Junji Hirata

Junji Hirata is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who wrestled for the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) promotion using 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 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.
==In wrestling==
*Finishing and signature moves
**Devil Windmill Suplex
**Sitout powerbomb
**Lariat
**Diving headbutt
*Tag teams and stables
**BLACK
**Black New Japan
**Calgary Hurricanes
**CTU
**Legend
**Love Machines
**Makai Club
**Raging Staff
**Seigigun
**Strong Machines
*Managers and valets
**KY Wakamatsu
*Wrestlers trained
**Master Wato
**Shinya Hashimoto
**SHO
**Teruaki Kanemitsu
**YOH
==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), Hiro Saito (1), and Shinya Hashimoto (1)
*Stampede Wrestling
**Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
==External links==
* Profile
* Profile
Category:Japanese wrestlers
Category:1956 births
Category:1978 debuts
Category:2014 retirements
Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Michinoku Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Pro Wrestling NOAH alumni
Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni
Category:Wrestle Association-R alumni
Category:Masked Wrestlers
Category:World Championship Wrestling alumni
Category:Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling-X alumni
Category:Fukumen MANIA alumni
Category:Living people
Category:New Japan Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:IWGP Tag Team Champions
Category:All Asia Tag Team Champions