Satoshi Kojima

Satoshi Kojima is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Standing at six feet tall with a muscular build, he has spent over thirty years competing at the highest levels of puroresu. His career is defined by an unprecedented feat in 1999 when he became the first wrestler to simultaneously hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the AJPW Triple Crown Championship. He stands as one of only three men in history to have held the IWGP Heavyweight, AJPW Triple Crown, and NWA World Heavyweight Championships.

Today, Kojima remains a respected veteran in the ring while mentoring the next generation of talent. Known for his technical precision and devastating finishing move, the Cozy Lariat, he continues to compete in major events like the G1 Climax. His legacy is cemented not just by his championship reigns but by his historic tag team partnership with Hiroyoshi Tenzan, which produced some of the most memorable matches in Japanese wrestling history. [edit]

Satoshi Kojima was born into a family with deep roots in the industry. His father, Seiji Kojima, was a former professional wrestler who trained under the legendary Giant Baba. Growing up in Tokyo's Kōtō Ward, Satoshi was exposed to the world of professional wrestling from a young age. He attended high school in Tokyo but left early to dedicate himself fully to the sport.

In 1989, at the age of eighteen, he entered the dojo of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) under the direct tutelage of Giant Baba. Before making his debut, he underwent rigorous physical conditioning and technical training. He honed a style that blended strong-style striking with high-flying agility, absorbing the teachings of the 'strong style' of puroresu. This relentless work ethic allowed him to master the craft quickly, eventually earning him the nickname 'The Cozy Lariat' due to the unique precision and power of his signature finisher. [edit]

Kojima made his professional debut in 1991 for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He quickly rose through the ranks and formed a historic tag team partnership with Hiroyoshi Tenzan in 1995. The duo, known as 'The Time Splitters,' became one of the most successful tag teams in history. They won the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship in 1996 and the IWGP Tag Team Championship in 1998.

The year 1999 marked a turning point in his career. Kojima achieved the impossible by holding both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the AJPW Triple Crown Championship simultaneously. In 2000, he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, completing a rare trifecta of major titles. After leaving AJPW in 2002, he moved to New Japan Pro-Wrestling where he continued his dominance. In 2006, he joined Pro Wrestling Noah and won the GHC Heavyweight Championship, becoming the fourth man to hold all three major Japanese heavyweight titles.

In recent years, Kojima has remained active in both NJPW and Major League Wrestling (MLW). As of August 2026, he competed in the MLW Blood & Thunder event against Killer Kross for the World Heavyweight Championship. Later that month, he faced his longtime partner Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a special bout during the NJPW G1 Climax 36 tournament to honor Tenzan's retirement. [edit]

Kojima is portrayed as a stoic, professional, and respectful figure within the wrestling community. He is known for his 'no-nonsense' attitude and unwavering dedication to the craft. His media presence is calm and measured, avoiding controversy and focusing on the sport itself. He is often referred to as a 'living legend' by peers and fans alike. His signature look involves a rugged appearance that complements his brawling style, and he is recognized globally for his technical mastery. [edit]

The reverence for Satoshi Kojima exists not in the frenzied, organized campaigns seen in idol culture, but in the quiet, enduring respect of a global community that has watched him wrestle for over three decades. His fanbase operates under the broad umbrella of New Japan Pro-Wrestling supporters and the international puroresu audience rather than adopting a specific moniker like 'The Kojima Army.' There are no documented records of subway ads or birthday billboards funded solely by his followers; instead, the devotion is expressed through the collective memory of his technical mastery and longevity. Fans revere him as a living legend who bridges generations, from the era when he became the first wrestler to hold both the IWGP Heavyweight and AJPW Triple Crown Championships simultaneously to his recent headline acts in 2026.

Central to this modern mythology is the emotional culmination of his partnership with Hiroyoshi Tenzan. The retirement match between the two at NJPW G1 Climax 36 in August 2026 stands as a cultural milestone, marking the end of an era for two decorated veterans whose bond defined tag team wrestling. This narrative of passing the torch resonates deeply with an audience that values skill over spectacle. His continued relevance is further cemented by high-profile feuds, including a scheduled MLW World Heavyweight Title fight against Killer Kross, proving his ability to draw interest well into his fifties. While he commands the attention of millions worldwide, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated his profile without assigning him a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Satoshi Kojima is a third-generation wrestler, following in the footsteps of his father Seiji. His nickname 'The Cozy Lariat' originated from fans and commentators who noted the move's devastating power delivered with almost surgical precision. He has appeared in minor acting roles, including the film Death Water in 2006 and various NJPW-produced documentaries.

His partnership with Hiroyoshi Tenzan is legendary among puroresu fans. Together they were the first duo to win both the G1 Tag League and the World's Strongest Tag Determination League in the same year. Fans often cite their matches as the gold standard for tag team wrestling in Japan. The emotional farewell match between Kojima and Tenzan in 2026 drew massive attention and highlighted their enduring bond. [edit]

Kojima comes from a family with deep roots in professional wrestling. His father, Seiji Kojima, was a well-known wrestler in the 1960s and 70s who trained under Giant Baba. This family legacy influenced Satoshi's decision to pursue the sport professionally. He maintains a very private personal life and rarely discusses his family or home life in interviews. There are no public records of children or other relatives involved in the business. [edit]

Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Giant Baba, Keiji Mutoh, Shinya Hashimoto, Killer Kross. [edit]

Public information regarding Satoshi Kojima's romantic life is extremely scarce. Unlike many Western celebrities, Kojima maintains a very private personal life and rarely discusses relationships in interviews or on social media. There are no credible reports of marriages, engagements, or long-term publicized relationships. He is not known to have any children. As of 2026, based on available data, he is considered single or keeping his relationship status strictly confidential. No specific partner names or timelines exist in public records, and tabloid speculation is non-existent due to his low profile outside the ring. [edit]

Estimates for Satoshi Kojima's net worth vary due to the lack of public financial disclosure common in professional wrestling. iFANN currently estimates Kojima's net worth at approximately $3 million. Research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts his fortune at around $3 million based on career earnings from wrestling contracts, merchandise, and appearances.

Wealth sources include his salary from NJPW, AJPW, and Pro Wrestling Noah, appearance fees for international tours including MLW, merchandise sales featuring his 'Cozy Lariat' brand, and endorsement deals with Japanese wrestling-related products. He likely owns real estate in Japan, though specific holdings are not public. His long tenure in the industry and consistent work as a veteran competitor have contributed to this steady accumulation of wealth. [edit]

Kojima has won numerous championships throughout his career, including multiple IWGP Heavyweight Championship reigns, the AJPW Triple Crown Championship, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and the GHC Heavyweight Championship. He also holds six IWGP Tag Team Championship reigns with Hiroyoshi Tenzan. He has been inducted into the NJPW Hall of Fame and is recognized as one of the greatest Japanese wrestlers of all time. [edit]