Jump to content

Shota Umino

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Red Shoes Unno)
Shota Umino
Umino in April 2024
Birth nameShota Umino
Born (1997-04-17) April 17, 1997 (age 27)
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Shota Umino[1]
Shota Unno[2]
Billed height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Billed weight93 kg (205 lb)[1]
Billed fromTokyo, Japan
Trained byHiroshi Tanahashi
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Jon Moxley
Jushin Thunder Liger
NJPW Dojo[3]
Yuji Nagata
DebutApril 13, 2017[1]

Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta, born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Early life

[edit]

Umino was born on April 13, 1997, in the special ward of Setagaya in Tokyo, Japan.[1] He is the son of NJPW referee Hiroyuki Umino (also known under his ring name of "Red Shoes Unno").[1]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling

[edit]

Young Lion (2017–2019)

[edit]

Umino made his professional wrestling debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)'s developmental territory Lion's Gate on April 13, 2017, losing to Taka Michinoku at the Lion's Gate Project 4.[2] He then made his debut for NJPW's main roster at Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2017 on April 22, under the slightly modified ring name of Shota Umino, as a "young lion", losing to fellow young lion Hirai Kawato.[4] Umino obtained his first win in a six-man tag team match on the first night of the Best of the Super Juniors 24 event, teaming with Tomoyuki Oka and Volador Jr. to defeat Tetsuhiro Yagi, Katsuya Kitamura and ACH, after Oka pinned Yagi.[5] Throughout the following months, Umino would split his time between NJPW's main roster and Lion's Gate. Umino would compete in the 2017 Young Lion Cup, but did not win, with a final standing of 4 points (two wins and three losses).[6][7][8][9][10]

In April 2018, Umino main evented Lion's Gate Project 11, where he teamed with Yuji Nagata in a loss to Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa.[11] Umino would then lose to Yoshida in a singles match in the main event of Lion's Gate Project 13 in June.[12] Umino and Yoshida would subsequently form a tag team and competed in the 2018 World Tag League later that year, but lost all of their matches and ending with a final tally of 0 points (0 wins and 13 losses).[13] Umino also wrestled in the 2019 New Japan Cup tournament, but lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the first round.[14]

At Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 9, Umino lost to IWGP United States Champion Jon Moxley.[15] Following the loss, Moxley would state his appreciation of Umino's efforts and adopt Umino as his tag team partner and manager for matches - dubbing him "Shooter".[16][17] Their debut as a team was a loss to Jeff Cobb and Ren Narita on July 14, which they lost after Umino was pinned by Cobb.[18] The two's partnership was halted when Moxley took a hiatus from NJPW after the end of the 2019 G1 Climax in August and began to wrestle more regularly for American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[19]

At Royal Quest on August 31, Umino teamed with Narita and Ryusuke Taguchi in a loss to Roppongi 3K (Rocky Romero, Sho and Yoh).[20] Umino would then move onto compete in the 2019 Young Lion Cup. Although he would lose his first tournament match to Clark Connors,[21] Umino would win his next four matches against Narita,[22] Michael Richards,[23] Yuya Uemura,[24] Alex Coughlin[25] and Yota Tsuji,[26] but lost the final match of the tournament to Karl Fredericks, failing to win the tournament with a final score of 10 points.[27] Following the end of the tournament, it was announced that Umino would begin a learning excursion in the United Kingdom.[28]

Foreign excursion (2019–2022)

[edit]

Umino made his debut for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) at the New Beginnings event on November 9, 2019, in a loss to Kyle Fletcher.[29] He had previously wrestled for RevPro in 2018, during the collaborative two-night event Strong Style Evolved UK.[30][31] Umino also made his debut for Over the Top Wrestling (OTT) at the promotion's Stickin' Out event on January 5, 2020, where he lost to Scotty Davis.[32] On January 18, Umino won RPW's 40-man Revolution Rumble battle royal.[33] After an absence of over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Umino made his return to wrestling at RevPro Live In Bristol 3 event in July 2021, defeating Dan Moloney.[34] At RevPro's Uprising event in November, Umino challenged Will Ospreay for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated.[35] In May of the following year, Umino challenged Michael Oku for the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship, but was defeated.[36] In July, Umino unsuccessfully challenged Pac for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship.[37]

"Roughneck" (2022–present)

[edit]
Umino in November 2023

Umino would make his return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, on April 16, 2022, at Windy City Riot, where he answered Jay White's open challenge but was defeated.[38] At Forbidden Door, Umino teamed with Eddie Kingston and Wheeler Yuta in a six-man tag-team match, where they lost to Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara and Minoru Suzuki.[39] In September, Umino made his NJPW Strong debut, defeating Q. T. Marshall at Autumn Action.[40] In October at Royal Quest II, Umino lost to Will Ospreay.[41] Umino made his return to Japan as the "Roughneck" on November 5 at Battle Autumn, where he confronted and attacked Ospreay and his United Empire stablemates, challenging Ospreay to a rematch, however this time for Ospreay's IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.[42] The match took place on November 20 at Historic X-Over, where Umino once again was defeated by Ospreay.[43] On January 4, 2023, at Wrestle Kingdom 17, Umino teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Keiji Muto to defeat Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Bushi and Sanada), in Muto's NJPW retirement match, where Umino pinned Bushi for the win.[44]

In March, Umino participated in the New Japan Cup, defeating Yujiro Takahashi in the first round.[45] In the second round, Umino won in an upset victory over the Cup's previous year's winner and then-NJPW World Television Champion, Zack Sabre Jr..[46] In the quarterfinals, Umino lost to David Finlay, eliminating him from the tournament.[47] The second round victory over Sabre, earnt Umino a NJPW World Television Championship match at Sakura Genesis in April, where Sabre defeated Umino.[48] On May 21 at Resurgence, Umino reunited with Jon Moxley, teaming with him and Yuta, to defeat Chaos (Kazuchika Okada, Rocky Romero and Tomohiro Ishii).[49] Umino continued to team with the stable the following month, teaming with Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, where they failed to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship, after being defeated by the reigning champions, Okada, Ishii and Tanahashi.[50] Five days later at All Together: Again, Umino defeated Yoshi Tatsu of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[51] On June 25 at Forbidden Door, Umino teamed with Blackpool Combat Club and Konosuke Takeshita, losing to The Elite ("Hangman" Adam Page, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson), Eddie Kingston and Ishii.[52] The following month, Umino participated in his first G1 Climax tournament, where was placed in the A Block.[53] Umino finished his tournament with 6 points, narrowly missing out on a place to advance to the quarterfinals.[54]

In September, Umino teamed with Yuji Nagata and Master Wato to face off in a Best of Seven Series, against El Desperado, Ren Narita and Minoru Suzuki. The series culminated on October 9 at Destruction in Ryōgoku, where Umino pinned Narita in the final match to draw the series, at a record of 3–3–1. After the match, Umino shook hands with rival Narita.[55] This started an alliance between the two men, as they teamed at Royal Quest III, to defeat United Empire (Francesco Akira and Great-O-Khan). Later in the night, after retaining his IWGP United Kingdom Championship, which he had renamed from the United States Championship, Ospreay called out anybody to challenge him next for his championship. Umino answered Ospreay's challenge and soon after the match was officially made for Power Struggle.[56] At the event, on November 4, Ospreay defeated Umino to retain his title. The match was critically acclaimed, earning a 5.75-star rating by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, marking Umino's first 5+ star singles match.[57]

In November, Umino continued his alliance with Narita, with the two teaming in the annual World Tag League, with the duo participating in the A-Block.[58] However, in their final match of the tournament, Narita turned on Umino and sided with their opponents, House of Torture. This ended their campaign with 6 points, meaning they failed to advance to the semi-finals.[59] Umino sought his revenge heading into the new year, teaming with Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa, Daiki Inaba, Shuji Kondo and Junta Miyawaki to defeat House of Torture at Noah The New Year on January 2, 2024.[60] Two days later at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Umino teamed with Kiyomiya once more to face Narita and Evil, but failed to win the match.[61]

On January 13 at Battle in the Valley, Umino teamed with Jacob Fatu and Fred Rosser to defeat Team Filthy (Tom Lawlor, Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) in a six-man tag-team match. Following the match, Umino was attacked by Jack Perry, who then ripped up his contract with All Elite Wrestling.[62] The following month, at The New Beginning in Sapporo, Umino challenged Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship, but was unsuccessful.[63] The following month, Umino entered the New Japan Cup, where he faced Perry in the first round.[64] On February 6, Umino was defeated by Perry, who joined House of Torture after the match.[65] On April 12, at Windy City Riot, he defeated Perry. After the match, they shook hands and gave respect. Umino later appeared in the show, running off Narita from attacking Moxley, who had just won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.[66] At Resurgence, Umino unsuccessfully challenged Moxley for the championship.[67]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Shota Umino Profile". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Rose, Bryan (April 13, 2017). "NJPW Lion's Gate Project results: The fourth installment". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  3. ^ "Shota Umino". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "04.22.2017 Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. April 22, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  5. ^ "05.21.2017 Best of the Super Juniors Results — Night 1". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. May 21, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  7. ^ "Lion's Gate Project8". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  8. ^ "JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "Lion's Gate Project10". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  10. ^ "Lion's Gate Project9". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  11. ^ "Lion's Gate Project11". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "Lion's Gate Project13". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  13. ^ NJPW World Tag League 2018 Finale Standings | Fightful Wrestling
  14. ^ "2019.03.10 New Japan Cup 2019 Night 1 Results". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 10, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  15. ^ "DOMINION 6.9 in OSAKA-JO HALL". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  16. ^ ""Shooter" - How Jon Moxley & Shota Umino Became Friends In NJPW - Atletifo". 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  17. ^ "Jon Moxley Reflects On His NJPW Run Thus Far; Hopes "Shooter" Umino Will Throw Him A Bone One Day". Fightful. April 25, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  18. ^ "2019.07.14 G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 3 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
  19. ^ Krek, Azka (December 26, 2019). "Jon Moxley's Christmas gift to Shota Umino from NJPW". Super Luchas. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  20. ^ "NJPW Royal Quest". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "2019.09.04 ROAD TO DESTRUCTION | Day 1". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 4, 2019.
  22. ^ "2019.09.08 ROAD TO DESTRUCTION | Day 4". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "2019.09.10 ROAD TO DESTRUCTION | Day 5". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 10, 2019.
  24. ^ "2019.09.14 ROAD TO DESTRUCTION | Day 8". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 14, 2019.
  25. ^ Rose, Bryan (September 15, 2019). "NJPW DESTRUCTION IN BEPPU LIVE RESULTS: TANAHASHI VS. SABRE". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  26. ^ "2019.09.19 ROAD TO DESTRUCTION | Day 10". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 19, 2019.
  27. ^ "Updated NJPW Young Lion Cup Standings". Fightful. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  28. ^ "Shota Umino, Ren Narita to begin excursions in UK, LA". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  29. ^ "RevPro New Beginnings 2019". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "RPW 『STRONG STYLE EVOLVED -UNITED KINGDOM- Night1』Full results". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. July 2, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  31. ^ "RPW 『STRONG STYLE EVOLVED -UNITED KINGDOM- Night2』Full results". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. July 2, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  32. ^ "OTT Stickin' Out 2020". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  33. ^ a b The Sports Desk (January 21, 2020). "Highly-rated New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Shota Umino is last man standing in 40-strong Revolution Rumble". The News. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  34. ^ "RevPro Live In Bristol 3". Cagematch.net. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  35. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 21, 2021). "RevPro Uprising Results (11/21): Will Ospreay Takes On Shota Umino". Fightful. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  36. ^ Hamilton, Ian (May 24, 2022). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Unfinished 2022 05.01.2022 Review". 411Mania.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  37. ^ "PAC vs. Shota Umino All-Atlantic title match to air on AEW Dark". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 8 July 2022.
  38. ^ "Shota Umino Returns to NJPW at NJPW Windy City Riot". Fightful.
  39. ^ "AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Interim AEW World Title, Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page vs. Adam Cole for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title, Thunder Rosa vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy for the IWGP U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 26 June 2022.
  40. ^ "Four new matches announced for NJPW Autumn Action". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 30 August 2022.
  41. ^ Gregory, Jack (October 1, 2022). "NJPW Royal Quest II Night 1 Full Result 10.01.2022: Heavyweight Tag Team Title & More". 411Mania.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  42. ^ "NJPW Battle Autumn in Osaka live results: Ospreay vs. Naito US title match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 5 November 2022.
  43. ^ "2022.11.20 Historic X-over | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  44. ^ "2023.01.04 WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in TOKYO DOME | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  45. ^ "2023.03.06 Anniversary Event | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  46. ^ "2023.03.15 New Japan Cup 2023 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  47. ^ "2023.03.18 New Japan Cup 2023 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  48. ^ "2023.04.08 Sakura Genesis 2023 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  49. ^ "NJPW Resurgence live results: Strong Women's title tournament". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 21 May 2023.
  50. ^ "NJPW Dominion live results: Seven title matches". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 4 June 2023.
  51. ^ "All Together Again live results: NJPW/AJPW/NOAH crossover". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 9 June 2023.
  52. ^ "AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP U.S. Championship, MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 25 June 2023.
  53. ^ Thompson, Andrew (2 June 2023). "NJPW G1 Climax 33 participants revealed; Eddie Kingston, Kaito Kiyomiya & Tanga Loa announced". POST Wrestling. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  54. ^ Fritts, Chick (5 August 2023). "NJPW G1 Climax 33 night 13 live results: A Block finals". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  55. ^ Fritts, Chick (9 October 2023). "NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku live results: SANADA vs. EVIL lumberjack match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  56. ^ Fritts, Chick (2023-10-14). "NJPW Royal Quest III live results: Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  57. ^ Renshaw, Conor (10 November 2023). "Will Ospreay Earns 8th Five-Star Match Rating In 2023". Inside the Ropes. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  58. ^ Pollock, John (2023-11-13). "Sixteen teams announced for NJPW World Tag League". POST Wrestling. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  59. ^ Carey, Ian (2023-12-07). "Semifinals set for NJPW World Tag League 2023". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  60. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (2 January 2024). "NOAH The New Year 2024 Results (1/2): Kota Ibushi, Naomichi Marufuji, Kenoh In Action". Fightful. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  61. ^ Fritts, Chick (3 January 2024). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 live results: SANADA vs. Naito, Okada vs. Danielson". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  62. ^ Fritts, Chick (13 January 2024). "NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: Okada vs. Ospreay, Moxley vs. Shingo". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  63. ^ Fritts, Chick (23 February 2024). "NJPW The New Beginning live results: Kazuchika Okada's farewell". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  64. ^ Carey, Ian (6 March 2024). "NJPW 52nd Anniversary show live results: New Japan Cup begins". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  65. ^ Carey, Ian (6 March 2024). "Jack Perry joins House of Torture at NJPW 52nd Anniversary Show". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  66. ^ Fritts, Chick (12 April 2024). "NJPW Windy City Riot live results: Moxley vs. Naito IWGP title match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  67. ^ Fritts, Chick (11 May 2024). "NJPW Resurgence live results: Jon Moxley vs. Shota Umino IWGP World title match". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  68. ^ Caldwell, Brandon; Raimondi, Marc (August 3, 2023). "From MJF and Rhea to...a Viking? Here are the 30 best pro wrestlers under 30". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  69. ^ Ross, Patrick (September 10, 2024). "Full 2024 PWI 500 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
[edit]