Kaito Kiyomiya

Kaito Kiyomiya
Birth name	Kaito Kiyomiya (清宮海斗, Kiyomiya Kaito)
Born	July 17, 1996 (1996-07-17)
	Saitama, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Kaito Kiyomiya
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	98 kg (216 lb)
Trained By	Pro Wrestling NOAH Dojo Scott D'Amore
Debut	December 9, 2015

Kaito Kiyomiya (清宮海斗, Kiyomiya Kaito, born July 17, 1996) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he is a former one-time GHC Heavyweight and GHC Tag Team Champion and the winner of 2018 Global League and 2018 Global Tag League (alongside Go Shiozaki). He is the youngest GHC Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion in history, having won both titles at 22 years old.

Kiyomiya was trained by Pro Wrestling Noah dojo and made his debut in December 2015. Kiyomiya worked as a rookie on the mid-card, before going on an excursion in Canada and received further training by Scott D' Amore. He eventually returned to Pro Wrestling Noah in December 2017. The following month, Kiyomiya received his first opportunity for NOAH's premier title, the GHC Heavyweight Championship, but failed to win it. Afterwards, he would receive a significant push as Go Shiozaki's new tag team partner. The duo would later in the 2018 Global Tag League and the GHC Tag Team Championship in April but lost it at end of May. In November, Kiyomiya won NOAH's premier tournament, the Global League. In December, Kiyomiya would win the GHC Heavyweight Championship in December, becoming the new ace of the promotion. Kiyomiya would set the record for becoming the youngest GHC Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Noah's history, at 22 years old. At the end of the year, the Tokyo Sports magazine awarded Kiyomiya the 2018 Fighting Spirit in all of Japanese professional wrestling.

In the following year, Kiyomiya became the first wrestler to headline a Noah pay-per-view event in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, since 2012, on November 2, 2019 (alongside Kenoh). At the end of the year, Kiyomiya became the second wrestler to win consecutive Fighting Spirit Awards from Tokyo Sports (alongside Riki Choshu). Afterwards, Noah named Kiyomiya the 2019 MVP of the promotion. After a twelve-month reign, Kiyomiya lost the title in January 2020, which marked the third longest reign in the title's history.

Early life

Kiyomiya became a fan of professional wrestling after seeing a match between Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshihiro Takayama to crown the inaugural GHC Heavyweight Champion. Afterwards, he became a lifelong fan of professional wrestling and Misawa became his biggest inspiration. After graduating from high school, Kiyomiya he decided to join the Pro Wrestling Noah's dojo. Kiyomiya wears green trunks as a tribute to Misawa.

Professional wrestling career

Pro Wrestling NOAH (2015–2017)

Kiyomiya began training at the Pro Wrestling NOAH Dojo in March 2015 and made his debut on December 9, losing to Hitoshi Kumano at Winter Navigation. Kiyomiya would go winless throughout the rest of 2015, losing to Taiji Ishimori, Quiet Storm, Genba Hirayanagi and Yoshinari Ogawa.

Kiyomiya would remain winless until March 17, when he teamed with Mitsuhiro Kitamiya and Hitoshi Kumano to defeat Kyu Mogami, Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa at a TAKA and Taichi Produce show for his first professional win. As part of a working relationship between Noah and NJPW, on May 19, Kiyomiya debuted for NJPW at Lion's Gate Project 2, defeating Hirai Kawato. The first big victory of Kiyomiya's career would come at We Are Suzuki-Gun 3 on June 18, where he outlasted Taiji Ishimori, Quiet Storm, Akitoshi Saito, Muhammad Yone, Andy Dalton, Eclipse, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Hitoshi Kumano, Ryo Kawamura, Shiro Tomoyose and Yoshinari Ogawa to win Minoru Suzuki's 48th Birthday Anniversary Royal Rumble Match, awarding him the right to a match against Suzuki. The two wrestled to a no-contest on July 16. Kiyomiya debuted for the Kaientai Dojo promotion on July 23, teaming with Go Asakawa in a loss to Taishi Takizawa and Kotaro Yoshino. In November, he was selected to be one of 16 wrestlers selected to be part of the 2016 Global League tournament. He lost all his qualifying matches, being defeated by Alejandro Saez, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Go Shiozaki, Masa Kitamiya, Muhammad Yone, Naomichi Marufuji, and Takashi Sugiura, finishing last in his block.

On January 9, 2017, Kiyomiya was defeated by Takashi Sugiura in a singles match. Afterwards, Sugiura, impressed with Kiyomiya, offered him a chance to form an alliance, which he accepted, stating that he was ready to take the next step in his career, aligning himself with Sugiura and turning heel in the process. The following day, Kiyomiya debuted a new all black ring attire along with a more vicious ring style and ruthless attitude in a loss to Hi69. Kiyomiya, now a fully fledged heel teamed with Sugiura on February 24 to defeat GHC Tag Team Champions Kenoh and Masa Kitamiya, after Kenoh turned on Kitamiya to align himself with Sugiura and Kiyomiya. From April 22 to May 4, Kiyomiya teamed up with Big Japan Pro Wrestling's Takuya Nomura to take part in the 2017 Global Tag League, finishing their block with a record of two wins and six losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.

North America excursion (2017)

On June 5, Noah announced that Kiyomiya would be going to a learning excursion to Canada, where he would be training under Scott D'Amore as part of his continued in-ring skill development. In his final match, before exiting for his excursion, Kiyomiya faced his partner Kenoh in losing effort on June 25 at the Great Voyage In Fukushima. During his excursion in Canada under Scott D'Amore, Kiyomiya worked regularly for a number of local Canadian independent wrestling promotions such as Border City Wrestling, Pure Association Wrestling and most notably Canadian Wrestling's Elite and Smash Wrestling. He stayed in Canada for five months until December 2, working for a Pure Association Wrestling show, which turned out to be his last match in Canada.

Return to Pro Wrestling NOAH (2017–Present)

Teaming with Go Shiozaki (2017–2018)

Kiyomiya returned from his excursion on December 22, confronting and challenging Kenoh after he had defeated Eddie Edwards to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Afterwards, it was announced that Kiyomiya would receive a title shot against Kenoh on January 6, 2018. Where he to win the title, Kiyomiya would become the youngest GHC Heavyweight Champion in history. Before the title match, NOAH announced that Kiyomiya had gained 15 kg (33 lb) of muscle to increase his overall weight from 85 kg (187 lb) to 100 kg (220 lb). On January 6 Kiyomiya was defeated by Kenoh in the title match after the referee stopped the match. Afterwards, after regaining consciousness Kiyomiya went after Kenoh. However, Kenoh and Takashi Sugiura turned on Kiyomiya ending their alliance, turning face in the process. Kiyomiya then walked out with Go Shiozaki and the two formed a new partnership, later dubbed as "GO-KAI". Kiyomiya claimed his first win after his return on January 15 defeating Andrew Everett. After that, he would receive a significant push as Shiozaki's new tag team partner. From March until April, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki took part in the Global Tag League, finishing the tournament with three wins, one loss, and three draws, advancing to the finals. In the finals, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki defeated Kenoh and Sugiura to win the tournament. On April 29 at Great Voyage in Niigata, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki defeated The Aggression (Masa Kitamiya and Katsuhiko Nakajima) to win the GHC Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles back to The Aggression on May 29. Shortly after, Kiyomiya would later be involved in a short feud between the younger generation dubbed as the "Super New Generation Army" against the older generation, which led to Kiyomiya and Kenoh unsuccessfully challenging Akitoshi Saito and Naomichi Marufuji for the GHC Tag Team Championship on September 9.

GHC Heavyweight Champion (2018–2019)

In November, Kiyomiya took part in the Global League, where he won his block with a record of four wins and three losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament. During the tournament, Kiyomiya picked up a major win over reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion Takashi Sugiura. On November 25, Kiyomiya defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima in the finals to win the 2018 Global League and earn a shot at the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Kiyomiya received his title shot on December 16 at Great Voyage in Yokohama vol.2, defeating Takashi Sugiura to become the youngest GHC Heavyweight Champion in history at 22 years old. Afterwards, Kioymiya was challenged by Kenoh to a title match, which was settled to be on January 6, 2019, marking one year since Kiyomiya's return to NOAH from his excursion, leading Kiyomiya defeating Kenoh to make his first successful title. Afterwards, Kiyomiya was challenged by Atsushi Kotoge and Masa Kitamya to a title match. He would make his second successful title defense against Kitamiya who had previously defeated Kotoge to become the 1º contender. Following the match, Naomichi Marufuji challenged Kiyomiya to a match for his title. Leading up to the match, Kiyomiya and Marufuji faced each other in a tag team match, where Kiyomiya teamed with Daisuke Harada and Marufuji teamed with Minoru Tanaka. Marufuji would win the match for his team, after submitting Kiyomiya with a Keylock and afterwards bent down to hold the icepack on Kiyomiya's arm, which he had attacked consistently during the match. In a built-up to the match, Kiyomiya trained with MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba to work on his submission move a Chicken Wing Facelock.

On March 10 at Great Voyage in Yokohama, Kiyomiya defeated Naomichi Marufuji to make his third successful title defense. Following the match, Kiyomiya called out Kenoh and asked him to be his partner for the upcoming Global Tag League, which he accepted, declaring a united front to create a new scene for Noah, dubbing their team "KAIOH". In April, Kiyomiya and Kenoh took part in the tournament, finishing the Global Tag League with a record of four wins, two losses, and one loss, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Kaioh disbanded on April 30, after losing to Akitoshi Saito and Masao Inoue in their last round-robin match. Afterwards, Kenoh who was jealous of Kiyomiya disbanded their team, stating that Kiyomiya had been told by LIDET Entertainment, not by Noah, while also claiming that Kiyomiya was made a star by the company, not by his own merit. On May 4, Kiyomiya and Shuhei Taniguchi defeated Kenoh and Masa Kitamiya to end their short feud. Afterwards, Kiyomiya and Taniguchi formed a team later named the "Unchains". Kiyomiya next challenger for the GHC Heavyweight Championship was Takashi Sugiura, who had previously defeated him during the Global Tag League. Shortly after Sugiura won the tournament, he challenged Kiyomiya to a title match, which was later announced by Noah. On June 9 at Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial, Kiyomiya defeated Takashi Sugiura to make his fourth successful title defense. On June 27, Kiyomiya and Taniguchi challenged AXIZ (Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima) to match for the GHC Tag Team Championship. Nakajima accepted Kiyomiya and Taniguchi's challenge for their titles on the condition that Kiyomiya would defend the GHC Heavyweight Championship against him. On July 21, Kiyomiya and Taniguchi unsuccessfully challenged AXIZ for the GHC Tag Team Championship. Six days later, Kiyomiya defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima to make his fifth successful title defense. Kiyomiya's sixth title defense was against Kenoh. On July 29, Kiyomiya announced that he wouldn't enter the 2019 N-1 Victory, instead, the winner of the tournament would challenge him for his title on November 2 at Noah the Best 2019. Kiyomiya's decision drew criticism from Kenoh, who accused him of being scared to take part in the tournament. After Kenoh won the 2019 N-1 Victory, Kiyomiya was confronted by Kenoh, with both claiming they would create a new scene for Noah. Leading to the event, it was also announced the creation of the second version of the GHC Heavyweight Championship, which would title to replace the first version, with the winner of the match being the first wrestler to hold the new championship belt. On October 11, Kiyomiya was attacked by Kenoh's stable KONGOH, with Masa Kitamiya and Yoshiki Inamura forcing Kiyomiya to his knees, while Kenoh claimed that Kiyomiya was just spoiled not strong, leading AXIZ (Katsuhiko Nakajima and Go Shiozaki) to make the save. On October 22, Kiyomiya teamed with AXIZ in a match against KONGOH. In the last moments of the match, Kiyomiya performed the Tiger Suplex on Yoshiki Inamura. Afterwards, Kenoh executed the Diving Foot Stomp on Kiyomiya, while he was pinning Inamura, leading the referee to stop the match. Following the match, Kiyomiya was stretchered out of the arena. The following day, Noah revealed that Kiyomiya had suffered a cervical sprain, leading him to be pulled from their show on October 27, but it was announced that he would be returning at Noah the Best. At the event, on November 2, Kiyomiya defeated Kenoh to make his sixth title defense. Afterwards, the longest-reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta Kobashi presented him with the second version of the GHC Heavyweight Championship.

On December 3, 2019, at Go Shiozaki's 15th anniversary debut match, Kiyomiya was challenged by Shiozaki to a match for his title on January 4, 2020. Things started civilly between the champion and the challenger. However, Kiyomiya began showing an egotistical attitude leading to the match, stating that would take the "leading role" at Noah's 20th anniversary year in 2020. On December 12, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki faced each other in a six-man tag team match, where Shiozaki teamed with his AXIZ tag team partner Katsuhiko Nakajima and Hitoshi Kumano, while Kiyomiya teamed with his tag team partner Shuhei Taniguchi and Masao Inoue. Shiozaki scored the win for his team, after pinning Kiyomiya. Afterwards, Kiyomiya found the loss regrettable and his arrogance began growing. In their final confrontation, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki faced each other for the second time in a tag team match, where Kioymiya teamed with Shuhei Taniguchi and Shiozaki with his AXIZ tag team partner Katsuhiko Nakajima. Shiozaki would score the win for his team, pining Kiyomiya for the second time. On January 4, 2020, at New Sunrise, Kiyomiya lost the GHC Heavyweight Championship to Go Shiozaki in his seventh title defense, ending his reign at 384 days, which marked the longest title reign in the title's history since KENTA's reign in 2013.

Various Feuds (2020–Present)

After losing the GHC Heavyweight Championship, Kiyomiya began focusing on the GHC National Championship. On January 30, Kiyomiya challenged Takashi Sugiura to a match for the GHC National Championship, which Sugiura accepting his challenge with the match being scheduled on February 24. At the event on February 24, Kiyomiya unsuccessfully challenged Sugiura for the GHC National Championship. In April, Kiyomiya and Taniguchi took part in the 2020 Global Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of one win and two losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. In May, Noah produced two events, the "New Hope" on May 24 and May 31, with Kiyomiya being the crucial figure of the event, due to being the promotion's "new ace". On the first night of the event, Kiyomiya defeated Rene Dupree in the main event. Afterwards, Kiyomiya proclaimed his ambition of two dream matches, with the first being against Keiji Mutoh and the second match being against New Japan Pro Wrestling's Kazuchika Okada. On the second night of the event, Kiyomiya defeated Yoshiki Inamura in the main event. Afterwards, Kioymiya was confronted by Daiki Inaba, signaling a challenge from Inaba to match. On July 5 on the third night of New Hope, Kiyomiya defeated Inaba in a singles match. Afterwards, Inaba asked Kioyomiya to form a team with him, which he accepted, effectively disbanding the Unchains.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Chicken Wing Facelock
  • King's Road (High Angle Bridging Tiger Suplex)
  • Overthrow (Fireman's Carry transitioned into a Modified Side Slam)
  • Tiger Driver (Double underhook lifted sitout sheerdrop powerbomb) – used as a tribute to Mitsuharu Misawa
• Signature moves
  • Bridging German Suplex
  • Boston Crab
  • Cobra twist
  • Double underhook facebuster
  • Inverted facelock backbreaker followed by a inverted snap DDT
  • Japanese Leg Roll Hold
  • Lariat
  • Lifting inverted DDT form the top rope
  • Multiple dropkick variations
    • Missle
    • Standing
  • Powerslam
  • Snap scoop powerslam
  • Standing elbow drop
  • Uppercut
  • Running elbow strike
• Nicknames
  • "Emerald New Star"
  • "Nova"
  • "Next Generation Ace"
  • "Supernova"
• Entrance themes
  • "KAITO" (2016–2018)
  • "Explosion Soul" (2018–Present)

Championships and accomplishments

• Pro Wrestling NOAH
  • GHC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • GHC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Go Shiozaki
  • Global Tag League (2018) – with Go Shiozaki
  • Global League (2018)
  • MVP Award (2019)
• Taka & Taichi Box Office
  • Minoru Suzuki's 48th Birthday Anniversary Royal Rumble Match (2016)
• Tokyo Sports
  • Fighting Spirit Award (2018, 2019)