Taiyo Kea
Encyclopedia
Maunakea Mossman is an American professional wrestler, better known under his stage name
Taiyō Kea (太陽ケア). Although he was born in Hawaii
, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan
-based All Japan Pro Wrestling
promotion. He is the only wrestler to have held the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
and the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
.
during a trip to the islands. Debuting in 1994 as a junior heavyweight, Mossman was pushed immediately, winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title in 1997. He vacated the title in 1998, as he graduated up to the heavyweight division. Following Baba's death in 1999, Misawa inherited the role as the booker and chose to postpone Mossman's push. With the massive exodus of Misawa and all but two native talent to form Pro Wrestling Noah
in 2000, Mossman was one of the few who chose to remain in All Japan Pro Wrestling, aiding in the rebuilding process along with Toshiaki Kawada
, Masanobu Fuchi
, Hiroshi Hase, Stan Hansen
, the returning Genichiro Tenryu
, Nobutaka Araya and Shigeo Okumura
. In order to identify him more with the audience, Mossman was given the semi-Japanese name "Taiyō Kea" (from taiyo, sun, and the Polynesia
n word kea). Kea was pushed as a strong loyalist and won the AJPW World Tag Team Titles with Johnny Smith
.
In 2001, Kea also bean appearing in New Japan Pro Wrestling
where he became a member of Keiji Mutoh's
stable: BATT
and by October 2001 would form a successful tag team with Mutoh as they made history twice in one week by winning both AJPW's Double Cup and New Japan Pro Wrestling
's IWGP Tag Team Titles, which made them the first team to not only win both titles, but also the first to hold them simultaneously. The team also would win the 2001 World's Strongest Tag League. On June 16, 2002, Kea competed in the tournament to crown the first MLW World Heavyweight Champion
, where he defeated The Wall
in the Quarter-Finals, wrestled Vampiro
to a draw in the Semi-Finals and lost in the Final to Shane Douglas
in a 3-Way Dance (which also featured Vampiro). Kea would compete for Major League Wrestling
again on September 26, 2002, where he defeated Sabu in a #1 Contender's Match for the MLW title, but Kea never returned to the promotion to claim his title shot.
In 2003, Kea joined Taka Michinoku's RO&D
stable as second-in-command, and proceeded to win the AJPW World Tag Team Titles for a fourth time with Jamal
. On April 20, 2006, Kea won AJPW's Champion Carnival, defeating Minoru Suzuki
in the semifinals and Suwama in the finals. On July 3, 2006, he won the Triple Crown Championship by defeating Satoshi Kojima
. He would only hold the championship for 2 months, as he lost to mixed martial artist/freelancer Minoru Suzuki
on September 3. He participated in the Real World Tag League 2006 with Taka Michinoku as his partner, finishing fourth in the bracket with 5 points (two wins, two losses, one draw).
Taiyō Kea challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi
for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW's January 4, 2007 Tokyo Dome show, albeit in a losing effort, falling to Tanahashi's High Fly Flow. On February 17, Kea and Kawada defeated Suwama and RO'Z
to claim the vacant Double Cup. On March 26 - March 30, Kea competed in Block A of the 2007 Champion's Carnival, finishing with 4 points (one win, one loss, two draws).
In 2008, Kea and Suzuki formed a stable named GURENTAI with Tokyo Gurentai's MAZADA, NOSAWA Rongai
, and TAKEMURA. He and Suzuki won the Double Cup
during the Crossover tour on June 28.
In 2009, Kea and Suzuki successfully defended the titles against Suwama and Shuji Kondo. The two proceeded to team mostly with Yoshihiro Takayama
, before Kea injured his knee, taking him out of action for 5 months, before his return was announced in a tournament for the Taiwan Cup, where he lost to Masayuki Kono in the first round.
In 2010, Kea formed a tag team with Akebono
. The team defeated Suwama
and Ryota Hama
for the vacated Double Cup on July 4.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Taiyō Kea (太陽ケア). Although he was born in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, he has spent nearly his entire career as a member of the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
-based All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
promotion. He is the only wrestler to have held the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
and the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
.
Career
Mossman was a Hawaiian state amateur champion, and was scouted by Giant BabaShohei Baba
was a professional wrestler and co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling. He was also known as Giant Baba. Baba, along with Antonio Inoki, became one of the most famous Japanese wrestlers of his era, with a popularity in Japan comparable to Hulk Hogan's in the United States of America...
during a trip to the islands. Debuting in 1994 as a junior heavyweight, Mossman was pushed immediately, winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Title in 1997. He vacated the title in 1998, as he graduated up to the heavyweight division. Following Baba's death in 1999, Misawa inherited the role as the booker and chose to postpone Mossman's push. With the massive exodus of Misawa and all but two native talent to form Pro Wrestling Noah
Pro Wrestling Noah
is a major Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling ace Mitsuharu Misawa. NOAH is broadcast weekly in Japan...
in 2000, Mossman was one of the few who chose to remain in All Japan Pro Wrestling, aiding in the rebuilding process along with Toshiaki Kawada
Toshiaki Kawada
is a Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2005, he started freelancing in other promotions....
, Masanobu Fuchi
Masanobu Fuchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. Fuchi holds the record for the longest AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign and has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling longer than any wrestler on the...
, Hiroshi Hase, Stan Hansen
Stan Hansen
John Stanley Hansen, Jr. is an American former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Stan Hansen. As a wrestler, Hansen was well known for his stiff wrestling style, which he attributes to poor eyesight, as he is nearly blind without glasses...
, the returning Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu , real name Genichiro Shimada , is a Japanese professional wrestler. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling...
, Nobutaka Araya and Shigeo Okumura
Shigeo Okumura
Shigeo Okumura is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and is currently billed simply as Okumura. Okumura originally worked for Tokyo Pro Wrestling and later on All Japan Pro Wrestling in Japan but...
. In order to identify him more with the audience, Mossman was given the semi-Japanese name "Taiyō Kea" (from taiyo, sun, and the Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
n word kea). Kea was pushed as a strong loyalist and won the AJPW World Tag Team Titles with Johnny Smith
John Hindley
John Hindley is a retired British professional wrestler best known by his ring name Johnny Smith.-Early years in the U.K. :...
.
In 2001, Kea also bean appearing in New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
where he became a member of Keiji Mutoh's
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
stable: BATT
BATT (professional wrestling)
BATT was a professional wrestling stable that competed in both New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling from 2001 to 2002. The name: BATT is short for "Bad Ass Translate Trading", meaning a group of wrestlers that crossed borders...
and by October 2001 would form a successful tag team with Mutoh as they made history twice in one week by winning both AJPW's Double Cup and New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
's IWGP Tag Team Titles, which made them the first team to not only win both titles, but also the first to hold them simultaneously. The team also would win the 2001 World's Strongest Tag League. On June 16, 2002, Kea competed in the tournament to crown the first MLW World Heavyweight Champion
Major League Wrestling
Major League Wrestling is a professional wrestling promotion that markets its presentation around hybrid wrestling, which encompasses and showcases many different forms of wrestling. MLW's mission is to present itself as an alternative to sports entertainment...
, where he defeated The Wall
Jerry Tuite
Jerry Tuite was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring names, The Wall in World Championship Wrestling and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Career:...
in the Quarter-Finals, wrestled Vampiro
Vampiro
Ian Richard Hodgkinson , better known by his ring name Vampiro, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently working as a wrestler and a consultant for Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Hodgkinson is semi-retired and is a member of the citizen crime patrol organization Guardian Angels, acting as...
to a draw in the Semi-Finals and lost in the Final to Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
in a 3-Way Dance (which also featured Vampiro). Kea would compete for Major League Wrestling
Major League Wrestling
Major League Wrestling is a professional wrestling promotion that markets its presentation around hybrid wrestling, which encompasses and showcases many different forms of wrestling. MLW's mission is to present itself as an alternative to sports entertainment...
again on September 26, 2002, where he defeated Sabu in a #1 Contender's Match for the MLW title, but Kea never returned to the promotion to claim his title shot.
In 2003, Kea joined Taka Michinoku's RO&D
Roughly Obsess and Destroy
Roughly Obsess & Destroy is a professional wrestling stable founded in 2003 in All Japan Pro Wrestling by Taka Michinoku, and later reformed in Pro Wrestling Noah...
stable as second-in-command, and proceeded to win the AJPW World Tag Team Titles for a fourth time with Jamal
Eddie Fatu
Edward Smith "Eki" Fatu was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Umaga...
. On April 20, 2006, Kea won AJPW's Champion Carnival, defeating Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
in the semifinals and Suwama in the finals. On July 3, 2006, he won the Triple Crown Championship by defeating Satoshi Kojima
Satoshi Kojima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
. He would only hold the championship for 2 months, as he lost to mixed martial artist/freelancer Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
on September 3. He participated in the Real World Tag League 2006 with Taka Michinoku as his partner, finishing fourth in the bracket with 5 points (two wins, two losses, one draw).
Taiyō Kea challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi
is a Japanese professional wrestler who works primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his fifth reign.-Early life:...
for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW's January 4, 2007 Tokyo Dome show, albeit in a losing effort, falling to Tanahashi's High Fly Flow. On February 17, Kea and Kawada defeated Suwama and RO'Z
Matt Anoa'i
Matthew "Matt" Anoa'i is a professional wrestler, best known for his time on the independent circuit under numerous ring names, and his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he competed as Rosey....
to claim the vacant Double Cup. On March 26 - March 30, Kea competed in Block A of the 2007 Champion's Carnival, finishing with 4 points (one win, one loss, two draws).
In 2008, Kea and Suzuki formed a stable named GURENTAI with Tokyo Gurentai's MAZADA, NOSAWA Rongai
Kazushige Nosawa
, better known by his ring names NOSAWA and NOSAWA Rongai, is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling and various independent promotions.-Career:...
, and TAKEMURA. He and Suzuki won the Double Cup
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship
The All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
during the Crossover tour on June 28.
In 2009, Kea and Suzuki successfully defended the titles against Suwama and Shuji Kondo. The two proceeded to team mostly with Yoshihiro Takayama
Yoshihiro Takayama
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Takayama is well known for his ability to endure massive amounts of punishment, especially after his fight at PRIDE 21 against Don Frye...
, before Kea injured his knee, taking him out of action for 5 months, before his return was announced in a tournament for the Taiwan Cup, where he lost to Masayuki Kono in the first round.
In 2010, Kea formed a tag team with Akebono
Akebono Taro
is a retired American born-Japanese sumo wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Joining the professional sport in Japan in 1988, he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian sumo wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990...
. The team defeated Suwama
Kohei Suwama
is a Japanese professional wrestler also known simply as . He is best known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Voodoo Murders stable, where he is a former two-time All Japan Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion....
and Ryota Hama
Ryota Hama
is a retired Japanese sumo wrestler and current professional wrestler, competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling.-Sumo:Hama joined sumo in July 1995, and he fought for the Hakkaku stable run by former yokozuna Hokutoumi. His shikona was Hokutoarashi and he reached a highest rank of makushita 6 in...
for the vacated Double Cup on July 4.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Finishing and signature moves
- H5O – Hawaiian Five–Out (Backbreaker rack dropped into a neckbreaker)
- Hawaiian Smasher (Fireman's carry dropped into either a cutter or a stunner)
- Surfing Suplex (Cobra clutch suplex)
- TKO (Samoan driver)
- TKO 34th (Fireman's carry dropped into a sitout side powerslam)
- Dragon screw
- Figure four leglock
- Frankensteiner
- Hurricane Crunch (Belly to back side slam)
- Hurricane Spike (Running tornado DDT)
- Northern lights suplex
- Shining wizard
- Sidewalk slam
- Sun Kea Kick (Jumping heel kick enzuigiri)
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s - "The Hawaiian Tornado"
- "Mr. H5OHawaii Five-OHawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett,...
"
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- AJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW Unified World Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling Unified World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling...
(7 times) – with Johnny SmithJohn HindleyJohn Hindley is a retired British professional wrestler best known by his ring name Johnny Smith.-Early years in the U.K. :...
(1), Keiji MutohKeiji Mutohis a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
(1), Satoshi KojimaSatoshi Kojimais a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling. As a singles wrestler, he was the first wrestler to hold NJPW's IWGP Heavyweight Championship and All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Championship simultaneously...
(1), JamalEddie FatuEdward Smith "Eki" Fatu was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Umaga...
(1), Toshiaki KawadaToshiaki Kawadais a Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his work in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2005, he started freelancing in other promotions....
(1), Minoru SuzukiMinoru Suzukiis a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
(1) and AkebonoAkebono Tarois a retired American born-Japanese sumo wrestler from Waimānalo, Hawaii. Joining the professional sport in Japan in 1988, he was trained by pioneering Hawaiian sumo wrestler Takamiyama and rose swiftly up the rankings, reaching the top division in 1990...
(1) - AJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipAJPW World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling, contested exclusively among junior heavyweight The All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling...
(1 time) - Champion's CarnivalChampion's CarnivalThe Champion's Carnival is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling, established in 1973. Originally a single-elimination tournament, the Champion's Carnival is currently held as a round-robin, with a victory worth 2 points, a time limit draw worth 1 and a loss,...
(2006) - World's Strongest Tag Team LeagueWorld's Strongest Tag Team LeagueThe , more commonly known in the West as the Real World Tag League, is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by All Japan Pro Wrestling since 1977, usually run on the first weeks of December...
(2001) – with Keiji Mutoh - World's Strongest Tag Team League (2002) – with Satoshi Kojima
- World's Strongest Tag Team League (2004) – with Jamal
- January 3rd Korakuen Hall Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal Winner (1997, 1998)
- Hawai'i Championship WrestlingHawai'i Championship WrestlingHawai'i Championship Wrestling , was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2003. It had been associated with both AWA Superstars, and also, the NWA. The company folded in July 2008.-History:...
- HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team ChampionshipHCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team ChampionshipThe HCW Kekaulike World Tag Team Championship is the championship for tag teams in the Hawai'i Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion.-Title history:...
(1 time) – with Jamal - New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Keiji Mutoh
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him 11 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2006
- PWI ranked him 416 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Best Tag Team (2008)-with Minoru Suzuki