After competing extensively in mixed martial arts, including for the UFC, Lawlor transitioned to the pro wrestling ranks in 2017, and quickly won the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, building a fight team around himself known as Team Filthy. When he arrived in NJPW in 2020 for Lion’s Break, and then NJPW STRONG, Lawlor followed the same pattern, recruiting hard hitters like JR Kratos and Danny Limelight.

Lawlor also showed his ruthless edge. With no room for anyone that got in the way of his vision, he aggressively cut Rust Taylor and Chris Dickinson from his crew. Staying driven on his own success, Lawlor was victorious in New Japan Cup USA 2021, becoming the first STRONG Openweight Champion by beating Brody King in the final. 

Lawlor would become the longest reigning champion in NJPW for a time, holding the STRONG gold for well over a year and defending nine times before finally falling to nemesis Fred Rosser in June 2022. Quickly refocusing, Lawlor would set his sights on his first tour of Japan, and entered G1 Climax 32.