspended him for 30 days. Since then, Shoichi Funaki has only been used as a jobber by the WWE . That meant exactly that Shoichi Funaki no longer played a significant role in the main storylines and thus in the title story.

In February 2008, he broke his nose in a match. Since October 19, 2008 he has been performing under the name Kung Fu Naki . As a result, his fighting style has changed significantly, making him appear stronger than before. On April 23, 2010, Kung Fu Naki was released from the WWE.

Independent / Asia

After Funaki was released, he then mainly appeared in Pro Wrestling ZERO1 and also in Michinoku Pro Wrestling and other Japanese wrestling promotions. He is also responsible for the WWE as a road agent and scout for the Asian region.

successes

Funaki as cruiserweight champion.

Private

  • Shoichi Funaki is married and has two children.
  • He is friends with former wrestler Amy Dumas and WWE legend Steve Austin in real life .

Web links

Commons : Shoichi Funaki  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
personal data
SURNAME Funaki, Shoichi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Kung Fu Naki (ring name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Japanese wrestler
DATE OF BIRTH August 24, 1968
PLACE OF BIRTH Tokyo