6 North Americans who wrestled under a mask in Japan
Japan has one of the most historic legacies in professional wrestling. While there were earlier attempts at bringing wrestling into the country, the sport took off in 1951 with Rikidozan being the first major star in the country. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Japanese wrestling scene became heavily influenced by the American and Mexican wrestling landscape.
Suddenly, the Japanese wrestling scene attracted masked luchadors like Jushin 'Thunder' Liger, Ultimo Dragon, and Tiger Mask. Many masked luchadors became more than professional wrestlers and were seen as living legends.
During this time, several young and up and coming talents from the North American based WCW promotion saw a number of legends pass through the doors of these Japanese promotions. In general, Japanese promotions have brought in "gaijins" or foreigners to their wrestling promotions, as a star attraction. Legends like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, Bam Bam Bigelow, and Big Van Vader all wrestled in Japan.
At the same time, younger wrestlers like Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit also wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a way of gaining experience while working for WCW. This was a part of the mutual relationship that saw the two promotions share their talent. In the years after the fall of WCW, Japan became a region where independent wrestlers could find reliable work with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Michinoku Pro, and All Japan. In more recent years, Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling Noah have been added to the list of Japanese wrestling promotions.
As such, many foreign wrestlers have come to Japan in order to get additional experience and work in new territories outside of North America. Sometimes these wrestlers wore masks that continued the legacies of previous masked characters, while others have created new masked characters that they then brought back to North America.
This is a list of six wrestlers from North America who wrestled under a mask in Japan.
# 6 Rocky Romero - Black Tiger IV
Rocky Romero is probably not going to be a familiar name to many wrestling fans, especially if you have only watched WWE. Romero has wrestled for ROH, CMLL, and AAA, but is probably best known for his run in NJPW. Romero is a former Junior Heavyweight Champion and an 8-time IWJP Junior Tag Team Champion. Romero also won the ROH tag team titles on three separate occasions.
During his time with Ring of Honor, Romero teamed with Davey Richards and defeated wrestlers like Tyler Black, Austin Aries, and Bryan Danielsen. Romero also wrestled an extensive period of time for New Japan, starring in feuds against The Young Bucks for the IWJP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles. Romero is currently a member of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's CHAOS faction.
Before establishing himself as a name in both ROH and NJPW, Romero became the fourth person to don the legendary Black Tiger mask. Romero wrestled as Black Tiger from 2004-2009. He eventually lost the mask in a Title vs Mask Match against Tiger Mask at NJPW Resolution 2009.
Romero wasn't the only "gaijin" to wrestle under the Black Tiger mask.