# Junji Hirata

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Japanese professional wrestler

Junji Hirata Personal information Born (1956-12-20) December 20, 1956 (age 69) Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan Professional wrestling career Ring name(s) Junji Hirata Sonny Two Rivers Strong Machine #1 Super Strong Machine Makai #1 Black Strong Machine Super Love Machine Super Strong Azteca Machine Billed height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] Billed weight 115 kg (254 lb)[1] Billed from "Unknown"[2] Trained by Tokyo Joe[3] Debut August 26, 1978 Retired June 19, 2018

**Junji Hirata** (平田 淳嗣, **Hirata Junji**) (born December 20, 1956) is a Japanese retired [professional wrestler](/source/Professional_wrestler) currently working as a trainer for the [New Japan Pro-Wrestling](/source/New_Japan_Pro-Wrestling) (NJPW) promotion, known primarily by his [ring name](/source/Ring_name) **Super Strong Machine** (スーパー・ストロング・マシン, *Sūpā Sutorongu Mashin*).

## Professional wrestling career

Hirata applied and was approved to the New Japan dojo on May 13, 1978, and made his debut for [New Japan Pro-Wrestling](/source/New_Japan_Pro-Wrestling) (NJPW) on August 26, against [Yoshiaki Fujiwara](/source/Yoshiaki_Fujiwara). In November 1982, he left on an overseas training expedition to [Mexico](/source/Mexico), and later [Canada](/source/Canada), where in [Stu Hart](/source/Stu_Hart)'s [Stampede Wrestling](/source/Stampede_Wrestling) he would create the famous **Super Strong Machine** persona, as well as use a [First Nations](/source/First_Nations_in_Canada) gimmick as **Sonny Two Rivers** (billed as the son of [Billy Two Rivers](/source/Billy_Two_Rivers), an actual First Nations chief). In April 1986, he left NJPW with [Riki Choshu](/source/Riki_Choshu) for rival wrestling promotion, [All Japan Pro Wrestling](/source/All_Japan_Pro_Wrestling) (AJPW). In June 1987, he returned to NJPW and would soon capture the [IWGP Tag Team Championship](/source/IWGP_Tag_Team_Championship) on three occasions with [George Takano](/source/George_Takano), [Hiro Saito](/source/Hiro_Saito), and [Shinya Hashimoto](/source/Shinya_Hashimoto) as his tag team partners.

In the fall of 1986, the [World Wrestling Federation](/source/World_Wrestling_Entertainment) introduced a stable of wrestlers called [The Machines](/source/The_Machines_(wrestling)) -- "The Giant Machine" ([André the Giant](/source/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant)), "Big Machine" ([Blackjack Mulligan](/source/Blackjack_Mulligan)), and "Super Machine" ([Bill Eadie](/source/Bill_Eadie)) -- based on Junji Hirata's popular Super Strong Machine gimmick.[4] In 1984, Hirata had tried to make his own "Machines" stable with Korean wrestler Yang Seung-hi and veteran Yasu Fuji as Strong Machine #2 and Strong Machine #3 respectively, but this version of the stable did not have the exposure or push of their American counterparts.[5] Hirata briefly turned face and became "Super" Strong Machine, feuding with his former partners. When Hirata left for Japan Pro, Fuji retired and Yang went back to South Korea.

In December 1994, after [Masahiro Chono](/source/Masahiro_Chono) turned on him, 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](/source/Tatsutoshi_Goto)). In 2005, Hirata, as the masked persona of **Black Strong Machine**, became a regular fixture on NJPW shows reconciled with Chono and part of his [Black New Japan](/source/Black_New_Japan) stable. He also had a brief stint in AJPW as **Super Love Machine**, the leader of the Love Machines, this time taking as partners [Arashi](/source/Isao_Takagi) as **Love Machine Storm** and [Gran Hamada](/source/Gran_Hamada) as **Mini Love Machine**. Whatever role he plays, Junji Hirata is a very respected veteran and is well liked by wrestlers, officials, and fans alike.

In the late 2000s, Hirata was a founding member of the Legend and [Seigigun](/source/Seigigun) stables.[1] He wrestled his final match on April 2, 2014, at [Wataru Inoue](/source/Wataru_Inoue_(wrestler))'s retirement event.[6] He now works as a trainer at the [NJPW Dojo](/source/NJPW_Dojo). On April 12, 2018, it was announced that he was retiring from active competition. His retirement ceremony was held on June 19 at Korakuen Hall.[7]

### Kizuna Road 2018 (June 19) ~Super Strong Machine Retirement Ceremony~ - Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

No. Results[7] Stipulations Times 1 Bullet Club (Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori) defeated Kushida & Ren Narita Tag Team match 8:35 2 Togi Makabe, Jyushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask defeated Toa Henare, Tomoyuki Oka & Shota Umino Six-man Tag Team match 7:57 3 Suzuki-gun (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, El Desperado & Taka Michinoku) defeated Roppongi 3K (Rocky Romero, Yoh & Sho) Six-man Tag Team match 6:50 4 Chaos (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano) defeated Suzuki-gun (Takashi Iizuka & Taichi) Tag Team match 9:35 5 Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Jay White & Yoshi-Hashi) defeated Michael Elgin, Jeff Cobb & FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay) Eight-man Tag Team match 14:51 6 Super Strong Machine Ace, Super Strong Machine Buffalo, Super Strong Machine Justice, Super Strong Machine Don & Super Strong Machine No. 69 (with Super Strong Machine) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito, Evil, Sanada, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi) Super Strong Machine Retirement Commemorative Ten-man Tag Team match 15:33

## Personal life

Hirata's son trained in the [Dragon Gate](/source/Dragon_Gate_(wrestling)) Dojo and debuted for the promotion in 2019 under the name [Strong Machine J](/source/Strong_Machine_J). He formed the **Strong Machine Dantai** with Strong Machine F ([Don Fujii](/source/Don_Fujii)), Strong Machine G ([Gamma](/source/Gamma_(wrestler))), and Strong Machine K ([Shuji Kondo](/source/Shuji_Kondo)).

## Championships and accomplishments

- **[All Japan Pro Wrestling](/source/All_Japan_Pro_Wrestling)** - [All Asia Tag Team Championship](/source/All_Asia_Tag_Team_Championship) ([1 time](/source/All_Asia_Tag_Team_Championship#Title_history)) – with [Ashura Hara](/source/Ashura_Hara)[8]

- **[New Japan Pro-Wrestling](/source/New_Japan_Pro-Wrestling)** - [IWGP Tag Team Championship](/source/IWGP_Tag_Team_Championship) ([3 times](/source/List_of_IWGP_Tag_Team_Champions)) – with [George Takano](/source/George_Takano) (1), [Hiro Saito](/source/Hiro_Saito) (1) and [Shinya Hashimoto](/source/Shinya_Hashimoto) (1)

- **Polynesian Pacific Championship Wrestling** - NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[9]

- ***[Pro Wrestling Illustrated](/source/Pro_Wrestling_Illustrated)*** - PWI ranked him #**105** of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the [PWI 500](/source/Pro_Wrestling_Illustrated#PWI_500) in 1997[10]

- **[Stampede Wrestling](/source/Stampede_Wrestling)** - [Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship](/source/Stampede_British_Commonwealth_Mid-Heavyweight_Championship) ([1 time](/source/Stampede_British_Commonwealth_Mid-Heavyweight_Championship#Title_history))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NJPW_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NJPW_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NJPW_1-2) [スーパー・ストロング・マシン](http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=140). *[New Japan Pro-Wrestling](/source/New_Japan_Pro-Wrestling)* (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-08-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-profile_2-0)** NJPW. ["Super Strong Machine – スーパー・ストロング・マシン | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING"](https://www.njpw1972.com/profile/1423). *NJPW*. Retrieved 2021-01-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Meltzer, Dave](/source/Dave_Meltzer) (November 5, 2017). ["'Tokyo' Joe Daigo passes away at 75 years old"](http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/tokyo-joe-daigo-passes-away-75-years-old-245761). *[Wrestling Observer Newsletter](/source/Wrestling_Observer_Newsletter)*. Retrieved November 5, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Graham Cawthon (June 24, 1986). ["WWF Show Results 1986"](http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/86.htm). Retrieved 2007-07-01. (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

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [cagematch.net - Strong Machine matches](http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=11208&page=4&gimmick=Strong+Machine+%232)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Road to Invasion Attack 2014 〜井上亘引退記念大会〜](http://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/9054). *[New Japan Pro-Wrestling](/source/New_Japan_Pro-Wrestling)* (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-02-13.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ceremony_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ceremony_7-1) ["共闘ことばRPG コトダマン Presents KIZUNA ROAD 2018 – 東京・後楽園ホール 6/19（火）"](https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/142575). *www.njpw.co.jp* (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-F4W1030_8-0)** Hoops, Brian (October 30, 2015). ["DAILY PRO WRESTLING HISTORY (10/30): A SLEW OF TAG TEAM TITLES CHANGE HANDS"](http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-1030-slew-tag-team-titles-change-hands-200696). Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database"](http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=552&bild=1&details=3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110919163225/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50097.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50097.htm) on 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2014-01-08.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

## External links

- Junji Hirata's profile at [Cagematch](https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=209) , [Internet Wrestling Database](http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/strong-machine-1-2016.html)

Links to related articles v t e All Asia Tag Team Champions JWA (1955–1973) 1950s King Kong Czaya and Tiger Joginder Singh 1960s Dan Miller and Frank Valois Rikidōzan and Toyonobori Luther Lindsay and Ricky Waldo Buddy Austin and Mike Sharpe Toyonobori and Michiaki Yoshimura Caripus Hurricane and Gene Kiniski Giant Baba and Toyonobori The Destroyer and Billy Red Lyons Joe Carrolo and Killer Karl Kox Hiro Matsuda and Michiaki Yoshimura Eddie Graham and Killer Karl Kox Giant Baba and Michiaki Yoshimura Kintarō Ōki and Michiaki Yoshimura Antonio Inoki and Michiaki Yoshimura Klondike Bill and Skull Murphy Antonio Inoki and Kintarō Ōki 1970s Seiji Sakaguchi and Michiaki Yoshimura Great Kojika and Gentetsu Matsuoka AJPW (1976–present) 1970s Great Kojika and Motoshi Okuma Jerry and Ted Oates Samson Kutsuwada and Akihisa Takachiho Animal Hamaguchi and Mighty Inoue 1980s David Von Erich and Kevin Von Erich Takashi Ishikawa and Akio Sato Ashura Hara and Mighty Inoue Ashura Hara and Takashi Ishikawa Animal Hamaguchi and Isamu Teranishi Norio Honaga and Isamu Teranishi Mighty Inoue and Takashi Ishikawa Ashura Hara and Super Strong Machine Footloose (Samson Fuyuki and Toshiaki Kawada) Shinichi Nakano and Shunji Takano Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat 1990s Kenta Kobashi and Tiger Mask II Shinichi Nagano and Akira Taue Johnny Ace and Kenta Kobashi British Bruisers (Dynamite Kid and Johnny Smith) Billy Black and Joel Deaton Tsuyoshi Kikuchi and Kenta Kobashi The Eagle and The Patriot Jun Akiyama and Takao Omori Wolf Hawkfield and Johnny Smith Tamon Honda and Jun Izumida Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki No Fear (Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama) Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa Tamon Honda and Masao Inoue 2000s Masahito Kakihara and Mitsuya Nagai Arashi and Koki Kitahara Arashi and Nobutaka Araya Kohei Sato and Hirotaka Yokoi Kintaro Kanemura and Tetsuhiro Kuroda Mr. Gannosuke and Tetsuhiro Kuroda The Great Kosuke and Shiryu Masanobu Fuchi and Genichiro Tenryu Mitsuya Nagai and Masayuki Naruse RO&D (Buchanan and Rico Constantino) Shuji Kondo and "brother" Yasshi Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kensuke Sasaki Minoru Suzuki and Nosawa Rongai S.M.O.P. 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Kodama) Masao Inoue and Takao Omori Kendo Kashin and Nosawa Rongai Atsushi Onita and Yoshitatsu Burning (Jun Akiyama and Kotaro Suzuki) Eruption (Hideki Okatani and Yukio Sakaguchi) Atsushi Onita and Toy Kojima Musashi and Seiki Yoshioka ELPIDA (Yuma Anzai and Rising Hayato) Atsuki Aoyagi and Yuma Aoyagi Gajadokuro (Ishin and Yoshiki Kato) Don Fujii and Masaaki Mochizuki Genki Horiguchi and Yasushi Kanda Atsuki Aoyagi and Rising Hayato (current) Other recognized champions Champions recognized by New Japan Pro-Wrestling Seiji Sakaguchi and Strong Kobayashi Tiger Jeet Singh and Umanosuke Ueda v t e IWGP Tag Team Champions 1980s Kengo Kimura and Tatsumi Fujinami Akira Maeda and Osamu Kido Keiji Muto and Shiro Koshinaka Akira Maeda and Nobuhiko Takada Kazuo Yamazaki and Yoshiaki Fujiwara Masa Saito and Riki Choshu George Takano and Super Strong Machine Riki Choshu and Takayuki Iizuka Masa Saito and Shinya Hashimoto 1990s Keiji Muto and Masahiro Chono Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki Hiro 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(Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.) Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito and Sanada) Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb) General's Jewel (Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens) FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis) Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo) Bullet Club (Kenta and Chase Owens) TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Henare) (current) Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi) United Empire (Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman) United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman) Tomohiro Ishii and Taichi Knock Out Brothers (Oskar and Yuto-Ice) v t e New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel Wrestlers Heavyweight Aaron Wolf Bad Dude Tito Bad Luck Fale Boltin Oleg Callum Newman Chase Owens David Finlay Drilla Moloney El Phantasmo Evil Fred Rosser Gabe Kidd Great-O-Khan Hartley Jackson Henare Hirooki Goto Hiroyoshi Tenzan Jake Lee Jon Moxley Jorel Nelson Konosuke Takeshita Mikey Nicholls Oskar Ren Narita Royce Isaacs Ryohei Oiwa Sanada Satoshi Kojima Shane Haste Shingo Takagi Shota Umino Taichi Togi Makabe Tom Lawlor Tomoaki Honma Tomohiro Ishii Toru Yano Yoshi-Hashi Yota Tsuji Yuji Nagata Yujiro Takahashi Yuto-Ice Yuya Uemura Zack Sabre Jr. Junior heavyweight Alex Zayne Clark Connors Dick Togo DKC Douki El Desperado Francesco Akira Gedo Hiromu Takahashi Jado Kevin Knight Kosei Fujita Kushida Lio Rush Master Wato Matt Vandagriff Robbie Eagles Robbie X Rocky Romero Ryusuke Taguchi Sho Taiji Ishimori Taka Michinoku Templario Tiger Mask Titán TJP Yoh Yoshinobu Kanemaru Women's division AZM Mercedes Moné Syuri Trish Adora Viva Van Willow Nightingale Staff Hiro Saito Hiroshi Tanahashi Jushin Thunder Liger Kazuo Yamazaki Kuniaki Kobayashi Milano Collection A. T. Red Shoes Unno Seiji Sakaguchi Super Strong Machine Takaaki Kidani Tiger Hattori Tony Kozina Wataru Inoue Stables and tag teams Bishamon House of Torture The Mighty Don't Kneel Tencozy Unbound Co. Knock Out Brothers United Empire West Coast Wrecking Crew v t e Stampede Wrestling British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship 1950s Dynamite Kid Norman Frederick Charles III Fighting Hara Bret Hart Terry Sawyer 1960s Bruce Hart Hubert Gallant Keith Hart Davey Boy Smith Gama Singh Dick Steinborn Nightmare Danny Davis The Cobra Sonny Two Rivers Ron Starr Johnny Smith Les Thornton Owen Hart Chris Benoit 1990s Principal Richard Pound 2000s Tiger Mahatma Khan Duke Durango T. J. Wilson Randy Myers Chucky Blaze Gama Singh Jr.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Junji Hirata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junji_Hirata) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junji_Hirata?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.