Akitoshi Saito
| Akitoshi Saito | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 8, 1965 Sendai, Miyagi |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Akitoshi Saito Super Akira Taue |
| Billed height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Billed weight | 105 kg (231 lb) |
| Trained by | Masashi Aoyagi Yoshiaki Fujiwara |
| Debut | December 20, 1990 |
Akitoshi Saito (斎藤 彰俊, Saitō Akitoshi, born August 8, 1965) is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is one half of the GHC Tag Team Champions.
Before pro wrestling
Before pro wrestling, Akitoshi Saito was trained in karate by Masashi Aoyagi. Saito seconded Aoyagi in his matches against Atsushi Onita in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling in 1989. He was trained for pro wrestling by Aoyagi and Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
Career
Early years (1990–1991)
Saito made his pro wrestling debut in Pioneer Senshi and spent much of his early career in W*ING, a small promotion where he enjoyed moderate success.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (1991–1998)
He joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in December 1991, along with his mentor Masashi Aoyagi, feuding with Shiro Koshinaka and Kuniaki Kobayashi. In 1992, the four formed a faction later named Heisei Ishingun, but left the promotion in 1998.
Pro Wrestling Noah (2000–2012)
After a lengthy hiatus, Saito made his surprise return to pro wrestling in October 2000 for Pro Wrestling Noah, teaming up with longtime mentor Masashi Aoyagi.
In 2001, he joined Jun Akiyama's STERNNESS faction as second-in-command and his career skyrocketed. Obtaining success like never before, he won the GHC Tag Team Title with Akiyama in September 2002, his first championship belt in his 12-year career. Akiyama and Saito proceeded to hold the titles for more than 8 months before losing them to Kenta Kobashi and Tamon Honda in June 2003.
Saito would go on to form his own stable, Dark Agents, with Takashi Sugiura, Masao Inoue and former Heisei Ishingun stablemate Shiro Koshinaka. He awarded himself the GHC Great Happy Christmas Championship in 2004. The title is defended only once a year, on Christmas Eve. He would also challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Title on two separate occasions, in 2004 against Kenta Kobashi and in 2005 against Takeshi Rikio. Saito utilizes a unique form of wrestling, combining martial arts kicks and power moves. With his skill and ring presence, he remains one of Noah's top stars and a prospect for the GHC Heavyweight Title.
On May 23, 2008, Akitoshi Saito and Bison Smith defeated Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura to win the GHC Tag Team Titles.
Tragedy struck on June 13, 2009 when in a title defense against Mitsuharu Misawa and Go Shiozaki. Misawa suffered a spinal injury after a high-angle backdrop suplex from Saito and was later pronounced dead at the hospital at 10:10 p.m. JST.[1] Saito is one of the 12 competitors selected for the 2010 'Global League tournament'.
It was reported on December 29, 2011, Saito's contract with NOAH will not be renewed after it expires in January 2012. After his contract expires, Saito will now become a freelancer. On January 22, Saito and Akiyama defeated Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) to win the GHC Tag Team Championship.[2] Since becoming a freelancer, Saito has lost a lot of weight, slimming down to 105 kg.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Death Brand (Vertical suplex piledriver)
- Sickle of Death (Jumping high kick) – adopted from his mentor, Masashi Aoyagi
- Signature moves
- Death Cloak (Side slam lifted and dropped into a chokeslam)
- Death Collector (Vertical suplex stunner)
- Death Punishment (Spinning headlock lariat)
- Lariat
- Multiple kick variations
- Multiple suplex variations
- Death Landing (High angle belly to back)
- Death Tornado (Twisting belly to back)
- German
- Straitjacket belly to back
- Powerbomb
- Right–handed knockout hook
- Entrance themes
- "Destiny" by McAuley Schenker Group (W*ING)
- "Martial Romance" (NJPW)
- "Karasutengu Seeing" by Seikou Nagaoka (NJPW)
- "Ghost of the Navigator" by Iron Maiden (NOAH)
- "Deathtiny" (NOAH)
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- GHC Tag Team Championship (3 times, current) – with Jun Akiyama (2, current) and Bison Smith (1)
- GHC Great Happy Christmas Championship (1 time, current)
- Global Tag League (2008) – with Bison Smith
- Global Tag League (2011) – with Jun Akiyama
- Global Tag League Outstanding Performance Prize (2009)- with Bison Smith[4]
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Best Tag Team Prize (1992)- with Shiro Koshinaka, Kengo Kimura, and Masashi Aoyagi[5]
References
- ^ Misawa Passes Away After Backdrop in Hiroshima Match Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online, June 13, 2009
- ^ "Great Voyage 2012 in Osaka". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Retrieved 2012-01-22.
- ^ ""PWI 500": 101–200". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
- ^ Global Tag League 2009 (11.04.2009 bis 06.05.2009). Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2012-05-30.
- ^ Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards. Purolove.Com. Retrieved on 2012-05-30.