Career Timeline of Tetsuya Naito: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tetsuya Naito made an impact.

Tetsuya Naito is a prominent Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He gained significant popularity as the leader of the Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) stable, known for its rebellious and charismatic persona. Naito's in-ring style blends technical skill with a captivating showmanship, contributing to his status as a major draw in the world of professional wrestling. He has held multiple championships in NJPW, solidifying his legacy as one of the company's top stars.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2000: Professional Wrestling Training Begins

In 2000, Naito started his professional wrestling training under Animal Hamaguchi.

2000: Training Begins

In 2000, Tetsuya Naito started training for a professional wrestling career under Animal Hamaguchi.

2004: "Takeda Dojo Submission" Tournament Win

In 2004, Naito won the "Takeda Dojo Submission" tournament, earning him a contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

2004: Joins NJPW

In 2004, Tetsuya Naito joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) for further training.

November 3, 2005: Graduates from NJPW Dojo

On November 3, 2005, Naito passed a public audition held by NJPW in Korakuen Hall, officially graduating from the dojo and securing a spot on the promotion's roster.

May 27, 2006: Debut Match

On May 27, 2006, Naito wrestled his debut match, losing to Takashi Uwano.

2007: Best of the Super Juniors Tournament

In 2007, Tetsuya Naito participated in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, finishing last in Block B with four points.

February 2008: Formation of No Limit

In February 2008, Naito formed a tag team with Yujiro Takahashi called No Limit, marking the beginning of their partnership.

May 2008: "No Limit Generation Smash" Series

In May 2008, Naito and Takahashi participated in the "No Limit Generation Smash", a five-match series against top tag teams in New Japan, losing all five matches.

May 29, 2008: Victory in Zero1

On May 29, 2008, Naito and Takahashi, as No Limit, defeated Osamu Namiguchi and Shito Ueda in Zero1, marking a special sixth match in their series.

October 13, 2008: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Win

On October 13, 2008, at Destruction '08, Naito and Takahashi, as No Limit, won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship by defeating Devitt and Minoru.

January 4, 2009: Loss of IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

On January 4, 2009, at Wrestle Kingdom III, The Motor City Machine Guns defeated Naito and Takahashi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.

May 14, 2009: Final TNA Appearance

On May 14, 2009, No Limit's final appearance for TNA was a handicap match on Impact! against Kevin Nash, which they lost.

May 29, 2009: CMLL Debut

On May 29, 2009, No Limit debuted for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in Mexico City, teaming with Dos Caras Jr. to defeat Héctor Garza, La Sombra, and Volador Jr., being presented as "Anti-Mexican" heels.

July 10, 2009: Team victory with Black Warrior

On July 10, 2009, No Limit teamed with Black Warrior to defeat Héctor Garza, Toscano and El Sagrado in CMLL, leading to a hair vs. hair challenge.

September 18, 2009: CMLL 76th Anniversary Show

On September 18, 2009, at the CMLL 76th Anniversary Show, Jyushin Thunder Liger joined the "Anti-Mexico" faction, teaming with No Limit and Okumura to defeat Team Mexico.

October 16, 2009: Takahashi vs. Black Warrior Hair Match

On October 16, 2009, Takahashi defeated Black Warrior in a Lucha de Apuesta, hair vs. hair match, forcing Black Warrior to have his hair shaved off, concluding their storyline feud.

December 4, 2009: Sin Salida Loss

On December 4, 2009, at CMLL's Sin Salida show, No Limit lost a Lucha de Apuesta hair vs. hair match to El Texano Jr. and El Terrible, resulting in both Naito and Takahashi being shaved bald.

December 5, 2009: Return to NJPW Announced

On December 5, 2009, NJPW announced that Naito and Takahashi would return to Japan for Wrestle Kingdom IV.

2009: "Abre los Ojos" Taunt Origin

In 2009, during his Mexican excursion, Naito created his signature taunt, "Abre los Ojos" ("Open Your Eyes"), after facing racially-charged taunts about his narrow eyes. The taunt has since been used by others.

February 14, 2010: IWGP Tag Team Title Defense

On February 14, 2010, No Limit successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship against El Texano Jr. and El Terrible.

May 3, 2010: Loss of IWGP Tag Team Championship

On May 3, 2010, at Wrestling Dontaku 2010, Naito and Takahashi lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Yuji Nagata and Wataru Inoue in a three-way match.

December 11, 2010: Victory over The Motor City Machine Guns

On December 11, 2010, No Limit achieved a significant victory by defeating The Motor City Machine Guns, the TNA World Tag Team Champions, in a non-title match.

January 4, 2011: TNA World Heavyweight Championship Challenge

On January 4, 2011, at Wrestle Kingdom V, Naito unsuccessfully challenged Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

May 2011: Invasion Tour 2011 and No Limit Dissolution

In May 2011, Naito participated in New Japan's Invasion Tour 2011 in the United States and on May 26, back in Japan, Takahashi turned on Naito, effectively dissolving No Limit.

2011: Feud with Nakamura

From late 2011 into 2012, Naito was feuding with Nakamura.

2011: G1 Climax Finals Loss

In 2011, Naito won his block in the G1 Climax, but ultimately lost in the finals to Shinsuke Nakamura.

January 4, 2012: Wrestle Kingdom VI Loss to Keiji Muto

On January 4, 2012, at Wrestle Kingdom VI, Naito faced Keiji Muto from All Japan Pro Wrestling and was defeated.

May 3, 2013: Wrestling Dontaku 2013 Appearance

On May 3, 2013, Tetsuya Naito appeared at New Japan's Wrestling Dontaku 2013 event. During his appearance, he announced his return to the ring on June 22 and declared his intention to challenge Masato Tanaka for the NEVER Openweight Championship.

2013: G1 Climax Winner

In 2013, Tetsuya Naito won the G1 Climax, NJPW's premier singles tournament, marking a significant achievement in his career.

January 4, 2014: Wrestle Kingdom 8

On January 4, 2014, at Wrestle Kingdom 8, Tetsuya Naito challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship but was ultimately unsuccessful in his title bid.

2014: 2014 G1 Climax and World Tag League

In 2014, Tetsuya Naito participated in the G1 Climax, finishing with a record of five wins and five losses. Later in the year, he teamed up with La Sombra for the World Tag League, where they achieved a record of four wins and three losses.

May 2015: NJPW/ROH co-produced tour

In May 2015, Tetsuya Naito participated in the NJPW/Ring of Honor (ROH) co-produced tour of the United States and Canada. During this tour, he unsuccessfully challenged Jay Lethal for the ROH World Television Championship at Global Wars '15.

2015: Los Ingobernables de Japón formation

In 2015, after a tour in Mexico, Tetsuya Naito returned to NJPW with a new look and announced he was representing Los Ingobernables in NJPW as well. He participated in the G1 Climax and later formed the Los Ingobernables de Japón stable with Evil and Bushi.

January 4, 2016: Wrestle Kingdom 10

On January 4, 2016, at Wrestle Kingdom 10, Tetsuya Naito faced Hirooki Goto, with whom Los Ingobernables de Japón had been feuding. Naito was defeated by Goto in this match.

2016: New Japan Cup Winner

In 2016, Tetsuya Naito won the New Japan Cup, adding another achievement to his wrestling career.

January 4, 2017: Wrestle Kingdom 11

On January 4, 2017, at Wrestle Kingdom 11, Tetsuya Naito successfully defended the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi.

2017: 2017 G1 Climax Winner

In 2017, Tetsuya Naito won his block in the G1 Climax with a record of seven wins and two losses. On August 13, Naito defeated Kenny Omega in the finals to win his second G1 Climax.

January 4, 2018: Wrestle Kingdom 12

On January 4, 2018, at Wrestle Kingdom 12, Tetsuya Naito faced Kazuchika Okada in the main event, but was defeated.

April 29, 2018: Wrestling Hinokuni

On April 29, 2018, at Wrestling Hinokuni, Tetsuya Naito defeated Minoru Suzuki to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship for the second time.

June 9, 2018: Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall

On June 9, 2018, at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, Chris Jericho defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, ending Naito's reign at 41 days.

2019: G1 Climax 29

In 2019, Naito participated in the G1 Climax and finished second with a 5-4 record, losing to Jay White. This loss led to a match between them at Destruction in Kobe, where Naito lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.

2019: IWGP Intercontinental Championship reign

In 2019, Tetsuya Naito participated in the New Japan Cup but lost in the first round. He lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Kota Ibushi at G1 Supercard, but regained it at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall.

January 4, 2020: Wrestle Kingdom 14 - Night 1

On January 4, 2020, during the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Tetsuya Naito defeated Jay White to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship as part of the "Double Gold Dash".

2020: Double Championship Win and MVP Award

In 2020, Tetsuya Naito became the first person to simultaneously hold both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships, and he also received his third MVP Award from Tokyo Sports.

2020: Losing and regaining championships

In 2020, Tetsuya Naito was attacked by Evil, who defected from Los Ingobernables de Japón. Naito lost both championships to Evil at Dominion in Osaka-jo Hall on July 12, but he won them back at Summer Struggle in Jingu.

January 4, 2021: Wrestle Kingdom 15 - Night 1

On January 4, 2021, during the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 15, Tetsuya Naito lost the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships to Kota Ibushi, ending both his reigns after 128 days.

July 11, 2021: IWGP Tag Team Championship win

On July 11, 2021, at Summer Struggle in Sapporo, Naito and his Los Ingobernables de Japón stablemate Sanada defeated Dangerous Tekkers (Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. This marked Naito's first tag title reign since 2010.

2022: G1 Climax 32 Tournament and World Tag League Participation

In 2022, Naito competed in the New Japan Cup, reaching the finals but losing to Zack Sabre Jr. He also participated in the G1 Climax 32 tournament, advancing to the semi-finals before losing to Will Ospreay. From November 22 until December 14, 2022, Naito and Sanada teamed up for the World Tag League, but failed to advance to the finals.

January 4, 2023: Teaming with Bushi and Sanada

On January 4, 2023, Naito teamed with Bushi and Sanada, losing to Tanahashi, Shota Umino, and Keiji Muto in Muto's final NJPW match before his retirement.

June 24, 2023: AEW Debut on Collision

On June 24, 2023, Naito debuted for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the AEW Collision show, being revealed as Darby Allin and Sting's mystery partner against Le Suzuki Gods (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, and Minoru Suzuki).

2023: Third G1 Climax Victory

In 2023, Tetsuya Naito achieved his third G1 Climax win, cementing his legacy in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

2023: New Japan Cup and Sanada's Departure

In March 2023, Naito participated in the New Japan Cup, being knocked out by Sanada in the quarterfinal. After the match on March 17, Taichi approached Naito as Sanada left Los Ingobernables de Japón to join Just 5 Guys.

January 4, 2024: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Win

On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom, Naito defeated Sanada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, ending Sanada's reign. Naito closed the show with his signature roll-call, after being cut off by KENTA four years prior, with Sanada requesting a rematch.

June 26, 2024: AEW Dynamite Return

On June 26, 2024, Naito returned to AEW on Dynamite, engaging in a brawl with Jon Moxley ahead of their match at Forbidden Door.

2024: World Tag League and IWGP Tag Team Championship

In 2024, Naito teamed with Hiromu Takahashi for the World Tag League, winning their block and then defeating Gabe Kidd and Sanada in the finals. Despite winning the World Tag League, due to the IWGP Tag Team Championships being vacant, Naito and Takahashi faced each other at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in a singles match, which Naito won. On February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka, Naito and Takahashi defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships, but lost the titles on April 4 at Sakura Genesis to Callum Newman and Jeff Cobb. It was also announced that Naito will be leaving NJPW after fulfilling his dates at the Wrestling Dontaku series in April 2024.