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WrestleReunion

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WrestleReunion (or Wrestle Reunion ) is a professional wrestling event, and fan convention , founded by Sal Corrente in 2005.

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34-677: The first WrestleReunion event occurred January 29, 2005, at Doubletree Hotel in Tampa, Florida . The attendance was 450. Appearing at the convention were: Bill Alfonso , Bill Apter , Nick Bockwinkel , Jack Brisco , Buddy Colt , Ted DiBiase , Hector Guerrero , Jimmy Hart , Scott Hudson, Lex Luger , Kevin Nash , Diamond Dallas Page , Kimberly Page , Tom Prichard , Harley Race , Scotty Riggs , Lance Russell , Sabu , Bruno Sammartino , Nitro Girl Spice, Ricky Steamboat , Les Thatcher , Bill Watts , Jake Roberts and Steve Williams . The event

68-561: A feud with Ricky Steamboat , resulting in Steamboat defeating Fuji in several matches during the feud. Fuji briefly managed Jim Neidhart , whose contract he later sold to Jimmy Hart . In 1987, he bought the contract of Demolition ( Ax and Smash ) from Luscious Johnny V . Demolition started calling him "Master Fuji" and he managed them to the Tag Team Championship. Earlier, he brought Killer Khan and Sika back to

102-578: A heel . He formed a tag team with Professor Toru Tanaka and the duo were managed by the Grand Wizard . Tanaka provided his physical massive strength and Fuji brought his devious ring psychology to the team, which earned him the nickname "The Devious One". Fuji used to throw salt in his opponent's eyes, which earned him victories. They defeated Sonny King and Chief Jay Strongbow on June 27, 1972, for their first World Tag Team Championship . They quickly ascended to main event status, defending

136-698: A Demolition Decapitation. Fuji sold the individual contracts of Powers of Pain to managers Slick and Bobby "the Brain" Heenan and brought The Orient Express ( Pat Tanaka and Akio Sato ) to the WWF. Orient Express got involved in a feud with The Rockers ( Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty ), whom The Orient Express defeated by count out (thanks to Sato throwing the salt in Janetty's eyes) at Wrestlemania VI . Orient Express got involved in Demolition's feud with

170-473: A four-team tournament where they defeated former WWWF rivals Tony Garea and Dean Ho in the finals to win the vacant NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship . They lost the title to Bob Backlund and Jerry Brisco a month later. Shortly after their title loss, they left GCW and toured other territories and won several titles. In 1976, Fuji went on his own to work for Big Time Wrestling in California. He won

204-664: A house show. Fuji's greatest success and popularity as a manager came in November 1992 when he introduced the mammoth Yokozuna to the WWF. Under Fuji's tutelage, Yokozuna won the 1993 Royal Rumble match and two WWF World Championships , first from Bret Hart at WrestleMania IX , and again from Hulk Hogan at King of the Ring . Later that year, Fuji was joined by "spokesman" James E. Cornette . In late 1993, Fuji once again began managing Crush after he turned on Randy Savage . During this time he again changed his appearance, abandoning

238-406: A little bag of salt. His first client was George Steele . Fuji teamed with him to lose to Hulk Hogan and "Mean" Gene Okerlund when Okerlund pinned Fuji. Steele soon became a face and left Fuji. Fuji's next client was Don Muraco . They formed a popular heel duo and appeared in a number of TV show parodies, including "Fuji Vice", which was a send-up of Miami Vice . Fuji and Muraco then began

272-414: Is an American hotel chain managed by Hilton Worldwide . DoubleTree has been the fastest growing Hilton brand by number of properties since 2007, and by number of rooms from 2007 to 2015. As of December 2019 , it has 587 properties with 135,745 rooms in 47 countries and territories, including 122 that are managed with 35,122 rooms and 465 that are franchised with 100,623 rooms. DoubleTree competes in

306-566: The LAX Westin Hotel in Los Angeles, California. In addition to the autograph signings, live events were held by Dragon Gate USA , Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Highspots.com, as well as "$ 5 Wrestling Live". Present by Dragon Gate USA on January 27, 2012: Presented by Highspots.com and WrestleReunion on January 28, 2012: Presented by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on January 29, 2012: Doubletree DoubleTree by Hilton

340-1045: The LAX Hilton in Los Angeles , California . Appearing at the convention are: Mike Graham , Paul Orndorff , Tito Santana , Mr. Saito , Mr. Fuji , Bob Orton Jr , SoCal Val , Traci Brooks , Ryan Shamrock , Terry Funk , Ken Patera , Tatanka , Savio Vega , Val Venis , Gene Okerlund , Barry Orton , Roddy Piper , Tammy Lynn Sytch , Serena Deeb , Shane Douglas , The Powers of Pain ( The Barbarian and The Warlord ), Billy Anderson , Torrie Wilson , Nick Mitchell , Superstar Billy Graham , Hart Foundation ( Bret Hart , Jim Neidhart , Jimmy Hart ), Danny Davis , Vampiro , Christy Hemme , Hurricane Helms , Mr. Águila , Mil Mascaras , Dos Caras , Jake Roberts , Chavo Guerrero , Mando Guerrero , Harley Race Presented by Ring of Honor on January 28, 2011: Presented by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on January 29, 2011: WrestleReunion VI took place from January 27 to 29, 2012 at

374-526: The Legion of Doom ( Hawk and Animal ). Fuji reunited with Demolition (who by this time had a third member, Crush ) at that point. Demolition was phased out while the Orient Express took on Legion of Doom in matches. Fuji then managed The Berzerker in late 1991 until early 1993. His last match in WWF was teaming with Kamala as they lost to The Undertaker in a handicap match on July 26, 1992, at

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408-709: The NWA San Francisco United States title defeating Pat Patterson on February 7 in San Francisco. He held the title until leaving the territory in February 1977. Also in 1976 he worked for World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas while champion in California. Fuji and Tanaka returned to WWWF in 1977. They took on Freddie Blassie as their manager. On September 27, 1977, they defeated Larry Zbyzsko and longtime rival Tony Garea in

442-675: The Strongbows on the October 30 episode of Championship Wrestling . Fuji was mainly used in singles competition and teamed on and off with Tiger Chung Lee , but they had little success in the ring. In a brief angle, Fuji turned on Chung Lee in a match at the Philadelphia Spectrum against The Wild Samoans in 1984. In a grudge match to settle the feud, Fuji defeated Chung Lee. Afterward, Fuji continued to wrestle on his own until his in-ring retirement and Chung Lee stayed with

476-413: The WWF shortly after and retired from the pro wrestling business. After leaving wrestling, Fujiwara retired to the city of Knoxville, Tennessee . In 1997, he successfully sued the makers of the video game WCW vs. nWo World Tour , claiming that the character "Master Fuji" was based on him. Fujiwara operated a training dojo out of Jefferson City, Tennessee , and Dandridge, Tennessee , until 2001. He

510-474: The WWF until 1988 in the lower mid-card to preliminary wrestler. Fuji retired from wrestling in 1985 and became a heel manager and wrestled occasionally. As a manager, Fuji often "blinded" his opponents by throwing salt in their eyes, or he or his wrestler(s) hit their opponent with his ever-present cane. He wore a black tuxedo and bowler hat, akin to the James Bond series character Oddjob , and carried

544-416: The WWF. He acquired Kamala from The Wizard , managing him in singles or tag matches with Sika, while also leading "Cowboy" Bob Orton (who often teamed with Muraco). At Survivor Series , he turned on Demolition and began managing Demolition's rival tag team, The Powers of Pain ( Warlord and Barbarian ). Interviewed after the contest, Fuji claimed that he had turned on Demolition because, since winning

578-574: The World Wrestling Federation, in 1981. He formed a tag team with Mr. Saito , which was managed by Captain Lou Albano . They began a feud with tag champions Tony Garea and Rick Martel , whom they defeated on the October 17, 1981, episode of Championship Wrestling to win their first Tag Team Championship , though it was Fuji's fourth individual reign. They began feuding with The Strongbows ( Chief Jay and Jules ) in

612-870: The brand system. On November 2, 2019, DoubleTree Cookie became the first cookie baked in space as ISS Commander Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency baked the brand's cookie dough inside the prototype oven. On October 31, 2024, workers at the San Jose -based Doubletree, which underwent a three day strike in September 2024, were able to get new labor contracts. From October to November 2024, workers at Doubletree's Seattle area Seatac and Boston - Cambridge locations would successfully wage strikes. [REDACTED] Media related to DoubleTree at Wikimedia Commons Mr. Fuji Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara (May 4, 1934 – August 28, 2016)

646-557: The championship, they had become insubordinate and disrespectful to him, whereas the Powers would be utterly obedient and loyal apprentices. For their part, Demolition denounced their former manager as a parasite, labelling him "Fuj the Stooge". At WrestleMania V , Fuji teamed with the Powers of Pain in a 3-on-2 handicap match against Demolition for their Tag Team Championship. Fuji and Powers were defeated after Ax pinned Fuji following

680-452: The fall of 1981. This culminated in a title match on June 28, 1982, at Madison Square Garden (MSG) where the Strongbows won the championship. On the July 13 episode of Championship Wrestling , they defeated the Strongbows in a two out of three falls match for Fuji's fifth and Saito's second WWF Tag Team Championship. The feud of these two teams ended after Fuji and Saito lost the titles to

714-774: The finals of a tag team tournament to win their third WWWF World Tag Team Championship. They wrestled in many six-man and eight-man tag team matches during their third reign. They lost the belts to Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci on the March 14, 1978, episode of Championship Wrestling . Shortly after, they left WWWF again. Fuji and Tanaka continued to tour the territories in 1979 where they won titles again. Later that same year, they stopped teaming and began wrestling individually. Fuji had success, winning several singles titles in many promotions including World Wrestling Council , NWA New Zealand and Maple Leaf Wrestling . Fuji returned to World Wide Wrestling Federation, then known as

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748-687: The full service category, alongside sister chain Hilton Hotels & Resorts . Among the many signature things that DoubleTree is known for are their chocolate chip cookies , which were originally made in the early 1980s for VIPs but now given to all guests and made by Nashville -based Christie Cookie Company for over 30 years. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic the brand published a home-adapted recipe for their cookies. The first DoubleTree hotel opened in Scottsdale, Arizona , in 1969. It

782-545: The titles against WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino on several occasions, throughout the year. During the feud, Fuji earned a shot at the WWWF title against Morales on August 22 but lost by count-out. They reigned for eleven months, making them the third longest reigning WWWF World Tag Team Champions in history. They lost the championship to Tony Garea and Haystacks Calhoun on May 30, 1973. They continued to feud with Garea and Calhoun for

816-751: The titles before defeating them on September 11 in a rematch to win their second WWWF World Tag Team Championship. With their title recapture, their feud with Garea and his new partner Dean Ho continued. On November 14, Fuji and Tanaka lost the titles to Garea and Ho. After failing to recapture the title from Garea and Ho, Fuji and Tanaka left the WWWF in 1974. After WWWF, Fuji went on his own to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling Wrestling from 1974 to 1975. He reunited with Tanaka and debuted in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) in August 1975. On September 19, 1975, they participated in

850-521: The tuxedo and bowler hat in favor of a traditional Japanese kimono and carrying the Japanese flag . Fuji was last seen accompanying Yokozuna to the ring for a six-man tag team match involving Yokozuna against "Camp Cornette" at WrestleMania XII . By this point Yokozuna had fired Cornette and became a fan favorite ; Fuji joined him in the endeavor, even carrying the American flag at times. Fuji left

884-546: The umbrella of the newly renamed Hilton Worldwide. In October 2010, Hilton Worldwide launched a logo and name rebranding for the chain, replacing the name "DoubleTree" with "DoubleTree by Hilton". DoubleTree's strategy to grow the brand has been to convince operators of other brands to switch flags. This is in contrast to brands like Marriott or Sheraton , prior to its acquisition, which rely on new construction to grow their footprint. DoubleTree also provides lower cost options to improve properties, which help operators remain in

918-488: The wake of the billion dollar settlement between the NFL and former players over CTE issues, daughter Kelli Fujiwara Sloan, representing the estate, participated in a class action lawsuit against WWE in which it was claimed the promotion did not protect its employees from head trauma. Sloan's group was represented by attorney Konstantine Kyros in the litigation. In September 2018, US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed

952-904: Was 550. WrestleReunion 4 took place from January 29 to 31, 2010, at the LAX Hilton in Los Angeles , California . Appearing at the convention were: Austin Idol , Bruno Sammartino , Demolition, Diamond Dallas Page , Jushin Thunder Liger , Koko B. Ware , Larry Zbyszko , The Great Muta , Nick Bockwinkel , Road Warrior Animal , Rob Van Dam , Scott Taylor , Stan Hansen , Tammy Lynn Sytch , Super Crazy , Terri Runnels , Bret Hart , Chavo Guerrero , Dan Severn , Daffney , Jimmy Hart , J. J. Dillon , Ron Simmons , Kishi , Rock Riddle, The Iron Sheik . Presented by Ring of Honor on January 29, 2010 Presented by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on January 30, 2010. This event aired on pay-per-view . WrestleReunion 5 took place from January 28 to 30, 2011, at

986-518: Was a part-time usher at Knoxville Center's (formerly East Town Mall) movie theater. Fujiwara was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2007, by his former charge and Fuji Vice co-star Don Muraco . Fujiwara was in a wheelchair at the time of the induction due to nine knee operations. Fujiwara died of natural causes, aged 82, on August 28, 2016, in Clarksville, Tennessee . He

1020-464: Was an American professional wrestler , actor and manager , known professionally by his ring name Mr. Fuji (or Master Fuji to his protégés). He was famous for often throwing salt in the eyes of fan favorite wrestlers. Notable wrestlers and tag teams managed by him include Don Muraco , Yokozuna and Demolition . Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara was born on May 4, 1934, in Honolulu , Hawaii . He

1054-877: Was dedicated to Bruno Sammartino . WrestleReunion 2 took place from August 26–28, 2005, at the Valley Forge Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . The attendance was 900. Appearing at the convention were: Afa , Bill Apter , Nick Bockwinkel , Jeremy Borash , J. J. Dillon , Stan Hansen , Bret Hart , Jimmy Hart , Ivory , Balls Mahoney , Jim Molineaux, Tom Prichard , Harley Race , Wendi Richter , Lance Russell , Sumi Sakai , Sandman , Larry Sharpe , Joey Styles , Tammy Lynn Sytch , Nikolai Volkoff , and Dick Whoerle. WrestleReunion 3 took place on September 10, 2005, at The Davie Bergeron Rodeo Arena in Davie , Florida . The attendance

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1088-876: Was located on the grounds of Scottsdale Fashion Square and was built by Sam Kitchell. The DoubleTree Hotels Corporation merged with the Guest Quarters Hotels Partnership of Boston in December 1993. The acquired hotels were rebranded under the DoubleTree name. The Doubletree Corporation later merged with the Promus Hotel Corporation in December 1997, bringing together the DoubleTree, Red Lion , Hampton Inn , and Embassy Suites brands. In December 1999, Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired Promus Hotel Corporation, which brought Doubletree Hotels and other Promus hotel brands under

1122-706: Was of Japanese and Native Hawaiian ancestry. Fujiwara made his professional wrestling debut in 1962 in his native Hawaii under the ring name Mr. Fujiwara. He won his first championship, the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship , with King Curtis Iaukea on January 7, 1966. He shortened his ring name to Mr. Fuji and toured many territories, including Don Owen 's Portland, Oregon based NWA Pacific Northwest Wrestling where he won many championships. Fuji debuted in Vince McMahon, Sr. 's World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1972 as

1156-482: Was survived by his seven children — Tyran Wong, Teri Deptula, Tami Nelson, Kimberly Brewster, Toni Will, Kelli Fujiwara Sloan and Kevin Fujiwara — as well as 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A postmortem brain scan revealed Fujiwara was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy , which became an issue in professional wrestling in a postmortem examination of Chris Benoit's brain after his death. In

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