Akitoshi Saito

Infobox Wrestler
name=Akitoshi Saito
names=Akitoshi Saito


height=180 cm (5 ft 10 in)
weight=110 kg (243 lb)
birth_date=birth date|1965|8|8|mf=y
birth_place=Sendai, Miyagi
resides=Nagoya, Aichi
billed=
trainer=Masashi Aoyagi
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
debut=December 20 1990
death_date=
death_place=
retired=|

nihongo|Akitoshi Saito|斎藤 彰俊|"Saito Akitoshi" is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he is one half of the current GHC Tag Team Champions with Bison Smith.

Career

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. He joined NJPW in the late 90's as a member of Shiro Koshinaka's Heisei Ishingun faction but left in 1998. However, he made his surprise return to pro wrestling in late 2000 for NOAH, teaming up with 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 Shiro Koshinaka. 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.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Death Brand" (Vertical suplex piledriver)
**Multiple kick variations
***"Sickle of Death" (Jumping high)
***Spinning wheel
***Scissors
***Roundhouse
**Multiple suplex variations
***"Death Landing" (High angle belly to back)
***"Death Tornado" (Twisting belly to back)
***"Restriction" (Straitjacket belly to back)
***German
**"Death Punishment" (Spinning headlock lariat)
**"Death Collector" (Vertical suplex stunner)
**"Death Cloak" (Sambo suplex lift dropped into a chokeslam)
**"Death Yoza" (Knockout punch)
**Powerbomb
**Lariat

Trivia

*Saito's best-known theme song was Ghost of the Navigator by Iron Maiden. He now uses an instrumental remix titled "Deathtiny".
*He awarded himself the GHC Great Happy Christmas Championship in 2004. The title is defended only once a year, on Christmas Eve.
*Is often referred to as "Shinigami" ("God of Death") and "Daaku no Sousui" ("Commander of Darkness").
*Is a wine aficionado. Had even opened his own bar during his sabbatical from wrestling.
*Enjoys taking care of his greenhouse in his spare time.
*Has been known to put on comedic matches during NOAH's Christmas Eve show, "NOAHful Gift in Differ". On December 24, 2006, he even disguised himself as Ryuk, the Shinigami from Death Note.

Championships and accomplishments

*Pro Wrestling NOAH
**GHC Tag Team Championship (2 times, current) – with Jun Akiyama (1) and Bison Smith (1)
**GHC Great Happy Christmas Championship (1 time, current; First-ever champion)
**2008 Global Tag League winner – with Bison Smith

References

* [http://www.dive-in.to/~komaren/la-mort/ Akitoshi Saito fan site (Japanese)]
* [http://noah.puroresufan.com/roster/akitoshi.php Profile at Green Destiny]
* [http://www.geocities.com/jpuroresu/bios/AkitoshiSaito.htm Profile at Jujigatame Puroresu]