RISE (professional wrestling)
Encyclopedia
RISE was a professional wrestling
stable that competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling
and was led by Shinsuke Nakamura
. The group was a spinoff group of BLACK which also featured Nakamura as a co-leader with Masahiro Chono
and featured Giant Bernard, Travis Tomko
, and Milano Collection AT as members.
left BLACK to form LEGEND with other New Japan legends. In September, upon returning from injury, Shinsuke Nakamura reshaped BLACK into RISE. For the new group, Nakamura retained the services of Giant Bernard, Travis Tomko
, and Milano Collection AT and recruited Hirooki Goto
, Minoru, and Prince Devitt. The groups saw success very quickly with Bernard and Tomko already holding the IWGP Tag Team Championship and by November, they also won the 2007 G1 Tag League.
and hold 3/4 of the championships in New Japan as Nakamura defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom II In Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2008. Three weeks later on January 27th, Minoru and Devitt defeated Taka Michinoku and Dick Togo to win the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. RISE's dominence wouldn't last. By February, Low Ki would suffer an injury that would keep him out for months. On February 17, Minoru and Devitt lost the IWGP Jr. Tag Titles to LEGEND's Jushin Thunder Liger and AKIRA
, Bernard and Tomko lost the IWGP Tag Titles to the Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe
and Toru Yano
). Despite the losses, RISE would win the big one as Nakamura defeated Kurt Angle
to retain the IWGP Title and win the IWGP 3rd Championship, thus unifying the titles. After the February 17th show, RISE lost Tomko as a member as New Japan decided not to renew his contract. In March, Bernard and Goto entered the 2008 New Japan Cup with both losing to Tanahashi (Goto in the 1st round and Bernard in the finals). On March 9, Nakamura and Bernard challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship but the match ended in a no contest.
On March 30, Nakamura defeated Tanahashi to retain the IWGP Title. On April 27, Nakamura lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Keiji Mutoh
. in June, Devitt and Minoru entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament but neither won as Minoru finished third in his block while Devitt was injured in his first match and had to withdraw. In July, RISE added Rick Fuller
to the group who formed a team with Bernard. On July 21, Minoru and Devitt defeated Liger and AKIRA in a rematch to regain the IWGP Jr. Tag Titles while Bernard and Fuller challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Title but they came up short.
In August, Nakamura, Goto, and Bernard entered the G1 Climax tournament with Goto ultimately winning the tournament defeating Togi Makabe in the finals. Weeks later on August 30, Goto entered All Japan Pro Wrestling
to challenge Mutoh for the IWGP Title but lost. On September 5, Nakamura and Goto challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship but lost the match when Bernard and Fuller betrayed them and cost them the match. Shortly after the match, Bernard, Fuller, and Low Ki (returning from injury) all joined GBH
. On October 13 at DESTRUCTION '08, Minoru and Devitt lost the Jr. Tag Team Titles to NO LIMIT (Yujiro Takahashi
and Tetsuya Naito
), Goto fought Bernard but lost, and Nakamura challenged Mutoh for the IWGP Title but he too lost. In October, Nakamura and Goto entered the 2008 G1 Tag League while Milano entered with Taichi Ishikari
but neither team won as Milano finished last in his block while Nakamura and Goto lost in the semi-finals to Makabe and Yano. On December 8, Goto once again fought Giant Bernard but once again was denied revenge, but Nakamura was able to defeat Yano.
, and Nobuo Yoshihashi in the pre-show match, Devitt teamed Ryusuke Taguchi
and Mistico
to defeat Averno, Jado, and Gedo
, and finally Nakamura and Goto defeated Mitsuharu Misawa
and Takashi Sugiura
. In late January, Minoru left New Japan and RISE to become a freelancer
. On February 15, Nakamura challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but lost. In March, Nakamura, Goto, and Milano entered the 2009 New Japan Cup. Milano and Nakamura both made it to round two while Goto was able to win the tournament defeating Giant Bernard in the finals. On April 5, at RESOLUTION '09, Nakamura turned Heel
during his match with Togi Makabe when Toru Yano betrayed Makabe and assisted Nakamura during the match. Following the event, Nakamura left RISE and created a new stable: CHAOS
. After Nakamura defected, RISE began to decline and despite the fact RISE would continue, the group largely went dorment as Goto returning to the New Japan Sekigun while Milano and Devitt would form teams and began feuding with each other.
By February 2010, Milano retired due to injuries and RISE quietly broke up.
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...
stable that competed in 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...
and was led by Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion.-Super Rookie :...
. The group was a spinoff group of BLACK which also featured Nakamura as a co-leader with Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
and featured Giant Bernard, Travis Tomko
Travis Tomko
Travis David Tomko is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name Tomko, who most recently worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he previously was a member of Christian's Coalition and the Angle Alliance and often worked alongside A.J. Styles. He was also notable for his...
, and Milano Collection AT as members.
2007
In August 2007, Masahiro ChonoMasahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
left BLACK to form LEGEND with other New Japan legends. In September, upon returning from injury, Shinsuke Nakamura reshaped BLACK into RISE. For the new group, Nakamura retained the services of Giant Bernard, Travis Tomko
Travis Tomko
Travis David Tomko is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name Tomko, who most recently worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he previously was a member of Christian's Coalition and the Angle Alliance and often worked alongside A.J. Styles. He was also notable for his...
, and Milano Collection AT and recruited Hirooki Goto
Hirooki Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the...
, Minoru, and Prince Devitt. The groups saw success very quickly with Bernard and Tomko already holding the IWGP Tag Team Championship and by November, they also won the 2007 G1 Tag League.
2008
By January 2008, RISE would recruit Low KiLow Ki
Brandon Silvestry is an American professional wrestler. He is best known under his ring names Low Ki, Senshi in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and Kaval in World Wrestling Entertainment. He is a former one-time PWG World Champion and a former ROH Champion...
and hold 3/4 of the championships in New Japan as Nakamura defeated 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:...
for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom II In Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2008. Three weeks later on January 27th, Minoru and Devitt defeated Taka Michinoku and Dick Togo to win the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship. RISE's dominence wouldn't last. By February, Low Ki would suffer an injury that would keep him out for months. On February 17, Minoru and Devitt lost the IWGP Jr. Tag Titles to LEGEND's Jushin Thunder Liger and AKIRA
Akira Nogami
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion as AKIRA.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :...
, Bernard and Tomko lost the IWGP Tag Titles to the Most Violent Players (Togi Makabe
Togi Makabe
, better known by his ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Tag Team Champion....
and Toru Yano
Toru Yano
, is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion.-New Japan Pro Wrestling :...
). Despite the losses, RISE would win the big one as Nakamura defeated Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
to retain the IWGP Title and win the IWGP 3rd Championship, thus unifying the titles. After the February 17th show, RISE lost Tomko as a member as New Japan decided not to renew his contract. In March, Bernard and Goto entered the 2008 New Japan Cup with both losing to Tanahashi (Goto in the 1st round and Bernard in the finals). On March 9, Nakamura and Bernard challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship but the match ended in a no contest.
On March 30, Nakamura defeated Tanahashi to retain the IWGP Title. On April 27, Nakamura lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship 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...
. in June, Devitt and Minoru entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament but neither won as Minoru finished third in his block while Devitt was injured in his first match and had to withdraw. In July, RISE added Rick Fuller
Rick Fuller
Richard Fuller is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances World Championship Wrestling. He would later be featured in several video games including WCW Nitro and WCW/NWO Thunder....
to the group who formed a team with Bernard. On July 21, Minoru and Devitt defeated Liger and AKIRA in a rematch to regain the IWGP Jr. Tag Titles while Bernard and Fuller challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Title but they came up short.
In August, Nakamura, Goto, and Bernard entered the G1 Climax tournament with Goto ultimately winning the tournament defeating Togi Makabe in the finals. Weeks later on August 30, Goto entered 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 :...
to challenge Mutoh for the IWGP Title but lost. On September 5, Nakamura and Goto challenged Makabe and Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship but lost the match when Bernard and Fuller betrayed them and cost them the match. Shortly after the match, Bernard, Fuller, and Low Ki (returning from injury) all joined GBH
Great Bash Heel
Great Bash Heel, often abbreviated to G・B・H, was a professional wrestling stable, and is currently a tag team, in New Japan Pro Wrestling . It was the top heel group in New Japan Pro Wrestling, before April 2009, when the rest of the group turned on their leader, Togi Makabe, and formed a new...
. On October 13 at DESTRUCTION '08, Minoru and Devitt lost the Jr. Tag Team Titles to NO LIMIT (Yujiro Takahashi
Yujiro Takahashi
, also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No...
and Tetsuya Naito
Tetsuya Naitō
is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit....
), Goto fought Bernard but lost, and Nakamura challenged Mutoh for the IWGP Title but he too lost. In October, Nakamura and Goto entered the 2008 G1 Tag League while Milano entered with Taichi Ishikari
Taichi Ishikari
Maki Taichiro is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Taichi Ishikari or simply Taichi, currently performing in New Japan Pro Wrestling...
but neither team won as Milano finished last in his block while Nakamura and Goto lost in the semi-finals to Makabe and Yano. On December 8, Goto once again fought Giant Bernard but once again was denied revenge, but Nakamura was able to defeat Yano.
2009
In 2009, at Wrestle Kingdom III In Tokyo Dome, Milano, Minoru, and Taichi defeated Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Kazuchika OkadaKazuchika Okada
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. From February 2010 until October 2011, he was on a developmental tour, working for American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Okada.-Training and debut:Trained by Último Dragón at his Toryumon...
, and Nobuo Yoshihashi in the pre-show match, Devitt teamed Ryusuke Taguchi
Ryusuke Taguchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion....
and Mistico
Místico
Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE, working on its SmackDown brand under the name Sin Cara...
to defeat Averno, Jado, and Gedo
Gedo
Gedo is an administrative region , formerly part of the historic Upper Juba Region in southern Somalia. Its regional capital is Garbahaarreey. Gedo is a region created in 1980s and is bordered by the Ogaden in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and the Somali regions of Bakool, Bay,...
, and finally Nakamura and Goto defeated Mitsuharu Misawa
Mitsuharu Misawa
was a Japanese professional wrestler. He made his professional debut on August 21, 1981 for All Japan Pro Wrestling . From 1984 until 1990, Misawa wrestled as the second generation Tiger Mask, as All Japan Pro Wrestling had purchased the rights of the Tiger Mask gimmick from New Japan Pro Wrestling...
and Takashi Sugiura
Takashi Sugiura
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined NOAH's dojo in 2000, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make his pro wrestling debut in NOAH. He has also...
. In late January, Minoru left New Japan and RISE to become a freelancer
Freelancer
A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is somebody who is self-employed and is not committed to a particular employer long term. These workers are often represented by a company or an agency that resells their labor and that of others to its clients with or without project management and...
. On February 15, Nakamura challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but lost. In March, Nakamura, Goto, and Milano entered the 2009 New Japan Cup. Milano and Nakamura both made it to round two while Goto was able to win the tournament defeating Giant Bernard in the finals. On April 5, at RESOLUTION '09, Nakamura turned Heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
during his match with Togi Makabe when Toru Yano betrayed Makabe and assisted Nakamura during the match. Following the event, Nakamura left RISE and created a new stable: CHAOS
Chaos (professional wrestling)
CHAOS is a Japanese professional wrestling stable formed by Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano in New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Formation:In April 2009, Toru Yano turned on Togi Makabe, costing Makabe the match against Shinsuke Nakamura. As Nakamura continued the attack on Makabe, Tomoaki Honma tried to...
. After Nakamura defected, RISE began to decline and despite the fact RISE would continue, the group largely went dorment as Goto returning to the New Japan Sekigun while Milano and Devitt would form teams and began feuding with each other.
By February 2010, Milano retired due to injuries and RISE quietly broke up.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Inoki Genome FederationInoki Genome FederationInoki Genome Federation is a professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007.The IGF is now also the official National Wrestling Alliance territory of Japan, since Antonio Inoki is the person who holds those rights and transferred them to IGF from New Japan Pro...
- IWGP 3rd Belt Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)- Nakamura
- New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis 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...
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)- Nakamura
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 Time)- Bernard and Tomko
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on August 8, 1998 at a NJPW live event...
(2 Times)- Minoru and Devitt - G1 ClimaxG1 ClimaxThe G1 Climax professional wrestling tournament is a weeklong event held each August by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. The G1 draws standing room only crowds each night, record receipt gates and generates front-page coverage on the sports sections of several of the daily newspapers in Tokyo...
(2008)- Goto - G1 Tag LeagueG1 Climax Tag LeagueThe G1 Climax Tag League is a professional wrestling round-robin tag team tournament held by New Japan Pro Wrestling as a spin-off of the popular singles tournament, the G1 Climax. It was created in 1991 as the Super Grade Tag League, as a continuation of a regular tag team tournament held since...
(2007)- Bernard and Tomko - New Japan CupNew Japan CupThe New Japan Cup is an annual single-elimination professional wrestling tournament held by New Japan Pro Wrestling. Originally intended for every April, it was rescheduled to March in 2007. Though NJPW also runs the annual G1 Climax tournament, the NJC is different in that it is...
(2009)- Goto