Noriyaki "Nori" Tanaka

Name: Noriyaki Tanaka

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 241

Age: 31

Hometown/Nation: Kanagawa, Japan

Theme Music: "Surfin' With The Alien" By Joe Satriani

Alignment: Tweener

Appearance: Tanaka, neither a spectularly large man nor particularly short, has a similar type body. While he is strong, he doesn't have any great amount of definition. Noriyaki has a very clean, business-like look. Clean shaven and with his hair always at the exact same short length if for no other reason beyond its convenience and manageability, Noriyaki's tendency towards the simple comes through in all aspects of his physical appearance.

Ring Attire: Noriyaki wears very simple yellow trunks, knee pads, elbow pads and boots to the ring. They have no markings or variations of any sort.

Description of the Wrestler's Personality, Behavior, and Attitude: Noriyaki's personality can best be described as no personality. His sole focus is success in the ring, putting on a noteworthy match, and by doing so continue to have a job. He's extremely business like and stiff both in the ring and out. He never goes out of his way to have enemies or allies. This makes him a very internal and very focused individual, who is nothing short of lethal in the ring. There have been some who have managed to get somewhat close to Nori, as he is also known, but even then they say the personality he presents at work is the same as at home. In many ways this style of living has hindered his career, because while his wrestling is unquestioned, he has been unable to speak his mind well or connect with the fanbase in the ring. As such, promoters have feared pushing him, and have not been willing to increase his pay in new contracts because of his perceived lack of marketability and profitability. This has led to a rather large resume, and one has to assume if he can't come out of his shell any time soon, that resume will only grow.

Background Information on Wrestler: Noriyaki Tanaka's childhood is in many ways a mystery. If for no other reason than Tanaka has never chosen to speak about it much, many questions surround it. It is fair to speculate, that it was a rather ordinary middle class life, with a distinct lack of life altering events. A fair conclusion to draw is that his father was a strict disciplinarian, intent on working hard and living his life. If this is true, his influence on Nori is clearly evident.

Why he became a wrestler, however, is unknown considering the unorthodox nature of the profession. There is no question that he is a gifted athlete, and it is simply assumed that the business ran into him versus him seeking out the business.

His early matches took place in loosely organized independent shows, promoted by former Japanese wrestling stars past their prime. Because of the crude and unprofessional type nature of these events, he quickly became a major star and eventually made his way to working dates with major regional promotions. The wrestling media pegged Tanaka the next great star, and called the realization of his potential only a matter of time.

Noriyaki though was fitted with the rare odd gimmick, and could really not let himself shine through. It did not work. Noriyaki and the promotion agreed to part ways, and the result was an immediate call of outrage from the press at the mistake made by the promotion. Because of this unexpected windfall, Noriyaki signed a large contract with a top Japanese federation, and was allowed to truly be himself and shine.

Only..he didn't. The matches were technically flawless, the moves and psychology were in their textbook forms, superb. But something was lacking. The raw emotion, the fighting spirit so necessary to success in Japan was not there. Not to mention the lack of much vocal ability.

Fast forward 6 years. Tanaka is a serviceable worker able to get young stars with great potential over, carrying them to technically proficient matches necessary for their learning of the craft. But the fans and the unquestioned eventual success? Never happened. Supporters still followed him and rooted for him in the next venture he took on, but quickly he evolved into just another name, his past predictions of great success barely remembered, and at best a footnote in puroresu history.

When NWC-J was announced and all the Japanese feds clamped down on their rosters, Tanaka was deemed expendable. Though management of every federation in the country realizes his value in educating the greener roster members, it is believed his style will be unable to click in the western NWC-J, and that he will be purchasable for bottom barrel pay soon enough.

What they don't see though is that TJP's innovative use of storyline and speech may in turn educate HIM and finally, just maybe, his potential may be realized after all. It certainly will be interesting to see just what Tanaka makes of his career. Is it a new beginning or the beginning of the end?

Titles Held: None

Three Strengths/Talents of the wrestler:

1) Knowledge - Nori has studied the art and craft of puroresu for so long, and practiced so consistently and methodically, that when he steps into the ring.. he KNOWS. He doesn't think, he doesn't ponder, he simply KNOWS. What he will do, what you will do, what the fans will do.

2) Experience - At age 31, and with 7 years in the business, Nori is an extremely experienced competitor who has wrestled against competitors of all shapes, sizes and styles.

3) Athletic Ability - Noriyaki has an extreme affinity for wrestling. He is able to do many things that few others can even imagine, and has a genius like ability to create in the ring.

Three Weaknesses/Flaws of the wrestler:

1) Overly Business-like Attitude - Noriyaki's extremely conservative and straightforward style of living has proved to be more of a hindrance than a help. It will only hold him back.

2) Charisma - Tanaka's lacking of that special something has been a true nail in the coffin. Until he can capture the hearts of the fans and his colleagues, his career is purely lateral.

3) Perceived Lack Of Fighting Spirit - The combination of these things leads to the ultimate fault. The perception that he has a lack of true fighting spirit. That when his back is against the wall he is unwilling to push back. No one really knows if this is true, it is impossible to tell. But if it is true, there will be no turnaround in Tanaka's career. None, whatsoever.

Finishing Maneuvers:

Daigen - Spinning Lunging Underhook Brainbuster Suplex. It says it all.

Tanakalock '94 - Step-Over Toe Hold Face Lock (S.T.F.), Nori can put this on from a variety of positions including a drop toe hold, half crab, and most any other allowing his legs to be by his victim's.

Tanakalock '98 - Double S.T.F.

Tanakalock '99 - Inverted S.T.F.

Signature Maneuvers:

Noriyaki has a distinct grasp on the vast dictionary of wrestling holds. While he is certainly is not familiar with every hold or maneuver, and while he does have some favorites, they are entirely too numerous to list here.