|
All Japan Pro Wrestling Roster
This is a list of professional wrestlers who currently wrestle for All Japan Pro Wrestling, as well as a list of notable alumni. The current roster consists of the Home Unit (those under exclusive contract), freelancers, gaijin and several stables. Roster Heavyweight Wrestlers Junior Heavyweight Wrestlers Referees Corporate Notable alumni Multiple identities used by the same wrestler are in chronological order. In case of alternate identities used infrequently (Great Muta, Shiryu), the identity with the most frequency of use will be listed first. Native *Takuya Sugi, Ahii *Akebono Tarō, Akebono (Note: Originally from Hawaii, United States) *Atsushi Aoki *Isao Takagi, Arashi *Shohei Baba, Giant Baba *Tetsuya Bushi, Bushi/T28 *Riki Choshu *Masanori Toguchi, Kim Duk *Haruka Eigen *Minoru Fujita, Fujita *Masakatsu Funaki *Ryota Hama *Gran Hamada *Animal Hamaguchi *Ashura Hara *Rocky Hata *Eiji Ezaki, Hayabusa *Kaz Hayashi, Kaz Hayashi/Shiryu *Tamon Honda *Tomoaki Honma *Tai ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Professional Wrestlers
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or—as in televised wrestling shows—in backstage areas of the venue, in similar form to reality television. Professional wrestling as a form of theater evolved out of the widespread practice of match fixing among wrestlers in the early 20th century. Rather than sanction the wrestlers for their deceit as was done with boxers, the public instead came to see professional wrestling as a performance art rather than a sport. Professional wrestlers responded to the public's attitude by dispensing with verisimilitude in favor of entertainment, adding melodrama and outlandish stuntwork to their performances. Although the mock combat they performed ceased to resemble any authentic wrestling form, the wrestlers nevertheless continued to pre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shotaro Ashino
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is currently signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was trained by and best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a former two time Wrestle-1 Champion. Early life Ashino was an amateur wrestler throughout his youth, competing in the sport throughout high school and university. Ashino graduated from Nippon Sport Science University and after being recommended by Hiroshi Hase, joined the Wrestle-1 dojo in August 2014, where he trained under Keiji Mutoh and Kaz Hayashi. Professional wrestling career Wrestle-1 Trigger (2015–2017) After being trained in the dojo for 6 months, Ashino made his debut for Wrestle-1 on February 13, 2015, defeating Kumagoro. In August, Ashino took part in the 2015 Wrestle-1 Grand Prix, defeating Nosawa Rongai in the first round but losing to Manabu Soya in the quarter-finals. In late 2015, Ashino formed Trigger (stylised as TriggeR) alongside Masayuki Kono, Shuji Kondo and Hiroki Murase after Kondo tur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yuma Aoyagi
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is part of the stable Nextream. He is a two time AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champion, as well as a AJPW World Tag Team Champion. He is also the older brother of professional wrestler, Atsuki Aoyagi. Early life Yuma Aoyagi was born on November 2, 1995 in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture of Japan. Up to Junior High School, Aoyagi would be playing soccer and watching professional wrestling on television and in live venues, along with his father who also was a pro wrestling fan. While giving his high school exams at Tagawa High School in Nagano Prefecture, he would go from liking pro-wrestling to telling his parents that he was determined to become a pro wrestler. Professional wrestling career All Japan Pro Wrestling (2014–present) After graduating from high school, Yuma Aoyagi joined All Japan Pro Wrestling's dojo system on April 1, 2014. After 8 months in a trainee period, he made his deb ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
(NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. Founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, the promotion was sold to Yuke's, who later sold it to Bushiroad in 2012. TV Asahi and Amuse, Inc. own minority shares of the company. Naoki Sugabayashi has served as the promotion's Chairman since September 2013, while Takami Ohbari has served as the president of the promotion since October 2020. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, NJPW is the largest and longest-running professional wrestling promotion in Japan. It was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance at various points in its history. NJPW has had agreements with various MMA and professional wrestling promotions around the world, including WWE, World Championship Wrestling, American Wrestling Association, World Class Championship Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, WAR, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, UWFi, Ring of Honor, Pride Fighting Championships, and All Elite Wrestling. NJPW's bigge ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yuji Nagata
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). A two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, World Heavyweight Champion and a GHC Heavyweight Champion, making him a four-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions in Japan, Nagata is considered one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers in history. He is the fifth longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a reign of 392 days. He held the record for most successful title defenses with 10, until Hiroshi Tanahashi broke the record at Wrestle Kingdom VI. He is the only wrestler to have won Japanese professional wrestling's three biggest singles tournaments; New Japan Pro-Wrestling's G1 Climax (in 2001), All Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival (in 2011) and Pro Wrestling Noah's Global League (in 2013). Amateur wrestling career Before turning professional, Nagata was a successful amateur wrestler. Nagata met future professional wrestling rival Minoru Suzuki in the amateur wres ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
All Asia Tag Team Champion
The is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). It was created on November 16, 1955, in the Japan Wrestling Association (JWA) when King Kong Czaya and Tiger Joginder Singh defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan and Harold Sakata in a tournament final. Originally it was the top tag team title in the JWA, but its status became secondary once the NWA International Tag Team Championship was brought from the United States. It was abandoned in 1973 when the JWA closed, but was later revived in 1976 by AJPW in response to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) announcing the creation of its own version of the title. It is currently one of two tag team titles in AJPW, along with the World Tag Team Championship. It is also the current oldest active title in Japan. There have been a total of 117 official reigns and 34 vacancies, with the first 27 reigns from the JWA also being recognized by AJPW. There have been a total of 85 teams consisting of 100 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yoshi Tatsu
Yoshi is a fictional dinosaur who appears in video games published by Nintendo. Yoshi debuted in ''Super Mario World'' (1990) on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as Mario and Luigi's sidekick. Yoshi is the title character of the List of Yoshi video games, ''Yoshi'' series and a supporting character in Mario (franchise), ''Mario'' spin-off games such as ''Mario Party'' and ''Mario Kart'', as well as many List of Mario sports games, ''Mario'' sports games. He also appears as a playable character in crossover fighting game ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. Yoshi is a member of the same-named species, which is distinguished for its wide range of colors. Yoshi was well-received, with some critics noting that he is one of the most recognizable characters and one of the best sidekicks in video games. Yoshi's image has also appeared on a range of products, including clothes and collectibles. Concept and creation Shigeru Miyamoto, the video game designer at Nintendo credited with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gleat
Gleat (stylized as GLEAT) is a Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2020 by former Pro Wrestling Noah parent company Lidet Entertainment after the acquisition of Noah and DDT Pro-Wrestling by CyberAgent. The promotion is overseen by Hiroyuki Suzuki and former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Kiyoshi Tamura. The promotion emphasizes the use of the UWFi combat sports-based wrestling style. History In November 2018, Japanese advertising company Lidet Entertainment began investing in various business ventures in the professional wrestling industry including Riki Choshu's Power Hall show in December 2018. On January 29, 2019, Lidet Entertainment bought 75% shares of Pro Wrestling Noah, with the goal of transforming the promotion into the second largest promotion in Japan after New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). A year later due to Noah's financial struggles, Lidet Entertainment sold all shares of Pro Wrestling Noah to internet adver ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
T-Hawk (wrestler)
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Gleat. He also previously worked for Oriental Wrestling Entertainment promotion under the ring name T-Hawk. He is also known for his work with Mexican promotion International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG). Professional wrestling career Dragon Gate Early career (2010–2011) Onodera trained for his professional wrestling career at the NEX wrestling school, which is associated with the Japanese promotion Dragon Gate. Upon his professional wrestling debut on March 29, 2010 he adopted the ring name Takuya Tomakomai after his hometown. He lost his debut match to Dragon Gate veteran Super Shisa. Over the following months Tomakomai wrestled in low card matches, gaining ring experience as he developed his wrestling skills further. On September 16, 2010, Tomakomai made an appearance for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, teaming with Yohei Nakajima in a tag team match at '' NEVER.2'', where they were defeated by Taichi and Tomoa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yoshikazu Taru
is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known simply as Taru (stylised in all capital letters). He is currently signed to Makai, while also working for Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is the leader of the Voodoo Murders. He also previously worked in Diamond Ring (professional wrestling), Diamond Ring, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Toryumon Japan, later known as Dragon Gate (wrestling), Dragon Gate (DG). Professional wrestling career Taru trained in professional wrestling from a karate background as part of Koji Kitao's Buko Dojo and started wrestling in 1996 for Wrestle Yume Factory, Wrestle Association R (WAR) and other independent promotions. Wrestle Association R (1996–2008) He debuted in WAR in December 1996 under his real name as part of Kitao's entourage. Like his partners, Taru wrestled in a modified karategi and utilized kicks and grappling holds in a shoot-style Gimmick (professional wrestling), gim ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Big Japan Pro Wrestling
(BJW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1995. It is most famous for its deathmatch style contests. History Big Japan Pro Wrestling was founded in March 1995 by former AJPW wrestlers Shinya Kojika and Kendo Nagasaki, during the boom period for Deathmatch wrestling in Japan. Kendo Nagasaki left in 1999; Shinya Kojika is still president of the company to date. The promotion followed in the footsteps of organizations such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW), Wrestling International New Generations (W*ING), and the International Wrestling Association of Japan (IWA Japan), who helped popularise a hard-hitting, violent and bloody style of wrestling known as the Deathmatch, or in more recent years, "hardcore" wrestling. These matches are usually weapon filled, using both "conventional" weapons (such as chairs and tables), as well as "extreme" weapons not usually seen in mainstream wrestling, and previously unused in wrestling at all. These weapons inc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Takuya Nomura (wrestler)
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer and is best known for his tenure with the professional wrestling promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2016–present) Nomura is known for his tenures with various promotions. He participated at the '' Lion's Gate Project'', a developmental branch of professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) which hosted its sixth event on June 15, 2017, where he teamed up with Dinosaur Takuma in a losing effort to Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Tiger Mask. At the ''Toshiwasure! Shuffle Tag Tournament 2020'', a one-night event promoted by DDT Pro Wrestling (DDT) in partnership with BJW, Nomura teamed up with Konosuke Takeshita and obtained a victory over the team of Akira Hyodo & Makoto Oishi but fell short to Harashima and Yuji Okabayashi in the semi-finals. All Japan Pro Wrestling (2016–2021) Nomura made sporadic appearan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
