Takao Ōmori
| Takao Ōmori | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Takao Ōmori |
| Billed height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Billed weight | 110 kg (240 lb) |
| Born | October 16, 1969 Tokyo, Japan |
| Trained by | Animal Hamaguchi |
| Debut | October 16, 1992 |
Takao Ōmori (大森隆男 Ōmori Takao, born October 16, 1969) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler, currently competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He has formerly competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1.
Contents |
[edit] Career
[edit] All Japan Pro Wrestling (1992-2000)
After being trained by Animal Hamaguchi, Ōmori debuted in All Japan Pro Wrestling, initially languishing in the mid-card and only able to get some recognition in 1995, when he and Jun Akiyama captured the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship. His first American venture was in the World Wrestling Federation, where he competed in the 1996 Royal Rumble, before being eliminated by the returning Jake Roberts. In 1998, he and newcomer Yoshihiro Takayama formed the NO FEAR tag team. The team soon won both the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship and the AJPW Double Cup Tag Team Championship, becoming the first team to win both titles at the same time. When Mitsuharu Misawa formed Pro Wrestling Noah, they followed him and dyed their hair blond to match the change of environment.
[edit] Pro Wrestling Noah, Excursion, and World Japan (2000-2004)
For an undisclosed reason, Ōmori called for an early ending to his singles bout with Shinya Hashimoto in the middle of their singles match at Noah's Great Voyage 2000 event, which was the company's most important event up to that point. Because of this, Ōmori was immediately in Misawa's doghouse, and after the NO FEAR team broke up (so Takayama could pursue mixed martial arts matches) Ōmori was sent abroad to Harley Race's World League Wrestling promotion in the American Midwest, where he won the company's heavyweight title. During his excursion, Misawa continued to deny that Ōmori had been sent abroad by Noah, and Ōmori was not welcomed back to Noah when he returned from the excursion. As a result, Ōmori joined Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling, where he feuded with Riki Chōshū, Genichiro Tenryu and Kensuke Sasaki.
[edit] Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (2004-2008)
In 2004, he joined Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX, where he remains one of the strong native competitors along with (fellow Hamaguchi Dojo classmate) Shinjiro Otani. He has feuded with old team mate Yoshihiro Takayama, resulting in many bloody battles and disqualifications. On March 8, 2007, he and Manabu Nakanishi lost the ZERO1-MAX Intercontinental Tag Team Championship to Yoshihiro Takayama and Kohei Sato. On March 31, 2007, he defeated Steve Corino for the AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship, becoming a three-time champion. Nearly seven months to the day Ōmori won the AWA World Heavyweight championship, he would lose the title to Masato Tanaka. On August 16, 2008 Ōmori announced that he was leaving ZERO1-MAX and taking a break from pro wrestling.
[edit] New Japan Pro Wrestling (2009-2010)
This break would not last long, as Omori appeared at a New Japan Pro Wrestling show on March 15, 2009 to revive his team with Manabu Nakanishi. He also participated in the 2009 G1 Climax, pulling off two impressive victories in his first two matches by defeating both IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi and eventual tournament winner Togi Makabe. In January 2010 Omori announced his semi-retirement.[1]
[edit] Freelance (2010–2011)
Since semi-retiring, Omori had been wrestling select shows in various promotions, both mainstream and independent. In 2011, he has been wrestling semi-regularly with All Japan Pro Wrestling. Following the 2011 Real World Tag League Tournament, Omori appealed to Keiji Mutoh to officially join All Japan and Mutoh granted the request, officially rejoining All Japan.
[edit] All Japan Pro Wrestling (2011–present)
Ōmori's first match back as an official member of the AJPW roster took place on December 25, 2011, teaming up with Manabu Soya and Seiya Sanada in a loss to Akebono, Keiji Mutoh, and Super Delfin.
[edit] In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Axe Bomber (Crooked arm lariat)
- Axe Guillotine Driver (Kneeling back to belly piledriver) - innovated
- Diving elbow drop - 1992-1994
- Signature moves
- Entrance themes
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- "Crisis"
- "Grand Cross"
- "See Far Miles"
- "We Are No Fear" – As part of No Fear
- "Smash Up"
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- "Destructive Power" – As part of No Fear
- World Wrestling Federation
- "Orient Express Theme"
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jun Akiyama (1) and Yoshihiro Takayama (1)
- AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Yoshihiro Takayama
- January 2nd Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal Winner (1997) [2]
- Asunaro Tag Team Cup (1998) - with Jun Akiyama [3]
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- GHC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Yoshihiro Takayama
- Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX
- AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (3 times)1 – with Shiro Koshinaka (1), Shinjiro Otani (1), and Manabu Nakanishi (1)
- NWA United National Heavyweight Championship (1 time)2
1Although the title still uses the NWA initials, it is not recognized or sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance since the promotion withdrew from the NWA in 2004.
2This title shouldn't be confused with the NWA United National Championship, a defunct NWA singles championship that is currently one of the three championships used to comprise the AJPW Triple Crown Championship.
[edit] References
- ^ "Takao Omori to become semi-active". Strong Style Spirit. 2010-01-20. http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1355. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/alljap/ajtourn.htm
- ^ http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/alljap/ajtourn.htm
