Akio Sato: Profile, Career Stats, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won & Gimmicks

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Akio Sato, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Akio Sato (佐藤昭雄) was born in Teshikaga, Hokkaido, Japan on February 13, 1953, and he is currently 71 years old.

Akio Sato Profile Index

Profile Info

Gender Male
Real Name Akio Sato (佐藤昭雄)
Ring Names
- Akio Sato ( January 26, 1996 - December 7, 1996)
- Shinja ( December 8, 1995 - January 25, 1996)
- The Great Shinja ( September 29, 1995 - December 7, 1995)
- Shinja ( January 9, 1995 - September 28, 1995)
- Akio Sato ( September 15, 1992 - January 8, 1995)
- Sato ( March 3, 1990 - September 14, 1992)
- Akio Sato ( July 9, 1987 - March 2, 1990)
- Mr. Shima ( March 7, 1987 - July 8, 1987)
- Mr. Rising Sun ( February 16, 1987 - March 9, 1987)
- Akio Sato ( August 17, 1979 - March 6, 1987)
- Mr. Sato ( May 2, 1977 - August 16, 1979)
- Akio Sato ( October 13, 1970 - May 1, 1977)
Born February 13, 1953 (age 71)
Nationality Japan
Birth Place Teshikaga, Hokkaido, Japan
Billed From
- Tokyo, Japan ( March 3, 1990 - August 18, 1991)
- Teshikaga, Hokkaido, Japan ( October 13, 1970 - January 2, 1989)
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight
- 220 lbs (100 kg)
Nicknames The Asian Assassin

Career History

Roles
- Promoter ( November 1, 1996 - December 7, 1996)
- Producer ( November 23, 1990 - September 30, 1996)
- Wrestler ( September 29, 1995 - January 25, 1996)
- Manager ( January 9, 1995 - July 24, 1995)
- Wrestler ( October 13, 1970 - September 14, 1992)
- Producer, Coach ( January 2, 1981 - January 26, 1990)

Promotions History

Promotion	from	to
Promotion INDY	November 1, 1996	December 7, 1996
Promotion WAR	September 29, 1995	January 25, 1996
Promotion WWF	March 3, 1990	July 24, 1995
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	August 19, 1989	January 26, 1990
Promotion WWA	October 28, 1988	December 28, 1989
Promotion AWA	February 7, 1989	July 15, 1989
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	August 21, 1987	January 2, 1989
Promotion NWA	April 22, 1974	December 10, 1987
Promotion CCW	July 13, 1987	July 21, 1987
Promotion CWA	June 16, 1986	June 15, 1987
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 3, 1987	February 5, 1987
Promotion CSW	August 8, 1985	August 28, 1986
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 10, 1986	February 5, 1986
Promotion SLWC	January 1, 1986	January 1, 1986
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 2, 1981	July 31, 1985
Promotion SLWC	October 19, 1980	December 5, 1980
Promotion CSW	August 14, 1980	November 20, 1980
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	August 17, 1979	October 8, 1979
Promotion WSS	October 24, 1978	July 26, 1979
Promotion GCW	July 26, 1978	October 16, 1978
Promotion JCP	May 2, 1977	July 16, 1978
Promotion CSW	February 27, 1975	April 15, 1977
Promotion SLWC	April 26, 1975	March 4, 1977
Promotion WSS	April 22, 1974	February 21, 1975
Promotion AJPWBrand Heavyweight	October 21, 1972	April 14, 1974
Promotion JWA	October 13, 1970	June 9, 1972

Images History

Jan 1996
Jan 1995
Mar 1990
Oct 1981
Aug 1979
Oct 1972
Oct 1970

Face / Heel Turns

Alignment	from	to
Heel	May 3, 1986	January 25, 1996
Tweener	January 2, 1981	May 2, 1986
Heel	October 24, 1978	January 1, 1981
Face	February 27, 1975	October 23, 1978
Heel	April 22, 1974	February 26, 1975
Tweener	October 13, 1970	April 21, 1974

Card Positions

Status	Details	from	to
WWE Inactive	Office work/WAR excursion	August 19, 1991	September 14, 1992
WWE Low Card		August 18, 1991	August 18, 1991
WWE Inactive	Transition to backstage work	November 23, 1990	August 17, 1991
WWE Low Card		April 14, 1990	November 22, 1990
WWE Mid Card		March 3, 1990	April 13, 1990

Finishers
- Layback - Bridging belly to back suplex
- Japanese Vegomatic - Sitout powerbomb
- Brainbuster
Theme Songs
- Theme Song “Angel (Arena Version)” by Jim Johnston - Single ( January 9, 1995 - July 24, 1995)
- Theme Song “Orient Express” by Jimmy Hart & JJ Maguire - Team ( March 3, 1990 - August 18, 1991)

Titles & Accomplishments

All Japan Pro Wrestling
- 2 All Asia Tag Team Championship (with Takashi Ishikawa)
Central States Wrestling
- 1 NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship
- 1 NWA Central States Television Championship
- 2 NWA World Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 with Bob Geigel, 1 with Ted Oates)
Continental Wrestling Association
- 5 CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship (with Tarzan Goto)
Western States Sports
- 4 NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (2 with Mr. Pogo, 1 with John Tolos, 1 with Mr. Kiyomoto)
- 1 NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship
Other Accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club Men’s Wrestling Award (2009)

Teams & Relations

Tag Teams & Stables
- The Orient Express - Pat Tanaka, Paul Diamond / Kato / Max Moon, Mr. Fuji ( March 3, 1990 - August 18, 1991)
- The Rising Suns - Hiromichi / Kodo / Samson Fuyuki ( March 14, 1987 - June 1, 1987)
- Akio Sato & Tarzan Goto - Tarzan Goto ( February 24, 1984 - February 23, 1987)
- Akio Sato & Takashi Ishikawa - Takashi Ishikawa ( January 2, 1981 - July 27, 1985)
Managers
- Mr. Fuji ( March 3, 1990 - August 18, 1991)
Managed Wrestlers Jinsei Shinzaki / Hakushi