[5] Nakazawa attended Tokai University before studying abroad in the United States where he obtained an MSc Sports Science at the United States Sports Academy (USSA) Graduate School.

He often acted as an interpreter for English-speaking foreign wrestlers in Japan and through this relationship he met Kenny Omega, a now-Executive VP at AEW, with whom he has shared a ring 35 times, both as an opponent and as a tag team partner.

[5] He debuted at Double Or Nothing, the promotion's inaugural event, taking part in a 21-man Casino Battle Royale.

[10] The following month at Fyter Fest, Nakazawa defeated Alex Jebailey in a hardcore match.

[11] On the November 13 episode of Dynamite, Nakazawa made his debut quickly losing to Jon Moxley.