Saitama Super Arena

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Funaki debuted as a junior heavyweight in New Japan Pro-Wrestling at the age of 15, a record for the youngest debut in NJPW. He was in the same training class as Keiichi Yamada (better known as Jyushin Thunder Liger), Keiji Mutoh, Shinya Hashimoto, Minoru Suzuki, Masahiro Chono, and Chris Benoit. Funaki stunned the New Japan trainers with his athleticism, timing and natural talent for submission grappling. He formed a strong bond with the dojo's head grappling instructor, Yoshiaki Fujiwara. When Akira Maeda left NJPW to form Newborn UWF, Funaki followed, seeing an opportunity to showcase his talents. In Newborn UWF, Funaki became a top draw acting as a nemesis to Maeda. When Newborn UWF folded in December 1990, Funaki signed with mentor Fujiwara's new Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi (PWFG) promotion. Funaki left PWFG in 1993 to form Pancrase.

In Their Own Story

Funaki's MMA career began when he founded Pancrase along with Minoru Suzuki. Funaki went on to defeat Bas Rutten, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Minoru Suzuki, and Guy Mezger, among others. Frank Shamrock said, "Funaki was like a mad scientist. He took the idea of submissions to an even higher level than the rest of the Japanese contingent. He had this insatiable desire to learn more and push his body harder. And as an entertainer he understood the need to entertain." Funaki scored submission victories over numerous MMA champions such as Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Semmy Schilt, Guy Mezger, Yuki Kondo, Minoru Suzuki, and Bas Rutten through the course of his Pancrase career. He is the only fighter in mixed martial arts to hold wins over both Shamrock brothers and Bas Rutten, and was the first man to win the King of Pancrase title twice.

Reader's Guide

Funaki returned to regular professional wrestling in All Japan Pro Wrestling in 2009. On January 3, 2010, Funaki and Keiji Mutoh won the World Tag Team Championship from Minoru Suzuki and Taiyo Kea. On March 21, Funaki defeated Suzuki in a cage match at All Japan's Sumo Hall show. On August 26, 2012, he defeated Jun Akiyama in a match that lasted less than five minutes to become the 45th Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. He lost the title to Suwama on March 17, 2013. In June 2013, Funaki announced his resignation from All Japan. He then joined Keiji Mutoh's new Wrestle-1 promotion. At Wrestle-1's July 6 event, Funaki defeated Pro Wrestling Zero1 representative Kohei Sato to win the World Heavyweight Championship. He lost the title back to Sato on September 19. In June 2015, it was announced that Funaki would be leaving Wrestle-1 and going freelance.

Did You Know?

• Funaki debuted as a junior heavyweight in NJPW at age 15, a record for the youngest debut in the promotion.
• He is the only fighter in mixed martial arts to hold wins over both Shamrock brothers (Ken and Frank) and Bas Rutten.
• Funaki was the first man to win the King of Pancrase title twice.
• Sherdog.com ranked him as the #1 mixed martial artist in the world for the years 1996 and 1997.
• Funaki defeated Jun Akiyama in less than five minutes to become the 45th Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling.