In 1976, Inoki fought reigning heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali.
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Jushin Thunder Liger thrilled American audiences with his colorful gear and aerial attacks.
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His series of matches with Brian Pillman are fondly remembered by fans.
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He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Giant Baba took on American stars such as Bruno Sammartino and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers
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Gary Hart brought the mysterious Great Kabuki to the United States in the 1970s.
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Kabuki participated in the 1994 Royal Rumble Match.
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The Great Muta made his way to America in the late 1980s.
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Muta, armed with blinding mist, captured the WCW World Television Title.
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Before becoming a manager, WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Fuji was a decorated tag team competitor. Under the tutelage of Capt. Lou Albano, Fuji and Mr. Saito capture the World Tag Team Titles.
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The Japanese pair held the titles on two occasions.
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Mr. Fuji also formed a formidable team with Professor Toru Tanaka.
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Tanaka and Fuji were three-time World Tag Team Champions.
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Guided by Shinja, Hakushi entered WWE in 1995.
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The mysterious high-flyer had several memorable encounters with Bret "Hit Man" Hart.
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It isn't just the men who impressed in America. Women, like the Jumping Bomb Angels, wowed fans across the Pacific Ocean.
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The ladies defeated The Glamour Girls at the first Royal Rumble event in 1988 to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
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The intense Bull Nakano dominated the ladies of WWE in the 1990s.
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In November 1994, Nakano bulldozed Alundra Blayze to take the WWE Women's Championship in her native country.
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Aja Kong impressed the WWE Universe in a brief run during 1995.
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Kong was the sole survivor of a women's Survivor Series Tag Team Match.
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Mr. Fuji became a manager by the mid-1980s and guides a new generation of Japanese Superstars to WWE.
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The Orient Express joined Fuji's stable in 1990.
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Kato and Tanaka used their martial arts expertise to gain victories.
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Fuji later guided a fellow WWE Hall of Famer, Yokozuna, to the WWE Championship.
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The gigantic Superstar dominated competition like The Undertaker during his reign.
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Yokozuna combined surprising striking skills with his power.
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Fuji proudly waved the Japanese flag from ringside.
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Masahiro Chono defended his NWA World Title several times in 1992, including a match against Great Muta at Starrcade.
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Genichiro Tenryu is a legend in Japan and made several appearances in WWE over the years.
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He teamed with Koji Kitao at WrestleMania VII to defeat former World Tag Team Champions Demolition.
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Tiger Mask amazed Americans in the early 1980s.
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He beat Dynamite Kid to capture the WWE Junior Heavyweight Championship.
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Shinjiro Otani won a 1996 tournament to win the revived WCW Cruiserweight Championship.
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Here, he takes on Eddie Guerrero at Starrcade 1995.
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Sonny Onoo imported many Japanese stars to WCW.
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Akira Hokuto won the WCW Women's Championship with Onoo's guidance.
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Ultimo Dragon added the WCW Cruiserweight Championship to his J-Crown, a collection of eight Japanese titles.
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After leaving WCW, Ultimo Dragon joined WWE in 2003.
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Taka Michinoku was the first WWE Light Heavyweight Champion.
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He defeated Brian Christopher in a fast-paced, high-flying affair to win the title.
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Michinoku later joined up with the rebellious Kaientai group.
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Under the tutelage of the devious Yamaguchi-san, Kaientai enjoyed success in WWE.
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Dick Togo and Mens Teioh of Kaientai also appeared on the first ECW pay-per-view event, "Barely Legal."
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Kaientai is perhaps remembered best for their rivalry with Val Venis
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Funaki branched out on his own in WWE, capturing the Cruiserweight Championship.
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The Great Sasuke competed in WWE and ECW during the late 1990s.
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Tajiri left his opponents battered after laying into them with his lightning-fast kicks.
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Kaz Hayashi joined WCW in the late 1990s.
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He thrilled WCW fans with his high-flying offense.
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Yoshi Tatsu is the latest in a long line of Japanese Superstars to make their way to WWE.
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Combining hard strikes with a willingness to fly through the air, Tatsu has impressed the WWE Universe.