Former PROGRESS Wrestling ATLAS Champion Yoshiki Inamura Joins NXT

At PROGRESS Wrestling, we’re incredibly proud to have been a part of Yoshiki Inamura’s journey, as he now takes his career to new heights with WWE’s NXT. Inamura’s time with us was nothing short of transformative—a journey that not only refined him as a competitor but became a pivotal turning point in his wrestling career.

Yoshiki Inamura debuted in PROGRESS with a bang, entering the main event against Ricky Knight Jr in Birmingham, where he showed a fire and resilience that captivated the UK wrestling scene. Competing under the moniker YOICHI following a name change, he went through 13 matches with PROGRESS, each one challenging him and driving him forward.

Following a rocky period in the UK that saw him struggling with consistency, Yoshiki Inamura underwent a transformative phase, rebranding himself as YOICHI. With his renewed focus and determination, YOICHI overturned his previous losses and reclaimed his position as a main event talent.

His time with us peaked in Philadelphia over WrestleMania weekend, where he faced RKJ once again for the ATLAS Championship. In a hard-fought, unforgettable battle, Inamura ended RKJ’s remarkable 404-day reign and claimed the title, cementing his place in the history of our promotion.

You can watch the full Yoshiki Inamura vs RKJ match below…

Following his championship win, Yoshiki Inamura successfully defended the ATLAS title against Robert Dreissker on April 21, 2024, at Chapter 167: One Bump Or Two? in London. However, his reign was short-lived; on May 27, 2024, at Super Strong Style 16 Tournament Edition 2024 – Tag 2, he lost the title to Axel Tischer after a battle that was arguably the match of the night.

In his final appearance for PROGRESS, on September 22, 2024, at Chapter 171: History Is Written By The Victors, Yoshiki Inamura faced the returning Cara Noir in an emotional singles match that saw the Royal Black Swan finally return home to the Electric Ballroom in a bout after a 16 month injury layoff.

His return to Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan saw him thrive as a main event talent, a transformation that would ultimately catch the eye of WWE. Inamura’s journey with PROGRESS provided him with the platform to evolve, refine his skills, and reassert himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ring.

Inamura’s move to NXT is a testament to what PROGRESS Wrestling represents: a proving ground where the stars of tomorrow are forged, tested, and prepared to take on the world. We couldn’t be more excited to see Inamura’s journey continue on the grand stage of NXT, and we’re thrilled to have played a role in his rise.

You can see PRO Wrestling NOAH UK Tour stars Yoshiki Inamura, formerly known as YOICHI and Taishi Ozawa on DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.