Tag: black tiger

NJPW grants CMLL wrestler permission to use Black Tiger gimmick

Posted on by Joseph Currier

CMLL wrestler Magnus is officially adopting a classic NJPW gimmick.

On this week’s edition of CMLL Informa, it was revealed that Magnus will now be going by the name “Black Tiger.” He is the ninth wrestler to don the mask, which was originally introduced in the 1980s as a rival to Tiger Mask. The character has been portrayed by the likes of Mark Rocco, Eddie Guerrero, and Rocky Romero.

NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi appeared on Informa and gave the character change his blessing. This comes after Magnus wore the Black Tiger mask during this year’s NJPW & CMLL Fantasticamania tour. The final night of the tour included a singles match where Tiger Mask defeated Magnus.

Along with competing in CMLL, Magnus has made appearances for AEW/ROH and MLW. He is a former MLW Tag Team Champion and recently wrestled at MLW’s TV taping in Atlanta on March 14.

The babyface Tiger Mask character in NJPW is currently played by Yoshihiro Yamazaki, who will be retiring from the ring this July. He is the fourth iteration of Tiger Mask, following Satoru Sayama, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Koji Kanemoto.

Mark ‘Rollerball’ Rocco passes away at 69 years old

Posted on by F4W Staff

British wrestling legend and junior heavyweight innovator Mark “Rollerball” Rocco (Mark Hussey) has passed away at 69 years old.

Rocco’s passing was announced by All Star Wrestling, who wrote that Rocco had been suffering for the past few months: “It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to announce the passing of the one and only MARK ROLLERBALL ROCCO, after suffering for the past few months – our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Rocco was the original Black Tiger in Japan, debuting for NJPW in 1982 as a rival of Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama).

“Whether you know him as the original Black Tiger, ‘Rollerball’ or simply by his name, Mark Rocco left an indelible imprint on our industry,” Chris Hero tweeted in tribute to Rocco. “Whether it’s versus Sayama, Fujinami, Dynamite, Marty Jones- do yourself a favor & watch a match of his today. Rest In Peace.”

“It seems the sad news keeps coming these days. Very sad to see the passing of Rollerball Rocco; one of the innovators of the Jnr. Heavyweight style of wrestling that we love so dear. It was wonderful to have him as guest of honour at our first ever York Hall show,” Revolution Pro Wrestling’s Andy Quildan tweeted. “The original Black Tiger, a mentor for one Jushin Thunder Liger on his UK excursion. Responsible for some of the most thrilling matches of his generation alongside the likes of the original Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid, Rollerball was one of the very best. RIP”

“I’ve woken to the terrible news that my friend and colleague Mark ‘Rollerball’ Rocco has passed away,” William Regal wrote. “Mark was so ahead of his time and wether as himself or the original ‘Black Tiger’ in @njpwglobal, he, along with Marty Jones were the true originators of the fast paced, hard hitting Jr Heavyweight style we see today. In 1978 I saw a match of theirs and it took my Wrestling fandom to a different world. Becoming a friend and getting to Wrestle Mark at 18 a dream come true.

“Mark had an unbeilable work ethic in and out of the ring and my life was better for knowing him. There aren’t enough words for me to explain how much it means to me to be fortunate enough to have know him, wrestled him and explain how much he meant to the British and World wide wrestling scene and I just wished I could have one more of the hundreds of car rides I had with him ‘hold court’ with his wonderful stories. My deepest condolences to all of Marks family.”