Shinya Hashimoto
Howard competed against Shinya Hashimoto for a Pro Wrestling 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 &amp; Nathan Jones defeated Steve Corino &amp; Rapid Fire Maldon at Sumo Hall in Japan on a Zero-One pay-per-view. On December 15, Howard &amp; Matt Ghaffari beat Shinya Hashimoto &amp; Naoya Ogawa to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship on a Zero One PPV.