Akio Sato (wrestler)
| Akio Sato | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Akio Sato |
| Born |
February 13, 1953 Kakakami, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Residence | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Akio Sato Sato Mr. Rising Sun Shima Shima Shinja |
| Billed height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Billed weight | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Billed from | Tokyo, Japan (WWF) |
| Debut | October 13, 1970 vs. Hirokatsu Shinkai (Shoji Kai) |
| Retired | 1996 |
Akio Sato (佐藤 昭雄 Satō Akio?, born February 13, 1953) is a retired professional wrestler, 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 attracts the attention of the US fans when he competes 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 teams 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 attracts 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.
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