Wrestling's 10 Greatest Kay-Baes

Torrie Wilson was a serious kayfabe dater. In WWE, her on-screen boyfriends included Billy Gunn, Carlito, and a partnership with real life fiancé Billy Kidman. Yet it was Tajiri who received the biggest boost from a sham-relationship with Torrie.

When Tajiri signed to WWE in 2001, he was best known for his strong kicks and his willingness to engage in the hardcore brutality of his previous stomping ground ECW. ‘The Japanese Buzzsaw’ had a short comedy alliance as the assistant to Commissioner William Regal, followed by a fun feud that ended too quickly.

Tajiri then entered the Light Heavyweight/Cruiserweight Championship picture that was muddied by The Invasion. His in-ring work was superb, but he needed an extra something – the universally loved all-American Torrie.

The relationship gave fans an added dimension to his character and it was unique to see a foreign face who (kayfabe) couldn’t speak English in a relationship with a top female babyface. The ending of the relationship also facilitated his later heel turn, when he imposed the chastity of his tradition onto Torrie, forcing her to dress as a geisha.