On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Satoru Sayama / Tiger Mask I, 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.
Satoru Sayama (佐山 聡) was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan on November 27, 1957, and he is currently 66 years old.
He is currently a Promoter,.
He is the founder of Strong Style (formerly “Real Japan”) Pro-Wrestling, the martial art Seikendo, and the MMA organization Shooto. Sayama is recognized as a legend in cruiserweight pro wrestling and mixed martial arts prior to the UFC’s creation.
He was the original incarnation of the Tiger Mask character.
He is also the inspiration of the luchador King from Tekken.
Satoru Sayama / Tiger Mask I Profile Index
Profile Info
- Gender Male
- Real Name Satoru Sayama (佐山 聡)
- Ring Names
- Satoru Sayama ( July 11, 2004 - Present)
- The Mask of Tiger ( August 24, 2003 - July 10, 2004)
- First Tiger Mask ( September 12, 1998 - June 23, 2016)
- Satoru Sayama ( December 24, 1997 - August 23, 2003)
- Super Tiger ( April 16, 2005 - June 29, 2005)
- Tiger King ( April 12, 1997 - December 23, 1997)
- First Tiger Mask ( June 30, 1996 - April 11, 1997)
- Tiger Mask ( December 30, 1995 - August 12, 1996)
- Super Tiger ( August 29, 1984 - September 11, 1985)
- Satoru Sayama ( January 1, 1985 - December 29, 1995)
- The Tiger ( July 23, 1984 - August 28, 1984)
- Tiger Mask ( April 23, 1981 - August 12, 1983)
- Satoshi Sayama ( February 6, 1978 - February 8, 1978)
- Satoru Sayama ( May 28, 1976 - April 22, 1981)
- Sammy Lee ( December 17, 1980 - December 17, 1980)
- Born November 27, 1957 (age 66)
- Nationality
Japan - Birth Place Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Billed From
- Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan ( May 28, 1976 - June 23, 2016)
- Japan ( November 16, 1982 - December 8, 1982)
- Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
- Weight
- 216 lbs (98 kg) ( April 16, 2005 - June 23, 2016)
- 198 lbs (90 kg) ( April 23, 1981 - September 11, 1985)
- 160 lbs (73 kg) ( May 28, 1976 - April 22, 1981)
- Nicknames El Tigre Enmascarado
- Notes
He is the founder of Strong Style (formerly “Real Japan”) Pro-Wrestling, the martial art Seikendo, and the MMA organization Shooto. Sayama is recognized as a legend in cruiserweight pro wrestling and mixed martial arts prior to the UFC’s creation.
He was the original incarnation of the Tiger Mask character.
He is also the inspiration of the luchador King from Tekken.
Career History
-
Roles
- Promoter ( July 10, 1999 - Present)
- Part Time Wrestler ( May 1, 1994 - June 23, 2016)
- Coach ( January 1, 1985 - December 31, 2007)
- Promoter ( May 18, 1989 - December 31, 1996)
- MMA Fighter ( July 29, 1994 - October 13, 1995)
- Wrestler ( July 23, 1984 - September 11, 1985)
- Wrestler ( May 28, 1976 - August 12, 1983)
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
IGFNovember 24, 2008 April 28, 2011 Promotion 
WJMarch 1, 2004 April 25, 2004 Promotion 
AJPWBrand
Junior Heavyweight
October 26, 2003 January 18, 2004 Promotion 
BATTLARTSJune 9, 1999 June 9, 1999 Promotion 
MPWAugust 13, 1996 November 1, 1998 Promotion 
NJPWBrand
Junior Heavyweight
April 12, 1997 November 2, 1997 Promotion BATTLARTSJanuary 21, 1997 January 21, 1997 Promotion 
UWF JJuly 23, 1984 September 11, 1985 Promotion NJPWBrand
Junior Heavyweight
April 23, 1981 August 12, 1983 Promotion 
UWANovember 14, 1982 June 12, 1983 Promotion 
WWFNovember 16, 1982 December 8, 1982 Promotion UWADecember 19, 1979 September 7, 1980 Promotion 
EMLLJune 6, 1978 August 31, 1980 Promotion NJPWBrand
Young Lions
May 28, 1976 May 19, 1978 -
Images History
Apr 2005
May 1994
Sep 1985
Apr 1981
May 1976 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment from to Face April 23, 1981 June 23, 2016 Tweener May 28, 1976 April 22, 1981
-
Finishers
- Tiger Suplex - Double Underhook Suplex ( May 28, 1976 - June 23, 2016)
- Tiger Driver - Double Underhook Powerbomb ( May 28, 1976 - June 23, 2016)
-
Theme Songs
- Theme Song "Omae wa Tora ni Nare" - Single ( April 23, 1981 - Present)
- Theme Song "No Podrás" by Cristian Castro - Single ( August 12, 1996 - January 14, 1997)
Titles & Accomplishments
-
World Wrestling Entertainment & New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance
Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre
- 1 NWA World Middleweight Championship
- 1 WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship
Real Japan Pro Wrestling
- 1 Legend Championship
Tokyo Pro Wrestling
- 1 TWA Tag Team Championship (with Yoji Anjo)
-
Other Accomplishments
- International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2021)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame induction (class of 1996)
- UWF Tournament Winner (1984)
- UWF Kakuto Nettai Road “A” League Tournament Winner (1985)
- Tokyo Sports MVP Award (1982)
- Tokyo Sports Popularity Award (1981)
- Tokyo Sports Technique Award (1982, 1984)
- WON Best Flying Wrestler (1982, 1983)
- WON Most Impressive Wrestler (1982)
- WON Best Technical Wrestler (1982, 1983)
- WON Match of the Year (1982 - vs. Dynamite Kid at NJPW Summer Fight Series II Night 19)
Teams & Relations
-
Tag Teams & Stables
- Triangulo Oriental - Kato Kung Lee, Kung Fu ( January 1, 1979 - August 31, 1980)
