Yoshinari Ogawa, a respected figure in professional wrestling, has announced his retirement today, marking the end of an illustrious career that spanned over three decades. Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced that Yoshinari Ogawa is retiring from in-ring competition, effective immediately, due to a neck injury. Ogawa has requested no press conference or retirement match.
Born on November 2, 1966, in Tokyo, Japan, Ogawa began his wrestling journey in 1985, debuting for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). Known for his technical prowess and in-ring intelligence, Ogawa earned the nickname “Rat Boy” for his crafty and strategic wrestling style.
Throughout his career, Ogawa was a key player in AJPW and later in Pro Wrestling NOAH, a promotion he joined during its formation in 2000. He was a four-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion and also held the GHC Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions, showcasing his versatility in both singles and tag team competition.
Ogawa was closely associated with wrestling legends such as Mitsuharu Misawa, and he was a part of many significant matches that helped define Japanese wrestling in the 1990s and 2000s. His contributions to the sport, particularly in shaping the junior heavyweight division, have left a lasting impact on the industry.
As Ogawa steps away from the ring, he leaves behind a legacy of technical mastery and a deep influence on the generations of wrestlers who followed in his footsteps. His retirement marks the end of an era for fans of Japanese wrestling.
Matches to check out;
Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (AJPW, July 19, 1997)
- A standout singles match where Ogawa showcased his technical skills against his mentor, Mitsuharu Misawa.
Yoshinari Ogawa & Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi & Jun Akiyama (AJPW, June 12, 1999)
- A classic tag team match that highlighted Ogawa’s chemistry with Misawa against two of AJPW’s biggest stars.
Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Naomichi Marufuji (NOAH, June 6, 2004)
- A pivotal match in the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship scene, showcasing Ogawa’s technical wrestling against the younger Marufuji.
Yoshinari Ogawa & Kotaro Suzuki vs. KENTA & Taiji Ishimori (NOAH, January 31, 2008)
- A fast-paced and technically sound match for the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.
Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Takashi Sugiura (NOAH, February 4, 2018)
- A late-career singles match that demonstrated Ogawa’s enduring ring psychology and skill against the powerhouse Sugiura.
Yoshinari Ogawa & Eita vs. HAYATA & Yuya Susumu (NOAH, February 23, 2023)
- One of Ogawa’s more recent standout performances, showing his relevance and adaptability in the modern NOAH junior division.
