Yohei Nakajima
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

, is a Japanese
professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
, who performs under the masked identity . He was previously known as the similar masked character , under which he performed for several
independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in Pennsylvania, United States * Independentes (English: Independents), a Portuguese artist ...
promotions, most notably Okinawa Pro Wrestling. As Black Menso-re, he appeared for
All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Puroresu, Japanese professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on October 21, 1972, by Giant Baba after he left the Japanese Wrestling Association to create his own promotion. Ma ...
between 2014 and 2024, and became a four-time Gaora TV Champion. In 2024 he joined Pro-Wrestling NOAH, and previously worked as another masked character as the partner to fellow NOAH wrestler Alejandro before being revealed as Black Menso-re on October 28, 2024.


Professional wrestling career


Okinawa Pro Wrestling (2008–2012)

Nakajima, under the name Menso-re Oyaji, made his professional wrestling debut on July 5, 2008 for Okinawa Pro Wrestling. He portrays a unique character, wearing a
kariyushi shirt The is a style of dress shirt originating in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Similar to aloha shirts, these shirts are mainly worn in summer. The shirts are printed, mostly short-sleeved, and collared. Kariyushi shirts may be worn as casual, informal ...
to the ring, wearing a mask that has a cartoonish bowl of Ramen noodles on top of it, and drinking a brand of beer (Orion) which is brewed in Okinawa. Oyaji's character has been described as comedic as well as "mellow" and "drunk," in some cases forgetting to put down his can of beer before wrestling a match. Essentially, Oyaji's character is a compilation of several stereotypes of Okinawan people held by those from elsewhere in Japan. is a stylisation of the okinawan word for "
welcome A welcome is a kind of greeting designed to introduce a person to a new place or situation, and to make them feel at ease. The term can similarly be used to describe the feeling of being accepted on the part of the new person. Overview In ...
". In addition to wrestling on Okinawa Pro Wrestling cards, Oyaji would occasionally sing for audiences who gathered to watch the company's wrestling shows. Oyaji has received multiple title shots thus far in his wrestling career. He has challenged for the Okinawa Wrestling Championship on two separate occasions, though he has not succeeded in winning the title. Additionally, Oyaji has unsuccessfully challenged for the MWF World Junior Heavyweight Championship. Oyaji is typically featured when Okinawa Pro wrestlers compete in larger companies, including three matches on New Japan Pro Wrestling's annual "Exciting Battle in Okinawa" shows between 2009 and 2011. Okinawa Pro Wrestling folded in late 2012.


Freelance (2012–2014)

On September 12, in his first wrestling appearance since the closure of Okinawa Pro, Oyaji lost to Kaijin Habu Otoko in the opening round of Pro Wrestling Zero1's Tenkaichi Jr. Tournament. Oyaji went on to make appearances for several major and independent promotions including
All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Puroresu, Japanese professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on October 21, 1972, by Giant Baba after he left the Japanese Wrestling Association to create his own promotion. Ma ...
,
Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1995. It is most famous for its deathmatch style contests. History Big Japan Pro Wrestling was founded in March 1995 by former AJPW wrestlers Shinya Kojika and Kendo Nagas ...
,
Kaientai Dojo Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW) is a Professional wrestling in Japan, Japanese professional wrestling promotion and training facility originally owned and promoted by Taka Michinoku. The promotion places emphasis on a style of Professional wre ...
,
Michinoku Pro Wrestling (originally known as North Eastern Wrestling) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded by The Great Sasuke on October 1, 1992. It was the first independent wrestling promotion in Japan to not base its operations in Tokyo, but rathe ...
and
Union Pro Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Its name is an initialism of Dramatic Dream Team, which was the promotion's original name from 1997 to 2004. Founded in March 1997 by Shintaro Muto, the p ...
. On November 29, Oyaji and
Ikuto Hidaka (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler, currently performing for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Hidaka was the regular partner of Minoru Fujita, with whom he has held the NWA International Lightweight Tag Te ...
defeated Speed of Sounds ( Hercules Senga and Tsutomu Oosugi) to win the
UWA World Tag Team Championship The UWA World Tag Team Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship created by the Lucha libre, Mexican Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) and defended there until the UWA closed in 1995. After the UWA's closing, the title was ...
. They lost the titles back to Speed of Sounds on July 15, 2013.


All Japan Pro Wrestling (2014–2024)

On June 30, 2014, Oyaji would unsuccessfully challenge
Kotaro Suzuki , better known by the ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Gleat. He is best known for working for the Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling promotions, where he was a four-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Cha ...
for the
Gaora TV Championship The is a professional wrestling championship owned by the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) promotion. On August 28, 2012, AJPW and Gaora TV announced that AJPW would introduce a new championship called the Gaora TV Championship. A tournament for ...
. On July 27, after losing to
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish made with , typically seasoned with sugar and salt, and combined with a variety of , such as seafood, vegetables, or meat: raw seafood is the most common, although some may be cooked. While sushi comes in n ...
, Oyaji revealed his true identity by unmasking and announced he would be working under his real name, Yohei Nakajima, from now on. Nakajima also joined Xceed with Go Shiozaki,
Kento Miyahara is a Japanese professional wrestler, signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is a six time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion. He was trained by Kensuke Sasaki and started his career in his Kensuke Office promotion in February 2008, ...
and Kotaro Suzuki. On September 12, 2014, All Japan announced that Nakajima had signed a contract to become officially affiliated with the promotion. In October, Nakajima teamed with Suzuki to take part in the 2014 Junior Tag Battle of Glory, finishing the tournament with no wins. On August 16, 2015, Nakajima defeated Billyken Kid to win the vacant
Gaora TV Championship The is a professional wrestling championship owned by the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) promotion. On August 28, 2012, AJPW and Gaora TV announced that AJPW would introduce a new championship called the Gaora TV Championship. A tournament for ...
. In October, Nakajima and Suzuki once again participated in the Junior Tag Battle Of Glory. Although they started poorly with two losses, they managed to bounce back with a time limit draw against Isami Kodaka and Yuko Miyamoto, and a win over Manjimaru and
Takeshi Minamino , (born December 24, 1985) better known by the ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. He wrestles in Michinoku Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. Professional wrestling career Toryumon (2002-2004) Yamamoto made his pro wrestlin ...
. On November 15, Nakajima and Suzuki lost to Kodaka and Miyamoto in a decision match for the vacant
All Asia Tag Team Championship The is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). Originally, it was the top tag team title in the JWA, but its status became secondary once the NWA International Tag Team Championship was brou ...
. On November 16, Xceed was disbanded, when Kotaro Suzuki also announced his departure from AJPW. On May 28, 2016, Nakajima took part in Toryumon Mexico's ''Dragonmanía XI'' event in
Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...
, where he was defeated by
Jun Akiyama (born October 9, 1969) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to DDT Pro-Wrestling, where he is a former KO-D Openweight Champion. He is best known for his time working for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he was the president, rep ...
. After three successful title defenses, Nakajima lost the Gaora TV Championship to Kazuhiro Tamura on June 9, 2016. Nakajima regained the title six days later, before losing it to
Takeshi Minamino , (born December 24, 1985) better known by the ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. He wrestles in Michinoku Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. Professional wrestling career Toryumon (2002-2004) Yamamoto made his pro wrestlin ...
on July 14. On August 11, Nakajima defeated Minamino in a rematch to win the Gaora TV Championship for the third time. After a nine-day reign, Nakajima lost the title to Billyken Kid. On September 19, Nakajima again regained the title from Billyken Kid. On November 27, Nakajima lost the title to
Jiro Kuroshio , best known as and known as , is a Japanese professional wrestler and internet personality. Kuroshio is known for his work in the Wrestle-1 promotion, where he was a former Wrestle-1 Result Champion and Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champion before l ...
. On February 15, 2017, after the Gaora TV Championship was vacated due to injury, AJPW president Jun Akiyama was going to award the title to the previous champion. Nakajima, however, refused as his main focus was the World Junior Heavyweight Championship and the upcoming Junior Battle of Glory Placed in the B block, Nakajima gained four points with wins over
Hikaru Sato is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, better known by the ring name . Sato started his MMA career in February 2000, fighting for Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling. During the next eight years, Sato fought, on average, five t ...
and Kazuhiro Tamura but missed out on the finals by one point. On June 16, Nakajima unsuccessfully challenged Sato for the World Junior Heavyweight Championship. On November 5, Nakajima would once again unsuccessfully challenge the World Junior Heavyweight Champion, this time losing to Tajiri. On May 13, 2018, Menso~re Oyaji made a one night return to unsuccessfully challenge Jun Akiyama for the Gaora TV Championship. In July, Nakajima was announced with
Black Tiger VII , better known by his ring names Nosawa and , is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions. Career Early career (19952004) Nosawa spent most of his ear ...
as a team in the upcoming Junior Tag Battle of Glory. On July 31, Nakajima announced he would be pulling out of the tournament due to a personal boycott of the league, as well as citing differences with Black Tiger VII. Nakajima would be repackaged as "Black Menso~re" and replaced himself as Black Tiger Vii partner; the duo finished the tournament with two wins. Black Menso~re went on to form a tag team with
Takao Omori is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler, working for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is a one-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and seven-time World Tag Team Championship ( ...
. They unsuccessfully challenged All Asia Tag Team Champions
Naoya Nomura Naoya Nomura (born October 26, 1993) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is former All Asia Tag Team and World Tag Team Champion. He also has a background in rugby. Early life Nomura starte ...
and
Yuma Aoyagi is a Japanese professional wrestler working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. A member of the Zennichi Shin Jidai stable, he is a former AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, a two-time All Asia Tag Team Champion ...
on October 10 and January 3, 2019. On February 11, Menso~re and Omori unsuccessfully challenged All Asia Tag Team Champions Jake Lee and Koji Iwamoto.


Championships and accomplishments

*
All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Puroresu, Japanese professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on October 21, 1972, by Giant Baba after he left the Japanese Wrestling Association to create his own promotion. Ma ...
**
AJPW TV Six-Man Tag Team Championship The is a professional wrestling Professional wrestling tag team match types#Multiple man teamed matches, six-man tag team Championship (professional wrestling), championship owned by the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) professional wrestling prom ...
( 2 times) – with
Takao Omori is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler, working for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is a one-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and seven-time World Tag Team Championship ( ...
and Carbell Ito/ATM **
Gaora TV Championship The is a professional wrestling championship owned by the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) promotion. On August 28, 2012, AJPW and Gaora TV announced that AJPW would introduce a new championship called the Gaora TV Championship. A tournament for ...
( 5 times) * Kohaku Wrestling Wars **
UWA World Tag Team Championship The UWA World Tag Team Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship created by the Lucha libre, Mexican Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) and defended there until the UWA closed in 1995. After the UWA's closing, the title was ...
( 1 time) – with
Ikuto Hidaka (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler, currently performing for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Hidaka was the regular partner of Minoru Fujita, with whom he has held the NWA International Lightweight Tag Te ...
* Okinawa Pro Wrestling ** MWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kaijin Habuotoko * ''
Pro Wrestling Illustrated ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
'' ** Ranked No. 370 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''
PWI 500 ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
'' in 2016


References


External links


All Japan Pro Wrestling profile
* {{Portal bar, Biography, Japan 1985 births 21st-century male professional wrestlers 21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers Japanese male professional wrestlers Okinawa, Okinawa Living people Gaora TV Champions AJPW TV Six-Man Tag Team Champions UWA World Tag Team Champions