Tomoyuki Oka (岡 倫之 Oka Tomoyuki, born June 12, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he currently performs under the ring name Great-O-Khan (グレート-O-カーン Gurēto-O-Kān), where he currently one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions in his fourth reign, while also being a former one-time NJPW World Television Champion, a former provisional and the 2024 KOPW Champion, of which he is the final holder. Through a working relationship between NJPW and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), he is a former Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion with a one-time reign, while also being a former one-time British Tag Team Champion.
Oka made his debut for NJPW on January 3, 2017, and worked as a "Young Lion" over the following two years. In June 2018, Oka was repackaged as "(The) Great O-Kharn" and was sent to British Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) promotion to further his wrestling training and gain international experience, a tradition with NJPW "Young Lions". In November 2019, Oka won his first professional wrestling championship, the Undisputed British Tag Team Championship. Oka returned to NJPW in October 2020, under his excursion gimmick, and became one of the founding members of the United Empire stable.
Since then, O-Khan became deeply recgnized within the audiences with O-Khan becoming a popular and loved figure, with O-Khan becoming one of NJPW's current popular wrestlers, leading O-Khan becoming synonymus with KOPW Championship along with O-Khan becoming a multiple time IWGP Tag Team Champion, much also derived from his actions outside the ring, becoming a fan favorite despite having a heel gimmick.
Early life[]
Oka excelled in amateur wrestling while in school, winning the All Japan Wrestling Championship in the 120 kg Freestyle class in 2012. Oka met Takaaki Kidani, president of Bushiroad in 2013, and was signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) shortly after, but did not begin training until 2015 as he was still in university at the time. Oka is an avid anime fan, citing Milky Holmes as his favorite anime.[1][2] In the past, Oka has also competed in judo, karate, sambo, kickboxing, pankration, jiu-jitsu and mixed-martial arts.[3]
Professional wrestling career[]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016–2018)[]
Oka began training with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in 2015, and made his in-ring debut on February 25, 2016, losing to fellow rookie Katsuya Kitamura in a dark match.[4] Oka once again lost to Kitamura in a dark match on September 1.[5] Oka made his televised debut on January 3, 2017, losing to his trainer Yuji Nagata.[6] Oka once again lost to Nagata on January 27,[7] January 31,[8] and February 2.[9] On February 9, Oka, Yoshitatsu and Henare were defeated by Nagata, Hirai Kawato and Jushin Thunder Liger.[10] Oka's first victory came on February 21, when he defeated Henare via referee stoppage after Henare suffered an ankle injury during their match.[11] On April 13 at Lion's Gate Project 4, he teamed with his trainer Yuji Nagata to defeat Katsuya Kitamura and Manabu Nakanishi.[12] On July 22, he and Nagata defeated Kitamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi.[13] Oka then formed a tag team named "Monster Rage" with Kitamura.[14] From October 12 to December 21, Oka took part in the 2017 Young Lion Cup, where he finished third with a record of three wins and two losses.[15] Oka's final match in NJPW took place on June 24, 2018 at Kizuna Road, teaming with Yuji Nagata in a winning effort against Manabu Nakanishi and Shota Umino.
Foreign excursion (2018–2020)[]
Before going on an excursion Oka started using the Mongolian chop after being encouraged and blessed by Hiroyoshi Tenzan to use it, as well stating that he would improve it, a promise he also made to Tenzan at the time. In June, Oka began his excursion debuting for England's Revolution Pro Wrestling on June 30 at Strong Style Evolved UK defeating Shota Umino, under the ring name "(The) Great O-Kharn", named after the ruler of the Mongolian Empire Genghis Khan, while during his entrances he wears a traditional Mongolian deel. Afterwards, O-Kharn developed an undefeated streak, never losing a match by submitting or being pinned. This undefeated streak included major victories over Shane Strickland, Mark Davis and Martin Kirby. During his undefeated streak, O-Kharn began being managed by Gideon Grey, who also became his spokesperson. In November 2019, O-Kharn, Grey, Rampage Brown and Sha Samuels formed a stable named "The Legion". On November 9, O-Kharn and Brown defeated Dan Magee and Kurtis Chapman to win the vacant Undisputed British Tag Team Championship. On November 24, O-Kharn and Brown successfully defended the Undisputed British Tag Team Championship and defeated Moonlight Express (MAO and Mike Bailey) for the SWE Tag Team Championship in a title unification match.
Return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2020–Present)[]
On October 16, Oka made his surprise return from excursion, under the ring name "Great-O-Khan", named after the ruler of the Mongolian Empire Genghis Khan, alongside Bea Priestley by interfering and helping Will Ospreay defeat Kazuchika Okada in his final block match in the 2020 G1 Climax. After Ospreay left CHAOS, O-Khan and Priestley were announced as part of Ospreay's newest stable. The following day, O-Khan wrestled his return match, where he and Ospreay defeated Okada and Sho in a tag team match. The new group was subsequently named "The Empire". On November 7, at Power Struggle, O-Khan was defeated by Kazuchika Okada by referee stoppage, as part of The Empire's feud with Okada, ending O-Khan's undefeated streak at 861 days, or almost two and a half years. From November 15 until December 6, O-Khan and The Empire's newest member Jeff Cobb took part in the 2020 World Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses, failing advance to the finals of the tournament. Later in the year, O-Khan began his first major feud in New Japan with former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, after having injured his leg during the 2020 World Tag League. The rivalry between O-Khan and Tanahashi culminated in a match on January 4, 2021, on the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 15 in Tokyo Dome, where Tanahashi was victorious.
Following the event, on January 6 at New Years Dash, The Empire entered a rivalry with Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima). At the New Years Dash, The Empire faced Tencozy and Yota Tsuji in a winning effort. Afterwards, The Empire attacked Tencozy, with Hiroyoshi Tenzan being stretchered out of the arena, after O-Khan laid him out with his own finishing move the TTD. Following the O-Khan use of the Mongolian Chop, the rivalry between O-Khan and Tenzan culminated into a match on January 30 at The New Beginning in Nagoya, where the loser of the match would be banned from using the Mongolian Chop, leading O-Khan to face Tenzan in a winning effort, although Tenzan would start using it again at the urging of Hiroshi Tanahashi. Later that night, O-Khan attacked Hiroshi Tanahashi and challenged him to a title match for the NEVER Openweight Championship. On February 28, at Castle Attack, O-Khan unsucessfully challenged Tanahashi for the NEVER Openweight Championship. In March, O-Khan took part in the 2021 New Japan Cup, picking up a surprise victory over former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito on March 4 by referee stoppage, before being eliminated from the tournament by Toru Yano on March 11 at the second round. O-Khan and Naito would face off again on April 26 at Road To Wrestling Dontaku at Hiroshima, with Naito defeating O-Khan. From September 18 to October 18, O-Khan took part in the 2021 G1 Climax, where he finished with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. During the tournament, O-Khan avenged his previous loss against Yano, as well as defeating former IWGP Tag Team Championship holder Tanga Loa. In the following month, O-Khan engaged in a rivalry with Yano after he wanted to force Yano to kiss his boot after their G1 match, which Yano refused, leading him to Yano hit a low blow on O-Khan. This would lead to a match for Yano's provisional KOPW 2021 trophy, where O-Khan unsuccessfully challenged Yano in a Amateur Rules match on November 6 at Power Struggle. Afterwards, O-Khan disappointed in his loss, alongside with his cornerman Aaron Henare, attacked Yano before Yuji Nagata, who was a judge for the match, made the save. From November 14 until December 12, O-Khan and Henare took part in the 2021 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of seven wins and four losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.
In March 2022, O-Khan took part in the 2022 New Japan Cup, losing in the third round to eventual winner Zack Sabre Jr. On April 9 at Hyper Battle, O-Khan and United Empire stablemate Jeff Cobb defeated Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles to Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens) on May 1 at Wrestling Dontaku, only to regain them on June 12 at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall. They lost the titles to FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) on June 26 at Forbidden Door, in a winner takes all match also for the ROH World Tag Team Championship, which involved Roppongi Vice (Beretta and Rocky Romero). From July 26 to August 16, O-Khan took part in the 2022 G1 Climax, finishing the tournament with a record of two wins and four losses, failing to advance to the semifinals. After he and Cobb failed to regain the tag titles from FTR on November 5 at Battle Autumn, a match where Cobb suffered an injury, he and Henare shifted their focus on that year's World Tag League. From November 22 until December 14, O-Khan and Aaron Henare took part in the 2022 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of six wins and four losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Three days later, at Revolution Pro Wrestling's Uprising, O-Khan defeated Zak Knight, who was replacing Ricky Knight Jr. to win British Heavyweight Championship.
On January 5, 2023 at New Year Dash, O-Khan stared down Shingo Takagi, holding his Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship, as way of asserting his superiority over him. In a backstage interview, O-Khan challenged Takagi to a match, which Takagi accepted; despite seeing the KOPW Championship as a way to challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. On January 12, both men choose their stipulations with O-Khan choosing a mixed martial arts rules match, and with Takagi's IWGP World Heavyweight Championship opportunity being also on the line, after winning winning the fan poll. On January 22 at The New Beginning in Nagoya, O-Khan unsuccessfully challenged Takagi for the proviosional KOPW Championship. In March, O-Khan took part in the 2023 New Japan Cup, being eliminated from the tournament in the second round to eventual finalist David Finlay. On July 9 at RPW's Epic Encounter, O-Khan lost the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship to Michael Oku. He continued enduring a difficult year, following a disapointing run in the 2023 G1 Climax, from July 15 to August 6, where he finished the tournament with a record of three wins and four losses, failing to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament. After the conclusion of the tournament on August 13, O-Khan attacked Takagi, during a post-match interview, before forcing him to lick his boots, as he promiced an "execution" at the hands of the United Empire. On September 24 at Destruction in Kobe, O-Khan was defeated by Takagi. From November 25 until December 6, O-Khan and HENARE took part in the 2023 World Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins, and three losses, failing to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
On January 5, 2024 at New Year Dash, O-Khan was defeated by Taiji Ishimori in the match to crown the first Provisional 2024 KOPW Champion, with Ishimori avoiding O-Khan to win the match. Aftewrwards, in a post-match inerview, O-Khan challenged Ishimori to a rematch. On January 11, both wrestlers proposed the rules for the match, with O-Khan suggesting a Bullrope Deathmatch, after Ishimori drew the ire of O-Khan. On January 22 at The New Beginning in Nagoya, O-Khan defeated Ishimori to win the provisional 2024 KOPW Championship in a 10 Minute Ishimori Ring Fit match. After his win, O-Khan stated that he would be taking the title to be defended around Japan and not simply at the big tour ending dates.
In March, O-Khan took part in the 2024 New Japan Cup, before being eliminated from the tournament by Tanga Loa on March 7 at the first round in an upset win. Afterwards, Loa began constantly challenging O-Khan; despite O-Khan stating that Loa was not up to the task, this led on March 18, O-Khan finally accepting Loa's challenge leading to the match becoming official three days later. On March 25, ahead of their match, a fan vote was held by each men proposing each stipulation, Jado, on the behalf of Loa, proposed a “King of Kaiju Match", as much like a Texas Deathmatch, with the bout seeing conmpetitors looking to score a pinfall, after which a ten count was applied, with the last man standing being the winner. O-Khan then sneered that ‘that’s something an ape would think up’. Afterwards, O-Khan proposed a "Rural Revitalization Match in Hamamatsu", with O-Khan stating that the match would be a ‘two out of three falls’, but with very different interpretations of falls. The first fall would be held under a ten minute time limit most covers rules, with every pinfall attempt counting as a point in the scenario. The second round would be an eating contest, with the local specialty of eel being the focus for five minutes, while the third would a strap match with two wrestlers connected via a strap with the winner having to touch all four corners consecutively to win the match. O-Khan then reiterated the only way to watch the match was to be live in person; although suggested that fans would be able to see the match later at NJPW World. Two days later, it was announced that O-Khan and Loa would face each other in a Rural Revitalization Match in Hamamatsu, following the result of a fan poll. On March 31, O-Khan defeated Loa to make his first title defense, with O-Khan scoring the second and third falls; despite Loa winning the first fall.
On April 6, at Sakura Genesis, O-Khan along with his stablemates Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman lost in a six-man tag team match against Just 5 Guys (SANADA, Yuya Uemura and DOUKI), after Uemura directly pinned O-Khan. Uemura who had been gaining momentum since the New Japan Cup, challenged O-Khan, with O-Khan accepting the challenge. On April 18, ahead of their match, a fan vote was held by each men proposing each stipulation, Uemura proposed a Catch Rules Match, alluding to O-Khan’s proficient grappling background while O-Khan once again proposed a "Rural Revitalization Match in Hamamatsu" in a pledge to ‘unite the fiefdoms’ across Japan under his suzerainty. Four days later, it was announced that O-Khan and Uemura would face each other in a Rural Revitalization Match in Hamamatsu, following the result of a fan poll. On April 27, he lost the title to Uemura, only to regain it on June 9 at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall in a Storm Catch Rules match. From July 20 and August 12, O-Khan took part in the 2024 G1 Climax, where he lost his three opening block matches, before boucing back winning his next five matches including an upset win over IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito on August 12, the final day of the tournament, to advance to the A block play-off match to decide the semifinalists of the tournament. At the play-off match, on August 14, O-Khan was defeated by Shingo Takagi. Five days later, after a multi-man tag team match between L.I.J and United Empire, which United Empire won, O-Khan gestured towards the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, with Naito at backstage interview, accepting O-Khan's challenge. O-Khan claimed that his true vision as KOPW Champion, and as someone "to surpass Antonio Inoki" would be solidifed when he became IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. On September 29 at Destruction in Kobe, O-Khan unsucessfully challenged Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
On October 5, 2024 at Stardom's Nagoya Golden Fight, O-Khan made an appearance and layed an open challenge for his KOPW Championship to any female wrestler in Stardom at Historic X-Over II. On October 29, in a press conferece, O-Khan's opponent was revealed to be Stardom's Suzu Suzuki. O-Khan then invited Suzuki to bring any rule she wanted for their match, which Suzuki revealed to be a No Disqualification Hardcore match, due to her deathmatch background as part of the Prominence stable. O-Khan scoffed that Suzuki should bring assistance to the ring and proclaimed that he would not use a weapon against her. Offended by O-Khan’s attitude, Suzuki said she was ‘grossed out by him, especially his braid and beard, leading both agreeing that if O-Khan lost he would be forced to shave his hair and beard. At the end of the press conference, O-Khan slammed Suzuki’s head into the table after a photo session. On November 17, at Historic X-Over II, O-Khan defeated Suzuki to retain his KOPW Championship. On October 14, at King of Pro-Wrestling, O-Khan and HENARE challenged TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. This led on November 4 at Power Struggle, O-Khan and HENARE defeated Nicholls and Haste to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They vacated the titles on December 6, due to HENARE suffering a right knee injury.
On November 21, O-Khan along with HENARE faced Taichi and Taka Michinoku, which saw Taichi and Michinoku win after Taichi scored a victory against O-Khan. At finals of the 2024 World Tag League, Taichi challenged O-Khan for the KOPW Championship, which O-Khan accepted. On December 12, ahead of their match, a fan vote was held by each men proposing each stipulation, Taichi proposed a KOPW Best Two out of Three Falls Match, alluding to his creativity during the year, but said there was ‘a bunch of matches he did not get, vowing to show how tough the KOPW title can be. Taichi proposed all stipulations he fought for the KOPW title, leading to the first fall being a No Rope Sumo Match, the second, a Special Guest Referee Match with Yoshinobu Kanemaru serving as the referee, while the third fall would be a Takagi-style Last Man Standing Lumberjack Match. O-Khan on the other hand proposed a Korakuen Hall Revitalization Match or its alternate title, the Great United Anywhere Fall Match, which any competitor can bring any number of partners to assist in this no DQ anywhere falls match. The only requirement is that title holder and challenger are the only ones who can go for a pinfall. Four days later, it was announced that O-Khan and Taichi would face each other in a KOPW Best Two out of Three Falls Match, following the result of a fan poll. On December 22, O-Khan's match against Taichi ended in a double knockout draw, officially crowning him the KOPW 2024 Champion. Following the match, O-Khan announced his intention to retire the KOPW title. He further revealed that the annual New Japan Rambo at Wrestle Kingdom 19, traditionally contested for a shot at the KOPW title, would determine the number one contender for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, which he failed to win.
On January 6, 2025, at New Year Dash, O-Khan and Shota Umino faced off in a ten-man tag team match, where O-Khan secured the win for his team. Afterwards, O-Khan attacked Umino, before on Umino’sand tore the mini replicas of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship that the fans had made to Umino, after he failed to win the title at Wrestle Kingdom 19. Over the following weeks, O-Khan began shaving part of Umino's hair, leading both to agree to a Hair vs. Hair match. This led to a match on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, where O-Khan defeated Umino in a Lucha de Apuesta match, forcing Umino to have all his hair shaved off after the match. On April 5 at Sakura Genesis, O-Khan defeated El Phantasmo to win the NJPW World Television Championship. On April 26, at Wrestling Redzone in Hiroshima, O-Khan and Callum Newman defeated Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi to win the vacant IWGP Tag Team Championship. On April 29 at Wrestling Hizen no Kuni, O-Khan lost the NJPW World Television Championship back to El Phantasmo.
Personal Life[]
On March 29, 2022, an incident took place outside JR Musashi Kosugi Station in Kawasaki, Japan, where a inebriated 61-year-old man began harassing a 10-year-old girl, and was about to kidnap her. Oka noticed the incident and after the girl asked for help, he managed to calm the girl, subdue the man and save the girl's mother from a critical situation in the station restroom. On April 4, 2022, Oka received a letter of appreciation from the Nakahara police for his efforts. In a interview with Japanese newspaper Tokyo Sports, Oka stated that helping that girl was "more valuable than a championship belt."
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Oozora Subaru Sheep Killer / Oozora Subaru-style Neck and Backbreaker (Standing iron claw backbreaker hold) – adopted from V-Tuber Oozora Subaru
- Eliminator (NJPW) /Fuyajou (RPW) (Iron claw slam, sometimes while applying a wrist clutch)
- Iron claw hold
- Pancake Hold (Grounded arm triangle choke)
- TTD – Tenzan Tombstone Driver (Kneeling cradle reverse piledriver) – 2021; parodied from Hiroyoshi Tenzan
- Signature moves
- Asian mist - Adopted from Keiji Mutoh
- Bicycle kick
- Boston crab
- Camel clutch
- Cross kneebar
- Dropkick
- Lariat
- Lifting reverse STO
- Mongolian chop
- Multiple judo throws
- Ipponzeoi
- Tawara gaeshi
- Multiple suplex variations
- Belly to back
- Belly to belly
- FGO – Fate/Grapple O-Khan (Release dragon)
- German
- Super
- Vertical
- Overhead neckbreaker
- Samoan Spike (Iron claw hold followed by a high speed thumb thrust to the throat)
- Sheep Killer~Holo Ver.~ (Backbreaker transitioned into a kneeling iron claw backbreaker hold)
- Shoulder tackle
- Springboard moonsault - used rarely, also from the Corner
- Suicide dive
- Triangle choke
- With HENARE/Jeff Cobb
- Imperial Drop (Flapjack (Cobb/Henare)/Jumping Cutter (O-Khan) Combination)
- Nicknames
- "Dominator"
- "Ama kakutōgi jū-kan-ō" (Japanese for "Amateur Martial Arts 10 Crown King")
- Entrance themes
- "Silk Road" by Yonosuke Kitamura
Championships and accomplishments[]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- NJPW World Television Championship (1 time)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (4 times, current) – with Jeff Cobb (2), HENARE (1) and Callum Newman (1, current)
- Provisional KOPW 2024 Championship (2 times)
- KOPW (2024)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 427 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2018[16]
- Revolution Pro Wrestling
- Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- British Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rampage Brown
- SWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rampage Brown
- Tokyo Sports
- Technique Award (2021)
- Fighting Spirit Award (2022)
- Tag Team of the Year (2022) – with Jeff Cobb
References[]
- ↑ Otaku pro wrestler Tomoyuki Oka makes no apologies for blurring the nerd/jock boundary (2014-04-15).
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedSP
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedcagematch1
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Lion's Gate Project1 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Lion's Gate Project3 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Great Wrestling Festival 2017 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2017 - Tag 1 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2017 - Tag 3 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2017 - Tag 5 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2017 - Tag 8 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. NJPW Togi Makabe 20th Anniversary Show « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database .
- ↑ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=172504
- ↑ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=180174
- ↑ ローソンチケット Presents G1 Climax 27 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-09-24.
- ↑ Lion's Gate Project10 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-12-21.
- ↑ 2018 PWI 500 . Cagematch. Retrieved on 2018-10-29.
External links[]
- Tomoyuki Oka's New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile