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 72 years old.
Akio Sato Profile Index
Profile Info
- GenderMale
- Real NameAkio 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 72)
- Nationality
Japan - Birth PlaceTeshikaga, 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)
- NicknamesThe 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)
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Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
INDYNovember 1, 1996 December 7, 1996 Promotion 
WARSeptember 29, 1995 January 25, 1996 Promotion 
WWFMarch 3, 1990 July 24, 1995 Promotion 
AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
August 19, 1989 January 26, 1990 Promotion 
WWA KSOctober 28, 1988 December 28, 1989 Promotion 
AWAFebruary 7, 1989 July 15, 1989 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
August 21, 1987 January 2, 1989 Promotion 
NWAApril 22, 1974 December 10, 1987 Promotion 
CCWJuly 13, 1987 July 21, 1987 Promotion 
CWAJune 16, 1986 June 15, 1987 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
January 3, 1987 February 5, 1987 Promotion CSWAugust 8, 1985 August 28, 1986 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
January 10, 1986 February 5, 1986 Promotion 
SLWCJanuary 1, 1986 January 1, 1986 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
January 2, 1981 July 31, 1985 Promotion SLWCOctober 19, 1980 December 5, 1980 Promotion CSWAugust 14, 1980 November 20, 1980 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
August 17, 1979 October 8, 1979 Promotion 
WSSOctober 24, 1978 July 26, 1979 Promotion 
GCWJuly 26, 1978 October 16, 1978 Promotion 
JCPMay 2, 1977 July 16, 1978 Promotion CSWFebruary 27, 1975 April 15, 1977 Promotion SLWCApril 26, 1975 March 4, 1977 Promotion WSSApril 22, 1974 February 21, 1975 Promotion AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
October 21, 1972 April 14, 1974 Promotion 
JWAOctober 13, 1970 June 9, 1972 -
Images History
Jan 1996
Jan 1995Mar 1990
Oct 1981
Aug 1979
Oct 1972
Oct 1970 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment Details 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
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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
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Other Accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club Men’s Wrestling Award (2009)
Teams & Relations
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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 WrestlersJinsei Shinzaki / Hakushi