This is a FAN'S TRIBUTE page to one of the greatest Junior heavyweight wrestlers in history!
The Great Sasuke, real name Masanori Murakawa, was born July 18, 1969, in the Iwate Prefecture city of Morioka. As a late teen, Murakawa gained pro wrestling training and knowledge from Satoru Sayama, the Original TigerMask. In his early days of wrestling, Murakawa used the name Masa Michinoku. Masa, from his given name Masanori, and Michinoku, after the alternate name for his Japanese home region, Tohoku. During a tour of Mexico, Murakawa adopted a mask and uniform and went by the name "Ninja Sasuke" which later became "the Great Sasuke" after his return to Japan.
In October 1992, the Great Sasuke founded Michinoku Pro-Wrestling "North-Eastern Wrestling". The promotion mainly showcased Junior heavyweight wrestling, featuring rising stars like Sasuke, Jinsei Shinzaki, TAKA Michinoku, SATO/Dick Togo, Super Delfin, and others. The promotion gained a huge cult follwing because of it's unique blend of high-flying, Japanese style lucha libre - with a mixture of comedic elements and fast-paced action.
The company's style was the first of it's kind. The small independent promotion from northern Japan gained much attention because of it's growing popularity. Sasuke maintained working relationships with FMW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, often competing in various shows across Japan. In the Spring of 1994, the Great Sasuke was invited by New Japan Pro Wrestling to compete in their Super J Cup tournament. That night, Sasuke's performances became the highlight of the one night tournament, defeating El Samurai and Jushin Liger, but losing to Wild Pegasus in the finals.
During the mid 90's, the Michinoku Pro fanbase only got bigger. Fans came to see Sasuke and the stars of Michinoku Pro. Multi-man tag team matches were often the highlights of the shows - featuring stars like the heroic Super Delfin, the comedic Gran Naniwa, legendary junior heavyweight star Gran Hamada, and Sayama-trainee TigerMask IV. The formation of the heel stable, Kaientai Deluxe, created a good vs. evil atmosphere in the promotion. The stable featured the trio of Dick Togo, MEN'S Teioh, and Shiryu (Kaz Hayashi). Shortly, TAKA Michinoku and BattlArts wrestler, Shoichi Funaki joined the group, and the end result produced many exciting matches for the company.
Perhaps the highlight of the Great Sasuke's career took place on the nights of August 2nd through the 5th, 1996. New Japan held a tournament involving 8 Junior Heavyweight title holders. In the tournament, the winners gained the losers championship title, resulting in the finalist maintaining 8 Champtionship titles.
The participants included:
The Great Sasuke (IWGP World Junior Havyweight Champion)
Masayoshi Motegi (NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Ultimo Dragon (International Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Jushin Thunder Liger (British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Champion)
El Samurai (WWF World Light Heavyweight Champion)
Shinjro Ohtani (UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Champion)
Gran Hamada (WWA World Junior Light Hravyweight Champion)
Negro Casas (NWA World Welterweight Champion)
The final match featured the Great Sasuke and Ultimo Dragon, each holding 4 Championships. On August 5th, the Great Sasuke defeated Ultimo Dragon to become the first J Crown Champion. Sasuke held the championship until losing the belts back to Ultimo 2 months later in Osaka. Regardless, 1996 was indeed a great year for Sasuke and Michinoku Pro Wrestling.
On October 10th, 1996, the promotion had their biggest show yet, "These Days", at the legendary Sumo Hall. The event featured a 6 man tag involving Sasuke teamed up with legends Mil Mascaras and TigerMask against the opposing legends team of Dos Caras, Dynamite Kid, and Kuniaki Kobayashi. The show also produced a 5-star quality 10 man tag team match involving Super Delfin, Gran Hamada, TigerMask IV, Gran Naniwa, and Masato Yakushiji against the team of Dick Togo, MEN'S Teioh, TAKA Michinoku, Shiryu, and Shoichi Funaki. Many consider this match as one of the greatest matches of the 1990's.
In 1997, the company gained a spot on ECW's first Pay Per View, Barely Legal. The team of Sasuke, Hamada and Yakushiji defeated the team of Dick Togo, MEN'S Teioh, and TAKA Michinoku. This match provided the first exposure of Michinoku Pro style and was an instant hit with the ECW audience. Later that year, TAKA Michinoku signed a contract with WWF, resulting in a huge loss for Michinoku Pro. Going into 1998, other stars left the promotion for opportunities elsewhere. Regardless the company maintained itself during the late 90's, going into 2000. The promotion showcased wrestlers from Ultimo Dragon's popular Toryumon Gym, and also hosted the 2000 Super J Cup tournament.
On April 13, 2003, the Great Sasuke won election to the Iwate Prefectural Assembly, making him the first actual masked legislator in history. Regardless of the fact that he is a full time politician, the Great Sasuke still makes appearances in the wrestling ring. Sasuke is a wrestling legend and is one of the greatest high flying stars the sport has ever produced.
Bio © by A.E. Use with permission.
Thanks to Luchawiki for title info.
