Hisakatsu Oya
Encyclopedia
Kenichi Oya is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Hisakatsu Oya. Although he started out for New Japan Pro Wrestling
, he is well-known for his stint in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
.
Dojo. He made his wrestling debut in April 1986, against Masahiro Chono
. During his tenure in New Japan, Oya also teamed with the likes of Kensuke Sasaki
and Osamu Matsuda. However, due to injuries, he retired in 1989.
in July 1990. Oya would not only wrestle his fellow SWS comrades, he would also wrestle against stars from the World Wrestling Federation as well. In January 1992, he teamed up with Kendo Nagasaki
for a tournament to determine the first SWS Tag Team Champions, which was won by Yoshiaki Yatsu
and Haku. In June 1992, SWS shut down.
in November 1993, under the name Hisakatsu Oya. Unlike his previous stints in NJPW, SWS, and NOW, Oya found his niche. Over the course of a year, Oya proved his worth in FMW, battling the likes of Battle Ranger, Masato Tanaka
, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga, and Atsushi Onita
.
In April 1995, he formed Lethal Weapon
with Tarzan Goto
and Ricky Fuji
, but Goto would leave FMW shortly thereafter. He and Fuji formed a tag team known as The Love Guns, and together they held the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship
once between May 1995 and September 1995. Oya and Fuji would also increase the numbers in Lethal Weapon by recruiting Mr. Pogo, The Gladiator
, and Horace Boulder
. In August 1995, during a round-robin tournament for the vacant FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship
, Oya fought Hayabusa
to an epic 30-minute time-limit draw.
In September 1996, Lethal Weapon disbanded and Oya joined Funk Masters of Wrestling, where he formed a trio with The Headhunters
and won the FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
. After the Funk Masters disbanded, Oya decided to turn face for the first time in his career and join forces with Hayabusa. Up until the demise of FMW in February 2002, he fought alongside Hayabusa in his wars against Mr. Gannosuke
and Kodo Fuyuki
.
, and Osaka Pro Wrestling
. During his stint in WMF, he developed a Puerto Rican assassin gimmick named HISAKATSU.
Although semi-retired, Oya is still one of the most underrated wrestlers in Japan, as well as one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. His ring psychology and submission wrestling is second-to-none. As a sneaky heel, he chose not to taunt the crowd and to remain unpredictable to his opponents.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
, he is well-known for his stint in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded on July 28, 1989 by Atsushi Onita that specialized in hardcore wrestling involving weapons such as barbed wire and fire. They held their first show on October 6, 1989...
.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1986-1989)
Kenichi Oya trained at the New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
Dojo. He made his wrestling debut in April 1986, against Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
. During his tenure in New Japan, Oya also teamed with the likes of Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
and Osamu Matsuda. However, due to injuries, he retired in 1989.
Super World of Sports (1990-1992)
After a hiatus, Oya joined Super World of SportsSuper World of Sports
Super World of Sports, more commonly known as SWS, was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1990 to 1992. Its motto was "STRAIGHT AND STRONG".-Formation:...
in July 1990. Oya would not only wrestle his fellow SWS comrades, he would also wrestle against stars from the World Wrestling Federation as well. In January 1992, he teamed up with Kendo Nagasaki
Kazuo Sakurada
, better known as Mr. Sakurada and as the Japanese version of , is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known, under various monikers, for his work in Stampede Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling. Sakurada is also highly regarded by Bret Hart as...
for a tournament to determine the first SWS Tag Team Champions, which was won by Yoshiaki Yatsu
Yoshiaki Yatsu
Yoshiaki Yatsu is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist.-1976 Summer Olympics:...
and Haku. In June 1992, SWS shut down.
Network Of Wrestling (1992-1993)
After SWS shut down, Oya joined Kendo Nagasaki's Network Of Wrestling. He didn't make much of an impact there, so he left in November 1993.Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (1993-2002)
Oya made his debut in Frontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFrontier Martial-Arts Wrestling
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded on July 28, 1989 by Atsushi Onita that specialized in hardcore wrestling involving weapons such as barbed wire and fire. They held their first show on October 6, 1989...
in November 1993, under the name Hisakatsu Oya. Unlike his previous stints in NJPW, SWS, and NOW, Oya found his niche. Over the course of a year, Oya proved his worth in FMW, battling the likes of Battle Ranger, Masato Tanaka
Masato Tanaka
Masato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga, and Atsushi Onita
Atsushi Onita
Atsushi Onita is a Japanese former politician and active professional wrestler best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling...
.
In April 1995, he formed Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon (professional wrestling)
Lethal Weapon was a Japanese professional wrestling stable in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling from February 1995 to September 1996.-Career:...
with Tarzan Goto
Tarzan Goto
, better known by his ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler who has wrestled on the independent circuit most of his career. He is best known for his exploding steel cage matches againest Atsushi Onita and Pat Tanaka in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling ....
and Ricky Fuji
Ricky Fuji
is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known under his ring name .-Professional wrestling career:Morimura started training in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in 1984. He then left Japan in January 1987 for a training expedition in Canada, where he was trained in the Dungeon by Stu Hart and...
, but Goto would leave FMW shortly thereafter. He and Fuji formed a tag team known as The Love Guns, and together they held the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship
FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship
The FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship was a tag team hardcore wrestling championship contested in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling.-WWA World Martial Arts Tag Team Championship :-FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship :...
once between May 1995 and September 1995. Oya and Fuji would also increase the numbers in Lethal Weapon by recruiting Mr. Pogo, The Gladiator
Mike Awesome
Michael Lee Alfonso , better known by his ring name Mike Awesome, was an American professional wrestler best known in America for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and in World Wrestling Federation and also in Japan for his work with Frontier Martial-Arts...
, and Horace Boulder
Horace Hogan
Michael Bollea is an American professional wrestler. In wrestling, he is best known by his ring name, Horace Hogan. He is the nephew of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and cousin of the late Mike Awesome....
. In August 1995, during a round-robin tournament for the vacant FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship
FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship
The FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship was a premiere championship in the wrestling promotion Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, or FMW....
, Oya fought Hayabusa
Eiji Ezaki
is a former Japanese professional wrestler better known as the masked Hayabusa , who worked primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling promotion.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
to an epic 30-minute time-limit draw.
In September 1996, Lethal Weapon disbanded and Oya joined Funk Masters of Wrestling, where he formed a trio with The Headhunters
The Headhunters
The Headhunters are an American jazz-funk fusion band, best known for their albums they recorded as a backing band of jazz keyboard player Herbie Hancock during the 1970s. Hancock's debut album with the group, Head Hunters, is one of the best-selling jazz/fusion records of all time.-History:Herbie...
and won the FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship
The FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship was a championship in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling. It was active from May 1996 until May 1999. The title was then abandoned, but it was replaced in July 1999 with the World Entertainment Wrestling Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The final...
. After the Funk Masters disbanded, Oya decided to turn face for the first time in his career and join forces with Hayabusa. Up until the demise of FMW in February 2002, he fought alongside Hayabusa in his wars against Mr. Gannosuke
Mr. Gannosuke
is a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Gannosuke, who competed primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling promotion. He also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
and Kodo Fuyuki
Hiromichi Fuyuki
was a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter who competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Wrestle Association R and other Japanese and international promotions during the 1980s and 1990s as the leader of 6-man tag team Fuyuki-Gun with Gedo and Jado.He is best known,...
.
Freelance and semi-retirement (2002-present)
After FMW shut down, Oya occasionally wrestles from time to time, as many considered him semi-retired. When he did wrestle, he wrestled for many promotions, such as Wrestling Marvelous Future, Fighting World of Japan Pro WrestlingFighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
Fighting World of Japan Pro-Wrestling, frequently shortened to World Japan or WJ, and also known as "Riki Pro", was a professional wrestling promotion formed in Japan in 2003....
, and Osaka Pro Wrestling
Osaka Pro Wrestling
Osaka Pro Wrestling is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 1998 by Super Delfin.-Current champions:-External links:**...
. During his stint in WMF, he developed a Puerto Rican assassin gimmick named HISAKATSU.
Although semi-retired, Oya is still one of the most underrated wrestlers in Japan, as well as one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. His ring psychology and submission wrestling is second-to-none. As a sneaky heel, he chose not to taunt the crowd and to remain unpredictable to his opponents.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Backdrop suplex
- Octopus hold
- Signature Moves
- DDTDDT (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler has the opponent in a front facelock, and falls down or backwards to drive the opponent's head into the mat...
- used as finisher, 1986–1989 - Swinging neckbreakerNeckbreakerIn professional wrestling a neckbreaker is any throw or slam that focuses its attack on the opponent’s neck. One type of neckbreaker involves the wrestler slamming an opponent's neck against a part of the wrestler's body, usually the knee, head or shoulder...
- DDT
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "The Master" by FMW Productions
Championships and accomplishments
- Frontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFrontier Martial-Arts WrestlingFrontier Martial-Arts Wrestling was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded on July 28, 1989 by Atsushi Onita that specialized in hardcore wrestling involving weapons such as barbed wire and fire. They held their first show on October 6, 1989...
- FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team ChampionshipFMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team ChampionshipThe FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship was a tag team hardcore wrestling championship contested in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling.-WWA World Martial Arts Tag Team Championship :-FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship :...
(5 times) – with Mr. Pogo (1), Ricky FujiRicky Fujiis a Japanese professional wrestler, better known under his ring name .-Professional wrestling career:Morimura started training in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in 1984. He then left Japan in January 1987 for a training expedition in Canada, where he was trained in the Dungeon by Stu Hart and...
(1), Horace BoulderHorace HoganMichael Bollea is an American professional wrestler. In wrestling, he is best known by his ring name, Horace Hogan. He is the nephew of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and cousin of the late Mike Awesome....
(1), Mr. GannosukeMr. Gannosukeis a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Gannosuke, who competed primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling promotion. He also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
(1), and Tetsuhiro Kuroda (1) - FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship / WEW Six-Man Tag Team ChampionshipFMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team ChampionshipThe FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship was a championship in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling. It was active from May 1996 until May 1999. The title was then abandoned, but it was replaced in July 1999 with the World Entertainment Wrestling Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The final...
(6 times) – with The HeadhuntersThe Headhunters (professional wrestling)The Headhunters is a professional wrestling tag team that consists of twin brothers Manuel and Victor Santiago , better known by their respective ring names, Headhunter A and Headhunter B.-Career:The Santiago brothers trained under Johnny Rodz and both debuted in 1987.In the early 1990s, The...
(1), The GladiatorMike AwesomeMichael Lee Alfonso , better known by his ring name Mike Awesome, was an American professional wrestler best known in America for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and in World Wrestling Federation and also in Japan for his work with Frontier Martial-Arts...
and Mr. GannosukeMr. Gannosukeis a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Gannosuke, who competed primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling promotion. He also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
(1), HayabusaEiji Ezakiis a former Japanese professional wrestler better known as the masked Hayabusa , who worked primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling promotion.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
and Masato TanakaMasato TanakaMasato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
(1), Masato Tanaka and Tetsuhiro Kuroda (1), HEiji Ezakiis a former Japanese professional wrestler better known as the masked Hayabusa , who worked primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling promotion.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
and Tetsuhiro Kuroda (1), and Ricky FujiRicky Fujiis a Japanese professional wrestler, better known under his ring name .-Professional wrestling career:Morimura started training in the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in 1984. He then left Japan in January 1987 for a training expedition in Canada, where he was trained in the Dungeon by Stu Hart and...
and Flying Kid Ichihara (1) - WEW World Tag Team ChampionshipWEW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe WEW World Tag Team Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship formerly contested in the Japanese promotion Frontier Marital-Arts Wrestling and World Entertainment Wrestling and currently contested in Apache Army. *Note: The title is sometimes called the FMW/WEW World Tag...
(1 time) - with Tetsuhiro Kuroda