Takashi Ishikawa (Wrestler)
Takashi Ishikawa (born February 5, 1953) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler renowned for his extensive career in promotions like All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and his founding of Tokyo Pro Wrestling.
Standing at 5'11" (1.80 m) and weighing 243 lbs (110 kg), Ishikawa competed under various ring names including Kendo Ishikawa, Mitsu Ishikawa, and Mr. Onomi, leaving a lasting impact on Japanese wrestling through tag team dominance and promotional ventures.[1][5]
Early Career and Training
Ishikawa trained at the AJPW Dojo under the legendary Giant Baba, debuting on November ??, 1977.
His early tours took him abroad, building a foundation in international styles. By 1978, he returned to Japan, wrestling for International Wrestling Enterprise before rejoining AJPW in December.[1][5]
Major Achievements in All Japan Pro Wrestling
In AJPW, Ishikawa shone as a tag team specialist, securing the AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship five times.
Partners included Akio Sato (twice), Ashura Hara, and Mighty Inoue (twice). These reigns highlighted his reliability in high-stakes matches during the promotion's golden era.[1]
Championship History
| Promotion | Championship | Reigns | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Japan Pro Wrestling | AJPW All Asia Tag Team | 5 times | Akio Sato (2), Ashura Hara (1), Mighty Inoue (2) |
| Big Japan Pro Wrestling | BJW Tag Team (Inaugural) | 1 time | Kengo Kimura |
| Tokyo Pro Wrestling | TWA Tag Team | 1 time | Yoji Anjo |
| World Wrestling Council | WWC North American Tag Team | 1 time | Haru Sonoda |
| Western States Sports | NWA Western States Tag Team | 2 times | Hugo Savinovich (1), Haru Sonoda (1) |
Note: Ishikawa also received a Tokyo Sports Service Award in 1989 for his contributions.[1]
International Excursions
Sent to Puerto Rico in October 1979 for World Wrestling Council, Ishikawa, as Mitsu Ishikawa, captured the WWC North American Tag Team Championship with Haru Sonoda-his first title.
He later won NWA Western States Tag Team titles in the U.S., partnering with Hugo Savinovich and Sonoda, showcasing his adaptability across borders.[1]
Tokyo Pro Wrestling Era and Retirement
In December 1994, Ishikawa launched Tokyo Pro Wrestling (TPW), promoting while competing. He collaborated with groups like Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), FMW, and NJPW.
Key wins included the TPW Tag Team Championship with Yoji Anjo in April 1996 and the inaugural BJW Tag Team Championship with Kengo Kimura in June 1997. Officially retiring January 19, 1998, he wrestled select BJW matches in 1999.[1][5]
Signature Moves
- Finisher: Chokeslam
- Trademark: Lariat
- Scorpion Hold
- Sumo Tsuppari
These moves reflected Ishikawa's powerful, sumo-influenced style, blending brute force with technical holds.[5]
Promotional Roles and Legacy
Beyond the ring, Ishikawa managed Tokyo Pro Wrestling and booked for Super World Sports.
His 1,947 documented matches underscore a prolific career from Tsuruoka, Yamagata. Today, at age 71 (as of 2026), he is remembered as a tag team pioneer who bridged AJPW's stardom with indie innovation. While not a singles world champion, his service award and foundational titles cement his encyclopedia-worthy status.
1970s: (WWC, Western States)
1980s: (AJPW Asia x5)
1990s: (TPW, BJW)
1 2 3 4 5 Wins
Visualizing dominance in tag divisions; 1970s marks early international success.[1][5]
Distinguishing Similar Names
Note that "Takeshi Ishikawa" may confuse with others: a naval officer turned Uniqlo IT manager and RFID expert; Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi, volleyball stars; or photographer Takeshi Ishikawa, known for hijra community work since 1980.
This article focuses on the wrestler, per primary sources.[2][3][6]
"Ishikawa's tag team prowess defined an era, from AJPW tours to founding TPW amid Japan's wrestling boom."
His story illustrates resilience-debuting post- Giant Baba's dojo, thriving in tags, and pioneering promotions. Fans appreciate how wrestlers like him kept puroresu vibrant.