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{{short description|Japanese professional wrestler and commentator}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name=Shoichi Funaki
|image=Tully and Tessa Blanchard with Sho Funaki (cropped).jpg<!--Please don't replace this image with a fair use one. This image is free and free images are favored on Wikipedia. See "Wikipedia:Image use policy" for more information -->
|caption = Funaki in 2015
|names='''Funaki'''<br/>Kung Fu Naki<ref name=Encyclopedia/><br/>Shoichi Funaki<br/>Sho Funaki<ref name="oww"/>
|height=5 ft 7 in<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/107 107]|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley|DK]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/107}}</ref>
|weight=180 lb<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1968|8|24}}<ref name="oww"/>
|death_date=
|birth_place=Tokyo, Japan<ref name="oww"/>
|billed='''Tokyo, Japan'''<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
|trainer=[[Animal Hamaguchi]]<br />[[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]<ref name="oww"/>
|debut=1993<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
|retired=October 2015
}}
{{nihongo|'''Shoichi "Sho" Funaki'''|船木 勝一|Funaki Shōichi}}<ref name="oww"/> (born August 24, 1968)<ref name="oww"/> is a Japanese [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestling manager]], [[color commentator]] and retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] signed to [[WWE]], where he works as a Japanese-language [[play-by-play]] commentator and an occasional interpreter for Japanese talents in the company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/wwe/news/205-live-wwe-cruiserweights-light-heavyweight-gm-news-tournament-latest/oya9l9isfw7q1mh3vqplv64x7|title = Monday Night Wrong: Vince McMahon presents the light heavyweights, Part 2| date=August 12, 2021 }}</ref> During his time as an in-ring performer, he became a [[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions (1991–2007)|one-time]] [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|Cruiserweight Champion]] and a [[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|one-time]] [[WWE Hardcore Championship|Hardcore Champion]].<ref name="cruiser"/><ref name="hardcore"/>
==Professional wrestling career==
===Early years (1993–1998)===
Funaki started as a [[Shoot wrestling|shoot style]] wrestler in [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]'s [[Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi]] [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] and moved to its successor promotion, [[
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998-2010)===
====Kai En Tai (1998–2001)====
{{Main|Kai En Tai}}
In March 1998, Funaki, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]].<ref name="oww">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sho-funaki.html|title=Funaki Profile|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Initially, they feuded with Taka Michinoku and defeated him and his partner [[John Layfield|John Bradshaw]] in a 3-on-2 [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] at [[Over the Edge: In Your House]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse22.html|title=Over The Edge 1998 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> They lost to Michinoku and [[The Headbangers]] at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]] in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types|six-man tag team match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering98.html|title=King of the Ring 1998 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629172105/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering98/|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref>
Michinoku eventually [[List of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] and joined the group. At [[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam]], Kai En Tai lost to [[The Oddities (professional wrestling)|Oddities]] members [[Robert Maillet|Kurrgan]], [[Giant Silva]] and [[John Tenta|Golga]] in a handicap match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1998/results/|title=SummerSlam 1998 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Over time, the stable turned into a [[tag team]], as in 1999, Teioh and Togo (and manager Yamaguchi-san) were given their releases. Michinoku and Funaki were often used for comedic purposes, often having their pre-match promos dubbed—while Michinoku would "deliver" the majority of dialogue for the duo, Funaki would "respond" strongly with a simple "INDEED".
At [[WrestleMania 2000]], Funaki participated in a 15-minute [[Hardcore wrestling#Hardcore battle royal|hardcore battle royal]] for the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]]. Funaki pinned [[Viscera (wrestler)|Viscera]] after a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving shoulder block|diving shoulder block]] from Bradshaw but he was later pinned by [[Rodney (wrestler)|Rodney]]. [[Hardcore Holly]] ultimately won the match and became the official champion.<ref name="hardcore">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=History of the WWE Hardcore Championship|access-date=December 29, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results/|title=WrestleMania 2000 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> At [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]], Funaki once again participated in a hardcore battle royal which was won by the defending champion [[Steve Blackman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/history/2000/results/|title=Unforgiven 2000 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
In 2001, Kai En Tai started participating in [[List of professional wrestling terms#Dark match|non-televised matches]] before pay-per-view events such as the [[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble]]<ref>[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble01.html Royal Rumble 2001 results]</ref> and [[Judgment Day (2001)|Judgment Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/judgment.html#2001|title=Judgment Day 2001 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=ProWrestlingHistory}}</ref>
====''SmackDown!'''s No. 1 Announcer (2001–2003)====
Michinoku left the WWF in October 2001, resulting in Funaki moving to singles competition. At [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]], Funaki participated in an Immunity Battle Royal which was won by [[Test (wrestler)|Test]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/results/|title=Survivor Series 2001 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> In 2002, Funaki moved to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] after the WWF roster was split into two brands. He turned [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] and found himself as a lower card wrestler and adopted the [[glossary of professional wrestling terms#gimmick|gimmick]] of "SmackDown!'s number one announcer", performing backstage interviews between matches, while competing in the [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|cruiserweight division]]. As part of SmackDown! brand, Funaki mostly wrestled on ''[[WWE Velocity|Velocity]]''. At [[Rebellion (2002)|Rebellion]], Funaki defeated [[Crash Holly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/rebellion02.html|title=Rebellion 2002 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[Vengeance (2003)|Vengeance]] in 2003, Funaki participated in the [[Acolytes Protection Agency|APA]] Invitational Bar Room Brawl which was won by Bradshaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2003/results/|title=Vengeance 2003 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080329101624/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2003/results/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = March 29, 2008}}</ref> For the rest of 2003, Funaki worked in house shows and made occasional appearances on Velocity with less TV time.
====Cruiserweight Champion (2004–2005)====
On the March 4, 2004 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', Funaki lost to [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1996–2007)|Cruiserweight Champion]] [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.]] in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040304.html|title=SmackDown! results – March 4, 2004|date=March 4, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> On the March 11 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki participated in an 8-man cruiserweight tag team match teaming with fellow cruiserweights [[Rey Mysterio]], [[Último Dragón]] and [[Billy Kidman]] against [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]], [[Jimmy Yang|Akio]], [[Ryan Sakoda|Sakoda]] and [[Jamie Noble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040311.html|title=SmackDown! results – March 11, 2004|date=March 11, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania XX]], Funaki participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Gauntlet match|Cruiserweight Open]] for the Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by Jamie Noble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/|title=WrestleMania XX official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
On the December 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki won a cruiserweight over the top rope number one contender's battle royal which included Chavo Guerrero, [[Paul London]], Billy Kidman, Akio, [[Shannon Moore]] and [[Nunzio (wrestler)|Nunzio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041209.html|title=SmackDown! results – December 9, 2004|date=December 9, 2004|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[Armageddon (2004)|Armageddon]], Funaki defeated [[Spike Dudley]] to win the Cruiserweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350108|title=History of the Cruiserweight Championship – Funaki|access-date=December 30, 2007|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=April 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419173904/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350108|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2004/results/|title=Armageddon 2004 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Funaki successfully defended the title against Spike Dudley,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041230.html|title=SmackDown! Night of Champions results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Akio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050106.html|title=SmackDown! results – January 6, 2005|date=January 6, 2005|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> and Nunzio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050113.html|title=SmackDown! results – January 13, 2005|date=January 13, 2005|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> His last successful title defense was against Chavo Guerrero on the February 10, 2005 episode of ''SmackDown!'', notably held in Funaki's birth country, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050127.html|title=SmackDown! results – January 27, 2005 (Japan)|date=January 27, 2005|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
====Cruiserweight Division (2005–2008)====
[[File:Sho Funaki in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.jpg|thumb|right|Funaki as the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|Cruiserweight Champion]] in 2005]]
Funaki lost the championship to Chavo Guerrero in a six-man Cruiserweight Open match at [[No Way Out (2005)|No Way Out]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2005/results/|title=No Way Out 2005 official results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> At [[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon]], he lost to Jamie Noble in a match on ''[[WWE Heat|Heat]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/armageddon05.html|title=Armageddon 2005 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> During an interview with then Cruiserweight Champion [[Kid Kash]] on an episode of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki was assaulted by Kash, who gave him a [[brainbuster]] onto the interview platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12302005/|title=A shocking return leads to new Champs|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
At the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]], Funaki faced Kid Kash in a match for the title, when he was entered into a Cruiserweight Open along with four other Cruiserweight champions, including the champion Kash. Funaki was pinned in this one fall match by then [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] superstar [[Gregory Helms]], who won the match and title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble06.html|title=Royal Rumble 2006 results|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> At [[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out]], Funaki participated in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Nine Man Cruiserweight Match]] for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but Helms retained the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2006/matches/194350621/results/|title=Gregory Helms wins a Nine-Man Cruiserweight Championship Match|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Since that time Funaki, would regularly team with [[Scotty 2 Hotty]] during episodes of ''Velocity'' and ''SmackDown!''. During one such ''Velocity'' taping, however, Funaki suffered a [[Concussion#Grades|2nd Grade concussion]], where he was unconscious for just under two minutes. Funaki would resume wrestling later that year, forming a tag team of sorts with Scotty 2 Hotty, which was mainly used to put over debuting wrestlers or tag teams.
Funaki made a one-off appearance at the Puroresu King Indy Summit, on December 31, 2006, reuniting with [[Kai En Tai|Kai En Tai DX]] in what was being billed as a Kai En Tai DX Revival Ten-Man Tag Match; Funaki reteamed with Taka Michinoku, [[Kaz Hayashi]], Dick Togo and Men's Teioh to face five other wrestlers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monksdiner.com/showthread.php?t=34925|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714112507/http://www.monksdiner.com/showthread.php?t=34925|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2011|title=Kaientai reunite at INDIE SUMMIT 2006|access-date=December 12, 2006|publisher=monksdiner.com}}</ref> Funaki returned to WWE television on the February 16, 2007 episode of ''SmackDown!'' in a brawl that involved the other ''SmackDown!'' cruiserweights and the then-Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/02162007/|title=Out of control|date=February 16, 2007|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>
At [[No Way Out (2007)|No Way Out]], Funaki participated in a Cruiserweight Open match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship but was pinned by the champion Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2007/matches/3465668113/results/|title=Chavo makes a splash|date=February 18, 2007|last=Tello|first=Craig|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On the May 18 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki was made short work of by recently returned superstar [[Mark Henry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05182007/|title=Passing Judgment|date=May 18, 2007|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On the June 29 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Funaki got a shot at the Cruiserweight title against Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and Jamie Noble, but came up short.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06292007/|title=The Animal's revengedate=2007-06-29|last=Rote|first=Andrew|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> At [[The Great American Bash (2007)|The Great American Bash]], he participated in a match for the Cruiserweight Championship which [[Hornswoggle]] won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/42789824/results/|title=A leprechaun's pot o' Cruiserweight gold|date=July 22, 2007|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On the December 14 episode of ''SmackDown!'', he wrestled in a [[Squash (professional wrestling)|squash]] match against [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12142007/articles/creatingultimateopportunity|title=Creating the Ultimate Opportunity?|date=December 14, 2007|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|access-date=August 7, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He also made a televised appearance on January 4, 2008, episode of ''SmackDown!'' where he lost to Chavo Guerrero in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Beat the Clock challenge|Beat the Clock match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01042008/articles/beattheclock|title=Time on Rey's side|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=January 4, 2008|access-date=March 22, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He suffered a defeat to [[The Great Khali]] on April 21, 2008, in Khali's SmackDown return match.<ref>{{Cite web|last=AtleTifo|date=May 17, 2021|title=Is the Great Khali in the Hall of Fame?|url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-the-punjabi-nightmare-the-great-khali/|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=Atletifo Sports|language=en-US}}</ref> On June 6, 2008 Funaki appeared on SmackDown's main event teaming with [[Batista (wrestler)|Batista]], [[Colin Delaney]] and [[Nunzio]] defeating [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], Chavio Guerrero, [[Curt Hawkins]] and [[Zack Ryder]]. Funaki [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] broke his nose at a joint SmackDown/[[WWE ECW|ECW]] taping in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], during a [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark match]] against [[Vladimir Kozlov]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}
====Kung Fu Naki (2008–2010)====
On October 10, 2008, Funaki revealed his full name to be "Kung Fu Naki" during a backstage segment with [[R-Truth]]. This was used as the basis for a gimmick change for Funaki; he then came to the ring dressed in a [[keikogi|gi]] and tweaked his moveset to incorporate theatrical martial arts moves. His first match as Kung Fu Naki saw him scoring a pinfall win over Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and [[Shelton Benjamin]] in a tag team match with R-Truth. Kung Fu Naki then defeated MVP in a singles match on the November 14, 2008 episode of ''SmackDown'' when The Great Khali interfered and distracted MVP. His first loss in the character was against [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|WWE Champion]] Edge on the December 5, 2008, episode of ''SmackDown''. He wrestled in house shows until March 2009. He was inexplicably absent from WWE action until [[WrestleMania XXVI]], where he took part in the 26 Man [[Battle Royal]] match, which was won by [[Yoshi Tatsu]]. On April 22, 2010, WWE released Funaki, ending his 12-year stint with the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1271973470|title=WWE releases six talents|date=April 22, 2010|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|work=WrestleView|access-date=April 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424012646/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1271973470|archive-date=April 24, 2010}}</ref>
===Return to Japan and Independent circuit (2010–2015)===
After his WWE release, [[Pro Wrestling Zero1]] announced they had signed Funaki to return to Japan and team with his former student [[Ikuto Hidaka]].<ref name="zero1">{{cite web|url=http://www.zerooneusa.com/index.php|title=Funaki to Zero1 for "Zero1 Wrestler's 11~ GW Special" on 5/5!|date=April 27, 2010|publisher=[[Pro Wrestling Zero1]]|access-date=April 28, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425055957/http://www.zerooneusa.com/index.php|archive-date=April 25, 2010}}</ref>
On December 4, 2010, [[San Antonio]], Texas–based Branded Outlaw Wrestling (BOW) announced that it had reached a working agreement with Funaki to host his new professional wrestling school, named the Funaki Dojo. The school's first class started on January 15, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1291221554|title=Sho Funaki to open a wrestling school in Texas|date=December 1, 2010|access-date=December 1, 2010|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|work=WrestleView}}</ref>
On December 6, 2013, at [[TNA One Night Only (2013)#World Cup|TNA One Night Only: World Cup of Wrestling]], as a part of Team International, Funaki and [[Petey Williams]] lost to Team [[Aces & Eights]]' [[Doc Gallows|DOC]] and [[Mike Knox|Knux]].
On December 6, 2014, Funaki worked for the Japanese [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] promotion, teaming with [[Scotty 2 Hotty]] and [[Super Crazy]] in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated Pesadilla, [[Yoshinari Ogawa]] and [[Zack Sabre Jr.]], with Scotty 2 Hotty pinning Pesadilla for the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1295|title=Great Voyage 2014 in Tokyo vol.3～有明 冬の陣～|access-date=December 6, 2014|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=ja}}</ref>
Funaki wrestled his last matches in Japan for [[Dradition Pro-Wrestling]] in October 2015, retiring from wrestling.
===Return to WWE (2011-present)===
====Sporadic appearances (2011–2016)====
Funaki cameoed for WWE as a special guest referee during their house shows in Japan in 2011 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=12/1 WWE RAW BRAND RESULTS FROM JAPAN, FUNAKI WORKS THE SHOW|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=63810|publisher=PWInsider|access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SHOW RESULTS – 7/5 WWE in Tokyo, Japan: Team Cena vs. The Shield main event, Jericho vs. IC champ, Funaki|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_71752.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref>
Funaki made a special appearance in a video as a translator for [[Kenta Kobayashi|Kenta]]'s first WWE interview with [[Renee Young]]. In September, Funaki returned to WWE's developmental program [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] to feud with [[The Ascension (professional wrestling)|The Ascension]] alongside Kenta, who was now going by the name Hideo Itami.
==== Japanese commentator (2016–present)====
Funaki would appear in the [[WWE Network]] show, ''[[Edge & Christian|The Edge and Christian Show]]'', introducing the hosts, with his voice dubbed over by [[Howard Finkel]] in the first season and [[Doc Gallows|Luke Gallows]] in the second season.
On April 1, 2016, at [[NXT Takeover: Dallas]], Funaki appeared in a backstage segment with [[Shinsuke Nakamura]]. Funaki would later appear at ringside sitting next to [[Kota Ibushi]].
Since [[WrestleMania 32]], Funaki has been one-half of the Japanese commentary team for all WWE pay-per-view events, while also continuing his duties as an [[Language interpretation|interpreter]] for Japanese wrestlers in backstage interviews.
In an exclusive interview for WWE's [[YouTube]] channel after the final match of the WWE [[Mae Young Classic (2017)|Mae Young Classic]] on September 12, 2017, Funaki served as [[Kairi Sane]]'s interpreter.
Starting in September 2024, Funaki made appearances on [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] as a translator for [[Giulia (wrestler)|Giulia]].
==Funaki Dojo==
Funaki opened his training facility, Funaki Dojo in San Antonio, Texas in June 2012.
==Personal life==
Along with [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and [[English language|English]], Funaki is fluent in [[French language|French]], [[Germany|German]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} He was a regular on WWE's short-lived Spanish-language show ''[[WWF Super Astros|Los Super Astros]]'', which was televised on [[Univision]].
On August 30, 2007, Funaki, along with nine other superstars, were named in ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' as recipients of illegal steroids not in compliance with the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Funaki was said to have received [[Growth hormone|somatropin]] in March 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013093051/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 2007|title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline|publisher=SportsIllustrated|date=August 30, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2007}}</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html?hpid=moreheadlines Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring – washingtonpost.com]</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi'''
**Challenge Cup Tournament (1994)
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**PWI ranked him #'''103''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50001.htm|access-date=July 7, 2008|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 2001|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919163330/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50001.htm|archive-date=September 19, 2011}}</ref>
*'''[[Texas Wrestling Academy|Texas Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hwtwa.html|access-date=June 21, 2008|last=Eanes|first=Samuel|title=TWA – Texas Wrestling Alliance TWA Heavyweight Title History|publisher=Solie}}</ref>
*'''[[Universal Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[UWA World Middleweight Championship]] ([[UWA World Middleweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="uwa"/>
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1996–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions (1996–2007)|1 time]])<ref name="cruiser">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350108|title=Funaki's first WWE Cruiserweight Championship reign|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=December 27, 2007|archive-date=April 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419173904/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350108|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**[[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref name="hardcore" />
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://
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{{UWA World Middleweight Championship}}
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[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Japanese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Japanese male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from San Antonio]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Tokyo]]
[[Category:WWF/WWE Hardcore Champions]]
[[Category:WCW/WWE Cruiserweight Champions]]
[[Category:UWA World Middleweight Champions]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese sportsmen]]
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