Tatsumi Fujinami

Incidentally, Fujinami’s first taste of success happened in the WWF.  He won the Junior Heavyweight Title and defended it across the world, specifically making it a viable title in both the United States and Japan.  Fujinami was one of the first to legitimately move up in weight classes as by the late 80’s he was a viable contender for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and would win it for the first time in 1988.  With New Japan’s cross promotions with WCW, Fujimani headlined an American Pay Per View, going against Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Title at Superbrawl I.

Tatsumi Fujinami would not compete in the U.S. after that, but he remained one of the top draws in Japan. As the creator of the dragon sleeper and dragon suplex, he proved to be a wrestling innovator.  Considering he did win a title in the original WWF, he may have just enough credentials to make him the second Japanese (and no Mr. Fuji doesn’t count) to enter the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Bullet Points:

Other Aliases:
The Dragon

Billed From:
Tokyo, Japan

Key Championships Held:
CWA International Heavyweight (Germany)
IWGP Heavyweight (6)
IWGP Tag Team (5) (4w/Kengo Kimura, 1w/Osamu Nishimura)
NWA International Junior Heavyweight (2)
NWA Pacific North West Heavyweight
NWA World Heavyweight
UWA World Heavyweight
WWF International Heavyweight
WWF International Tag Team w/Kengo Kimura
WWF Junior Heavyweight (2)
Winner of the G1 Climax (1993)

Why He Will Get In:
He does have a past with the WWE.

Why He Won’t Get In:
He may be a legend in Japan, but not in the U.S.

Five Greatest Matches/Moments: (In Chronological Order)
1.  Wins his first major title defeating Jose Estrada to capture the WWF Junior Heavyweight Title (1/23/78)
2.  Beats Big Van Vader to win the vacant IWGP Heavyweight Title (5/8/88)
3.  Defeats Riki Choshu to win back the IWGP belt (12/26/90)
4.  Pins Ric Flair to in the Tokyo Dome to hold both the IWGP and WCW World Title.  He is the first to do so. (3/21/91)
5.  Loses to Keiji Mutoh in his last major title shot (All Japan Triple Crown) (12/11/01)