Aaron Henare is the only full-time contracted professional wrestler of Maori descent.
18 Facts About Aaron Henare
2.
Aaron Henare's uncle is former professional rugby league player Richie Barnett, who captained New Zealand at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
3.
Aaron Henare was offered a spot on the New Zealand Commonwealth wrestling team, but turned it down to pursue trainings with Bad Luck Fale.
4.
Aaron Henare has trained in MMA, Catch Wrestling and Muay Thai with other New Zealand fighters such as Shane Young, Kai Kara France, Mark Hunt and Israel Adesanya.
5.
Aaron Henare signed with NJPW in early 2016 and debuted in September of that year, losing to Pro Wrestling Noah's Quiet Storm at Lion's Gate Project 3.
6.
Aaron Henare entered the 2016 World Tag League alongside veteran Manabu Nakanishi.
7.
On 21 February 2017, in a match with Tomoyuki Oka, Aaron Henare suffered an Achilles tendon injury and the match had to be stopped.
8.
Aaron Henare returned in November for the 2017 World Tag League, where he teamed with Togi Makabe.
9.
Aaron Henare recovered and teamed with O-Khan in the World Tag League, where they finished with a total of 14 points.
10.
At Wrestle Kingdom 16, Aaron Henare entered the New Japan Rambo match.
11.
Aaron Henare entered his first Heavyweight singles tournament in NJPW, in the New Japan Cup.
12.
Aaron Henare beat Yuto Nakashima in round one but lost to then IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Sanada in round 2.
13.
Aaron Henare made his NJPW Strong debut in America, teaming with O-Khan and new United Empire member TJP, to defeat Brody King, Mascara Dorada and Taylor Rust.
14.
At Windy City Riot, Aaron Henare teamed with, Cobb, O-Khan and new members, Aussie Open to defeat Bullet Club.
15.
Aaron Henare managed to pin his former partner and 3 time G1 Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
16.
Aaron Henare impressed NJPW enough in 2022 to earn him a spot on New Year's Dash main event against IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, and Kenny Omega alongside Jeff Cobb.
17.
Aaron Henare was a standout performer during the 2023 New Japan Cup, pinning KOPW champion, Shingo Takagi in the main event of his hometown, leading to angry fans leaving the arena before the end of the show.
18.
Aaron Henare then used this performance to challenge Takagi to the first "Ultimate Triad Match", meaning the winner of the match would have to win the match by pin, submission, and standing count in order to win the match.