The Kung Fu Masters (カンフーマスターズ Kanfūmasutāzu) is a professional wrestling stable, in the Dragon Gate promotion. It was formed on June 5, 2022, by Hong Kong wrestlers, Jason Lee, Ho Ho Lun along with Lee and Lun's fellow friends, Jacky "Funky" Kamei and Super Shenlong with Lee positioned as the leader. The unit's primary gimmick relied on their Chinese heritage with both Lee and Lun being from China, namely, Hong Kong, while Kamei having resemblance of a Hongkonger and Shenlong being a primarly Chinese-based hometown-sueprhero.
The unit was only specific to Kobe, with Lee and Kamei continuing to be part Natural Vibes, while Lun and Shenlong being unafiliatted outside Kobe. After a month of their inception, the unit quickly brought the Open The Twin Gate Championships with the titles being held by Lee and Kamei. Following the departures of Lee and Kamei in mid 2024, Lun announced a new version of the stable in May 2024 with Holy and Reach Tominaga being the new members in June.
History[]
Backgorund[]
Jason Lee made his debut in Dragon Gate in the beginning of the fall of 2017, with Ho Ho Lun following suit the year after in October. Both men before making their debut in Dragon Gate, they traced their path back in Hong Kong, with Lee and Lun having several matches against, and occasionally teaming with each other, while traveling around the globe representing their hometown of Hong Kong, with both men carrying their Chinese heritage as part of their gimmicks.
In January 2021, Jacky "Funky" Kamei joined Natural Vibes, before suffuring a shoulder injury, which sidelined him for almost three months. Kamei returned from injury on April 22, repackaged due to his resemblance to highly famous Chinese movie actor and martial artist Jackie Chan. Meanwhile Lun became a regular in the promotion, and became friends with Dragon Gate's popular Chinese character, Super Shenlong. Soon after, Masquerade disbanded Lee began being presuated by Shun Skywalker to join him, stating that Lee could not be without him, stating that he was betrayed by everybody around him. Lun persuaded Lee to not joining Skywalker before being attacked by Z-Brats. Lee began also being persuaded by YAMATO and Kzy to join them at High-End and Natural Vibes, leading Dragon Gate General Manager Ryo Saito to schedule a three-way match between YAMATO, Kzy and Skywalker, with the winner having Lee joining them at their stable. Afterwards, Skywalker began trying to persuaded Lee to join Z-Brats, due to their previous relationship as part of Masquerade. Lee apparently turned heel by turning on Lun and joining Skywalker. However later that night, Lee's betrayal was revealed to be a hoax, after he turned on Skywalker and joined Natural Vibes instead, proclaiming that the three-way match was part of his plan to join them, with Lee and Kamei becoming good friends ever since Lee joined Natural Vibes.
Kung Fu Maters 1 (2022–2024)[]
On June 5, 2022, Lee, Lun, Kamei and Shelong formed a stable named "Kung Fu Masters". The unit's primary gimmick relies on their Chinese heritage with both Lee and Lun being from China, namely, Hong Kong, while Kamei having resemblance of a Hongkonger and Shenlong being a primarly Chinese-based hometown-sueprhero. The unit is only specific to Kobe, with Lee and Kamei continuing to be part Natural Vibes, while Lun and Shenlong being unafiliatted outside Kobe. On July 3, Lee and Kamei teamed with Lun and Shenlong in a winning effort against Z-Brats (BxB Hulk, Diamante, H.Y.O and Shun Skywalker), with Kamei scoring a direct pinfall over Skywalker. Afterwards, Lee and Kamei challenged Diamante and Skywalker to a title match for the Open The Twin Gate Championship at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, which Dragon Gate's General Manager Ryo Saito made official. In a predule match, on July 7, Skywalker and Z-Brats stablemate H.Y.O faced Lee and Kamei in a winning effort. Afterwards, Skywalker remarked their difference in ability. In their last pre-match, on July 24, Kamei faced Skywalker in a singles match, which he lost. On July 30 at Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, Lee and Kamei defeated Diamante and Skywalker to win the Open The Twin Gate Championship. They lost the titles to Dragon Dia and Madoka Kikuta on September 19 at Dangerous Gate.
In February 2023, Kamei and Lee took part in the 2023 Rey de Parejas, finishing the tournament with a record of two wins, one draw, and two losses, failing to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. On March 4, at Champion Gate in Osaka, Lee defeated Minorita to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship.
Kung Fu Maters 2 (2024–Present)[]
On March 30, 2024, during a league match in the 2024 Rey de Parejas, Lee turn on Kamei to join Z-Brats, disbanding the stable. On May 5 at Dead or Alive, Kamei decided to leave Natural Vibes and Kung Fu Masters to join Big Hug. On May 13, Lun announced a new version of the stable, with him finding new members in Hong Kong. At the event, Holy and Reach Tominaga were revealed as being the new members of the stable in June.
Members[]
| * | Founding member |
|---|---|
| I | First Leader |
| II | Second leader |
Current[]
| Member | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Ho Ho Lun | *II | June 5, 2022 – Present |
| Holy | June 2, 2024 – Present | |
| Reach Tominaga | June 2, 2024 – Present | |
Former[]
| Member | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Lee | *I | June 5, 2022 – March 30, 2024 |
| Jacky "Funky" Kamei | * | June 5, 2022 – May 4, 2024 |
| Super Shenlong | * | June 5, 2022 – May 13, 2024 |
Timeline[]
Championships and Accomplishments[]
- Dragon Gate
- Open The Brave Gate Championship (1 time) – Lee
- Open The Twin Gate Championship (1 time) – Lee and Kamei
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- 4¾ Star Match (2022) Jason Lee and Jacky "Funky" Kamei vs. Diamante and Shun Skywalker on July 30
