 Yoshitsune had his first match teaming up with Shinzaki, who came dressed as Saitō Musashibō Benkei, defeating Rasse and Garuda with his new Shura finishing maneuver.The next year, Yoshitsune's fame allowed him a title match for the Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship against Taka Michinoku, falling short in his challenge.Nonetheless, Yoshitsune allied with The Great Sasuke and the now babyface Los Salseros Japoneses to wage war against Stoned, exchanging wins with them.