TAKAみちのく
In March 1998, Funaki, along with Teioh and Togo, joined the World Wrestling Federation. Initially, they feuded with Taka Michinoku and defeated him and his partner Justin Bradshaw in a 3-on-2 handicap match at . They lost to Michinoku and The Headbangers at King of the Ring in a six-man tag team match.