10 Things You Didn't Know About Tajiri
5. WWE Wanted Him To Be A Mafia Boss
Tajiri could lay a pretty solid claim to being the most successful Japanese wrestler in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment. He won a plethora of titles during his four years with the company, including three Cruiserweight Championship reigns and two tag titles runs with Eddie Guerrero and William Regal respectively.
Tajiri represents something of an anomaly as he was a Japanese wrestler that the WWE seemed invested in, and as such was featured in a number of storylines throughout his tenure. In 2003 Tajiri gained himself a couple of lackeys in the shape of Akio and Sakoda, a group that was called Kyo Dai (although that wasn't used on camera).
WWE actually wanted the trio to portray a group of Japanese gangsters. Tajiri turned the idea down however, fearful that the real life Japanese mafia (the Yakuza) would see it as disrespectful and be angered by it. You don't want to piss off the Yakuza after all. When the idea was shot down, Kyo Dai was split up.