Atsushi Aoki (青木 篤志, Aoki Atsushi; September 25, 1977 – June 3, 2019) was a Japanese professional wrestler who worked…
Atsushi Aoki (青木 篤志, Aoki Atsushi; September 25, 1977 – June 3, 2019) was a Japanese professional wrestler who worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as a wrestler, president of talent relations and head trainer at their dojo. Aoki began his career in Pro Wrestling Noah in 2005, where he went on to become a two-time winner of the Global Junior Heavyweight Tag League and hold the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice during his 7-year run with the promotion. Aoki jumped to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) in December 2012 where he became the top star of the junior heavyweight division, winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship four times and the All Asia Tag Team Championship 3 times. Aoki was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 3, 2019, at the age of 41. At the time of his death, he was the reigning World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Famous Japanese People: Wrestler
Wrestler: 563 people
Kohei Sato (佐藤 耕平, Satō Kōhei; born September 21, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently contracted…
Kohei Sato (佐藤 耕平, Satō Kōhei; born September 21, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently contracted with Pro Wrestling Zero1. He also makes appearances on the Japanese independent circuit. Sato is also a former mixed martial artist.
Minoru Fujita (藤田 穣, Fujita Minoru; ring name: 藤田 ミノル) (born September 5, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler who…
Minoru Fujita (藤田 穣, Fujita Minoru; ring name: 藤田 ミノル) (born September 5, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler who works as a freelancer. He is known for working at Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling.
Seiya Morohashi (諸橋晴也, Morohashi Seiya) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Japanese…
Seiya Morohashi (諸橋晴也, Morohashi Seiya) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Noah.
Tomohiko Hashimoto (橋本友彦, Hashimoto Tomohiko; August 16, 1977 – August 5, 2025) was a Japanese professional wrestler…
Tomohiko Hashimoto (橋本友彦, Hashimoto Tomohiko; August 16, 1977 – August 5, 2025) was a Japanese professional wrestler, judoka and mixed martial artist, best known for his time with Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), where he competed as a mainstay from 2000 to 2006. After working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent circuit for many years, mostly at Apache Pro-Wrestling Army, in 2017 he began promoting its successor promotion, Pro-Wrestling A-Team.
Naofumi Yamamoto (山本 尚史, Yamamoto Naofumi; born August 1, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by…
Naofumi Yamamoto (山本 尚史, Yamamoto Naofumi; born August 1, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Yoshi Tatsu. Yamamoto started his professional wrestling career under his real name in October 2002 with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he remained until 2007, when he signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In 2009, Yamamoto left WWE's developmental territory to join the promotion's main roster under the ring name Yoshi Tatsu (ヨシ・タツ, Yoshi Tatsu). After his release from WWE in June 2014, Yamamoto returned to NJPW the following October, performing under the tweaked ring name Yoshitatsu (ヨシタツ, Yoshitatsu). Following his departure from NJPW in late 2017, Yamamoto became a freelancer, and started working most notably for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), who he signed full time for between 2020 and 2023.
Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese…
Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his stage name "Black Angel" Jaki Numazawa ("黒天使"沼澤邪鬼, "Kokutenshi" Numazawa Jaki). He currently wrestles for Big Japan Pro Wrestling in the Deathmatch division, where he has held the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship on one occasion.
Aki Miyashita (みやしたあき, Miyashita Aki; born May 18, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Danshoku…
Aki Miyashita (みやしたあき, Miyashita Aki; born May 18, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Danshoku Dino (男色ディーノ, Danshoku Dīno; lit. "Homosexual Dino", also transliterated as Danshoku Dieno). Miyashita has spent most of his career competing for DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), where he plays an overly exaggerated homosexual character. His ring name comes from the character of Baron Dino (男爵ディーノ, Danshaku Dīno) from the manga series Sakigake!! Otokojuku and his gimmick itself is based on openly bisexual Japanese wrestler Men's Teioh.
Makoto Hashi (橋 誠, Hashi Makoto) (born May 10, 1977) is a former Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his…
Makoto Hashi (橋 誠, Hashi Makoto) (born May 10, 1977) is a former Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in Pro Wrestling Noah.
Ken Ohka (大家健, Ōka Ken) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling…
Ken Ohka (大家健, Ōka Ken) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT).
Daigoro Kashiwa (柏大五郎, Kashiwa Daigorō) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and referee best known for his time…
Daigoro Kashiwa (柏大五郎, Kashiwa Daigorō) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and referee best known for his time with the Japanese promotion Kaientai Dojo.
Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally…
Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally translated to "Suwa Evil Spirit"), is a Japanese professional wrestler and executive. He is the founder and president of Pro Wrestling Evolution, which was created in 2023. He is also signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former record eight-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and an eight-time World Tag Team Champion. He was also part of AJPW's board of directors until his departure in early 2025 to focus on Evolution. Debuting in 2004 at the age of 27 under Hiroshi Hase and Kaz Hayashi in the AJPW Dojo, Suwama was seen as the spiritual successor to then-president Keiji Muto, until he turned on him in 2006 to join Voodoo Murders (VDM). Upon dropping his first name and joining VDM, he teamed with both leader Taru and Satoshi Kojima on numerous occasions. He left VDM in 2008 to represent AJPW, and, after winning the Champion Carnival that year, won his first Triple Crown title against Osamu Nishimura. In the years following his first Triple Crown title, he rose to become the legitimate ace of the promotion, winning multiple more Triple Crown and Tag championships. His meteoric rise led to him becoming known in AJPW as both The Emperor and the Next Jumbo. He founded the Evolution stable, which was first known as Last Revolution, in 2012. Within this time, he had been quietly dropped as the ace of AJPW, being replaced by the younger Kento Miyahara. The rivalry between Suwama and Miyahara between 2016 and 2019, and again in 2022, was a pivotal point in AJPW's successes in the mid-to-late 2010s. He formed the Violent Giants (暴走大巨人, Bōsō Dai Kyojin; Japanese for "Runaway Giants") with former DDT and BJW star Shuji Ishikawa; they won four World Tag Team titles and three consecutive Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Awards between 2017 and 2019 during their run as a tag team. He won the 2016 and 2017 Ōdō Tournaments, and won three World's Strongest Tag Determination Leagues (once with Joe Doering, once with Miyahara, and once with Ishikawa). Since 2008, he has won eight Triple Crown titles and eight World Tag Team titles, becoming one of the winniest competitors in AJPW, surpassing even Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada for championships combined.
Tomoaki Honma (本間 朋晃, Honma Tomoaki; born November 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler primarily working for…
Tomoaki Honma (本間 朋晃, Honma Tomoaki; born November 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler primarily working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he is a former one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a two-time World Tag League winner with Togi Makabe.
Hiroshi Tanahashi (棚橋弘至, Tanahashi Hiroshi; born November 13, 1976) is a Japanese sports executive, podcaster and…
Hiroshi Tanahashi (棚橋弘至, Tanahashi Hiroshi; born November 13, 1976) is a Japanese sports executive, podcaster and retired professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he serves as the president and representative director, whilst also wrestling for them from 1999 until 2026. Hiroshi Tanahashi has held 26 championships in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), including a record eight reigns as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and three as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. His other titles include two IWGP Intercontinental Championships, one NJPW World Television Championship, three IWGP Tag Team Championships, one NEVER Openweight Championship, six NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships, and two IWGP U-30 Openweight Championships. Tanahashi won the G1 Climax tournament three times, in 2007, 2015, and 2018, and the New Japan Cup twice, in 2005 and 2008. He was also the fourth wrestler to complete NJPW's Triple Crown and the second to achieve its Grand Slam. Through NJPW's working agreements with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Pro Wrestling NOAH, Ring of Honor (ROH), All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Revolution Pro Wrestling, Tanahashi has also held the CMLL World Tag Team Championship, the CMLL World Trios Championship, the CMLL Universal Championship, GHC Tag Team Championship, and the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship. Between NJPW, CMLL, Noah, ROH and RevPro, he has 27 championship reigns. When Tanahashi was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 2013, Dave Meltzer stated that "you could make a strong case for him as the best in-ring performer in the business today", adding that he was "the leading star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's comeback from being in terrible shape a few years back to being the No. 2 pro wrestling company in the world". Readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter named Tanahashi as the best wrestler of the 2010s in March 2020.
Shuhei Taniguchi (谷口 周平, Taniguchi Shūhei; born October 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked…
Shuhei Taniguchi (谷口 周平, Taniguchi Shūhei; born October 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked for Pro Wrestling Noah since his debut in December 2005. He is also known by the ring name Maybach Taniguchi (マイバッハ谷口, Maibahha Taniguchi), under which he portrays a villainous masked character.
Takayuki Mori (森 隆行, Mori Takayuki; born October 9, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known…
Takayuki Mori (森 隆行, Mori Takayuki; born October 9, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Dragon Gate, under the ring name Anthony W. Mori (アンソニー・W・森, Ansonī Daburyū Mori), where he is a one-time Open the Brave Gate Champion, one-time Open the Owarai Gate Champion and two-time Open the Triangle Gate Champion.
Emi Motokawa (元川 恵美, Motokawa Emi; born October 4, 1976), better known by the ring name Emi Sakura (さくら えみ, Sakura…
Emi Motokawa (元川 恵美, Motokawa Emi; born October 4, 1976), better known by the ring name Emi Sakura (さくら えみ, Sakura Emi), is a Japanese professional wrestler performing for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), ChocoPro and on the independent circuit. After starting her career in International Wrestling Association of Japan in August 1995, Sakura worked for several promotions across Japan, winning numerous titles, before founding her own promotion, Ice Ribbon, in early 2006. Sakura not only wrestled for the promotion, but was also solely responsible for training wrestlers for the promotion, where she went on to become a two-time ICE×60 Champion and a five-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. During 2009, Sakura held not only both the ICE×60 and International Ribbon Tag Team Championships, but also the Daily Sports Women's and JWP Tag Team Championships and the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships, which led to the Tokyo Sports magazine naming her the 2009 joshi wrestler of the year. After six years with Ice Ribbon, Sakura left the promotion for "personal reasons" in January 2012. The following month, Sakura formed the Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling promotion in Bangkok, Thailand. During 2012, Sakura also became a regular for JWP Joshi Puroresu, winning the JWP Openweight Championship in October.
Takashi Uwano (宇和野 貴史, Uwano Takashi; born October 3, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler most famous for…
Takashi Uwano (宇和野 貴史, Uwano Takashi; born October 3, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler most famous for competing with NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) and Pro Wrestling Zero1. Uwano has a background in the martial art, Judo.
Yoshinobu Kanemaru (金丸義信, Kanemaru Yoshinobu; born September 23, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler and…
Yoshinobu Kanemaru (金丸義信, Kanemaru Yoshinobu; born September 23, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler and backstage producer. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture. Trained at the All Japan Pro Wrestling dojo, Kanemaru left the promotion to join Pro Wrestling Noah. Across two stints with Noah, he is a seven-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, a four-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and won the 2009 Global Junior Heavyweight League and the 2009 Nippon TV Cup Jr. Heavyweight Tag League. In NJPW, he is a six-time Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and won the 2021 Super Junior Tag League. In AJPW, he is a one-time World Junior Heavyweight Champion and a two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion. Stable wise, Kanemaru was a member of the first and third incarnations of AJPW's Burning. He later joined NJPW's Suzuki-gun during an invasion storyline, and remained with the stable until its disbandment in 2022. He was then a member of Just 5 Guys, before turning on the stable to join House of Torture, which was a sub-group of Bullet Club at the time.
Yōsuke Kobayashi (小林 洋輔, Kobayashi Yōsuke; born July 22, 1976), is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his…
Yōsuke Kobayashi (小林 洋輔, Kobayashi Yōsuke; born July 22, 1976), is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his ring name Abdullah Kobayashi (アブドーラ・小林, Abudōra Kobayashi) after Abdullah the Butcher, who was one of his trainers.
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional…
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. Known for his pro wrestling career in UWF International, Yamamoto also competed against some of the best MMA fighters of his era in RINGS, Pride and the UFC, taking on Kevin Randleman, Genki Sudo and Pat Miletich, among others. In 1999, Yamamoto won the UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament in Japan. He returned to the ring against former Light Heavyweight King Of Pancrase Keiichiro Yamamiya on October 27, 2012. He lost via unanimous decision. Following his combat sports career, Yamamoto now works as an MMA coach.
Yuko Yamagata (山縣優子, Yamagata Yūko) better known by her ring name Yuu Yamagata (山縣優, Yamagata Yuu) is a Japanese…
Yuko Yamagata (山縣優子, Yamagata Yūko) better known by her ring name Yuu Yamagata (山縣優, Yamagata Yuu) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Kaientai Dojo and Pro Wrestling Wave.
Sonoko Kato (加藤 園子, Katō Sonoko; born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. She made her debut in…
Sonoko Kato (加藤 園子, Katō Sonoko; born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. She made her debut in April 1995, working for Gaea Japan, where she became one half of the inaugural AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. After becoming a two-time winner of the High Spurt 600 Tournament, Kato's career came to a halt following multiple injuries. After being sidelined for five years, Kato returned to the ring in October 2006, following the folding of Gaea Japan, and found a new home in the Oz Academy promotion, where she is a former two-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion and seven-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion. Kato has also wrestled in the US for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and in Mexico for Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA).
Atsushi Maruyama (丸山 敦, Maruyama Atsushi; born on June 14, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed…
Atsushi Maruyama (丸山 敦, Maruyama Atsushi; born on June 14, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). He previously worked for Osaka Pro Wrestling under the ring name Tigers Mask (タイガースマスク, Taigāsu Masuku). His ring name and original wrestling attire were inspired by the Hanshin Tigers baseball team.
Kinya Oyanagi (大柳 錦也, Ōyanagi Kinya) (born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He has worked…
Kinya Oyanagi (大柳 錦也, Ōyanagi Kinya) (born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He has worked extensely in Toryumon Japan and Michinoku Pro Wrestling, where he is a former Tohoku Tag Team champion along with Kesen Numajiro.
Ryuki Ueyama (born 17 April 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the…
Ryuki Ueyama (born 17 April 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. He has fought for organizations such as Fighting Network RINGS, DEEP, Pancrase, Hero's and Pride FC.
Ryuji Ito (伊東 竜二, Itō Ryūji) (born April 8, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently competing in Big Japan…
Ryuji Ito (伊東 竜二, Itō Ryūji) (born April 8, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently competing in Big Japan Pro Wrestling in the Deathmatch division.
Rieko Amano (天野 理恵子, Amano Rieko; born March 16, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known by the…
Rieko Amano (天野 理恵子, Amano Rieko; born March 16, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known by the ring name Carlos Amano (カルロス天野, Karurosu Amano). Amano made her debut for JWP Joshi Puroresu in December 1994 and early on began also making appearances for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she most notably became one of the four founding members of the Oz Academy stable. Amano joined Gaea Japan full-time in 2002 and remained with the promotion until its folding in 2005, becoming a one-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. Afterwards, Amano began working for Oz Academy, now a full-time promotion, where she went on to become a two-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion and a three-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion. Amano retired from professional wrestling in August 2014.
Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with…
Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with the Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) and Active Advance Pro Wrestling wrestling promotions.
Yoshiko Tamura (田村 欣子, Tamura Yoshiko; born February 6, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Tamura was…
Yoshiko Tamura (田村 欣子, Tamura Yoshiko; born February 6, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Tamura was trained by the All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) promotion, made her debut in September 1994 and worked for the promotion for three years, winning the AJW Junior Championship, before taking part in a mass exodus led by Kyoko Inoue and following her to the newly founded NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling promotion. Recognized as the "Ace" of NEO, Tamura performed with the promotion from its first event to the last, in the process becoming its most accomplished wrestler, winning the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships a record seven times and the NEO Tag Team Championship three times. All in all, Tamura held the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships for 2,074 days and successfully defended them 38 times. After being inducted into the NEO Hall of Fame, Tamura ended her sixteen-year career on December 31, 2010, retiring at the end of NEO's final event.
Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently…
Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Dragon Gate as Dragon Kid (ドラゴン・キッド, Doragon Kiddo). Nakamura initially broke into the wrestling business with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW), but was not allowed to be a wrestler by owner Atsushi Onita and instead worked as a referee for the promotion during the mid-1990s. Longing to become a wrestler, he left FMW in 1997 and joined Ultimo Dragon's Toryumón Gym, where he was given the gimmick of “Dragon Kid”, a character he has used for his entire career.
Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started…
Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in 1995, working for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she became a one-time AAAW Single Champion and a record five-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. She was also notably one of the four founding members of the Oz Academy stable. Following the folding of Gaea Japan in 2005, Nagashima affiliated herself with Oz Academy, now a full-time promotion, where she has become a three-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion and a one-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the title's history. Nagashima remained with Oz Academy until August 2015, after which she became a freelancer.
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7…
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7, 1976), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Toru Ito (伊藤 透, Itō Tōru; born December 24, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name…
Toru Ito (伊藤 透, Itō Tōru; born December 24, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Toru Owashi (大鷲 透, Ōwashi Tōru). He is best known for his work in DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he is a former KO-D Openweight Champion and two-time KO-D Tag Team Champion.
Masaki Sumitani (住谷 正樹, Sumitani Masaki; born December 18, 1975) a Japanese comedian, television personality, and…
Masaki Sumitani (住谷 正樹, Sumitani Masaki; born December 18, 1975) a Japanese comedian, television personality, and retired professional wrestler. He is best known for creating and portraying Razor Ramon HG (レイザーラモンHG, Reizā Ramon Eichi Jī; also known as Hard Gay), a satirical fictional character who became known through appearances on the Japanese variety show Bakusho Mondai no Bakuten!
Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New…
Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a founding member of the now-defunct Chaos stable. He also makes additional appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Conglomeration. He is also known for his work with the independent Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (Riki Pro) promotion, where he worked backstage as the chairman. Though pushed for most of his career as an undercarder without any major championship wins, Ishii gathered a cult following, and in February 2013 was called "probably [one of the] most underrated guys in the business" by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ishii's status in NJPW finally began rising in early 2013, culminating in him winning his first title in the promotion, the NEVER Openweight Championship, in February 2014, a title he would later win a record six times. He went on to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship on two occasions, the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship three times, and the Strong Openweight Championship once. Through NJPW's working relationship with the American Ring of Honor (ROH) and the British Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) promotions, he has also won the ROH World Television Championship once and is a two-time Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion.
Yasuko Kuragaki (倉垣 靖子, Kuragaki Yasuko; born December 7, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by the…
Yasuko Kuragaki (倉垣 靖子, Kuragaki Yasuko; born December 7, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name Tsubasa Kuragaki (倉垣 翼, Kuragaki Tsubasa). For most of her career, Kuragaki has worked for JWP Joshi Puroresu, becoming a one-time JWP Junior and two-time JWP Openweight Champion as a singles wrestler. As a tag team wrestler, she is best known as one half of the "Harukura" tag team with Kayoko Haruyama, with whom she has held the Daily Sports Women's and JWP Tag Team Championships three times each. She quit JWP in October 2013 to become a freelancer. She is currently working most notably for Oz Academy, where she is a former one-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion and a one-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion.
Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa…
Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa (中澤マイケル, Nakazawa Maikeru), is a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Shuji Ishikawa (石川 修司, Ishikawa Shūji; born September 25, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is signed to…
Shuji Ishikawa (石川 修司, Ishikawa Shūji; born September 25, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is a former one-time Gaora TV Champion, Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, World Tag Team Champion and the winner of the 2017 Champion Carnival. and he is a Winner 2 time World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2017, 2019) with Suwama. He also performs for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a current GHC Openweight Hardcore Champion in his second reign. Ishikawa is also known for his work in DDT Pro-Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), as well as numerous other independent promotions. He is a former KO-D Openweight Champion, BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Champion and BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion.
Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He…
Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is a veteran of Shooto, PRIDE and DEEP. His specialty is a "double punch", in which he puts his hands together and throws them at his opponent.
Thanomsak Toba (タノムサク鳥羽, Tanomusaku Toba) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Japanese…
Thanomsak Toba (タノムサク鳥羽, Tanomusaku Toba) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Dramatic Dream Team (DDT). His ring name is an hommage to Thai professional boxer Thanomsak Sithbaobay.
Naotake Hoshino (星野直丈, Hoshino Naotake) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time with the Japanese…
Naotake Hoshino (星野直丈, Hoshino Naotake) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time with the Japanese professional wrestling promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Dramatic Dream Team (DDT). He performs under the ring name Kankuro Hoshino (星野勘九郎, Hoshino Kankurō).
Michiko Omukai (ja: 大向美智子, born May 30, 1975) is a Japanese former professional wrestler. She wrestled for All Japan…
Michiko Omukai (ja: 大向美智子, born May 30, 1975) is a Japanese former professional wrestler. She wrestled for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling and Arsion.
Takayuki Yagi (八木 隆行, Yagi Takayuki; born March 20, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestling referee and former…
Takayuki Yagi (八木 隆行, Yagi Takayuki; born March 20, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestling referee and former professional wrestler who works for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Dragon Gate.
Takashi Sasaki (佐々木貴, Sasaki Takashi) is a Japanese professional wrestler and the owner of Pro Wrestling Freedoms…
Takashi Sasaki (佐々木貴, Sasaki Takashi) is a Japanese professional wrestler and the owner of Pro Wrestling Freedoms (Freedoms). A regular on the Japanese independent circuit for over 25 years, Sasaki began his career with IWA Kakutō Shijuku and Dramatic Dream Team before transitioning into the deathmatch wrestling scene in 2005 with Apache Pro-Wrestling Army and Big Japan Pro Wrestling. Following the closure of Apache Pro, Sasaki formed Pro Wrestling Freedoms in 2009. Sasaki has held the KO-D Openweight Championship once, the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship twice and the King of Freedom World Championship once. He is also known for his tag team with Gentaro, the Aka-Rangers, and have held the KO-D Tag Team Championship twice, the WEW Tag Team Championship once and the BJW Tag Team Championship once.
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler…
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with various Japanese promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, JWP Joshi Puroresu and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling.
Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He…
Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He returned from a two-year hiatus due to injury in 2005.
Gentaro Takahashi (高橋 元太郎, Takahashi Gentarō; born October 28, 1974) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known…
Gentaro Takahashi (高橋 元太郎, Takahashi Gentarō; born October 28, 1974) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Gentaro (stylized as GENTARO). Though officially affiliated with the Pro Wrestling Freedoms promotion, Gentaro also works for several other independent promotions, including DDT Pro-Wrestling, Kaientai Dojo and women's wrestling promotion Ice Ribbon, where he works mainly as the lead play-by-play announcer. Takahashi also makes sporadic appearances as the masked character Benten (also stylized in all capital letters).
Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who…
Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. Namekawa made his mixed martial arts debut for Fighting Network RINGS in 1998. He fought in mainly shootfighting bouts until 1999 when RINGS introduced the King of King Rules and transitioned into a modern MMA promotion. Throughout his career, Namekawa has fought for organisations such as RINGS, Deep and Pride FC. His last fight to date was in 2008, with a professional mixed martial arts career spanning ten years. He also briefly competed in shoot style professional wrestling, exclusively for Kiyoshi Tamura's U-STYLE promotion.
Kanji Ichikawa (市川 寛二, Ichikawa Kanji; born October 12, 1974), better known by his stage name "Hollywood" Stalker…
Kanji Ichikawa (市川 寛二, Ichikawa Kanji; born October 12, 1974), better known by his stage name "Hollywood" Stalker Ichikawa (“ハリウッド”ストーカー市川, “Hariuddo” Sutōkā Ichikawa), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler he is best known tenure for Dragon Gate.