Hideki Suzuki Explained

Hideki Suzuki
Names:Hachiman
Hideki Suzuki
Height:191 cm
Weight:110 kg
Birth Date:February 18, 1980
Birth Place:Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
Trainer:Antonio Inoki
Billy Robinson
Debut:November 24, 2008

[1] [2] [3] is a Japanese professional wrestler and catch wrestler currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah.

Trained by Billy Robinson, Suzuki started his career with the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) promotion in 2008. In 2014, he left IGF to become a freelancer, starting to work for promotions such as Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) and Wrestle-1 (W-1). He is a former two-time BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion,a former one-time Zero1 World Heavyweight, NWA United National Heavyweight, Wrestle-1 Champion and NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion. In 2017, Fighting TV Samurai named Suzuki the MVP in Japanese independent wrestling. In 2021, Suzuki signed with WWE, where he performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Hachiman as a member of Diamond Mine, and also worked as a coach at the WWE Performance Center.

Professional wrestling career

Inoki Genome Federation (2008–2014)

With a background in judo and football, Suzuki was trained in professional wrestling at the U.W.F. Snake Pit Japan dojo.[2] [3] After four years of training under British wrestler Billy Robinson,[4] he made his debut for the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) promotion on November 24, 2008, losing to Hiromitsu Kanehara.[2] [3] For the next three years, Suzuki worked undercards of IGF events.[2] His status finally began to rise in 2012 following a match with Peter Aerts.[2] On May 26, 2013, Suzuki won the second Inoki Genome tournament, defeating Akira Joh in the finals.[5] As a result, he received his first shot at the IGF Championship on October 26, but was defeated by the defending champion, Kazuyuki Fujita.[6] The following March, Suzuki left IGF to become a freelancer.[1] [4]

Freelance (2014–2021)

Suzuki then began working regularly for Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1),[7] [8] while also making appearances for promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW),[9] DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT),[10] and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah).[11] Suzuki quickly received a shot at Zero1's World Heavyweight Championship, though losing to defending champion, Kohei Sato, on May 6.[12] On August 3, 2014, Suzuki finally won his first professional wrestling championship in Zero1, defeating Tama Williams for the NWA United National Heavyweight Championship.[13] In November, Suzuki took part in special week, where Zero1 co-produced three events with the Wrestle-1 promotion.[14]

Through the continued relationship between Zero1 and Wrestle-1, Suzuki began also making appearances for the latter promotion, where he found himself a rival in Kai. On March 8, 2015, after Kai had captured the Wrestle-1 Championship, Suzuki immediately confronted the new champion and challenged him to a title match.[15] The match took place on April 1 and saw Suzuki defeat Kai in just seven minutes to become the new Wrestle-1 Champion.[16] [17] On May 5, Suzuki put both of his championships on the line at separate Zero1 and Wrestle-1 shows, losing the NWA United National Heavyweight Championship to Kamikaze and retaining the Wrestle-1 Championship against Ryota Hama.[18] [19] On June 27, Suzuki returned to IGF for the first time since his departure from the promotion, first defeating Wang Bin in the opening round and then Daichi Hashimoto in the finals to win the Genome-1 2015 Nagoya tournament.[20] Following the win, Suzuki formed an "anti-IGF" stable with foreigners Erik Hammer, Kevin Kross and Knux.[21] On July 12, Suzuki lost the Wrestle-1 Championship back to Kai in his third defense.[22] [23] [24] On November 1, Suzuki defeated Kohei Sato to win Pro Wrestling Zero1's World Heavyweight Championship.[25] On February 26, 2016, Suzuki returned to IGF, when he was appointed the leader of a new stable named Hagure IGF Gundan ("Rogue IGF Corps"), which also included Kazuyuki Fujita, Kendo Kashin and Shogun Okamoto.[26] On March 27, Suzuki lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Kohei Sato.[27]

On March 5, 2017, Suzuki challenged Daisuke Sekimoto for the Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) World Strong Heavyweight Championship. After wrestling to a thirty-minute time limit draw, Suzuki and Sekimoto agreed to a rematch on March 30.[28] [29] Suzuki went on to win the rematch to become the new World Strong Heavyweight Champion.[30] [31] On September 14, Suzuki and Kohei Sato defeated Shogun Okamoto and Yutaka Yoshie to win the vacant NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship.[32] After five successful title defenses, Suzuki lost the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Championship to Daichi Hashimoto on December 17.[33] [34] Suzuki claimed that losing the title cost him most of his bookings and that he was facing unemployment heading into 2018.[35] On January 1, 2018, Suzuki and Sato lost the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship to Masayuki Okamoto and Yutaka Yoshie.[36]

On April 4, 2019 at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport, Suzuki defeated Timothy Thatcher via knockout.

WWE (2021–2022)

In April 2021, Suzuki signed with WWE as a coach in the Performance Center.[37] Despite his work as coach, Suzuki would begin to work on NXT's weekly show as a pro wrestler under the name of Hachiman, as a part of the villainous stable Diamond Mine, alongside Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust (who was released several weeks later) and Malcolm Bivens.[38] [39] Within the coming months, The Creed Brothers (Brutus and Julius Creed) and Ivy Nile would also join the stable. On January 5, 2022, Suzuki was released from his WWE contract.[40]

Pro Wrestling Noah (2022–current)

On February 24, 2022 it was announced that Suzuki would be returning to Japan to wrestle for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah).[41] On March 13, 2022 Suzuki would team with Takashi Sugiura to win the GHC Tag Team Championship by defeating the team of Daiki Inaba & Kaito Kiyomiya at Noah Great Voyage In Yokohama 2022.[42]

Other media

Suzuki's first book, entitled, was released on January 19, 2017. The book is about wrestling techniques taught to Suzuki by Billy Robinson.[43]

Championships and accomplishments

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: http://www.w-1.co.jp/player/hidekisuzuki.php . https://web.archive.org/web/20150218034721/http://www.w-1.co.jp//player/hidekisuzuki.php . ja:鈴木 秀樹 . February 18, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  2. Web site: http://www.igf.jp/fighter/hideki-suzuki/ . ja:鈴木 秀樹 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . September 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023902/http://www.igf.jp/fighter/hideki-suzuki/ . dead .
  3. Web site: http://www.uwf-snakepit.com/suzuki.html . ja:鈴木 秀樹 . June 18, 2015 . U.W.F. Snake Pit Japan . ja . April 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160425054114/http://www.uwf-snakepit.com/suzuki.html . dead .
  4. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/245914/ . ja:IGFからフリーに 鈴木秀樹「年間100試合」目標 . March 19, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  5. Web site: Genome26 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  6. Web site: Genome29 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20180102012911/http://www.igf.jp/event/genome29/ . January 2, 2018 . dead .
  7. Web site: http://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2014/03/31/0006823438.shtml . ja:鈴木が電撃登場!4月ゼロワン参戦へ . March 31, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . Daily Sports Online . . ja.
  8. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/372932/ . ja:鈴木秀樹がW―1とゼロワン「王座統一」プラン激白 . March 3, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  9. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/276117/ . ja:カシンが「ダーク・キングダム」入りの鈴木秀樹を断罪 . June 11, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  10. Web site: http://www.ddtpro.com/hardhit/13607/ . ja:ハードヒット〜G-generation〜 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  11. Web site: http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1338 . ja:Great Voyage 2014 in Niigata ~大航海×大花火~ . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  12. Web site: http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2014/columndtl/201405060005-spnavi . ja:V1王者・佐藤耕平がW−1を「叩き潰す」 弾丸ヤンキースがタッグ王座2冠へ王手 . Takagi . Hiromi . May 6, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . Sports Navi . . ja.
  13. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/297314/ . ja:IGF離脱から4か月…鈴木がNWA・UN王座奪取 . August 4, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . June 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619050531/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/297314/ . dead .
  14. Web site: http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2986 . ja:「Kassen ~合戦 Zero1vsW-1全面対抗戦~」11/5~11/7新宿大会全対戦カード決定のお知らせ . October 10, 2014 . June 18, 2015 . . ja.
  15. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/377082/ . ja:4・1W-1王座挑戦 鈴木秀樹「Kaiは王者失格」 . March 13, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . June 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619064927/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/377082/ . dead .
  16. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/384475/ . ja:鈴木秀樹がW-1王座奪取 . April 2, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . April 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402201905/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/384475/ . dead .
  17. Web site: http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2015/columndtl/201504010011-spnavi . ja:W−1新王者・鈴木秀樹が武藤戦を熱望 「みんなも見たいでしょ」と自信満々 . Takagi . Hiromi . April 1, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . Sports Navi . . ja.
  18. Web site: http://battle-news.com/?p=8644 . ja:Zero1 5.5後楽園大会 弾丸ヤンキースvs.大谷&耕平のインターコンチタッグ戦、稔vs.日高のJr2冠戦 . May 5, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . Battle News . ja.
  19. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/396964/ . ja:鈴木がW—1チャンピオンシップ初防衛 . May 6, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . . ja . June 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619065431/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/396964/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Genome34 . July 2, 2015 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20150703011750/http://www.igf.jp/event/genome34/ . July 3, 2015 . dead .
  21. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/416116/ . ja:圧倒Vの鈴木秀樹がIGFリングでやりたい放題 . June 29, 2015 . June 29, 2015 . . ja . June 30, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150630070314/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/416116/ . dead .
  22. Web site: Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Symbol . July 12, 2015 . July 12, 2015 . . ja . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150713012213/http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1553 . July 13, 2015 .
  23. Web site: http://battle-news.com/?p=11427 . ja:W-1 7.12後楽園大会 鈴木vs.KaiのW-1チャンピオンシップ、246vs.new Wild orderのタッグ王座戦、稔vs.吉岡のクルーザー級王座戦 . July 12, 2015 . July 12, 2015 . Battle News . ja.
  24. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/421078/ . ja:Kai王座奪取もブーイング…武藤がトーナメント開催提案 . July 13, 2015 . July 13, 2015 . . ja . July 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150713133609/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/421078/ . dead .
  25. Web site: http://z-1.co.jp/zero1/interview?targetId=1349 . ja:11/1新木場1stリング大会試合結果 . November 1, 2015 . November 1, 2015 . . ja.
  26. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/512350/ . ja:「はぐれIGF軍団」のリーダーに鈴木秀樹 . March 1, 2016 . March 1, 2016 . . ja.
  27. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/523274/ . ja:【ゼロワン靖国】佐藤耕平が世界ヘビー級王座奪還 . March 27, 2016 . March 27, 2016 . . ja.
  28. Web site: https://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2017/03/05/0009971157.shtml . ja:大日本・関本が鈴木と大熱戦ドロー防衛、3・30後楽園で再戦約束 . March 5, 2017 . March 5, 2017 . Daily Sports Online . . ja.
  29. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/659203/ . ja:【大日本】関本V2 鈴木との再戦まで生きがいのウエートトレ封印 . March 6, 2017 . March 6, 2017 . . ja.
  30. Web site: https://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2017/03/31/0010051070.shtml . ja:鈴木が“引き分け再試合”で関本下してストロング王座奪取 . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . Daily Sports Online . . ja.
  31. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/669342/ . ja:【大日本】ストロング王座奪取 鈴木秀樹が次期挑戦者を面接? . March 31, 2017 . March 31, 2017 . . ja.
  32. Web site: https://www.z-1.co.jp/results/detail_195_1.html . ja:『Zero1 ドリームシリーズ 』 . September 14, 2017 . . ja.
  33. Web site: https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/201712170000490.html . ja:故橋本真也さんの長男橋本大地が初ベルト 大日本 . December 17, 2017 . December 17, 2017 . . ja.
  34. Web site: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/861406/ . ja:【大日本】橋本大地がデビュー7年目で初ベルト奪取! . December 18, 2017 . December 18, 2017 . . ja.
  35. Web site: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/875150/ . ja:鈴木秀樹「技能賞」受賞後ろくなことなし!? ベルト失いオファー激減 . December 30, 2017 . December 30, 2017 . . ja.
  36. Web site: https://www.z-1.co.jp/results/detail_236.html . ja:Zero1「謹賀新年」 . January 1, 2018 . . ja.
  37. Web site: Pollock. John. 2021-04-23. Hideki Suzuki joins WWE PC as a coach, other additions confirmed. 2021-06-23. POST Wrestling WWE NXT AEW NJPW UFC Podcasts, News, Reviews. en-US.
  38. Web site: Lambert. Jeremy. Roderick Strong And Malcolm Bivens Lead Diamond Mine, Attack Kushida On 6/22 NXT. June 22, 2021. June 22, 2021. Fightful.
  39. Web site: Wilkins. Rob. WWE NXT Results For 6/22/21 O'Reilly vs. Kushida, Adam Cole in action, Diamond Mine debut, and Samoa Joe. Fightful.
  40. Web site: Guzzo. Gisberto. January 5, 2022. "Hachiman" Hideki Suzuki Released By WWE. January 5, 2022. Fightful.
  41. Web site: Hideki Suzuki Returns to Pro Wrestling NOAH Following WWE Release . 24 February 2022 .
  42. Web site: NOAH Great Voyage In Yokohama 2022 . CageMatch.
  43. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/641317/ . ja:鈴木秀樹やっと宣言 はぐれIGF軍団“放牧” . January 17, 2017 . January 17, 2017 . . ja.
  44. Web site: http://www.bjw.co.jp/pfree_pg7.php . ja:★BJW認定世界ストロングヘビー級王座★ . March 31, 2017 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20170629202056/http://bjw.co.jp/pfree_pg7.php . June 29, 2017 . dead .
  45. Web site: April 16, 2018. 【大日本】鈴木秀樹が「一騎当千」初優勝. February 7, 2021. Tokyo Sports. Japanese.
  46. Web site: http://bjw.co.jp/pfree_pg9.php . ja:★BJW認定横浜ショッピングストリート6人タッグ王座★ . May 15, 2017 . . ja . February 9, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190209221838/http://www.bjw.co.jp/pfree_pg9.php . dead .
  47. Web site: Title Reigns - Triangle Ribbon Championship . CageMatch.
  48. Web site: http://www.ddtpro.com/ddtpro/53127/ . ja:【年越しプロレス2017のまとめ】年忘れ!シャッフル・タッグトーナメントは関口組を下した竹下&鈴木のモースト・ストロンゲスト・コンビが優勝!/蘇る80年代ガイジン列伝! スタン、ブロディ、タケシータ、ブッチャーが大暴れ! カリスマバラモン、阿鼻叫喚の地獄絵図への誘い!/Taka、デビュー25周年記念試合で新年を迎えると同時にMaoにフォール負け! . January 1, 2018 . January 1, 2018 . . ja.
  49. Web site: DDT ProWrestling . ja:木高イサミのプロレス〜第三回新宿地上最大武道会~ . December 29, 2017 . Pro-Wrestling Basara . . ja.
  50. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2018. September 28, 2018. cagematch.net.
  51. Web site: GHC Tag Team Championship . CageMatch.
  52. Web site: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/858352/ . ja:【プロレス大賞】技能賞 初受賞の鈴木秀樹「コメント?書面でお願いします」 . December 14, 2017 . December 14, 2017 . . ja . December 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171214182610/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/858352/ . dead .
  53. Web site: http://bjw.co.jp/event_detail.php?id=1835 . ja:「年越しプロレス2017」 . December 31, 2017 . December 31, 2017 . . ja . January 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030014/http://bjw.co.jp/event_detail.php?id=1835 . dead .