Takao Omori
A resilient and powerful journeyman wrestler whose brutal lariat and never-say-die attitude made him a beloved heavyweight stalwart in All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Born 1969 (age 57)·Japanese professional wrestler·Birthday: October 16·Generation X
Biography
Takao Omori’s story is one of perseverance and reinvention within the punishing world of Japanese puroresu. Debuting in the mighty All Japan Pro Wrestling of the 1990s, he initially found success as one-half of the formidable NO FEAR tag team with Yoshihiro Takayama, known for their stiff, hard-hitting style. When the promotion fractured, Omori became a nomadic force, competing in New Japan, NOAH, and Zero1, always as a credible and dangerous heavyweight. His career reached its apex upon his return to a rebuilt All Japan, where his years of grit were finally rewarded with the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, the company's highest honor. More than just a champion, Omori evolved into a respected elder statesman and board member, his Axe Bomber lariat remaining a feared finisher and his presence a link to the sport's storied past.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Takao was born in 1969, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Takao Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Takao's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 50
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 57 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captured the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, the promotion's top prize, in 2013.
- Won the World Tag Team Championship seven times in All Japan Pro Wrestling with various partners.
- Formed the successful and feared tag team NO FEAR with Yoshihiro Takayama in the late 1990s.
- Served on the All Japan Pro Wrestling Board of Directors, helping guide the company's direction.
Did You Know?
His finishing move is called the Axe Bomber, a direct homage to the move used by All Japan founder Giant Baba.
He is known for his extremely muscular physique and shaved head, presenting an intimidating appearance.
Omori briefly competed in mixed martial arts early in his career, fighting in the Pancrase organization.
He trained under the legendary AJPW wrestler Giant Baba.
“I will keep fighting until my body completely breaks down.”
