The Holy Demon Army
Encyclopedia
The Holy Demon Army is a professional wrestling
tag team that competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s. The team consisted of Toshiaki Kawada
and Akira Taue
. The HDA is the most successful and dominate team in the history of All Japan as they held the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
a record 6 times as well as having won the World's Strongest Tag League on 2 occasions.
broke up and Taue's team with Jumbo Tsuruta
ended when Tsuruta's full-time wrestling career ended due to Hepatitis B. The team was given their first shot at the AJPW Unified World Tag team Championship on May 20, 1993 against the Miracle Violence Connection
. The Army was successful and won their first championship. The team held the titles for 3 1/2 months and made two successful title defenses against future nemeses: Misawa and Kenta Kobashi
and a rematch against the Miracle Violence Connection before eventually losing the titles to Stan Hansen
and Ted Dibiase
on September 3, 1993. Two months later, The Holy Demon Army entered the 1993 World's Strongest Tag League hoping to regain the Tag Team Titles (that were vacated with the tournament winners becoming the new champions), despite it being their first tournament, the HDA finished 3rd with 11 points while Misawa and Kobashi won.
A few months later on May 21, 1994, the Holy Demon Army were granted a title shot against Misawa and Kobashi; the match went over 40 minutes but the Army came up short. Despite failing to win the titles, Kawada enjoyed success winning the 1994 Champion's Carnival
on April 16, 1994. Six months later, on October 22, 1994, Kawada won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship from Steve Williams. After the Triple Crown victory, the Army entered the 1994 World's Strongest Tag League but once again came in 3rd with Misawa and Kobashi winning for the second time.
On January 24, 1995, HDA got another title shot against Misawa and Kobashi but the match this time ended in a 60-minute time limit draw. Things got worse on March 4, 1995 when Kawada lost the Triple Crown to Stan Hansen leaving the Holy Demon Army with no gold. Despite the setbacks, HDA bounced back on June 9, 1995 when they defeated Misawa and Kobashi to win the tag team titles for the second time. After winning the titles, The Army made three successful title defenses, defeating Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
, Johnny Ace
and The Patriot
as well as wrestling Misawa and Kobashi to a 60-minute time limit draw. The team entered the 1995 World's Strongest Tag league; they had their best outing yet as they ended up tying in first place with Misawa and Kobashi. The tie was settled on a final match to decide the winners of the tournament with Misawa and Kobashi winning for the third straight year.
Entering the new year, HDA lost the tag titles to Stan Hansen and Gary Albright
on January 24, 1996. One month later, on February 20, 1996, the Holy Demon Army received a rematch and won the titles back for the third time. During their third reign, Taue won the 1996 Champion's Carnival. On May 23, 1996 The Army lost the titles to Misawa and his new partner, Jun Akiyama
. In an interesting turn of events, only 48 hours later on May 25, Taue got revenge for the Army when he defeated Misawa to win the Triple Crown. After Taue lost the title to Kenta Kobashi on July 24, HDA resumed their team. They entered the 1996 World's Strongest Tag League and after coming close the three previous years, the Army finally claimed their first Tag League by defeating Misawa and Akiyama in the finals.
Continuing their momentum,, the Holy Demon Army defeated Johnny Ace and Steve Williams on January 17, 1997 to regain the title for the fourth time. On April 19, 1997, Kawada won his second Champion's Carnival, but lost the tag titles to Kobashi and Ace on May 27, 1997. After the title loss, the Army wouldn't challenge for the rest of the year but entered the 1997 World's Strongest Tag League and once again emerged victorious as they once again defeated Misawa and Akiyama in the finals.
On January 25, 1998, The Hold Demon Army won their fifth Tag Team Championship by defeating Kobashi and Ace. This title reign was the team's most successful as they held the title for over 11 months and made four successful title defenses in that time. During the title reign, the Army won more gold when Kawada defeated Misawa to win his second Triple Crown on May 1, 1998 at All Japan's first Tokyo Dome show but he would eventually lose the title one month later to Kenta Kobashi on June 12, 1998.
The Army lost the titles on January 7, 1999 to Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama. Following the title loss, two weeks later on January 22, Kawada defeated Misawa out of nowhere to win his third Triple Crown; however during the match he broke his arm and would be forced to forfeit the championship on January 29. For the rest of 1999, HDA had a quiet year as they rarely teamed up as Kawada spent most of the year injured.
On June 9, 2000, the Holy Demon Army faced NO FEAR
(Takao Omori
and Yoshihiro Takayama
) for the vacant World Tag Team Titles. The Army made history as they won their record-setting sixth tag team title. The title reign wouldn't last. On June 16, 2000, the Holy Demon Army was stripped of the titles when it was announced Taue would be one of many wrestlers that would leave All Japan and follow Mitsuharu Misawa to Misawa's new promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
. Kawada would be one of three native talents (along with Hiroshi Hase and Masanobu Fuchi
) to remain with All Japan. Now in different promotions, The Holy Demon Army were no more.
. In 2005, Kawada became a Freelancer but would continue to wrestle for All Japan until 2008. After becoming a freelancer, he began wrestling various promotions including New Japan Pro Wrestling
where participated in the 2005 and 2008 G1 Climax
, Pro Wrestling NOAH where he main evented the Destiny 2005 Tokyo Dome show wrestling Misawa one last time. He also began wrestling for HUSTLE and Pro Wrestling ZERO1. In HUSTLE he won the 2008 HUSTLE GP and in ZERO1 he won the ZERO1 World Heavyweight Championship
in 2009.
Taue meanwhile, largely has phased himself out of the main event and into the midcard due to age and injuries. His only highlights include main eventing the first NOAH show on August 5, 2000 and having one reign with the GHC Heavyweight Championship
in 2005. In 2009, following the death of Mitsuharu Misawa, Taue became president of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
On October 3, 2009, The Holy Demon Army reunited for one match at the Mitsuharu Misawa Osaka Memorial show. In the main event, the Army defeated Jun Akiyama and KENTA
.
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...
tag team that competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s. The team consisted of 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 Akira Taue
Akira Taue
is a Japanese professional wrestler, and the current President of Pro Wrestling Noah. He is also a former AJPW Triple Crown champion, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and has had 14 5 Star Matches as awarded by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter....
. The HDA is the most successful and dominate team in the history of All Japan as they held 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...
a record 6 times as well as having won the World's Strongest Tag League on 2 occasions.
History
The Holy Demon Army first formed in 1993 after Kawada's team with Mitsuharu MisawaMitsuharu 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...
broke up and Taue's team with Jumbo Tsuruta
Jumbo Tsuruta
, better known by his ring name Jumbo Tsuruta, was a professional wrestler who wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling for most of his career, and is well-known for being the first ever AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, having won the PWF Heavyweight Championship, the NWA United National...
ended when Tsuruta's full-time wrestling career ended due to Hepatitis B. The team was given their first shot at the AJPW Unified World Tag team Championship on May 20, 1993 against the Miracle Violence Connection
Miracle Violence Connection
The Miracle Violence Connection was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
. The Army was successful and won their first championship. The team held the titles for 3 1/2 months and made two successful title defenses against future nemeses: Misawa and Kenta Kobashi
Kenta Kobashi
Not to be confused with his protégé Kenta Kobayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler currently under contract to Pro Wrestling Noah. He worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling from 1988–2000, where he became one of the promotion's top stars....
and a rematch against the Miracle Violence Connection before eventually losing the titles to Stan Hansen
Stan Hansen
John Stanley Hansen, Jr. is an American former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Stan Hansen. As a wrestler, Hansen was well known for his stiff wrestling style, which he attributes to poor eyesight, as he is nearly blind without glasses...
and Ted Dibiase
Ted DiBiase
Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career...
on September 3, 1993. Two months later, The Holy Demon Army entered the 1993 World's Strongest Tag League hoping to regain the Tag Team Titles (that were vacated with the tournament winners becoming the new champions), despite it being their first tournament, the HDA finished 3rd with 11 points while Misawa and Kobashi won.
A few months later on May 21, 1994, the Holy Demon Army were granted a title shot against Misawa and Kobashi; the match went over 40 minutes but the Army came up short. Despite failing to win the titles, Kawada enjoyed success winning the 1994 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,...
on April 16, 1994. Six months later, on October 22, 1994, Kawada won the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship from Steve Williams. After the Triple Crown victory, the Army entered the 1994 World's Strongest Tag League but once again came in 3rd with Misawa and Kobashi winning for the second time.
On January 24, 1995, HDA got another title shot against Misawa and Kobashi but the match this time ended in a 60-minute time limit draw. Things got worse on March 4, 1995 when Kawada lost the Triple Crown to Stan Hansen leaving the Holy Demon Army with no gold. Despite the setbacks, HDA bounced back on June 9, 1995 when they defeated Misawa and Kobashi to win the tag team titles for the second time. After winning the titles, The Army made three successful title defenses, defeating Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon
Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon were a professional wrestling tag team that wrestled in All Japan Pro Wrestling , Extreme Championship Wrestling , Universal Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation . They teamed up together for nine years from 1989 to 1999 and held success as tag team...
, Johnny Ace
John Laurinaitis
John Joseph Laurinaitis is the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations for WWE and appears on WWE's Raw Brand as interim General Manager. He was previously a professional wrestler under the ring name Johnny Ace, and wrestled for such promotions as the National Wrestling Alliance and All...
and The Patriot
Del Wilkes
Del Wilkes is a former American professional wrestler. Over the span of 14 years, he performed in various promotions such as American Wrestling Association, All Japan Pro Wrestling...
as well as wrestling Misawa and Kobashi to a 60-minute time limit draw. The team entered the 1995 World's Strongest Tag league; they had their best outing yet as they ended up tying in first place with Misawa and Kobashi. The tie was settled on a final match to decide the winners of the tournament with Misawa and Kobashi winning for the third straight year.
Entering the new year, HDA lost the tag titles to Stan Hansen and Gary Albright
Gary Albright
Gary Albright was an American professional wrestler who performed mainly in Stampede Wrestling in Canada and with UWF International and All Japan Pro Wrestling in Japan. Albright was a member through marriage of the famous Anoa'i wrestling family, including Afa and Sika, Yokozuna, Rikishi, and The...
on January 24, 1996. One month later, on February 20, 1996, the Holy Demon Army received a rematch and won the titles back for the third time. During their third reign, Taue won the 1996 Champion's Carnival. On May 23, 1996 The Army lost the titles to Misawa and his new partner, 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...
. In an interesting turn of events, only 48 hours later on May 25, Taue got revenge for the Army when he defeated Misawa to win the Triple Crown. After Taue lost the title to Kenta Kobashi on July 24, HDA resumed their team. They entered the 1996 World's Strongest Tag League and after coming close the three previous years, the Army finally claimed their first Tag League by defeating Misawa and Akiyama in the finals.
Continuing their momentum,, the Holy Demon Army defeated Johnny Ace and Steve Williams on January 17, 1997 to regain the title for the fourth time. On April 19, 1997, Kawada won his second Champion's Carnival, but lost the tag titles to Kobashi and Ace on May 27, 1997. After the title loss, the Army wouldn't challenge for the rest of the year but entered the 1997 World's Strongest Tag League and once again emerged victorious as they once again defeated Misawa and Akiyama in the finals.
On January 25, 1998, The Hold Demon Army won their fifth Tag Team Championship by defeating Kobashi and Ace. This title reign was the team's most successful as they held the title for over 11 months and made four successful title defenses in that time. During the title reign, the Army won more gold when Kawada defeated Misawa to win his second Triple Crown on May 1, 1998 at All Japan's first Tokyo Dome show but he would eventually lose the title one month later to Kenta Kobashi on June 12, 1998.
The Army lost the titles on January 7, 1999 to Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama. Following the title loss, two weeks later on January 22, Kawada defeated Misawa out of nowhere to win his third Triple Crown; however during the match he broke his arm and would be forced to forfeit the championship on January 29. For the rest of 1999, HDA had a quiet year as they rarely teamed up as Kawada spent most of the year injured.
On June 9, 2000, the Holy Demon Army faced NO FEAR
No Fear (professional wrestling)
No Fear was a professional wrestling tag team that consisted of Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama. During their history, the team competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
(Takao Omori
Takao Omori
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.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
and Yoshihiro Takayama
Yoshihiro Takayama
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Takayama is well known for his ability to endure massive amounts of punishment, especially after his fight at PRIDE 21 against Don Frye...
) for the vacant World Tag Team Titles. The Army made history as they won their record-setting sixth tag team title. The title reign wouldn't last. On June 16, 2000, the Holy Demon Army was stripped of the titles when it was announced Taue would be one of many wrestlers that would leave All Japan and follow Mitsuharu Misawa to Misawa's new promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Pro Wrestling NOAH
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
. Kawada would be one of three native talents (along with Hiroshi Hase and Masanobu Fuchi
Masanobu Fuchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. Fuchi holds the record for the longest AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign and has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling longer than any wrestler on the...
) to remain with All Japan. Now in different promotions, The Holy Demon Army were no more.
Aftermath and Reunion
After breaking up, Kawada would continue to be a top star in All Japan winning the Triple Crown two more times and the Unified World tag Team Title once more with Taiyo KeaTaiyo 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...
. In 2005, Kawada became a Freelancer but would continue to wrestle for All Japan until 2008. After becoming a freelancer, he began wrestling various promotions including 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...
where participated in the 2005 and 2008 G1 Climax
G1 Climax
The 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...
, Pro Wrestling NOAH where he main evented the Destiny 2005 Tokyo Dome show wrestling Misawa one last time. He also began wrestling for HUSTLE and Pro Wrestling ZERO1. In HUSTLE he won the 2008 HUSTLE GP and in ZERO1 he won the ZERO1 World Heavyweight Championship
ZERO1 World Heavyweight Championship
The Zero1 World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Zero1. It is one of Zero1's top two singles titles, along with the NWA United National Heavyweight Championship. It was first introduced on December 15, 2007...
in 2009.
Taue meanwhile, largely has phased himself out of the main event and into the midcard due to age and injuries. His only highlights include main eventing the first NOAH show on August 5, 2000 and having one reign with the GHC Heavyweight Championship
GHC Heavyweight Championship
The Global Honored Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah. It was created on April 15, 2001 when Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Yoshihiro Takayama in a 16-man tournament final...
in 2005. In 2009, following the death of Mitsuharu Misawa, Taue became president of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
On October 3, 2009, The Holy Demon Army reunited for one match at the Mitsuharu Misawa Osaka Memorial show. In the main event, the Army defeated Jun Akiyama and KENTA
Kenta Kobayashi
, also known by his ring name KENTA, is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a former three-time Global Honored Crown Junior Heavyweight Champion...
.
In Wrestling
- Double Team Finishing Moves
- Powerbomb/Nodowa Otoshi Combination
- Toshiaki Kawada
- Dangerous Kick (Roundhouse kickRoundhouse kickA roundhouse kick is a kick in which the attacker swings his leg around in a semicircular motion, striking with the front of the leg or foot. This type of kick is utilized in many different martial arts and is popular in both non-contact and full-contact martial arts competitions...
to the head or face of a seated opponent) - 2003–present - Folding powerbombPowerbombA powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted up and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a standing headscissors position...
- Gamengiri (Jumping high kick)
- Spike brainbuster
- Triple Crown Powerbomb
- Dangerous Kick (Roundhouse kick
- Akira Taue
- Multiple chokeslamChokeslamA chokeslam refers to a type of body slam in professional wrestling in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks powerful on camera...
variations- Chichibu Cement (Vertical suplex) – innovated
- I Am The Taue / Nodowa Otoshi / Ruby Erosion (Standing, sometimes from the top rope or of the apron)
- Ore ga Taue (Belly to back) – innovated
- Tsukuba Makiwari (Choke suplex)
- Multiple chokeslam
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 Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
(6 TimesAJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
) - World's Strongest Tag League (1996, 1997)
- AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (4 Times)- Kawada (3) & Taue (1)
- 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,...
(1994, 1996, 1997)- Kawada (94, 97) Taue (96)
- AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
- 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 named them #8 of the best 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Tag Team of the Year (1997)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- 5 Star Match (1993) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi on December 3
- 5 Star Match (1994) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi on May 21
- 5 Star Match (1995) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi on January 24
- 5 Star Match (1995) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi on June 9
- 5 Star Match (1996) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama on May 23
- 5 Star Match (1996) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama on December 6
- 5 Star Match (1997) vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama on December 5
External links
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/Teams-HDA.html
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/taue.html
- http://www.puroresucentral.com/kawada.html
- http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/akirataue.php
- http://www.purolove.com/ajpw/profiles/toshiakikawada.php