Tom Howard
Encyclopedia
Tom Howard is an American
professional wrestler
, and actor
. He is best known for his Green Beret role in K-1
and Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX
in Japan. As a veteran competitor and instructor, Howard has worked for the following organizations: WWE (wrestler- instructor), WCW (wrestler), Zero One-Japan (wrestler-instructor), UFO-Japan (wrestler-instructor), K1-Japan (fighter - MMA, kickboxing), Cage Rage-England (fighter), IFL (fighter), All Japan-Japan (wrestler), Noah-Japan (wrestler), IGF-Japan (wrestler), Hustle (wrestler), AAA-Mexico (wrestler) & UPW (wrestler-instructor).
In 2006, Howard retired from competition and began working in the entertainment industry (film, television and commercial). He has numerous US and International credits as an Actor, Stuntman, Producer, Technical Producer, Action Coordinator, and Fight Scene Choreographer. Howard is also co-owner of The Fight Pros, a company specializing in providing consulting, casting and production for the Film/TV & Commercial industries, and Rebirth Productions, a production company specializing in creating and developing unscripted television properties.
, lucha libre
and puroresu
at the School of Hard Knocks wrestling training school. His first match was against Bobby Bradley Jr. at the Silver Nugget Casino in October 1994. In early 1995, Howard began appearing on NWC (National Wrestling Conference) Television in Las Vegas
and quickly became popular wrestling under the name Zuma.
In 1995, Howard was recruited to wrestle on television in Mexico where he quickly became popular wrestling for AAA
Lucha Libre as KGB - Howard lived in Mexico City and appeared on AAA's television show for 2 years. In 1996, Howard returned to the United States to compete in Antonio Inoki
's World Wrestling Peace Festival in Los Angeles, CA. While In Los Angeles, Howard took a break from wrestling to train in Sambo with Gokor Chivichyan
& Gene Lebell
for No Holds Barred
competition.
In late 1996, Howard and Rick Bassman formed Ultimate Pro Wrestling. Tom acted as the head instructor for the school, Ultimate University and also began competing in the ring regularly for UPW. Tom's former students include WWE wrestlers such as: John Cena
, Victoria
, Chris Masters, Aaron Aguilera
, Luther Reigns, Sakoda
, Heidenreich
, Nathan Jones
and The Predator
. In 1998, Howard signed a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation
. Tom's time was split as an instructor for the UPW and on the road performing in dark matches across the country.
On June 26, 2001 Howard pinned Tony Jones
to capture the Southern California Heavyweight title. On August 22, Howard became UPW's Shoot Champion when the Southern California title was renamed.
Howard competed against Shinya Hashimoto for a Zero One Fighting Athletes PPV - Shingeki I in Japan and was signed to a contract with the company. On August 30 - Shingeki II: Tom Howard knocked out Lee Young Gun in Tokyo, Japan. On May 8, 2002 Howard defeated Christopher Daniels
to unify the UPW and Shoot titles in Santa Ana, California
. Then on July 7 Howard & Nathan Jones defeated Steve Corino
& Rapid Fire Maldon at Sumo Hall in Japan on a Zero One pay-per-view. On December 15, Howard & Matt Ghaffari
beat Shinya Hashimoto
& Naoya Ogawa
to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship on a Zero One PPV.
On 7/13/01 Tom Howard and Sean McCully defeated Yuki Ishikawa and Yoshiaki Fujiwara when Howard used No. 42 on Fujiwara. On 5/19/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Naoya Ogawa and Yoshiaki Fujiwara defeated Tom Howard, The Predator and Steve Corino. On 5/23/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani/Masato Tanaka). On 6/27/02 Tom Howard, The Predator and Nathan Jones defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani/Masato Tanaka. On 6/29/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Kohei Sato. On 6/30/02 Shinya Hashimoto and Masato Tanaka defeated The Predatora and Tom Howard. On 7/28/02 Tom Howard, The Predator and C.W. Anderson defeated Shinya Hashimoto, Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Masato Tanaka. On 7/30/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. On 7/31/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Ogasawara and Ryouji Sai defeated Tom Howard, The Predator and Samoa Joe. On 8/2/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated The Predator, Tom Howard and C.W. Anderson.
In 3/2/03 Zero-One True Century Creation II: Tom Howard & Samoa Joe
defeated Gary Steele
& Steve Corino. On 3/9/03 Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani and Masato Tanaka) defeated Tom Howard/King Adamo for the PWF Tag Team Title. On April 11, 2003 Tom Howard & Steve Corino beat Mitsuharu Misawa & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (11:33) when Howard used the No. 55 on Kikuchi. On April 13, 2003 Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito beat Tom Howard & Steve Corino (11:06) when Akiyama used an Exploder on Corino. October 22 Howard defeated Adam Pearce
to regain the UPW Heavyweight Championship title in Santa Ana, California. On 1/31/04 Tom Howard defeated Prince Nana in Tokyo. On January 4, 2004 - Z1 Hustle-1: Mil Máscaras
& Dos Caras
& Sicodelico, Jr.
defeated Howard & Steve Corino & Dusty Rhodes
. On 2/29/04 Kohei Sato and Hirotaka Yokoi defeated Tom Howard and Zebra Man. On 7/9/04 Tom Howard defeated Steve Corino, Jason The Legend and Psycho Simpson in a cage match. On February 20 at the UPW 5th Anniversary Show, Howard & Christopher Daniels defeated Scott Hall
& Kevin Nash
. The on October 30, Howard defeated Oliver John to retain the UPW Heavyweight title. On February 23, 2005 Howard & The Predator
defeated Sean O'Haire
& Chuck Palumbo
. Finally, on July 20, Howard defeated Matt "Horshu" Weise to retain the UPW Heavyweight title.
Tom "Green Beret" Howard has also been featured in several video games in the US and Japan such as Fire Pro Wrestling, King of Coliseum and King of Coliseum 1 & 2.
and mixed martial arts
promotion, K-1
.
When asked about making the transition from Japanese Puroresu (Pro Wrestling) to K1 MMA and Kickboxing Howard was quoted in maxfighting.com as saying: "Jumping into this sport so late, I have been playing the catch up game since I started. My philosophy is to train my hardest, do my best and be happy with the outcome. I am not afraid of getting hurt and will fight anyone that they want to put in front of me at any time. I am not saying that to sound like a tough guy but the reality is that they (the K1 office) use their infinite wisdom to do their job in booking the fights and I need to do my job." When asked in the same article about how he got into wrestling and fighting in Japan, Howard explained: "I was doing Pro Wrestling in Japan on television for several years with a promotion called Zero One - The back story to this explains my introduction to K1: Zero One was an off shoot company of New Japan Pro Westling established by Shinya Hashimoto. Hashimoto was looking for a new Gaijin (foreign) wrestler to introduce, so I was brought over to wrestle him on a big pay per view called Shingeki. This was when Japanese Pro Wrestling was mimicing MMA so we wore MMA gloves and the matches had MMA rules. I guess the match was highly regarded because we made the covers of the wrestling magazines and even mainstream sports papers. After that I started to get a following in Japan and spent the next several years going back and forth between Japan and the USA for monthly tours. At the end of one of my annual contracts I received word from my manager and friend Rick Bassman that K1 was interested in signing me to a multi year/fight deal and everything just worked out from there. As I said before, I was a huge fan of K1 and had been following it heavily with all of the time I was spending in Japan."
He made his K1 MMA debut against France's Kristof Midoux
on New Year's Eve at K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
. He then fought Mongolian Wrestling champion Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee
(aka "Blue Wolf") at K-1 MMA ROMANEX in May 2004. This bout was particularly brutal with Howard being kneed in the head and face a total of 46 times. It was after this fight that K1 changed their MMA rules to make throwing knees to the head of a grounded opponent illegal. In his next K1 MMA fight, Howard fought against American kickboxer and K1 US Champion Carter Williams
in Hawai'i at Rumble on the Rock 6. This fight ended when William's threw a fury of punches on the ground causing cuts that required Howard to receive a total of 36 stitches. In June 2005, Howard fought in Hiroshima, Japan on the K1 Grand Prixs show under kickboxing rules against 7' 2", 400lb. South Korean Choi Hong-man
. This fight was featured in K1's Best Knockouts as Choi caught Howard with a knee to the Head causing a 6" cut up his forehead and knocking him half way across the ring. In August 2006, Tom Howard was recruited by the Antonio Inoki'sTokyo Sabres
to fight in the International Fight League
. His premier fight with the promotion came on September 6, 2006 against Krzysztof Soszynski
. In February 2007, Howard competed in the Cage Rage Championships at Wembley Arena in London, England against Wolfslaire fighter Tom Blackledge
. This fight ended quickly when Howard escaped from a takedown attempt and turned into a headkick by Blackledge causing a 5" cut which ended the fight and required 8 staples to close. In December 2007, Howard fought Eric "Butterbean" Esch in the main event of the World Cage Championship in Jasper, Alabama.
|Loss
|align=center|0-1
|
South Korea Choi Hong-man
|KO (knee strike)
|K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:11
|Hiroshima
, Japan
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-7
|
United States Eric Esch
|Submission (armlock)
|World Cage Championship
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:47
|Jasper, Alabama
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-6
|
Kingdom of England Tom Blackledge
|KO (head kick)
|Cage Rage 20
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:29
|London
, England
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-5
|
Poland Krzysztof Soszynski
|TKO (punches)
|International Fight League
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:47
|Portland, Oregon
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-4
|
Hungary Christian Wellisch
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Valor Fighting: Showdown At Cache Creek
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:11
|Brooks, California
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-3
| United States Carter Williams
|KO (punches)
|Rumble on the Rock
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:16
|Honolulu, Hawaii
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-2
|
Mongolia Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee
|TKO (knees)
|K-1 MMA ROMANEX
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:44
|Saitama
, Japan
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-1
|
Early Modern France Kristof Midoux
|Submission (rear naked choke)
|K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:21
|Nagoya, Japan
|
|-
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is best known for his Green Beret role in K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
and Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX
Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX
Pro Wrestling Zero1 , formerly known as Pro Wrestling Zero-One and Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 2001. It was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance from 2001 until late 2004 and again from 2011 onwards...
in Japan. As a veteran competitor and instructor, Howard has worked for the following organizations: WWE (wrestler- instructor), WCW (wrestler), Zero One-Japan (wrestler-instructor), UFO-Japan (wrestler-instructor), K1-Japan (fighter - MMA, kickboxing), Cage Rage-England (fighter), IFL (fighter), All Japan-Japan (wrestler), Noah-Japan (wrestler), IGF-Japan (wrestler), Hustle (wrestler), AAA-Mexico (wrestler) & UPW (wrestler-instructor).
In 2006, Howard retired from competition and began working in the entertainment industry (film, television and commercial). He has numerous US and International credits as an Actor, Stuntman, Producer, Technical Producer, Action Coordinator, and Fight Scene Choreographer. Howard is also co-owner of The Fight Pros, a company specializing in providing consulting, casting and production for the Film/TV & Commercial industries, and Rebirth Productions, a production company specializing in creating and developing unscripted television properties.
Professional wrestling
In 1993, Tom Howard began training under Jesse Hernandez and Bill Anderson in professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
, lucha libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
and puroresu
Professional wrestling in Japan
Puroresu is the popular term for the predominant style or genre of professional wrestling that has developed in Japan. The term comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "professional wrestling" , which is shortened to puroresu . The term became popular among English-speaking fans due to Hisaharu...
at the School of Hard Knocks wrestling training school. His first match was against Bobby Bradley Jr. at the Silver Nugget Casino in October 1994. In early 1995, Howard began appearing on NWC (National Wrestling Conference) Television in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
and quickly became popular wrestling under the name Zuma.
In 1995, Howard was recruited to wrestle on television in Mexico where he quickly became popular wrestling for AAA
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración is a lucha libre professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico...
Lucha Libre as KGB - Howard lived in Mexico City and appeared on AAA's television show for 2 years. In 1996, Howard returned to the United States to compete in Antonio Inoki
Antonio Inoki
is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who now resides between New York City and Tokyo. He was also the founder and former owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling before selling his controlling share in the promotion to Yukes...
's World Wrestling Peace Festival in Los Angeles, CA. While In Los Angeles, Howard took a break from wrestling to train in Sambo with Gokor Chivichyan
Gokor Chivichyan
Gokor Chivichyan is an Armenian Judo, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts instructor. Gokor currently trains professional and amateur fighters at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood. Chivichyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia....
& Gene Lebell
Gene LeBell
Ivan Gene LeBell is a former American Judo champion, instructor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows, and has authored a number of books.In 2000, he was promoted to 9th Dan in US Ju-Jitsu...
for No Holds Barred
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
competition.
In late 1996, Howard and Rick Bassman formed Ultimate Pro Wrestling. Tom acted as the head instructor for the school, Ultimate University and also began competing in the ring regularly for UPW. Tom's former students include WWE wrestlers such as: John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
, Victoria
Lisa Marie Varon
Lisa Marie Varon , is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and fitness competitor of Puerto Rican and Turkish descent...
, Chris Masters, Aaron Aguilera
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...
, Luther Reigns, Sakoda
Sakoda
Sakoda may refer to:* Louie Sakoda, an American Football kicker* Ryan Sakoda, a Japanese American professional wrestler* Saori Sakoda, a Japanese volleyball player...
, Heidenreich
Jon Heidenreich
Jon Heidenreich is an American professional wrestler, better known simply as Heidenreich. He is best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one time WWE Tag Team Champion with Road Warrior Animal as a part of the Road Warriors.-Early career:Prior to professional...
, Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones (wrestler)
Nathan Boyce Jones is an Australian actor, powerlifting champion, strongman, and retired professional wrestler...
and The Predator
Sylvester Terkay
Sylvester Terkay is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist best known for his run in World Wrestling Entertainment ....
. In 1998, Howard signed a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. Tom's time was split as an instructor for the UPW and on the road performing in dark matches across the country.
On June 26, 2001 Howard pinned Tony Jones
Tony Jones (wrestler)
Anthony "Tony" Jones is an American professional wrestler who competes in North American independent promotions, specifically California-based All-Pro Wrestling, Ultimate Pro Wrestling and Xtreme Pro Wrestling....
to capture the Southern California Heavyweight title. On August 22, Howard became UPW's Shoot Champion when the Southern California title was renamed.
Howard competed against Shinya Hashimoto for a Zero One Fighting Athletes PPV - Shingeki I in Japan and was signed to a contract with the company. On August 30 - Shingeki II: Tom Howard knocked out Lee Young Gun in Tokyo, Japan. On May 8, 2002 Howard defeated Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
to unify the UPW and Shoot titles in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
. Then on July 7 Howard & Nathan Jones defeated Steve Corino
Steve Corino
Steven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
& Rapid Fire Maldon at Sumo Hall in Japan on a Zero One pay-per-view. On December 15, Howard & Matt Ghaffari
Matt Ghaffari
Siamak Ghaffari is an American-Iranian Olympic silver-medal winning wrestler. He was a two-time Olympic team member obtaining a silver medal after losing against Alexander Karelin in the final of 1996. In total holds four World and Olympic MedalsGhaffari attended Paramus High School in Paramus,...
beat Shinya Hashimoto
Shinya Hashimoto
, was a Japanese professional wrestler. Along with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh, Hashimoto was dubbed one of the "Three Musketeers" that began competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling in the mid 1980s and dominated the promotion in the 1990s....
& Naoya Ogawa
Naoya Ogawa
Naoya Ogawa is a Japanese former world judo champion, Olympic silver medalist, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist...
to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship on a Zero One PPV.
On 7/13/01 Tom Howard and Sean McCully defeated Yuki Ishikawa and Yoshiaki Fujiwara when Howard used No. 42 on Fujiwara. On 5/19/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Naoya Ogawa and Yoshiaki Fujiwara defeated Tom Howard, The Predator and Steve Corino. On 5/23/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani/Masato Tanaka). On 6/27/02 Tom Howard, The Predator and Nathan Jones defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani/Masato Tanaka. On 6/29/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Kohei Sato. On 6/30/02 Shinya Hashimoto and Masato Tanaka defeated The Predatora and Tom Howard. On 7/28/02 Tom Howard, The Predator and C.W. Anderson defeated Shinya Hashimoto, Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Masato Tanaka. On 7/30/02 Tom Howard and The Predator defeated Shinya Hashimoto and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. On 7/31/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Kazuhiko Ogasawara and Ryouji Sai defeated Tom Howard, The Predator and Samoa Joe. On 8/2/02 Shinya Hashimoto, Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Tatsuhito Takaiwa defeated The Predator, Tom Howard and C.W. Anderson.
In 3/2/03 Zero-One True Century Creation II: Tom Howard & Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
defeated Gary Steele
Gary Steele
Gary Steele is a retired British professional wrestler, who has competed in European and North American promotions and has been a popular longtime mainstay of NWA UK Hammerlock since the mid-1990s...
& Steve Corino. On 3/9/03 Emblem (Shinjiro Ohtani and Masato Tanaka) defeated Tom Howard/King Adamo for the PWF Tag Team Title. On April 11, 2003 Tom Howard & Steve Corino beat Mitsuharu Misawa & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (11:33) when Howard used the No. 55 on Kikuchi. On April 13, 2003 Jun Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito beat Tom Howard & Steve Corino (11:06) when Akiyama used an Exploder on Corino. October 22 Howard defeated Adam Pearce
Adam Pearce
Adam Pearce is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is the current NWA World Heavyweight Champion in his fourth reign and the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. He is also a former PWG Champion....
to regain the UPW Heavyweight Championship title in Santa Ana, California. On 1/31/04 Tom Howard defeated Prince Nana in Tokyo. On January 4, 2004 - Z1 Hustle-1: Mil Máscaras
Mil Máscaras
Aaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores...
& Dos Caras
Dos Caras
José Luis Rodríguez is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado who wrestles under the ring name Dos Caras . Dos Caras' most active years were in the 1970s and 80s, and achieved his greatest success in Mexico's Universal Wrestling Alliance winning the UWA World Heavyweight Championship three times...
& Sicodelico, Jr.
Sicodelico, Jr.
Aaron Rodríguez , better known by his ring name Sicodelico, Jr., is a Mexican professional wrestler. Rodríguez is the son of Sicodelico and the nephew of Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras, and the cousin of Alberto del Rio...
defeated Howard & Steve Corino & Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
. On 2/29/04 Kohei Sato and Hirotaka Yokoi defeated Tom Howard and Zebra Man. On 7/9/04 Tom Howard defeated Steve Corino, Jason The Legend and Psycho Simpson in a cage match. On February 20 at the UPW 5th Anniversary Show, Howard & Christopher Daniels defeated Scott Hall
Scott Hall
Scott Hall is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation in the early and mid 1990s under the ring name Razor Ramon, as well as for his period in the mid 1990s and early 2000s with World Championship Wrestling under his real name...
& Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
. The on October 30, Howard defeated Oliver John to retain the UPW Heavyweight title. On February 23, 2005 Howard & The Predator
Sylvester Terkay
Sylvester Terkay is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist best known for his run in World Wrestling Entertainment ....
defeated Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire
Sean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
& Chuck Palumbo
Chuck Palumbo
Charles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
. Finally, on July 20, Howard defeated Matt "Horshu" Weise to retain the UPW Heavyweight title.
Tom "Green Beret" Howard has also been featured in several video games in the US and Japan such as Fire Pro Wrestling, King of Coliseum and King of Coliseum 1 & 2.
Kickboxing and mixed martial arts
In 2003, Tom Howard signed a 2 year fight contract with Japanese kickboxingKickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
and mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
promotion, K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
.
When asked about making the transition from Japanese Puroresu (Pro Wrestling) to K1 MMA and Kickboxing Howard was quoted in maxfighting.com as saying: "Jumping into this sport so late, I have been playing the catch up game since I started. My philosophy is to train my hardest, do my best and be happy with the outcome. I am not afraid of getting hurt and will fight anyone that they want to put in front of me at any time. I am not saying that to sound like a tough guy but the reality is that they (the K1 office) use their infinite wisdom to do their job in booking the fights and I need to do my job." When asked in the same article about how he got into wrestling and fighting in Japan, Howard explained: "I was doing Pro Wrestling in Japan on television for several years with a promotion called Zero One - The back story to this explains my introduction to K1: Zero One was an off shoot company of New Japan Pro Westling established by Shinya Hashimoto. Hashimoto was looking for a new Gaijin (foreign) wrestler to introduce, so I was brought over to wrestle him on a big pay per view called Shingeki. This was when Japanese Pro Wrestling was mimicing MMA so we wore MMA gloves and the matches had MMA rules. I guess the match was highly regarded because we made the covers of the wrestling magazines and even mainstream sports papers. After that I started to get a following in Japan and spent the next several years going back and forth between Japan and the USA for monthly tours. At the end of one of my annual contracts I received word from my manager and friend Rick Bassman that K1 was interested in signing me to a multi year/fight deal and everything just worked out from there. As I said before, I was a huge fan of K1 and had been following it heavily with all of the time I was spending in Japan."
He made his K1 MMA debut against France's Kristof Midoux
Kristof Midoux
Kristof Midoux is a French semi-retired professional mixed martial artist who has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, bodogFIGHT, K-1, International Fighting Championships and Rumble on the Rock promotions...
on New Year's Eve at K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!! was an annual kickboxing and mixed martial arts event held by K-1 on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan...
. He then fought Mongolian Wrestling champion Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee
Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee
Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee is a Mongolian professional wrestler who wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He goes by the ring name Blue Wolf.-Career:Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee is the brother of Dolgorsürengiin Sumiyaabazar, a high ranking Mongolian...
(aka "Blue Wolf") at K-1 MMA ROMANEX in May 2004. This bout was particularly brutal with Howard being kneed in the head and face a total of 46 times. It was after this fight that K1 changed their MMA rules to make throwing knees to the head of a grounded opponent illegal. In his next K1 MMA fight, Howard fought against American kickboxer and K1 US Champion Carter Williams
Carter Williams
Carter Lee Williams is an American kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial artist, who fights out of Modesto Power in Modesto, California. He is a former North American Muay Thai champion and K-1 World GP in Las Vegas tournament champion....
in Hawai'i at Rumble on the Rock 6. This fight ended when William's threw a fury of punches on the ground causing cuts that required Howard to receive a total of 36 stitches. In June 2005, Howard fought in Hiroshima, Japan on the K1 Grand Prixs show under kickboxing rules against 7' 2", 400lb. South Korean Choi Hong-man
Choi Hong-man
Choi Hong-man , often anglicised to Hong-man Choi, is a South Korean kickboxer, mixed martial artist and former ssireum wrestler. In Asia he is called "Che Man", "Korean Monster" and "Korean Colossus"...
. This fight was featured in K1's Best Knockouts as Choi caught Howard with a knee to the Head causing a 6" cut up his forehead and knocking him half way across the ring. In August 2006, Tom Howard was recruited by the Antonio Inoki'sTokyo Sabres
Tokyo Sabres
The Tokyo Sabres are an International Fight League team based in Tokyo, Japan . The Sabres are coached by bodybuilder Ken Yasuda. Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki use to be a mentor to the Sabres but after their horrible 0-5 loss to the Los Angeles Anacondas Inoki broke all ties with the IFL...
to fight in the International Fight League
International Fight League
The International Fight League was an American mixed martial arts promotion billed as the world's first MMA league. It was founded on January 7, 2006 and closed on July 31, 2008...
. His premier fight with the promotion came on September 6, 2006 against Krzysztof Soszynski
Krzysztof Soszynski
Krzysztof Soszyński is a Polish-Canadian mixed martial artist. He fought for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League . After the demise of that organization, he moved to the UFC, appearing on season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter...
. In February 2007, Howard competed in the Cage Rage Championships at Wembley Arena in London, England against Wolfslaire fighter Tom Blackledge
Tom Blackledge
Tom Blackledge is an English mixed martial artist. He trains at Wolfslair MMA Academy in Liverpool, England. Blackledge is a Cage Rage veteran and was a coach on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Early career:...
. This fight ended quickly when Howard escaped from a takedown attempt and turned into a headkick by Blackledge causing a 5" cut which ended the fight and required 8 staples to close. In December 2007, Howard fought Eric "Butterbean" Esch in the main event of the World Cage Championship in Jasper, Alabama.
Instructor/trainer
- Trained several pro athletes in kickboxing and conditioning such as Daron Williams of NBA's Utah Jazz and PGA Pro Golfer Hunter Mahan
- Trained DVD on TV hosts Dave Holmes and Jennifer Lothrop on camera for FX airing of the film "The Marine"
- Acted as Trainer/Instructor and Technical Producer for Hulk Hogan Celebrity Championship Wrestling
- Trained Actor Jack BlackJack Black (actor)Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black is an American comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. The group has two albums as well as a television series and a film. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally...
in Pro Wrestling / Lucha Libre for film Nacho Libre
- Hosted / Starred in series Ultimate Pro Wrestling Training, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 - Video/DVD (SPY Video)
- Head Instructor for Ultimate University / UPW - Development territory for WWE - Instructed wrestlers such as: John CenaJohn CenaJohn Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
, VictoriaLisa Marie VaronLisa Marie Varon , is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and fitness competitor of Puerto Rican and Turkish descent...
, Chris Masters, Jesus AguileraAaron AguileraAaron 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...
, Luther Reigns, SakodaSakodaSakoda may refer to:* Louie Sakoda, an American Football kicker* Ryan Sakoda, a Japanese American professional wrestler* Saori Sakoda, a Japanese volleyball player...
, HeidenreichHeidenreichHeidenreich is a German surname which may be translated as "Land of the Heather," or "Power of the Heathens," or "Realm of the Heathens":* Heidenreich of Chełmno, first bishop of the Bishopric of Chełmno, 1245–1263...
, Nathan JonesNathan Jones (wrestler)Nathan Boyce Jones is an Australian actor, powerlifting champion, strongman, and retired professional wrestler...
, The Miz, Brian Kendrick, Mike Knox, Frankie Kazarian, Paul London, Samoa Joe, B-Boy, Hollywood Yates ("Wolf" on American Gladiators), Mike O'Hearn ("Titan" on American Gladiators), Evan Marriot (Reality show "Joe Millionaire") and The PredatorSylvester TerkaySylvester Terkay is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist best known for his run in World Wrestling Entertainment ....
- Co-hosted / Guest Starred: Ultimate Fighting Training series with Mark Kerr for Panther Video
- Instructor for UFO - Universal Fighting Organization - Japan (Television/Pay Per View)
Producer
- FX's DVD on TV - "The Marine" 2009 - Technical Producer
- Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling - 2008 - Technical Producer
- Ultimate Pro-Wrestling Training - Volume 1: Building a foundation - 2000 - Producer
- Ultimate Pro-Wrestling Training - Volume 2: The next step - 2000 - Producer
- Ultimate Pro-Wrestling Training - Volume 3: Building a match - 2000 - Producer
- Planned Parenthood - Commercial - 2000 - Producer
Film
- Sum Tum (2007) -
- DaredevilDaredevil (film)Daredevil is a 2003 American superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the film stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights for justice in the courtroom and out of the courtroom as the masked vigilante Daredevil...
(2003) - Blue Atomic (1999)
- True Vengeance (1997)
- JFKJFK (film)JFK is a 1991 American film directed by Oliver Stone. It examines the events leading to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and alleged subsequent cover-up, through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison .Garrison filed charges against New Orleans businessman Clay...
(1991)
Television
- The Good GuysThe Good GuysThe Good Guys is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from September 25, 1968 to January 23, 1970. 42 color episodes were filmed in all. As with The Governor & J.J. and Get Smart, it was produced by Talent Associates and CBS Productions...
(2010) - Death Valley - Pilot" (2010)
- FX's DVD on TV - "The Marine" (2009)
- Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship WrestlingHulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship WrestlingHulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling was an American reality television program broadcast on CMT that aired for eight episodes in 2008. The first episode aired on October 18, 2008. In Australia, the show premiered in July 2009 on the FOX8 channel. FOX8 is a subscription TV channel...
(2008) - Inoki's IGF - Japan (2008–2009)
- Cage Rage World Championship - England (2008)
- World Wrestling Allstars - South Africa (2008)
- K1 Grand Prix Hiroshima - Japan (2006)
- Samurai TV -Japan (2005–2006)
- Zero One Fighting Athletes -Japan (2004–2006)
- Pro Wrestling Noah - Japan (2006)
- Universal Fighting Organization (UFO)- Japan (2006)
- Faking ItFaking ItFaking It was a television programme originating on Channel 4 which has spawned various international remakes, including a US version which began in 2003 on the TLC network...
(2004) - Bodyslam (2002)
- Los LuchadoresLos LuchadoresLos Luchadores was a Canadian-American live-action children's television series that played as part of the Fox Kids programming block in 2001 produced by Saban Entertainment and Shavick Entertainment...
(2001) - NikkiNikki (TV series)Nikki is an American sitcom that aired on The WB from 2000 to 2002. Nikki was a starring vehicle for Nikki Cox, who had previously starred in another WB sitcom, Unhappily Ever After, which ran for five seasons...
(2001) - DismissedDismissed (TV series)Dismissed is a reality television show on MTV that premiered in 2001. One person simultaneously takes two others on a date. Each of the daters chooses a place to go , and the person running the date dismisses the person he/she likes the least. Each of the competing daters also has a time-out card...
(2001) - Inside: Pro Wrestling School (2000)
- The Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
(1999) - G vs EG vs EG vs. E is an American fantasy-based television action series that had its first season air on USA Network during the summer and autumn of 1999. For the second season the series switched to Sci Fi Channel in early 2000. The series stars Clayton Rohner, Richard Brooks, and Marshall Bell.G vs...
(1999) - AAA Lucha Libre - Mexico (1997–1998)
- Sugar Ray Leonard’s Fight Zone (1998)
Commercials
- World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(World Series Commercial) - Planned ParenthoodPlanned ParenthoodPlanned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
Kickboxing record
|-|Loss
|align=center|0-1
|
South Korea Choi Hong-manChoi Hong-man
Choi Hong-man , often anglicised to Hong-man Choi, is a South Korean kickboxer, mixed martial artist and former ssireum wrestler. In Asia he is called "Che Man", "Korean Monster" and "Korean Colossus"...
|KO (knee strike)
|K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:11
|Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
, Japan
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...
|
|-
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Loss
|align=center|0-7
|
United States Eric EschEric Esch
Eric Scott Esch is an American heavyweight boxer, kick-boxer, professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist commonly referred to as Butterbean....
|Submission (armlock)
|World Cage Championship
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:47
|Jasper, Alabama
Jasper, Alabama
Jasper is a city in Walker County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 14,659. As of 2011 the population had was 13,857. The city is the county seat of Walker County, and once ranked among the world's leading producers of coal....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-6
|
Kingdom of England Tom BlackledgeTom Blackledge
Tom Blackledge is an English mixed martial artist. He trains at Wolfslair MMA Academy in Liverpool, England. Blackledge is a Cage Rage veteran and was a coach on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Early career:...
|KO (head kick)
|Cage Rage 20
Cage Rage 20
Cage Rage 20: Born 2 Fight was a mixed martial arts event held by the Cage Rage Championships on February 10, 2007 at the Wembley Arena in London, England...
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:29
|London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-5
|
Poland Krzysztof SoszynskiKrzysztof Soszynski
Krzysztof Soszyński is a Polish-Canadian mixed martial artist. He fought for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League . After the demise of that organization, he moved to the UFC, appearing on season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter...
|TKO (punches)
|International Fight League
International Fight League
The International Fight League was an American mixed martial arts promotion billed as the world's first MMA league. It was founded on January 7, 2006 and closed on July 31, 2008...
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:47
|Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-4
|
Hungary Christian WellischChristian Wellisch
Christian Wellisch is a Hungarian-American former mixed martial arts fighter. He most recently competed as a light heavyweight in the UFC.-Mixed martial arts career:...
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Valor Fighting: Showdown At Cache Creek
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:11
|Brooks, California
Brooks, California
Brooks is an unincorporated community in Yolo County, California located in the Capay Valley in the northwest of the county. Brooks' ZIP Code is 95606 and its area code 530. Brooks is home to a large casino Cache Creek Casino Resort. It lies at an elevation of 341 feet .A post office was opened...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-3
|
United States Carter WilliamsCarter Williams
Carter Lee Williams is an American kickboxer, boxer and mixed martial artist, who fights out of Modesto Power in Modesto, California. He is a former North American Muay Thai champion and K-1 World GP in Las Vegas tournament champion....
|KO (punches)
|Rumble on the Rock
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:16
|Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-2
|
Mongolia Dolgorsürengiin SerjbüdeeDolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee
Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee is a Mongolian professional wrestler who wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He goes by the ring name Blue Wolf.-Career:Dolgorsürengiin Serjbüdee is the brother of Dolgorsürengiin Sumiyaabazar, a high ranking Mongolian...
|TKO (knees)
|K-1 MMA ROMANEX
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:44
|Saitama
Saitama, Saitama
' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...
, Japan
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...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|0-1
|
Early Modern France Kristof MidouxKristof Midoux
Kristof Midoux is a French semi-retired professional mixed martial artist who has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, bodogFIGHT, K-1, International Fighting Championships and Rumble on the Rock promotions...
|Submission (rear naked choke)
|K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!!
K-1 PREMIUM 2003 Dynamite!! was an annual kickboxing and mixed martial arts event held by K-1 on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at the Nagoya Dome in Nagoya, Japan...
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:21
|Nagoya, Japan
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...
|
|-
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAXPro Wrestling ZERO1-MAXPro Wrestling Zero1 , formerly known as Pro Wrestling Zero-One and Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max, is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 2001. It was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance from 2001 until late 2004 and again from 2011 onwards...
- NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Matt Ghaffari
- Ultimate Pro Wrestling
- UPW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- UPW Southern California Heavyweight/Shoot Championship (1 time)