Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊,Gotō Tatsutoshi, born May 25, 1956) is a Japaneseprofessional wrestler. He competed primarily inWAR andNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and briefly used the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed inWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW) as part of thenWo Japan.
Tatsutoshi Goto | |
---|---|
Born | (1956-05-25)May 25, 1956 (age 68) Tokoname,Aichi,Japan |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Mr. T Tatsutoshi Goto T2000 Machine T2000 Machine #1 |
Billed height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Billed weight | 95 kg (209 lb) |
Debut | December 2, 1982 |
Retired | 2011 |
Professional wrestling career
editNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (1982–2006)
editGoto was an avid weightlifter during his university days, and achieved good results in competitions. After graduation, he studied karate, and in August 1982 joinedNew Japan Pro-Wrestling’s dojo. He debuted againstKazuo Yamazaki in December of that year, and performed young lion duties until 1986, when he first participated in theYoung Lion Cup, making it to the finals, where he lost toKeiichi Yamada. After the cup, he carried out an overseas learning excursion to the USA. After returning, he became a prominent "heel" in New Japan. He participated in the firstBest of the Super Juniors tournament where he finished in 10th place with 9 points.[1] In 1990, he became a member the "Blond Outlaws" withHiro Saito andNorio Honaga,[2] where he largely remained in the midcard only getting one title shot when he andSuper Strong Machine challengedKensuke Sasaki andHiroshi Hase for theIWGP Tag Team Championship on December 11, 1990 in a losing effort.[3] On June 12, 1990, he was given the nickname "Mr. BD" after giving a backdrop toHiroshi Hase which nearly killed him. After the Blonde Outlaws broke up, Goto later joinedShiro Koshinaka's,Heisei Ishingun in 1993 where he would form a longtime tag team withMichiyoshi Ohara, known as the Mad Dogs.[4]
While in Ishigun, Goto would win his first championship when he teamed with Koshinaka and Ohara to defeatHiromichi Fuyuki,Gedo andJado on January 8, 1995, to win theWAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.[5] After over 3 months as champions, Ishigun lost the titles on April 30, 1995 toGenichiro Tenryu,Animal Hamaguchi, and Koki Kitahara.[5] Later in the year, Goto took part in the1995 Super Grade Tag League teaming with Koshinaka where they finished 4th place with 6 points.[6] For the next 2 years, Goto continued to represent Ishingun in feuds withNew Japan Pro-Wrestling and also briefly teamed with nWo Japan for several tours in 1997.[7]
After the collapse of Heisei Ishingun in 1999, Goto continued to team with Ohara and on June 27, 1999, they won theIWGP Tag Team Championship fromKensuke Sasaki and former leader of Heisei IshingunShiro Koshinaka. After holding the titles for 2 months, the Mad Dogs lost the titles toYuji Nagata andManabu Nakanishi on August 28, 1999 at Jingu Climax. In 2000 he became aMasahiro Chono loyalist, joining "Team 2000". After joining Team 2000, Goto would briefly continue to team with Ohara but the team quietly broke up towards the end of 2000. Afterwards, Goto would use several masked gimmicks. He first became "Mr. T" at the Do Judge!! event teaming with Chono to defeat Shiro Koshinaka andMasanobu Fuchi.[8] After Do Judge!!, Goto then became "T2000" Machine and feuded withSuper Strong Machine.
In 2001, he reunited with old Blonde Outlaws partnerHiro Saito, but the team was never pushed and remained in the midcard. The Blonde Outlaws’ only highlight was winning the 2003 Teisen Hall Six Man Tag Team Tournament withShinsuke Nakamura.[5] In 2003, Goto reunited withMichiyoshi Ohara in a new stable known as "The Crazy Dogs" withHiro Saito andEnson Inoue.[9][10] From 2003 to 2004, The Crazy Dogs were in a feud with theMakai Club, which ended after Ohara and Inoue left New Japan.
Freelance (2006–2011)
editIn January, 2006, Goto left New Japan to become a freelancer, although would make New Japan appearances after leaving. After becoming a freelancer, Goto worked in a variety of promotions including DRADITION,Pro Wrestling Zero1,Kensuke Office, Tenryu Project,DDT, &Hustle.[11] On June 9, 2010, Goto won his first championship in 10 years when he teamed withYoshihiro Takayama andDaisuke Sekimoto to win theTenryu Project Six-Man Tag Team Championships.[5]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) - withMichiyoshi Ohara
- Teisen Hall Cup Six Man Tag Team Tournament (2003) – withHiro Saito andShinsuke Nakamura
- Tenryu Project
- WAR Six Man Tag Team Championship (1 time)- withShiro Koshinaka & Michiyoshi Ohara
References
edit- ^"PUROLOVE.com".www.purolove.com. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^Stables CageMatchArchived June 16, 2011, at theWayback Machine
- ^"PUROLOVE.com".www.purolove.com. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^Teams CageMatchArchived June 16, 2011, at theWayback Machine
- ^abcd"PUROLOVE.com".www.purolove.com. RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^"Untitled Document". Archived fromthe original on August 31, 2012. RetrievedSeptember 19, 2010.
- ^"CageMatch". Archived fromthe original on June 16, 2011. RetrievedSeptember 19, 2010.
- ^"None". RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^"None". RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^"None". RetrievedJanuary 2, 2024.
- ^Matches CageMatchArchived June 16, 2011, at theWayback Machine