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 Title History:
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title (2):
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title (2):
British Commonwealth Jr. Heavyweight Title (1):
NWA Jr. Heavyweight Title (1):
NWA Welterweight Title (1):
UWA Middleweight Title (1):
UWA Jr. Light Heavyweight Title (2):
WAR International Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title (1):
WWA Jr. Light Heavyweight Title (2):
WWF Light Heavyweight Title (2):
Tournament History:
- Best of the Super Jr. 1997: El Samurai beat Koji Kanemoto (23:51) with an avalanche-style reverse DDT.
Signature Moves:
- Avalanche-style Frankensteiner
Profile: Osamu Matsuda was initiated into the New Japan dojo after graduating from high school in April, 1985. He debuted in June of that year against Yuji Funaki, and would spend several years performing young lion duties. In March, 1991, he went on an overseas learning excursion to Mexico, where he became a masked character named El Samurai. He returned to New Japan as Samurai in early 1992, and went on to defeat new rival and future friend, Jushin Thunder Liger, to capture the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title in June that year. He held many more titles throughout the decade, becoming a very successful junior heavyweight in New Japan. In 1997, he debuted a new costume and felt revitalized. His surge in form guided him to his first Best of the Super Jr. win in June, 1997, when he defeated Koji Kanemoto in an acclaimed final. Just a month later, he downed Liger to begin a short reign as J Crown Champion. Now a grizzled veteran, Samurai's rank in the junior division has lessened in recent years, but he remains a solid hand, capable of beating any junior on his day. In April, 2004, Samurai unmasked for the first time in many years, wrestling as himself for one match against Osamu Nishimura, before donning the mask once more. Although he has been in Liger's shadow for much of his career as a trusted ally, Samurai is a hard worker, and has produced many memorable matches.
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