is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by his ring name who worked for
Wrestle-1
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion, founded in July 2013 by Keiji Mutoh following his resignation from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The core of the promotion's roster was formed by ...
until its closure in 2020. He is currently a freelancer.
Professional wrestling career
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2012–2013)
Andy Wu debuted for
All Japan Pro Wrestling
(AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established on October 21, 1972 when Giant Baba split away from the Japanese Wrestling Association and created his own promotion. Many wrestlers had left with Baba, ...
(AJPW) on July 15, 2012, teaming with
Yasufumi Nakanoue
is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name , currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) in the Strong BJ division, where he is the current BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion. He started his career in All Japan P ...
in a losing effort against
Minoru Tanaka and
Gillette
Gillette is an American brand of safety razors and other personal care products including shaving supplies, owned by the multi-national corporation Procter & Gamble (P&G).
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, it was owned by The Gil ...
. In July, he entered the
2012 Junior Hyper League but finishes with no wins. He also competed in the
2013 Junior Hyper Tag League with
Sushi
is a Japanese cuisine, Japanese dish of prepared , usually with some sugar and salt, accompanied by a variety of , such as seafood, often raw, and vegetables. Styles of sushi and its presentation vary widely, but the one key ingredient is " ...
and managed to pick up two wins but would not proceed to the next stage. Afterwards, Wu would go on a learning excursion to Mexico to train under
Pantera
Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
. He wrestled briefly whilst in Mexico, making rare appearances in Queretaro in the summer and wrestling a dark match for
International Wrestling Revolution Group
International Wrestling Revolution Group (Grupo Internacional Revolución in Spanish; the Spanish name is used for the promotion while the English initials are used for the title governing body) is a Lucha Libre promotion based in Naucalpan, Sta ...
(IWRG) on August 18.
During his time in Mexico, backstage issues led to the resignation of
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler and professional wrestling executive currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah), where he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is best known for his work as in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Ne ...
and several other wrestlers effective July 1. When Wu returned to Japan, he would choose to follow Mutoh to
Wrestle-1
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion, founded in July 2013 by Keiji Mutoh following his resignation from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The core of the promotion's roster was formed by ...
and not return to AJPW.
Wrestle-1 (2013–2020)
![WRESTLE WARS 2020 - W-120200315152012 IMG 7135](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/WRESTLE_WARS_2020_-_W-120200315152012_IMG_7135.jpg)
On November 16, 2013, Wu debuted for
Wrestle-1
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion, founded in July 2013 by Keiji Mutoh following his resignation from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The core of the promotion's roster was formed by ...
(W-1), teaming with
Daiki Inaba
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently competes as a freelancer, majorly for Pro Wrestling Noah. He's best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a two-time Wrestle-1 Champion, and the winner of the 2019 Wrestle-1 Grand Prix. ...
and
El Hijo del Pantera
El Hijo del Pantera[El Hijo del Pantera](_blank)
CAGEMATCH 2014年7月12日閲覧 (born 18 December 1991) is a ...
to defeat
Hiroshi Yamato
, better known by his ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works as a freelancer. Trained by the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, he started his career in February 2007 working in Mexico for the International Wrestling ...
,
Mazada
(born May 23, 1975) is a Japanese people, Japanese professional wrestler, mostly known for his ring name Mazada (written in all capitals). He is one of the founding members of the renowned Stable (professional wrestling), stable Tokyo Gurentai a ...
and
Nosawa Rongai
, better known by his ring names Nosawa and , (born December 17, 1976) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions.
Career Early career (19952004)
Nos ...
. From his debut, Wu feuded with
Tokyo Gurentai's Mazada and regularly teamed with El Hijo del Pantera. On January 12, 2014, he defeated veteran Mazada in a singles match at
Korakuen Hall
is a famous sports arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, which has hosted many notable boxing, professional wrestling, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and Lethwei matches.
History
On April 16, 1962, the Korakuen Hall was officially opened with ...
. At
Kaisen: Outbreak, Wu, Inaba and Yamato lost to
Tokyo Gurentai
is a professional wrestling stable, currently made up of Fujita, Kikuzawa, Mazada, and Nosawa Rongai. The group was formed in 2000 by Kikuzawa, Mazada and Nosawa and has since appeared for Japan's four biggest promotions; All Japan Pro Wrestli ...
.
On April 17, Wu defeated Mazada in another Korakuen Hall singles match. On July 6, at
Ryōgoku Kokugikan
, also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena, is the name bestowed to two different indoor sporting arenas located in Tokyo. The fist ''Ryōgoku Kokugikan'' opened its doors in 1909 and was located on the lands of the Ekōin temple in Ry ...
, Wu and Inaba defeated Mazada and Rongai. Wu and El Hijo del Pantera moved onto feuding with Novus, a stable off wrestlers from the defunct
Wrestling New Classic
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling promotion, founded in April 2012 by Yoshihiro Tajiri. WNC was the follow-up promotion to Smash, which folded in March 2012.
History
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri held a press conference to annou ...
(WNC). At
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Bound for Glory, Wu and El Hijo del Pantera lost to
Jiro Kuroshio
is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name . He is perhaps best known for his work in the Wrestle-1 promotion, where he was a former two-time UWA World Trios Championship holder before leaving the promotion in January ...
and
Yusuke Kodama
is a Japanese professional wrestler and currently wrestlers for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a freelancer. Kodama is best known for his time with Wrestle-1 (W-1), where he is a former two time UWA World Trios Champion, two time Wrestle-1 Cruiser ...
.
On February 13, 2015, after Wu and El Hijo del Pantera lost to
Kazma Sakamoto
Kazma Parmar Sakamoto (born 1 October 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler.
He originally started his career working for Kaientai Dojo in Japan, where he became a one-time Strongest-K Champion and a three-time Strongest-K Tag Team Champi ...
and Koji Doi, the pair argued which ultimately led to El Hijo del Pantera joining the Desperado stable. They briefly feuded; El Hijo del Pantera defeated Wu in the opening round of the
tournament
A tournament is a competition involving at least three competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:
# One or more competitions held at a single venue and concentr ...
to crown the first
Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Champion, but it came to an end on June 20 when the pair shook hands after Wu defeated El Hijo del Pantera.
On September 23, Wu defeated
Minoru Tanaka to win the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship, the first championship of his career.
He made three successful defences before losing the title to Hiroshi Yamato on January 10, 2016.
On July 1, Wu unsuccessfully challenged
Kotaro Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . He is currently working as a freelancer, mainly for promotion Pro Wrestling Noah.
Career
Pro Wrestling Noah (2001-2013)
Suzuki was the last person remaining of a grueling t ...
for the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship. Wu bounced back 28 days later by winning the
UWA World Trios Championship
The UWA World Trios Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship created by the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association and defended there until the UWA closed in 1995. Since then, the championship has been defended in various p ...
with Daiki Inaba and
Seiki Yoshioka
, previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital letters), is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a former GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, and a member of the ''Stinger'' stable, led by Yos ...
. On December 6, the trio along with Jiro Kuroshio, Yusuke Kodama, Kumagoro, Koji Doi and Kohei Fujimura formed New Era, a stable of young wrestlers with the goal to dominate Wrestle-1. Two days later, they lost the
UWA World Trios Championship
The UWA World Trios Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship created by the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association and defended there until the UWA closed in 1995. Since then, the championship has been defended in various p ...
to
Jun Kasai
(born September 9, 1974) is a Japanese professional wrestler, primarily competing for Pro Wrestling Freedoms. Dubbed the for his violent and often self-harmful style of hardcore wrestling, Kasai is considered a breakthrough talent in Japanese ...
, Nosawa Rongai and
Shuji Kondo
is a Japanese professional wrestler. Prior to becoming a pro wrestler, he played rugby. After starting his career in Toryumon, Kondo eventually joined All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he became one of the promotion's top junior heavyweigh ...
. On April 16, 2017, Wu teamed with Kumagoro and Koji Doi to win back the UWA World Trios Championship for New Era. Three days later, Wu defeated Yoshioka for his second Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship.
He lost the title to Mazada on May 4
and also lost the UWA World Trios Championship two days later. Wu regained the Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship on July 16
but it was another short title reign as he lost it to Yoshioka on September 2.
Wu reached the finals of the 2018 Wrestle-1 Cruiser Festival but was defeated by fellow New Era member Alejando (formally Kohei Fujimura) on March 14. After infighting and member defections, New Era choose to disband officially on April 19.
In May 2018, El Hijo del Pantera returned to Wrestle-1 and teamed with Wu and Alejandro to unsuccessfully challenge Tokyo Gurentai for the UWA World Trios Championship. From September 18 to October 24, Wu and El Hijo del Pantera participated in the
2018 Wrestle-1 Tag League but failed to win their block. On April 20, 2019, Wu defeated Yusuke Kodama to win a record fourth Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship. After a successful title defence against
El Lindaman on May 13, he lost the title to his friend and tag team partner El Hijo del Pantera on September 1.
On February 29, 2020, Wrestle-1 announced that they would be holding their final event on April 1, with all members of the roster being released from their contracts the day prior.
Freelance (2020-present)
Since Wrestle-1's closure, Wu has wrestled most notably for
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 Nagasak ...
(BJW) and
Pro Wrestling Zero1
(stylized as Pro Wrestling ZERO1), formerly known as Pro Wrestling Zero-One and Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max (stylised in all capital letters) and often referred to simply as Zero1, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 2001. I ...
(Zero1). On November 23, he unsuccessfully challenged
Tatsuhiko Yoshino
is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name , currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) in the Strong J division, where he is a former BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion. He was trained by Guts Ishijima and debuted f ...
for the
BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship BJW may refer to:
* the IATA code for Bajawa Soa Airport, Indonesia
* 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 ...
.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Wrestle-1
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion, founded in July 2013 by Keiji Mutoh following his resignation from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). The core of the promotion's roster was formed by ...
:*
UWA World Trios Championship
The UWA World Trios Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship created by the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association and defended there until the UWA closed in 1995. Since then, the championship has been defended in various p ...
(2 times) - with
Daiki Inaba
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently competes as a freelancer, majorly for Pro Wrestling Noah. He's best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a two-time Wrestle-1 Champion, and the winner of the 2019 Wrestle-1 Grand Prix. ...
and
Seiki Yoshioka
, previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital letters), is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a former GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, and a member of the ''Stinger'' stable, led by Yos ...
(1), and Koji Doi and Kumagoro (1)
:*
Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship
The is a professional wrestling Championship (professional wrestling), championship owned by the Wrestle-1 (W-1) Professional wrestling promotion, promotion. The title is meant for Cruiserweight (professional wrestling), cruiserweight wrestlers ...
(
4 times)
References
External links
Wrestle-1 profileCagematch profileWrestling Data profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wu, Andy
Living people
Japanese male professional wrestlers
Masked wrestlers
Sportspeople from Amagasaki
Year of birth missing (living people)
21st-century professional wrestlers
UWA World Trios Champions
Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Champions