::Jumbo Tsuruta::
::Bio::
Real Name: Tomomi Tsuruta
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 279 lbs
Date Of Birth: March 25, 1951
Birthplace: Makioka, Yamanashi, Japan
Debut: March 24, 1973
Date Of Passing: May 13th, 2000
Signature Moves:
Backdrop
Backdrop Suplex Hold
Thesz Press
Jumping Knee (see pic 2)
Diving Knee Drop
Jumbo Lariat (sickle shaped lariat)
Double-arm Suplex
German Suplex Hold
Spinning Toe Hold
Diving Front Dropkick
Titles Won:
NWA International Tag Team Titles (9) (6, w/ Giant Baba) (2, w/ Genichiro Tenryu) (1, w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu)
PWF World Tag Team Titles (2) (1, w/ Tiger Mask II) (1, w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu)
AJPW World Tag Team Titles (7) (5, w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu) (1, w/ Great Kabuki) (1, w/ Akira Taue)
AWA World Heavyweight Title (1)
NWA United National Heavyweight Title (6)
NWA International Heavyweight Title (3)
PWF Heavyweight Title (1)
Triple Crown (3)
Tournaments Won:
AJPW Champion Carnival 1980
AJPW Champion Carnival 1991
AJPW Real World Tag League 1978 & 1980 (w/ Giant Baba)
AJPW Real World Tag League 1984 & 1986 (w/ Genichiro Tenryu)
AJPW Real World Tag League 1987 (w/ Yoshiaki Yatsu)
Notable Facts:
Had an athletic background in Basketball, Amateur Wrestling, Swimming, Sumo.
In college he won the All Japanese Championships in 100kg in both freestyle and greco-roman in 1971 and 1972 in just his first 2 years as a wrestler.
Was in Munich in 1972 for the olympics, competing in amaresu and finished 7th in the super heavyweight division.
Signed with All Japan Pro-Wrestling on October 31, 1972.
Trained in the All Japan dojo, and was trained under Dory Funk Jr. in Amarillo, Texas.
Was considered a natural wrestler, which means he is a good worker from the first day.
Challenged Dory Funk Jr. for the NWA World Heavyweight title, which was one of the most valuable titles in the world at the time, and was only two months into his professional career.
Was literally a star in his first match in Japan.
Being associcated with Giant Baba early in his career helped him rise up.
Because of his Olympic background, and the company he was in just started to a small amount, he didn't have to rise up the ladder like other wrestlers do.
Was a top wrestler for basically his whole career.
Contest was held to do away with the girlish Tomomi name, and "Jumbo" won for his new first name.
In only his 3rd match in Japan, he challenged for the NWA International Tag Titles w/ Giant Baba.
In only his second year, he was billed by the Japanese wrestling media as the best technical native wrestler in Japan.
Trained with Lou Thesz, where he would learn his finishing moves.
First Japanese wrestler to win the AWA World Heavyweight Title.
Formed a tag team with Genichiro Tenryu in May 1984 called Tsururyu.
Formed an alliance with 1980 Olympic wrestler Yoshiaki Yatsu called Olympics.
Got the NWA International, PWF, & United National titles unified into the Triple Crown. Also, got the NWA International and PWF tag titles unified into the World Tag Titles.
On 6/8/1990, a little bit after Misawa had his Tiger Mask hood removed, Tsuruta faced Misawa in the main event and put Misawa over which made the company hot and made Misawa a star.
Got struck with Hepatitis B during summer 1992, and was never the same physically.
From 1993-98 he wrestled in comedy matches on the big shows, because of his illness.
In 1995 he went back to college and took courses in sports training, and began teaching at Yokohama University.
His last match was on 9/11/1998, and retired on 2/20/1999, having a retirement ceremony on 3/6/1999 in Tokyo Nippon Budokan.
Passed away on 5/13/2000, because the cancer spread to his liver and during the kidney transplant he died.
Released 3 musical albums in the 1980's.
His 3 styles were a mat based one he learned from the Funks in the 1970's, his 2nd style was one that Ishingundan brought to AJPW in the 1980's, and the third one was a grumpy old man style he used against the Over Generation Army in the 1990's where he would enjoy beating up his opponents.
Was the first Triple Crown champion.
Was the first five crown king (triple crown + world tag team titles).
One of the most adaptable wrestlers ever. changed his style 3 times and adapted to all sorts of different styles that his opponents had.
Was a fiery, versatile wrestler, and both an accomplished man and wrestler.
::Pictures::
Jumbo Tsuruta
Jumbo Tsuruta 2
(Credit to: Quebrada for stats & facts: 1-4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-14, 16-19, 21, 23-24, 25-26, 29.)
