:Tencozy

Tencozy first began teaming up in 1998{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=671&view=matches&gimmick=&jahr=&liga=®ion=&land=&art=&artmatches=&gegner=&partner=&suchbegriff=&Start=1200#matches|title=Beginning of Tencozy}} after Tenzan's regular tag team partner Masahiro Chono was injured, and Keiji Mutoh recruited Kojima into nWo Japan. In their first shot, they defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Shiro Koshinaka at Wrestling World 1999 on January 4, 1999, to claim their first IWGP Tag Team Title.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results99.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} The team would make one successful title defense against Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi on February 5, 1999{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/fspirit99.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} before losing the titles to Koshinaka and Kensuke Sasaki on March 22, 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/hyper99.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}}

Following the title loss, Tencozy largely spent most of 1999 representing nWo Japan against Masahiro Chono's new group: Team 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=1608&view=matches&gimmick=&jahr=1999&liga=®ion=&land=&art=|title=TenKoji « Tag Teams Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=8 May 2017}} The feud eventually would end in January 2000 when Chono defeated Mutoh to dissolve nWo Japan once and for all{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/notes/fspirit00.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} and a few days later, Team 2000 had Tencozy joining them.

A few months later, Tencozy would defeat Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi on July 20, 2000, to win the Tag Team Championship for the second time.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/struggle00.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} After winning the titles, Tencozy would have one of the most successful title reigns as they would hold the titles for a then record 430 Days (a record later broken by Cho-Ten who held the titles for 446). They would also make 6 successful title defenses also a then record (Cho-Ten also broke this record){{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/njpw/history/iwgptagdefenses.php#40|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} fending off challenges from variations of Fighting Club G-EGGS (Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, Brian Johnston and Yutaka Yoshie{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/Factions.html|title=Puroresu Factions|website=www.puroresucentral.com|access-date=8 May 2017}}), fellow Team 2000 members: Chono and Tatsutoshi Goto, & BATT members: Taiyo Kea and Jinsei Shinzaki before eventually losing the titles on September 23, 2001, to Tatsumi Fujinami and Osamu Nishimura.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/notes/g1world01.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}}

After the title loss, Tencozy began to show dissention with Chono and they finally split in October 2001, taking Hiro Saito, Tatsutoshi Goto, & Koji Kanemoto with them and splitting Team 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/notes/survival01.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} The team then entered the 2001 G1 Tag League, despite losing their first 3 matches, the team would eventually persevere and win the remainder of the tournament eventually defeating Mike Barton and Jim Steele to win the tournament and their first G1 Tag League.

In January 2002, Keiji Mutoh defected to All Japan Pro Wrestling and Kojima decided to follow with Tenzan deciding to remain in New Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/notes/extreme02.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} Before leaving, Tencozy would wrestle one last match on January 24, 2002, where they defeated Kensuke Sasaki and Osamu Nishimura.

After breaking up, both Kojima and Tenzan would go on to success in their respective companies in both singles and tag divisions. One year after the breakup, Tencozy would reunite for one night as they defeated Chono and Nakanishi at Wrestling World 2003 on January 4, 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results03.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} on February 20, 2005, Kojima and Tenzan would meet as opponents in a title vs. title match with Kojima defending the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and Tenzan defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/nygold05.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} Kojima would win the match with 11 seconds left to win the IWGP Championship. The win made Kojima the first person to hold both titles simultaneously. The two would face each other again in a rematch at Nexess VI on May 14, 2005, with Tenzan regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Title.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results05.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}}

In 2006, Tencozy would reunite and participate in All Japan's 2006 World's Strongest Tag Determination League. The team would make history eventually defeating Ro'Z and Suwama to win the tournament and became the first team in history to win both the G1 Tag League and the World's Strongest Tag Determination League.{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl06.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} The team's next match would be a loss to their mentors: Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results07.html|title=Strong Style Spirit|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} after the loss Tencozy broke up again and returned to their companies.

In the summer of 2008, Tencozy would reunite again. First they defeated Togi Makabe and TARU at Pro Wrestling LOVE in Ryogoku Vol. 5 on August 31, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/results/08summerimpact.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} Despite the win the team would see a setback as they failed to win the World Tag Team Championship from Taiyo Kea and Minoru Suzuki on October 11, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/ajpwtagdefenses.php#55|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} In October, they entered the 2008 G1 Tag League, they would win their block, then defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yutaka Yoshie in the semifinals, and then defeated Togi Makabe and Toru Yano to win their second G1 Tag League.{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/njpw/history/g1tag08.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} In November, they entered the 2008 World's Strongest Tag Determination League and they would make history by winning their second World's Strongest Tag Determination League by defeating Suwama and Shuji Kondo.{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl08.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} This win marked the first time a team won both tournaments in the same year.

On January 4, 2009, Tencozy were scheduled to take part in a 3 way for the IWGP Tag Titles against champions: Togi Makabe and Toru Yano and Team 3D, but the team was forced to pull out of the match due to Tenzan suffering an eye injury.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=299|title=Strong Style Spirit » Blog Archive » Tenzan seriously injured; TenKoji off 1/4|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} Upon his return, Tencozy attempted a comeback as they took on Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) in a #1 contendership match at Wrestling Dontaku 2009 on May 3, 2009, but they came up short.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=607|title=Strong Style Spirit » Blog Archive » [Results] New Japan, 5/3/09|website=www.puroresufan.com|access-date=8 May 2017}} In August, Tenzan suffered an injury, which would sideline him for the next fifteen months.

Tencozy reunited on December 4, 2011, defeating the CHAOS tag team of Hideo Saito and Takashi Iizuka.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=481|title=New Japan Alive 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2011-12-04|language=ja}} On January 4, 2012, at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, Tencozy defeated Bad Intentions to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the third time.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム|access-date=2012-01-04|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108044116/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|archive-date=2012-01-08}} On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2012, Tenzan and Kojima lost the title to Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano in their third defense.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=543|title=NJPW 40th anniversary レスリングどんたく 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|date=2012-05-03|access-date=2012-05-03|language=ja}} On July 22, Tenzan and Kojima defeated Iizuka and Yano in a decision match to regain the newly vacated title.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=593|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Kizuna Road|access-date=2012-07-22|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730073154/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=593|archive-date=2012-07-30}} On October 8 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Tenzan and Kojima lost the title to K.E.S. (Davey Boy Smith, Jr. and Lance Archer).{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2012-10-08|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185115/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|archive-date=2012-10-14}} From November 20 to December 1, Tencozy took part in the round-robin portion of the 2012 World Tag League. The team finished with a record of four wins and two losses, winning their block and advancing to the semifinals of the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=648|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2012-12-01|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=654|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2012-12-01|language=ja}} On December 23, 2012, Tencozy made its debut for Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), teaming with Sanshiro Takagi in a three-on-four handicap match, where they defeated the Monster Army (Antonio Honda, Daisuke Sasaki, Hoshitango and Yuji Hino).{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=8746 | title = DDTにも"テンコジ警察"が出動!! 楽屋泥棒を見事に検挙!! アントンが警察入りを志願!? | date=December 25, 2012 | access-date=December 25, 2012 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtpro.com/report/ddt/article/1356260471/|title=【12・23リポート①】天コジ警察MA軍逮捕。6人タッグ王座新設|date=2012-12-23|work=Dramatic Dream Team|access-date=2012-12-23|language=ja}} On May 3, 2013, at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, Tencozy won the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the fifth time by winning a four-way match, which included defending champions K.E.S. as well as Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano, and Manabu Nakanishi and Strong Man.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=708|script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2013|access-date=2013-05-03|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} They lost the title back to K.E.S. on November 9 at Power Struggle in a three-way match, which also included The IronGodz (Jax Dane and Rob Conway).{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=772|title=Power Struggle|access-date=2013-11-09|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} In December, Tencozy made it to the finals of the 2013 World Tag League, defeating K.E.S. in the semifinals, before losing to Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=793|title=World Tag League 2013|access-date=2013-12-08|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} On April 6, 2014, at Invasion Attack 2014, Tencozy defeated The IronGodz to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=827|title=Invasion Attack 2014|access-date=2014-04-06|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} After four successful title defenses, they lost the title to K.E.S. on October 13 at King of Pro-Wrestling.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=889|title=King of Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2014-10-13|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017231408/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=889|archive-date=2014-10-17}} The following month, Tencozy took part in the 2014 World Tag League,{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=12707|title=『World Tag League 2014』出場チーム＆公式戦が決定！ 棚橋はヨシタツとタッグ結成！ 桜庭、AJ、柴田、ROH、NWAも参戦!|date=2014-11-11|access-date=2014-12-05|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112222204/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=12707|archive-date=2014-11-12}} where they finished with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=912|title=World Tag League 2014|access-date=2014-12-05|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210130824/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=912|archive-date=2014-12-10}}

On March 6, 2017, Tencozy defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the sixth time.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-45th-anniversary-show-live-results-okada-vs-tiger-mask-w-231266|title=NJPW 45th Anniversary show live results: Okada vs. Tiger Mask W|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=2017-03-06|access-date=2017-03-06|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} They lost the title to War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) on April 9 at Sakura Genesis 2017.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-sakura-genesis-live-results-okada-vs-shibata-233351 | title = NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. Shibata | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=2017-04-08 | access-date=2017-04-09 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} They attempted to regain the titles at Wrestling Dontaku 2017 in a 3-way tag team match also involving Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa), but came up short.{{Cite web|title=濵かつ Presents レスリングどんたく 2017 – 福岡・福岡国際センター – 第6試合|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/92121|access-date=2021-01-16|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}} Later that year, they took part in the 2017 World Tag League, finishing with three wins and four losses, failing to progress.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=NJPW World Tag League 2017 - Tag 17|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=188611|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Cagematch}} The next year, Kojima would suffer an ACL injury, ruling him out for most of the year.{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=Satoshi Kojima suffers ruptured left ACL, will miss THE NEW BEGINNING Tour {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/20906|access-date=2021-01-16|website=NJPW|language=en}} The team reunited when Kojima recovered in September 2018, teaming with Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi to defeat Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay), after Kojima pinned Finlay.{{Cite web|title=Road to DESTRUCTION – 千葉・東金アリーナ Blue Justice VIII～青義健在～ – 第7試合|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/161686|access-date=2021-01-16|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}}

File:TENKOJI NWA World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.JPG in June 2014.]]

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
• World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2006, 2008)
• National Wrestling Alliance
• NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling
• IWGP Tag Team Championship (6 times)
• G1 Tag League (2001, 2008)
• Tag Team Best Bout (2000) vs. Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata on October 9{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2000-awards.html|title=2000 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit}}
• Tokyo Sports
• Tag Team of the Year (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.puroresu.com/awards/2000s.html|title=Puroresu Awards: 2000s|access-date=8 May 2017}}
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
• Tag Team of the Year (2001)

{{clear}}

{{Reflist}}

• http://www.puroresucentral.com/tenzan.html
• http://www.puroresucentral.com/kojima.html
• http://www.puroresucentral.com/Teams-TenzanKojima.html

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