Asuka is one of the most dominant and charismatic female wrestlers in WWE history. She has won multiple championships, including the NXT Women’s Championship, the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and the Raw Women’s Championship. She is also the first woman to win the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and Elimination Chamber matches.
But Asuka is not only known for her impressive wrestling skills and colorful personality. She is also famous for using a mysterious green mist to blind her opponents, a tactic that has been associated with Japanese wrestlers for decades. One of the most notable users of the green mist was Tajiri, a former WWE and ECW star who competed in the early 2000s.
But is Asuka related to Tajiri? Are they from the same family or clan? Is the green mist a secret technique passed down from generation to generation? Or is it just a coincidence that they both use the same weapon?
The Origin of the Green Mist
According to Wikipedia, the green mist was first popularized in the United States by American promoter Gary Hart, who was inspired by Kabuki theater. He created a character named The Great Kabuki, played by Japanese wrestler Akihisa Mera, who wore a mask, face paint, and a wig. He also introduced the green mist as a way to enhance his mystique and villainy.
The Great Kabuki debuted in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1981 and became one of the top heels in the promotion. He later moved to other territories, such as Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he continued to use the green mist as his trademark.
The Great Kabuki also had a protege named The Great Muta, played by Keiji Mutoh, who debuted in 1989. The Great Muta was more athletic and flamboyant than his mentor, and he also used different colors of mist, such as red, blue, yellow, and black. Each color had a different effect on the opponent, such as burning, blinding, choking, or paralyzing.
The Great Muta became one of the most popular and influential wrestlers in Japan and America. He won several championships in both countries, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and the WCW World Television Championship. He also inspired many other wrestlers to adopt his style and gimmick, such as Jushin Thunder Liger, Ultimo Dragon, and Tajiri.
The Connection Between Asuka and Tajiri
Tajiri was born in Tamana, Kumamoto, Japan on September 29, 1970. He started his professional wrestling career in 1994 for International Wrestling Association of Japan (IWA Japan). He later worked for various promotions in Japan and Mexico, such as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), and Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW).
Tajiri made his debut in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1998, where he quickly became one of the top stars of the company. He was known for his fast-paced and high-flying style, as well as his vicious kicks and submissions. He also adopted the green mist as his signature move, paying homage to The Great Muta.
Tajiri won several titles in ECW, including the ECW World Television Championship and the ECW World Tag Team Championship with Mikey Whipwreck. He also had memorable feuds with Super Crazy, Jerry Lynn, Tazz, Rhino, and Steve Corino.
Tajiri joined WWE in 2001 after ECW folded. He continued to use the green mist as his weapon of choice, often surprising his opponents with it. He also showed his comedic side by teaming up with William Regal and Torrie Wilson. He won several championships in WWE, including the WCW United States Championship, the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship, the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, the WWE Tag Team Championship with Eddie Guerrero
