:Sho (wrestler)

{{Infobox professional wrestler

| name = Sho

| image = Seibu Dome Wrestle Grand Slam IMG 4735.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Sho at Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome

| birth_name = Sho Tanaka

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|08|27}}

| birth_place = Uwajima, Ehime, Japan

| death_date =

| death_place =

| resides =

| spouse =

| children =

| family =

| alma_mater = Tokuyama University

| names = Raijin
Sho{{cite web | url = http://rohwrestling.com/live/events/2016/oct/15/101516-glory-honor-dearborn-mi | title = 10/15/16 Glory By Honor - Dearborn, MI | access-date=December 2, 2016 | work=Ring of Honor| date = August 2016 }}
Sho Tanaka

| height = {{Convert|173|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|93|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| billed =

| trainer = NJPW Dojo
Junji Hirata

| debut = November 15, 2012

| retired =

| website = [https://twitter.com/njpwShowT Twitter]

}}

{{nihongo|Sho Tanaka|田中翔|Tanaka Shō}} (born August 27, 1989), known mononymously as Sho (stylised in all caps as SHO), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture, a former member of Bullet Club ,and one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions alongside Ren Narita and Yujiro Takahashi in their first reign as a team and his third individually.

He is a former member of Chaos and was a part of the junior heavyweight tag team Roppongi 3K, along with Yoh. The tag team were five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions and three-time winners of the Super Junior Tag League. Additionally, Sho is a three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion.

He has previously worked for the American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) and Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). In the latter promotion, he was known under the ring name {{nihongo|Raijin|雷神|Raijin}}, named after the Japanese God of thunder, and was part of La Ola Amarilla ("the Yellow Wave") alongside Okumura, Kamaitachi and Fujin (the name Yoh worked under in Mexico).

Early life

Sho Tanaka was born on August 27, 1989, in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. While in high school he became involved with Greco-Roman wrestling, something he continued to practice as he attended Tokuyama University. At Tokuyama, he was the vice-captain of the wrestling team, competing in the 7th All-Japan University Championship for Greco-Roman wrestling, where he came in third over all.{{cite web | url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=822 | title=Database > 田中翔 | language=ja | access-date=February 9, 2016 | publisher=New Japan Pro-Wrestling}}

Professional wrestling career

Inspired by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tanaka attended the NJPW Dojo in February 2012, training for his professional wrestling career.{{cite news | date=January 24, 2016 | issue=3218 | title=Komatsu y Tanaka | newspaper=Box y Lucha magazine | language=es}}

= New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2012–2016) =

File:Sho Tanaka.JPG

On November 11, 2012, Tanaka made his professional wrestling debut in the opening match of the NEVER: Shodai NEVER Musabetsu Kyu Oza Kettei Tournament 1st round show where he lost to Takaaki Watanabe.{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=671 | title = NEVER | access-date=September 10, 2014 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/battle/2012/11/001561.php | title = 新生NEVERで新設された無差別級王座を争うトーナメント!田中や田口らが順当に勝ち上がる中、内藤が注目した選手は... | date=November 15, 2012 | access-date=September 10, 2014 | work=Battle News | language=ja}} Tanaka competed as one of NJPW's "Young Lions" a class of rookie wrestlers who work mostly against each other early on, wearing all black gear and with no particular ring character, all part of the structured learning process in NJPW. Throughout 2013 and 2014, Tanaka often faced off against fellow Young Lion Yohei Komatsu, with both men trading victories in both singles and tag team competition.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=12596&page=4&worker=Sho%20Tanaka&s=100 | title=Yohei Komatsu matches against Sho Tanaka | publisher=Cagematch.net | access-date=February 9, 2016}} By 2015, Tanaka and Komatsu had begun teaming together on a regular basis, including working together in the New Japan Rumble as part of Wrestle Kingdom 9 on January 5, 2015. The two teamed up to eliminate Tiger Mask and Taichi but were both eliminated by Tama Tonga.{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Mike|last2=Trionfo|first2=Richard|title=Complete New Japan WrestleKingdom PPV coverage (page 2)|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=90547&p=2|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=July 5, 2015}} Tanaka was called upon to replace an injured Rey Cometa on a NJPW/Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre co-promoted Fantastica Mania 2015 show on January 14. Tanaka and Stigma lost to La Peste Negra ("The Black Plague"; Bárbaro Cavernario and Mr. Niebla){{cite web | url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=922 | title=NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2015 | access-date=January 14, 2015 | work = New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language = ja}}{{cite web | url=http://pwinsider.com/article/90861/the-lucha-report.html?p=1 | title=The Lucha Report | last=Zellner | first=Kris | date=January 16, 2015 | access-date=January 16, 2015 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}} On February 11, 2015, Tanaka defeated rival and occasional tag team partner Yohei Komatsu in the opening match of NJPW's 2015 The New Beginning in Osaka show.{{cite web | url = http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/sports/fight_all/3737 | title = 新日本プロレス「The New Beginning in Osaka」 | date=February 11, 2015 | access-date=February 11, 2015 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=Yahoo! | language=ja}} In June and July 2015, Tanaka represented NJPW in Pro Wrestling Noah's Global Junior Heavyweight League. During the tournament, he earned two points by defeating Hitoshi Kumano, but lost the rest of his matches to be eliminated from the tournament. At Destruction in Kobe, Tanaka and Komatsu defeated fellow Young Lions David Finlay and Jay White.{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/96840/new-japan-destruction-in-kobe-results.html?p=1 | title = New Japan Destruction in Kobe results | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=September 27, 2015 | access-date=September 27, 2015 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}

In early 2016, it was announced that Tanaka and Komatsu would compete in the 2016 Fantastica Mania series of shows, competing in what NJPW called the "Yohei Komatsu and Sho Tanaka send-off game", announcing that the two would travel to Mexico and work for CMLL as part of their continued in-ring skill development.{{cite web | url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=15634 | title=小松洋平、田中翔の"無期限海外遠征"が決定! 「FANTASTICA MANIA」全6大会で"壮行試合"が実現! | date=January 7, 2016 | access-date=February 9, 2016 | publisher=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}} The team worked the opening match for each of the six Fantastica Mania events, losing each time.{{cite web | url = http://www.mediotiempo.com/mas-deportes/lucha-libre/noticias/2016/01/17/arranco-fantasticamania-2016 | title = Arrancó Fantasticamanía 2016 | date=January 17, 2016 | access-date=January 17, 2016 | work=MedioTiempo | language=es}}{{cite web | url = http://www.pwinsider.com/article/99163/the-lucha-report.html?p=1 | title = The Lucha Report | last=Zellner | first=Kris | date=January 20, 2016 | access-date=January 29, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1076 | title = NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2016 | access-date=January 20, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/99275/mario-meija-jimenez-aka-the-original-espectrito-wwfs-mini-vader-passes-away-the-lucha-report.html?p=1 | title = Mario Meija Jimenez aka the original Espectrito & WWF's Mini Vader passes away: The Lucha Report | last=Zellner | first=Kris | date=January 25, 2016 | access-date=January 29, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1078 | title = NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2016 | access-date=January 23, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1079 | title = NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2016 | access-date=January 24, 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}

= Overseas learning excursion (2016–2017) =

Tanaka and Komatsu became be the latest in a long line of young Japanese wrestlers to travel to Mexico to learn the lucha libre style. In Mexico, Tanaka was given the ring name Raijin, named after the Japanese God of Thunder, teaming with Komatsu who would be known as Fujin, named after the Japanese God of Wind.{{cite web | url=http://estoenlinea.oem.com.mx/134592-cmll-vs-njpw-en-puerta/ | title=CMLL vs NJPW, en puerta | work=Esto Enlinea | date=6 January 2016 | language=es | access-date=February 9, 2016}} The duo made their Mexican debut on January 31, 2016, teaming up with Okumura, forming the most recent version of La Ola Amarilla ("The Yellow Wave").{{cite web | url=http://estoenlinea.oem.com.mx/142391-negro-casas-contra-volador-la-rivalidad-continua/ | title=Negro Casas contra Volador; la rivalidad continúa | access-date=February 9, 2016 | work=Esto Enlinea | date=3 February 2016 | language=es}} The group was joined by Kamaitachi, a previous NJPW trainee who had worked for CMLL since 2014.{{cite web | url=http://www.plantilladeportiva.com/lucha-libre/lucha-libre/se-refuerza-la-ola-amarilla/ | title=La Ola Amarilla busca conquistar la Arena México | language=es | access-date=February 9, 2016 | publisher=Plantilla Deportivo | first=Pep | last=Carrera}}

In October 2016, Tanaka and Komatsu, now billed as "Sho" and "Yohey" and known as "The Tempura Boyz", began working regularly for American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), with whom NJPW also had a working relationship.{{cite web | url=http://rohwrestling.com/news/card-finalized-dearborn-october-15 | title=Card finalized for Dearborn on October 15 | access-date=January 24, 2017 | work=Ring of Honor}}

= Return to NJPW (2017–present) =

== Chaos (2017–2021) ==

File:Roppongi 3K 3K (Professional wrestling moves).jpg performing the 3K on Ryusuke Taguchi]]

On October 9, 2017, at King of Pro-Wrestling, Tanaka and Komatsu, billed as "Sho" and "Yoh", returned to NJPW, when they were revealed as Rocky Romero's new tag team Roppongi 3K. The two defeated Funky Future (Ricochet and Ryusuke Taguchi) in their return match to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-evil-244191 | title = NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=October 8, 2017 | access-date=October 9, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} Through their affiliation with Romero, Sho and Yoh also became part of the Chaos stable.{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/111418 | title = King of Pro-Wrestling | access-date=October 9, 2017 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}} On November 5 at Power Struggle, Roppongi 3K defeated Super 69 (ACH and Ryusuke Taguchi) in the finals to win the 2017 Super Jr. Tag Tournament.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-power-struggle-live-results-hiroshi-tanahashi-vs-kota-ibushi-245736 | title = NJPW Power Struggle live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi | last=Currier | first=Joseph | date=November 5, 2017 | access-date=November 5, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On January 4, 2018, Roppongi 3K lost the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) at Wrestle Kingdom 12,{{cite web | url = https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-12-live-results-okada-naito-omega-jericho-249171 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho | last=Renner | first=Ethan | date=January 3, 2018 | access-date=January 4, 2018 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} but won it back on January 28 at the New Beginning in Sapporo. Roppongi 3K lost the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Suzuki-gun (El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) at the NJPW 46th Anniversary Event in March 2018. In May 2018, he entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He finished the tournament with three wins and four losses, failing to advance to the finals. In October, Sho and Yoh entered the 2018 Super Junior Tag League, winning the tournament for the second time in a row to face Desperado and Kanemaru at Wrestle Kingdom 13. However, an earlier loss to the team of Shingo Takagi and Bushi made the title match a triple threat, that Takagi and Bushi would go onto win, with Takagi pinning Sho. At New Japan's 47th Anniversary Event, Sho and Yoh would defeat Takagi and Bushi to win the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for a third time. Sho would then start to call out Takagi for a singles match, even hoping to face Takagi in the Best of the Super Juniors finals. Takagi and Sho would meet on the first night of the tournament with Takagi defeating Sho. In June, Roppongi 3K would lose the Junior Tag Team Championship to Bullet Club (El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori). In November, Sho and Yoh would win the Super Junior Tag League for the third time in a row. At Wrestle Kingdom 14, Roppongi 3K would defeat Phantasmo and Ishimori to win the titles for a fourth time. Roppongi 3K would make their first successful title defense against Desperado and Kanemaru at The New Beginning in Osaka. They would make their second successful title defense against Rocky Romero and Ryusuke Taguchi on the first night of the New Japan Road tour. Following New Japan's return to producing wrestling shows, Sho entered the 2020 New Japan Cup avenging his loss to Takagi in the first round before losing to Sanada in the second.{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.07.01 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75390|access-date=2020-07-03|website=NJPW|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2020.06.22 NJPW WORLD Special NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/75377|access-date=2020-07-03|website=NJPW|language=en}} Sho challenged for his first singles title, the NEVER Openweight Championship, in a defeat to Takagi at Dominion. Unfortunately during that time, Roppongi 3K was forced to relinquish the Junior Heavyweight Tag Championship due to Yoh suffering a knee injury against Bushi during the New Japan Cup.{{Cite web|last=Elizabeth | first=Rev. Claire | date=July 12, 2020 |title=New Japan Pro Wrestling Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall results: Naito vs. EVIL, Shingo vs. SHO, and more! {{!}} Cageside Seats|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2020/7/12/21320363/njpw-dominion-in-osaka-jo-hall-results-naito-okada-evil-shingo-sho-tanahashi-ibushi-sabre-taichi|access-date=2020-07-12|website=Cageside Seats|language=en}} In November 2020, he entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. He finished the tournament with 6 wins and 3 losses, failing to advance to the finals.

In 2021, Sho challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career, but failed to capture the title from Hiromu Takahashi in the main event of The New Beginning. Yoh made his return from injury at Sakura Genesis, reuniting Roppongi 3K. The team would then capture the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for the fifth time, defeating Desperado and Kanemaru. On June 23 at Kizuna Road, 3K would lose their titles to El Phantasmo and Ishimori.

In the following months 3K would hit a major slump after losing their Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with both members having no clear direction or feuds, and with the team taking numerous losses in multi man tag matches. In late July, Yoh, who had also started sporting a more toned down look and demeanor, began to undergo a large losing streak, taking the pins in three straight matches prior to Super Jr. Tag League beginning, which left Sho seemingly worried for him and the team's future. Roppongi 3K entered the tournament, but lost their first three straight matches, immediately being eliminated from the tournament they had never failed to win in any year prior, with Yoh once again taking the falls each time out. On August 16, Roppongi 3K would lose their fourth tournament match to Desperado and Kanemaru, after Sho chose to not help Yoh escape a submission hold from Desperado. After the match Sho would attack Yoh and claim that he was now useless to him, disbanding their team after eight years, and turning heel for the first time in his New Japan career.

== Bullet Club and House of Torture (2021–present) ==

File:Sho20230224-1.png

On September 4, 2021, he defeated his former tag team partner Yoh by referee stoppage on Night 1 of Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome. After the match, Sho joined Bullet Club, by accepting the shirt given to him by Evil. Alongside Evil, Yujiro Takahashi and Dick Togo, Sho joined the sub-group House of Torture. At Power Struggle, Sho, Takahashi and Evil defeated Sho's former Chaos stablemates Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and Tomohiro Ishii, to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/310397?showResult=1 | title=Power Struggle – 大阪・大阪府立体育会館(エディオンアリーナ大阪) 2021/11/6 }} The following week, Sho entered the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Sho's tournament campaign ended with a total of 12 points, with a loss to Yoh on the final night, preventing him from reaching the finals.{{cite web | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/finals-set-njpw-best-super-juniors-28-tournament | title=Finals Set in NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 28 Tournament | Fightful News }} On January 5 at Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 16, House of Torture defeated Chaos in a rematch for the Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/316812?showResult=1 | title=WRESTLE KINGDOM 16 in 東京ドーム – 東京・東京ドーム 2022/1/5 }} The following night, Sho defeated Pro Wrestling Noah's Atsushi Kotoge.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/107275?showResult=1 | title=2022.01.08 WRESTLE KINGDOM 16 in YOKOHAMA ARENA | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}

In February at NJPW Golden Series, House of Torture retained their titles against Chaos.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/109708?showCards=1 | title=2022.02.20 New Years Golden Series | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }} The following month, Sho entered the New Japan Cup, but was defeated by Hiromu Takahashi in the first round.{{cite web | url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/results/njpw-new-japan-cup-2022-day-3-full-results | title=NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Day 3 Full Results | date=7 March 2022 }} In April at Hyper Battle, Sho challenged El Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/336018?showResult=1 | title=Hyper Battle'22 – 東京・両国国技館 }} Later that month, House of Torture successfully defended their Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship against Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) and Hiroshi Tanahashi.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/115706?showCards=1 | title=2022.04.25 Golden Fight Series | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }} The following month, Sho competed in the Best of the Super Juniors, competing in the A Block.{{cite web | url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1293450-njpw-best-of-super-juniors-29-lineup-announced-including-champions-from-roh-impact-gleat | title=NJPW Best of Super Juniors 29 Lineup Announced, Including Champions from ROH, IMPACT & GLEAT | date=May 2022 }} Sho finished the tournament with 10 points, failing to advance to the finals.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-best-of-the-super-juniors-29-finals-live-results-hiromu-vs-el-desperado | title=NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 finals live results: Hiromu vs. El Desperado | date=3 June 2022 }} The following month at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, House of Torture defeated Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Zack Sabre Jr.) to retain their Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship once again.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/118463?showResult=1 | title=2022.06.12 DOMINION 6.12 in OSAKA-JO HALL | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }} In July, the trio lost the Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Chaos (Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and Yoh), ending their reign at 241 days.{{cite web | url=https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2020/02/20/njpw-new-japan-road-night-2-results-review/ | title=NJPW New Japan Road (Night 2) Results & Review | date=20 February 2020 }}

In September at Burning Spirit, House of Torture regained the Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/123838?showResult=1 | title=2022.09.25 Burning Spirit | New Japan Pro-Wrestling }} In November, Sho and Dick Togo entered the Super Junior Tag League, but failed to advance to the finals after finishing with 4 points.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-world-tag-league-super-junior-tag-league-live-results-winners-crowned | title=NJPW World Tag League & Super Junior Tag League live results: Winners crowned | date=14 December 2022 }} On January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 17, Sho competed in the New Japan Rambo, where he lasted until the final four, and earnt a spot in the four-way match for the 2023 provisional KOPW Championship at New Year Dash!! the following day.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/130385?showResult=1 | title=2023.01.04 WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 in TOKYO DOME | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }} At the event, Sho failed to win the match, which was won by Shingo Takagi.{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/130524?showResult=1 | title=2023.01.05 New Year Dash!! | New Japan Pro-Wrestling }}

At The New Beginning in Osaka, House of Torture lost the Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Minoru Suzuki, Ren Narita and El Desperado.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-the-new-beginning-in-osaka-live-results-okada-vs-shingo | title=NJPW the New Beginning in Osaka live results: Okada vs. Shingo | date=11 February 2023 }} The trio failed to regain their titles in a rematch in April. In May, Sho entered the Best of the Super Juniors, competing in the A Block.{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/05/03/complete-lineups-for-best-of-the-super-juniors-tournament/ | title=Complete lineups for Best of the Super Juniors tournament | date=3 May 2023 }} Sho ended the tournament with 8 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/finals-set-for-njpw-2023-best-of-the-super-juniors-tournament/ | title=Finals Set for NJPW 2023 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament | date=26 May 2023 }} In August, House of Torture embarked on a feud with Just 5 Guys. After a match between the two sides, on August 13, after Sho scored a direct pinfall victory over provisional KOPW Champion Taichi in an eight-man tag team match, Sho proceeded to attack him with the title belt, before declaring that he would take it from its rightful holder, setting up a title match at Destruction. At the event, he defeated Taichi in a seconds handcuffed match, with help from Kanemaru (who turned on Just 5 Guys), to become the new provisional KOPW Champion. At New Japan Road, in a match guest refereed by Kanemaru, Sho dropped the provisional title back to Taichi, and as a result of the stipulation, was banned from wrestling in the Yamagata Prefecture.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/161306?showResult=1|title=NEW JAPAN ROAD FRI. NOVEMBER. 17. 2023|work=njpw1972.com|publisher=NJPW|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

On February 23, 2024 at The New Beginning in Sapporo, Sho defeated El Desperado to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-the-new-beginning-live-results-finlay-vs-nemeth-global-title-match|title=NJPW The New Beginning live results: Finlay vs. Nemeth Global title match|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newslette|access-date=February 23, 2024}}

Mixed martial arts career

Tanaka was scheduled to make his mixed martial arts debut on May 27, 2017, fighting Nicholas Trochez in Queens, New York, for Golden MMA Championships.{{cite journal | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = May 29, 2017 | title = May 29, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE weekend show reviews, CMLL drama, plus tons of news | journal = Wrestling Observer Newsletter | location = Campbell, California | issn = 1083-9593 | pages=46–47}} Trochez first failed to make weight for the fight, which Tanaka was reportedly willing to overlook, but the fight ended up being canceled when Trochez's medical information also did not come in on time.{{cite journal | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = June 5, 2017 | title = June 5, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Record low Raw ratings, death of Frank Deford, more | journal = Wrestling Observer Newsletter | location = Campbell, California | issn = 1083-9593 | page=48}}

Championships and accomplishments

File:Roppongi 3K Super Junior Tag Tournament Winners.jpg as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions and the winners of the 2017 Super Jr. Tag Tournament]]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Yoh{{cite web |title=Sakura Genesis 2021 Results |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/90479?showResult=1 |website=New Japan Pro Wrestling (English Site) |publisher=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210404122838/https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/90479?showResult=1|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date = 2021-04-04}}
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship (3 times, current) – with Evil and Yujiro Takahashi (2) and Ren Narita and Yujiro Takahashi (1, current){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2768|title=NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=November 6, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
KOPW Provisional Championship (1 time)
Super Jr. Tag Tournament/Super Junior Tag League (2017, 2018, 2019) – with Yoh{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=4629&page=2|title=Super Junior Tag Tournament (2017)|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=November 5, 2017|access-date=November 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5247&page=2|title=Super Junior Tag League (2018)|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=November 3, 2018|access-date=November 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5947&page=2|title=Super Junior Tag League (2019)|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=November 3, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
Concurso (2019){{Cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/68669|title=NJPW Concurso Results: Best Body 2019! 【WK14】 {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|last=NJPW|website=NJPW|language=en|access-date=2019-12-30}}{{Cite web|title=411MANIA|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/sho-wins-njpw-concurso-for-best-body-in-company/|access-date=2020-12-29|website=SHO Wins NJPW Concurso For Best Body In Company|language=en-US}}
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Ranked No. 163 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=97&nr=230#2018|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2018|access-date=September 27, 2018|work=cagematch.net}}
Ranked No. 10 of the top 50 tag teams in the PWI Tag Team 50 in 2020 {{small|with Yoh}}{{cite web|last=Middleton|first=Marc|title=FTR Takes Top Spot On The Inaugural PWI Tag Team 50 List|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/11/ftr-takes-top-spot-on-the-inaugural-pwi-tag-team-50-list-677076/|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020}}