Taguchi Japan#Sub-groups
{{short description|Professional wrestling stable}}
{{Infobox Wrestling team
|article_name = Taguchi Japan
|type = S
|image = Taguchi Japan.jpg
|image_size =
|caption = Founding members (clockwise from top left) Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and leader Ryusuke Taguchi in February 2017
|names =
|members = Ryusuke Taguchi (leader)
David Finlay
Togi Makabe
Hiroshi Tanahashi>Kushida
Sami Callihan
A. C. H.
Master Wato
|former_members =
|debut = January 5, 2017
|disbanded =
|years_active = 2017–present
}}
{{nihongo|Taguchi Japan|タグチジャパン|Taguchi Japan}} is a professional wrestling stable in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The group was formed the night after Wrestle Kingdom 11 on January 5, 2017. Starting out as a trio formed by Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi, the stable appointed Taguchi as their namesake and leader,{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/79822|script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents The New Beginning in Sapporo 〜復活！雪の札幌決戦〜|access-date=2017-02-08|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} and have gone on to primarily feud with Los Ingobernables de Japón over the IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP Junior Heavyweight, and NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships. Later members included Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin and Ricochet.
The stable initially found its roots within the tag team of Tanahashi and Elgin, as well as their occasional team-ups with Robinson. After an eye injury suffered by Elgin, Tanahashi teamed with Nakanishi and Taguchi to capture the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship from Los Ingobernables de Japón, leading to the official foundation of the stable. Once Elgin was healed, he was invited into the stable, along with Robinson and Ricochet, the latter of whom had recently lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to L.I.J. Their membership was certified when Ricochet teamed with Taguchi and Tanahashi to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship on April 4.
Due to Taguchi Japan open door policy, several wrestlers such as Yoshitatsu, Katsuya Kitamura and War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe) have made one-off appearances representing the stable.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/92142|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417144243/http://www.njpw.co.jp/92142|script-title=ja:【いよいよ今週末！】4.22後楽園でオカダ＆石井vsファレ＆ケニー！4.23後楽園でジュース＆棚橋vs内藤＆Evil！ 5.1鹿児島にタイガーマスクW参戦！|archive-date=April 17, 2017|date=April 10, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-climax-27-b-block-finals-live-results-okada-vs-omega-iii-240836|title=NJPW G1 Climax 27 B Block finals live results: Okada vs. Omega III|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=August 12, 2017|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} However, the regular members were Tanahashi, Makabe, Kojima, Nakanishi, Kushida, Ricochet and Finlay.{{Cite web|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/113047|title = 【9/19(火)12時まで予約受付!!】タグチジャパンの"選手別背番号Tシャツ(7選手)"を闘魂Shop通販で受注予約スタート!!}}
History
=Background (2016)=
Through ROH's working relationship with NJPW, Ring of Honor mainstay Michael Elgin made his debut for NJPW by taking part in the 2015 G1 Climax between July 23 and August 15.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/80-features-and-tv-reviews/43611-the-big-audio-nightmares-guide-to-the-annual-new-japan-g1-climax|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719181932/http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/80-features-and-tv-reviews/43611-the-big-audio-nightmares-guide-to-the-annual-new-japan-g1-climax|archive-date=July 19, 2015|title=The Big Audio Nightmare's Guide to the annual New Japan G1 Climax|last=Sempervive|first=Mike|date=July 18, 2015|access-date=August 15, 2015|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} Elgin quickly became popular among Japanese crowds and his performance in the tournament was called a "career resurgence".{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/102-japan/44028-njpw-g1-climax-tournament-8-11-full-report-tanahashi-vs-makabe-styles-vs-fale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813173903/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/102-japan/44028-njpw-g1-climax-tournament-8-11-full-report-tanahashi-vs-makabe-styles-vs-fale|archive-date=August 13, 2015|title=NJPW G1 Climax Tournament 8-11 full report: Tanahashi vs. Makabe, Styles vs. Fale|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=August 11, 2015|access-date=August 16, 2015|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/otherppvs/article_86966.shtml|title=Caldwell's New Japan G1 Climax finals report 8/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Tanahashi-Nakamura G1 Finals, plus IWGP Jr. Hvt. & Tag Title matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=August 16, 2015|access-date=August 16, 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}
On February 20, it was reported that Elgin had signed a two-year deal with NJPW.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/02/25/michael-elgin-will-2016-be-his-year-in-new-japan-or-wwe/|title=Michael Elgin update – Elgin comments on signing with New Japan|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}} This was confirmed by NJPW on March 3{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=15996 | script-title=ja:木谷オーナーが発表！ 柴田、エルガンが選手契約！『Super J-Cup 2016』開催！「タイガーマスク」アニメ化企画進行中！ | date=March 3, 2016 | access-date=March 3, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}} and on March 20, he and Hiroshi Tanahashi teamed with Juice Robinson to unsuccessfully challenge Bullet Club (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web | url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1100 | title=Road to Invasion Attack 2016 | access-date=March 20, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}
On April 10, Elgin and Tanahashi teamed with Yoshitatsu at Invasion Attack 2016, to win the titles from Bullet Club.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-invasion-attack-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-tetsuya-naito-iwgp-championship-210736 | title = NJPW Invasion Attack live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer | date=April 9, 2016 | access-date=April 10, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} They made their first successful defense on April 23 against Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1116|title=Road to レスリングどんたく 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} before losing the championships back to The Elite at Wrestling Dontaku 2016.{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1123 | script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2016 | access-date=May 3, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}
On June 19 at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall, Elgin replaced an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi and defeated Kenny Omega in NJPW's first ever ladder match to become the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-tetsuya-naito-vs-kazuchika-okada-iwgp-hw-championship-214876|title=NJPW Dominion live results: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP HW Championship|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=June 18, 2016|access-date=June 19, 2016|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On September 25 at Destruction in Kobe, Elgin lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tetsuya Naito, beginning a feud between Elgin, Tanahashi and several others with Naito's Los Ingobernables de Japón stable.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1198|title=Destruction in Kobe|access-date=September 25, 2016|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} At Wrestle Kingdom 11, Tanahashi unsuccessfully challenged Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-227626 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last1=Rose | first1=Bryan | last2=Currier | first2=Joseph | date=January 3, 2017 | access-date=January 4, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=26478 | script-title=ja:棚橋弘至・Kushida時代の終焉…ロス・インゴベルナブレスがベルト席巻！ | date=January 5, 2017 | access-date=January 5, 2017 | work=Battle News | language=ja}}
=Taguchi Japan (2017)=
On January 5, 2017, the day after Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome, Tanahashi teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi and Manabu Nakanishi to defeat Los Ingobernables de Japón (Bushi, Evil and Sanada to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13462?showResult=1|script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !!|access-date=2017-01-05|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} Shortly afterwards, the group became known as "Taguchi Japan", while adding Elgin, David Finlay, Dragon Lee and Kushida as members.{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/96198 | script-title=ja:5月17日（水）後楽園大会に先駆けて通販先行発売！『タグチジャパンジャージ』『田口星形サングラス』『リコシェTシャツ新作』が完成！ | date=May 11, 2017 | access-date=May 14, 2017 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/card_result/3533|title=Sengoku-Enbu -Kizna- Presents Road to The New Beginning|access-date=2017-04-14|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} They lost the title back to L.I.J. on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, while Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-new-beginning-osaka-live-results-naito-vs-elgin-229921|title=NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=2017-02-10|access-date=2017-02-11|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-new-beginning-osaka-live-results-naito-vs-elgin-229921 | title = NJPW New Beginning in Osaka live results: Naito vs. Elgin | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 10, 2017 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On March 6 at NJPW's 45th anniversary event, Taguchi unsuccessfully challenged Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{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}} Over the following month, Taguchi Japan expanded to also include Juice Robinson and Ricochet.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/89236|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322014205/http://www.njpw.co.jp/89236|script-title=ja:【4月9日（日）両国・全カード決定！】オカダvs柴田！ヒロムvsKushida！後藤vsザック！テンコジvsウォーマシン！タイチ＆金丸vs邪道＆外道！ タイガーWも参戦!!|archive-date=March 22, 2017|url-status=live|date=2017-03-21|access-date=2017-04-04|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} On April 4, Taguchi, Ricochet and Tanahashi defeated L.I.J. to bring the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship back to Taguchi Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/80196?showResult=1|script-title=ja:戦国炎舞-Kizna- Presents Road to Sakura Genesis 2017|access-date=2017-04-04|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} On April 29 at Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017, members of Taguchi Japan and L.I.J. faced off two title matches, which were both won by L.I.J. with Hiromu Takahashi retaining the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Ricochet and Tetsuya Naito retaining the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Juice Robinson.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestling-toyonokuni-results-naito-vs-robinson-ic-title-234606|title=NJPW Wrestling Toyonokuni results: Naito vs. Robinson for IC title|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=April 29, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2017, Taguchi Japan lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship back to L.I.J.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestling-dontaku-live-results-okada-faces-bad-luck-fale-234786 | title = NJPW Wrestling Dontaku live results: Okada faces Bad Luck Fale | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=May 2, 2017 | access-date=May 3, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} Also in May, Satoshi Kojima joined Taguchi Japan as a replacement for an injured Hiroshi Tanahashi.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/95731|script-title=ja:鉄拳7 Presents Best of the Super Jr.24|access-date=June 3, 2017|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} On June 3, Kushida defeated Will Ospreay in the final to win his second Best of the Super Juniors. On June 11 at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall, Kushida defeated Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time. Later that same event, Tanahashi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/87443?showResult=1|script-title=ja:保険見直し本舗 Presents Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall|access-date=June 28, 2017|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} As part of Taguchi Japan, Taguchi and Ricochet formed a tag team named "Funky Future",{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/111009|title=【8月13日（日）両国大会の"全カード"決定！】『G1』優勝決定戦は、内藤哲也vsケニー・オメガ！ オカダとEvilがタッグで再激突！ 棚橋＆飯伏＆エルガンが鈴木軍と対戦！【G127】|date=August 13, 2017|access-date=August 13, 2017|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}} defeating The Young Bucks for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on August 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-climax-27-finals-live-results-tetsuya-naito-vs-kenny-omega-240871|title=NJPW G1 Climax 27 finals live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=August 13, 2017|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On October 9 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Funky Future lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh), while Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Will Ospreay. Ricochet blamed himself for Funky Future's loss and resigned not only from Taguchi Japan, but NJPW altogether immediately following the match.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-evil-244191 | title = NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=October 8, 2017 | access-date=October 9, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}
Current members
| class="wikitable" |
| *
|Founding member |
|---|
| I
|First leader |
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |
| colspan="2"|Member
!Duration |
|---|
| {{sortname|Hiroshi|Tanahashi}}
|* |{{dts|2017|01|05}} – present |
| {{sortname|Ryusuke|Taguchi}} (leader)
|I * |{{dts|2017|01|05}} – present |
| {{sortname|Master|Wato}}
| |{{dts|2021|08|07}} – present |
=Former members=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" | |
| colspan="2"|Member
!Duration | |
|---|---|
| {{sortname|Juice|Robinson}}
| |{{dts|2017|02|21}} – {{dts|2022|05|01}} | |
| {{sortname | Kushida|Kushida (wrestler)}}
| |{{dts|2017|03|21}} – {{dts|2019|01|29}} |
| {{sortname | Hanson|Hanson (wrestler)}}
| |{{dts|2017|08|11}} – {{dts|2018|01|05}} |
| {{sortname|Manabu|Nakanishi}}
|* |{{dts|2017|01|05}} – {{dts|2020|01|7}} | |
| {{sortname|Raymond|Rowe}}
| |{{dts|2017|08|11}} – {{dts|2018|01|05}} | |
| {{sortname | Ricochet|Ricochet (wrestler)}}
| |{{dts|2017|03|24}} – {{dts|2017|10|09}} |
| {{sortname | Yoshitatsu|Yoshi Tatsu}}
| |{{dts|2017|04|14}} - {{dts|2017|05|04}} |
=Sub-groups=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Affiliate
!Members !Tenure !Type !Promotion(s) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FinJuice | David Finlay Juice Robinson | 2017–2022 | Tag team | NJPW Impact Wrestling |
| War Machine | Hanson Raymond Rowe | 2017–2018 | Tag team | NJPW |
| 6 Or 9 | Master Wato Ryusuke Taguchi | 2021–present | Tag team | NJPW |
Notes
{{notelist}}
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – Kushida
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – Ricochet and Taguchi
- NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (2 times) – Nakanishi, Taguchi and Tanahashi (1), Ricochet, Taguchi and Tanahashi (1)
- Best of the Super Juniors (2017) – Kushida
- Ring of Honor
- ROH World Television Championship (1 time) – Kushida
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship}}
{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}
{{NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship}}