Hello, wrestler fans! If you love following the WWE and admire world-class, Akira Tozawa is a name you’ll recognize instantly. While his name might not echo as loudly as some of wrestling’s biggest stars, this high-flying powerhouse has carved an impressive path through both Japanese and American wrestling scenes. From his humble beginnings in Dragon Gate’s dojo to becoming WWE’s most decorated 24/7 Champion, Tozawa’s journey reflects determination, resilience, and an unmistakable passion for professional wrestling.
Akira Tozawa’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Akira Tozawa (戸澤 陽) |
| Nickname | The Stamina Monster, Ninja Master |
| Born | July 22, 1985 |
| Age | 40 years old |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 156 lbs (71 kg) |
| Turned Pro | April 3, 2005 |
| Net Worth | $1.5 – $2.5 Million |
| Salary | $200,000 – $350,000 per year |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | One daughter (Ten, born March 24, 2023) |
| Instagram Profile | @realtozawa |
Early Career
Akira Tozawa made his professional wrestling debut on April 3, 2005, at Dragon Gate’s Glorious Gate event against Don Fujii. As the third graduate of Dragon Gate’s prestigious dojo, Tozawa faced a rough start. He underwent a brutal 10-match trial series where he lost all 10 matches and was sent back to the dojo. This setback would have broken many aspiring wrestlers, but Tozawa returned in October 2005 with renewed determination. During his early days, he developed a reputation as something of a backstage troublemaker, which resulted in limited opportunities and slow progression through the ranks.
Professional Career
Tozawa’s professional wrestling journey truly took off when he bulked up and joined the Kamikaze stable in Dragon Gate around 2008. After years of midcard status, he left Japan in May 2010 for an extended tour of the United States, where everything changed. His performances in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla particularly impressed American audiences, with standout matches against Chris Hero at Battle of Los Angeles 2010 and his memorable DDT4 event appearances with Kevin Steen in March 2011.
When Tozawa returned to Dragon Gate in June 2011, he joined the heel Blood Warriors faction and finally started capturing championships. He won the Open the Twin Gate Championship with BxB Hulk in December 2011, marking his first title in Dragon Gate after six years of trying. He also claimed the Summer Adventure Tag League in 2011 and 2012. In 2016, Tozawa signed with WWE after competing in the Cruiserweight Classic tournament, reaching the quarterfinals before Gran Metalik eliminated him.
He made his WWE Raw debut on February 6, 2017, defeating Drew Gulak. His biggest WWE moment came on August 14, 2017, when he defeated Neville to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, becoming the first Japanese wrestler to hold that title. However, his reign lasted only six days as Neville reclaimed it at SummerSlam. Since 2019, Tozawa has been heavily featured in the 24/7 Championship division, capturing the title an impressive 16 times, making him the second-most decorated champion in that division’s history behind R-Truth.
Married
Akira Tozawa married his wife on December 22, 2018, though he has kept her identity completely private. The wrestler has been extremely protective of his family’s privacy throughout his career, never publicly revealing his wife’s name or sharing detailed information about their relationship. The couple announced they were expecting their first child in January 2023, and their daughter Ten was born on March 24, 2023. Tozawa shared the news on social media with a touching message expressing gratitude to his wife. Despite his public persona as a WWE superstar, Tozawa maintains strict boundaries between his professional wrestling life and his family life. He occasionally shares photos with his family on Instagram but always maintains their privacy by not disclosing identifying information. This level of discretion is quite rare in the wrestling industry where many performers openly share their personal lives with fans.
Akira Tozawa’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Akira Tozawa’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. His primary income source comes from his WWE contract, which reportedly pays him an annual salary in the range of $200,000 to $350,000. WWE main roster minimum contracts typically start at around $350,000, and given Tozawa’s tenure and championship history, he likely falls within or above this range. Beyond his base WWE salary, Tozawa generates additional income through various channels including brand endorsements, public appearances, social media collaborations, and merchandise sales. His 20-year career in professional wrestling, including his successful 12-year run in Dragon Gate before joining WWE, has allowed him to build substantial wealth. While he may not be among WWE’s highest earners, Tozawa has maintained consistent employment with the company since 2016, providing him with financial stability. His multiple 24/7 Championship reigns, though often comedic in nature, have kept him regularly featured on WWE programming, ensuring continued income and exposure.
Fight Purses
| Event | Estimated Earnings | Notes |
| WWE Raw Appearances | Base salary per show | Regular weekly appearances |
| WWE Premium Live Events | Bonus compensation | Additional pay for special events |
| Royal Rumble 2025 | Standard appearance fee | Replaced by IShowSpeed during entrance |
| SummerSlam 2017 | Cruiserweight Championship match | Championship rematch against Neville |
| Great Balls of Fire 2017 | Championship match bonus | First Cruiserweight Championship opportunity |
| WWE 24/7 Title Reigns | Standard championship bonuses | Multiple short reigns between 2019-2022 |
Endorsements
- Ringside Collectibles, Inc. – Official merchandise and collectibles partnership featuring action figures and memorabilia
- Hoegaarden – Beverage brand sponsorship
- Mid Breath Fitness Gym – Fitness and wellness partnership
- World Gym Music City – Gym facility endorsement deal
- Slim Jim – Part of WWE’s broader partnership with the meat snacks brand, featuring in promotional materials
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event/Year | Significance |
| Neville | Won | Raw, August 14, 2017 | Won WWE Cruiserweight Championship |
| Neville | Lost | SummerSlam 2017 | Lost Cruiserweight Championship |
| Gran Metalik | Lost | Cruiserweight Classic 2016 | Quarterfinal elimination |
| Brian Kendrick | Multiple matches | 205 Live 2017 | Extended rivalry with several acclaimed matches |
| BxB Hulk | Tag team success | Dragon Gate 2011-2012 | Summer Adventure Tag League wins |
| Shingo Takagi | Tag team championship | Dragon Gate | Open the Twin Gate Championship reigns |
| R-Truth | Multiple wins/losses | WWE 2019-2022 | Multiple 24/7 Championship exchanges |
| Hideo Itami | Lost | 205 Live 2018 | Hard-hitting rivalry for respect |
| Drew Gulak | Won | Raw, February 6, 2017 | WWE debut match |
| Chad Gable | Multiple matches | WWE 2023-2024 | Alpha Academy storylines |
FAQs
1. What is Akira Tozawa’s signature finishing move?
Akira Tozawa’s primary finishing move is the Senton Bomb, a high-flying maneuver where he leaps from the top rope and crashes down on his opponent with a seated senton. He also utilizes the Snap German Suplex and Delayed German Suplex as signature moves. His far-reaching bicycle kick has become one of his most recognizable strikes throughout his career.
2. How many times has Akira Tozawa won the WWE 24/7 Championship?
Tozawa has won the WWE 24/7 Championship an impressive 16 times, making him the second-most decorated champion in the title’s history. Only R-Truth has won it more times with 54 reigns. Tozawa’s first reign came in December 2019 when he defeated R-Truth, and his title changes became a regular fixture on WWE programming between 2020 and 2022.
3. What wrestling promotions did Akira Tozawa work for before WWE?
Before signing with WWE in 2016, Tozawa spent 12 years with Dragon Gate in Japan from 2005 to 2016. He also had successful tours in American independent promotions including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Chikara, Dragon Gate USA, and Anarchy Championship Wrestling. His performances in PWG particularly earned him recognition as one of the best wrestlers on the independent scene during his 2010-2011 tour.
4. Is Akira Tozawa still married?
Yes, Akira Tozawa is still married. He wed his wife on December 22, 2018, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ten, on March 24, 2023. Tozawa has been extremely private about his family life, never publicly revealing his wife’s name or detailed personal information, showing a strong commitment to protecting his family’s privacy.
5. What stable is Akira Tozawa currently part of in WWE?
Akira Tozawa is currently a member of the Alpha Academy stable on WWE Raw. The group includes Maxxine Dupri and Otis after Chad Gable turned heel and departed from the faction in June 2024. Previously, Tozawa was part of Titus Worldwide alongside Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews during 2017.
6. How tall is Akira Tozawa compared to other WWE wrestlers?
At 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall, Tozawa is considered one of the smaller wrestlers on the WWE roster. His size places him well below the average height of WWE male superstars, which typically ranges from 6 feet to 6 feet 5 inches. However, his size has never limited his abilities, as he’s known for his incredible stamina, speed, and technical wrestling skills.
7. Did Akira Tozawa really wrestle Rhea Ripley?
Yes, Akira Tozawa faced Rhea Ripley in an intergender match on the December 19, 2022 episode of WWE Raw. The Street Profits convinced Tozawa to face Ripley after he interfered in a previous tag team match. Despite his best efforts and nearly pulling off an upset with a top-rope senton, Tozawa lost to Ripley via her Riptide finisher.
8. What happened to Akira Tozawa at Royal Rumble 2025?
At Royal Rumble 2025, Carmelo Hayes attacked Tozawa before he could enter the ring for the men’s battle royal. WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H then made the decision to replace Tozawa with Twitch streamer IShowSpeed, who competed in the match instead. Tozawa later posted on social media that it was his first Royal Rumble entrance in his eight years with WWE and expressed hope for another opportunity in 2026.
9. What does Akira Tozawa’s nickname “The Stamina Monster” mean?
The nickname “The Stamina Monster” refers to Tozawa’s incredible endurance and ability to maintain a high-energy, fast-paced wrestling style throughout his matches. Known for his relentless offensive attacks and ability to absorb punishment while continuing to fight, the name perfectly captures his wrestling persona. His matches in Dragon Gate and PWG showcased this stamina in lengthy, athletic performances.
10. Has Akira Tozawa ever hinted at retirement?
In April 2025, Tozawa posted on social media reflecting on the 20-year anniversary of his wrestling debut, writing “It’s been 20 years since my first match. Maybe I’ve been doing this for too long…” This sparked speculation about potential retirement plans. However, he continues to compete regularly on WWE Raw as part of the Alpha Academy, suggesting he still has more to accomplish in his wrestling career.