View source for Hiroyoshi Tenzan

{{short description|Japanese professional wrestler}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name        = Hiroyoshi Tenzan
|image       = Hiroyoshi Tenzan 2016.JPG
|alt         =
|birth_name = Hiroyoshi Yamamoto
|caption     = Tenzan in 2016
|names       = '''Hiroyoshi Tenzan'''<br />Hiroyoshi Yamamoto<br />Super Strong Machine Buffalo<br />Tenzan
|height      = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure in meters so that should be first--><ref name=NJPW/><ref name=PWI500-2004/>
|weight      = {{convert|115|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name=NJPW/><ref name=PWI500-2004/>
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1971|3|23}}<ref name=NJPW/>
|birth_place = [[Kyoto]], [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]], Japan
|debut       = January 11, 1991<ref name=NJPW/>
|retired     =
|trainer     = [[Mr. Hito|Tokyo Joe]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/tokyo-joe-daigo-passes-away-75-years-old-245761|title='Tokyo' Joe Daigo passes away at 75 years old|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=2017-11-05|access-date=2017-11-05|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><br>[[Kotetsu Yamamoto]]<br>[[Hiroshi Hase]]<br>[[Kensuke Sasaki]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hiroyoshi Tenzan << Wrestlers Database <<|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=671|website=CAGEMATCH}}</ref>
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Hiroyoshi Yamamoto'''|山本 広吉|Yamamoto Hiroyoshi|born March 23, 1971}}<ref name="NJPW">{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/profile/694|title=天山 広吉|access-date=2024-09-13|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="Puro">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/tenzan.html|title=Profile at Puroresu Central|publisher=Puroresu Central|access-date=2014-02-08}}</ref> is a Japanese [[professional wrestler]] who is signed to [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]], and is better known by his [[ring name]] {{Nihongo|'''Hiroyoshi Tenzan'''|天山 広吉|Tenzan Hiroyoshi}}. With [[Satoshi Kojima]], in 2008, they won the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] in [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] and the [[G1 Tag League]] in NJPW, becoming the only tag team which has done both. He is a four-time [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Heavyweight Champion]] and a record twelve-time [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champion]]. He is also a former [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|World Heavyweight Champion]].

==Professional wrestling career==

===New-Japan Pro Wrestling (1991–1993)===
Hiroyoshi Yamamoto first worked for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]. He debuted in January 1991, wrestling [[El Samurai|Osamu Matsuda]].

===Catch Wrestling Association (1993–1995)===
In 1993, after winning the [[Young Lions Cup]], NJPW sent Yamamoto on a European excursion; one of his stops was in the [[Catch Wrestling Association]] in [[Germany]], where in July 1993, he defeated [[Lance Storm]] to become the promotion's [[CWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship#Title history|first]] [[CWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship|World Junior Heavyweight Champion]]. A few weeks later, he lost the title to Storm. Three months later, he would regain and lose the title back to Storm.

===Return to NJPW (1995–present)===
After spending nearly two years in Europe, Yamamoto would finally make his return to NJPW on January 4, 1995, at the Tokyo Dome, this time under a new name, {{nihongo|'''Hiroyoshi Tenzan'''|天山 広吉|Tenzan Hiroyoshi}}. The name was given to him by Tokyo Joe, who derived the name from the [[Tien Shan]] mountains.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/826408/|title=【新日本】天山 亡き恩師・大剛さんにワールドタッグリーグＶささげる|work=東スポＷeb - 東京スポーツ新聞社|access-date=2018-02-28|language=ja}}</ref> A month later, he received his very first shot at the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] in a losing effort against [[Shinya Hashimoto]]. Tenzan then began teaming with [[Masahiro Chono]] as Team Wolf. In June 1995, Tenzan and Chono won the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] in a tournament, which they held for a month until the title was vacated due to Chono missing a match when his father died.

In July 1996, Tenzan and Chono won the IWGP Tag Team Title again, this time beating [[Kazuo Yamazaki]] and [[Takayuki Iizuka|Takashi Iizuka]]. They held the titles for over 5 months before losing to [[Tatsumi Fujinami]] and [[Kengo Kimura]] in January 1997. A few weeks later, Tenzan became a founding member of [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|NWO Japan]], as Chono joined the nWo in December 1996. For the rest of 1997, Tenzan and the rest of nWo Japan continued the nWo tradition of attacking their various enemies.

Tenzan got his third chance for the IWGP Tag Team Titles in July 1998, after Chono's former tag-team partner [[Keiji Mutoh]] was injured. Tenzan and Chono went on to win the tournament and the belts. A month later, they were defeated by [[Genichiro Tenryu]] and [[Shiro Koshinaka]]. Tenzan continued to feud with Tenryu and Koshinaka, eventually getting a new partner in [[Satoshi Kojima]], thanks to Mutoh's leadership in nWo Japan. The two teams fought at the Tokyo Dome in January 1999, with Tenzan and Kojima coming through, defeating Koshinaka and Tenryu to get the IWGP Tag-Team belts. A few months later, Koshinaka retook the titles from Tenzan and Kojima, with his partner [[Kensuke Sasaki]]. For the next year, Tenzan continued to wrestle in NJPW, feuding with Koshinaka, Masahiro Chono, [[Manabu Nakanishi]], and others. He defeated [[Chris Benoit|Wild Pegasus]] at the Tokyo Dome in January 2000.

In July 2000, Tenzan, still teamed with Kojima, got the IWGP Tag Team Titles for the 5th time, winning over Manabu Nakanishi and [[Yuji Nagata]]. Tenzan and Kojima feuded with Nakanishi and Nagata for the next few months, with Tenzan and Kojima coming out on top.

On February 24, 2002, Tenzan made a brief appearance at [[List of WWA pay-per-view events#The Revolution|WWA The Revolution]] [[pay-per-view]] from [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], where he choked [[Disco Inferno (wrestler)|Disco Inferno]]. [[Scott Steiner]] then attacked Disco in the ring. Tenzan could be seen sitting right behind the announcer's table when Disco joined commentary. He can be seen leaving the arena following Steiner's attack on Disco.

Tenzan also won the IWGP Tag Team Titles in March 2002 with Masahiro Chono (their title reign lasting over one year; it also tied the team record for most championships won with Fujinami & Kimura), and again in December 2003 with Osamu Nishimura.

After he and Chono lost the IWGP Tag Team titles to [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] and [[Yutaka Yoshie]], Tenzan went on a brief excursion to Canada in the summer of 2003, training with Tokyo Joe Daigo. When he returned for the G1 Climax, he transformed his wrestling style from a buffalo to an anaconda. The excursion worked, as he won his first G1 Climax, defeating NOAH's [[Jun Akiyama]] in the finals.

In November 2003, Tenzan finally won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Yoshihiro Takayama. He would go on to drop the title less than a month later to unlikely victor [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], who, at the young age of 23, became the youngest world champion in company history. Tenzan proceeded to win it three other times (in February 2004 from Genichiro Tenryu,<ref name="PWI500-2004">{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling illustrated 500 - 2004 :11 Hiroyoshi Tenzan|work= Pro Wrestling Illustrated|publisher=Sports and Entertainment publications LLC|location=Blue Bell, [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States|USA]]|id=December 2004|page=22|date=October 2004}}</ref> December 2004 from Kensuke Sasaki<ref name=PWI500-2004/> and May 2005 from Satoshi Kojima).

He lost the championship to AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Kojima in a cross-promotional champion vs. champion match. The match had a unique finish designed to fool fans in attendance. The idea was to make it look like the match was going to end in a 60-minute time limit draw. However, with just seconds before the match would be declared a time limit draw, Tenzan, who was known to have a legitimate back injury, could not continue, resulting in Kojima being declared the winner and becoming the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. NJPW officials had come up with the finish, which was designed to look like a "mistake", having agreed with AJPW that it would be better if Kojima won the match, but not wanting the match to end in a standard pinfall or submission.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = February 28, 2005 | title = February 28, 2005, Wrestling Observer Newsletter | journal = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=1}}</ref> Tenzan defeated Kojima in a rematch three months later, bringing the championship back to NJPW.<ref name="PS132">{{cite news|title=Power Slam |work=Looking at: NJPW at the Dome|publisher=SW Publishing LTD|id=132|pages=22–23}}</ref> He lost the championship to [[Kazuyuki Fujita]] on July 18, 2005.

Tenzan competed in the [[G1 Climax#2005|2005 G1 Tournament]], and almost made it to the semi-finals. In October 2005, Tenzan and Chono reunited to win the IWGP Tag Team Title for a fifth time from [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] and Shinsuke Nakamura.

On August 13, 2006, Tenzan defeated longtime rival Satoshi Kojima in the final of the [[G1 Climax#2006|2006 G1 Climax]], becoming only the second wrestler to go undefeated in a round robin style G-1. This would be his third G1 title.

After severing ties with his old mentor Masahiro Chono, Tenzan founded the heel unit [[Great Bash Heel|GBH]] ("Great Bash Heel", affectionately referred to by fans as "Great Big Head"); it was composed of Tenzan, [[Togi Makabe]], [[Shiro Koshinaka]], [[Toru Yano]], [[Tomohiro Ishii]] and [[Tomoaki Honma]]. In February 2008, GBH turned on Tenzan with Makabe taking over the leadership of the group. Tenzan feuded with his former stablemates until the following October.

Since returning to New Japan in May 2009, he has split his time between reforming [[Tencozy]] and teaming with old GBH teammates Makabe and Honma against [[CHAOS (professional wrestling)|CHAOS]]. In August 2009 Tenzan was sidelined with an injury.

[[File:Hiroyoshi Tenzan at DOMINION6.21.JPG|thumb|Tenzan in June 2014.]]
Fifteen months later on November 18, 2010, Tenzan returned to the ring, defeating Antonio Honda at New Japan's ''[[NEVER (professional wrestling)#NEVER.4|NEVER.4]]'' event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2300|title=(Results) NEVER.4, 11/18/10; Hiroyoshi Tenzan returns!|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=2010-11-18|access-date=2010-11-18}}</ref> On December 11 Tenzan wrestled his first main show for New Japan since his return, defeating [[Gedo (wrestler)|Gedo]] in [[Osaka]]. After the match Tenzan was attacked by Takashi Iizuka, restarting the feud between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2408|title=(Results) New Japan, 12/11/10 & Liger wins another title in USA|date=2010-12-11|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=2010-12-11|archive-date=2020-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328193352/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2408|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 4, 2011, at [[Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome]], Tenzan defeated Iizuka in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Deep Sleep to Lose match]], a match that could only be won by choking the opponent unconscious.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=132|script-title=ja:レッスルキングダムV ｉｎ 東京ドーム|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2011-01-04|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294158810 |title=1/4 TNA-NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan |last=Gerweck |first=Steve |date=2011-01-04 |access-date=2011-01-04 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107121731/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294158810 |archive-date=2011-01-07 }}</ref> In August, Tenzan took part in the [[G1 Climax#2011|2011 G1 Climax]], where he managed to win four out of his nine matches, finishing in the middle of his block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=322|title=ブシロード Presents G1 Climax XXI ～The Invincible Fighter～|date=2011-08-14|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2011-08-14|language=ja}}</ref> Later in the year, Tenzan and Kojima reformed their Tencozy tag team, defeating CHAOS members [[Mitsuhide Hirasawa|Hideo Saito]] and Takashi Iizuka in their return match on December 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=481|title=New Japan Alive 2011|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2011-12-04|language=ja}}</ref> On January 4, 2012, at [[Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome]], Tenzan and Kojima defeated [[Bad Intentions (professional wrestling)|Bad Intentions]] ([[Matt Bloom|Giant Bernard]] and [[Karl Anderson]]) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the third time together, Tenzan's ninth time individually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム|access-date=2012-01-04|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108044116/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|archive-date=2012-01-08}}</ref> On May 3 at [[Wrestling Dontaku 2012]], Tenzan and Kojima lost the title to Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano in their third defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=543|title=NJPW 40th anniversary レスリングどんたく 2012|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|date=2012-05-03|access-date=2012-05-03|language=ja}}</ref> On July 22, Tenzan and Kojima defeated Iizuka and Yano in a decision match to regain the newly vacated title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=593|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Kizuna Road|access-date=2012-07-22|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730073154/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=593|archive-date=2012-07-30}}</ref> On October 8 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2012)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], Tenzan and Kojima lost the title to [[Killer Elite Squad|K.E.S.]] ([[David Hart Smith|Davey Boy Smith, Jr.]] and [[Lance Hoyt|Lance Archer]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2012-10-08|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185115/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|archive-date=2012-10-14}}</ref> From November 20 to December 1, Tencozy took part in the round-robin portion of the [[G1 Tag League#2012|2012 World Tag League]]. The team finished with a record of four wins and two losses, winning their block and advancing to the semifinals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=648|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-12-01|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=654|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-12-01|language=ja}}</ref> On December 2, Tencozy was eliminated from the tournament in their semifinal match by Sword & Guns ([[Hirooki Goto]] and Karl Anderson).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=656|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|access-date=2012-12-02|language=ja}}</ref> On May 3, 2013, Tencozy regained the IWGP Tag Team Championship from K.E.S. in a four-way match, which also included Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano, and Manabu Nakanishi and [[Jon Andersen|Strong Man]], starting Tenzan's eleventh reign as champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=708|script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2013|access-date=2013-05-03|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref>

During early August, Tenzan competed in the [[G1 Climax#2013|G1 Climax]], but midway through the tournament it was announced that, due to a fractured rib, he was pulled from the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=10074|title=【お知らせ】後藤洋央紀選手、天山広吉選手が怪我のため『G1』を欠場|date=2013-08-08|access-date=2013-08-08|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> Tenzan returned to the ring on October 14 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2013)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], ironically just as Kojima was sidelined with an injury of his own, teaming with [[Takaaki Watanabe]] in a tag team match, where they were defeated by K.E.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=762|title=King of Pro-Wrestling|access-date=2013-10-14|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> Kojima returned to the ring on November 9 at [[Power Struggle (2013)|Power Struggle]], where he and Tenzan lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship back to K.E.S. in a three-way match, which also included [[The IronGodz]] ([[Jax Dane]] and [[Rob Conway]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=772|title=Power Struggle|access-date=2013-11-09|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> In December, Tencozy made it to the finals of the [[G1 Tag League#2013|2013 World Tag League]], defeating K.E.S. in the semifinals, before losing to [[Drew Hankinson|Doc Gallows]] and Karl Anderson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=793|title=World Tag League 2013|access-date=2013-12-08|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> On April 6, 2014, at [[Invasion Attack 2014]], Tencozy defeated The IronGodz to win the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="InvasionAttack2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=827|title=Invasion Attack 2014|access-date=2014-04-06|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> After four successful title defenses, they lost the title to K.E.S. on October 13 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2014)|King of Pro-Wrestling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=889 |title=King of Pro-Wrestling |access-date=2014-10-13 |work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017231408/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=889 |archive-date=2014-10-17 }}</ref> The following month, Tencozy took part in the [[G1 Tag League#2014|2014 World Tag League]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=12707 |title=『World Tag League 2014』出場チーム＆公式戦が決定！ 棚橋はヨシタツとタッグ結成！ 桜庭、AJ、柴田、ROH、NWAも参戦! |date=2014-11-11 |access-date=2014-12-05 |work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112222204/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=12707 |archive-date=2014-11-12 }}</ref> where they finished with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=912 |title=World Tag League 2014 |access-date=2014-12-05 |work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210130824/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=912 |archive-date=2014-12-10 }}</ref>

On February 14, 2015, at [[The New Beginning in Sendai]], Tenzan defeated Rob Conway to win the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="NewBeginningSendai">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=935|title=The New Beginning in Sendai|access-date=2015-02-14|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> He made successful title defenses against Kojima on March 21 and Big Daddy Yum-Yum on April 29.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=949&c=7187|title=Road to Invasion Attack 2015|access-date=2015-03-21|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=967|title=レスリング火の国|access-date=2015-04-29|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> In the [[G1 Climax#2015|2015 G1 Climax]], Tenzan finished second to last in his block with a record of three wins and six losses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1010|title=バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 25|access-date=2015-08-14|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref> On August 29, Tenzan lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Jax Dane in [[San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_87225.shtml|title=NWA news: New NWA World Hvt. champion determined in Texas|date=2015-08-29|access-date=2015-08-30|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On April 10, 2016, at [[Invasion Attack 2016]], Tenzan unsuccessfully challenged [[Katsuyori Shibata]] for the [[NEVER Openweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-invasion-attack-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-tetsuya-naito-iwgp-championship-210736 | title = NJPW Invasion Attack live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Championship | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer | date=2016-04-09 | access-date=2016-04-10 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> When the participants for the [[G1 Climax#2016|2016 G1 Climax]] were revealed, Tenzan was surprisingly left out of the tournament. Tenzan was a former three-time G1 Climax winner and the holder of the record for most wins in G1 Climax matches, who had participated in every tournament since 1995 with the exception of the 2010 tournament, which he missed due to an injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/557078/|title=天山 Ｇ１で"夏男"復活だ！|date=2016-06-23|access-date=2016-07-04|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/558861/|title=【新日Ｇ１】天山まさかの落選に怒る|date=2016-06-28|access-date=2016-07-04|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Afterwards, Tenzan repeatedly expressed his anger at being left out of possibly his last G1 Climax. However, on July 3, Satoshi Kojima bowed out of the tournament and agreed to give his spot to Tenzan under the condition that he goes on to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/561261/|title=【新日・盛岡大会】小島が出場権譲渡！天山が２１度目Ｇ１へ|date=2016-07-04|access-date=2016-07-04|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/tenzan-kojima-out-2016-njpw-g1-climax-updated-blocks-matches-215666 | title = Tenzan in, Kojima out of 2016 NJPW G1 Climax; updated blocks & matches | last=Currier | first=Joseph | date=2016-07-03 | access-date=2016-07-04 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Tenzan later confirmed that the 2016 G1 Climax would be his last.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/565878/|title=天山悲壮決意 「Ｇ１出場これが最後だ！」|date=2016-07-14|access-date=2016-07-14|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=2017-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802164337/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/565878/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After kicking off his tournament with two wins, Tenzan lost all seven of his following matches, finishing last in his block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/g1climax2016/|title=2016 New Japan G1 Climax Results|access-date=2016-08-12|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

On March 6, 2017, Tencozy defeated Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the sixth time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-45th-anniversary-show-live-results-okada-vs-tiger-mask-w-231266|title=NJPW 45th Anniversary show live results: Okada vs. Tiger Mask W|last=Rose|first=Bryan|date=2017-03-06|access-date=2017-03-06|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to [[War Machine (professional wrestling)|War Machine]] ([[Hanson (wrestler)|Hanson]] and [[Raymond Rowe]]) on April 9 at [[Sakura Genesis 2017]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-sakura-genesis-live-results-okada-vs-shibata-233351 | title = NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. Shibata | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=2017-04-08 | access-date=2017-04-09 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Tencozy would participate in every World Tag League from [[World Tag League (NJPW)#2015|2015]] onward, failing to advance to any finals.

Tenzan main evented the retirement show for Takashi Iizuka who had betrayed him in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2019.02.21 NEW JAPAN ROAD {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/40688|access-date=2020-07-17|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Murray|first=Karen|date=2019-02-20|title=The History of Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Takashi Iizuka – What I've Learned|url=https://karenwatchesnjpwhome.wordpress.com/2019/02/20/the-history-of-hiroyoshi-tenzan-and-takashi-iizuka-what-ive-learned/|access-date=2020-07-17|website=KAREN WATCHES NJPW|language=en}}</ref> Tenzan had been trying to convince Iizuka to team with him once more before his retirement, and after match (which Tenzan had won, pinning Iizuka) the two embraced before Iizuka attacked and retired as a villain.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-22|title=The New Japan Road show from February 21 featured Iizuka's retirement.|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/best-and-worst-of-njpw-iizuka-retirement-new-japan-road-2019/|access-date=2020-07-17|website=UPROXX|language=en-US}}</ref>

Tenzan competed in the newly expanded [[New Japan Cup#2019|New Japan Cup]] in 2019, where he would lose in the Round of 32 to [[Ryusuke Taguchi]] ,<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2019.03.10 NEW JAPAN CUP 2019 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/40197|access-date=2020-07-17|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref> who was filling in for injured [[David Finlay (wrestler)|David Finlay]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pollock|first=John|date=2019-02-28|title=David Finlay out of the New Japan Cup due to injury|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/02/28/david-finlay-out-of-the-new-japan-cup-due-to-injury/|access-date=2020-07-17|website=POST Wrestling {{!}} WWE NXT NJPW AEW UFC Podcasts, News & Reviews|language=en-US}}</ref> He would also compete in next year's tournament, losing in the same round to [[Yoshi-Hashi]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.06.23 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75455|access-date=2020-07-17|website=NJPW|language=en}}</ref>

===World Championship Wrestling (1995, 1998)===
Tenzan had a brief tenure in [[World Championship Wrestling]], most notably being defeated by "Macho Man" [[Randy Savage]] at [[Starrcade (1995)|Starrcade '95: World Cup of Wrestling]]; Tenzan would get a rematch with Savage at NJPW's Battle Formation show on April 29, 1996, and again he lost.

In 1998 he returned to WCW as a member of [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|NWO Japan]], where he mainly teamed with [[Masahiro Chono]].

==Other media==
Tenzan appeared in the video for "Yonaoshi Good Vibration" by Japanese metal band [[Sex Machineguns]].

Tenzan also appeared as a cooking chief alongside [[Masahiro Chono]] on a movie called [[Kantoku Banzai!]] directed by [[Takeshi Kitano]]. He appears alongside Chono beating a few misconducted customers (played by [[Togi Makabe]], [[Toru Yano]], [[Shoji Akiyoshi|Jado]], [[Keiji Takayama|Gedo]] and a CTU Themed wrestler).

He has appeared on the Japanese television show ''[[Sasuke (TV series)|Sasuke]]''.

Tenzan, along with fellow NJPW wrestlers Hiroshi Tanahashi, [[Kazuchika Okada]], Satoshi Kojima, [[Tetsuya Naito]] and Toru Yano, appears as a member of the gang Justis in the 2016 video game ''[[Yakuza 6: The Song of Life]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17380|script-title=ja:新日本プロレスリングの人気選手が神室町最大のギャングに？！オカダ、棚橋、内藤ら6選手がPlayStation4専用ソフト『龍が如く６ 命の詩。』に出演決定！|date=2016-09-16|access-date=2016-09-16|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=ja}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
[[File:TENCOZY.JPG|thumb|Tenzan (left) and [[Satoshi Kojima]] as the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champions]] in February 2012.]]
[[File:TENKOJI NWA World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.JPG|thumb|Tenzan (left) and [[Satoshi Kojima]] as the [[NWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Champions]] in June 2014.]]
[[File:Hiroyoshi Tenzan NWA World Heavyweight Champion.jpg|thumb|Tenzan as the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Champion]] in March 2015.]]
*'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[World's Strongest Tag Determination League]] ([[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2006|2006]], [[World's Strongest Tag Team League#2008|2008]]) – with [[Satoshi Kojima]]
*'''[[Catch Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[CWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**[[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]])<ref name=NewBeginningSendai/>
**[[NWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with Satoshi Kojima<ref name=InvasionAttack2014/>
*'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
**[[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Heavyweight Champions|4 times]])<ref name="PS132"/>
**[[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Tag Team Champions|12 times]]) – with [[Masahiro Chono]] (5), Satoshi Kojima (6), and [[Osamu Nishimura]] (1)<ref name=PWI500-2004/>
**[[G1 Climax]] ([[G1 Climax#2003|2003]], [[G1 Climax#2004|2004]], [[G1 Climax#2006|2006]])
**[[G1 Tag League]] ([[G1 Tag League#2001|2001]], [[G1 Tag League#2008|2008]]) – with Satoshi Kojima
**G1 Tag League ([[G1 Tag League#2003|2003]]) – with Osamu Nishimura
**Super Grade Tag League ([[G1 Tag League#1995|1995]]) – with Masahiro Chono<ref name="G1TagClimax">{{cite book |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications |chapter = Japan: New Japan G-1 (Grade-1) Climax Tag Tournament Champions| page = 374 |year= 2000 |isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
**[[Young Lion Cup]] ([[Young Lions Cup#1993|1993]])<ref name="YoungLionsCup">{{cite book |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications |chapter = Japan: New Japan Young Lions Cup Tournament Champions| page = 375|year= 2000 |isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref>
**Yuke's Cup Tag Tournament (2008) – with Shinjiro Otani
**10,000,000 Yen Tag Tournament (2004) – with [[Shinsuke Nakamura]]
**MVP Award (2003, 2004)<ref name="NJPWAwards2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2003-awards.html|title=2003 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref><ref name="NJPWAwards2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2004-awards.html|title=2004 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083305/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2004-awards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Singles Best Bout (2003) <small>vs. [[Jun Akiyama]] on August 17</small><ref name=NJPWAwards2003/>
**Singles Best Bout (2004) <small>vs. [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] on August 15</small><ref name=NJPWAwards2004/>
**Tag Team Best Bout (2000) <small>with Satoshi Kojima vs. [[Manabu Nakanishi]] and [[Yuji Nagata]] on October 9</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2000-awards.html|title=2000 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=2010-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705012220/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2000-awards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Tag Team Best Bout (2002) <small>with Masahiro Chono vs. Manabu Nakanishi and [[Osamu Nishimura]] on June 5</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2002-awards.html|title=2002 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083304/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2002-awards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Tag Team Best Bout (2004) <small>with [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] vs. [[Katsuyori Shibata]] and [[Masahiro Chono]] on October 24</small><ref name=NJPWAwards2004/>
*'''''[[Nikkan Sports]]'''''
**Best Tag Team Award (2008) <small>with Satoshi Kojima</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2008|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2008|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 27, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328193411/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. '''10''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the "[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]]" in 2005
**Ranked No. '''223''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
*'''''[[Tokyo Sports]]'''''
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Fighting Spirit Award|Fighting Spirit Award]] (2004)
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Tag Team Award|Tag Team of the Year]] (1995)<ref name="Puroresu Awards: 1990s">{{Cite news|url=http://www.puroresu.com/awards/1990s.html|title=Puroresu Awards: 1990s|work=Puroresu Dojo|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en}}</ref>
**Tag Team of the Year (1996) <small>with Masahiro Chono and Hiro Saito</small><ref name="Puroresu Awards: 1990s"/>
**Tag Team of the Year (2000)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.puroresu.com/awards/2000s.html|title=Puroresu Awards: 2000s|work=Puroresu Dojo|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en}}</ref>
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Tag Team of the Year|Tag Team of the Year]] (2001)<small> with Satoshi Kojima</small>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (1996) – nWo
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1996) <small>New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling</small>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{NJPW profile|id=1477|name=Hiroyoshi Tenzan|newlink=yes}}
*[https://archive.today/20070418133801/http://www.puroresufan.com/roster/tenzan.php Profile at puroresufan.com]
*[http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/tenzan.html Profile at The Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster]
*{{Professional wrestling profiles|wrestlingdata=514|iwd=hiroyoshi-tenzan-668}}

{{Navboxes
|list=
{{CWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship}}
{{IWGP Heavyweight Championship}}
{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}
{{G1 Tag League}}
{{New Japan Pro Wrestling personnel}}
{{NWA World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{NWA World Tag Team Championship}}
{{G1 Climax}}
{{World's Strongest Tag Determination League}}
{{Young Lion Cup}}
{{New World Order}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tenzan, Hiroyoshi}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:IWGP Heavyweight champions]]
[[Category:Japanese male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:NWA World Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Kyoto]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Kyoto Prefecture]]
[[Category:New World Order (professional wrestling) members]]
[[Category:IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NWA World Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:Young Lion Cup winners]]
[[Category:World Tag League (NJPW) winners]]
[[Category:G1 Climax winners]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:CWA World Junior Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:World's Strongest Tag Determination League winners]]