Akitoshi Saito

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Akitoshi Saito

Statistics
Ring name(s)	Akitoshi Saito
Billed height	180 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Billed weight	110 kg (243 lb)
Born	August 8, 1965 Sendai, Miyagi
Resides	Nagoya, Aichi
Debut	December 20, 1990 vs. Yukihiro Kanemura

Akitoshi Saito (斎藤彰俊 Saito Akitoshi) is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently works for Pro Wrestling NOAH.

1 Career
2 Finishing and signature moves
3 Trivia
4 Championships and accomplishments
5 References

[edit] Career

Saito 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.

[edit] Finishing and signature moves

Sickle of Death (Jumping high kick)
Death Brand (Vertical suplex piledriver)
Death Punish (Spinning headlock lariat)
Death Landing (High angle belly to back suplex)
Death Collector (Vertical suplex into stunner)
Death Cloak (Ura-nage into chokeslam)
Death Tornado (Twisting belly to back suplex)
Death Yoza (Full-swing punch)
Powerbomb
German suplex
Kneel kick
Axe kick
Roundhouse kick
Lariat

[edit] Trivia

Saito's theme song is Ghost of the Navigator by Iron Maiden.
He awarded himself the GHC Great Happy Christmas Title 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.