Tatsuhito Takaiwa(高岩竜一,Takaiwa Tatsuhito, born July 5, 1972) is a Zainichi-Koreanprofessional wrestler. Takaiwa is one of the more well-traveled junior heavyweights in Japan, having wrestled for New Japan, and Zero1, as well as making special appearances in All Japan and NOAH.
He formed a successful tag team with Shinjiro Otani during the 1990s and won the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Titles in 1998 and 1999. As a former holder of the Zero-One International Jr. Heavyweight Title, IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title and the Pro Wrestling Noah GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title as well, he was the AWA World Jr. Heavyweight Title.
On February 15, 2009, Takaiwa debuted as the fifth Black Tiger, breaking the Black Tiger tradition of foreigners under the mask, by attacking Tiger Mask. On June 20, 2009, at Dominion 6.20 Tiger Mask defeated him in a mask vs. mask match and afterwards Takaiwa revealed his identity by removing his mask. Takaiwa lost his mask as Black Tiger V for the second time on May 14, 2011, when he was defeated at a ToryumonMexico event by Último Dragón. Despite losing his mask twice, Takaiwa continues to make appearances as Black Tiger V.
Noah tatsuhito takaiwa vs naomichi marufuji
In wrestling
Finishing moves
Death Valley bomb, sometimes from the top rope or preceded by a double powerbomb
Fireman's carry dropped into either a reverse piledriver or a cradle pin
Lariat
Takaiwa Driller (Over the shoulder reverse piledriver)
Signature moves
Flapjack lifted and dropped into a powerslam, powerbomb or death valley driver
Mochizuki Bomb (Multiple powerbombs)
Powerslam
Samoan driver
Sitout scoop slam piledriver
Sitout suplex slam
Superbomb
Takaiwa Driver (Vertical suplex piledriver, sometimes from the top rope)
Entrance themes
"Goro Vs. Art" (NJPW; 1995-1997)
"One Way Up" (NJPW / Freelance; 1997-2001; used occasionally)
