| Kenta Kobayashi | |
|---|---|
 Kobayashi in 2023 | |
| Birth name | Kenta Kobayashi (小林 健太,Kobayashi Kenta) |
| Born | (1981-03-12)March 12, 1981 (age 44)[1] Sōka,Saitama, Japan[1][2] |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Halimao Hideo Itami[3] Kenta[4] Kenta Kobayashi |
| Billed height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[4] |
| Billed weight | 85 kg (187 lb)[4] |
| Billed from | Tokyo, Japan[3] |
| Trained by | All Japan Dojo[5] Kenta Kobashi[6] Yoshihiro Takayama[6] |
| Debut | May 24, 2000[1] |
Kenta Kobayashi (小林 健太,Kobayashi Kenta, born March 12, 1981),[1] knownmononymously asKenta (stylised inall caps), is a Japaneseprofessional wrestler. He is signed toPro Wrestling Noah. A former amateurkickboxer, Kobayashi's wrestling style is based upon strong kicks and strikes. Kobayashi pioneered both theGo 2 Sleep andBusaiku Knee kick finishing manoeuvres, later popularized byCM Punk andBryan Danielson, respectively.
Kobayashi started his career inAll Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), before moving toPro Wrestling Noah; through Noah's involvement in theGlobal Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA), a global organization of cooperative promotions that allow their competitors to travel abroad to other companies, he has wrestled extensively in American promotionRing of Honor (ROH).[7] In Noah, he was a one-timeGHC Heavyweight Champion, three-timeGHC Junior Heavyweight Champion,[8] three-timeGHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and one-timeGHC Tag Team Champion. He was also the winner of the2012 Global League and the2013 Global Tag League tournaments.
He is also well known for his tenure in American promotionWWE where he worked under the nameHideo Itami (ヒデオ・イタミ) in the company'sdevelopmental territoryNXT and later in theircruiserweight exclusive brand205 Live. In 2019, he departed from WWE, and in May, appeared forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), announcing his participation in that year'sG1 Climax and aligned with former tag partnerKatsuyori Shibata. He turned on Shibata and joined theBullet Club, and has since held theStrong Openweight Championship twice and theIWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship,NEVER Openweight Championship and theIWGP United States Heavyweight Championship once each. He silently departed from NJPW in January 2025 and returned to Pro Wrestling Noah the following month.
Kobayashi was born on March 12, 1981, inSōka,Japan.[4] He trained underKenta Kobashi andYoshihiro Takayama.[6]
Prior to wrestling professionally, Kobayashi had a variety of athletic backgrounds, practicingbaseball andkickboxing; the latter came to be a strong foundation in his wrestling style often referred to asshoot style.[2] Kobayashi made his professional wrestling debut on May 24, 2000, against future ally and rival,Naomichi Marufuji, inAll Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) to compete in theirjunior heavyweight division. He did not remain in the company long asMitsuharu Misawa, acting president of AJPW, decided to leave the company following a dispute, leading to Misawa forming his own company,Pro Wrestling Noah.[9]
One of Misawa's focuses in his new promotion was the junior heavyweight division, which never was treated with high regard in AJPW despite the successes in other promotions. Being sidelined with injuries for the majority of Noah's first year of operation, Kobayashi made his return in July 2001, simply named Kenta.[9]
Kenta's first involvement in achampionship situation came when Naomichi Marufuji was forced to vacate theGHC Junior Heavyweight Championship after suffering a knee injury;[10] Kenta entered into the tournament held to determine a new champion. He advanced to the finals by defeatingKotaro Suzuki andTsuyoshi Kikuchi before losing toYoshinobu Kanemaru on theNavigation with Breeze Tour in June 2002.[11] Following his relative success in the tournament, Kenta had an increase in his popularity, and he joined his mentor,Kenta Kobashi, in thefactionBurning.[12]
March 1, 2003, saw Kenta team with Naomichi Marufuji for the first time againstMakoto Hashi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a winning effort. They began teaming regularly as the two entered into a tournament to christen the firstGHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions during the company'sAccomplish Our Third Navigation tour; they went to win the tournament by defeating junior heavyweight veteransJyushin Thunder Liger and Takehiro Murahama in the finals on July 16.[13] While defending the tag team title, Kenta continued his venture in hopes of winning the GHC Junior Heavyweight title once again on November 30, 2003, in an unsuccessful bid againstTakashi Sugiura.[14]
As part of a reward for the way Kenta performed, he earned himself a trial series of seven matches going into the next year, seeing Kenta able to challenge more established stars in an attempt to elevate his status. Kenta began his trial series on theFirst Navigation tour, beatingJuventud Guerrera. This was followed by defeats toYoshinari Ogawa andJun Akiyama. The final match of the series was a loss against Marufuji in October.[9] While the series was taking place, Kenta and Marufuji continued defending their title against a number of challengers:El Samurai andRyusuke Taguchi, Yoshinari Ogawa and Kotaro Suzuki, Suzuki andRicky Marvin, Marvin andSuwa and, on Noah's firstTokyo Dome show, againstKendo Kashin and Takashi Sugiura. Their reign as champions came to an end in June 2005 after almost two years by Kanemaru and Sugiura after the latter pinned Kenta.[15]
Kenta's first majorrivalry in singles competition began in March 2005 following a dispute withSUWA, which led to a series of confrontations between the two, including a violent match that ended in his opponent gettingdisqualified for assaulting the referee. This led to Kenta getting one more chance to challenge for the Junior Heavyweight title against Yoshinobu Kanemaru atDestiny on July 18, which saw him win the title.[16] He made his first defense two months later against Suwa, then against Kotaro Suzuki as his alter ego, Mushiking Terry. Simultaneously, Kenta began teaming withKatsuyori Shibata as The Takeover, challenging for theGHC Tag Team Championship, the heavyweight version of the company's tag team title.[17]
On March 5, 2006, Kenta faced a major challenge in Kenta Kobashi, which saw him lose following aBurning Hammer.[18] This was followed by a loss of the Junior Heavyweight title on June 4 to Takashi Sugiura. This saw Kenta shift his attention to theGHC Heavyweight Championship, challenging Naomichi Marufuji, losing in a match which won numerous awards and accolades from the wrestling media.[18]
Kenta spent the majority of his 2007 time in Noah wrestling a variety oftag team andsix-man tag team matches with protégéTaiji Ishimori andAkitoshi Saito as partners. He saw most of his success with Ishimori as the two had critically acclaimed matches against a wide variety of competitors, includingRing of Honor (ROH) competitors on loan to the company due to the talent exchange agreement, theGlobal Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA), between ROH and Noah: theBriscoe Brothers,Davey Richards, andBryan Danielson.[19] As Kenta and Ishimori progressed as a unit, they entered the first NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament; in the finals they beat Marufuji andKota Ibushi to win the tournament. They later challenged the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions,Dragon Gate wrestlersBxB Hulk andShingo Takagi, in a winning effort before losing them to Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Kotaro Suzuki,[20] only to defeat the team to win the second NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League Tournament.[21]
Following his loss of the tag title, Kenta returned to competing in singles competition by defeating Bryan Danielson for his second GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship,[22] which led to a match with Marufuji, who had won theWorld Junior Heavyweight Championship, to attempt tounify the titles; the match ended in a sixty-minutedraw, keeping the titles in the hands of their respective holder, while gaining favorable reviews for their efforts by the media with some claiming it to be aMatch of the Year.[23] Kenta lost the title in February 2009 to rival in their interpromotional rivalry with another member of the GPWA in theKensuke Office,Katsuhiko Nakajima, only to win it back in the next month.[24] In October, Kobayashi was forced to vacate the title after suffering a knee injury, which would keep him sidelined for over seven months.[25]
Kobayashi made his return from injury on June 6, 2010, losing to Naomichi Marufuji in a GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship number one contender's match.[26] On October 30, 2010, Kenta andAtsushi Aoki defeatedRoderick Strong andEddie Edwards in the finals of a tournament to win the2010 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League.[27] As a result, Kenta and Aoki received a shot at the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by the champions,New Japan Pro-Wrestling representativesKoji Kanemoto andTiger Mask, on November 23, 2010.[28] On January 29, 2011, Kenta turned heel and join the Disobey stable with membersMuhammad Yone, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Genba Hirayanagi. Kenta would change his look and attitude. Then on March 5, he turned on Yone, removing him from the group. One week later, he renamed the stable No Mercy. On May 25 Kenta and Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki of the ANMU stable to win the vacant GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. After months of trying to persuade his mentorYoshihiro Takayama to join No Mercy, on June 26 Takayama turned on his partner Takuma Sano during a tag match against Kenta and Kanemaru and became the fourth member of the group. Kenta and Kanemaru would then make it to the finals of the Junior Tag League on July 30. They lost to Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki. Then on August 18, 2011, Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama won the Noah 2 Day Tag Team Tournament. On August 24, Kenta and Kanemaru successfully defended their tag title against Aoki and Suzuki, who got the shot due to their victory in the Junior Tag League. On September 23, Kenta confronted GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki after he defeated Takayama to retain the title. Kenta got a number one contender's match with Takashi Sugiura, which he won on October 10. Kenta and Kanemaru lost the GHC Junior Heavyweight tag title to Aoki and Suzuki on October 16.
At Noah's Halloween show on October 31, 2011, Kenta challenged the NJPW teamBad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) for the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Yoshihiro Takayama. The match was set for 2012, but never happened due to injury. In November, Kenta entered Noah's Global Tag League and developed a new submission move he called "Game Over" to help him dispatch heavyweights. Kenta would make it to the finals on November 20, but would lose toTakeshi Morishima. On November 27, he lost to Go Shiozaki in his GHC Heavyweight title shot. In December 2011, Kenta tore his ACL again, forcing him to undergo another surgery to repair it. It was announced that he would be out of action for six to seven months.Tokyo Sports named Kenta the 2011 Technical Wrestler of the Year. Despite his injury, Kenta would stay in Noah and manage No Mercy during his injury. On February 14, 2012, Kenta recruitedShuhei Taniguchi as the fifth member of No Mercy and change his name to Maybach, becoming his mouthpiece and talking for him.
Kenta made his in-ring return on July 22, 2012, losing to Naomichi Marufuji. On October 8, Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi defeatedMagnus andSamoa Joe to win theGHC Tag Team Championship for the first time.[29] However, they lost the title to Akitoshi Saito and Go Shiozaki just eighteen days later.[30] On November 23, Kenta won the2012 Global League.[31]
On January 27, 2013, Kenta defeated Takeshi Morishima for the GHC Heavyweight Championship at Great Voyage 2013.[32] On February 9, Maybach Taniguchi turned on Kenta and stole his Heavyweight Championship belt.[33] The following week, Kenta took part in aSouth American tour with the Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre (AULL) promotion, during which he won the Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre, defeatingSuper Crazy in the finals.[34][35] On March 10, Kenta defeated Maybach Taniguchi for his first successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship.[36] On April 28, Kenta and Yoshihiro Takayama defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima andKensuke Sasaki in the finals to win the2013 Global Tag League.[37] On May 11, Kenta took part in Kenta Kobashi's retirement match atFinal Burning in Budokan, where he, Go Shiozaki, Maybach Taniguchi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were defeated by Kobashi, Jun Akiyama,Keiji Muto, and Kensuke Sasaki.[38] The following day, Kenta made his second successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Takashi Sugiura.[39] On June 2, Kenta defeated New Japan Pro-Wrestling representative and reigning GHC Tag Team ChampionToru Yano for his third successful title defense.[40] Six days later, Kenta was pinned by Yano in a GHC Tag Team Championship match, where he and Yoshihiro Takayama unsuccessfully challenged Yano andTakashi Iizuka.[41] On July 7, Kenta made his fourth successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Naomichi Marufuji.[42] Kenta's fifth successful title defense took place on August 4, when he defeated Muhammad Yone.[43] Next Kenta defended his title against the reigning GHC Tag Team Champions, first defeatingShane Haste on September 7 and thenMikey Nicholls on September 16.[44][45] On October 5, Kenta defeatedDiamond Ring representative Katsuhiko Nakajima for his eighth successful title defense.[46] With the win, Kenta became the first wrestler to successfully defend the GHC Heavyweight Championship eight times during a calendar year.[47] On December 7, Kenta defeated New Japan representative and winner of the2013 Global League,Yuji Nagata, for his ninth successful title defense.[48] Kenta's near one-year long reign ended on January 5, 2014, when he lost the title to Takeshi Morishima in his tenth defense.[49]
On February 3, 2014, Kenta and Maybach Taniguchi's long rivalry culminated in a No Disqualification match, where Kenta was victorious.[50] After Yuji Nagata had defeated Morishima to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion, Kenta received the first shot at the new champion, but was defeated in the title match on February 22.[51] On April 30, Noah held a press conference during which Kenta announced his resignation from the promotion.[52][53][54] Kenta wrestled his farewell match on May 17, where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima and Takashi Sugiura.[55]
While still under WWE contract, Kenta made a one-off return to Noah under his WWE ring name of Hideo Itami on September 1, 2018, losing to Naomichi Marufuji at Marufuji's 20th Anniversary show.[56]
On January 2, 2023, Kenta would make another one-night return to team up with Marufuji and challenge Takashi Sugiura andSatoshi Kojima for the GHC Tag Team Championship atNew Year 2023, in an unsuccessful effort.
Aside from competing in Pro Wrestling Noah, Kenta was able to compete abroad in theUnited States with other participating members of the GPWA. His first appearance in the country was with Ring of Honor at Final Battle 2005, as afan favorite, defending the GHC Junior Heavyweight title againstLow Ki.[57] He returned to the company the following year for Best in the World inNew York City on March 25 where he and Naomichi Marufuji defeated the team of Samoa Joe andROH World champion Bryan Danielson after Kenta connected with his finishing strike, theGo 2 Sleep, on Danielson.[58] Kenta returned forIn Your Face featuring him in athree-way match against Joe and Danielson, which ended in similar fashion.[59]
Kenta's first loss in the company came in the form of a tag team match, which saw his partner, Davey Richards, getpinned in a match against the Briscoe Brothers.[60] This led to a series of matches with the two against each other, as well as reluctant partners.[61][62] At Glory by Honor V: Night 2, Kenta received another match against Danielson for the ROH World title, which saw himsubmit to Danielson's signature hold, theCattle Mutilation.[63]
Kenta made his return to Ring of Honor on May 11 of the next year againstDelirious in a winning effort.[64] Ring of Honor made itspay per view debut with the show,Respect is Earned, teaming withNigel McGuinness against Danielson and Takeshi Morishima in a losing effort, after which Kenta spent several months with the company competing against rival, Davey Richards and his contingency, theNo Remorse Corps. Kenta made his next appearance on the Glory By Honor VI tour; the first night had him team with the GHC Heavyweight Champion Mitsuharu Misawa against Takeshi Morishima and Naomichi Marufuji, with the match ending in a thirty-minute time limit draw.[65] The following night, Kenta wrestled Misawa for the GHC Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.[65]
Kenta made his return in 2009 against ROH World Champion, Nigel McGuinness in a losing effort at the company's seventh anniversary show. He returned a few weeks later to challenge Davey Richards once more, as well as make his second pay per view appearance forTake No Prisoners teaming withTyler Black against Katsuhiko Nakajima andAustin Aries.[66] Kobayashi was scheduled to return to ROH in November 2009, but was forced to cancel the appearances after suffering a knee injury.[67]
On January 27, 2014, Kenta, with Noah's blessing, enteredWWE'sPerformance Center inOrlando, Florida, for a tryout.[68][69] In a press release, Kenta claimed that he was not after a WWE contract, but only wanted to fulfill a dream and take part in a WWE workout.[70] On June 27,Tokyo Sports reported that Kenta had signed with WWE.[71][72] His signing was officially announced during an in-ring segment on July 12 in Osaka. Kobayashi relocated to Orlando to resume training at the Performance Center, while also working for WWE's developmental territoryNXT.[73]
Kobayashi debuted on September 11 atNXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way, introduced byWilliam Regal, where he announced his new ring name, "Hideo Itami", meaning "Hero of Pain",[74] and fended offThe Ascension when they interrupted the segment to confront Regal.[75] Itami made his in-ring debut at the following day's tapings ofNXT, defeatingJustin Gabriel, after which he was attacked by The Ascension.[76][77] During the following weeks, Itami kept engaging The Ascension in brawls, but continually lost due to the numbers disadvantage;[78][79] the storyline was that as a newcomer in NXT, Itami did not have any friends in the locker room to help him.[80] This continued until November, whenFinn Bálor debuted as Itami's new partner.[81] After weeks of feuding with The Ascension, Itami and Bálor defeated them atNXT TakeOver: R Evolution on December 11. Itami then participated in anNXT Championship number one contender's tournament, defeatingTyler Breeze in the first round, starting a feud between the two.[82] He suffered his first defeat in NXT on January 15, 2015, when he was defeated by Bálor in the semi-finals, thus eliminating him from the tournament.[83] AtNXT TakeOver: Rival, Itami defeated Breeze in a rematch. They continued to exchange victories over each other until Itami lost a two-out-of-three falls match to Breeze on the April 1 episode ofNXT to end the feud.[84] On March 27, Itami won theWrestleMania Axxess NXT tournament by defeatingAdrian Neville and then Finn Bálor to get a spot in theAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the pre-show ofWrestleMania 31,[85] where he was eliminated by eventual winnerBig Show.[86]
On May 20 atNXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, Itami was scheduled to face Finn Bálor and Tyler Breeze in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship; however, Itami was ruled out due to injury after an attack he suffered before the event started.[87] This was made as Itami had suffered a legitimate shoulder injury, which required surgery and was expected to sideline him for six months.[88][89] In January 2016, it was reported that Itami had suffered complications with his shoulder and was "nowhere close to being able to return".[90]
After over a year of inactivity, Itami returned to the ring on June 30, 2016, at an NXT live event, teaming withTM-61 to defeatSamoa Joe,Blake andTino Sabbatelli in a six-man tag team match.[91] On August 3, Itami made his televised return, defeatingCruiserweight Classic competitorSean Maluta. AtNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, Itami confrontedAustin Aries, following the latter's match withNo Way Jose, exchanging blows before attacking Aries with aGTS. On October 12 at an NXT live event, Itami suffered a neck injury after abotchedpowerslam from Riddick Moss and would not be able to team withKota Ibushi in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in which he was scheduled to compete. In a video announcement published on October 18, Itami vowed to return to in-ring competition at NXT's first show in Japan on December 3.[92] However, at the event, Itami did not compete but was instead in an in-ring segment alongside William Regal where they talked to the crowd.[93]
Itami made his televised return on April 19, 2017, where he confronted NXT ChampionBobby Roode, before slapping him and executing aGTS.[94] This led to a match atNXT TakeOver: Chicago, in which Itami was unsuccessful in winning the title from Roode. On the June 7 episode of NXT, furious after his loss to Roode, Itami facedOney Lorcan, which ended in a no-contest after Itami performed threeGTSs on Lorcan untilKassius Ohno attempted to save Lorcan, teasing a heel turn and a feud between the pair. On the July 5 episode of NXT, Itami teamed with Ohno in a tag team match againstSanity (Killian Dain andAlexander Wolfe), but lost after Itami refused to tag in Ohno.[95] On the July 26 episode of NXT, Itami faced Ohno in the main event, which ended after Itami intentionally disqualified himself with alow blow to Ohno before viciously attacking and laying him out after twoGTSs, followed by a third onto the steel steps, cementing his heel turn.[96] On the August 2 edition ofNXT, Itami cut an in-ring promo, demanding respect from the fans. He was interrupted byAleister Black, who was scheduled to faceKyle O'Reilly in the night's main event. After a stare down between the two, Black hit Itami withBlack Mass.[97] Itami attempted to assault Black following the event, but the two were separated by fellow talent.[98] AtNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Itami was defeated by Black.[99] In his last NXT match, Itami defeatedFabian Aichner at alive event on December 16.
On November 21, 2017, it was announced that Itami would be moving to the main roster as part of the cruiserweight division on205 Live.[100] On the December 18 episode ofRaw, Itami would make his main roster debut, aidingFinn Bálor to fend off and faceCurtis Axel andBo Dallas in a tag team match, which Itami and Bálor would win, turning face in the process. On the December 25 episode ofRaw, Itami would defeatThe Brian Kendrick, in which Kendrick would suffer an injury following aGo to Sleep by Itami. This would lead to Itami entering a short feud with Kendrick's tag team partner,Gentleman Jack Gallagher.
On the February 6 episode of205 Live, Itami would be defeated byRoderick Strong in the first round of theWWE Cruiserweight Championshiptournament. During the following month, Itami would have a feud with fellow Japanese wrestlerAkira Tozawa,Mustafa Ali and was involved into the orbit forCedric Alexander's Cruiserweight Championship. He participated in a fatal four-way match involving cruiserweight championBuddy Murphy, Kalisto, and Tozawa at theRoyal Rumble, where he lost after being pinned by Murphy.[101]
On January 29, it was reported that Itami requested and was granted his release from the company after a five-year run.[102][103] This was followed by multiple members of the roster saying goodbye to Itami on social media.[104] On February 4, 2019, the WWE Performance Center YouTube channel that documents the Superstars travel and backstage life released a video chronicling Itami's last week in WWE. The video features Itami working with Daivari and talking about his struggles with learning to speak and understand English. The end of the video sees Hideo walking back to gorilla position and being given a standing ovation from those in the backstage area.[105] On February 22, Kobayashi was officially released by WWE, as the company formally acknowledged his departure onTwitter.[106]
In 2020, when he was working with NJPW, Kenta said that his time with WWE were "the most frustrating days of my life".[107]
Kenta made his surprise debut forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on June 9, 2019, at theDominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall event as a face, withKatsuyori Shibata as his manager, announcing his participation in the2019 G1 Climax tournament.[108] Kenta made his in-ring debut for NJPW on July 6, defeatingKota Ibushi as a part of the tournament.[109] Kenta, competing in the A Block of the tournament, stayed undefeated in singles matches for over a month and a half, defeatingHiroshi Tanahashi,[110]Lance Archer,[111] andEvil[112] before suffering his first defeat againstIWGP Heavyweight ChampionKazuchika Okada on July 27, as part of the tournament.[113] Kenta would then lose his next four matches againstSanada,[114]Bad Luck Fale,[115]Will Ospreay[116] andZack Sabre Jr., failing to win the tournament with a final tally of 8 points (four wins and five losses).[117][118]
On the final night of the tournament, Kenta competed in a six-man tag team match alongsideChaos membersTomohiro Ishii andYoshi-Hashi againstBullet Club'sBad Luck Fale,Tama Tonga, andTanga Loa, only to turn on them in the closing moments of the match and assisting the Bullet Club for the victory, turning heel. As Kenta was going to explain his actions, Katsuyori Shibata rushed into the ring and attacked Kenta until the rest of the Bullet Club members ambushed Shibata.[119] AtRoyal Quest on August 31, Kenta defeated Ishii to win theNEVER Openweight Championship, his first championship in NJPW.[120] The match was criticized because Kobayashi suffered a concussion after a back suplex by Ishii, getting knocked out in the process. However, both continued the match without referee stoppage.[121] He was sent to the hospital after the show.[122] AtDestruction in Kagoshima on September 16, Kenta returned and unsuccessfully faced Kota Ibushi for theTokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate.[123]
AtPower Struggle on November 3, Kenta retained his title against Ishii in a rematch. Later in the night, he attackedHirooki Goto.[124] Kenta lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Goto atWrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5, 2020, ending his reign at 127 days with two successful defenses.[125] Later that night, Kenta attackedTetsuya Naito after his main event match with Kazuchika Okada. Kenta would challenge Naito for both theIWGP Intercontinental andIWGP Heavyweight Championships atThe New Beginning in Osaka, where he was defeated.[126]
In August, Kenta competed in the inauguralNew Japan Cup USA tournament, with the winner receiving a match for theIWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Kenta defeatedKarl Fredericks in the first round,Jeff Cobb in the semi-finals, andDavid Finlay in the finals to win the tournament.[127][128][129] Kenta then competed in the2020 G1 Climax in the B Block, but failed to win with a final score of 10 points.[130] AtPower Struggle on November 7, Kenta successfully retained his Right to Challenge contract for the United States Championship againstHiroshi Tanahashi.[131] He was then due to defend the contract againstJuice Robinson atWrestle Kingdom 15,[132] but Robinson suffered an injury andSatoshi Kojima was named as his replacement.[133] At the event on January 4, 2021, Kenta defeated Kojima to retain the Right to Challenge contract.[134] On the January 29 episode ofStrong, Kenta was attacked by United States ChampionJon Moxley.[135] It was then announced that Kenta would receive his championship shot against Moxley atThe New Beginning USA on February 26, where he was defeated.[136]
In March, Kenta competed in theNew Japan Cup, defeating Juice Robinson andMinoru Suzuki, but losing toShingo Takagi in the quarter-finals.[137] In July atWrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome, Kenta competed in theNew Japan Ranbo for the provisionalKOPW Championship, but the match was won by Bullet Club stablemateChase Owens.[138] Two months later Kenta competed in theG1 Climax 31 tournament, where he competed in the A Block.[139] Kenta finished the tournament with a total of 12 points, finishing joint 3rd in the block, failing to advance to the finals.[140]
AtPower Struggle, Kenta defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.[141] He would lose the title back to Tanahashi three months later on Night 2 ofWrestle Kingdom 16 in aNo disqualification match, where in the match Kenta was bloodily injured.[142][143]
After his recovery, Kenta was announced to be a part of theG1 Climax 32 tournament in July, where he would compete in the C Block.[144] He finished with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.[145] In October, Kenta competed in a tournament to crown the first everNJPW World Television Champion, defeating Hirooki Goto, in the first round.[146] In the following round, Kenta was defeated by Sanada.[147]
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In November, Kenta returned toStrong, defeatingBad Dude Tito in his return match.[148] The following month, Kenta won a battle royal, to become the number one contender for theStrong Openweight Championship.[149] Kenta returned to Japan atWrestle Kingdom 17, competing in theNew Japan Ranbo, but failed to last till the final 4.[150] Back in the US, Kenta received his championship match for the Strong Openweight Championship atBattle in the Valley, where he defeatedFred Rosser to win the championship.[151]
Kenta returned to Japan to compete in the 2023New Japan Cup, receiving abye to the second round, where he was defeated by Sanada.[152] Later that month, Kenta returned to the US to make his first successful Strong Openweight Championship defense atMultiverse United, defeating Minoru Suzuki.[153] The following month, Kenta defended the title againstEddie Edwards atCapital Collision.[154] In May, atWrestling Dontaku, Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship to former Bullet Club stablemate,Hikuleo, ending his reign at 74 days.[155] Despite this, Kenta regained the championship 18 days later, defeating Hikuleo atResurgence.[156] On July 5's night 2 ofIndependence Day, Kenta lost the Strong Openweight Championship toEddie Kingston, ending his reign at 45 days.[157] Later in the month, Kenta entered the 2023G1 Climax tournament, competing in the B Block.[158] Kenta finished the tournament with 6 points, therefore failing to advance to the quarterfinals.[159]
On January 5, 2024, atNew Year Dash!!,Chase Owens came forward to challenge recently crownedIWGP Tag Team Champions andStrong Openweight Tag Team Champions the Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo) to a match with his partner being Kenta, which they accepted.[160] After Kenta and Owens unsuccessfully challenged Phantasmo and Hikuleo for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship on February 4 atThe New Beginning in Nagoya, Guerrillas of Destiny decided to defend the IWGP Tag Team Championship against them atThe New Beginning in Osaka.[161] At the event on February 11, Kenta and Owens defeated Guerrillas of Destiny to win the titles, for the first time in Kenta's career.[162] The following month, Kenta entered theNew Japan Cup, but was defeated in the first round byYoshi-Hashi.[163] They lost the titles to Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi on April 6 atSakura Genesis, before regaining them on May 4 atWrestling Dontaku.[164][165] Kenta would spend the rest of 2024 teaming with Owens.
On January 6, 2025 atNew Year Dash!!, Kenta teamed withTaiji Ishimori in a losing effort toEl Desperado andKushida. This would be Kenta's last appearance in NJPW and as a member of Bullet Club.[166]
Kenta made a surprise appearance forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) at theBeach Break event on February 3, 2021, attacking Jon Moxley.[167] He wrestled his debut match for AEW on the February 10 episode ofDynamite, where he teamed withKenny Omega to defeat Moxley andLance Archer in aFalls Count Anywhere tag team match.[168]
Kenta would make hisImpact debut atNo Surrender on February 24, teaming with fellow Bullet Club membersChris Bey andAce Austin, as they would beat Time Machine (Alex Shelley,Chris Sabin andKushida) in a six-man tag team match. On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, he would faceJosh Alexander for theImpact World Championship, in a losing effort.
On March 25, 2024 KENTA alongsideChase Owens debuted as theBullet Club for the Texas Wrestling Cartel atTWC Texas Made, where They defeatedDr. Wagner Jr. &Galeno del Mal and Fly Def (Warren Johnson &Zilla Fatu) in Three way match to become the inaugural TWC Tag Team Champions.They defended they’re Titles the first time on September 07, 2024 atTWC Highly Respected in a match against TheGates of Agony (Bishop Kaun &Toa Liona).Chase Owens then had a singles match against Vin Parker on January 18 atTWC Born 2 Hustle which he won, this was shortly after KENTA leftNew Japan Pro Wrestling to return toPro Wrestling Noah.On March 22, 2025 it was revealed that both will return as theBullet Club atTWC Mob Ties on April 18, 2025 to defend their TWC Tag Team Championships.
Kenta made his return to Pro Wrestling Noah atNew Year 2025, where he defeatedKenoh in a singles match.[169] On February 11, Kenta teamed with Kenoh to defeatKaito Kiyomiya andShuhei Taniguchi.[170] On February 12, it was announced that Kenta had signed a contract with Pro Wrestling Noah, marking his official return to the promotion after 11-years.[171]
As a former kickboxer, Kenta incorporates shoot-style kicks and stiff strikes. He is considered the innovator of theGo 2 Sleep, in which he carries his opponent in a fireman's carry before dropping them forward while lifting his left knee onto their face. He also uses a backbreaker rack version calledUra Go 2 Sleep.
After his release from WWE in 2019, he joined NJPW five months later. Kenta was labelled as an outsider by many New Japan fans due to his long-time association with Pro Wrestling Noah. He would embrace the hatred, even joining the Bullet Club, and adopted the nickname, "Shijō Saiaku no Rannyū-sha" ("The Worst Intruder Ever")
Kenta defeated Low Ki to retain the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Championship
Kenta & Naomichi Marufuji defeated Bryan Danielson & Samoa Joe
Kenta won a non title three way match over Samoa Joe & Bryan Danielson after he pinned Danielson
Jay & Mark Briscoe beat Kenta & Davey Richards
Kenta beat Davey Richards
Austin Aries & Roderick Strong defeated Kenta and Davey Richards when Aries pinned Richards
Bryan Danielson defeated Kenta to retain the ROH World Title
Kenta defeated Delirious
Roughly 16 months since the last time he competed inside an ROH ring, 2-Time GHC Jr. & 2-Time GHC Jr. Tag Champion Kenta returned from retirement to ROH competition for four upcoming events: Elizabeth, PA on March 20th, NYC on March 21, and Houston, TX on April 3rd & 4th.
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