Akio Sato

Akio Sato (佐藤 昭雄) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler.

He is best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation as Sato, a member of the Orient Express.

Akio Sato made his professional wrestling debut in 1970 in the old Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance, but left that promotion in 1972 to co-found (with Giant Baba) All Japan Pro Wrestling.

During the middle of the 70s Sato went to the US and competed in various territories.

He first attracted the attention of the US fans when he competed for the NWA Central States territory run by Bob Geigel as a face teaming with people like Jerry Oates and the Viking.

On February 19, 1976 Sato teamed up with promoter Bob Geigel to win the "Central States" version of the NWA World Tag-Team Titles.

The team vacated the titles by July, most likely so that Geigel could focus on booking the territory.

Sato and new partner Pat O’Connor were unable to win the vacant titles.

Sato next attracted the spotlight in the NWA Western States territory booked by Dick Murdoch and Blackjack Mulligan in Amarillo, Texas.

Working as the heel "Mr. Sato" along with fellow Japanese wrestler Mr. Pogo the duo would win the Western States tag-team titles twice while feuding with Mulligan, Ted DiBiase, Merced Solis and Akihisa Takachiho (the future Great Kabuki).

Sato would go on to win the title twice more, first with John Tolos and then towards the end of 1979 with Mr. Kiyomoto, a new name adopted by former foe Takachiho.

After gaining experience in the United States, Sato returned to Japan and started working for All Japan Pro Wrestling, a company he would regularly tour with throughout the 80s.

On June 11, 1981 Sato and Takashi Ishikawa beat Kerry and David Von Erich for the All Asia Tag Team Championship in Tokyo, Japan.

The team would hold the titles for 18 months until they were forced to vacate the titles when Sato was injured.

Sato and Ishikawa won the titles once more when they defeated Animal Hamaguchi and Masanobu Kurisu for the vacant titles on April 15, 1985.

The team held the gold for 3 months before being upended by Isamu Teranishi & Animal Hamaguchi.

Over the years Sato would compete on AJPW's "Budokan Hall" shows which are considered the highlight of the tours.

During these tours Sato would face off against such varied competition as Nick Bockwinkel, Austin Idol and Curtis Hughes.

Because Sato only toured with the AJPW and wasn't a regular, he mainly worked with the foreign talent between 1986 and 1989.

In 1986 Sato returned to the U.S. and his old stomping grounds of the NWA Central States territory.

Here he won a 14-man battle royal on March 13, 1986, to win the NWA Central States Television title, eliminating Tommy Wright last to win the title.

Three months later he would lose the title to Mike George before moving to a new territory.

Sato found himself working in Memphis for Jerry Jarrett & Jerry Lawler’s Continental Wrestling Association.

In the CWA Akio Sato and Tarzan Goto formed a formidable team that managed to win the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship no less than five times.

The duo beat future superstar Jeff Jarrett, tag-team legends the Sheepherders.

Sato’s future partner Pat Tanaka as well as future partner Paul Diamond both on separate occasions and when they joined up to form Badd Company.

In 1987, he would form another team with a young Hiromichi Fuyuki.

After a brief stop in the Pacific Northwest, Sato made one last run with the Central States territory in its dying days.

Sato became the last ever Central States heavyweight champion holding the belt when the promotion closed its doors in 1989.

After the CWA / AWA partnership was dissolved Sato went to the AWA to compete.

In the AWA Sato was nicknamed the "Asian Assassin" and pushed as a cold-hearted heel.

On February 7, 1989 Sato participated in a very well known battle royal for the vacant AWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Larry Zbyszko won the title denying Sato his biggest opportunity ever.

Later on Sato would unsuccessfully challenge Greg Gagne for the AWA International Television Championship.

Near the end of his time in the AWA he participated in a feud between Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond following the breakup of Badd Company.

Sato's next move is the one that got him the most media attention as he signed with the World Wrestling Federation for the first time in his career.

In early 1990 Sato along with former rival Pat Tanaka were introduced to the WWF as The Orient Express by manager Mr. Fuji.

During this run, Sato introduced the Sitout Powerbomb to mainstream American wrestling for the first time.

The Orient Express kicked off a prolonged feud with The Rockers that started at WrestleMania VI and continued off and on for well over a year.

The Orient Express got involved in the Legion of Doom / Demolition feud because Mr. Fuji managed both teams.