Professor Toru Tanaka

Known as: Professor Toru Tanaka, Mr. Akanat, Charlie Kalani
Details
Pro Wrestlers Database
Professor Toru Tanaka - Pro Wrestlers Database
WWE Hall of Fame: Legacy

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Professor Toru Tanaka, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Charles J. Kalani Jr. was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 6, 1930.

He died on August 22, 2000 at the age of 70.

Professor Toru Tanaka has won a total of 4 championships in major promotions during his career.

Professor Toru Tanaka was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Legacy wing.

Professor Toru Tanaka Profile Index

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameCharles J. Kalani Jr.
  • Ring Names
    • Professor Toru Tanaka (April 22, 1966 - July 1, 1986)
    • Mr. Akanat (March 17, 1977 - April 9, 1977)
    • Charlie Kalani (June 2, 1958 - August 31, 1966)
  • Born January 6, 1930
  • Died August 22, 2000 (aged 70)
  • NationalityNationality: United StatesUnited States
  • Birth PlaceHonolulu, Hawaii
  • Billed From
    • Hiroshima, Japan
  • Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
  • Weight
    • 280 lbs (127 kg)

Career History

  • Roles

    • Wrestler (June 2, 1958 - July 1, 1986)
    • Actor (August 14, 1981 - December 31, 1995)

  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionWorld Wrestling FederationWWFNovember 23, 1984November 27, 1984
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAFebruary 14, 1966March 27, 1981
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLASFebruary 24, 1980July 21, 1980
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACFebruary 22, 1980May 30, 1980
    PromotionGeorgia Championship WrestlingGCWSeptember 10, 1979February 18, 1980
    PromotionSoutheastern Championship WrestlingSECWSeptember 29, 1978October 12, 1979
    PromotionContinental Wrestling AssociationCWAJanuary 21, 1979June 11, 1979
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFMay 3, 1977March 26, 1978
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance Hollywood WrestlingNWA HOLLYWOODJanuary 7, 1977May 6, 1977
    PromotionSoutheastern Championship WrestlingSECWJanuary 10, 1976December 17, 1976
    PromotionNWA Mid-AmericaMID AMERICAJanuary 4, 1976February 16, 1976
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFApril 3, 1974November 19, 1975
    PromotionGeorgia Championship WrestlingGCWFebruary 5, 1975November 3, 1975
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFMarch 27, 1967August 3, 1974
    PromotionAll Japan Pro WrestlingAJPWBrand Heavyweight January 4, 1974January 30, 1974
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACOctober 9, 1970November 26, 1971
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLASOctober 6, 1970November 23, 1971
    PromotionWorld Championship WrestlingWCW AUSTRALIAAugust 30, 1968November 22, 1968
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSSeptember 15, 1966March 16, 1967
    PromotionWorld Championship WrestlingWCW AUSTRALIAApril 22, 1966August 19, 1966
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AllianceAWA SFFebruary 13, 1963November 16, 1965

  • Images History

    Jun 1958
    Jun 1958

  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    HeelJune 2, 1958July 1, 1986

  • Finishers

    • Cobra Clutch (June 2, 1958 - July 1, 1986)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • World Wrestling Entertainment

  • National Wrestling Alliance

    • 2 NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division)

    50th State Big Time Wrestling

    • 1 NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version)

    All-California Championship Wrestling

    • 2 ACCW Tag Team Championship (with Peter Maivia Jr.)

    California Pro Wrestling

    • 1 CPW Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 CPW Brass Knuckles Championship

    Championship Wrestling from Florida

    • 1 NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (with Dick Slater)

    Continental Wrestling Association

    • 2 AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
    • 2 AWA Southern Tag Team Championship (1 with Robert Fuller, 1 with Mr. Fuji)

    Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Macon Heavyweight Championship
    • 2 NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 with Assassin #2, 1 with Mr. Fuji)

    L&G Promotions

    • 1 L&G Caribbean Heavyweight Championship

    Northeast Championship Wrestling (Tom Janette)

    • 1 NCW Heavyweight Championship

    NWA Big Time Wrestling

    • 2 NWA American Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA American Tag Team Championship (with Thunderbolt Patterson)
    • 4 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version)

    NWA Hollywood Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (with Dr. Hiro Ota)

    NWA New Zealand

    • 2 NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship

    Southeastern Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Southeastern Tag Team Championship (with Mr. Fuji)

    World Championship Wrestling (Australia)

    • 2 IWA World Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 IWA World Tag Team Championship (with Skull Murphy)

  • Other Accomplishments

    • AWA Southern Tag Team Title Tournament Winner (1979 - with Ron Fuller)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka - Mr. Fuji (August 29, 1975 - July 26, 1980)
    • Mr. Fuji & Professor Toru Tanaka - Mr. Fuji (June 27, 1972 - April 1, 1974)
    • Dick Slater & Prof. Toru Tanaka - Dick Slater (September 24, 1974 - January 20, 1975)
    • The Rising Suns - Mitsu Arakawa (June 7, 1969 - December 12, 1969)
    • Mitsu Arakawa & Toru Tanaka (April 27, 1966 - July 8, 1966)
  • Managers

You must login to post a comment.
characters left.
Log in with
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
Work With Us - Join The Team!

We're looking for new staff members with passion for Wrestling and WWE games, and willingness to contribute in any of the website areas. If you're interested, feel free to contact us!