Takaaki Watanabe (January 16, 1987) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling under the current ring name EVIL. During his tour of the United States, Watanabe previously worked for promotions including Ring of Honor and Global Force Wrestling, under his real name. He is a member of Los Ingobernables de Japón.
Pro wrestling career
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2011–2013)
Watanabe made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) on May 13, 2011, wrestling primarily as a Young Lion and in the lower cards of shows and remained with the promotion until October 2013, when after King of Pro-Wrestling, announced that he was being sent on a learning excursion to the United States.
Ring of Honor (2015)
In 2015, Watanabe was signed to Ring of Honor for 2 events in May.
At Global Wars '15 the first night May 15 he teamed with Silas Young in a losing effort against Gedo and Moose. The following night May 16, he was defeated by Silas Young.
On the June 27 episode of ROH Wrestling, he lost to Adam Page after Colby Corino attacked Watanabe. On the July 4 episode of ROH Wrestling Dalton Castle would defeat Watanabe. On July 23, ROH announced that House of Truth member Donovan Dijak will battle Takaaki Watanabe in a singles match that will be taped exclusively for ROH's YouTube Wrestling Channel. This occurred July 24 at Death Before Dishonor XIII where Dijak defeated Watanabe.
August 22 at Field of Honor (2015), Watanabe qualified for a ROH World Television Championship match by winning a 9-man gauntlet match. September 18 at All Star Extravaganza VII he teamed with Will Ferrara to defeat Donovan Dijak and Greg James.
On September 19, Watanabe received his shot at The Television Title facing Jay Lethal but was unsuccessful in his attempt.
Return to NJPW (2015–present)
On October 12, 2015, Watanabe returned to NJPW at King of Pro-Wrestling, where he was revealed as Tetsuya Naito's associate during his match against Hiroshi Tanahashi. Watanabe's outside interference in the match was stopped by Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata, leading to Naito suffering a loss. In a post-match interview, Naito gave Watanabe the new name "King of Darkness" Evil. Under the new name, Evil became affiliated with Naito's Los Ingobernables de Japón stable.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Banshee Muzzle (Arm trap facelock) – 2017
- EVIL (STO)
- Signature moves
- Darkness Falls (Fireman's carry spinebuster)
- Discus lariat
- Double arm suplex
- Fisherman buster
- German suplex
- Running elbow
- Standing modified Indian deathlock surfboard followed into a head stomp
- Uppercut
- With Tetsuya Naitō
- Double-team finishing moves
- Out of Control (Double-team gorilla press slam)
- Double-team finishing moves
- Tag teams and stables
- Nicknames
- "King of Darkness"
- Entrance themes
- "Go for Broke" by Yonosuke Kitamura (2011–2013)
- "Black Deeds" by Yonosuke Kitamura (2015–present)
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro Wrestling
- NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with BUSHI and SANADA
- NEVER Openweight Championship (1 time)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) with SANADA
External links
| NJPW Roster |
|---|
| Alex Coughlin • Bad Luck Fale • BUSHI • Chase Owens • Clark Connors • David Finlay • El Desperado • El Phantasmo • EVIL • Fred Rosser • Gedo • HIKULEO • Hirai Kawato • Hiromu Takahashi • Hirooki Goto • Hiroshi Tanahashi • Hiroyoshi Tenzan • Jado • Juice Robinson • KUSHIDA • Minoru Suzuki • Ren Narita • Robbie Eagles • Rocky Romero • Ryu Lee • Ryusuke Taguchi • SANADA • Satoshi Kojima • Shingo Takagi • SHO • Shota Umino • Taichi • Taiji Ishimori • TAKA Michinoku • Tanga Loa • Tetsuya Naitō • Tiger Mask • Toa Henare • Togi Makabe • Tomohiro Ishii • Tomoyuki Oka • Toru Yano • YOH • YOSHI-HASHI • Yoshinobu Kanemaru • Yota Tsuji • Yuji Nagata • Yujiro Takahashi • Yuya Uemura • Zack Sabre Jr. |