Kohei Suwama
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese professional wrestler
also known simply as . He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling
as part of the Voodoo Murders
stable, where he is a former two-time All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.
early in his career, defeating many of his seniors. In 2005, he defeated Muto in the 2005 Champion Carnival.
stable on January 8, 2006, following an AJPW Triple Crown Championship
match between Satoshi Kojima
and stable leader TARU
. Upon joining the group, he officially changed his name to Suwama, which translates to "Suwa evil spirit".
He formed a team with RO'Z in early 2007, as the two set their sights on the vacant AJPW World Tag Team Championship. Their pursuit would be unsuccessful, as Toshiaki Kawada
and Taiyō Kea
defeated them in a decision match for the vacant belts on February 17, 2007. Suwama was sent by the group to Orlando, Florida on July 2, 2007, in order to secure Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
star Scott Steiner
for All Japan's Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku, Vol. 3 event in Sumo Hall on August 26, 2007. Suwama had observed Steiner's match and shortly afterwards came to an agreement with Steiner to team with him and challenge the team of The Great Muta
and TAJIRI
. They were unsuccessful in the challenge.
For the rest of the year, Suwama mainly competed in 6-man tags with TARU
and Satoshi Kojima
(who joined the group in July), but also had a short feud with rookie gaijin Joe Doering
. Suwama teamed with Kojima in the 2008 Real World Tag League, where they defeated Toshiaki Kawada
and Kensuke Sasaki
to reach the finals, but lost to Keiji Mutoh
and Joe Doering
. Suwama and Kojima scored 10 points.
and Joe Doering
from a post-match attack by the VooDoo Murders stable. After Suwama tore off his VooDoo Murders shirt, he shook hands with Mutoh and signaled his return to the All Japan Home Unit. On March 1, 2008, Suwama defeated TARU at PRO WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU, Vol. 4. From April 5–9, Suwama participated in All Japan's annual Champion's Carnival
tournament, which he ultimately won on April 9 by defeating New Japan Pro Wrestling
star Hiroshi Tanahashi
in the finals. Suwama finished the Carnival with 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, which earned him 7 points.
On April 29, 2008, Suwama defeated Kensuke Sasaki
to win the All Japan Triple Crown Championship.
Suwama first defended the Triple Crown on June 28, 2008 vs Osamu Nishimura
beating Nashimura with the Last Ride. Suwama challenged Taiyo Kea
and Minoru Suzuki
on August 3, 2008 for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
teaming with Osamu Nishimura but did not win the belts. Suwama's second defense of the Triple crown was on August 31, 2008 vs Taiyo Kea it went to a 60 minute time limit draw. Suwama team up with Ryuji Hijikata
in the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
Tournament on January 2–3, 2009 to crown new AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champions. Suwama and Hijikata got eliminated in the first round of the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship Tournament they lost to Satoshi Kojima and KAI when Kojima used a lariat on Hijikata. Suwama and Shuji Kondo defeated Joe Doering and ZODIAC
on March 1rs 2009 to become the number one contenders for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship but did not win the Championship from Taiyō Kea and Minoru Suzuki. On August 29, 2010, Suwama defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the AJPW Triple Crown Championship for the second time. He would go on to lose the title to Jun Akiyama
on October 23, 2011.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
also known simply as . He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
as part of the Voodoo Murders
Voodoo Murders
VOODOO-MURDERS was the main heel group in All Japan Pro Wrestling. They are famous for their violent actions and lack of respect for their opponents...
stable, where he is a former two-time All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion.
Early Days (2004-2006)
Suwama was scouted and recruited to All Japan Pro Wrestling by Hiroshi Hase, particularly because of his amateur wrestling background. He joined the All Japan Dojo on March 1, 2004, and teamed with All Japan president Keiji MutohKeiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
early in his career, defeating many of his seniors. In 2005, he defeated Muto in the 2005 Champion Carnival.
VooDoo Murders (2006-2008)
Suwama aligned himself with the Voodoo MurdersVoodoo Murders
VOODOO-MURDERS was the main heel group in All Japan Pro Wrestling. They are famous for their violent actions and lack of respect for their opponents...
stable on January 8, 2006, following an AJPW Triple Crown Championship
AJPW Triple Crown Championship
The AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling. The championship is a unification of the NWA United National Championship, the PWF Heavyweight Championship and the NWA International Heavyweight Championship....
match between Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
and stable leader TARU
Taru
Taru can refer to:* the NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit* a Hattian god, related to the Hurrian god of sky and storm, Teshub* Eugen Taru, Romanian artist* Yoshikazu Taru, Japanese wrestler...
. Upon joining the group, he officially changed his name to Suwama, which translates to "Suwa evil spirit".
He formed a team with RO'Z in early 2007, as the two set their sights on the vacant AJPW World Tag Team Championship. Their pursuit would be unsuccessful, as Toshiaki Kawada
Toshiaki Kawada
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2005, he started freelancing in other promotions....
and Taiyō Kea
Taiyo Kea
Maunakea Mossman is an American professional wrestler, better known under his stage name Taiyō Kea . Although he was born in Hawaii, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan-based All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion...
defeated them in a decision match for the vacant belts on February 17, 2007. Suwama was sent by the group to Orlando, Florida on July 2, 2007, in order to secure Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
star Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
for All Japan's Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku, Vol. 3 event in Sumo Hall on August 26, 2007. Suwama had observed Steiner's match and shortly afterwards came to an agreement with Steiner to team with him and challenge the team of The Great Muta
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
and TAJIRI
Yoshihiro Tajiri
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He is currently competing in SMASH as TAJIRI.-Early years :...
. They were unsuccessful in the challenge.
For the rest of the year, Suwama mainly competed in 6-man tags with TARU
Taru
Taru can refer to:* the NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit* a Hattian god, related to the Hurrian god of sky and storm, Teshub* Eugen Taru, Romanian artist* Yoshikazu Taru, Japanese wrestler...
and Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
(who joined the group in July), but also had a short feud with rookie gaijin Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
. Suwama teamed with Kojima in the 2008 Real World Tag League, where they defeated Toshiaki Kawada
Toshiaki Kawada
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2005, he started freelancing in other promotions....
and Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
to reach the finals, but lost to Keiji Mutoh
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
and Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
. Suwama and Kojima scored 10 points.
All Japan Ace
At All Japan's New Year's Shining Series show on January 3, 2008, Suwama saved Keiji MutohKeiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
and Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
from a post-match attack by the VooDoo Murders stable. After Suwama tore off his VooDoo Murders shirt, he shook hands with Mutoh and signaled his return to the All Japan Home Unit. On March 1, 2008, Suwama defeated TARU at PRO WRESTLING LOVE in RYOGOKU, Vol. 4. From April 5–9, Suwama participated in All Japan's annual Champion's Carnival
Champion's Carnival
The Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
tournament, which he ultimately won on April 9 by defeating New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
star Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi
is a Japanese professional wrestler who works primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his fifth reign.-Early life:...
in the finals. Suwama finished the Carnival with 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, which earned him 7 points.
On April 29, 2008, Suwama defeated Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
to win the All Japan Triple Crown Championship.
Suwama first defended the Triple Crown on June 28, 2008 vs Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
beating Nashimura with the Last Ride. Suwama challenged Taiyo Kea
Taiyo Kea
Maunakea Mossman is an American professional wrestler, better known under his stage name Taiyō Kea . Although he was born in Hawaii, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan-based All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion...
and Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
on August 3, 2008 for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
teaming with Osamu Nishimura but did not win the belts. Suwama's second defense of the Triple crown was on August 31, 2008 vs Taiyo Kea it went to a 60 minute time limit draw. Suwama team up with Ryuji Hijikata
Ryuji Hijikata
is a Japanese professional wrestler. Born May 17, 1978. Started wrestling in 1998 for Yuki Isikawa's BattlARTS promotion and All Japan Pro Wrestling since 2002 where he was a former AJPW World Jr...
in the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
Tournament on January 2–3, 2009 to crown new AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champions. Suwama and Hijikata got eliminated in the first round of the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship Tournament they lost to Satoshi Kojima and KAI when Kojima used a lariat on Hijikata. Suwama and Shuji Kondo defeated Joe Doering and ZODIAC
Aaron Aguilera
Aaron Aguilera , is a Mexican American professional wrestler and actor best known as Jesús and Uno on World Wrestling Entertainment and MTV's Wrestling Society X...
on March 1rs 2009 to become the number one contenders for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship but did not win the Championship from Taiyō Kea and Minoru Suzuki. On August 29, 2010, Suwama defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the AJPW Triple Crown Championship for the second time. He would go on to lose the title to Jun Akiyama
Jun Akiyama
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. Akiyama is known for his serious style and outstanding, time-tested work as a tag team wrestler...
on October 23, 2011.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Ankle lock
- Bridging belly to back suplex
- Bridging german suplex
- Last Ride (Elevated powerbomb)
- Signature moves
- Double forehand chop
- Frog splash
- Lariat, sometimes while rolling
- Multiple suplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
variations
-
-
- Capture
- Deadlift release german
- Half nelson
- Release belly to belly
- Trapping
- Release powerbomb
- Running front powerslam
- Running shoulder block, sometimes from the tope rope or from the apron to the outside
- Turning belly to belly slam
-
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Champion's CarnivalChampion's CarnivalThe Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
(2008) - Taiwan Cup (2009)
- January 2 Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal Winner (2005)
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #14 of the best 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011
- Tenryu Project
- Tenryu Project Six Man Tag Team ChampionshipWAR World Six-Man Tag Team ChampionshipThe WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship is a tag team title previously contested for in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Wrestle Association R ....
(1 Time, current)- with ArashiIsao TakagiIsao Takagi , who goes by the stage name Arashi, is a Japanese professional wrestler from Moriguchi, Osaka Prefecture, who works for Dradition. He has previously worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling.-Career:...
and Tomohiro Ishii
- Tenryu Project Six Man Tag Team Championship
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Performance Award (2010)
- Tag Team Of The Year (2006)- with TARU, Shuji Kondo, & "brother" YASSHI