History Wrestling / YujiNagata

'''Yuji Nagata''' (b. 1968) is a UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}ese {{Professional Wrestl|ing}}er, famous for his work in Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling. A former national wrestling champion, he debuted in the company in 1992 and revealed himself as a promising freshman, having matches with and against future inseparable partner Wrestling/ManabuNakanishi. After Kazuo Yamazaki came to NJPW, Nagata learned shoot-style wrestling under his tutelage and became New Japan's resident shooter, gaining a new attitude. He had a stint in United States as part of Wrestling/WorldChampionshipWrestling and returned to Japan to fight [[Wrestling/NewWorldOrder nWo Japan]], eventually founding the Fighting Club G-EGGS to ride the UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts boom. However, Yuji's shooting credentials led the NJPW head Wrestling/AntonioInoki to send him to a MMA event to fight Mirko Cro Cop, who defeated Nagata and shattered his escense. Though he won the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp-h.html IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] the same year and got a long reign, Nagata had to struggle to heal his credibility, which received a new hit after being defeated again in MMA by the feared Fedor Emelianenko. It was not until Inoki's exit from the company that Nagata could settle down as an high midcarder in New Japan, remaining until today as one of its best veterans.

* StillGotIt: Started to show in the 2015 G1 Glimax, especially in his match with Wrestling/KazuchikaOkada.

* AbortedArc: Before his match against Wrestling/TsuyoshiKohsaka, Kohsaka's pal Yoshihisa Yamamoto came to the arena with BML guys Kazunari Murakami, Wrestling/KatsuyoriShibata and Fumihiko Uei, and brawled with Nagata after the match, anticipating a bout between Nagata and Yamamoto. However, it never had place.
* ArchEnemy: Wrestling/MinoruSuzuki, Masahiro Chono and Takashi Iizuka. In Wrestling/{{WCW}}, Wrestling/{{Ultimo Dragon}}. Also politically Wrestling/AkiraMaeda and everybody he feels follows the Maeda-ism (like Katsuyori Shibata ot Kazunari Murakami).

* BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame: As the best native shoot-style wrestler, Nagata has been in charge to wrestle every shooter or mixed martial artist who came to New Japan during the 2000s. Unfortunately for him, this was the reason Inoki sent him to fight in MMA bouts against [[CurbStompBattle Cro Cop and Fedor]].

* BlankWhiteEyes: Nagata rolls his eyes into the back of his head when he applies a seated armbar. The move is called "Shirome" ("white eyes").

* CurbStompBattle: Suffered these in his very brief MMA career. The total time of both his losing efforts was 1:23, which is not odd considering he faced Mirko Cro Cop and Fedor Emelianenko.

* [[IKnowKarate I Know Amateur Wrestling]]: A multiple time national champion. He also trained in shoot wrestling under Kazuo Yamazaki and muay thai in the Ihara Dojo, from which he got his signature knee to the corner.

As usual, you can find more info at [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuji_Nagata The Other Wiki]].

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: His trademark color is [[BlueIsHeroic blue]].