Jake Lee

Lee in March 2023

###

Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan

**Jae Kyung Lee** (Korean:이재경 Hanja:李在炅) (born January 19, 1989 in Kitami, Hokkaido), better known by his ring name **Jake Lee** (ジェイク・リー, *Jeiku Rī*), is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler, former mixed martial artist and former weightlifter, currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH (NOAH), where he is a former GHC Heavyweight Champion.

Lee was trained in the AJPW Dojo, making his debut in August 2011 under the name "Lee Che Gyong" (李在炅, *Ri Che Gyon*). After just ten professional matches, Lee announced his retirement from professional wrestling in October 2011, in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. However, following the failure of his MMA career, Lee made his return to professional wrestling working in AJPW under the ringname "Jake Lee". Afterwards, Lee became part of the Nextream stable, which marked a major turning point in his career, being billed as their one of their next "faces of the company" and its public face, becoming known as one of the "new Four Pillars of Heaven", as he began his ascending into the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship picture. After turning heel in February 2021, Lee won AJPW's premier tournament, the Champion Carnival in May. The following month, Lee defeated former Nextream stablemates Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi to win AJPW's top title, the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, a title which he held on two different occasions. In December 2022, Lee left AJPW after his contract with the promotion expired.

After signing for Pro Wrestling Noah in January 2023, Lee formed the Good Looking Guys stable, and quickly won the promotion's top title the GHC Heavyweight Championship in March.

## Professional Wrestling Career

#### Early career and retirement (2011)

Lee joined the All Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in January 2011, initially training under Keiji Mutoh and Atsushi Aoki. He debuted on August 17 of that year using his real name in a loss to Taiyo Kea, and lost again the following day, this time to Ryota Hama, but on August 20, Gyong picked up his first victory with a win over Yasufumi Nakanoue, and was once again victorious on August 24, teaming with Akebono and Masakatsu Funaki to defeat Joe Doering, Mazada and René Dupree. Gyong represented AJPW in The Destroyer Cup Battle Royal at All Together 2011, eventually won by Kentaro Shiga.

Gyong teamed with Takumi Soya on September 11 to defeat Soshun and Yasufumi Nakanoue but was defeated by Soya and Takao Omori on September 17 when he teamed with Manabu Soya. After sustaining an injury, Gyong announced his retirement from professional wrestling in October 2011 after just ten professional matches. Gyong said in a 2016 interview that leaving professional wrestling "broke his heart". After leaving professional wrestling, he began to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. Soon after leaving All Japan, Gyong joined Power Of Dreams, where he trained under Kenichi Yamamoto and competed in MMA for the next several years.

#### Return and Nextream (2015–2017)

On May 21, 2015, Lee returned to All Japan now under the ring name of Jake Lee as he announced his return to professional wrestling. Lee stated that he found a new home and a new lifestyle he became vegan and he dropped a lot of body mass since his debut.

Gyong announced his return to professional wrestling and AJPW on May 21, 2015, now going under the ring name "Jake Lee". His first match back took place on June 4, when he teamed with Jun Akiyama to defeat Takao Omori and Naoya Nomura. In December, after Kento Miyahara tried to join Evolution but was rejected by Suwama, Miyahara announced the formation of a new unit known as Nextream, consisting initially of Lee, Miyahara and Keiichi Sato, vowing to start a generational change in AJPW. On December 25, the new stable was named "Nextream". Shortly after, with Yuma Aoyagi and Naoya Nomura joining Nextream, the four became known as the "new Four Pillars of Heaven". On February 13, Lee and Miyahara defeated Jun Akiyama and Takao Omori the new #1 contenders to the World Tag Team Championship. Lee and Miyahara unsuccessfully challenged champions The Big Guns (Bodyguard and Zeus) on February 21. In April, Lee took part in the 2016 Champion Carnival, finishing the tournament with a record of one win and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On August 6, Lee and Miyahara received another opportunity at the World Tag Team Championships, this time losing to Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi. On September 4, Lee took part in the 2016 Ōdō Tournament, losing to Ryoji Sai in the first round. In December, Lee and Miyahara won their block in the 2016 World's Strongest Tag Determination League with a record of four wins and one loss, advancing to the finals of the tournament.. They were defeated by Get Wild (Manabu Soya and Takao Omori) in the finals on December 18. On February 17, 2017, Lee and Miyahara unsuccessfully challenged again Zeus and Bodyguard for the World Tag Team Championship. In April, lee took part in the 2017 Champion Carnival, finishing the tournament with a record of one win and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On June 11, Lee received his first shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship unsuccessfully challenging Shuji Ishikawa for the title.

On July 17, Lee and Nomura got another title shot against The Big Guns for the World Tag Team Championship but this time emerged victorious with both Lee and Nomura winning their first championship. On July 28, Lee and Nomura retained the titles in a rematch against The Big Guns but Lee suffered a knee injury during the match. On August 1, AJPW announced Lee and Nomura were stripped of the titles due to Lee's injury.

#### Sweeper (2018–2019)

On April 25, Lee made his return to AJPW announcing that he wished to face his Nextream stablemates, before announcing his departure from the stable. Following his return, Lee challenged his former Nextream stablemate Kento Miyahara to a match for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. However, he only received a non-title match against Miyahara, which he lost. Shortly after, Lee announced a formation of a new stable alongside Dylan James, Keiichi Sato, Koji Iwamoto and Ryoji Sai. On June 13, the stable was named "Sweeper". From November 13 to December 11, Lee and Sai took part in the 2018 World's Strongest Tag Determination League, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and six losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On March 21, Lee teamed with Iwamoto to compete in a four team tournament for the vacant All Asia Tag Team Championship, which they ended up winning by defeating Big Japan Pro Wrestling's Masaya Takahashi and Takayuki Ueki in the semifinals and Daichi Hashimoto and Hideyoshi Kamitani in the finals.

In April, lee took part in the 2019 Champion Carnival, finishing the tournament with a record of five wins and three losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On April 29, Lee was defeated by Kento Miyahara in the finals of the 2019 Champion Carnival. On May 5, at BJW Endless Survivor, Lee and Iwamoto lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship to Kazumi Kikuta and Ryuichi Kawakami, before regaining it on June 18. On September 23, Lee defeated Miyahara in the finals to win the 2019 Ōdō Tournament and earn a shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. then defeated Zeus to win back the title on October 21. Lee would go on to lose his rematch with Miyahara on October 24 for the Triple Crown Championship. On October 10, Lee and Naoya Nomura announced their entry into the 2019 World's Strongest Tag Determination League, to which Iwamoto questioned the reason for Sweepers existence. During the tournament, Lee would announce the dissolution of Sweeper, after feeling a lack of unity within the stable. Lee and Nomura finished the tournament with a record of six wins and three losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On December 9, they were defeated by Violent Giants (Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa) in the finals.

#### Jin (2019–2021)

On December 21, Lee, Nomura and Iwamoto announced the formation of a new stable called "Jin", literally translated to "Team". On March 23, 2020, Lee and Iwamoto lost the All Asia Tag Team Chmapionship to Yankii Nichokenju (Isami Kodaka and Yuko Miyamoto). During this month, Lee took part in BJW's Ikkitousen ~ Strong Climb ~ and won three of his four matches. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several events scheduled to showcase the Ikkitousen ~ Strong Climb ~ were cancelled and all remaining matches were adjudged as draws, allowing Lee to progress to the semi-finals. On April 26, Lee lost to Quiet Storm via count-out. In September, Lee took part of the 2020 Champion Carnival, finishing the tournament with a record of three wins and one loss, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Lee entered the final day of the tournament to reach the finals, but a loss against Zeus, eliminated him from the tournament. From November 22 until December 7, Lee and Iwamoto took part in the 2020 World's Strongest Tag Determination League, finishing the tournament, with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to win the tournament, due to losing to Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi on the final day of the tournament.

#### Total Eclipse and departure (2021–2022)

On February 23, 2021, Lee disbanded Jin, and defected to Enfants Terribles, with Lee becoming the stable's newest leader, after Shotaro Ashino was kicked out of the stable, turning heel for the first time in his career. On March 8, the stable was renamed to Total Eclipse, following the addition of TAJIRI. From April 9 to May 3, Lee took part in the 2021 Champion Carnival, winning the tournament, after finishing the tournament with a record of six wins and three losses, defeating his rival Kento Miyahara on May 3 at the final day. On June 26, Lee defeated Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi in a Tomoe Battle to win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, after pinning both Miyahara and Aoyagi in each falls. On December 28, Lee would be forced to vacate the title after suffering from a broken nose and left orbital bone. He made his return from injury on March 21, teaming with his Total Eclipse stablemates to face the returning Voodoo Murders, led by Suwama in a no contest.

In April, Lee took part in the 2022 Champion Carnival, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and one loss, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On May 4, Lee was defeated by Yuma Aoyagi in the finals. On June 19, Lee avenged his previous losses, to Kento Miyahara defeating him for the first time, to win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship for the second time. Following the match, Lee was challenged by Suwama to a title match. He lost title to Suwama on July 14, following the interference from his Voodoo Murders stablemates Minoru and Toshizo. In August, Lee took part in the 2022 Ōdō Tournament where he knocked out by Yuji Nagata in the second round on August 14. Later that month, Lee began feuding with Naoya Nomura, and saw the opportunity, as way to regain the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. On September 18, Lee was defeated by Nomura in a number one contenders match to the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.

On September 19, Lee announced that Total Eclipse would disband, after announcing his departure from the promotion on December 7, with his contract expiring at end of 2022. Lee had his last match for the AJPW on December 25 teaming with Yuma Aoyagi, BUSHI and SANADA in a losing effort to Atsuki Aoyagi, Kento Miyahara, Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.

### Pro Wrestling NOAH (2023–Present)

On January 1, 2023 at NOAH The New Year, Lee made his debut for Pro Wrestling Noah, making an appearance after Jack Morris match, congratulated him on his victory, with the two forming a team. On January 8 at Reboot, Lee made his in-ring debut for the promotion, teaming with Morris in a winning effort against Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura. On January 17, Lee and Morris announced the creation of the "Good Looking Guys" (GLG) stable alongside Anthony Greene. On February 12, following a post-match interview, Lee challenged Kaito Kiyomiya to a title match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. This led to a title match, on March 17, at Great Voyage in Yokohama, where Lee defeated Kiyomiya to win GHC Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first Korean descent person to hold the title. At Green Journey in Sendai on April 16, Lee successfully defended the title against Katsuhiko Nakajima. Lee then retained his title against Naomichi Marufuji at Majestic on May 4. On June 17 at Great Journey in Nagoya, Lee successfully defended the title for the third time against Takashi Sugiura. Following the match, Lee declared that he would become the first wrestler to enter to win all of his match in the 2023 N-1 Victory, as GHC Heavyweight Champion. However, in August, Lee finished the tournament with a record of four wins, two draws and one loss, with a loss against Kenoh on the final day costing him a spot in the finals of the tournament. On September 24 at Grand Ship In Nagoya, Lee successfully defended the title for the fourth time against 2023 N-1 Victory winner Go Shiozaki. After the match, Lee challenged Kenoh to a rematch for his title, after he was the one of ended his undefeated streak in Noah. On October 28 at Demolition Stage In Fukuoka, Lee lost the GHC Heavyweight Championship to Kenoh, ending his reign at 223 days.

On January 2, 2024 at NOAH The New Year, after Kota Ibushi defeated Naomichi Marufuji in the main event of NOAH The New Year, Lee and Kaito Kiyomiya confronted him, telling him to leave the promotiom, before coming to a mutual agreement to continue pushing NOAH forward in 2024. In interview, Lee stated that he couldn't feel that Kiyomiya was a good looking guy, as even his microphone was lacking. After Good Looking Guys defeated Kiyomiya's team on January 23, Lee stated that he wasn't interested in fighting Kiyomiya anymore, unless of course it was for their common goal, the GHC Heavyweight Championship, which was what he was interested in.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Bazooka* (Running big boot to a cornered opponent) - 2023-present
	+ *D4C – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap* (Delayed vertical drop brainbuster) – 2021–present
	+ *FBS – Face Break Shot* (Running front high kick) – 2023–present
	+ *Giant Killing* (Running knee lift)
	+ High-angle belly to back suplex
	+ *Overkill* (Belly to back suplex dropped into a facebuster) – 2021
	+ *Perfect Stretch* (Arm trap single leg Boston crab)
	+ Seated armbar – 2018–present
* **Signature moves**
	+ Atomic drop
	+ Big boot
	+ Boston crab
	+ Brainbuster
	+ *Carpe Diem* (Seated double leg nelson scissored armbar)
	+ DDT
	+ German suplex
	+ Jumping knee strike
	+ Lariat
	+ Leg lariat
	+ Moonsault
	+ Soccer kick to the chest of a seated opponent
* **Wrestlers managed**
	+ **Jack Morris**
* **Nicknames**
	+ "CrossOver"
	+ **"Madness Dark Side"**
	+ **"Good Looking Emperor"**
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Invincible" by Two Steps from Hell
	+ "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" by Dropkick Murphys
	+ "LeeDepart" by Osamu Suzuki
	+ "Same 'Ol" by The Heavy
	+ "LOST ODYSSEY - Howl of the Departure"
	+ **"Definition of Coronation"** by Osamu Suzuki

## Personal life

Lee became a vegan while training for MMA and obtained a teacher's licence in college. He also is an active personal fitness trainer, and has trained the Japanese musician Maki Ohguro.

## Championships and accomplishments

* **All Japan Pro Wrestling**
	+ Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
	+ All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Koji Iwamoto
	+ World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Naoya Nomura
	+ Nemuro Shokudō Cup 6-Man Tag Tournament (2017) – with Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi
	+ Champion Carnival (2021)
	+ Ōdō Tournament (2019)
	+ New Year Openweight Battle Royal (2019)
	+ All Asia Tag Team Championship Tournament (2019) – with Koji Iwamoto
* **Pro Wrestling NOAH**
	+ GHC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
	+ PWI ranked him #**412** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016
	+ PWI ranked him #**349** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017
	+ PWI ranked him #**46** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021
* ***Tokyo Sports***
	+ Outstanding Performance Award (2021)

## References

1. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. AJPW Summer Impact 2011 - Tag 3 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
2. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. AJPW Summer Impact 2011 - Tag 4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
3. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. AJPW Summer Impact 2011 - Tag 8 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
4. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW/AJPW/NOAH All Together « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
5. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. AJPW Flashing Tour 2011 - Tag 4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
6. ↑ C・カーニバル覇者＆心技体ががっちり合った曙が潮崎を新技で撃破して三冠返り咲き！ 鼓太郎が世界Jr初防衛！青木をKOした宮原が諏訪魔に喧嘩を売る！没後15年の鶴田オー  (in jp) (2015-05-21). Retrieved on 2016-02-08.
7. ↑ 諏訪魔とのコンビ解消の宮原 新相棒はジェイク・リー  (in jp). Retrieved on 2016-02-08.
8. ↑ ニュース | 全日本プロレス公式サイト  (in jp). Retrieved on 2016-02-08.
9. ↑ World Tag Team Title 1 Contender  (in English) (2016-12-04). Retrieved on 2016-12-04.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 World Tag Team Title 1 Contender  (in English). Retrieved on 2016-12-04.
11. ↑ *ja:2016 世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦」星取表(最終得点状況)* (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling* (2016-12-15). Retrieved on 2016-12-15.
12. ↑ *ja:３冠ヘビー級王者・宮原がオカダら同世代王者に宣戦布告* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2016-12-15). Retrieved on 2016-12-15.
13. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016 . *The Internet Wrestling Database*. Retrieved on 2016-09-01.

## External links

* AJPW profile
* Cagematch profile