View source for Genichiro Tenryu

{{Short description|Japanese professional wrestler}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2024}}{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name        = Genichiro Tenryu
| names       = '''Genichiro Tenryu'''<br />Tenryu<br />[[Hayabusa (wrestler)|Hayabusa <br />Big Hayabusa]]<br />Hustle General
| image       = GenichiroTenryu2008.png
| image_size  = 230px
|birth_name   = {{nihongo|Genichiro Shimada|嶋田 源一郎|Shimada Gen'ichirō}}
| caption     = Tenryu in 2008
| height      = 1.88 m<!--In Japan they measure in meters so that should be first--><ref name=PWI500-2004/>
| weight      = 124 kg<!--In Japan they measure in kilos so that should be first--><ref name=PWI500-2004/>
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1950|2|2|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Katsuyama, Fukui|Katsuyama]], [[Fukui Prefecture|Fukui]], Japan
| resides     =
| billed      =
| trainer     = [[Dory Funk Jr.]]<br />[[Terry Funk]]<br />[[Giant Baba]]
| debut       = November 13, 1976
| retired     = November 15, 2015
}}
{{nihongo|'''Genichiro Shimada'''|嶋田 源一郎|Shimada Gen'ichirō|born February 2, 1950}}, better known as {{nihongo|'''Genichiro Tenryu'''|天龍 源一郎|Tenryū Gen'ichirō}} is a Japanese retired [[Puroresu|professional wrestler]] and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered [[Sumo|sumo wrestling]] and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his ''[[shikona]]''. He had two stints with [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW), where he spent the majority of his career while also promoting [[Super World of Sports]] (SWS), [[WAR (wrestling promotion)|Wrestle Association R]] (WAR) and [[Tenryu Project]]. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-18 |title=Greatest Wrestler Ever: THE LIST! |url=https://forums.prowrestlingonly.com/topic/33910-greatest-wrestler-ever-the-list/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Pro Wrestling Only |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spyke |first=T. J. |title=COUNIHAN: My New Greatest Wrestler Ever Top 100 List with a new no. 1, plus the top 247 wrestlers compiled from our panel |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/06/09/counihan-my-new-greatest-wrestler-ever-top-100-list-with-a-new-no-1-plus-the-top-247-wrestlers-compiled-from-our-panel/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time of his retirement, professional wrestling journalist and historian [[Dave Meltzer]] wrote that "one could make a strong case [that Tenryu was] between the fourth and sixth biggest native star" in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.<ref name="WON11302015">{{cite news |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=SHEAMUS WINS WWE TITLE, TENRYU RETIREMENT SHOW, PLUS TONS MORE |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/november-30-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-sheamus-wins-wwe-title |access-date=1 February 2020 |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=November 30, 2015}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

== Sumo wrestling career ==
{{Infobox sumo wrestler
| image       =
| native_name = 天龍 源一郎
| name        = Tenryū Genichiro
| birth_name  =
| birth_date  =
| birth_place =
| height      = {{height|meter=1.85}}
| weight      = {{convert|112|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| heya        = [[Nishonoseki stable (1911–2013)|Nishonoseki]]
| rank        =
| record      = 393-355-0
| debut       = January, 1964
| highestrank = Maegashira 1 (January, 1974)
| retireddate = September, 1976
| yushos      = 1 (Jūryō)<br/>1 (Makushita)
| prizes      =
| goldstars   =
| update      = Sep. 2012
}}
As a sumo wrestler, Tenryu was ranked as a ''[[sekitori]]'' for 27 tournaments, 16 of them in the top ''[[makuuchi]]'' division. His highest rank was ''[[makuuchi#Maegashira|maegashira]]'' 1.  Upon the death of his stablemaster at [[Nishonoseki stable (1911–2013)|Nishonoseki stable]] he wanted to join former stablemate [[Daikirin]]'s newly established Oshiogawa stable, which had just broken off from Nishonoseki, but the [[Japan Sumo Association]] insisted he stay at Nishonoseki whose new stablemaster, [[Kongō Masahiro|Kongō]], he did not get along with.  He finished one more tournament, and even though his career still showed promise, he decided to leave the sumo world at the young age of 26 in September 1976.

== Professional wrestling career ==
=== All Japan Pro Wrestling (1976–1990) ===
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}Scouted by [[Giant Baba]], the [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) owner, Tenryu was sent to Amarillo, Texas to be trained by [[Dory Funk Jr.]] and [[Terry Funk]], and debuted in Texas in 1976, against [[Ted DiBiase]]. After returning to Japan in 1977, he stayed in the undercard until about 1982 when he began to get a slight push in that year's [[Champion Carnival]] tournament. In 1983, following a brief stint in [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], his push began in earnest when [[Jumbo Tsuruta]] pursued the NWA International heavyweight title, now the main title in the [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]].

1984 saw Tenryu winning the NWA United National title, now also part of the Triple Crown, as well as the NWA International tag team title with Tsuruta. Their combination was called "Kakuryu" ({{lang|ja|鶴}} = ''kaku'' = ''tsuru'' (the "tsuru" in Tsuruta) + {{lang|ja|龍}} = ''ryū'' in Tenryū). The team feuded with [[Riki Choshu]] and [[Yoshiaki Yatsu]], who were the leaders in an "invasion" angle by the [[Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance|Japan Pro Wrestling]] promotion, an All Japan satellite made up of former [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] talent.

In 1987, following the departure of the Japan Pro talent, Kakuryu broke up after losing the tag team titles to [[The Road Warriors]], which led to Tenryu forming his own stable, "[[Revolution (puroresu)|Revolution]]", with former [[International Pro Wrestling]] wrestlers [[Ashura Hara]] and [[Hiromichi Fuyuki]], as well as All Japan rookies [[Toshiaki Kawada]], and [[Yoshinari Ogawa]]; Tatsumi Kitahara would join the group upon his debut in 1988. Tenryu and Hara feuded with Tsuruta and his new partner Yatsu over the Pacific Wrestling Federation World tag team titles and later with their replacement, the [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Championship]] (a combination of the PWF World and NWA International tag belts). Hara was kicked out of the promotion in late 1988, and Tenryu replaced him with [[Stan Hansen]], with whom he held the World Tag Team Championship as well.

1989 was Tenryu's banner year. Tsuruta became the first Triple Crown champion on April 18 of that year, and just two days later Tenryu became his first challenger. The Tsuruta-Tenryu series that ensued set the standard for all Triple Crown matches and feuds to follow. When Tenryu won the belts on June 5, the match was so spectacular it was deemed Match of the Year by major Japanese publications. The same year saw him finally pin his mentor Baba, albeit in a tag match - but still a major success for a Japanese wrestler. Only [[Mitsuharu Misawa]] would duplicate this feat. In addition, Tenryu was chosen to be one-third of the [[NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Champions]] with the Road Warriors after the Road Warriors turned [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] against their former co-holder of the title, [[Dusty Rhodes]]. However, the relationship between All Japan Pro Wrestling and the NWA was significantly strained when Tenryu and the Road Warriors were scheduled to compete in a match Baba had advertised to his Japanese audience, but American booking decisions prevented the match from taking place. This created an uncomfortable situation where Giant Baba had to apologize to his Japanese audience for a match he had promoted not taking place, and was a key factor in All Japan Pro Wrestling's ultimate withdrawal from the NWA. This also resulted in the six man championship being vacated and abandoned until 1991, when it was temporarily resurrected as a [[World Championship Wrestling]] championship.

=== Super World of Sports (1990–1992) ===
In April 1990, Tenryu left All Japan Pro Wrestling to form [[Super World of Sports]] (SWS). He wrestled his first match for the nascent promotion in September 1990, teaming with [[Takashi Ishikawa]] as "Revolution" to defeat Dojo Geki ([[Isao Takagi]] and [[Yoshiaki Yatsu]]).<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS"/>

In 1991, as part of a working agreement between Super World of Sports and the [[World Wrestling Federation]], Tenryu appeared at [[WrestleMania VII]], where he teamed with [[Koji Kitao]] to defeat [[Demolition (professional wrestling)|Demolition]].<ref name=PWI500-2004>{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling illustrated 500 - 2004 :90 Genichiro Tenryu | work = Pro Wrestling Illustrated | publisher = Sports and Entertainment publications LLC | location = Blue Bell, [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States of America|USA]] | id =  December 2004 | page = 27 | date =  October 1, 2004}}</ref>

Tenryu wrestled his final match for SWS in June 1992, teaming with [[Ashura Hara]] and [[Último Dragón]] to defeat [[Jerry Estrada]], [[King Haku]], and [[The Great Kabuki]].<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS"/>

=== Wrestling and Romance (1992–1999) ===
After Super World of Sports collapsed in June 1992, Tenryu, aided by Masatomo Takei (brother of his wife Makiyo) formed [[WAR (wrestling promotion)|Wrestling and Romance]] (WAR). WAR became his base from where he would take on top wrestlers from other promotions, such as [[Atsushi Onita]], [[Nobuhiko Takada]], [[Keiji Mutoh|The Great Muta]], [[Shinya Hashimoto]] and [[Masahiro Chono]], all of whom he defeated. He also traded victories with [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] and [[Antonio Inoki]], thus becoming the only Japanese wrestler to defeat both Inoki and Baba by pinfall.

Tenryu made brief returns to the World Wrestling Federation at the [[1993 Royal Rumble]] and [[1994 Royal Rumble]];<ref name=PWI500-2004/> in the latter he made it to the final five but was eliminated by eventual co-winners [[Lex Luger]] and [[Bret Hart]]. An [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]] had he and The Great Kabuki hired as mercenaries by [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]]'s manager, [[Mr. Fuji]], to attack [[The Undertaker]] and prevent him from winning.

In 1998, as WAR went into decline, Tenryu began an earnest comeback, this time in New Japan. He first joined [[Heisei Ishingun]], allied with its leader [[Shiro Koshinaka]], and they won the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] from Team Wolf, Masahiro Chono and [[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]]. In December 1999, Tenryu made history as the first native to win the top two distinctions of professional wrestling in Japan (All Japan's Triple Crown and New Japan's IWGP Heavyweight title) by beating Mutoh for the IWGP title. (The first man to win both titles was [[Big Van Vader]], an American.)

=== All Japan Pro Wrestling (2000–2004) ===
In 2000, following the near-collapse of All Japan due to the [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] split, Tenryu closed WAR and rejoined All Japan, eager to test his mettle against the remaining [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Ace|ace]], his former disciple Kawada. Tenryu beat Kawada in the subsequent tournament for the vacant Triple Crown, winning the belts for a second time. In his second stay in All Japan, he would capture the belts a third time and also the World Tag Team Championship with former WAR–[[UWF International|UWFI]] feud rival [[Yoji Anjo]].

=== Late career and retirement (2004–2015) ===
In 2003, he joined [[Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling]] for a few matches, but as it declined rapidly, he switched back and forth aimlessly between New Japan and All Japan.

[[File:Genichiro Tenryu punching one of the "Sharp Brothers".jpg|thumb|Genichiro Tenryu in 2008]]
In 2005, he entered Noah, and began feuds with Misawa, [[Kenta Kobashi]], and other wrestlers he knew from his first All Japan stint, as well as new faces he's never met in the ring before, such as [[Jun Akiyama]]. Tenryu has also been with the [[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]] promotion and was a part of the main heel group led by [[Nobuhiko Takada|Generalissimo Takada]]. During this time, he teamed with [[Toshiaki Kawada]] mainly. At Hustle Aid 2007, however, Tenryu was defeated by [[Razor Ramon HG]] and joined the main face group led by Razor Ramon HG, Hustle Army.

In December 2009, following the folding of Hustle, Tenryu began running his own Tenryu Project promotion. He continued to make forays into other promotions, remaining active even past age 60.

On February 7, 2015, it was reported that Tenryu had decided to retire from professional wrestling with his final match scheduled to take place later in the year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/02/07/0007721899.shtml | title = 天龍源一郎 現役引退を決意 | date=February 7, 2015 | access-date=February 7, 2015 | work=Daily Sports Online | publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]] | language=ja}}</ref> Tenryu held a press conference two days later to confirm the report, announcing that his retirement event would be taking place in November and would feature participation from All Japan, New Japan and Noah.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/365086/ | title = 天龍引退興行に主要３団体が全面協力 | date=February 9, 2015 | access-date=February 9, 2015 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja}}</ref> On August 16, Tenryu made a surprise return to New Japan, having a confrontation with [[Kazuchika Okada]] to set up his retirement match on November 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/436310/|title=１１・１５天龍引退試合でオカダ戦"決定"|date=August 17, 2015|access-date=August 17, 2015|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820012239/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/436310/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the meantime, he embarked on a multipromotional "Retirement Road" tour, including matches in [[Kyushu Pro-Wrestling]], [[Dramatic Dream Team|DDT]], [[Big Japan Pro Wrestling|BJW]], [[Wrestle-1]] and [[Pro Wrestling Freedoms]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=938&bild=1&details=11|title=Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database|author=Axel Saalbach}}</ref> On November 15, Tenryu was defeated by Okada in his retirement match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/11/15/0008569089.shtml|script-title=ja:天龍が引退試合で凄絶負け「負けたぁ」|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=Daily Sports Online|publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/index.php/2015/11/15/1115-tenryu-retirement-in-tokyo-japan-tenryu-vs-okada-funk-hansen-appear-more/|title=11/15 Tenryu Retirement in Tokyo, Japan: Tenryu vs. Okada, Funk & Hansen appear, more|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=November 15, 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> ''[[Tokyo Sports]]'' named Tenryu's retirement match the 2015 Match of the Year.<ref name=TokyoSports2015BestBout>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/481073/|script-title=ja:【プロレス大賞】ベストバウトは天龍引退試合 天龍の意地と心意気評価|date=December 8, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2015|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref>

== Other media ==
Tenryu appears as a gang member in the 2017 video game ''[[Yakuza Kiwami 2]]'', alongside Keiji Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201709/21142264.html|title=『龍が如く 極2』武藤敬司・蝶野正洋・長州力・天龍源一郎・藤波辰爾 VS 桐生一馬・真島吾朗が実現!?【TGS2017】|date=September 21, 2017|access-date=September 21, 2017|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|language=ja}}</ref>
Tenryu is also a regular guest on the annual 24-hour comedy special, Gaki no Tsukai - No Laughing Challenge, often appearing as a character who occasionally (and intentionally) speaks unintelligibly to cause the contestants to laugh.

== Championships and accomplishments ==
* '''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[All Asia Tag Team Championship]] ([[All Asia Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Masanobu Fuchi]]
** [[NWA International Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA International Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with [[Jumbo Tsuruta]]
** [[NWA United National Championship]] ([[NWA United National Championship#Title history|2 times]])
** [[PWF World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[PWF World Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
** [[PWF World Tag Team Championship]] ([[PWF World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Ashura Hara]]
** [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship#Reigns|3 times]])
** [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)#Title history|5 times]]) – with [[Stan Hansen]] (3), Ashura Hara (1), and [[Yoji Anjo]] (1)
** [[Champion Carnival]] ([[Champion Carnival#2001|2001]])
** [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#1984|1984]]) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#1986|1986]]) – with Jumbo Tsuruta
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#1989|1989]]) – with Stan Hansen
** January 2 Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal (1982)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/alljapan/miscaj.html#hvywt|title=Misc. All Japan Events}}</ref>
** United National Title League (1986)<ref name="Pro Wrestling History">{{Cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/|title=Pro Wrestling History|website=prowrestlinghistory.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship Tournament (2000)<ref name="Pro Wrestling History"/>
** Champion's Carnival Technique Award (1982)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/carnival82.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League New Wave Award (1981) – with Ashura Hara<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl81.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1982) – with Ashura Hara<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl82.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Technique Award (1983) – with Jumbo Tsuruta<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl83.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Performance Award (1985) – with Jumbo Tsuruta<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl85.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Performance Award (1987) – with Ashura Hara<ref name="PUROLOVE.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl87.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Outstanding Fighting Spirit Award (1987) – with Ashura Hara<ref name="PUROLOVE.com"/>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Fighting Spirit Award (1988) – with Toshiaki Kawada<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl88.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
** World's Strongest Tag Determination League Best Player Award (1989)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/history/rwtl89.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|website=www.purolove.com|access-date=2018-11-11}}</ref>
*'''[[Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
** WMG Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Riki Choshu]]
* '''[[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]]'''
** [[Hustle Super Tag Team Championship]] ([[Hustle Super Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Tadao Yasuda
* '''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** [[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#Members|Class of 2022]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=156794|title=Steve Austin & More: International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Announced|work=PWInsider.com|first=Mike|last=Johnson|date=March 13, 2022|accessdate=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202233038/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=156794|archive-date=February 2, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[Jim Crockett Promotions|Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling]]/[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Mr. Fuji]]
** [[NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[The Road Warriors]]
* '''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
** [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])
** [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Shiro Koshinaka]]
*'''''[[Nikkan Sports]]'''''
**Match of the Year (1999) <small>vs. Keiji Mutoh on May 3</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-1999|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 1999|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 13, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120610/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-1999|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** Ranked No. '''44''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
** Ranked No. '''14''' and '''30''' of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Jumbo Tsuruta and Ashura Hara, respectively,  in 2003
* '''[[Super World of Sports]]'''
** SWS vs WWF Tournament (1990)
** One Night Tag Team Tournament (1990) – with [[Koji Kitao]]
* '''Tenryu Project'''
** [[Tenryu Project World 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with [[Isao Takagi|Arashi]] and [[Tomohiro Ishii]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/tenryu/results.php|title=PUROLOVE.com|access-date=2012-02-16|archive-date=2022-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108052019/http://www.purolove.com/misc/tenryu/results.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** Hidden Genius R League (2013) - with Ryuichi Kawakami
* '''''[[Tokyo Sports]]'''''
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Tag Team Award|Best Tag Team Award]] (1983, 1985) {{small|with Jumbo Tsuruta}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** Best Tag Team Award (1987) {{small|with Ashura Hara}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Fighting Spirit Award|Fighting Spirit Award]] (1983)<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** Lifetime Achievement Award (2015)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/481207/ | script-title=ja:【プロレス大賞】天龍に特別功労賞 受賞総数「２２」は鶴田さんと並ぶ最多タイ | date=December 8, 2015 | access-date=December 8, 2015 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=ja | archive-date=December 9, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209191854/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/481207/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Bout Award|Match of the Year Award]] (1987) {{small|vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on August 31}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1988) {{small|vs. Stan Hansen on July 27}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1989) {{small|vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on June 5}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1991) {{small|vs. Hulk Hogan on December 12}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1993) {{small|vs. Riki Choshu on January 4}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1994) {{small|with Ashura Hara vs. Atsushi Onita and Tarzan Goto on March 2}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1996) {{small|vs. Nobuhiko Takada on September 11}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (1999) {{small|vs. Keiji Mutoh on May 3}}<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
** Match of the Year Award (2015) {{small|vs. [[Kazuchika Okada]] on November 15}}<ref name=TokyoSports2015BestBout/>
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#MVP Award|MVP Award]] (1986, 1987, 1988, 1993)<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s">{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past2/|title=東京スポーツ プロレス大賞：選考経過（1980～1989）|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|date=24 May 2023 }}</ref><ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s">{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past3/|title=東京スポーツ プロレス大賞：選考経過（1990～1999）|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|date=24 May 2023 }}</ref>
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Outstanding Performance Award|Outstanding Performance Award]] (1981, 1984, 1996)<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1980s"/><ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past1/|title=東京スポーツ プロレス大賞：選考経過（1974～1979）|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|date=24 May 2023 }}</ref>
** [[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Technique Award|Technique Award]] (1990)<ref name="Tokyo Sports 1990s"/>
* '''[[WAR (wrestling promotion)|Wrestle Association "R"]]'''
** [[WAR (wrestling promotion)#J-1 Heavyweight Championship|J-1 Heavyweight Championship (1 time)]]<ref name=Jan14F4W>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0114-christian-wins-nwa-world-title-301651 | title=Pro wrestling history (01/14): Christian wins NWA World Title | date=January 14, 2019 | access-date=January 18, 2019 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]] | first=Brian | last=Hoops}}</ref>
** [[WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with Koki Kitahara and [[Animal Hamaguchi]] (1), and Nobutaka Araya and [[Último Dragón]] (1)
** [[WAR tournaments#Six Man Tag Team Tournament|Six Man Tag Team Tournament (1994)]] - with [[Atsushi Onita]] and [[Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow]]
**[[WAR tournaments#One Night Tag Team Tournament|One Night Tag Team Tournament (1995)]] - with [[Último Dragón]]
**[[WAR tournaments#J-1 Heavyweight Championship Tournament|J-1 Heavyweight Championship Tournament (1998)]]
* '''''[[Dave Meltzer#Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (2001) {{small|vs. [[Keiji Mutoh]] on June 8, Tokyo, Japan}}
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 1996]])

== Sumo career record ==
{{Sumo record box start|Tenryū Genichiro<ref>{{cite web|title=Tenryū Genichiro Rikishi Information|publisher=Sumo Reference|url=http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=4088|access-date=2012-09-16}}</ref>
}}
{{Sumo record year start|1964}}
    {{Basho|MAEZUMOU}}
    {{Basho|jk|22|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|jo|96|w|4|3}}
    {{Basho|jo|67|e|3|4}}
    {{Basho|jo|87|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|jo|38|e|4|3}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1965}}
    {{Basho|jo|13|e|5|2}}
    {{Basho|sa|64|e|3|4}}
    {{Basho|sa|77|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|sa|33|w|4|3}}
    {{Basho|sa|22|e|2|5}}
    {{Basho|sa|47|w|3|4}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1966}}
    {{Basho|sa|58|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|sa|63|w|4|3}}
    {{Basho|sa|51|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|sa|14|e|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|95|e|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|75|w|6|1}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1967}}
    {{Basho|ma|43|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|46|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|58|w|2|5}}
    {{Basho|sa|12|e|3|4}}
    {{Basho|sa|20|w|1|6}}
    {{Basho|sa|50|w|5|2}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1968}}
    {{Basho|sa|22|e|4|3}}
    {{Basho|sa|11|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|sa|26|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|sa|5|e|5|2}}
    {{Basho|ma|43|e|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|36|e|3|4}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1969}}
    {{Basho|ma|39|e|5|2}}
    {{Basho|ma|24|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|29|e|5|2}}
    {{Basho|ma|18|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|24|e|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|20|w|3|4}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1970}}
    {{Basho|ma|24|w|6|1}}
    {{Basho|ma|7|e|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|9|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|14|e|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|19|w|6|1|P<br />Champion}}
    {{Basho|ma|4|e|3|4}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1971}}
    {{Basho|ma|7|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|12|w|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|10|w|5|2}}
    {{Basho|ma|3|w|6|1}}
    {{Basho|j|11|w|6|9}}
    {{Basho|ma|2|e|3|4}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
 {{Sumo record year start|1972}}
    {{Basho|ma|4|w|4|3}}
    {{Basho|ma|3|w|3|4}}
    {{Basho|ma|7|e|6|1|P}}
    {{Basho|j|13|e|8|7}}
    {{Basho|j|8|w|10|5|P}}
    {{Basho|j|3|e|10|5}}
  {{Sumo record year end}}
{{sumo record year start|1973}}
    {{basho|m|13|e|8|7}}
    {{basho|m|10|e|9|6}}
    {{basho|m|5|w|6|9}}
    {{basho|m|9|w|6|9}}
    {{basho|m|13|e|9|6}}
    {{basho|m|7|e|9|6}}
  {{sumo record year end}}
{{sumo record year start|1974}}
    {{basho|m|1|W|5|10}}
    {{basho|m|5|w|6|9}}
    {{basho|m|9|w|6|9}}
    {{basho|m|11|e|8|7}}
    {{basho|m|8|w|8|7}}
    {{basho|m|7|e|5|10}}
  {{sumo record year end}}
{{sumo record year start|1975}}
    {{basho|m|12|e|5|10}}
    {{Basho|j|3|w|8|7}}
    {{Basho|j|2|e|4|11}}
    {{Basho|j|10|w|13|2<br />Champion}}
    {{basho|m|13|w|6|9}}
    {{Basho|j|2|w|8|7}}
  {{sumo record year end}}
{{sumo record year start|1976}}
    {{basho|m|14|e|4|11}}
    {{Basho|j|4|w|10|5}}
    {{Basho|j|1|e|7|8}}
    {{Basho|j|2|w|10|5}}
    {{Basho|intai|rank=m|r-no=13|tozai=e|win=8|loss=7}}
    {{basho}}
  {{sumo record year end}}
{{sumo record box end}}

== Video games ==
* ''[[HammerLock Wrestling|Tenryū Gen'ichirō no Puroresu Revolution]]''
* ''[[HammerLock Wrestling]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Fire Pro Wrestling: Combination Tag]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Fire Pro Wrestling 2nd Bout]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Fire Pro Wrestling 3 Legend Bout]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling III: Final Bout]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling III: Easy Type]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling X]]''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Super Fire Pro Wrestling X Premium]]''
* ''Gekitou Burning Pro Wrestling''
* '' [[Fire Pro Wrestling|Fire Pro Wrestling Returns]]''
* '' [[Super Star Pro Wrestling]]''
* '' [[Virtual Pro Wrestling 64]]''
*[[Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō]]
*[[King of Colosseum|King of Colosseum: Red]]
*[[King of Colosseum|King of Colosseum II]]
*[[Wrestle Kingdom (video game)|Wrestle Kingdom]]
*[[Wrestle Kingdom 2]]

== See also ==
* [[List of past sumo wrestlers]]
* [[List of sumo tournament second division champions]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="KreikenbohmSWS">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=748&page=4&promotion=308 |title=Genichiro Tenryu - matches - Super World of Sports |access-date=March 14, 2024 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch.net }}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{IMDb name|nm1106518}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}

{{Navboxes
|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Keiji Mutoh]]}}
{{S-ttl| title = 25th [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Heavyweight Champion]]| years = December 10, 1999 – January 4, 2000}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Kensuke Sasaki]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{All Asia Tag Team Championship}}
{{All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship}}
{{Champion Carnival}}
{{IWGP Heavyweight Championship}}
{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}
{{WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship}}
{{World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)}}
{{World's Strongest Tag Determination League}}
{{Wrestle Association R}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tenryu, Genichiro}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:IWGP Heavyweight champions]]
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[[Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers]]
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[[Category:Triple Crown Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:Champion Carnival winners]]
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[[Category:NWA International Tag Team Champions]]
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[[Category:PWF World Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese sportsmen]]
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