Jump to content

Atsushi Onita

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Atsushi Onita
Onita in August 2023
Born(1957-10-25)October 25, 1957(age 66)
Nagasaki, Nagasaki,Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Atsushi Onita
Mr. Onita
The Great Nita
Billed height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Billed weight99 kg (218 lb)
Trained byMasio Koma
Giant Baba
Dick Beyer
Terry Funk
DebutApril 14, 1974
Part ofa serieson
Professional wrestling
History
Notable promotions
Notable people
Early 20th Century

Mid 20th Century

1970s and 1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s and 2020s

By region
Styles
Concepts
Culture
Media outlets
Controversies
Lists
Related topics

Atsushi Onita(Đại nhân điền hậu,Ōnita Atsushi,born October 25, 1957)[1]is a Japanese actor, politician, and semi-retiredprofessional wrestler.He is best known for his work inFrontier Martial-Arts Wrestling(FMW) and is credited with introducing thedeathmatch styleof professional wrestling toJapan.He is a formerAll Asia Tag Team ChampionsalongsideYoshitatsu.

Onita founded FMW in 1989, defeatingmartial artistMasashi Aoyagi under his own martial arts rules in the main event of the second night of thepromotion's inaugural event. FMW later emerged as a full-fledged touring organization, moving away from martial arts-inspiredshoot stylematches and moving toward therasslin'-inspired deathmatch style – which became popular with Japanese fans. He was the promotion's top star, wrestling in main event matches at sold-out events, making FMW a financially successful company, particularly for a Japaneseindependent promotion.Onita sold FMW toShoichi Araiand retired from wrestling in 1995 to pursue an acting career, which was unsuccessful, forcing him to return as a wrestler in 1996. After returning to FMW, he led stablesZENandTeam Zerobut departed the company in 1998 after disagreements over his position in the company.

He held theFMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championshipa recordseven timesand headlined the first six editions of FMW's premierAnniversary Showevent from 1989 to 1995.

Professional wrestling career[edit]

All Japan Pro Wrestling and first retirement (1974–1985)[edit]

Onita was the first true graduate of theAll Japan Pro Wrestling(AJPW) dojo (Jumbo Tsurutahad debuted first, but he had trained inAmarillo, Texas,withDory Funk Jr.andTerry Funk), debuting on April 14, 1974. In his early days he teamed with dojo classmateMasanobu Fuchi,who debuted only a few weeks after him. He was known as a loyal ring attendant to AJPWpromoterGiant Baba,who had accepted him into the dojo despite not having graduated from high school. In the late '70s and the early '80s, he and Fuchi touredMemphis, Tennessee,winning theAWA Southern Tag Team titlesthree times.

Onita (background) withDavid Von Erich(top) andEric Embryduring a 1981 match inFlorida

When thejunior heavyweight wrestlingboom started in Japan, originally inNew Japan Pro-Wrestling(NJPW) underTatsumi Fujinamiand the originalTiger Mask,Satoru Sayama,Onita was picked as the ace of AJPW's makeshift junior heavyweight division. Baba was able to getChavo Guerrero,who had been an early rival of Fujinami, to jump over to AJPW's side, and Guerrero brought theNWA International Junior Heavyweight Championshipwith him, effectively establishing it as AJPW's junior heavyweight cornerstone. Onita and Guerrero's subsequent feud over the title spanned three promotions (AJPW,Jim Crockett Promotions,andEmpresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre), and, while not as spectacular as NJPW's junior heavyweight division, provided a solid alternative to heavyweight-style wrestling for AJPW fans. On January 3, 1985, Onita retired for the first time due to accumulated injuries. Onita had previously taken a long hiatus from wrestling due to an injury, and was in the midst of an attempted comeback when he retired. Onita's last match prior to his retirement occurred on December 2, 1984, against Mighty Inoue. He would be replaced by his former tag team partner Masanobu Fuchi as the new junior heavyweight ace of AJPW.

Pioneer Senshi (1988)[edit]

After over three years recuperating from his injuries, Onita returned to the ring in December 1988 for Pioneer Senshi, anindependent promotion,losing amartial arts-inspired bout toRyuma Go.

Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling[edit]

Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion (1989–1993)[edit]

Following his return to the ring, Onita issued a challenge to the wrestlers of theshoot stylepromotionUniversal Wrestling Federation(UWF) but his challenge was rejected and he responded by taking onmartial artistMasashi Aoyagi in a (worked) martial arts fight for the World Karate Association (WKA) on July 2, 1989, during which Onita was disqualified for using wrestling moves on Aoyagi.[2][3]In the aftermath of his fight for the WKA, Onita personally promoted two wrestling shows under theFrontier Martial-Arts Wrestling(FMW) banner titledGrudge in NagoyaandGrudge in Tokyoin October and headlined both shows against Aoyagi. He lost to Aoyagi atGrudge in Nagoyaand defeated him atGrudge in Tokyo.[4][5]Onita shortly after developed FMW into a full-time promotion, originally basing it around shoot style matches before transitioning the company into being Japan's firstdeath matchpromotion – taking inspiration from the style of matches he had seen during his earlier stay in Memphis.[2]Even as the deathmatch wrestling style become the main trademark of FMW, the promotion would continue to hold shoot style matches. Onita would bring in numerous karate and martial arts fighters to be part of the FMW roster in the early years of the promotion.[2]

The firststreet fightof FMW took place on December 4, in which Onita andDick MurdochdefeatedJos LeDucand Masanobu Kurisu.[6]Onita was featured as the company's main star and the topfan favoriteand headlined every show. His firstBarbed Wire Deathmatchtook place atBattle Creationas he teamed withTarzan Gototo defeatJerry BlaymanandMitsuhiro Matsunaga.[7]After being eliminated by his frequent ally Tarzan Goto from theBattle Resistance tournament,[8]Onita defeated Beast the Barbarian to win theWWA World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championshipfor the first time on January 17, 1990.[9]

Onita's firstfeudbegan in the summer of 1990 when Onita defeated Lee Gak-soo in a different style fight on May 19 and then the two showed respect to each other and teamed to defeat Mitsuteru Tokuda and Sambo Asako in a tag team match on June 2.[10][11]Goto was irate at Onita for teaming with karate fighters and toning down professional wrestling and he brought inMr. Pogoto FMW and Onita began feuding with Goto and Pogo. Onita defeated Goto in anempty arena matchon June 24[12]and then successfully defended the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship against Goto in the first-everno ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatchatSummer Spectacular.[13]After the match, Onita and Goto ended their feud by embracing each other and putting away their differences and then Onita began a legendary rivalry against Mr. Pogo, with Onita defeating Pogo in the first singles encounter in a street fight on August 25.[14]Onita successfully defended the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship against Pogo in aTexas Deathmatchat1st Anniversary Show.[15]

Onita lost the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship toGrigory Verichevon February 27, 1991.[16]Onita unsuccessfully challenged Verichev for the title in a rematch on May 5 and then received another title shot on May 29, where Onita defeated Verichev to regain the renamed World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship.[17][18]On August 17, Onita defeatedJimmy Backlund,Ricky Fujiand Sambo Asako to win theBarbed Wire Deathmatch Tournament.[19]During this time, Mr. Pogo left FMW and Tarzan Goto turned on Onita once again to renew their feud and became Onita's arch rival. Onita defeated Goto in the first-everno rope exploding barbed wiresteel cagedeathmatchat the very successful2nd Anniversary Showon September 23 at theKawasaki StadiuminKawasaki,which would become the venue for FMW's major events in future.[20]

Onita and Goto reunited once again and they participated in theWorld's Strongest Tag Team Tournament,which they won by defeating Grigory Verichev and Koba Krutanize in the final on December 9 to win the inauguralWWA World Martial Arts Tag Team Championship.[21]FMW phased away the martial arts style and emphasized on the deathmatch wrestling as its key feature during this time. Onita lost his World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship toBig Titanon January 15, 1992.[22]Onita and Goto lost the World Martial Arts Tag Team Championship toSabuandHorace Boulderin a no ropes barbed wire street fight deathmatch on May 7.[23]Onita regained the World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship by defeating former boxing championLeon Spinksin acage matchon May 24,[24]which earned a rapid rise in popularity and stardom to Onita for having beaten a famous celebrity.[2]A month later, Onita lost the title toThe Sheikon June 25 because of an injury sustained from an attack byTiger Jeet Singhbefore the match.[25]Sheik would later reward the title to Singh. Onita lost to Singh in ajungle deathmatchon June 30,[26]before defeating him in a no ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatch to win his fourth World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship at the3rd Anniversary Show.[27]

Onita continued his success by winning theStreet Fight Tournamentwith former rival Grigory Verichev on December 7.[28]He ended his feud with The Sheik by defeating him for the United States Championship on January 18, 1993;[29]Onita later returned the belt to Sheik saying that Sheik deserved the title for holding it for over a decade. This earned him Sheik's respect and both men ended their feud and became allies.[29]Onita's success streak continued as he defeatedTerry Funkin the first-ever no ropes exploding barbed wire time bomb deathmatch at the4th Anniversary Showon May 5.[30]Onita renewed his rivalry with Mr. Pogo, who returned to FMW in the summer of 1993 and the World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship was replaced with the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship. Onita defeated Pogo in a no ropes exploding barbed wire time bomb deathmatch to win the vacant Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship at theSummer Spectacularshow on August 22.[31]Onita successfully defended the title against W*ING's former ace Mitsuhiro Matsunaga in a no ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatch atYear End Spectacular,[32]and then the two men became allies to feud with Mr. Pogo and his entourage.[2]

Second retirement (1994–1995)[edit]

On January 6, 1994, Onita lost the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship to Mr. Pogo in a street fight.[33]After losing the title, Onita began his next feud withGenichiro Tenryuafter the team of Onita and Tarzan Goto defeated Tenryu andAshura HaraatWrestling and Romance'sRevolution Rumblewhen Onita pinned Tenryu.[34]Onita and Tenryu competed in a no ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatch at5th Anniversary Showon May 5, which stipulated that if Onita lost, he mustretirefrom professional wrestling. Tenryu defeated Onita to even the scores and then Onita debuted his "Mr. Liar"characterby saying that he was not going to retire immediately and that the retirement stipulation would take place a year later.[2][35]Onita began his retirement tour which would conclude at the following year's6th Anniversary Show.Onita reunited with Tenryu as the two teamed withCrusher Bam Bam Bigelowat WAR's2nd Anniversary Showand the trio won a Six-Man Tag Team Tournament.[36]

On July 31, Onita teamed with Mitsuhiro Matsunaga to defeat Mr. Pogo andHisakatsu Oyato win theBrass Knuckles Tag Team Championship.[37]Around the same time, Onita renewed his feud with Masashi Aoyagi, who had returned to FMW and attacked Onita after a match. Their rivalry culminated in ano ropes electrified explosive barbed wire barricade double hell matchatSummer Spectacular,which Onita won.[38]Onita defeated Mr. Pogo to win his sixth Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship on September 7.[39]After the match, former W*ING wrestlerYukihiro Kanemuramade his FMW debut and attacked Onita to avenge the demise of W*ING. Mitsuhiro Matsunaga visited Kanemura at hospital as Kanemura was getting treated for some burns which he had suffered during a past match. Onita accused Matsunaga of turning on FMW and mistrusting his loyalty and this angered Matsunaga, who then joined Kanemura and Mr. Pogo to formW*ING Allianceand Onita feuded with the group for the rest of his retirement tour. As a result, Onita and Matsunaga broke up as a team and vacated the Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship in October.[2]

On December 1, Onita debuted hisalter ego"The Great Nita", which was based and stylized onThe Great Muta.The team of Nita and Tarzan Goto defeated Hisakatsu Oya and Mr. Pogo in a no ropes exploding barbed wire double hell deathmatch.[40]Onita would return as Nita to defeat Pogo in alumberjack matchon December 20 and would continue to use this alternative character on several occasions.[41]Onita lost the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship to Mr. Pogo's alter ego "Pogo Daiyo" on January 21, 1995.[42]On February 24, Onita and his pupilMr. Gannosukedefeated Pogo andThe Gladiatorto win the Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship.[43]They lost the title to Pogo and W*ING Kanemura on March 7.[44]Speculation arose over the person to succeed Onita as the promotion's ace. Mitsuhiro Matsunaga had been the original choice but citing that W*ING had failed with Matsunaga as the ace, Onita had to change the decision and give the spot to Tarzan Goto, who would be Onita's opponent in his retirement match at the 6th Anniversary Show. Goto left FMW and took away his pupils Mr. Gannosuke and Flying Kid Ichihara as he was upset forputting overOnita again after having done it so many times in the past.[2]

On March 30, Great Nita lost to Pogo Daiyo in a lumberjack match.[45]Mr. Pogo refused to be Onita's opponent at 6th Anniversary Show and thenTakashi Ishikawawas finally selected as the ace untilHayabusainterrupted Onita at a press conference and volunteered to be his opponent at the event as Hayabusa had been convinced byShoichi Arai,whom Onita had sold the company around this time. Hayabusa was ultimately selected to be Onita's opponent in his retirement match.[2]Just one day shy of his retirement match, Onita defeated Pogo in a barbed wire double hell deathmatch to win his record-setting seventh and final Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship on May 4.[46]The following night at the 6th Anniversary Show, Onita successfully defended the title against Hayabusa in a no ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatch.[47]After the match, Onita vacated the title due to his retirement from wrestling to pursue an acting career.[2]During this time, he starred in the movieDan Gan(Japanese for "bullet" ), which would later be adopted as the nickname for Onita's pupil,Masato Tanaka.Onita's acting career flopped and he ventured a return to wrestling.

Return (1996–1997)[edit]

After a sabbatical (getting his high school diploma, as he had dropped out of high school when he was 16), Onita made a surprise return to FMW on March 15, 1996, along with his former rivalsW*ING Allianceto rescue FMW's team from an attack by the Puerto Rican Army. He convinced the FMW wrestlers to challenge Puerto Rican Army at the7th Anniversary Showand announced that he would be present in the crowd at the event. He also sold off his jacket that he wore for his retirement match at the 6th Anniversary Show to assist FMW team get the money for their match against the Puerto Rican Army. Onita made his next appearance on October 28, where his former rival Mr. Pogo begged him to come out of retirement and team with him against the Funk Masters of Wrestling in Pogo's retirement match atYear End Spectacular.Onita initially rejected Pogo's request and then rescued Pogo from an assault by Funk Masters of Wrestling on November 26 and agreed to come out of his retirement to team with Pogo.[48]At the Year End Spectacular event, the FMW team of Onita, Pogo,Masato TanakaandTetsuhiro Kurodadefeated Funk Masters of Wrestling'sTerry Funk,Hisakatsu OyaandThe Headhuntersin aTexas Tornado Street Fight Deathmatch.[49]

Onita had supposedly returned to the company for only one match until he began working part-time for the company on March 14, 1997, by teaming withKoji Nakagawa,Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda to defeatThe Headhunters,Hisakatsu OyaandThe Gladiatorin a street fight.[50]During this time, Onita also quietly ended his feud withW*ING Allianceas the group joined him in his feud with the Funk Masters of Wrestling. At the8th Anniversary Show,the team of Onita, Masato Tanaka andW*ING Kanemuradefeated Terry Funk,Cactus Jackand The Gladiator in a Texas Tornado Street Fight Deathmatch.[51]

ZEN and Team Zero (1997–1998)[edit]

Main article:ZEN

Onita headlined theFall Spectacularevent on September 28, 1997, againstW*ING Kanemurain ano rope barbed wire electrified dynamite land mine time bomb death match,which stipulated that if Onita lost, he must retire and if Kanemura lost then W*ING Alliance would be forced to disband. Onita defeated Kanemura, forcing W*ING to disband.[48][52]Onita became upset at the W*ING Alliance members Kanemura,Hideki HosakaandHido,who were upset as no group would accept them and he became enraged at FMW leadersHayabusa,Koji NakagawaandMasato Tanakaon their leadership of the FMW team. On September 30, Onita held a press conference in which he publicly denounced himself as a FMW wrestler and formed aNew World Order(nWo)-themedfactionZENwith W*ING members and FMW wrestlerTetsuhiro Kuroda.As a result, Onitaturnedheelfor the first and only time in FMW history.[2]On October 14, the team of Onita, Hido and Kuroda defeated Hayabusa, Koji Nakagawa and Masato Tanaka to win theWorld Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[53]

On October 19, Onita and Yukihiro Kanemura defeatedMr. GannosukeandHisakatsu Oyato win theBrass Knuckles Tag Team Championship.[54]Funk Masters of Wrestling came to an end as its leader Terry Funk left FMW, while the remaining members Mr. Gannosuke, Hisakatsu Oya andThe Gladiatorjoined ZEN, which had now become the main villainous group in FMW against the FMW team led by Hayabusa.[48]Onita and Kanemura were stripped of the Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship in November due to Onita's inactivity and ZEN also lost the World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Hayabusa, Hisakatsu Oya and Masato Tanaka during theSuper Extreme Wrestling Wartour.[55]During this tour, Mr. Gannosuke and Yukihiro Kanemura, along with Hido, grew upset at Onita forbookinghimself in the main event match on December 19 against Masato Tanaka instead of booking Gannosuke and Kanemura's match.[48]This exploded when the team of Hayabusa,Jinsei Shinzakiand Masato Tanaka defeated Atsushi Onita, Mr. Gannosuke and Yukihiro Kanemura in aWarGames matchon December 22.[56]After the match, Gannosuke and Kanemura attacked Onita and quit ZEN, along with Hido and Koji Nakagawa joined Onita as ZEN's newest member. As a result, Onita reverted to beingfacealong with ZEN.[48]

ZEN began feuding with the newly formedTeam No Respect,which evolved fromlegitimateheatbetween Onita andKodo Fuyuki,who was getting a lot of influence and booking power in the company. Onita wanted to return FMW to its olddeathmatch styleideology whileShoichi Araiand Kodo Fuyuki were toning down the deathmatch content.[48]On February 13, Onita, Koji Nakagawa and Tetsuhiro Kuroda defeated TNR's Mr. Gannosuke, Yukihiro Kanemura andJadoto win the World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[57]Onita's rivalry with Fuyuki would lead to a match between the two at9th Anniversary Show,which stipulated that Onita must disband ZEN if he lost. Onita lost thelumberjack match[58]and was forced to disband ZEN but he said that he would break the group only if Kodo Fuyuki, Yukihiro Kanemura and Hido would beat Onita, Koji Nakagawa and Tetsuhiro Kuroda for the World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship at ZEN's promoted show on May 5. Onita's team would lose after Nakagawa suffered an injury.[59]Nakagawa continued to fake injury and would ultimately be revealed as the man responsible for breaking ZEN after he turned on Onita during a Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship match againstThe New Footlooseon May 31.[60]

After the breakup of ZEN, Onita took a hiatus as he was unhappy with his position in the company. He made an appearance for FMW's working partnerExtreme Championship Wrestling(ECW) on June 26 by costingThe SandmanandTommy Dreamer,a match againstDudley Boyzto set up a no ropes exploding barbed wire deathmatch against Sandman in ECW but the match never took place as Onita returned to FMW on July 20 to rescue Shoichi Arai from an assault by Team No Respect.[48]AtAtsushi Onita Presents Liar, Liaron August 11, Onita released his former ZEN teammates Hideki Hosaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda from Team No Respect's slavery and saved Shoichi Arai's job as FMW President by defeating TNR in aweapons deathmatch.[61]On August 21, Onita formed a group calledTeam Zerowith Kuroda, Hosaka,Yoshinori Sasakiand Mr. Pogo #2 and the group feuded with TNR throughout the fall of 1998.[62]Onita's former rival Mr. Pogo returned to FMW and the two feuded with each other, with Onita defeating Pogo in a match on November 20 to end their rivalry in FMW once and for all.[63]This would be Onita's last match and last appearance in FMW as he left the company after the match as Shoichi Arai refused to restore him as the promotion's ace due to Onita receiving backlash from FMW's roster due to his reputation as an egomaniac and selfish.[62]

Freelancing (1998–present)[edit]

He used the promotional names "USO" (all capsversion of the Japanese word for "lie" ), "Jado" ( "evil ways"; not to be confused with thewrestler of the same name), "Onita Pro" and "Project X."

Onita made a few appearances forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling(NJPW), in 1999, establishing himself as a heel, since he was a FMW employee, the crowd would not accept him on a NJPW ring, which prompted him to gain a lot of heat. During that time, he would cut promos insulting his interviewers (such as spit water in their faces, physically assault and threat them) and future targets. On January 4, during theWrestling World Tokyo Domeevent, he facedKensuke Sasaki,losing by disqualification after throwing a fireball to Sasaki's face. Then on April 10, he wrestledMasahiro Chonoon a No-Rope Explosive Barbed-Wire Death Match, ending in no-contest after both Chono and Onita were knocked out. Shortly after that, Onita allied himself with Chono and hisTeam 2000faction against thenWo Japan.On July 21, he, Chono andAKIRAdefeated nWo Japan'sHiro Saito,Hiroyoshi Tenzanand their leader,Keiji Mutoh.For a short period, he brought back his Great Nita persona, facing Keiji Mutoh's, The Great Muta in a No Rope Explosive Barbed Wire Barricade Explosive Land Mine match (also dubbedDouble Hell Deathmatch) on August 28, losing the match after Muta used Nita'skamato knock him down. One year later, he challengedRiki Choshuto a barbed wire deathmatch on July 30, 2000: Choshu accepted and came out of retirement to wrestle him. Choshu defeated Onita in a squash after launching him in the explosive barbed wires multiple times, and making him pass out while locking him in his finisher, the Sasori-Gatame.

In 2001, he returned to AJPW for one night only, at the Tokyo Dome, to team with Terry Funk againstAbdullah the Butcherand Giant Kimala. Whereas AJPW fans had already known Funk and Abdullah's willingness to brawl, Onita also played a huge part in the match, and his team emerged victorious.

In 2002, following FMW's closure Onita appeared briefly in WEW, run by Hiromichi Fuyuki. The storyline saw Onita blaming Fuyuki's "Entertainment Pro Wrestling" business strategy and supposed embezzlement of money for causing FMW to close, and appeared to be paving the road to an eventual match between Onita and Fuyuki before Fuyuki abruptly announced his retirement due to cancer that would eventually claim his life in March 2003.

Onita attempted to resurrect the FMW name with another promotion (called Onita FMW since he did not own the rights to the FMW name), but the promotion would fold after only three months. Onita would retire once again on September 23, 2003, losing a death match toThe Great Sasuke,but this would not last long. Onita fought yet another retirement match on March 26, 2005, being pinned byGenichiro Tenryu.This also would be disregarded, as he would come out of retirement in May 2008 and would begin promoting his own cards again in July.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Onita kept on bringing Death Matches, (though mostly six-man affairs with Ichiro Yaguchi as one of his frequent partners), to promotions such asOsaka Pro Wrestling,Pro Wrestling Zero1andPro Wrestling NOAH.On December 12, 2014, he returned to AJPW to team with Fuchi and defeat the promotion's current junior standard bearers,Último DragónandYoshinobu Kanemaru.

In April 2015, FMW was again resurrected with Onita as its central wrestler.[64]

On July 11, 2016, Onita announced the foundation of a new promotion named Fire Puroresu, which was set to hold its first show on August 26.[65][66]On July 24, Onita fractured his right arm in a match, where he lost the Bakuha-ō Championship toMasakatsu Funaki,putting his participation in Fire Puroresu's inaugural event at risk.[67]

On November 27, 2016, Onita returned to All Japan, where he and fellow first class graduate Masanobu Fuchi defeatedAtsushi AokiandHikaru Satoto become the 100thAll Asia Tag Team Champions.[68][69]Two days later, Onita announced he was planning to retire from professional wrestling at a special event atKawasaki Stadiumin October 2017.[70]

On May 10, 2017, Onita announced his retirement tour, which would conclude with his final match on October 31. Onita's plans for Kawasaki Stadium had fallen through and his final match would instead take place atKorakuen Hallin Tokyo. Onita claimed that this, his seventh retirement, would be his "true" retirement.[71]On June 20, Onita and Fuchi lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship back to Aoki and Sato.[72]Onita's retirement tour also took him to the United States, where he worked forCombat Zone Wrestling(CZW) on August 5.[73]Prior to his actual retirement, Onita retired the Great Nita character on August 27.[74]On October 31, Onita's retirement took place in a six-man barbed wire match, where he teamed withKaiandShingo Takagito defeatNosawa Rongai,Kazuyuki FujitaandKendo Kashinby pinning Rongai.[75]

However, Onita came out of retirement, the following year, on October 28, 2018, for Pro Wrestling A-Team. Onita foughtMatt Tremontto a no-contest. Later, the latter wanted him to be his tag team partner against Masada and DJ Hyde.

Onita in August 2020

On May 6, 2021, Onita announced the formation of a new promotion that would focus on Explosion Matches. The promotion is called FMWE, and they plan to have events shown online for fans to see all over the world. Onita also hopes to finally bring real Explosion Matches to the United States. At the press conference for FMWE it was also announced that the first show would be held on July 4, 2021, at Tsurumi Fruit and Vegetable Market in Yokohama City.[76]

On October 31, 2021, in Trenton, NJ at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Onita stepped into the ring again with Matt Tremont to have an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch. The match was promoted by FMWE and Tremont's H2O Wrestling.[77]

Political career[edit]

Though he originally dropped out of high school, Onita returned to finish his education when he was in his late thirties. In 2001, he won the 19th House of Councilors election as a representative of theLiberal Democratic Party,followingAntonio InokiandHiroshi Haseto a seat in theJapanese Diet.One of his first major acts in office was to launch a post-9/11humanitarian mission toAfghanistan,where he performedprofessional wrestlingmatches in crudely constructed rings made of sticks and rope, to benefit the children. This was all documented on film.

Like fellow professional wrestler,Scott Steiner,Onita has also claimed to have brokenWilt Chamberlain's record of sleeping with 20,000 women. Coincidentally, his exit from politics was forced by asex scandalin which he was alleged to have used government accommodations to host athreesomewith apornographic filmactress and a female employee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation.[78]After retirement from politics, he lent his name and image to aNintendo DSgame,Atsushi Onita's Political Quiz.[79]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Video games[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^Onita's first reign was as WWA Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion. His second, third, and fourth reigns were as WWA World Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion. His final three reigns were as FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion.

References[edit]

  1. ^"Profile at Puroresu Central".Puroresu Central.Retrieved2017-11-30.
  2. ^abcdefghijk"FMW History".FMW Wrestling.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  3. ^"WKA @ Tokyo results".Cagematch. July 2, 1989.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  4. ^"Grudge in Nagoya results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  5. ^"Grudge in Tokyo results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  6. ^"FMW results - December 4, 1989".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  7. ^"FMW Battle Creation results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  8. ^"FMW Battle Resistance - 1st Open Tournament results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  9. ^"FMW results - January 17, 1990".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  10. ^"FMW results - May 19, 1990".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  11. ^"FMW results - June 2, 1990".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  12. ^"FMW results - June 24, 1990".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  13. ^"FMW Summer Spectacular In Shiodome results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  14. ^"FMW results - August 25, 1990".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  15. ^"FMW 1st Anniversary Show results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  16. ^"FMW results - February 27, 1991".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  17. ^"FMW results - May 5, 1991".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  18. ^"FMW results - May 29, 1991".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  19. ^"FMW @ Tokyo results".Cagematch. August 17, 1991.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  20. ^"Fall Spectacular 1991 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  21. ^"FMW results - December 9, 1991".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  22. ^"FMW results - January 15, 1992".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  23. ^"FMW results - May 7, 1992".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  24. ^"FMW results - May 24, 1992".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  25. ^"FMW results - June 25, 1992".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  26. ^"FMW results - June 30, 1992".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  27. ^"Fall Spectacular 1992 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  28. ^"FMW results - December 7, 1992".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  29. ^abc"FMW results - January 18, 1993".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  30. ^"FMW 4th Anniversary Show results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  31. ^"Summer Spectacular 1993 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  32. ^"Year End Spectacular 1993 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  33. ^"FMW results - January 6, 1994".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  34. ^"WAR Revolution Rumble '94 In Ryogoku Kokugikan results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  35. ^"FMW 5th Anniversary Show results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  36. ^"WAR 2nd Anniversary Show results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  37. ^"FMW results - July 31, 1994".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  38. ^"Summer Spectacular 1994 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  39. ^"FMW results - September 7, 1994".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  40. ^"FMW results - December 1, 1994".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  41. ^"FMW results - December 20, 1994".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  42. ^"FMW results - January 21, 1995".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  43. ^"FMW results - February 24, 1995".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  44. ^"FMW results - March 7, 1995".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  45. ^"FMW results - March 30, 1995".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  46. ^"FMW results - May 4, 1995".Cagematch.net.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  47. ^"FMW 6th Anniversary Show results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  48. ^abcdefg"FMW History Part 2".Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  49. ^"Year End Spectacular 1996 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  50. ^"FMW Winning Road 1997 - Tag 3 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  51. ^"FMW 8th Anniversary Show results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  52. ^"Fall Spectacular 1997 results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  53. ^"FMW Power Splash 1997 - Tag 2 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  54. ^"FMW Power Splash 1997 - Tag 6 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-11-21.
  55. ^"FMW Super Extreme Wrestling War 1997 - Tag 2 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  56. ^"FMW Super Extreme Wrestling War 1997 - Tag 4 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  57. ^"FMW Cluster Battle 1998 - Tag 8 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  58. ^"Entertainment Wrestling Live results".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  59. ^"FMW/ZEN results - May 5, 1998".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  60. ^"FMW Neo FMW 1998 - Tag 9 results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  61. ^"FMW Atsushi Onita Presents Liar, Liar results".Cagematch.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  62. ^ab"FMW History Part 3".FMW Wrestling.Retrieved2017-11-23.
  63. ^"FMW PPV results - November 20, 1998".Pro Wrestling History.Retrieved2017-12-10.
  64. ^Caldwell, James (2015-04-03)."Japan news: 1990s FMW promotion looking to make a comeback".Pro Wrestling Torch.Retrieved2015-08-13.
  65. ^Đại nhân điền が tân đoàn thể “ファイヤープロレス” thiết lập! ８・２６ kỳ dương げ chiến ではぐれＩＧＦ nghênh kích.Daily Sports Online(in Japanese).Kobe Shimbun.2016-07-11.Retrieved2016-07-11.
  66. ^Đại nhân điền hậu が tân đoàn thể “ファイヤープロレス” kỳ dương げ “Tập đại thành を kiến せたい”.Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). 2016-07-11. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-07-13.Retrieved2016-07-11.
  67. ^Đại nhân điền, thuyền mộc chiến での hữu oản cốt chiết phán minh ８・２６ tân đoàn thể kỳ dương げ chiến đại ピンチ.Daily Sports Online(in Japanese).Kobe Shimbun.2016-07-25.Retrieved2016-07-25.
  68. ^"11.27 đông kinh ・ lạng quốc quốc kỹ quán đại hội thí hợp kết quả ②".All Japan Pro Wrestling(in Japanese). 2016-11-27.Retrieved2016-11-27.
  69. ^Rose, Bryan (2016-11-27)."AJPW Sumo Hall results: Miyahara vs. Suwama for the Triple Crown".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Retrieved2016-11-27.
  70. ^"Đại nhân điền lai niên １０ nguyệt dẫn thối hưng hành は９５ niên “Dẫn thối hưng hành” xuyên kỳ cầu tràng tích địa で khai thôi へ ".Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). 2016-11-29. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-11-30.Retrieved2016-11-30.
  71. ^"Đại nhân điền hậu が１０・３１ hậu lặc viên で７ độ mục の dẫn thối “Kim hồi は bổn đương” ".Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). 2017-05-10. Archived fromthe originalon 2017-05-10.Retrieved2017-05-10.
  72. ^6.20 đái quảng đại hội [ quan chúng ]703 nhân ( mãn viên ).All Japan Pro Wrestling(in Japanese). 2017-06-20.Retrieved2017-06-20.
  73. ^Johnson, Mike (2017-08-05)."No ropes barbed wire exploding baseball bat match: CZW Tremont vs. Onita coverage".Pro Wrestling Insider.Retrieved2017-08-06.
  74. ^"グレート・ニタ “Đại nhân điền もさよなら” hoàn thắng し hải へ quy る ".Nikkan Sports(in Japanese). 2017-08-27.Retrieved2017-08-27.
  75. ^"Đại nhân điền hậu bạch tinh で dẫn thối… Lệ “４３ niên gian, ありがとうよっ!” ".Daily Sports Online(in Japanese).Kobe Shimbun.2017-10-31.Retrieved2017-10-31.
  76. ^Mohan, Sai (May 6, 2021)."Wrestling Legend Launches New Promotion Exclusively for" Explosion "Matches".Wrestling Inc.
  77. ^Waddon, Mitch (August 19, 2021)."Matt Tremont Coming Out Of Retirement For Atsushi Onita Match On Sunday 31 October 2021".Cultaholic. On Saturday March 26th, 2021 Atsushi Onita performed as The Great Nita in a Deathmatch against Bully Ray at a Battleground Championship Wrestling event at the 2300 Arena, formerly the ECW Arena. Onita would lose the bout via pin fall after a Powerbomb through a barbed wire table. The match featured run-ins from Super Leather, Sandman and Sabu.
  78. ^"News: Mr. Liar's political quiz".insercredit.com.August 15, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon October 25, 2011.
  79. ^Karl, Ben (August 16, 2007)."Blog Post: Atsushi Onita: The Man, The Myth, The Game".Games.net.Archived fromthe originalon October 13, 2008.
  80. ^Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2006) [2000.]. "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: Southern Tag Team Title [Roy Welsch & Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett from 1977]".Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present.Waterloo, Ontario: Archeus Communications. pp. 185–189.ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
  81. ^"Southern Tag Team Title".Wrestling-Titles.RetrievedJanuary 19,2020.
  82. ^Kreikenbohm, Philip."Atsushi Onita".Cagematch.net.RetrievedNovember 20,2021.
  83. ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 15,2010.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  84. ^Đế vương ・ cao sơn をバット táng đại nhân điền が bi nguyện の “Bạo phá vương” ベルト đoạt thủ.Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). March 22, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2017.RetrievedNovember 20,2021.
  85. ^【 siêu hoa hỏa 】 vương tọa 陥 lạc ＴＡＲＵ まさか… Đại nhân điền と hợp thể!.Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). February 22, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon June 19, 2017.RetrievedNovember 20,2021.
  86. ^"【 siêu hoa hỏa 】 đại nhân điền が vương tọa đoạt hoàn! Tưu phóng ma を tái thiêu phát".Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). February 27, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 27,2017.
  87. ^"Việt hậu siêu hoa hỏa 9.12 tân tả đại hội sơ đại bạo phá vương タッグ vương giả quyết định chiến ／ đại nhân điền ＆ trường dữ vs.Taru＆ダンプ, NWAライトタッグ chiến ／ gian nguyên ＆Yasshivs. Tân tả プロレス".Battle News(in Japanese). September 13, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
  88. ^"【プロレス đại thưởng 】 tối ưu tú タッグは đại nhân điền ＆ trường dữ nam nữ hỗn hợp タッグは sử thượng sơ".Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). 2015-12-08. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-12-08.Retrieved2015-12-08.
  89. ^abcdef"Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards".PuroLove.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2012.RetrievedOctober 16,2012.
  90. ^"【プロレス đại thưởng: Cảm đấu thưởng 】 tà đạo ・ đại nhân điền ２０ niên ぶり biểu vũ đài “でも, オレはB diện” ".Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). 2014-12-09. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-12-17.Retrieved2014-12-09.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toAtsushi Onita.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atsushi_Onita&oldid=1234295656"