Kenta Kobayashi (born March 12, 1981 in Soka, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by his ring name, KENTA. KENTA was one of the final students of the All Japan Pro Wrestling dojo before the breakaway of Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he has competed for the past eight years. Having studied kickboxing since an early age, KENTA offense consists of several hard strikes.
In 2006, KENTA had an “extended stay” in the American independent promotion Ring of Honor, and has appeared on and off for them ever since.
Career[]
In wrestling[]
- Finishing and signature moves
- Go 2 Sleep
- Busaiku Knee Kick (Running dropkick-style high knee strick)
- Octopus stretch
- Bridging German suplex
- Bridging Tiger suplex
- Cloverleaf
- Death valley driver
- Falcon Arrow
- Leg hook brainbuster
- Neckbreaker
- Running boot
- Scoop powerslam
- Springboard dropkick
- Top rope crow armbar twisted into a frankensteiner
- Tornado DDT
- Triangle choke
- Turnbuckle powerbomb
- Theme music
- "What Time Is It?" – Ill Harmonics
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Pro Wrestling NOAH
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times, current)
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Naomichi Marufuji (1), and Taiji Ishimori (1)
- NTV Cup winner (2007, 2008) – with Taiji Ishimori
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Best Bout (2006) – vs. Naomichi Marufuji (October 29, 2006)
- Wrestling Observer
- Tag Team of the Year (2003, 2004) – with Naomichi Marufuji
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (2006, 2007) – Go 2 Sleep