Shigehiro Irie

{{Infobox professional wrestler

| name = Shigehiro Irie

| image = 20230215irie.jpg

| caption = Irie in February 2023

| birth_name = {{nihongo|Shigehiro Irie|入江茂弘|Irie Shigehiro}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|3|28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ddtpro.com/superstars/irie/|title=DDT ProWrestling|website=DDT ProWrestling}}

| birth_place = Osaka, Osaka, Japan

| names = Shigehiro Irie
Shigeko Deluxe

| height = {{height|m=1.73}}

| weight = {{convert|115|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

| billed =

| trainer = Osaka Pro Wrestling
Billyken Kid
Kengo Takai
Super Demekinra
Dera Pro Wrestling{{cite web|url=http://puroresuspirit.net/ddt/shigehiro-irie/|title=Shigehiro Irie|date=23 January 2017}}

| debut = April 30, 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=7831|title=Shigehiro Irie « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

| website =

}}

{{nihongo|Shigehiro Irie|入江茂弘|Irie Shigehiro|born March 28, 1988}} is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist best known for his work in DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT). Irie has also competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), and a number of North American independent promotions in the past.

Early life

Irie was born in Osaka. He began his initial pro wrestling training in 2002 at the age of 15, training alongside Atsushi Kotoge with Osaka Pro Wrestling (OPW). Irie eventually decided to pursue MMA, competing in a number of amateur fights, including some in Pancrase. Irie resumed training in 2007 with Dera Pro Wrestling in Nagoya and made his debut in April 2008 against Shota Takanashi.{{cite web|url=http://puroresuspirit.net/ddt/shigehiro-irie/|title=Shigehiro Irie|date=6 March 2012}}

Professional wrestling career

= DDT Pro Wrestling (2008–2018) =

Beginning in May 2008, Irie began sporadically appearing for DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), primarily teaming with other rookies against established wrestlers. In August 2010, Irie defeated Soma Takao to win a special one day tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=66353|title=Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} DDT owner Sanshiro Takagi became a fan of Irie after watching him compete and offered him more regular bookings with DDT as a result.

Representing DDT, Irie debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2011, teaming with fellow DDT rookie Keisuke Ishii in a loss to NJPW's Tomoaki Honma and freelancer Tsuyoshi Kikuchi.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=63341|title=NJPW Life Goes On! « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie began to achieve more success in 2011, beginning on May 21 when he defeated established DDT veteran Kota Ibushi, eliminating him from the 2011 King of DDT tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=63625|title=DDT King Of DDT Tokyo « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} The next month, Irie formed a tag team with Munenori Sawa, and the duo defeated Gentaro and Yasu Urano to win the KO-D Tag Team Championship,{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=64740|title=DDT Non-Fix DX 6.4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} but lost the titles just days later to Kenny Omega and Michael Nakazawa.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=65054|title=DDT What Are You Doing? 2011 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie participated in a falls count anywhere match the following month, teaming up with Takagi and SeXXXy Eddy in a loss to Omega, Ibushi and Nakazawa.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=68429|title=DDT Beer Fight 2011 ~ Kenny & Michael Day « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} On October 10, Irie captured the KO-D Tag Team Championship once again, this time teaming with Keisuke Ishii to defeat Makoto Oishi and Danshoku Dino.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=70610|title=DDT Pro-Wrestling Festival In Sapporo « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} They dropped the championship to Urano and Yuji Hino on December 31{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=73647|title=DDT Never Mind 2011 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} and unsuccessfully challenged them in a rematch on February 11.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=75488|title=DDT Truly Ultra Super Bazooka « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

On April 1, 2012, Irie unsuccessfully challenged All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) competitor Kenny Omega for the World Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=77319|title=DDT April Fool 2012 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} On May 4 at a Union Pro Wrestling event, Irie teamed up with Shuji Ishikawa to capture the BJW Tag Team Championship, defeating Shinobu and Yoshihito Sasaki.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=79331|title=Union Pro Golden Union 2012 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} They dropped the titles to Shinobu and Yuji Okabayashi on July 15.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=83959|title=BJW Ryuji Yamakawa The Final « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie and Ishii teamed up with Soma Takao as Team Dream Futures to enter the tournament for the vacant KO-D 6 Man Tag Team Championship and captured the titles by defeating Oishi, Akito and Takagi in the final on January 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=90405|title=DDT Osaka 24 Zone Tour ~ Nishi District « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} The trio lost the championship to Monster Army (Yuji Hino, Antonio Honda and Daisuke Sasaki) on January 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=90818|title=DDT Sweet Dreams! « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie won the right to challenge for the KO-D Openweight Championship on February 24 and defeated Kenny Omega on March 20 to win the championship for the first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=93740|title=DDT Judgement 2013 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} He lost the championship to Harashima on August 18.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=98577|title=DDT Ryogoku Peter Pan 2013 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} On January 26, 2014, Irie unsuccessfully challenged Harashima in a rematch for the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=106555|title=DDT Sweet Dreams 2014 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie, Ishii and Soma Takao successfully captured the KO-D 6 Man Championship once again in February 2014, defeating Aja Kong, Danshoku Dino and Makoto Oishi,{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=108993|title=DDT Into The Fight 2014 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} but dropped them to Ibushi, Omega and Sasaki in April.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=109808|title=DDT Road To Saitama Super Arena 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

Im August 2014, Irie, Ishii and Takao captured the KO-D 6 Man Tag Team Championship once again, defeating Shuten-dōji (Yukio Sakaguchi, Masa Takanashi and Kudo).{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=113070|title=DDT Ryogoku Peter Pan 2014 ~ Maybe Summer Will Change My Life « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} They dropped the championship to T2Hii (Takagi, Toru Owashi and Kazuki Hirata) on September 28.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=117767|title=DDT Dramatic General Election 2014 Final Voting Day - Last Hope Special « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} On March 1, 2015, Irie, Ishii and Takao defeated Shuten-dōji to once again become KO-D 6 Man Champions,{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=125741|title=DDT Osaka 24 Wards Tour - Minato-ku « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} but dropped the championship back to them in their first defence.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=126502|title=DDT Saitama Slam Special 2015 ~Teletama Broadcasting 1st Anniversary~ « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Team Dream Futures defeated Shuten-dōji on April 11 to regain the championship and successfully defended them until September when they lost to #OhkaTeikoku (Ken Ohka, Danshoku Dino and Super Sasadango Machine).{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=127641|title=DDT Road To Ryogoku In Kokura ~ Dramatic Dream Niwatori Kashiwa Meshi ~ « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Team Dream Futures once again captured the KO-D 6 Man Championship in May, defeating Kazusada Higuchi, Kouki Iwasaki and Shunma Katsumata.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=153533|title=DDT Friendship, Effort & Victory In Nagoya 2016 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} In his farewell match, Irie teamed with Yukio Sakaguchi to defeat Harashima and Keisuke Ishii.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=158036|title=DDT Road To Ryogoku 2016 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

In April 2018, Irie defeated Konosuke Takeshita to once again become KO-D Openweight Champion. Irie would lose the championship to Sami Callihan on August 1, 2018. On September 25, 2018, Irie announced his departure from DDT.

=International promotions (2016{{ndash}}present)=

Irie debuted in the United States on July 24 for GALLI Lucha Libre (GALLI), unsuccessfully challenging Marshe Rockett for the GALLI Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=164478|title=GALLI « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie again competed for GALLI on July 29, teaming with Gringo Loco and Skayde Jr. to defeat Zema Ion, GPA and Matt Knicks.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=164525|title=GALLI « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie debuted for Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA Mid-South) on August 4, losing to Reed Bentley. Two days later he debuted for Hoosier Pro Wrestling (HPW), defeating JKO.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=157242|title=HPW Summer Blast 2016 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} He wrestled his final match before returning to Japan on September 6 for IWA Mid-South, losing to Chris Hero in a triple threat match also featuring Kongo Kong.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=143833|title=IWA Mid-South 20th Anniversary Show « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}} Irie has also competed in various other American indy promotions including WCWO, AAW, Pro Wrestling Blitz, Freelance Wrestling, Resistance Pro Wrestling, MIAW, UPW, AIW, Global Force Wrestling, AWS, and Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. Irie defeated Silas Young to become the new MIAW Heavyweight Champion on September 6 in Milwaukee. Irie also won the WCWO Young Guns Tournament featuring the top 12 prospects of the mid-west area held on October 5, 2016 in Indianapolis.

Irie returned to the west on January 10, debuting for Canada-based Canadian Wrestling's Elite (CWE) defeating Jacob Creed.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=167648|title=CWE New Heights Tour - Tag 1 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

Irie made his UK debut for Progress, challenging Walter at Chapter 81 for the Progress World Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=187038|title=PROGRESS Chapter 81: Pour Some PROGRESS On Me « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=2019-05-14}} In 2019, he also challenged Zack Sabre Jr for the British Heavyweight championship in Revolution Pro Wrestling,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=220538|title=RevPro New Year's Resolution « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=2019-05-14}} and Lionheart for the ICW World Heavyweight championship in Insane Championship Wrestling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=192826|title=ICW Fight Club « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=2019-05-14}}

Irie won UK's SOUTHSIDE WRESTLING's World Heavyweight Championship from Rob Lynch on 3 March 2019 in St. Neots.

Irie participated in wXw promotion's "Ambition 10" tournament in Oberhausen, Germany on 9 March. Irie defeated Laurance Roman in 1st round, Chris Ridgeway in semi-final, then Rico Bushido in the final.

Irie has appeared in 5 shows during 2019 Mania Week in NY.

In 2023, at WXW 16 CARAT GOLD finals, Irie defeated Axel Tischer, to become wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion.

Championships and accomplishments

File:入江茂弘.jpg in 2014]]

Active Advance Pro Wrestling

:*2AW Openweight Championship (1 time)

:*2AW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Andrew Takuma{{Cite web |date=14 February 2020 |title=2AW Tag Team Championship |url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=4497 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120154354/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=4497 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=Cagematch}}

All Japan Pro Wrestling

:*Gaora TV Championship (1 time)

:*All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Keisuke Ishii

Big Japan Pro Wrestling

:*BJW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shuji Ishikawa

:*Saikyo Tag League (2019) – with Yuji Okabayashi{{cite web|title=【最侠タッグリーグ2019最終戦】東京･後楽園ホール大会|url=https://bjw.co.jp/result/r2019-11-26/|access-date=February 7, 2021|work=Big Japan Pro Wrestling|language=Japanese}}

DDT Pro-Wrestling

:*KO-D Openweight Championship (3 times)

:*Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (2 times){{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/ddt/ironman-hm.html|title=Ironman Heavymetalweight Title (Japan)|website=www.wrestling-titles.com}}

:*KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Keisuke Ishii and Soma Takao (6)

:*KO-D Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Munenori Sawa (1), Keisuke Ishii (1) and Kazusada Higuchi (1){{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=7831&page=11|title=Titles « Shigehiro Irie « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

:*Hardcore Mixed Tag 1 Day Tournament (2022) – with Itsuki Aoki

Pro Wrestling TEAM DERA

:*TEAM DERA Drazeger Championship (1 time, current)

Gleat

:*Interim G-Infinity Championship (1 time) – with T-Hawk

Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling

:*Spirit of Ganbare World Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Mizuki Watase{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2024 |script-title=ja:入江茂弘＆渡瀬瑞基ＳＯＧ世界タッグ初戴冠／石井慧介への次期挑戦者はまさかの香港国際警察マン |trans-title=Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase crowned SOG World Tag Team for the first time / Next challenger to Keisuke Ishii is no doubt Hong Kong International Police Man |url=https://wp.bbm-mobile.com/sp2/result/resultshow.asp?s=059725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604132508/https://wp.bbm-mobile.com/sp2/result/resultshow.asp?s=059725 |archive-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Baseball Magazine Sha |language=ja}}

Midwest Independent Association of Wrestling

:*MIAW Heavyweight Championship (2 times){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=7831&page=4&s=0|title=« Shigehiro Irie « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm}}

Michinoku Pro Wrestling

:*PWLL Championship (1 time, current)

Osaka Pro Wrestling
OPW Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Quiet Storm
Oriental Wrestling Entertainment

:*OWE Openweight Championship (1 time)

PUZZLE

:*Top Of PUZZLE Championship (1 time, current)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Ranked No. 200 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2024{{cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2024/09/10/full-2024-pwi-500-list-revealed/|title=Full 2024 PWI 500 list revealed|work=aiptcomics.com|first=Patrick|last=Ross|date=September 10, 2024|access-date=September 13, 2024}}
Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling

:*Sou Ryuo Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Kazuaki Mihara

Sportiva Entertainment

:*Sportiva Tag League (2010) – with Mammoth Handa

Southside Wrestling Entertainment

:*SWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time){{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=1817|title=Southside Heavyweight Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}}

Tenryu Project
Tenryu Project World 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kouki Iwasaki and Koji Iwamoto
VKF Pro Wrestling

:*VKF King Of Wrestle Naniwa Championship (1 time)https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=3759 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

Wrestle-1

:*Wrestle-1 Tag League (2019) – with T-Hawk

Wild Championship Wrestling Outlaws

:*WCWO Young Guns Tournament (2016)

World Series Wrestling

:*WSW Australian Championship (1 time)

Westside Xtreme Wrestling

:*wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/shigehiro-irie-wins-wxw-16-carat-gold-2023-results/|title=SHIGEHIRO IRIE WINS WXW 16 CARAT GOLD 2023; RESULTS|date=12 March 2023 }}

:*16 Carat Gold Tournament (2023)

:*Ambition 10 (2019)