Takanobu Endo (RLS CAS)

Takonobu Endo (born 15th March 1993 in Kofu, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to UNION Wrestling. He is probably best known for his time with Japan MIGHTY! Wrestling, and his sporadic run with European promotion PRIZE Wrestling League.
== Career ==
=== Training at the MIGHTY! Dojo (2007) ===
Endo, already an impressive backyard wrestler, was invited to train at the MIGHTY! Dojo by trainer and Head Booker Benjiro "Ōzeki Bōmei" Suda in early 2007. During this time, due to his smaller size, he trained only peripherally with Suda, and mainly with at-the-time Junior Champion Tetsuyuki.
He would debut at a JMW live show shortly before Christmas, losing to his mentor in a non-title match.
=== JMW GO! (2008-2015) ===
As is common with JWM talent, particularly that which is home-grown in the Dojo, Endo appeared only sporadically through 2008 and the first half of 2009, before bursting onto the scene at the 2009 JMW GO TO WAR! event, where he and Tetsuyuki won survived too lead the Goodmen to victory in their battle with the Badmen, in the 4-on-4 Elimination Main Event. He eliminated Ogami Gekko with a KO Kick.
This would lead to a feud with Gekko which lasted around a year, given the smaller number of shows than many other promotions, which cemented the two as stars of the Junior Division. It notably also saw both Gekko's first face turn, and Endo's first heel run.
After seven years with the promotion, and despite initially not wanting to leave due to loyalty, the partial closure of the promotion forced Endo to move on.
=== Exhibition Wrestling: Japan (2015-2016, 2024) ===
Endo joined EW soon after, despite being massively hesitant due to their past acrimonious relationship with JMW. Sure enough, EW management's derisive opinion of the style of wrestling, known as Gokaku in Japan and "Five Easy" in the West, meant Endo was never given a full push.
After nearly a year of being jobbed out to established EW stars- during which the contract trapped Endo- he left the promotion after spitting on the logo in the ring. Despite claims that this was a planned finish, sources within EW spoke of management being livid. He would, in interviews, defend his actions, saying that EW had made his life hell and made him want to quit wrestling.
Endo would make a shock return to EW: Japan in early 2024, coming to the aid of former rival Ogami Gekko against the Invaders.
=== JMW Revival (2017-2023) ===
Endo made an emotional return to the rebooted JMW in 2017, superkicking Ogami Gekko to the roar of the crowd. He would win the Junior Championship, which he held until late 2018, dropping it to Hirotaka Gomi in a Deathmatch.
He won the 5th Fight for the MIGHT! Tournament, too, defeating Mikey Ace in a notable and lauded first round match before going on to defeat Yano Kei in the final. He would leave the promotion in late 2023, in order to explore opportunities elsewhere.
=== PRIZE Wrestling League (2019-2020) ===
Endo would have several try-outs with PRIZE before 2019, but injuries and scheduling conflicts meant he wouldn't be able to debut until the WCE takeover, where he competed in the first round of the WCE Welterweight Championship, losing to Dempsey. He'd win by DQ against Nick Logan at Rise for the PRIZE 2019, after being attacked in the ring by WCE Security Rob Belleg. 
He'd appear a few more times in 2019, mostly at small shows but also on Championship Wrestling, before challenging for British Samurai's WCE Welterweight Championship at On The Line 2019, where he'd lose. After BritSam had to vacate the title due to injury, he took part in the Ladder match for the vacant championship at Up Front 2019, failing to win despite at one point being alone in the ring, and most of the way up the ladder.
He'd make several appearances, usually in losing efforts, until the promotion collapsed in 2020.
=== UNION Wrestling (2024-present) ===
At UNION Open Challenge 2024, Endo would shockingly debut for the promotion by answering the challenge for the UNION World Championship, held by his old rival Mikey Ace. The two would put on a solid match, with Endo falling just short of winning the title. He confirmed after the event that the deal was a single appearance "so far", but added that he was keen to work with the promotion more going forward. He would challenge for another title shot, alongside Nancy Warren against Ace and Lara Grey, at UNION Bring Down The House '24, where Warren would pin Grey. He would, however, lose his title rematch at UNION Uneasy Alliance 2024, despite coming as close to pinning Ace as was possible without a three-count.
After the event, Endo confirmed to press that he'd signed a one-year deal with the promotion going forward.
== In-Wrestling ==
=== Signatures ===
Falling Dropkick
Leaping Mushroom Stomp
=== Finishers ===
Endo Drop (Elbow Drop 3, 4)
Elbow & Kip Up (Outside ring)
=== Nicknames ===
== Accomplishments ==
JMW Junior Championship
FFM 5 Winner
== Trivia ==
* Endo is good friends with former professional wrestler Mikey Ace.1
* Endo has spoken in interviews of the effect ADHD has on his life, particularly his chosen career.2
== Behind-the-Scenes/Notes ==
# Makes sense; Ace is my personal CAS, and Endo is the created superstar I probably use the most elsewhere in the wrestling game world.
# Something to add a bit of depth to the character, ADHD is something I have of personal experience of, too.
Category:CAWs