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 Title History:
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title (1):
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title (1):
Tournament History:
- IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title #1 Contender Tournament (2007): Wataru Inoue beat Prince Devitt (16:19) with the Triangle Lancer.
Signature Moves:
- Mexican stretch
Profile: Wataru Inoue absorbed himself in swimming, baseball, and running events throughout his school days. During university, he trained at Animal Hamaguchi's esteemed dojo, practicing there for three years. He joined New Japan in March, 1998, and wouldn't debut until October, 1999. He and Katsuyori Shibata were opening match sparring partners for a long time, and became good friends. Wataru showed a good sense for wrestling, and understood many of it's intangibles quickly. After learning all the basics of professional wrestling, the two began teaming up against more established juniors. Their greatest accomplishment as a team came in the 2001 G1 Jr. Tag League when they headlined Korakuen Hall and upset Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai, Wataru submitting the mighty Liger in the center of the ring! Following an injury that kept him sidelined for eight months until July, 2003, Wataru returned to action with a brand new look and attitude, beginning a new phase of his career. In 2005, an epic IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title win with Kanemoto showed Wataru's progress, and despite being riddled with injuries, his rank increased that year. He finally captured the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in late 2007 and dominated the division into 2008. After achieving the inspiring feat of winning the Best of the Super Jr. tournament while holding the title, he vacated the belt and in June, 2008, announced his graduation to the heavyweight division. With almost too much fighting spirit to carry, Wataru is one of the most talented and charismatic young wrestlers in the world, and has become one of New Japan's most popular talents in recent times.
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