  
|
 Title History:
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title (1):
All Asia Tag Team Title (1):
Tournament History: - G1 Jr. 6 Man Tag Team Tournament (2001): Minoru Tanaka, Masayuki Naruse & Masahito Kakihara beat Jado, Gedo & GOKU-DO (16:44) when Kakihara used a cross armbreaker on GOKU-DO.
Signature Moves:
- Captured suplex
Profile: During his high school days, Masayuki Naruse was a high ranking karate fighter. After passing a newcomer test, he joined Akira Maeda's RINGS promotion, debuting for the fighting group in May, 1992. In August, 1997, he won RINGS' 21 Tournament, establishing him as the promotion's top fighter in lightweight class. In June, 1999, he suffered a very serious herniated disc that almost forced him to retire, but he fought through it and returned. In May, 2001, he declared himself a freelancer and a month later appeared at a New Japan convention to challenge Minoru Tanaka for a shot at the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. That match took place at the Sapporo Dome in July, and in his first match for New Japan, Naruse won the prestigious title, beginning a three month reign. He formally joined New Japan early in 2002, and has since been a key figure in the junior division. In late 2003 and early 2004, he became a "Giant Killer" and threat to heavyweights, with a vale tudo victory over 6'10" Jan Nortje in K-1 on New Year's Eve of 2003, then a professional wrestling victory over Tadao Yasuda in January, 2004, at the Tokyo Dome. After that win, Naruse pledged himself to an "openweight" route, relocating to the heavyweight division. In January, 2006, Naruse decided to leave New Japan to become a freelancer, but did so on good terms. Naruse lives by the motto of "SPIRIT R NARUSE MASAYUKI FIGHT OR DIE", always trying to improve his skills, and is a very respected and well liked fighter.
|
