1. Overview
Shigeo Okumura (奥村 茂雄, 奥村 茂雄Okumura ShigeoJapanese, born May 25, 1972), known professionally by his ring name OKUMURA, is a Japanese professional wrestler whose enduring career has significantly impacted the landscape of professional wrestling, particularly in Mexico. Since 2004, Okumura has been a steadfast presence in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Mexico's oldest active professional wrestling promotion, showcasing a remarkable commitment to cultural exchange and adaptation. His journey began in Japan in 1994, working through promotions like Tokyo Pro Wrestling (TPW) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), before making the pivotal decision to immerse himself in Mexican lucha libre. Despite initially portraying an "Anti-Mexico" character, Okumura's genuine appreciation for the country and its wrestling style allowed him to build a lasting legacy, serving as a guide and mentor for numerous Japanese wrestlers undertaking learning excursions to Mexico. His career is marked by notable achievements including multiple championship reigns in both Mexico and the United States, and his consistent role in fostering international collaboration within the wrestling community. Okumura's longevity and dedication underscore his profound influence on bridging the rich traditions of Japanese and Mexican professional wrestling.
2. Professional Wrestling Career
Shigeo Okumura's professional wrestling career spans over two decades, characterized by significant tenures in both Japanese and Mexican promotions. He transitioned from the Japanese independent scene and major promotions like All Japan Pro Wrestling to become a prominent figure in Mexico's CMLL, where he adapted his style and embraced the unique cultural aspects of lucha libre, leading various factions and achieving championship success. His career continues with recent expansion into the American wrestling scene.
2.1. Early Japanese Career (1994-1999)
Shigeo Okumura began his professional wrestling journey after training at the Masahiro Kurisu Training Gym, subsequently joining IWA Kakutoshijuku. He made his professional debut on December 31, 1994, facing Mitsunobu Kikuzawa (now known as Kikuzato). In 1995, Okumura moved to Tokyo Pro Wrestling (TPW), led by Takashi Ishikawa, serving as Ishikawa's attendant and often partnering with him. By 1996, he formed the "Young Destroyers" with Masao Orihara and Shinobu Tamura, advocating for reforms within TPW. Following TPW's collapse after a show at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in 1996, Okumura did not join the new FFF system but instead reunited with Ishikawa. They formed the "Tokyo Pro Wrestling Army" and later the "Ishikawa Ikka" (Ishikawa Family), challenging various promotions like WAR, IWA Japan, and Big Japan Pro-Wrestling. Okumura also made appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) during this period.
He later traveled to Calgary, Canada, where he won the CCW Heavyweight Championship and the CAWF Tag Team Championship with Nobutaka Araya. Upon returning, he joined the revived New Tokyo Pro Wrestling as a heel, partnering with wrestlers like Bad News Allen and Jerry Morrow. In January 1998, Okumura defeated his mentor, Takashi Ishikawa, in a retirement match, inheriting Ishikawa's gown. After New Tokyo Pro Wrestling ceased operations, Okumura became a freelance wrestler. In late 1999, he began working for Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW), teaming with Atsushi Onita and Mitsunobu Kikuzawa. On January 28, 2000, this trio won the Barbed-Wire Street Fight Six-Man Tag Team Title, though they lost the title four days later.
2.2. All Japan Pro Wrestling (2000-2004)
Okumura's involvement with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) began with spot appearances in February 1998, including a participation in AJPW's first solo Tokyo Dome event. In October 2000, following the mass exodus of talent led by Mitsuharu Misawa to form Pro Wrestling Noah, Shigeo Okumura was signed to a full-time contract with AJPW, helping to fill the roster void. He primarily worked as a mid-card wrestler, engaging in feuds such as one with Turmeric Storm and often forming makeshift tag teams.
On September 8, 2001, Okumura and Nobutaka Araya unsuccessfully challenged Arashi and Koki Kitahara for the vacant All Asia Tag Team Championship. In early 2002, he teamed with Mitsuya Nagi in a tournament for the same vacant titles, reaching the finals but losing to Arashi and his former partner, Nobutaka Araya. Okumura also competed in the "Giant Baba Cup" in 2002, reaching the block final before being defeated by Mitsuya Naga. Okumura remained with AJPW as a consistent mid-card performer until his departure in March 2004. He briefly returned to AJPW in February 2005 for the Giant Baba 7th anniversary memorial show, teaming with Arashi in a victorious effort against Nobutaka Araya and Taichi.
2.3. Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2004-2008)
In May 2004, Okumura embarked on a "learning trip" to Mexico, joining Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) to refine his in-ring style and gain exposure to different wrestling techniques. He debuted as a `rudo` (heel) character, adopting an "Anti-Mexico" persona despite his personal fondness for living and working in the country. His CMLL debut took place in the semi-main event of an Arena Coliseo show, followed by a main event debut at Arena México. Early in his CMLL career, he teamed with wrestlers such as Dr. Wagner Jr. and Black Tiger (who later became Silver King).
On December 5, 2004, Okumura participated in his first `Lucha de Apuesta` (bet match), a four-man steel cage match also involving Negro Casas, Rey Bucanero, and Tarzan Boy. As the last man remaining in the cage, Okumura lost his hair to Negro Casas, marking his first `Apuesta` loss. In mid-2005, NJPW sent Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi to Mexico for international experience, and Okumura served as their tag team partner and guide. The trio competed at CMLL's 72nd Anniversary Show, losing to an all-Mexican team. On May 12, 2006, Okumura competed in the International Gran Prix, representing the foreign team, and was eliminated by Último Guerrero. On June 18, 2006, he again lost a steel cage `Lucha de Apuesta` to Rey Bucanero, resulting in another shaving of his hair.
From August 2006, Okumura teamed with NJPW young wrestlers Hajime Ohara and Hirooki Goto, who were also on learning excursions. Okumura and Goto both competed in the 2007 International Gran Prix, with Okumura being an early elimination. In the fall of 2007, Okumura sustained a severe injury, a broken collar bone, after a botched `Asai Moonsault` by Fabián el Gitano. This injury, combined with a lengthy recovery period and a trip back to Japan, sidelined him until his return in November 2008.
2.4. La Ola Amarilla (2009-2011)
In mid-2009, Okumura formed a prominent "Anti-Mexico" faction known as La Ola Amarilla (La Ola AmarillaThe Yellow WaveSpanish) with NJPW wrestlers Yujiro Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito, collectively known as No Limit, who were on their own learning excursions. Okumura assumed the leadership role within the group, which was strongly pushed by CMLL, securing victories against various Mexican `técnicos` (faces). All three members of La Ola Amarilla participated in a 15-man `Lucha de Apuesta` steel cage match at CMLL's 2009 Infierno en el Ring event, where Okumura was the fourth to escape.
In September 2009, the faction received further reinforcement with the arrival of Jushin Thunder Liger for a tour. Okumura, Liger, Yujiro, and Naito collectively defeated a Mexican team at CMLL's 76th Anniversary Show. The following week, Okumura famously replaced Camorra to team with Yujiro in the 2009 Torneo Gran Alternativa tournament, a unique event where a veteran partners with a rookie. They advanced through the rounds, ultimately defeating Místico and Ángel de Oro in the finals to win the tournament. This victory solidified Okumura's status as an `estrella` (star) in CMLL.
Following the Gran Alternativa, Okumura entered a storyline feud with Máximo. On November 5, 2009, Okumura achieved his first `Lucha de Apuesta` victory, defeating Máximo in a hair vs. hair match, forcing Máximo to be shaved bald. As Yujiro and Naito returned to NJPW, Taichi joined CMLL in February 2010, ensuring La Ola Amarilla continued its presence. On May 7, 2010, Okumura, Taichi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi (another NJPW talent) won the CMLL World Trios Championship, becoming the first Japanese trio to hold the title. Their reign lasted two weeks before losing the belts to La Máscara, La Sombra, and Máscara Dorada.
Okumura continued to participate in international collaborations, including the NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania tours in Japan. In January 2011, he challenged for the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Atlantis and later the CMLL World Trios Championship with No Limit at the Fantastica Mania events. On July 12, 2011, Okumura defeated El Gallo to win the CMLL Occidente Light Heavyweight Championship, a regional title based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, becoming the first Japanese wrestler to hold this title. He successfully defended it once before losing it to El Sagrado on July 11, 2012.
2.5. La Fiebre Amarilla and Other Collaborations (2012-2014)
In February 2012, NJPW trainee Kyosuke Mikami arrived in Mexico and was given the masked gimmick of Namajague. He immediately formed a tag team with Okumura, calling themselves La Fiebre Amarilla (La Fiebre AmarillaThe Yellow FeverSpanish). The duo quickly established themselves as a formidable force. In September 2012, La Fiebre Amarilla challenged for the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship but were unsuccessful against the champions, Fuego and Stuka Jr..
A long-running storyline developed between La Fiebre Amarilla and the team of Stuka Jr. and Rey Cometa. This rivalry culminated in the main event of the 2013 Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show, a high-stakes `Luchas de Apuestas` match where Namajague and Stuka Jr. risked their masks, while Okumura and Rey Cometa risked their hair. Before this monumental match, on March 3, 2013, Okumura and Namajague defeated Fuego and Stuka Jr. to win the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship. However, on March 15, 2013, at Homenaje a Dos Leyendas, Okumura and Namajague were defeated by Stuka Jr. and Rey Cometa. As a result, Okumura had his head shaved bald for the third time in his career, and Namajague was unmasked, revealing his real name, Kyosuke Mikami, in accordance with lucha libre tradition. On November 3, 2013, Okumura and Namajague lost the Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship to Delta and Guerrero Maya Jr.. Okumura also participated in the `Campeonato Universal 2013` tournament, a championship exclusive to titleholders, where he was defeated by Hiroshi Tanahashi.
In January 2014, Okumura continued to participate in the NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania tour. He found a new partner in Kamaitachi (later known as Hiromu Takahashi), who made his CMLL debut as Okumura's tag team partner. In June 2014, Okumura celebrated his 10th anniversary with CMLL, a remarkable milestone that earned him recognition in Mexico as the only Japanese wrestler to maintain such a long tenure as a contracted performer within the promotion. Despite this, he and Kamaitachi were unsuccessful in their challenge for the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship against Guerrero Maya Jr. and Delta on July 13, 2014.
2.6. Later Career and MLW (2015-present)
From 2015 onwards, Shigeo Okumura has continued to be a regular and impactful presence in CMLL, frequently participating in the annual Fantastica Mania tours held in Japan, often serving as a key `rudo` figure and a bridge between CMLL and NJPW talent. In January 2015, during the Fantastica Mania tour in his hometown of Osaka, Okumura's 20th career anniversary and 10th anniversary in CMLL were celebrated, highlighted by a 6-man tag team match where he secured the win. He also challenged Ángel de Oro for the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful.
Okumura has endured and overcome several injuries throughout his later career. In February 2017, he suffered a cervical spine injury, which required surgery in Japan in April 2017. He made his return to the ring on November 24, 2017. In March 2019, he underwent emergency appendicitis surgery, returning to competition in Spain on June 21, 2019, and in CMLL on July 5, 2019. Despite these setbacks, he continued to be active, forming new alliances such as a foreign trio with Sam Adonis and Johnny Idol in December 2017. In October 2020, he formed Los Embajadores del Mal (Los Embajadores del MalThe Ambassadors of EvilSpanish) with Bárbaro Cavernario and Dark Magic, and in May 2023, he joined Los Chácales del Ring (Los Chácales del RingThe Jackals of the RingSpanish) with Pólvora and Coyote. In January 2020, he challenged Stuka Jr. for the NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful.
Outside of the ring, Okumura has received significant public recognition. He was featured on Japanese television shows such as "Nepu & Imoto no Sekai Banzuke" in 2015, "Mirai Seiki Zipangu" in 2017, and "Sekai no Mura no Doe Raisan" and "Rikukaiku Chikyu Seifuku Suru Nante" in 2018, which highlighted his popularity in Mexico. In April 2019, he was appointed, and reappointed in April 2022, as a sports goodwill ambassador for Ikeda, Osaka, his hometown. His contributions to fostering relations between Mexico and Japan through lucha libre were officially recognized in June 2023 when he received an award from the Japanese Ambassador to Mexico during the inaugural CMLL Presenta NJPW FANTASTICA MANIA Mexico event at Arena México. In May 2024, Okumura was honored for his unprecedented 20 years of continuous service with CMLL, a rare feat for a foreign wrestler.
Okumura's career expanded into Major League Wrestling (MLW) in the United States, where he debuted on February 3, 2024. He formed a tag team called CozyMAX with NJPW veteran Satoshi Kojima. On May 11, 2024, CozyMAX won the vacant MLW World Tag Team Championship. They successfully defended the title on May 28, 2024, and July 13, 2024, but lost it to Minoru Suzuki and Ikuro Kwon on August 29, 2024. However, CozyMAX regained the MLW World Tag Team Championship from Suzuki and Kwon on December 5, 2024. Okumura also competed in the MLW Opera Cup tournament in July 2024, losing in the first round to Atlantis Jr.. He has also participated in RevPro's CMLL Fantastica Mania UK events in September 2023 and May 2024.
3. Major Techniques
Shigeo Okumura utilizes a variety of offensive professional wrestling techniques, many of which have become signature moves throughout his career:
- Moonsault press
- OKUMURA Cutter
- Vertical drop brainbuster
- Dragon suplex
- Wrist-clutch DDT
- Reverse DDT
- Exploder suplex
4. Championships and Accomplishments
Can-Am Wrestling Federation
- CAWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Nobutaka Araya
Costa Rica Wrestling Embassy
- CWE World Championship (1 time)
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
- CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Namajague
- CMLL World Trios Championship (1 time) - with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Taichi
- Occidente Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Torneo Gran Alternativa (2009) - with Yujiro Takahashi
Major League Wrestling
- MLW World Tag Team Championship (2 times, current) - with Satoshi Kojima
Onita Pro
- Barbed-Wire Streetfight Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Atsushi Onita and Mitsunobu Kikuzawa
Tokyo Pro Wrestling
- CCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
5. Luchas de Apuestas Record
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negro Casas (hair) | Okumura (hair) | Mexico City | CMLL Domingos De Coliseo | December 5, 2004 | This was a steel cage match that also included Rey Bucanero and Tarzan Boy. |
| Rey Bucanero (hair) | Okumura (hair) | Mexico City | CMLL Domingos De Coliseo | June 18, 2006 | This was a steel cage match. Other participants in the cage match were: Universo 2000, Negro Casas, Tarzan Boy, Máximo, Heavy Metal and El Terrible. |
| Okumura (hair) | Máximo (hair) | Mexico City | CMLL Domingos Arena Mexico | November 5, 2009 | |
| Stuka Jr. (mask) and Rey Cometa (hair) | La Fiebre Amarilla (Okumura (hair) and Namajague (mask)) | Mexico City | Homenaje a Dos Leyendas | March 15, 2013 |
6. External Activities and Recognition
Shigeo Okumura's impact extends beyond his in-ring performances, encompassing significant roles in cultural ambassadorship and public appearances that have brought `lucha libre` to a wider audience. In April 2019, he was officially appointed as a sports goodwill ambassador for Ikeda, Osaka, his hometown in Japan, a role he was reappointed to in April 2022. This position reflects his commitment to promoting sports and positive international relations.
Okumura has been prominently featured on several Japanese television programs, showcasing his life and career in Mexico. These appearances include "Nepu & Imoto no Sekai Banzuke" in 2015, "Mirai Seiki Zipangu" in 2017, and both "Sekai no Mura no Doe Raisan" and "Rikukaiku Chikyu Seifoku Suru Nante" in 2018, which highlighted his unique position as a Japanese wrestler who has achieved enduring popularity in Mexico.
A testament to his lasting contributions, Okumura received a special recognition in June 2023 from the Japanese Ambassador to Mexico during the inaugural CMLL Presenta NJPW Fantastica Mania Mexico event at Arena México. This honor acknowledged his substantial efforts in fostering strong relations between Mexico and Japan through the medium of professional wrestling. Furthermore, in May 2024, CMLL formally celebrated Okumura's remarkable 20 years of continuous affiliation with the promotion, an exceptional achievement for a foreign wrestler, underscoring his dedication and impact within the Mexican wrestling community.