Thomas Merrett Howard (born December 26, 1969) is an American professional wrestler, and actor. He is best known for his Green Beret role in K-1 and Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX in Japan. As a veteran competitor and instructor, Howard has worked for World Wrestling Federation (wrestler-instructor), World Championship Wrestling (wrestler), Pro Wrestling Zero-One (wrestler-instructor), Universal Fighting-Arts Organization (wrestler-instructor), K-1 (fighter – MMA, kickboxing), Cage Rage (fighter), IFL (fighter), All Japan Pro Wrestling (wrestler), Pro Wrestling Noah (wrestler), Inoki Genome Federation (wrestler), HUSTLE (wrestler), Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion (wrestler) and Ultimate Pro Wrestling (wrestler-instructor).
In 2006, Howard retired from competition and began working in the entertainment industry (film, television and commercial). He has numerous US and International credits as an actor, stuntman, producer, technical producer, action coordinator, and fight scene choreographer. Howard is also co-owner of The Fight Pros, a company specializing in providing consulting, casting and production for the Film/TV & Commercial industries, and Rebirth Productions, a production company specializing in creating and developing unscripted television properties.
Career
Professional wrestling
In 1993, Tom Howard began training under Jesse Hernandez and Bill Anderson in professional wrestling, lucha libre and puroresu at the School of Hard Knocks wrestling training school. His first match was against Bobby Bradley Jr. at the Silver Nugget Casino in October 1994. In early 1995, Howard began appearing on NWC (National Wrestling Conference) Television in Las Vegas and quickly became popular wrestling under the name Zuma'', a surfer gimmick from Zuma Beach, California. He went on to wrestle as "KGB", under a KGB agent gimmick.
In 1995, Howard was recruited to wrestle on television in Mexico where he quickly became popular wrestling for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración as KGB, using the same gimmick. Howard lived in Mexico City and appeared on AAA's television show for 2 years. In 1996, Howard returned to the United States to compete in Antonio Inoki's World Wrestling Peace Festival in Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, Howard took a break from wrestling to train in Sambo with Gokor Chivichyan & Gene Lebell for No Holds Barred competition.
In late 1996, Howard and Rick Bassman formed Ultimate Pro Wrestling. Tom acted as the head instructor for the school, Ultimate University and also began competing in the ring regularly for UPW. He went under his real name and adopted the gimmick of a Green Berets drill instructor. Tom's former students include World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers such as John Cena, Victoria, Chris Masters, Aaron Aguilera, Luther Reigns, Sakoda, Heidenreich, Nathan Jones and Sylvester Terkay. In 1998, Howard signed a developmental contract with the World Wrestling Federation. Tom's time was split as an instructor for the UPW and on the road performing in dark matches across the country.
On June 26, 2001 Howard pinned Tony Jones to capture the Southern California title. On August 22, Howard became UPW's Shoot Champion when the Southern California title was renamed.
Howard competed against Shinya Hashimoto for a Pro Wrestling Zero-One Fighting Athletes PPV – Shingeki I in Japan and was signed to a contract with the company. On August 30 – Shingeki II, Tom Howard knocked out Lee Young Gun in Tokyo, Japan. On May 8, 2002 Howard defeated Christopher Daniels to unify the UPW and Shoot titles in Santa Ana, California. Then on July 7 Howard & Nathan Jones defeated Steve Corino & Rapid Fire Maldon at Sumo Hall in Japan on a Zero-One pay-per-view. On December 15, Howard & Matt Ghaffari beat Shinya Hashimoto & Naoya Ogawa to win the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship on a Zero One PPV.