MAX-J Ambassadors

One of the most venerated masked wrestlers of his generation, he has set the standard for the junior heavyweight division. He uses a judo and karate background to combine head-busting drivers with some of the most powerful chops in the industry. At an advanced age, he does not ascend to the top rope with the same frequency of yesteryear, but on occasion will go back to the high-flying well to turn the tide of a match. His primary finishers are the Thunder MAX Driver (spinning Tombstone Piledriver), Erasing Driver (vertical-drop suplex into piledriver), and a shotei palm-strike with an exaggerated wind-up.

In Japanese, he is best known as a five-time GPWS Jr. Heavyweight Champion and has traveled around the world. Formerly an alumni of Shining Road/SEKAI Pro-Wrestling, he retired briefly to initially establish Kaminari Dojo as a way to pass on his knowledge and train the next generation. However, he has since signed a contract with ELITE JAPAN Pro-Wrestling - the most prestigious company in the country - and becoming a MAX-J ambassador to further promote the school.

An intellectual savant who graduated from Tokyo University at the age of 19 and shunned a prestigious position in the Ministry of Finance to attempt a run at professional baseball, he is an explosive athlete. His unique blend of brains and athleticism gives him an instinctive feel for the ring and an opponent and has allowed him to cross-train in Judo and mixed martial arts to complement his innate gifts. His finishing maneuvers include the Diamond Yari Drop (sambo-style STO) and the Titanic Clutch (chicken-wing sleeper camel clutch). Once the top trainee in Shining Road/SEKAI Pro-Wrestling’s NOVA division, Katsu’s career culminated in winning the GPWS Jr. Heavyweight Championship from the legendary Thunder Mask, his mentor, though he would lose the title a month later. 

Himura is signed to the Osaka-based Tengoku Pro-Wrestling, a company perceived by many as one that may rival ELITE JAPAN for the most prestigious in the country. Upon becoming a MAX-J ambassador, he is one of the most frequent participants in the company's shows, as he is early in his career and is considered one of the top talents in the sport today.

After a four-year stint as president of his university’s judo club, the superheavyweight Taichi “Balloon” Yamazaki began a career in pro-wrestling. After a year of training, he graduated from the MAX-J Dojo and made his mark on the company He is quite good natured and gullible, often leaving his big belly open to attacks. He claims to sleep 12 hours a night to conserve his energy and his favorite Pokemon is the Snorlax. While he often uses his size to his advantage, he joined Kaminari Dojo in part to learn how to better manage his weight so that it is more often an asset rather than a hindrance. His current finishers are the Gigantaplex (falling forward Falcon Arrow where he lands on opponent) and an Argentine backbreaker submission hold.

Yamazaki is currently a freelancer, though he hopes one day to sign with Okinasaru Championship Wrestling so that he can wrestle against other superheavyweights so that he will hopefully have a speed advantage, some to which he is unaccustomed.

Once regarded as somewhat of a ne'er-do-well, Jimmy's fortunes changed when began to be mentored while in the LION'S ROAD Pro-Wrestling promotion by Julian Cutlass and Alexander Irvine as he learned to respect the fighting arts. As a part of his reformation, this journey brought him several years ago to Japan where he now lives in Yokohama and dedicated his life to training in Judo. Recently, he joined Kaminari Dojo as a student and assistant instructor to lower-level students. In the ring, he is distinguished by the fact that he wrestles wearing a judo-gi. His primary finisher is the Winning Position (a sit-out Anaconda Vise where he stretches out one arm he locks with his legs and reaches over the body to capture the other arm in a compression hold) in addition to various joint locks.

Allegedly hailing from the demonic plains, he has a furious and punishing style of fighting that favors brawn over brains. For many years he was widely regarded as the physically strongest junior heavyweight in the world, which has at times caused critics to question his status as a junior heavyweight. However, he has never failed a weigh-in and attributes his strength to the cosmic intervention of ancient gods. He will not hesitate to attempt high-risk maneuvers as well and will bend the rules to secure victory, though he will rarely outright cheat unless inhabited by a “violent spirit”, which is not an impossibility. His finishers include the Zenki Bomb (Gutwrench running high-angle sitout powerbomb), the Zenki Suplex (Bridging wrist-clutch leg hook belly-to-back suplex), and the Zanbato (high-impact diving shoulder-block).

Outside of the ring, he is best known for his strong nationalist stance that polarizes audiences in Japan. Some regard him as a heroic figure who seeks to reverse three decades of economic decline amidst a world of social turmoil and change. Others regard him as a xenophobic and mean-spirited. Despite his towering stature in the recent history of puroresu, he remains unsigned by any major domestic promotion. This is likely due to his divisive position.

He is considered by most analysts to be the most important wrestler of MAXIMUM Japan Pro-Wrestling’s history, defending the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship on a record-number of occasions. He was the founding member of the original Demon Brigade and in June 2024 created a second incarnation of the group referred to as the Shin Demon Brigade. Nothing short of a legend, ZENKI just might be the strongest wrestler signed to the MAX-J brand.

Born in Okinawa, Japan to a Japanese father and American mother. His father worked as a contractor on the base there where he met Hayato's mother, who happened to be serving at the time in the United States Marine Corps. At the age of 17 he enlisted early in the United States Navy for the S.E.A.L. program, renouncing his Japanese citizenship. After being honorably discharged, he fought a few years in the MMA circuit before opting for a turn to pro-wrestling. Eventually he returned to Japan and became a citizen again while training at Fujiyama Dojo. During Shining Road he formed the heel MMA-influenced group known as A.R.M.B.A.R.. After Shining Road's closure, he returned to MMA without losing a step to further his record to 11-4-2. In addition to MMA moves, his finishers are the Trident Cutter (Samoan drop into sit-out diamond cutter), Stealth Katana DDT (reverse sit-out DDT) and an Anaconda Vise.

He was signed by MAX-J as a brand ambassador due in part to his crossover appeal as a Japanese-American as well as an MMA-professional wrestling hybrid. Many believe that he represents the future of a hybrid form of pro-wrestling. While he has a workman-like approach to the industry, he joined Zenki's Shin Demon Brigade faction for reasons that remains somewhat mysterious. Some believe that he is under some kind of brainwashing spell by ZENKI while the more plausible explanation that he views civilization at a near point of collapse due to growing weakness and a lack of virtue throughout not just Japan but the entire world.

He is currently signed to Bushidō FC where he competes in MMA. However, he is spending more time devoted to pro-wrestling since the Shin Demon Brigade reboot.

The Japanese-Jamaican has been competing in the squared circle since 2004. Once a prolific high-flying sensation, Hirai's style has been toned down considerably to account for his injuries. Nowadays Hirai uses his superb trash talk to get under his opponent's skin and then uses quick strikes and judo throws get them off their feet. You might see him break out an old high-flying move once in a while, but ultimately he's more concerned with humiliating an opponent - teabagging them, thrusting his hips in their face, etc. His finishers include the Jin n' Tonic (Ranhei), Johnny Cage (split plus punch to the lower midsection), and the Tea Bag Deluxe (facebuster leg drop).

He was an initial member of the previous Demon Brigade incarnation and his bold and brash personality earned him a spot in the reformed Shin Demon Brigade. He is currently signed to Iron Road Pro-Wrestling where is also a member of the WAG1 stable.

Toyama does a terrific job of incorporating a mixed martial arts background with lucha libre from years spent on an excursion in Mexico. Palm strikes, knees and kicks are a majority of the offense, but Toyama will use quick Judo-style throws or moves like headscissors or hurracanranas to bring his opponent to the mat and try to submit them. His signature moves include the Starboy Special (a La Magistral into a cross armbreaker), Starboy Special II (Leapfrog victory roll into a heel hook) and a flying knee strike.

He is a two-time former GPWS Jr. Heavyweight Champion and once was one of the top junior heavyweights in Japan. After the closure of Shining Road, he competed in MAX-J and finished as a runner-up both in the Tomorrow League and Toukon Tag Tournament in what was widely regarded as competent performances. He is currently signed to the Hokkaido-based BLIZZARD Pro where he hopes to return to form as a title contender He has joined forces with ZENKI perhaps in part so that he can utilize this partnership to acquire the power that has eluded him over the last few years.

Something of an impromptu teaming of these two individuals, this duo had not competed alongside one another before the inaugural World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title Tournament at the CRUISERWORLD! show in July 2023. Despite being a longshot to become the first champions, the duo managed to win. Defending the title around the world, they train extensively with one another and have formed a legitimate partnership. Although they have something of an Odd Couple dynamic, they are united in their shared vision to save the planet.

Rumored to be the product of Manhattan Project experiments during World War II, his abilities seem to defy age. The “Atomic Assassin” relies on his shootboxing skills, seemingly cerebral plans of attacks targeting opponents’ weaknesses, and a killer instinct that strikes fear into opponents. His finishers include the Metallic Kick (running heavy Yakuza kick) and the Kujira Blaster (running vertical-drop brainbuster) in addition to various kicks.

He suddenly emerged as a figure late in Shining Road/SEKAI Pro-Wrestling to win the GPWS Heavyweight Championship and joined MAXIMUM Japan and briefly held the MAX Jr. Heavyweight Championship, making him one of the top cruiserweight superstars of the late 2010s. He disappeared and abruptly as he appeared once MJPW closed its doors and has not been seen until a few weeks ago. He claims that he only appears when the Earth is in mortal danger and he is required to save its inhabitants from themselves as the iron-fisted guardian of the planet.

Despite being considered one of the top MAX ambassadors, he remains a freelancer.

An environmental activist and former gymnast, he initially pursued a career in pro-wrestling to bring attention to climate change, donating all his winnings to a non-profit organization. His finishers include a diving leg drop into cross armbreaker, senton bomb, various hurricanranas.

After a year-long excursion to Mexico, he joined MJPW as one of the most promising high-flyers of his class. While many believed his elite-level athleticism would forge a successful career, he was often defeated at the hands of superior opponents with many pundits alleging that he lacked focus on his craft due to trying to balance his pro-wrestling training with his activism. With MAX’s closure, he returned to protesting over-fishing and joined the tournament in order to raise awareness for environmental causes. He has mixed feelings regarding his teammate METAL HERO, who claims to be powered by a nuclear reactor, a technology that has a mixed sentiment among environmental activists. When asked by a member of the media, he reportedly claimed, “at least he isn’t powered by coal”.

Recently, he has signed to the POSIEDON-1 promotion based out of southern Japan so that he can experience more professional wrestling styles throughout Asia and also continued to promote his pro-environmental message.

A Muay Thai kickboxer who traveled to Thailand at the age of 16 and has traveled the world over in competitive formats. With a sterling 17-1 record, Sniper Izumi uses his impressive reach to control opponents and his knockout skills are second to none. While he is not highly cross-trained in grappling or pro-wrestling, his size and weight combined with his excellent striking are often enough for him to win matches. This fact gives him a high degree of arrogance as he believes that Muay Thai is the strongest art and tends to let his opponents know before, during, and after the match. He tends to finish matches with repeated successions of kicks.

Izumi signed a contract as a MAX-J ambassador due to his association with the All-Japan Sports and Wrestling Commission, with many believing that he was brought in to provide an MMA presence to the brand. While he is signed to BLIZZARD Pro, he also competes in shootfighting matches around the company.

Fukudome is significantly cross-trained as a kickboxer and has a freestyle wrestling background from his university days while he studied abroad in Italy. He is quoted saying that he could “beat any opponent with blocks and knees” and has a proven track record of doing just that. He became good friends with Takeda Izumi when both of them trained in Bangkok. However, he has a much deeper affinity for pro-wrestling and tends to be the "good cop" in the duo's friendship. His finishers include the Tuscan Laser (spinning Yakuza kick) and a Dragon suplex hold.

After Shining Road's closure, Fukudome stepped away from the pro-wrestling scene and up north to Sapporo where he became mostly a commentator. However, he kept his skills sharp and with the return of the MAX-J brand is excited to compete once again as he is still young. Like his comrade Takeda Izumi, he is signed to BLIZZARD Pro but he is not quite as active on the pro-wrestling scene due to committing to kickboxing events throughout Asia and elsewhere.

A competitive swimmer in his youth, studying Karate and Jiu-jitsu during his university days gives him a complete background in both striking and grappling. Graduating from Fujiyama dojo in May 2017, he soon thereafter began fighting in Shining Road Pro-Wrestling where he developed a rivalry with Katsuhiko Himura from their days in Shining Road's NOVA division for young fighters, finishing as the runner-up in the first annual NOVA Cup. He is known for his fluid wrestling style and his seemingly infinite endurance. His primary finishers are the Kappa Lock (sitting arm triangle chokehold; often transitioned from a standing hold a/l/a Anaconda Vise) and the Gauss Cannon (spinning Northern Lights Bomb) but also makes use of various strikes and submissions.

After Shining Road's closure, Nakamura continued to wrestle in the Hokkaido-based promotion Pro-Wrestling BLIZZARD where he teamed with former NOVA alumnus Shinzo Takamori, winning the GPWS Tag Team Championship from Hajime Tanaka and Zen Hayashi, becoming the 26th champions and solidifying their spot as one of the top tag teams in Japan.

Fiercely competitive, Nakamura is not afraid to let his emotions display during a match and is the type of wrestler who believes he should win every match and has a tendency to become combative and complain to referees when things don't go his way. He was pursued by MAX-J to become a brand ambassador along with his tag team partner Takamori shortly after the company established the World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. It did not take long for him to bring other members of the SHYc faction with him.

Getting somewhat of a late start in his pro-wrestling career has not deterred this former professional ice hockey standout. While not as technically proficient as his tag team partner Akira Nakamura, his toughness and ability to absorb punishment makes him highly respected. His primary finishers include the Colossal Duster (wrist-clutch Olympic slam) and a high-angle release German suplex.

Along with Nakamura, after Shining Road he became a top tag team competitor. Despite being the older of the two, he plays more of an equal role due to switching careers later in life. He became a MAX-J ambassador so that he could pursue the World Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship alongside his friend and teammate as well as enjoy the pro-wrestling adventure with the other members of his team.

With a 7-5 record in MMA, he has an extensive combat fighting background and is trained primarily as a catch wrestler trained in Hungary though he has better strikes than one might initially imagine. While technically a cruiserweight, he tends to tip the scale right along the border. He tends to enjoy fighting more among the heavyweight classes, though given that he's a freelancer he tends to accept any job that helps him make ends meet. That being said, he is quite successful and has a no-nonsense and brutal style with strong elbow strikes and punishing suplexes threatens to put any opponent's lights out. His finishers are a vertical-drop brainbuster, Burning Elbow (think Kobashi's Burning Lariat but with a heavy elbow strike instead), and a guillotine chokehold.

Kamakura is a freelancer by choice, preferring not to be tied down to any particular company or locale. It is said that he lives in a converted Mercedes sprinter van which gives him the freedom to travel all over the country, which in the past has made it difficult for some companies to get a hold of him. He works out in public gyms for the most part, though he is not the most easily approachable as he tends to have his guard up. The MAX sponsorship to him was highly coveted as it is a great badge for freelancers to wear in order to continue to get pro-wrestling work in the country.

While not the strongest or the fastest or the most agile, the Akita prefecture native makes up for all of it with his tenacity and faith. Half-Japanese and half-Korean, Yamashita is a bit late to the pro-wrestling game as he was a police officer for nearly a decade before making the switch from the squad car to the squared circle. He is a man of deep religious zeal, growing up in a Baptist home in Korea, and tends to give credit to divine intervention for his wins. Personality-wise, he tends to have a bit of a paranoid streak about him and is not one to keep quiet if he feels a match is not being officiated correctly. His finishers are the Prosperous Weapon (Sliding D), shining wizard, and various chokeholds.

He earned a MAX-J sponsorship for his workman-like attitude. He is never one to back down from a confrontation and is willing to experience new and interesting match types. While he is not always the most pleasant teammate, he is only interested in success and the MAX-J organization expects nothing less.