On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Toshiaki Kawada, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.
Toshiaki Kawada (川田 利明) was born in Ohira, Tochigi, Japan on December 8, 1963, and he is currently 60 years old.
Kawada is known for his “delayed selling” of moves, and for being one of AJPW's Four Heavenly Pillars in the 1990s, which had tremendous influence on indie wrestlers abroad in the Anglosphere for years after. He has also promoted the event series "Holy War" through 2018-19.
Toshiaki Kawada Profile Index
Profile Info
- Gender Male
- Real Name Toshiaki Kawada (川田 利明)
- Ring Names
- Toshiaki Kawada ( June 13, 1986 - August 15, 2010)
- Kio Kawata ( May 10, 1986 - June 12, 1986)
- Black Mephisto ( January 10, 1986 - May 9, 1986)
- Toshiaki Kawada ( October 4, 1982 - January 9, 1986)
- Born December 8, 1963 (age 60)
- Nationality
Japan - Birth Place Ohira, Tochigi, Japan
- Billed From
- Ohira, Tochigi, Japan ( June 13, 1986 - August 15, 2010)
- Seoul, South Korea ( May 10, 1986 - June 12, 1986)
- Ohira, Tochigi, Japan ( October 4, 1982 - May 9, 1986)
- Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
- Weight
- 231 lbs (105 kg)
- Nicknames Dangerous K; Hustle K; Monster K; Mr. Toshiaki
- Notes Kawada is known for his “delayed selling” of moves, and for being one of AJPW's Four Heavenly Pillars in the 1990s, which had tremendous influence on indie wrestlers abroad in the Anglosphere for years after. He has also promoted the event series "Holy War" through 2018-19.
Career History
-
Roles
- Promoter ( April 26, 2018 - February 8, 2019)
- Wrestler ( October 4, 1982 - August 15, 2010)
- Coach ( January 1, 1997 - December 31, 2002)
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
August 15, 2010 August 15, 2010 Promotion 
NOAHBrand
Heavyweight
October 3, 2009 July 21, 2010 Promotion 
ZERO1October 18, 2009 April 11, 2010 Promotion 
INDYAugust 4, 2005 February 22, 2010 Promotion 
HUSTLEJanuary 4, 2004 October 10, 2009 Promotion 
AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
December 3, 1986 April 9, 2008 Promotion NJPWBrand
Heavyweight
October 9, 2000 June 6, 2001 Promotion 
UWF ISeptember 11, 1996 September 11, 1996 Promotion 
STAMPEDEJanuary 10, 1986 June 12, 1986 Promotion 
TASWNovember 17, 1985 December 15, 1985 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
October 4, 1982 October 25, 1985 -
Images History
Aug 2018
Aug 2005
Oct 2000
Jul 1990
Jan 1984
Oct 1982 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Tweener January 1, 1996 August 5, 2010 Heel April 22, 1993 December 31, 1995 Tweener October 4, 1982 April 21, 1993
-
Finishers
- Dangerous Kick - Roundhouse kick to head/face of seated opponent ( October 4, 1982 - August 15, 2010)
- Folding powerbomb ( October 4, 1982 - August 15, 2010)
- Ganso bomb - rarely used ( January 22, 1999 - August 15, 2010)
- Kawada Crab - Single leg Boston crab ( October 4, 1982 - August 15, 2010)
-
Theme Songs
- Theme Song “Holy War 21”, by Eigenkreation - Single ( January 1, 2001 - August 5, 2010)
- Theme Song “Holy War V2”, by B.B.Band - Single ( July 1, 1998 - December 31, 2000)
- Theme Song “Holy War V1”, by B.B.Band - Single ( July 1, 1992 - June 30, 1998)
- Theme Song “Last Battle”, by B.B.Band - Single ( July 1, 1990 - June 30, 1992)
- Theme Song “Footloose”, by Kenny Loggins - Team ( September 17, 1987 - April 19, 1990)
Titles & Accomplishments
All Japan Pro Wrestling
- 3 All Asia Tag Team Championship - with Samson Fuyuki
- 5 Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
- 9 World Tag Team Championship - 6 with Akira Taue, 2 with Mitsuharu Misawa, 1 with Taiyō Kea
Pro Wrestling Zero1
- 1 World Heavyweight Championship
-
Other Accomplishments
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1997)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 2022 - with Akira Taue)
- AJPW Champion Carnival (1994, 1997)
- AJPW World’s Strongest Tag Determination League (1992 with Mitsuharu Misawa, 1996 and 1997 with Akira Taue)
- Newcomer and Fair Play Award (1989 - with Samson Fuyuki)
- Fighting Spirit Award (1990 - with Mitsuharu Misawa)
- Skill Award (1991 - with Mitsuharu Misawa)
- AJPW Asunaro Cup (1989)
- AJPW Autumn Festival Tag Team Tournament - with Taichi Ishikari (2004)
- AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship Tournament (2003)
- AJPW World Tag Team Championship Tournament (2000 - with Akira Taue)
- HUSTLE GP Tournament (2008)
- NJPW Singles Best Bout (2000 vs. Kensuke Sasaki on October 9)
- Nikkan Sports Match of the Year award (2000 vs. Kensuke Sasaki on October 9)
- 6° in PWI 500 (2004)
- 42° in PWI Years Top 500 (1997)
- 8° in PWI Years Top 500 Tag Teams (2003 - with Akira Taue)
- 11° in PWI Years Top 500 Tag Teams (2003 - with Mitsuharu Misawa)
- 69° in PWI Years Top 500 Tag Teams (2003 - with Samson Fuyuki)
- Tokyo Sports awards
- Outstanding Performance Award (2004)
- Fighting Spirit Award (1994, 2000)
- Tag Team of the Year (1991 with Mitsuharu Misawa, 1997 with Akira Taue)
- Match of the Year (1992 vs. Stan Hansen on June 5)
- Match of the Year (1995 with Akira Taue vs. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi on June 9)
- Match of the Year (2000 vs. Kensuke Sasaki on October 9)
- WON Tag Team of the Year award (1991 - with Mitsuharu Misawa)
- WON Wrestler of the Year award (1994)
Teams & Relations
-
Tag Teams & Stables
- Holy Demon Army - Akira Taue, Masanobu Fuchi, Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Masao Inoue, Yoshinari Ogawa ( May 14, 1993 - July 2, 2000)
- Super Generation Army - Akira Taue, Jun Akiyama, Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, Tsuyoshi Kikuchi ( July 7, 1990 - April 21, 1993)
- Footloose - Hiromichi / Kodo / Samson Fuyuki ( September 17, 1987 - April 19, 1990)
- Revolution - Genichiro Tenryu, Hiromichi / Kodo / Samson Fuyuki, Ashura Hara, Yoshinari Ogawa , Tatsumi Kitahara ( August 21, 1987 - April 7, 1990)
- The Japanese Force - Hiromichi / Kodo / Samson Fuyuki ( November 17, 1985 - December 15, 1985)
