1. Early Life and Background
Jake Lee's early life was marked by his identity as a Zainichi Korean and a strong dedication to athletic pursuits, particularly weightlifting, which laid the foundation for his later professional wrestling career.
1.1. Birth and Korean Identity
Lee Jae-kyung was born on January 19, 1989, in Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan. As a Zainichi Korean, his identity has been a significant aspect of his public persona, particularly in the context of Japanese professional wrestling. Despite his Korean heritage, Lee has stated that he has never visited South Korea. Around 2020, he applied for naturalization in Japan.
1.2. Early Athletic Career
During his time at Hokkaido Chosen Junior and Senior High School, Lee developed a keen interest in weightlifting. He continued to pursue the sport at Heisei International University. In 2009, he represented North Korea in the +105kg category at the 2009 East Asian Games, where he finished in fourth place. The following year, in 2010, he achieved fourth place in the +105kg category at the 56th All Japan Student Weightlifting Individual Championship and fifth place in the +105kg category at the All Japan Intercollegiate Weightlifting Championship. During his third year of university, Lee had a notable experience where he was completely outmatched in a strength comparison with martial artist Kuramoto Nariharu, an encounter that he later cited as a significant influence.
2. Professional Wrestling Career
Jake Lee's professional wrestling career spans over a decade, marked by his debut, a brief retirement, and subsequent returns to become a top-tier competitor in major Japanese promotions, leading various stables and capturing multiple championships.
2.1. All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW)
Lee's tenure with All Japan Pro Wrestling was characterized by his initial debut, a period of absence due to injury, and a significant return that saw him rise through the ranks, leading multiple stables and achieving the promotion's highest honors before his eventual departure.
2.1.1. Debut and Early Career (2011)
In 2010, while still in his fourth year of university, Lee's impressive physique and weightlifting background caught the attention of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), leading to a scout. He officially joined the AJPW dojo in January 2011, where he trained under the legendary Keiji Mutoh. After a training period of seven months, Lee made his professional wrestling debut on August 17, 2011, using his real name, Lee Jae-kyung, in a match against Taiyo Kea at the Noboribetsu General Gymnasium in his home prefecture of Hokkaido. He suffered another loss the following day to Ryota Hama. However, on August 20, 2011, at the Sapporo Teisen Hall event, Lee secured his first singles victory by defeating Yasufumi Nakanoue with a reverse Boston crab in 7 minutes 39 seconds. At the time, he weighed up to 265 lb (120 kg) and was seen as a promising heavyweight prospect. Lee also participated in the "ALL TOGETHER East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Support Charity Pro-Wrestling" event at the Nippon Budokan on August 27, 2011, representing AJPW in The Destroyer Cup Battle Royal.
On October 6, 2011, AJPW announced Lee's retirement from professional wrestling after just ten professional matches. Lee later revealed in a 2016 interview that the injury he sustained had "broken his heart," leading to a state akin to depression.
2.1.2. Return and Unit Activities (2015-2022)
After a period away from professional wrestling, Lee announced his return to AJPW on May 21, 2015, now adopting the ring name Jake Lee. His re-debut match took place on June 4, where he teamed with Jun Akiyama to defeat Takao Omori and Naoya Nomura, with Lee securing the victory over Nomura with a back suplex.
2.1.3. Major AJPW Achievements
Jake Lee achieved significant success during his time in All Japan Pro Wrestling, including:
- Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Koji Iwamoto
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Naoya Nomura
- Champion Carnival (2021)
- Nemuro Shokudō Cup 6-Man Tag Tournament (2017) - with Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi
- Royal Road Tournament (2019)
- New Year Openweight Battle Royal (2019)
- All Asia Tag Team Championship Tournament (2019) - with Koji Iwamoto
2.2. Pro Wrestling Noah (2023-2024)
Following his departure from AJPW, Jake Lee made a high-profile move to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he quickly ascended to the top, forming a new stable and capturing the promotion's premier championship.
2.2.1. Debut and Good Looking Guys Formation
Lee made his surprise debut in Pro Wrestling Noah on January 1, 2023, at The New Year event at the Nippon Budokan. After a match, he confronted and shook hands with Jack Morris, signaling a new alliance. On January 17, Lee and Morris announced the formation of a new stable called "Good Looking Guys" (GLG), with Anthony Greene joining them. The trio had their first official match as a unit on January 22, 2023, at The Great Muta Final "Bye-Bye", where they defeated Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, and Yoshiki Inamura in a six-man tag team match.
2.2.2. GHC Heavyweight Championship Reign
On February 12, 2023, Lee challenged Kaito Kiyomiya for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. This led to a title match on March 19, where Lee defeated Kiyomiya to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship, becoming the 42nd champion and the first person of Korean descent to hold the title. Lee successfully defended the championship four times: against Katsuhiko Nakajima at Green Journey in Sendai on April 16, against Naomichi Marufuji at Majestic on May 4, against Takashi Sugiura at Great Journey in Nagoya on June 17, and against 2023 N-1 Victory winner Go Shiozaki at Grand Ship In Nagoya on September 24.
Lee participated in the 2023 N-1 Victory tournament as the GHC Heavyweight Champion, aiming to win all his matches. He finished the tournament with four wins, two draws, and one loss, with a loss to Kenoh on the final day preventing him from advancing to the finals. On October 28, at Demolition Stage In Fukuoka, Lee lost the GHC Heavyweight Championship to Kenoh, ending his reign at 223 days.
On June 16, 2024, following a loss to Tetsuya Naito at the "ALL TOGETHER" event, Lee announced that the Good Looking Guys stable would disband on July 13 at Destination. At the event, Lee, YO-HEY, and Tadasuke defeated Morris, Greene, and LJ Cleary. After the match, Gedo appeared and announced Lee's departure from Pro Wrestling Noah and his alignment with Bullet Club War Dogs. Lee then attacked Jack Morris with a chokeslam and sarcastically bid farewell to Noah.
2.3. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2024-present)
Jake Lee's transition to New Japan Pro-Wrestling marked a new chapter in his career, aligning with a prominent faction and participating in the promotion's biggest annual tournament.
2.3.1. Bullet Club War Dogs Alignment and Injury
On April 23, 2024, Jake Lee made his debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), assisting Drilla Moloney in his match against Tetsuya Naito. Following this, Bullet Club leader David Finlay announced Lee's association with the Bullet Club War Dogs subgroup in an upcoming five-on-five tag team elimination match against Naito's faction, Los Ingobernables de Japon. On April 26, Lee and the Bullet Club War Dogs were defeated by Los Ingobernables de Japon.
On July 13, 2024, after the official disbandment of Good Looking Guys in Pro Wrestling Noah, Gedo presented Lee with a Bullet Club War Dogs shirt, inviting him to become an official member. Lee immediately donned the shirt, confirming his entry, much to the surprise of the audience and his former teammates. He then delivered a chokeslam to Jack Morris, who questioned his decision, and publicly bid farewell to Noah. Lee then participated in his first G1 Climax tournament, the G1 Climax 34, where he was placed in Block A. He finished his block with 8 points, failing to advance to the playoff stage. On September 11, Lee suffered a right foot injury during a match in Sendai, leading to an indefinite period of inactivity. He officially joined NJPW on September 1, 2024.
3. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Following his initial retirement from professional wrestling in October 2011, Jake Lee transitioned to mixed martial arts. He trained under Kenichi Yamamoto at "Power Of Dreams." During this period, he also worked as a chiropractor/osteopath. Lee competed in his first and only recorded mixed martial arts bout on April 20, 2013, at "PFC.1" in Sapporo, where he fought Hiroshi Kosakai to a draw after three rounds.
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | Hiroshi Kosakai | Draw (5-minute, 3-round limit) | PFC.1 | April 20, 2013 |
4. Personal Life and Other Activities
Outside the wrestling ring, Jake Lee has engaged in various personal and professional endeavors, reflecting his diverse interests and commitment to health and education.
4.1. Training, Education, and Personal Trainer
While training for his mixed martial arts career, Jake Lee adopted a vegan lifestyle. He holds a teacher's license, which he obtained during his college years. Lee has also maintained an active career as a personal fitness trainer, notably providing body makeup training for Japanese musician Maki Ohguro. Although he reduced his personal training commitments after his heel turn to focus more on wrestling, he continues to offer select personal training sessions. Lee is known for his fondness for cream soda, which he affectionately refers to as "Jake Cream Soda," and has even had official merchandise related to it. He shares a connection with fellow wrestler Hokuto Omori, as both trained at Kenichi Yamamoto's "Power Of Dreams" martial arts gym before their professional wrestling careers.
4.2. Media Appearances
Jake Lee has made several notable appearances on Japanese television:
- Tasukete! Kiwamebito ("Help! The Master") - "It's decided by the lower half of your face! 'Aging face'解消トレーニング" (NHK, August 4, 2018)
- Kenko Capsule! Genki no Jikan ("Health Capsule! Genki Time") - "Long hours of desk work beware! Neck wrinkle and sagging elimination method" (CBC Television, April 19, 2020)
- Dekamori Hunter Special (Part 1) (TV Tokyo, March 12, 2021)
5. Championships and Accomplishments
Jake Lee has accumulated numerous championships and accolades throughout his professional wrestling career.
5.1. Major Professional Wrestling Titles
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Koji Iwamoto
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Naoya Nomura
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- GHC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
5.2. Awards and Recognition
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- Champion Carnival (2021)
- Nemuro Shokudō Cup 6-Man Tag Tournament (2017) - with Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi
- Royal Road Tournament (2019)
- New Year Openweight Battle Royal (2019)
- All Asia Tag Team Championship Tournament (2019) - with Koji Iwamoto
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 34 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022
- Tokyo Sports
- Outstanding Performance Award (2021)
6. Wrestling Style and Finishing Moves
Jake Lee's in-ring style is characterized by a blend of powerful strikes and impactful suplexes, often leveraging his background in weightlifting. His primary finishing maneuvers include:
- FBS (Front Big Boot)
- D4C (Brainbuster)
- Giant Killing (Knee Lift)
7. Legacy and Influence
Jake Lee's career has left a significant mark on Japanese professional wrestling, particularly through his achievements as a prominent Zainichi Korean wrestler. He stands as the second wrestler of Korean descent to hold the prestigious Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling, following Zeus. Furthermore, he is the only wrestler of Korean descent to have captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Noah, solidifying his unique position in the sport's history. His acclaimed matches against top competitors such as Kento Miyahara, Kenoh, Yuma Aoyagi, and Naomichi Marufuji have showcased his skill and contributed to his reputation as a top-tier performer. Lee's journey highlights themes of identity and representation within the Japanese wrestling landscape, demonstrating the ability of a Zainichi Korean athlete to reach the pinnacle of the sport.