Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono | |
---|---|
Tokyo, Japan (WCW) Mitaka, Tokyo (NJPW) | |
Trained by | Stu Hart Lou Thesz Antonio Inoki Kotetsu Yamamoto[4] |
Debut | October 5, 1984 |
Retired | February 21, 2023 |
Masahiro Chono (蝶野正洋, Chōno Masahiro, born September 17, 1963) is an American-born Japanese-American retired professional wrestler and actor best known for his 26-year stint with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). As the leader of nWo Japan, Team 2000 and Black New Japan, he was the promotion's top heel for much of his career, beginning in 1994 when he adopted his yakuza inspired gimmick.
Aside from his work in NJPW, Chono has also made appearances for
Professional wrestling career
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1984–2010)
Early years (1984–1989)
Chōno debuted in 1984 against
After a while in
Chono returned to NJPW part-time in July 1988. He came back to the United States in October 1988 and teamed with Mike Davis in Continental Championship Wrestling (CCW), by then renamed the Continental Wrestling Federation (CWF), and won that company's tag titles as the Japanese Connection.
In April 1989, he took part in the IWGP Heavyweight Championship tournament, held at New Japan's very first show at the Tokyo Dome; he lost to eventual winner of the tournament and new champion Big Van Vader in the quarterfinals. During this time, he would return to the United States and have a brief run in Australia.
Rise to superstardom (1989–1994)
Upon Chono's return to New Japan in October 1989, he reinvented himself. On October 15, 1989 during a match against
He won the tournament again in 1992, winning the
nWo Japan and Team 2000 (1994–2004)
A short time after winning his third G1 Climax, Chono underwent a change in attitude. Originally a clean-cut fan favorite during his NWA World title reign, he turned heel, angered that Power Warrior received a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship before him, as he won the tournament. He also changed his image and adopted a yakuza gimmick, complete with sunglasses, menacing mannerisms and black coats and tights. Chono's partnering with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiro Saito as "Team Wolf" provided a foundation to NJPW's nWo Japan. Establishing himself as leader of its Japanese sister stable, Chono joined the American nWo in December 1996 as it was gaining momentum in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He would also join its successor, Team 2000, which would eventually restructure again. In a match against WCW's Bill Goldberg, Chono supposedly "shot" the match (actually employing legitimate combat) and dislocated his shoulder.
Upon returning to Japan, Chono rejoined NJPW, where he achieved much success. He won the IWGP Tag Team Titles on six occasions and also won the very prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Title in 1998. In 2002, Chono won his fourth
Black New Japan and ChoTen (2004–2007)
In early 2004, Chono became the leader of the Black New Japan stable, which was the most dominating heel stable in NJPW until it was disbanded by Riki Choshu. As a reaction to this, Chono lead an "Anti-Choshu Army" with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Black Strong Machine. Chono won the 2005 G1 Climax tournament, thus having achieved a record-setting five G1 victories. His success in the G1 has given him the nickname Mr. August.
On October 30, 2005, Masahiro Chono and Tenzan defeated the team of
Legend (2007–2010)
Chono continued to wrestle full-time in 2007, but also began working as a promoter, with New Japan permitting him to set up cards in different areas of Japan. Following the
Outside wrestling, Chono began appearing on
In January 2010 it was reported that Chono would be leaving New Japan and becoming a freelancer, after spending most of his career with the company.[6]
Later career (2010–2023)
In March 2010, Chono portrayed
On March 6, 2011, Chono entered
In January 2013, Chono signed with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as an advisor. On August 25, 2013, Chono teamed with Joe Doering and defeated KENSO and AJPW President Nobuo Shiraishi in an exhibition tag team match. Chono left AJPW in 2014.
After returning to freelance, Chono wrestled once in eight years: a six man tag team match for Dotonbori Pro Wrestling on April 13, 2014. He teamed with Daisuke Masaoka and Hayata in a loss to Super Delfin, Hub, and Gran Hamada. Since 2014, Chono's appearances have been limited to non-active roles such as commentary, talk battles and special appearances. In a 2017 interview, Chono did not completely rule out the possibility of a return to the ring but believed it would be unlikely due to various injuries.[13] In 2021, he revealed that he had been suffering from spinal stenosis and underwent surgery for it, which was successful.[14]
In a 2022 interview, Chono discussed how Keiji Muto requested to have his retirement match with him but was unsure if he could compete.[15] On February 21, 2023, Chono was challenged to an impromptu match by Muto during Muto's retirement show at the Tokyo Dome, which Chono won.[16] Chono announced his own retirement following the match.
Personal life
On December 28, 1991, Chono married Martina Carlsbad, whom he met while on an excursion in Germany in 1987.[citation needed] Together they have one son (born July 4, 2006) and one daughter (born August 2009).[citation needed]
In late-June 1995, Chono's father died. His death forced Chono to miss an IWGP Tag Team title defense and take a hiatus, which forced him and Hiroyoshi Tenzan to vacate the title on July 7, 1995.[citation needed]
Since 1999, Chono has owned his own clothing brand, Aristrist (stylised in all caps), with his wife Martina. The name is a portmanteau of "Aristo" and "Tristano".[17]
Other media
Chono appears as a gang member in the 2017 video game
Championships and accomplishments
- Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling
- AGPW North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bob Brown
- Central States Wrestling / World Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Central States Television Championship (1 time)
- WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[19]
- Continental Wrestling Federation
- 1 time) – with Mike Davis
- Hawai'i Championship Wrestling
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- 1 time)
- Keiji Mutoh (2), Hiroyoshi Tenzan(5)
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- G1 Climax (1991, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2005)[21]
- 2006) – with Shinsuke Nakamura
- Super Grade Tag League (1995) – with Hiroyoshi Tenzan[22]
- Super Grade Tag League (1997) – with Keiji Mutoh[22]
- Teisen Hall Six-Man Tournament (2002) – with Giant Silva[23]
- Japan/China Friendship Tournament (1990)[24]
- Young Lion Cup (1987)[25]
- Heavyweight MVP Award (2005)[26]
- Singles Best Bout (2002) vs. Yuji Nagata on October 26[27]
- Singles Best Bout (2005) vs. Kazuyuki Fujita on August 14[26]
- Tag Team Best Bout (2002) with Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Manabu Nakanishi and Osamu Nishimura on June 5[27]
- Tag Team Best Bout (2004) with Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Shinsuke Nakamura on October 24[28]
- NJPW New Year Tag Team Tournament (1990) – with Shiro Koshinaka[29]
- Nikkan Sports
- Wrestler of the Year (1997)[30]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Tokyo Sports
- Fighting Spirit Award (1991, 2002)[32][33]
- Outstanding Performance Award (1992)[32]
- Tag Team of the Year (1990)- with Keiji Mutoh[32]
- Tag Team of the Year (1995)- with Hiroyoshi Tenzan[32]
- Tag Team of the Year (1996)- with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiro Saito[32]
- Wrestler of the Year (1997)[32]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Best Heel(1995)
- Best Gimmick (1996) – nWo
- Feud of the Year (1996) New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling
- Halloween Havoc
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
References
- ^ "プロフィール - MASAHIRO CHONO OFFICIAL SITE". Retrieved March 9, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Masahiro Chono". wrestlingdata.net. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Masahiro Chono OWW profile". OnlineWorldofWrestling. May 22, 2023.
- ^ "Masahiro Chono " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f John Molinaro, The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time, (Winding Stair Press: 2002), page 198.
- ^ "Chono becomes a freelancer". Strong Style Spirit. January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "(Results) New Japan, 8/15/10". Strong Style Spirit. August 15, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
- ^ "Masahiro Chono " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Purolove.Com". Purolove.Com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Purolove.Com". Purolove.Com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Osaka Pro Osaka Hurricane 2011". Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "NJPW Hiroyoshi Tenzan 20th Anniversary ~Hard Mogyu~". Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
- ^ "天才テリー伊藤対談「蝶野正洋」(3)実質的にプロレスは「引退」ですね". アサ芸プラス (in Japanese). Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (December 15, 2021). "蝶野正洋、入院していた 手術成功も「普通に歩ける様に成るには少し時間掛かりそう」". サンスポ (in Japanese). Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "蝶野正洋、武藤敬司の「夢は蝶野と引退試合」どうする? 手術で全治9か月 状態を直撃". ENCOUNT (in Japanese). Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "2023年02月21日 火 chocoZAP presents KEIJI MUTO GRAND FINAL PRO-WRESTLING "LAST" LOVE ~HOLD OUT~". プロレスリング・ノア公式サイト | PRO-WRESTLING NOAH OFFICIAL SITE. February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "ARISTRIST COMPANY PAGE". aristrist.main.jp. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ "『龍が如く 極2』武藤敬司・蝶野正洋・長州力・天龍源一郎・藤波辰爾 VS 桐生一馬・真島吾朗が実現!?【TGS2017】". Famitsu (in Japanese). September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^ Hoops, Brian (February 26, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/26): Verne Gagne wins AWA title on his birthday". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^ "Independent Wrestling Results – July 2003". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "New Japan Pro-Wrestling tournaments". Archived from the original on August 3, 2009.
- ^ "New Japan Other Tournaments". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ a b "2005 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ a b "2002 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ "2004 New Japan Awards". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ^ "The World's Largest Wrestling Database". Wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Awards - 1997". wrestlingscout. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 1997". Wrestling Internet Archive. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo: Puroresu Awards: 1990s". Puroresu.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo: Puroresu Awards: 2000s". Puroresu.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
External links
- Biography
- Biographical information
- Aristrist clothing
- Masahiro Chōno on X
- Masahiro Chono's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database