Satoru Sayama / Tiger Mask I

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 67 years old.

He is currently a Promoter,.

Satoru Sayama has won a total of 5 championships in major promotions during his career.

Profile Info

• GenderMale
• Real NameSatoru 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 67)
• NationalityJapan
• Birth PlaceShimonoseki, 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)
• NicknamesEl Tigre Enmascarado
• NotesHe 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
  PromotionIGF	November 24, 2008	April 28, 2011
  PromotionWJ	March 1, 2004	April 25, 2004
  PromotionAJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	October 26, 2003	January 18, 2004
  PromotionBATTLARTS	June 9, 1999	June 9, 1999
  PromotionMPW	August 13, 1996	November 1, 1998
  PromotionNJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	April 12, 1997	November 2, 1997
  PromotionBATTLARTS	January 21, 1997	January 21, 1997
  PromotionUWF J	July 23, 1984	September 11, 1985
  PromotionNJPWBrand Junior Heavyweight	April 23, 1981	August 12, 1983
  PromotionUWA	November 14, 1982	June 12, 1983
  PromotionWWF	November 16, 1982	December 8, 1982
  PromotionJP, DMP	October 8, 1980	August 31, 1981
  PromotionRGP	July 13, 1981	July 13, 1981
  PromotionUWA	December 19, 1979	September 7, 1980
  PromotionEMLL	June 6, 1978	August 31, 1980
  PromotionNJPWBrand Young Lions	May 28, 1976	May 19, 1978

• Images History

  

  Apr 2005

  

  May 1994

  

  Sep 1985

  

  Apr 1981

  

  May 1976

• Face / Heel Turns

  Alignment	Details	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

  • x3 WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship

  New Japan Pro Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance

  • x2 NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship

• 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)

Games Appearances (3)

Wrestle Kingdom 2

Wrestle Kingdom

Virtual Pro Wrestling 2