Tadashi Takagi (髙木 規,Takagi Tadashi; born January 13, 1970 inToyonaka,Japan), better known by hisring nameSanshiro Takagi (髙木 三四郎,Takagi Sanshirō), is a Japaneseprofessional wrestler and promoter who works for the Japanese wrestling promotionCyberFight, where he serves as executive vice president. He is one of the founding members and current chairman of United Japan Pro Wrestling.[6] Takagi is the founder ofDDT Pro-Wrestling, which is now part of the CyberFight umbrella. As a wrestler, Takagi's gimmick was that of aStone Cold Steve Austin impersonator.
Takagi was born on January 13, 1970, inToyonaka,Osaka.[5] In middle school, he joined the school's judo club where he practiced wrestling techniques andbumps. After graduating from high school, he attendedKomazawa University, where he eagerly attended professional wrestling matches due to the lack of a student wrestling club. In 1988, he queued up overnight to buy tickets for theNewborn UWF's launch event. Influenced byAkira Maeda's victory overGerard Gordeau at the third Newborn UWF event, he briefly learnedsambo from Konosuke Hagiwara. In his third year of university, his interest shifted from wrestling to television. He joined the university's "TV Program Research Society", and became involved as a studio audience member and extra. Inspired by the idea of hosting events, he successfully organized an event inShibaura that attracted 3,000 people while still a student.[7]
Takagi was drawn back to professional wrestling by working as a PR staff member forYokohama's Yatai Village Wrestling. In March 1994, after extended studies, he graduated from university and joined theInternational Pro Wrestling revival promotion IWA Kakutō Shijuku in August, while still participating in Yatai Village Wrestling. He had matches in Yatai Village Wrestling, debuting against Chotaro Kamoi on December 31, although Yatai Village Wrestling did not keep official records. Therefore, his official debut is often considered to be at the February 16, 1995Pro Wrestling Crusaders (PWC) Stray Dog Legend event inShibuya, against Troubleshooter Kochi.[7][8]
In 1997 he formedDramatic Dream Team (DDT). This new promotion established inTokyo would be based on the entertainment wrestling style of theWorld Wrestling Federation. Since then Takagi's show has gained a cult following as an alternative version of American-style entertainment wrestling.
On May 5, 2015, Takagi was announced as the newchief executive officer (CEO) ofWrestle-1. He also continued serving as the president of DDT, while being involved with Wrestle-1's management.[10] Starting on April 1, 2017, Takagi served in the role of an advisor to new presidentKaz Hayashi.[11] In March 2017, Wrestle-1 underwent a change in management, which led to Takagi assuming the new role of an advisor,[12] from which he resigned the following September.[13]
On September 1, 2017, DDT was sold to theCyberAgent company. Takagi retained his position as the company's president.[14]
On July 27, 2020, DDT andPro Wrestling Noah merged to formCyberFight. Takagi became president of the new company, commenting that Noah founderMitsuharu Misawa once saved DDT by giving DDT wrestlers a chance to perform at Noah events, and that he wanted to make both DDT and Noah world-class promotions.[16]
On September 18, 2023, Takagi facedMinoru Suzuki in an "Anywhere Fall Match" held aboard a bullet train traveling between Tokyo andNagoya. The match concluded with Suzuki defeating Takagi after delivering a Gotch-style piledriver.[17][18]
On May 16, 2024, it was announced that Takagi would be stepping down as president of CyberFight to assume the position ofexecutive vice president on June 1. As part of the move, Takagi also changed the spelling of his ring name from高木 to髙木.[a] The new president becomeYasuo Okamoto.[19]
On July 21, 2024, atWrestle Peter Pan 2024, Takagi facedDanshoku Dino in theIronman Heavymetalweight Championship Weapon Rumble Match. This marked Takagi's final bout before beginning an indefinite hiatus from his role as a wrestler, though he remains involved in the company as a vice president.
^abレスラーヒューマンストーリーII プロレスラー男の履歴書 [Wrestler Human Story II: Resume of a Pro-Wrestler Man] (in Japanese).Baseball Magazine Sha. November 2, 2016. pp. 80–87.ISBN978-4583624808.
^神奈川9区 - 第41回衆議院議員選挙 [Kanagawa 9th District - 41st House of Representatives General Election].go2senkyo.com (in Japanese).Archived from the original on December 4, 2020.
^【会見全文】CyberFightが新体制となり大改革！髙木三四郎が社長から副社長に。武藤敬司が新人発掘を担当。NOAHに佐々木憂流迦＆Eitaが入団。WWEとの関係強化を明言 [[Press Conference] CyberFight underwent a major restructuring with a new organization! Sanshiro Takagi is now the vice president instead of the president. Keiji Mutoh is in charge of scouting new talents, Ulka Sasaki & Eita join Noah, and the company clearly states that it will strengthen its relationship with WWE.].Battle News (in Japanese). Collabo Soken Inc. May 16, 2024.Archived from the original on May 16, 2024.
,Internet Wrestling Database
