Yuji Nagata (永田 裕志 Nagata Yūji?, born April 24, 1968)[1] is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique.
A two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and World Heavyweight Champion, Nagata is the fourth longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a reign of 392 days. He held the record for most successful title defenses with 10, until Hiroshi Tanahashi broke the record at Wrestle Kingdom VI.[3] He is the only wrestler to have won Japanese professional wrestling's three biggest singles tournaments; New Japan Pro Wrestling's G1 Climax, All Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival and Pro Wrestling Noah's Global League Tournament. He is also a former holder of Noah's top title, the GHC Heavyweight Championship.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Backdrop Hold (Bridging belly-to-back suplex)
- Drive Screw (Swinging vertical suplex)
- Nagata Lock (Reverse figure-four leglock)
- Nagata Lock II (Crossface)
- Nagata Lock III (Double underhook crossface)
- Nagata Lock IV (Chickenwing over the shoulder crossface)
- STF – WCW
- Thunder Death Driver (Kneeling crucifix powerbomb)
- Signature moves
- Cross armbar
- Guillotine choke
- Justice Knee (Step-up high knee to a cornered opponent)
- Lifting DDT
- Multiple kick variations
- Enzuigiri
- Rolling wheel
- Roundhouse
- Running arched big boot
- Shoot
- Spinning wheel
- Multiple suplex variations
- Belly-to-back
- Exploder of Justice (Exploder, sometimes while applying a wrist-clutch or from the top rope)
- High-angle belly-to-back
- Northern Lights
- Overhead belly-to-belly
- Piledriver
- Shining wizard
- Shirome (Seated armbar, with theatrics)
- Sleeper hold