Junji Hirata

Infobox Wrestler
name=Junji Hirata

---

names=Junji Hirata,
Sonny Two Rivers,
Super Strong Machine, Makai #1,
Black Strong Machine
Super Love Machine
height=183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
weight=115 kg (254 lb)
birth_date = birth date|1956|12|20|mf=y
death_date=
birth_place = Hiratsuka, Kanagawa
trainer=
debut=August 26, 1978
vs Yoshiaki Fujiwara|

nihongo|Junji Hirata|平田 淳嗣|"Hirata Junji" is a Japanese Professional wrestler who wrestles for the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, and currently uses the ring name Black Strong Machine.

Career

Hirata made his debut in New Japan on August 26, 1978 against Yoshiaki Fujiwara. In November, 1982 he left on an overseas training expedition to Mexico, and later Canada, where in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling he would create the famous Super Strong Machine persona, as well as use a Native American gimmick as Sonny Two Rivers. In April, 1986 he left New Japan with Riki Chōshū for rival wrestling promotion, All Japan Pro Wrestling. In June, 1987 he returned to New Japan and would soon capture the IWGP World Tag Team Championship on three separate occasions with George Takano, Hiro Saito, and Shinya Hashimoto as his tag team partners.

In December, 1994, he finally unmasked, dropping the Super Strong Machine character and wrestling under his real name. He revived the Super Strong Machine persona for the first time in six years in October, 2000, having a brief feud with T2000 Machine (Tatsutoshi Goto). In 2005 a wrestler by the name of Black Strong Machine, resembling Hirata, became a regular fixture on New Japan shows as part of Masahiro Chono's Black New Japan. He also had a brief stint in AJPW as Super Love Machine, the leader of the Love Machines. Whatever role he plays, Junji Hirata is a very respected veteran and is well liked by wrestlers, officials, and fans alike.

In the fall of 1986, the World Wrestling Federation introduced a stable of wrestlers called The Machines -- "The Giant Machine" (André the Giant), "Big Machine" (Blackjack Mulligan), and "Super Machine" (Bill Eadie) -- based on Junji Hirata's popular Super Strong Machine gimmick. [cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/86.htm| title=WWF Show Results 1986|accessdate=2007-07-01|author=Graham Cawthon|year=1986|date=June 24|quote=(Shown: July 5) featured Vince McMahon interviewing Bobby Heenan in which he showed Heenan footage of Gene Okerlund finding the Machines in Japan, with the Machines saying they were coming to the WWF and would have Capt. Lou Albano as their manager]

Finishing and signature moves

*"Devil Windmill Suplex" / "Makai Windmill Suplex" (Bridging hammerlock suplex)
*"Machine DDT" (Hammerlock snap DDT)
*Sitout powerbomb
*Lariat
*Diving headbutt
*Piledriver
*Slingshot suplex
*Spinebuster
*Falling fist drop
*Double underhook suplex

Championships and accomplishments

*All Japan Pro Wrestling:*AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) -with Ashura Hara

*New Japan Pro Wrestling:*IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with George Takano (1), Masa Saito (1), and Shinya Hashimoto (1)

*Stampede Wrestling:*Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

References

* [http://www.puroresufan.com/ Strong Style Spirit]