Rising Sun Revolution

Ever since the IIWF's Coronation Clash, the tag team of Ryudo Kenjinata and Hiroshi Kasai have been excelling in the tag team ranks. The combination of Ryudo, an incredible high flyer, and Hiroshi, a powerhouse and talented grappler, have at time seemed nigh on unstoppable in the tag team scene. Twice holders of the championship titles, and with an undefeated record, it seemed as though every team in the IIWF wanted to take them down- even their own friends, Domination.

Recently Rising Sun Revolution have fallen on hard times in the IIWF. Their unbeaten record came crashing to an end at the hands of the High Plains Drifters (amid high controversy), and since then the former champions have looked a shadow of their former selves. A defeat by the Arabian Knights, swiftly followed by a failed attempt at recapturing their titles, and, of course, the somewhat hindering dedication of the Alphabet Boys has conspired to make the end of 1996 an unpleasant one for the Dragon and the Demon.

Although the IIWF is the team from the East's first American wrestling federation, they are not lacking in experience, and both men have proved time and time again that they can go toe to toe with the best. The fans have come to love them for their clean fighting style, their amazing displays of power and agility, and the confusion that can be caused by Hiroshi being unable to speak English.

Name: Ryudo 'Tatsu' Kenjinata

Height/Weight: 6'2"/245lbs

Age/Years pro: 25/6

Description: Japanese, well toned and good looking. To the ring wears a black Aikido gi, but wrestles barefoot in black loose fitting martial arts trousers, similar to his partner's, but with an oriental dragon design down the left leg. Ryudo is very much the spokesperson for the Revolution, and he sees himself as something of an ambassador as well. He is somewhat reserved, and it takes a lot to get him angry, responding to insults with a smile and shake of the head.

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Alignment: Face

Wrestling Style: Ryudo has trained in practically every oriental martial art known. Karate, Kung-Fu, Kickboxing, Judo, Aikido... and finally Japanese pro-wrestling. Ryudo is an accomplished athlete, and very much an aerialist. He is an intelligent grappler, and quick to pick up on mistakes by his opponent. He mostly specialises in high-impact and pinning manuevers, leaving the power moves to his partner. He is almost cat-like in the ring, surprising opponents with remarkable feats of agility and incredible high risk manuevers.

Favourite moves: superkick, spinning leg lariat, flying elbowsmash, swinging neckbreaker, Dragon Suplex.

Specialist Moves:

• Dragonfall: A tight-hooked Fisherman's suplex. Not the sort of move expected in tag team competiton, but one of his specialities. Ryudo often needs Hiroshi around to watch his back if he intends to get the pin, but it has come in handy as a shock move, and especially as a counter.

Name: Hiroshi 'Daioni' Kaisai

Height/Weight: 6'7"/325lbs

Age/Years pro: 27/6

Description: Japanese, well built, although not overly muscular. Wears to the ring his ceremoinial Kendo suit including headguard and sword. Wrestling attire consists of loose fitting martial arts trousers, and he usually has his left wrist taped (for no apparent reason) Hiroshi is the more hot headed member of the team, and prone to bouts of anger. Although he can't speak any English (Ryudo has repeatedly asked him to try, but Hiroshi waves his suggestions away laughing), he has no problem getting his point across. Moreover, his inability to speak English has served the team well in the past, confusing opponents by talking in Japanese during the match.

Hometown: Osaka, Japan.

Alignment: Face

Wrestling Style: Hiroshi has trained in the martial arts, although not to such a great extent as his partner. He specialised in karate, kendo (which is not that useful in the ring) and some judo and sumo (when he was younger.) his martial arts skills have held him in good stead in the past, but he prefers to rely on his grappling skill. He loves the fans, and follows the rules to the letter (although often cannot understand what the referee is telling him). His favourite moves are mostly power moves, and he loves to throw his opponents around.

Favourite Moves: superkick, enzuigiri, avalanche clothesline, powerslam (catches his opponent on the rebound from the ropes, and literally hurls himslef and them across 3/4 of the ring), tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

Specialist Moves:

• Powerdriver: Hiroshi lifts his opponent up into a vertical suplex position, and in a display of strength holds them there, letting the blood rush to their head, before dropping them straight down into a piledriver.

Rising Sun Revolution's Entrance Music: 'Theme from Bladerunner' by Vangelis

Tag Team Finisher:

• Naginata Nightmare: Hiroshi lifts the opponent into a side-slam position, and Ryudo drops a legdrop from the top rope across his neck as Hiroshi slams him. Hiroshi makes the cover, while Ryudo deals with any interference.

R.S.R.'s greatest IIWF matches:

• vs. The High Plains Drifters
• vs. Steamroller (Non-title match)
• vs. Steamroller (for the IIWF Tag Team championship titles)
• vs. Stunt Team U.S.A.
• vs. The Armed Forces/The High Plains Drifters/Stunt Team USA (four way match for the IIWF Tag Titles)
• vs. The Armed Forces (IIWF Tag Team Title defense)
• vs. Pain Inc. (IIWF Tag Team Title defense)
• vs. Heavy Metal (IIWF Tag Team Title defense)
• vs. High Plains Drifters (IIWF Tag Team Title defense)
• vs. The Arabian Knights