Hirai Kawato (March 13, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Career[]
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2016-2018)[]
Kawato started wrestling for NJPW in 2016 and has been with the company since then. He started by training as a "young lion" in NJPW's dojo, becoming a part of their Junior heavyweight division. Kawato has competed in over sixty matches for NJPW and competes against fellow junior heavyweights such as David Finlay and Gedo.
On January 3, 2016, Kawato made his debut match against Yohei Komatsu in a losing effort. Throughout 2016, Kawato spent most of the year working opening and undercard matches, and primarily fought against fellow Young Lion Teruaki Kanemitsu.
On February 9, 2017, Kawato tag teamed with Jushin Thunder Liger and Yuji Nagata to defeat the team of Henare, Tomoyuki Oka and Yoshitatsu in a six-man tag team match. On April 22, Kawato obtained his first singles victory when he defeated Shota Umino. On June 20, Kawato was involved in his first big match when he teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi against Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi. In October, Kawato teamed with Kushida to take part in the 2017 Super Junior Tag Tournament where they was defeated in the First round by Roppongi 3K. On November 5, 2017, Hirai Kawato alongside Juice Robinson, Jushin Thunder Liger, Kushida and Tiger Mask IV defeated Suzuki-gun at Power Struggle.
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2018-2020)[]
In February 2018 Kawato traveled to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) on a learning excursion under the ring name Kawato San.
Return to NJPW (2020-present)[]
At the eighth night of the 2020 New Japan Cup, Kawato returned to the promotion under the name Master Wato and cut a promo, just to then get assaulted by DOUKI. He faced DOUKI in a match at the cup's final night and came out victorious.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Inverted overdrive
- Multiple kick variations
- Brazilian
- Drop, sometime while diving
- Roundhouse, sometimes with a corkscrew
- Rolling elbow
- Spinebuster
- Spinning backhand
- Springboard back elbow
- Surfboard
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked #478 in PWI 500 Singles wrestlers (2017)
- PWI ranked him #86 in the 2023 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers