Taishi Ozawa (小澤大嗣 Ozawa Taishi, born October 23, 1996 in Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) as Ozawa (stylized in all capital letters).
Ozawa was trained by Pro Wrestling Noah dojo and made his debut in September 2022. He worked as a rookie over the following two years. In January 2024, Ozawa was sent to Progress Wrestling (Progress) promotion, to further his wrestling training and gain international experience, before returning to NOAH in October, turning heel the following month, renaming himself to "Ozawa", winning NOAH's top title, the GHC Heavyweight Championship and later the GHC National Championship, holding both titles simultaneously.
Early life[]
Since junior high school, Ozawa was inspired to become a professional wrestler, after watching professional wrestling on television with Místico being the wrestler he idolised, leading him to practice gymnastics to emulate Místico. After graduating from high school, he joined the Pro Wrestling Noah dojo in July 2021.
Professional wrestling career[]
Pro Wrestling NOAH (2021–2024)[]
After fourteen months, in the Pro Wrestling Noah dojo, Ozawa made his official debut against Yoshiki Inamura on September 15, 2022 in a losing effort. As is customary for most professional wrestlers, Inamura spent most of his matches losing to other, more experienced wrestlers, which would help put over other wrestlers while at the same time give Yano some in-ring, televised, experience. On January 21 at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena, Ozawa made an appearance in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, teaming with fellow rookie Yasutaka Yano in a losing effort to NJPW's young lions Ryohei Oiwa and Kosei Fujita, marking his first appearance outside of Noah. His second appearance outside Noah took place on July 8, 2023, at Dragon Gate's Buyuden Zero Vol.2, where he teamed with Masa Kitamiya, Kai Fujimura in a losing effort to Big Boss Shimizu, Mochizuki Junior and Daiki Yanagiuchi.
On January 13, 2024, Ozawa begged Naomichi Marufuji to allow him to go on a excursion to England, which he accepted. Afterwards, NOAH announced that Ozawa would be sent to a learning excursion at the end of the month. Over the next three days, in his send-off matches, he was defeated by Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa and Jake Lee.
Excursion (2024)[]
Ozawa then traveled to the United Kingdom to work with NOAH's partner promotion, Progress Wrestling (Progress) for an extended stay. During his stay in the UK, he was given a new wrestling persona, and worked regularly for a number of local European independent wrestling promotions, mostly with Progress Wrestling (PROGRESS), whom NOAH had a working relationship. He made his debut for the latter on January 28, losing to Rob Drake. During his time in Progress, Ozawa developed heel character tendencies while helping other villainous wrestlers such as Gene Munny and Luke Jacobs attack opponents after their matches. In September, Ozawa made a surprise return to NOAH, taking part in the NOAH UK Tour, working three matches in the tour. On October 5, at combined PROGRESS, DEFY Wrestling and NOAH event, Ozawa faced the returning Cara Noir, following his career threatening injury, facing him in a losing effort.
Return to NOAH (2024–Present)[]
On October 14, Ozawa made a surprise appearance for NOAH, on his return from his excursion, he was revealed as All Rebellion's newest member, previously teased by the stable's leader Kaito Kiyomiya. On October 18, it was announced that Ozawa had suffered a broken left leg while training and would be sidelined for the time being.
On November 17 at Deathnity, Ozawa turned on Kaito Kiyomiya and the All Rebellion stable and jumped to Team 2000 X, turning heel in the proccess, challenging him to a title match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship on January 1, 2025 at The New Year. The following weeks, Ozawa began commenting on social media about Kiyomiya personal life, regarding his girlfriend, and also posted a photo of Kiyomiya smoking. On November 30, Ozawa challenged Kiyomiya to a match at The New Year, briging with him a contract for the title match, despite Kiyomiya ignoring him, he eventually lost his temper, leading Ozawa to attack him, revealing his injury to be fake. The following day, Ozawa attacked Kiyomiya and forced him to sign the contract, setting up their match for the event. Afterwards, he remaned himself to "Ozawa".
At The New Year, on January 1, 2025, OZAWA defeated Kaito Kiyomiya to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship, breaking also Kiyomiya's record at two years and four months to become the fastest wrestler to win the title, after his professional wrestling debut. On February 11, OZAWA making his first successful title defense against Galeno, he was challenged by Manabu Soya to a title match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, offering to put his GHC National Championship belt on the line in a double title match. OZAWA downplayed his challenge, calling him out for someone who only competed in "second and third tier promotions" in the past. This led to a Winner Takes All Lumberjack Deathmatch, on March 2 at Memorial Voyage in Yokohama, where OZAWA defeated Soya to win the GHC National Championship and retain the GHC Heavyweight Championship. Afterwards, OZAWA was challenged by Masa Kitamiya to a title match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, before proceeding to toss away the GHC National Championship, stating that he did not needed a "second or third string" title belt, accepting Kitamiya's challenge.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Gutwrench one shoulder powerbomb
- Real Rebel (Phoenix Splash)
- Signature moves
- Body slam
- Boston crab
- Brainbuster
- Diving splash
- Forearm smash
- Japanese arm drag
- Multiple kick variations
- Enzuigiri
- Missle
- Spin
- Standing
- Lariat
- PK – Penalty Kick (Soccer kick to the chest of a seated opponent)
- Samoan driver
- Snap suplex
- Standing moonsault
- Standing shooting star press
- Nicknames
- "The Real Rebel"
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Pro Wrestling NOAH
- GHC Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
- GHC National Championship (1 time)