Master Wato

2.1. Birth and Background

Hirai Kawato was born on March 13, 1997, in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. His blood type is O. Prior to his formal entry into professional wrestling, he also participated in a local wrestling organization as a trainee.

2.2. Joining New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Training

While still attending Mino Gakuen High School, Kawato participated in a public entrance audition held by New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Shinkiba 1st Ring on October 12, 2013, where he successfully passed. After graduating high school in March 2015, he officially entered the NJPW dojo as a dormitory resident in April of the same year. He trained as a "Young Lion" in NJPW's Noge Dojo in Tokyo, characterized by wearing simple black trunks and boots. During this period, he gained foundational in-ring experience by working with other Young Lions and seasoned veterans. He underwent approximately nine months of intensive training before making his professional debut.

3.1. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2016-2018)

Kawato officially made his in-ring debut on January 3, 2016, at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Festival 2016 event at Differ Ariake, where he lost to fellow Young Lion Yohei Komatsu by submission to a Boston crab. At the age of 18, he became the youngest wrestler to debut in NJPW in 17 years, a distinction previously held by Katsuyori Shibata in 1999. Throughout 2016, Kawato primarily worked in opening and undercard matches, frequently competing against another Young Lion, Teruaki Kanemitsu. His background in mixed martial arts contributed to his sharp kicking techniques and aggressive fighting style, which added excitement to the preliminary matches.

On October 23, 2016, at the Road to Power Struggle event in Togane, Kawato achieved his first professional wrestling victory, albeit unintentionally, by defeating Bone Soldier via disqualification. He secured his first singles match victory on April 22, 2016, by defeating Shota Umino. Kawato also participated in various tag team matches, including a six-man tag team victory on February 9, 2016, alongside Jyushin Thunder Liger and Yuji Nagata, against Henare, Tomoyuki Oka, and Yoshitatsu. He was part of the opening match at NJPW's 45th Anniversary show at Korakuen Hall on March 7, 2017, where he teamed with David Finlay, Manabu Nakanishi, and Ryusuke Taguchi to defeat Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima), Liger, and Oka.

Kawato's involvement in higher-profile matches increased in 2017. On June 20, he teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi in a losing effort against Los Ingobernables de Japón (Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi). In October, he participated in the 2017 Super Junior Tag Tournament alongside Kushida, but they were eliminated in the first round by Roppongi 3K (Sho and Yoh). On November 5, 2017, at Power Struggle, Kawato teamed with Juice Robinson, Liger, Kushida, and Tiger Mask IV to defeat Suzuki-gun.

From October 12 to December 21, 2017, Kawato competed in the 2017 Young Lion Cup, where he finished as the runner-up with a record of four wins and one loss. His victories included matches against Tomoyuki Oka, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, and Tetsuhiro Yagi, with his sole loss coming against the tournament winner, Katsuya Kitamura.

In early 2018, Kawato participated in all eight days of the Fantastica Mania 2018 tour, a co-promotional event between NJPW and Mexican-based Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). During this tour, Kawato and his various tag team partners consistently lost to members of Los Ingobernables de Japón. His final match before his international excursion took place during this tour, where he teamed with Mexican wrestler Atlantis in a losing effort against Gedo and Bárbaro Cavernario. A farewell match was held for him at Korakuen Hall on January 22, signaling his departure for an indefinite overseas excursion starting in February.

3.2. CMLL Excursion (2018-2020)

On January 9, 2018, CMLL officially announced via Twitter that Kawato would begin his excursion in Mexico at the end of January, actively competing for the promotion after the Fantastica Mania events concluded. In CMLL, he adopted the ring name Kawato-San. His CMLL debut occurred on February 2, 2018, at the Arena México weekly Friday show, where he teamed with Misterioso Jr. and Virus in a six-man tag team match, losing to Audaz, Pegasso, and Rey Cometa. During his time in Mexico, CMLL also permitted Kawato-San to wrestle on the Mexican independent circuit, including a match on March 11 where he lost to Ricky Marvin at a Lucha Memes show.

Kawato-San later formed a tag team with Okumura, CMLL's Japanese liaison, creating a unit known as Eje del Mal_{Axis of Evil}^Spanish, portrayed as a group of "evil foreigners." Their first match as a team saw them, along with Johnny Idol, lose to Guerrero Maya Jr., Rey Cometa, and Stuka Jr.. Kawato-San competed in a torneo cibernetico (elimination match) to determine the challenger for CMLL's Rey del Inframundo_{King of the Underworld}^Spanish championship, but he was eliminated early. He also participated in the prestigious 2018 Leyenda de Plata (Leyenda de Plata_{Silver Legend}^Spanish) tournament, where he was the first wrestler eliminated, pinned by Audaz approximately eight minutes into the match.

In 2019, Kawato-San took part in the Reyes del Aire (Reyes del Aire_{King of the Air}^Spanish) tournament on January 6 in Mexico City. He was the tenth man eliminated, again pinned by Audaz after just over 20 minutes of wrestling. A little over a year after his CMLL debut, Kawato-San appeared on his first major CMLL show, the undercard of Juicio Final 2019, where he teamed with Disturbio and Misterioso Jr. in a losing effort against Blue Panther Jr., Black Panther, and Rey Cometa.

In June 2019, Kawato-San and Audaz outlasted several other wrestlers to earn a match for the vacant CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship. The following week, on June 30, 2019, Kawato-San defeated Audaz to become the new champion, marking his first championship victory in professional wrestling. However, after July 28, 2019, Kawato did not wrestle due to a knee injury. On November 6, 2019, CMLL announced that Kawato-San had returned to Mexico after recovering, but he was stripped of the CMLL World Lightweight Championship due to the injury. He returned to the ring on November 9, teaming with El Felino and Rey Bucanero in a losing effort against Atlantis Jr., Ángel de Oro, and Niebla Roja.

Starting in late October 2019, Kawato-San became involved in a storyline feud with Dulce Gardenia, leading to a series of six-man tag team matches throughout November and December. This culminated in a high-stakes Lucha de Apuestas (betting match) where both wrestlers wagered their hair. The match was the main event of the 2020 Sin Piedad (Sin Piedad_{No Mercy}^Spanish) show, held on January 1, 2020. Gardenia won the match two-falls-to-one, and as a result, Kawato-San was publicly forced to shave all his hair off. He also competed in the 2020 Reyes del Aire tournament, but was the sixth wrestler eliminated when Rey Cometa pinned him.

3.3. Return to NJPW (2020-present)

On July 3, 2020, Kawato made his highly anticipated return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling after a two-year excursion. He debuted under the new ring name Master Wato, declaring his ambition to become the "Grand Master of professional wrestling" and aim for the top of NJPW. However, his return was immediately interrupted as he was attacked by Suzuki-gun member Douki with a steel pipe, forcing him to be escorted out of the arena. It was later announced that Wato would face Douki in a singles match at the New Japan Cup Finals in Osaka-Jo Hall, where Wato was victorious. This led to a feud with another Suzuki-gun member, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, which concluded when Kanemaru pinned Wato at Summer Struggle in Jingu.

In November 2020, Master Wato entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He was scheduled for a rematch against Kanemaru, but Kanemaru withdrew due to injury. Wato finished the tournament with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses, failing to advance to the finals. At Wrestle Kingdom 15, he and Ryusuke Taguchi unsuccessfully challenged Suzuki-gun's El Desperado and Kanemaru for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. Following a loss to Bushi in a ten-man tag team match at New Year Dash!! 2021, the two engaged in a feud during the Road To The New Beginning 2021 tour, culminating in Bushi defeating Wato in a singles match at The New Beginning in Hiroshima. Wato again competed in the 2021 Best of the Super Juniors, finishing with a 4-7 record and failing to advance.

On the pre-show of the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 16 on January 5, 2022, Wato defeated El Desperado in a six-man tag team match, earning him a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. However, he was unsuccessful in his title challenge against Desperado at the NJPW New Years Golden Series on February 11. Eight days later, on February 19, Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi, forming the team "Six or Nine," won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in a four-way tag match, securing Wato's first championship victory in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. They defeated the teams of Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado, and El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori.

Despite being a junior heavyweight, Wato participated in the 2022 New Japan Cup, a heavyweight tournament. He received a bye to the second round but was subsequently defeated by Kazuchika Okada. Six or Nine successfully defended their tag team titles for the first time at Hyper Battle '22, defeating Bullet Club's Cutest Tag Team (El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori). In May, they made a second successful defense against the Suzuki-gun pairing of Kanemaru and Douki. Later that month, Wato competed in the annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He finished the B Block with 8 points, failing to advance to the finals. On the day of the tournament finals, Wato and Taguchi were defeated by United Empire's TJP and Francesco Akira in a non-title match. This loss led to a title rematch where Six or Nine lost the championships to TJP and Akira, ending their reign at 121 days. Six or Nine then failed to win the titles back in a rematch at NJPW Burning Spirit.

Following this, Wato shifted his focus to singles competition. On October 10, at Declaration of Power, Wato successfully defeated the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Taiji Ishimori, in a non-title match. After the match, Ishimori was confronted by Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado, both seeking Junior Heavyweight title shots. This set up a four-way championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 17. On January 4, 2023, Wato was unsuccessful in capturing the junior heavyweight championship, which was ultimately won by Hiromu Takahashi.

In February 2023, at The New Beginning in Osaka, Wato lost to Taiji Ishimori. On March 1, 2023, Wato headlined the Junior Dream Festival ~ALL STAR Jr. FESTIVAL 2023~ at Korakuen Hall, where he defeated Ryosei Aoyagi. In May 2023, Wato participated in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, competing in the B Block. He finished joint top of the block with 14 points (7 wins, 2 losses), securing his advancement to the semifinals. On May 26, he defeated Mike Bailey in a semifinal match. Two days later, he defeated Titán in the final to win the tournament for the first time. Following his tournament victory, Wato challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 4, but he was defeated by the champion, Hiromu Takahashi.

4.1. Finishing Holds

• RPP (Ranpu Paipu Punishā, "Rampage Pipe Punisher"): This is Wato's current primary finishing hold. He leaps from the top turnbuckle, executing a forward 270-degree rotation combined with a 360-degree horizontal rotation to land a senton on a fallen opponent. The move is visually similar to AJ Styles' Spiral Tap. The meaning behind the acronym "RPP" has been kept a secret. He began using this technique upon his return to NJPW.
• Recientemente: A high-angle cross-armbar submission. Wato lifts his opponent into a leaning forward position, hooking their left arm behind his right knee and looping his right arm around their right arm. He then falls forward, causing the opponent to rotate forward and land on the back of their head. This move became a signature of Wato's upon his return from excursion.
• Recientemente II (Segundo): An even higher-angle version of the Recientemente. From behind the opponent, Wato applies a half-nelson with his right arm, lifts the opponent, and slams them onto the back of their head while securing the opponent's left arm with both of his legs, creating a crucifix-like impact. This devastating move debuted in October 2022 at a Ryōgoku event and was used to secure a three-count victory over then-IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
• Tsutenkaku German Suplex Hold: A German suplex renowned for its execution, particularly its posture and height. During the 29th Best of the Super Juniors tournament, commentators like Milano Collection A. T. and Shingo Takagi playfully gave it various names referencing famous landmarks in Osaka Prefecture, Wato's home region. While initially unofficial, Wato himself acknowledged "Tsutenkaku German" on his Twitter in January 2023, making the name semi-official. Although primarily a setup move, it served as a primary finisher for many of his matches in the 30th Best of the Super Juniors.
• Vendaval: A modified camel clutch that involves locking both of the opponent's arms and applying a choke to their neck.
• TTD: This maneuver is an original hold of Hiroyoshi Tenzan, who is considered a mentor to Wato. Tenzan highly praised Wato's matches immediately after his return from excursion and, noting their shared Kansai region origin, promised to support him and teach him his signature moves.
• Diving Foot Stomp: A high-flying maneuver used by Wato during his time as Kawato-San in CMLL, where he secured pinfall victories with it.
• Modified Vertical Drop Reverse Brainbuster: Also known as a Reverse Bloody Sunday. This move involves Wato grabbing his opponent's tights with one hand from a Reverse DDT position, lifting them upside down, and then abruptly slamming them head-first onto the mat.

4.2. Striking Techniques

Master Wato employs a variety of impactful striking techniques in his matches:

• Elbows: Including standard elbow bats, elbow stamps, elbow smashes, swan dive uppercuts, and back elbows.
• Slaps: Open-hand strikes.
• Chops: Such as reverse horizontal chops, chop smashes, and rolling kesagiri chops.
• Backfist: A powerful strike delivered with the back of the fist.
• Clothesline: A common wrestling maneuver.
• Enzuigiri: A kick to the back of the opponent's head or neck.
• Screw High Kick / Senpukyaku: A spinning enzuigiri delivered to a standing opponent, similar to a Mexican corkscrew high kick.
• Buzzsaw Kick: A roundhouse kick delivered to the side of a crouching opponent's head.
• Various Kicks: Including low kicks, middle kicks, high kicks, and rolling sobats.
• Roundhouse Kick: A high, circular kick.
• Missile Kick: While an early finisher for Wato, it is now primarily used as a setup maneuver.

4.3. Throwing Techniques

Wato incorporates several powerful throwing maneuvers into his offense:

• Jumbo Suplex: A modified powerbomb where Wato lifts the opponent into a powerbomb stance, then spectacularly arches backward, throwing the opponent in a 360-degree forward rotation to land face-first on the mat. This move originated from former All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling wrestler Jumbo Hori.
• Vertical Drop Brainbuster: A high-impact variation of the Brainbuster.
• Brainbuster: A fundamental vertical suplex that drops the opponent on their head or neck.
• Avalanche Brainbuster: A brainbuster performed from the top turnbuckle, increasing its impact.

4.4. Submission Holds

Wato utilizes various submission and joint lock techniques:

• Cavernaria: A submission hold popularized in lucha libre.
• Romero Special: A hold where the wrestler holds the opponent upside down by their legs, with the opponent's back arched.
• Jabe: A general term in lucha libre for any submission hold.
• Boston Crab: A standard leg-based submission hold that was Wato's finisher during his Young Lion days.
• Half Boston Crab: A variation of the Boston Crab, applied to one leg.
• Swan Dive Hurricanrana: A high-flying submission move where Wato performs a hurricanrana from an elevated position into a submission.
• Modified Cross Fix: A modified crucifix-style submission.
• Anaconda Vise: Another signature submission hold taught to Wato by his mentor, Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

4.5. Aerial Techniques

Master Wato is known for his agility and ability to execute high-flying maneuvers:

• Tornillo: A corkscrew plancha suicida.
• No-Touch Tope Con Hilo: A spectacular maneuver where Wato dives over the top rope without touching the turnbuckle, performing a tope con hilo to the outside. He showcased a version of this move over the corner post during the 2021 SUPER Jr. TAG LEAGUE.

4.6. Pinfall Techniques

Wato employs several strategic pinfall techniques to secure victories:

• Jackknife Pin: A quick roll-up pin.
• La Carretera: A modified jackknife pin. Wato hooks both of his opponent's legs over his shoulders from a supine position, holds both of their arms with his hands, and bridges forward to pin them in a modified jackknife crucifix. The name is Spanish for "the road." This is one of Wato's preferred roll-up techniques.

4.7. Combination and Tag Team Moves

In tag team competition, Master Wato has developed synchronized maneuvers with his partners:

• No.9 (with Ryusuke Taguchi): This tag team finisher involves Taguchi lifting an opponent into his signature Dodon position, after which Wato delivers a Complete shot to the opponent. This combined technique debuted on February 7, 2022, and was instrumental in their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship victory.