226. Jun Akiyama

Published in WWE
Read 9076 times
Rate this item
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
5 1
(1 Vote)

It felt that for a decade that Jun Akiyama was always in the shadow, and it was true as he competed in All Japan where Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Akira Taue and Stan Hansen dominated throughout the 1990’s. This isn’t to say that he didn’t have his moments, as Akiyama received title shots at the Triple Crown and had a successful tag team with Misawa and later Kenta Kobashi.

It was with Misawa, however that he received his biggest opportunity as he joined him in the mass exodus to join him in his creation of Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he would become one of the top guys and win their World Title. He would eventually go back to All Japan, and in his 40’s would finally win the Triple Crown, and he now serves as the promotion’s president.

The Bullet Points

Billed From: Osaka, Japan
Key Championships Held: AJPW All Asia Tag Team (2) 1w/Takao Omori & 1w/Yoshinobu Kanemaru
AJPW World Tag Team (6) 2w/Kenta Kobashi, 1w/Mitsuharu Misawa, 1w/Go Shiozaki & 2w/Takao Omori
GHC Heavyweight (3)
GHC Tag Team (3) 2w/Akitoshi Saito & 1w/Takeshi Rikio
GHC Openweight Hardcore
World’s Strongest Tag Determination League (3) (1998 & 1999 w/Kenta Kobashi, 2014 w/Takao Omori
Champion Carnival 2013
Global Tag League 2011 w/Akitoshi Saito
Why they will get in: A potential future relationship with All Japan?
Why they won't get in: How far down the line of Japanese possibilities is Akiyama?
Five Greatest Matches/Moments:
1. With Kenta Kobashi, wins back to back World’s Strongest Tag Determination League (1998 & 1999)
2. Scores huge win by defeating Mitsuharu Misawa (2/27/00)
3. Defeats Misawa for the GWC Heavyweight Championship (6/27/01)
4. Has Match of the Year in unsuccessful GWC Title shot against Kenta Kobashi (7/10/04)
5. Finally wins the All Japan Triple Crown by defeating Suwama (10/23/11)