Kaz Hayashi

Kazuhiro Hayashi (林 和広, Hayashi Kazuhiro; born May 18, 1973), best known by the ring name Kaz Hayashi (カズ・ハヤシ, Kazu Hayashi), is a Japanese business executive and retired professional wrestler who last competed in Gleat and serves as the company's chief technical officer (CTO). He is best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where in addition to being a wrestler for the latter promotion, he also served as the head booker for the company's junior heavyweight division. After leaving AJPW in 2013, Hayashi competed for Wrestle-1, where he also worked as a trainer. In April 2017, Hayashi took over as the new president of Wrestle-1, remaining in the position until the promotion's closure in 2020; he was also the promotion's final champion of the Wrestle-1 Championship.

Hayashi retired from in-ring competition in July 2024, and since then has maintained his role as Gleat's chief technical officer.

Hayashi, under a mask as Shiryu (獅龍, Growing Dragon) debuted in 1992 in Universal Lucha Libre promotion in a tag team match, with Terry Boy losing to Mongolian Yuga (also debuting) and Buffalo Chohi. For much of his early career, Hayashi wrestled in Universal's successor promotion, Michinoku Pro Wrestling (Michinoku Pro/MPW). As Shiryu, he was part of the memorable rudo group, Kaientai Deluxe, which waged war with Michinoku Pro's Sekigun for many years, producing some classic matches. In June 1997, he left Michinoku Pro for the Mexican Promo Azteca promotion, before joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the United States in October of that year.

After unmasking, Hayashi joined WCW in 1998. Early on, he was relegated to a jobber and comedy character. He would be taken under the management of Sonny Onoo and even come to inherit Glacier's ceremonial armor and light show for a time. In late 1999, Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara began booking WCW programs and Hayashi was paired with La Parka. During interviews, the two would speak in their native languages which would be humorously dubbed over by charismatic English speakers, calling him names such as "The Kaz Master" and "Kazanova". This ended shortly when La Parka became upset and tossed the microphone down as Ferrera was speaking.

In mid-2000, Hayashi formed the stable The Jung Dragons along with Jamie-San and Yang. Primarily feuding with 3 Count, the Jung Dragons consisted of high-flying cruiserweight talent and gained considerable popularity until the group's demise the following year. During this time, he became friends with Keiji Mutoh, who was appearing in his final run with the promotion under his Great Muta guise.

Hayashi's contract was bought by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) following their purchase of WCW in early 2001. He was first sent to WWF's developmental territory the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) before being moved to the main roster. Hayashi made his WWF main roster debut during the Invasion storyline as a member of The Alliance faction but only made one appearance before returning to HWA and ultimately heading back to Japan.

After returning to Japan, Hayashi eventually decided to join All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) due to his friendship with Keiji Mutoh and established himself as one of their top stars, winning the World Junior Heavyweight Championship and both the World Tag Team Championship and the All Asia Tag Team Championship with Satoshi Kojima. In 2006, Hayashi won the AJPW Junior League tournament.

Now under the name Miguel Hayashi Jr., Hayashi, PEPE Michinoku, and El NOSAWA Mendoza formed a team during the AJPW Champion Carnival called Mexico Amigos. Nobutaka Araya joined the team after six-man Action between Mexico Amigos and Araya/Fuchi/Hirai at the Carnival's final show.