New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1984–2010) Early years (1984–1989) A
freestyle wrestler during his high school years, Chōno debuted professionally in 1984 against
Keiji Mutoh at a
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) event in
Saitama, Japan. In 1987, he defeated
Shinya Hashimoto to win the
Young Lions Cup. After winning the tournament, he went on an excursion that started in Europe, wrestling for
Otto Wanz's
Catch Wrestling Association. After a while in
Europe, Chono went on an excursion to
North America, starting in the
United States for
Central States Wrestling in Kansas City, which by then had broken away from the
National Wrestling Alliance to form the World Wrestling Alliance. His first major feud was against
Mike George over the
NWA Central States TV and WWA World Heavyweight championships.
Later career (2010–2023) In March 2010, Chono portrayed
Nobunaga Oda in two matches during a Samurai Festival after leaving New Japan. Chono wrestled AKIRA, who portrayed
Mitsuhide Akechi, on both days, winning the first match and losing the second. On August 15, 2010, Chono returned to New Japan to serve as the special ring announcer for the G1 Climax final match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and
Satoshi Kojima. On November 5 and 6, Chono appeared in a series of shows in
Taiwan for All Japan. On November 5, Chono and Mutoh defeated the
Voodoo Murders (
TARU and
Rene Dupree). The following day, Chono teamed with Mutoh and
Masakatsu Funaki to defeat the Voodoo Murders (Dupree,
KENSO, and
Joe Doering). In December 2010, Chono began working for Antonio Inoki's
Inoki Genome Federation as a booker. On March 6, 2011, Chono entered
Pro Wrestling ZERO1 for their 10th Anniversary Show, where he defeated Daichi Hashimoto in his debut match. On April 17, 2011, Chono wrestled for Osaka Pro, where he teamed with Kuuga and
Orochi in a losing effort against
Shodai Tiger Mask, Billyken Kid, and Tsubasa. On August 14, 2011, Chono returned to Osaka Pro, teaming with TAJIRI and Zeus in a victory over JOKER (Kuuga, Orochi, and
Tadasuke). On October 3, 2011, Chono returned to NJPW for a Team Wolf reunion match, teaming with Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiro Saito to defeat Osamu Nishimura,
Koji Kanemoto, and Shinjiro Otani. In January 2013, Chono signed with
All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as an advisor. On August 25, 2013, Chono teamed with
Joe Doering and defeated
KENSO and AJPW President Nobuo Shiraishi in an exhibition tag team match. Chono left AJPW in 2014. After returning to freelance, Chono wrestled once in eight years: a six man tag team match for Dotonbori Pro Wrestling on April 13, 2014. He teamed with
Daisuke Masaoka and
Hayata in a loss to
Super Delfin,
Hub, and
Gran Hamada. From 2014, Chono's appearances were limited to non-active roles such as commentary, talk battles and special appearances. In a 2017 interview, Chono did not completely rule out the possibility of a return to the ring but believed it would be unlikely due to various injuries. In 2021, he revealed that he had been suffering from
spinal stenosis and underwent surgery for it, which was successful. In a 2022 interview, Chono discussed how Keiji Muto requested to have his retirement match with him but was unsure if he could compete. On February 21, 2023, Chono was challenged to an impromptu match by Muto during
Muto's retirement show at the
Tokyo Dome, which Chono won. Chono announced his own retirement following the match. == Personal life ==