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Shotaro Ashino

Shotaro Ashino (芦野 祥太郎, Ashino Shōtarō, born January 4, 1990) is a Japanese professional wrestler who is signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was trained by and best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a former two time Wrestle-1 Champion.

Shotaro Ashino
Ashino as the Wrestle-1 Champion in June 2017
Born (1990-01-04) January 4, 1990 (age 34)[1]
Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan[1]
Alma materNippon Sport Science University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Shotaro Ashino
Billed height1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Billed weight97 kg (214 lb)
Trained byKeiji Mutoh
Kaz Hayashi
Wrestle-1
DebutFebruary 13, 2015[1]

Early life

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Ashino was an amateur wrestler throughout his youth, competing in the sport throughout high school and university. Ashino graduated from Nippon Sport Science University and after being recommended by Hiroshi Hase, joined the Wrestle-1 dojo in August 2014, where he trained under Keiji Mutoh and Kaz Hayashi.

Professional wrestling career

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Wrestle-1

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Trigger (2015–2017)

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After being trained in the dojo for six months, Ashino made his debut for Wrestle-1 on February 13, 2015, defeating Kumagoro.[2] In August, Ashino took part in the 2015 Wrestle-1 Grand Prix, defeating Nosawa Rongai in the first round but losing to Manabu Soya in the quarter-finals.[3] In late 2015, Ashino formed Trigger (stylised as TriggeR) alongside Masayuki Kono, Shuji Kondo and Hiroki Murase after Kondo turned on longtime partner Kaz Hayashi during a match against Ashino and Murase.[4] On November 3, Murase and Ashino unsuccessfully challenged Manabu Soya and Jun Kasai for the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship.[5] On June 8, 2016, Ashino received his first shot at the Wrestle-1 Championship, unsuccessfully challenging Kai.[6] In July, Ashino once again participated in the Wrestle-1 Grand Prix, making it to the semi-finals where he faced Manabu Soya, however, the match was quickly brought to an end after Ashino suffered a legitimate injury to his right leg. Ashino took three months to recover, and returned in November. In January 2017, after Trigger stablemate Masayuki Kono had successfully defended the Wrestle-1 Championship against Shuji Kondo, Ashino challenged him to a match for the championship. On March 20, Ashino defeated Kono to win the championship for the first time in his career.[7] After successfully defending the championship against Shuji Kondo on April 19, Ashino left Trigger.[8]

Enfants Terribles (2017–2020)

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Prior to leaving Trigger, Ashino regularly teamed with Seigo Tachibana and this continued following the split from Trigger. On July 12, Ashino and Tachibana defeated Ganeski Tanaka after Yusuke Kodama turned on him mid-match. The three men attacked Tanaka and later Daiki Inaba after the match, with Kodama cementing his defection from New Era.[9] The trio of Kodama, Ashino and Tachibana would go on to be known as Enfants Terribles. At Pro Wrestling Love in Yokohama 2017, Ashino defended his Wrestle-1 Championship against Jiro Kuroshio for his fourth successful defence.[10] Following a fifth title defence against Daiki Inaba, a fourth man dubbed Drunk Andy by Ashino joined Enfants Terribles.[11] From September 24 until October 2, Ashino teamed with Kodama to take part in the Wrestle-1 Tag League, missing out on a semi-final berth with only one win.[12] On October 21, Ashino, Kodama and Tachibana defeated New Era's Jiro Kuroshio, Koji Doi and Kumagoro to win the UWA World Trios Championship.[13] The trio made two successful defences before losing the titles to another New Era trio in Doi, Kumagoro and Takanori Ito on December 2.[14] On March 14, 2018, Ashino fell in his eighth Wrestle-1 Championship defence to Manabu Soya.[15] At the time of Wrestle-1's closure, Ashino's first Wrestle-1 Championship reign was the longest in the title's history at 359 days, with Ashino making a record seven title defences.

On April 18, Kumagoro joined Enfants Terrible after turning on Koji Doi after losing the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship. Following the match, Ashino and Kumagoro challenged Akira and Manabu Soya to a title match.[16] On May 6, Ashino and Kumagoro won the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championships, with Kumagoro changing his name to Kumaarashi after the match.[17] During the post-match celebration, Drunk Andy revealed himself to be Kenichiro Arai and attacked Tachibana; Ashino would later kick out Tachibana from Enfants Terribles. On June 22, Ashino and Kumaarashi lost the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Titles to Kuroshio and Masato Tanaka.[18] After defeating Kaz Hayashi on July 1 in the opening round of the 2018 Wrestle-1 Grand Prix, Ashino was matched against Manabu Soya, a repeat of 2016's Grand Prix semi-final.[19] On July 18, Ashino defeated Soya and went on to win the Wrestle-1 Grand Prix by defeating Koji Doi in the tournament finals.[20] At Pro Wrestling Love in Yokohama 2018, Ashino reclaimed the Wrestle-1 Championship from Manabu Soya.[21] After two successful title defences, Ashino lost the Wrestle-1 Championship to T-Hawk on January 5, 2019.[22] On July 2, Ashino would once again make it to the Wrestle-1 Grand Prix final but lost to Daiki Inaba.[23]

On August 8, Ashino and Kodama won the vacant Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship after defeating Manabu Soya and Shuji Kondo.[24] At Pro Wrestling Love in Yokohama 2019, Ashino and Kodama successfully defended their titles against Strong Hearts’ El Lindaman and Shigehiro Irie.[25] Ashino and Kodama made two further title defences before losing the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championships to Daiki Inaba and Koji Doi.[26]

On February 29, 2020, Wrestle-1 announced that they would be holding their final event on April 1, with all members of the roster being released from their contracts the day prior.[27]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2020–present)

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On April 6, Ashino made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling where he announced he would make All Japan his "main battlefield". On April 30, Ashino made his in-ring debut teaming with a mystery partner, later revealed to be the debuting Yusuke Kodama, against Takao Omori and Hokuto Omori with Ashino and Kodama emerging victorious.[28] The following week, Kumaarashi also joined All Japan and the trio quickly established Enfants Terribles as a force to be reckoned with; they would later be joined by Hokuto Omori and Koji Doi.[29] On June 25, Ashino defeated Yuma Aoyagi in a number one contendership match for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.[30] Five days later, Ashino received his shot against Suwama but was defeated.[31] In his first Champion Carnival, Ashino earned four points from an available eight through victories over Shuji Ishikawa[32] and Yoshitatsu.[33] Although not enough to progress to the finals, his victory over Ishikawa earned him an opportunity to challenge Ishikawa and Suwama for the World Tag Team Championship. On October 24, Ashino and Kumaarashi were unsuccessful in their challenge.[34] Nevertheless, the duo entered their first Real World Tag League together, finishing the tournament with three wins from seven matches and near the bottom of the tournament table.[35] On January 24, 2021, Ashino unsuccessfully challenged Suwama for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship for a second time.[36]

On February 23, the members of Enfants Terribles turned on Ashino during a six man tag team match. In the post match beatdown, Jake Lee also attacked Ashino and turned on his tag partner Iwamoto with the five men leaving together.[37]

Personal life

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Ashino is a fan of the rock band Metallica, and a supporter of the English football team Arsenal.[38]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "W-1 Official Website". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07.
  2. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2015 West Side Story - Tag 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2015 Flashing Summer - Tag 1 Night Battle « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  4. ^ "W武藤がワイルドコンビを下して新F-1タッグ初代王者に！246解散→近藤は新軍団結成 JacketsがUWA6人タッグ奪取！ビッグダディは美奈子に土下座！浜が征矢に挑戦決定（バトル・ニュース）". battle-news.com. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  5. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2015 Autumn Bout - Tag 1 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  6. ^ "ＷＲＥＳＴＬＥ－１王者ＫＡＩがＶ１/デイリースポーツ online". Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  7. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2017 Trans Magic - Tag 4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  8. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2017 Cherry Blossom - Tag 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  9. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Symbol」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  10. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Pro-Wrestling Love In Yokohama 2017」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
  11. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 4th Anniversary」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  12. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WRESTLE-1 Tag League 2017". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  13. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Updraft」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2017-10-21. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  14. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Shining Winter」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  15. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Trans Magic」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-03-14. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  16. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Cherry Blossom」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  17. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Triumph」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  18. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Outbreak」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-06-22. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  19. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Symbol」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  20. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Symbol」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-01-18. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  21. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Pro-Wrestling Love In Yokohama 2018」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  22. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2019 Sunrise」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
  23. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2019 Symbol」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  24. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Tour 2019 Flashing Summer」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
  25. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Pro-Wrestling Love In Yokohama 2019」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  26. ^ "「Wrestle-1 Wrestle Wars 2020」". Wrestle-1 (in Japanese). 2020-03-15. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  27. ^ "Notice of suspension of WRESTLE-1 activity". Wrestle-1.
  28. ^ AJPW All Japan Pro Wrestling Broadcast 2020 ~ All Japan Pro Wrestling's Desire To Deliver To The World Cagematch.net retrieved May 1, 2020
  29. ^ "AJPW All Japan Pro Wrestling Broadcast 2020 #2 ~ The Triple Crown Of Wilderness". Cagematch.net. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  30. ^ "6月25日(木)「全日本プロレス中継 2020 #7」". All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  31. ^ "【全日本】＜6.30試合結果＞史上初の無観客三冠戦は芦野の猛攻を跳ね除け諏訪魔が初防衛に成功 / ジェイクが羆嵐に勝利 / 世界ジュニアは岩本が次期挑戦者に決定". Proresu Today (in Japanese). July 1, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  32. ^ "9月21日(月・祝)後楽園大会". All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  33. ^ "9月26日(土)小田原大会". All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  34. ^ "【全日本】暴走大巨人が世界タッグ防衛！ゼウス＆イザナギアジアタッグ防衛！岩本が世界ジュニア防衛！18年ぶり田中将斗が宮原健斗を挑発 10.24後楽園ホール". Proresu Today (in Japanese). October 26, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  35. ^ "「2020 世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦」星取表[最終得点]". All Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  36. ^ Dark Angelita (January 31, 2021). "AJPW: "New Year Wars 2021" Three championships in dispute". Superluchas. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  37. ^ "【全日本】EnfantsTerriblesが内紛？陣も解散？芦野を羆嵐、土肥らが裏切りジェイクらと合流へ！裏切られた芦野は諏訪魔、岩本と合体か？2.23後楽園『2021 EXCITE SERIES』". Proresu Today (in Japanese). February 24, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  38. ^ "芦野 祥太郎 (@shotaroashino) - Twitter". www.twitter.com. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  39. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  40. ^ "【Ｗ―１】芦野 やりたい放題でチャンピオンシップ王座Ｖ３". Retrieved 9 July 2017.
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