Akira Tozawa
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| Akira Tozawa | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 22, 1985 Kobe, Hyogo, Japan |
Akira Tozawa (born July 22 1985 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler for Dragon Gate. He currently is the leader of Tozawa-juku.
Career
He was the third graduate of the Dragon Gate dojo to debut. Tozawa took the main brunt of the dojo boy bullying by Don Fujii in the first few months of 2005. He made his debut in his hometown, losing quickly to Fujii. He did not progress very well, despite being mentored by Final M2K. He underwent a 10 match trial series, but as is typical in the world of Asaism, he lost all 10 matches. He was banished back to the dojo to train and mature.
He returned on October 5 2005, with fellow rookie Katsuo. After doing rookie duty for some time, Tozawa hooked up with Mexican visitor Vangelis, learning how to dance from the stripping Nazi. Araken intervened, and forced Tozawa away from this path. This led to resentment, and when Araken did finally allow Tozawa to join M2K, he refused. Tozawa added Akira to his name and reverted back to the kanji spelling for his surname on April 12. He began a cram school character, forming Tozawa-juku.
Despite the new character and role, Tozawa has not grown in level much. He will be using his katakana spelling Tozawa character on the Dragon Gate NEX shows. He is full time with NEX, but is frequently absent from main roster cards.
His character is inspired by various anime and manga sources. The name itself is (in addition to being his real name) is a play off manga author Akira Miyashita. His most famous work is Sakigake! Otokojuku, which is about a cram school. Tozawas' Aburaburo shiki Taigatame is also related to Sakigake! Otokojuku, taking the name from one of the more popular characters. Tozawa-juku in general also draws quite a bit of influence from Sakigake! Cromartie High School.
Finishing and signature moves
- Tozawa-juku Hiden: Aburaburo shiki Taigatame (Posing pinfall, with Tozawa sitting on the victims' chest)
- Tozawa-juku Hiden: Hurray! Hurray! Tozawa! (Diving headbutt, with HURRAY HURRAY TO-ZA-WA taunt)
- Tozawa-juku Hiden: Tozawa Backdrop Hold (Backdrop suplex pin)
- Tozawa-juku Hiden: Sankaigan Zanjyu (Tozawa drops down onto the upper chest of the victim)
- Tozawa-juku Hiden: Iwaki (Jumping double knee attack into pin)
- Apron kara Tozawa (Runs down the apron, leaps to the top rope into a diving headbutt)
- Tozawa Driver 2007 (Falcon Arrow)