Masayuki Kono

###

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Japan

**Masayuki Kono** (河野 真幸, *Kōno Masayuki*, born April 12, 1980 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist who currently works for VAMOSTAR Pro Wrestling (VAMOSTAR) promotion he co-founded with fellow former Wrestle-1 and AJPW wrestler Andy Wu.

## Career

### All Japan Pro Wrestling (2003–2005)

Kono trained in the All Japan Dojo and made his debut on March 28, 2003 in a losing effort to Nobutaka Araya. For the next two years, Kono largely was in opening matches where he worked with fellow newcomers and aging wrestlers as he paid his dues. During this time, Kono had no title matches or took part in any tournaments. In 2005, Kono left All Japan and professional wrestling to focus on Mixed Martial Arts.

### Return to All Japan (2009–2013, 2022–present)

By early 2009, Kono ended his MMA career and returned to professional wrestling. He spent the first few months of 2009 in Canada, wrestling on the independents before finally returning to All Japan in May 2009. Upon his return, Kono had an immediate impact as he teamed Keiji Mutoh to defeat Satoshi Kojima and Suwama with Kono submitting Kojima. Throughout the spring and summer, Kono fought for the All Japan army and occasionally team with Mutoh. On July 5, 2009, Kono received his first title shot when he teamed with Mutoh to challenge Minoru Suzuki and Taiyo Kea for the World Tag Team Championship but they came up short. In the fall of 2009, Kono teamed with Suwama in the 2009 World's Strongest Tag Determination League. The two were able to make it to the finals but lost to Mutoh and Masakatsu Funaki.

In his first big victory of 2010, Kono defeated Suwama at Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 9 on March 21, 2010. In the spring, Kono entered the 2010 Champion Carnival. He finished secon in his block with 5 points which allowed him to advance in the semi-finals where he fell to Funaki. Following the Champion Carnival, Kono joined the New Generation Force stable with Suwama, Ryota Hama, Seiya Sanada, and Manabu Soya and from there began a feud with the Partisan Force stable (Minoru Suzuki, Masakatsu Funaki, Akebono, and Taiyo Kea). On July 4, 2010, Kono challenged Suzuki for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship but lost. At Pro Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 10 on August 29, Kono faced Masakatsu Funaki and lost by Knockout. In September 2010, The New Generation Force broke up, and shortly afterward, Kono joined the Voodoo Murders and began using the ring name KONO. On November 5, 2010, KONO teamed with Minoru to win a Number 1 Contenders tournament for the All Asia Tag Team Championship, but lost the following the day in the title match against Seiya Sanada and Manabu Soya. In late November, KONO entered the 2010 World's Strongest Tag Determination League teaming with KENSO. The two emerged victorious, defeating Suwama and Ryota Hama in the finals.

On January 3, 2011, KONO and KENSO challenged Taiyo Kea and Akebono for the World Tag Team Championship but lost. On February 6, Kono and Joe Doering defeated Taiyo Kea and Akebono to win the World Tag Team Championship. On June 3, 2011, in the aftermath of a backstage fight between Yoshikazu Taru and Nobukazu Hirai, which resulted in Hirai suffering a stroke, All Japan Pro Wrestling disbanded Voodoo Murders, suspended all of its Japanese members, including Kono, and vacated the Unified World Tag Team Championship. Kono was suspended specifically for not attempting to stop Taru's assault on Hirai. Kono's suspension was lifted on June 30. At the press conference Kono announced that he would be returning to performing under his real name. Kono made his return to All Japan on October 10, 2011, teaming with Joe Doering and Osamu Nishimura in a six-man tag team match, where they were defeated by Akebono, Masakatsu Funaki and Ryota Hama. On January 4, 2012, Kono made a special appearance for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, where he teamed with Masakatsu Funaki to defeat the Seigigun of Yuji Nagata and Wataru Inoue. On June 20, 2013, Kono, following Funaki, announced his resignation from All Japan out of loyalty to Keiji Mutoh, who had left the promotion when Nobuo Shiraishi took over as its new president at the beginning of the month. Kono's final match for the promotion took place on June 30 and saw him, Funaki and Koji Kanemoto lose to Akebono, Osamu Nishimura and Ryota Hama in a six-man tag team match. On May 25, 2022, Kono made his AJPW return under his old gimmick as part of the Voodoo Murders would made his AJPW return alongside TARU, Voodoo Mask, Toshizo, and Minoru after they helped Suwama in his match with Jake Lee and Suwama would reunite with them after he turned on Dan Tamura and Hikaru Sato to leave Evolution. On October 23, Kono and Suwama defeated Ryuki Honda and Shotaro Ashino to win the World Tag Team Championship. From November 13 to December 7, Kono and Suwama took part in the World's Strongest Tag Determination League, finishing the tournament with a record of three wins and three losses and one double count out, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On January 2, 2023, Kono and Suwama lost the World Tag Team Championship to Kento Miyahara and Takuya Nomura.

### Wrestle-1 (2013–2020)

On July 10, 2013, Kono was announced as part of Keiji Mutoh's new Wrestle-1 promotion. During the promotion's inaugural event on September 8, Kono teamed with Masakatsu Funaki in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Katsuyori Shibata and Kazushi Sakuraba. Following the match, Kono turned on Funaki, hitting his mentor with a steel chair and beating him down with help from Kohei Sato and Ryoji Sai. Kono and Funaki faced off in a singles match at Wrestle 1's second show on September 15, where Kono was victorious with help from Sai and Kazma Sakamoto. Kono, Sai and Sakamoto, replacing an injured Kohei Sato, formed a stable named Desperado, which was in October also joined by René Duprée. In early 2014, after Desperado had failed in their attempt to recruit KAI to the stable, Kono entered a new feud with the self-proclaimed ace of Wrestle-1. The feud culminated on July 6 in a grudge match, where Kono put the future of Desperado on the line. Kono, however, was victorious over Kai, forcing him to have his head shaved. On September 21, Kono entered the Wrestle-1 Championship tournament, defeating Jiro Kuroshio in his first round match. The following day, Kono handed Wrestle-1 founder Keiji Mutoh his first loss since March 2012 by submitting him in a three-on-four handicap match, where he, Kazma Sakamoto and Ryoji Sai faced Mutoh and the Novus stable (Jiro Kuroshio, Koji Doi and Rionne Fujiwara). On September 23, Kono defeated Yusuke Kodama to advance to the semifinals of the Wrestle-1 Championship tournament. On October 8, Kono defeated Masakatsu Funaki in their semifinal match, after Funaki's training partner Tajiri turned on him and joined Desperado. Later that same day, Kono defeated Kai to win the tournament and become the inaugural Wrestle-1 Champion. Following his win, Kono nominated Keiji Mutoh as his first challenger for the title, claiming that he was going to retire Mutoh at his 30th anniversary event on November 1. On November 1, Kono lost the title to Mutoh in his first defense. Later that same month, Kono and Tajiri took part in the First Tag League Greatest tournament, set to determine the inaugural Wrestle-1 Tag Team Champions, where they won their block with a clean record of four wins and zero losses, advancing to the semifinals. On November 30, Kono and Tajiri were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Akira and Manabu Soya. On August 2, 2015, the rest of Desperado turned on Kono, kicking him out of the stable. Kono then started a feud with his former stablemate Kazma Sakamoto over the rights to the name Desperado. On September 6, Kono was defeated by Sakamoto and Koji Doi in a handicap match, when his scheduled partner Nosawa Rongai turned on him and, as a result, lost the name Desperado to the new trio of Sakamoto, Doi and Nosawa. On October 9, Kono formed a new stable with Shuji Kondo and rookies Hiroki Murase and Shotaro Ashino. On October 31, the stable was named TriggeR. On November 27, Kono and Kondo won the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship. They lost the title to Kazma Sakamoto and Yuji Hino on March 6, 2016. On November 2, Kono defeated Daiki Inaba to win the Wrestle-1 Championship for the second time. He lost the title to his TriggeR stablemate Shotaro Ashino on March 20, 2017. On April 9 Kono, Shuji Kondo and Kaz Hayashi defeated NEWERA (Daiki Inaba, Kohei Fujimura and Yusuke Kodama) to win the UWA World Trios Championship. On April 16 Kono, Kondo and Hayashi lost the UWA World Trios Championship to NEWERA (Koji Doi, Kumagoro and Andy Wu). On May 4 Kondo and Takanori Ito defeated Koji Doi and Kumagoro to win the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles back to Doi and Kumagoro on June 24. TriggeR would split on August 11, 2017 when Kondo reformed his team with Kaz Hayashi.

On March 31, 2020, Kono was released by Wrestle-1, after the promotion suspended its activities on the following day.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ Chokebomb
	+ *Giant Knee Drop* (Diving knee drop)
	+ *Dynamite Knee* (Running or a jumping knee)
* **Signature moves**
	+ Backdrop suplex
	+ Running dropkick
* **Nicknames**
	+ "Future Shock"

## Championships and accomplishments

* **All Japan Pro Wrestling**
	+ World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Joe Doering (1) and Suwama (1)
	+ World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2010) - with KENSO
* **Pro Wrestling Illustrated**
	+ PWI ranked him #**157** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011
* **Wrestle-1**
	+ Wrestle-1 Championship (2 times)
	+ Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Shuji Kondo (1), Takanori Ito (1) and Alejandro (1)
	+ UWA World Trios Championship (1 time) - with Shuji Kondo and Kaz Hayashi
	+ Wrestle-1 Championship Tournament (2014)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 *ja:河野 真幸* (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1*. Retrieved on 2014-09-22.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Internet Wrestling Database. Cagematch. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
3. ↑ The Internet Wrestling Database. Cagematch. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
4. ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling – "RISE UP TOUR 2009". Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
5. ↑ AJPW World Tag Team Title. Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
6. ↑ Real World Tag League 2009 (23.11.2009 bis 06.12.2009). Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
7. ↑ Champion Carnival 2010 (03.04.2010 bis 11.04.2010). Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
8. ↑ Triple Crown. Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
9. ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling – "SUMMER IMPACT 2010". Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
10. ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling – "PRO-WRESTLING LOVE IN TAIWAN 2010". Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
11. ↑ Real World Tag League 2010 (20.11.2010 bis 07.12.2010). Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
12. ↑ All Japan Pro-Wrestling – "NEW YEAR SHINING SERIES 2011". Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
13. ↑ ＶＭ解散！ヘイト暴行で無期限出場停止も . *Nikkan Sports* (2011-06-04). Retrieved on 2014-08-08.
14. ↑ All Japan: Suspendierungen aufgehoben  (in German). *Purolove* (2011-06-30). Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved on 2011-06-30.
15. ↑ NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムⅥ in 東京ドーム  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2012-01-04.
16. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (July 1, 2013). "July 1 2013 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Life and times of Jackie Fargo, Ring of Honor and the Briscoes, New Japan iPPV review, Daniel Bryan and Orton, tons more". *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Campbell, California: 33–34. ISSN 1083-9593. Masayuki Kono is the latest to publicly say he's leaving when his contract expires. He said he's talked to both Nobuo Shiraishi and Keiji Muto, and it was Muto who brought him back to pro wrestling (he had left for MMA) so that's who he's staying with. He said in his mind it's not All Japan without Muto.
17. ↑ 2013 プロレスLove in 両国～an abiding belief～  (in Japanese). *All Japan Pro Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2013-06-30.
18. ↑ 武藤敬司が新団体『Wrestle-1』を旗揚げ  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-07-10). Retrieved on 2013-07-10.
19. ↑ 武藤が新団体「Wrestle-1」設立  (in Japanese). *Nikkan Sports* (2013-07-10). Retrieved on 2013-07-10.
20. ↑ 武藤新団体は「Wrestle-1」  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2013-07-10). Retrieved on 2013-07-10.
21. ↑ 武藤新団体「Wrestle-1」旗揚げ戦  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-09-08). Retrieved on 2013-09-08.
22. ↑ W-1旗揚げツアー  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1*. Retrieved on 2013-09-15.
23. ↑ *ja:船木が河野一派に屈辱リンチ負け* (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2013-09-16). Retrieved on 2013-09-16.
24. ↑ W-1の因縁がZERO１にまで飛び火。「勘違いがはなはだしいを超越してる」（崔）  (in Japanese). *Pro Wrestling Zero1* (2013-09-25). Retrieved on 2013-09-25.
25. ↑ W-1初後楽園のメーンはKaiが真田に勝利！武藤はTNA創始者ジャレットと豪華コラボ  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-10-06). Retrieved on 2013-10-06.
26. ↑ Wrestle-1 ～ First Trip  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2013-10-10). Retrieved on 2013-10-12.
27. ↑ 【Wrestle-1】Kaivs火野、元相撲取りレスラー組vs高山＆愚連隊、Leona参戦  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2014-05-22). Retrieved on 2014-09-22.
28. ↑ "自称エース"Kai哀れ…惨敗で中途半端に丸坊主  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2014-07-07). Retrieved on 2014-09-22.
29. ↑ Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-09-21). Retrieved on 2014-09-22.
30. ↑ *ja:武藤ギブアップ…Ｗ-１旗揚げ後初黒星* (in Japanese). *Daily Sports Online* (2014-09-23). Retrieved on 2014-09-23.
31. ↑ Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-09-23). Retrieved on 2014-09-23.
32. ↑ Wrestle-1「Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント」優勝決定戦  (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2014-10-08). Retrieved on 2014-10-08.
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Lions, Phil 2014-10-08. Alberto Del Rio heading to Japan and more Wrestle-1 news . *Pro Wrestling Insider*. Retrieved on 2014-10-08.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 初代王者決定トーナメント  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-10-08). Retrieved on 2014-10-08.
35. ↑ *ja:初代Ｗ－１王者河野、挑戦者に武藤指名* (in Japanese). *Nikkan Sports* (2014-10-09). Retrieved on 2014-10-08.
36. ↑ 武藤敬司デビュー30周年記念大会「Hold Out」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-11-01). Retrieved on 2014-11-01.
37. ↑ 「First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～」公式戦全日程終了！11月30日（日）東京・後楽園ホール（18時試合開始）大会での決勝トーナメント組み合わせ決定のお知らせ  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-11-28). Retrieved on 2014-11-28.
38. ↑ Wrestle-1 Tour 2014 First Tag League Greatest ～初代タッグ王者決定リーグ戦～  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2014-11-30). Retrieved on 2014-11-30.
39. ↑ 新生Desperado始動！「この3人が本物。リアルの『Desperado』です」―2015.9.7記者会見  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2015-09-07). Retrieved on 2015-09-08.
40. ↑ W-1 10.9後楽園大会　ファン感謝デー／W武藤vs.征矢＆スギちゃんのF-1初代王者決定戦、new Wild order vs.JacketsのUWA6人タッグ王座決定戦  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2015-10-09). Retrieved on 2015-10-09.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Autumn Bout  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2015-11-27). Retrieved on 2015-11-27.
42. ↑ 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Trans Magic」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2016-03-06). Retrieved on 2016-03-06.
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Autumn Bout」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2016-11-02). Retrieved on 2016-11-03.
44. ↑ 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Trans Magic」  (in Japanese). *Wrestle-1* (2017-03-20). Retrieved on 2017-03-20.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 Masayuki Kono  (in Japanese). *Puroresu Central*. Retrieved on 2011-01-26.
46. ↑ "PWI 500": 101–200 . *Pro Wrestling Illustrated* (2011-08-08). Retrieved on 2011-08-08.