Akira Nogami

Akira Nogami
AKIRA in September 2011.
Ring name(s)	Akira Akira Nogami
Billed height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Billed weight	95 kg (210 lb)
Born	(1968-03-13) March 13, 1968 (age 44) Narashino, Chiba
Debut	October 12, 1984

Akira Nogami (野上 彰, Nogami Akira^?, born March 13, 1968, in Narashino, Chiba) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor, currently working as AKIRA.

Professional wrestling career

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1984–2004)

After graduating from high school in 1984, Nogami was initiated into the New Japan dojo. He debuted in October of that year against Keiji Mutoh, making him one of the youngest wrestlers in New Japan history, at the age of 16. In April 1990, he left on an overseas learning excursion to Europe in Otto Wanz's Catch Wrestling Association and returned to NJPW a year later, and developed his "Akira" persona.^{[clarification needed]} Akira scored a big win over Jushin Thunder Liger in August 1991 to begin his one and only reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

After losing the title to Norio Honaga in November 1991, he graduated to the heavyweight division. In June 1992, he teamed up with Hiroshi Hase to participate in the NWA World Tag Team Championship tournament, held by World Championship Wrestling. They defeated the Headhunters in the first round, but Akira suffered an eye injury and was replaced by Shinya Hashimoto for the remainder of the tournament. In September 1993, he formed the Japanese Jollyjacks with Takayuki Iizuka. After proving that the team was no threat to the IWGP Tag Team Championship, the J-J-Jacks disbanded in March 1996, as Iizuka teamed up with Kazuo Yamazaki, with whom he won the titles, while Nogami joined Shiro Koshinaka's Heisei Ishingun.

Nogami suffered a serious eye injury in 1998 and returned in February 1999, wearing face paint, sporting blond hair, and returning to his Akira persona. During 2000, he had a recurring role in the TV show Kamen Rider Kuuga. From 2001 onward, he wrestled mainly in the junior heavyweight division and engaged in some classic matches. After failing to reach a new contract agreement with New Japan in 2004, Nogami declared himself a freelancer and began competing only part-time.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2004–2007)

Since leaving NJPW, Nogami has become a regular in Keiji Mutoh's All Japan Pro Wrestling where he has been a consistent threat to the juniors. He currently has a successful acting career that consumes much of his time, but still appears on numerous events each year always bringing with him exceptional skill, speed, and charisma.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2010)

Nogami announced that he would be returning to New Japan to team up with Jushin Liger against Jado & Gedo on the C.T.U farewell show. On February 24, 2008, he and Liger won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Nogami's first title in over 16 years. Afterwards Akira and Liger formed the stable Legend with Masahiro Chono and Riki Chōshū. Akira and Liger lost the titles to Minoru and Prince Devitt on July 21, 2008. In February 2010, Akira left New Japan Pro Wrestling, shortly after Chono's departure, however, his return to the company was announced just two months later.^[1]

SMASH and Wrestling New Classic (2010–present)

After leaving NJPW, Nogami found a new home in Yoshihiro Tajiri's Smash promotion, where he worked as a member of the Smash Sekigun until the promotion folded on March 14, 2012. The following month, Nogami was announced as part of the roster of Wrestling New Classic, the follow-up promotion to Smash.^[2][3] On April 26, Akira defeated Tajiri in the main event of WNC's first event.^[4] As a result, Akira earned the right to face final Smash Champion Dave Finlay at WNC's second event on May 24 in a match, which he went on to lose.^[5]

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Growing Up (STF rollover to pinfall)
  • Musasabi Press (Diving splash)
  • STF

• Signature moves
  • Dragon screw
  • Dragon suplex
  • Jumping corkscrew lariat

• Entrance themes
  • "Sorry" by Chag and Aska
  • "Hope" (with "Burning" intro)
  • "Tokyo Road" by Bon Jovi
  • "Scream"
  • "Silence Actor"
  • "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" by The Doors

Championships and accomplishments

• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jushin Liger
  • One Night Tag Team Tournament (1996) – with Michiyoshi Ohara^[6]

References

• Strong Style Spirit

External links

• Smash profile