Takeshi Rikio

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Takeshi Inoue
Statistics
Ring name(s) Takeshi Rikiō
Billed height 6'3"
Billed weight 275lbs
Born December 20, 1972 (1972-12-20) (age 35)
Resides Sakurai, Nara, Japan
Trained by All-Japan Pro Wrestling
Debut May 28, 2000

Takeshi Inoue, known by his stage name Takeshi Rikiō (力皇猛 Rikiō Takeshi?), is a Japanese professional wrestler, who works for Pro Wrestling NOAH where he holds one half of the GHC Tag Team Championship with Jun Akiyama. He is also a former sumo wrestler.

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[edit] Sumo career

He made his sumo debut in March 1988, after leaving junior high school. He joined at the same time as future yokozuna Takanohana and Wakanohana. He initally trained at the same stable as these two, Futagoyama-beya, but when former yokozuna Takanosato branched off to set up Naruto-beya in March 1989, Inoue was one of the young recruits to follow him to the new stable. He also changed his shikona, or fighting name, from Futagozakura to Rikio. In July 1993 he was promoted to the second highest juryo division, becoming the first wrestler from Naruto stable to reach elite sekitori status. He was demoted from that division after just one tournament, but returned to juryo in May 1994 and was promoted to the top makuuchi division in July 1996 after winning his second juryo yusho, or tournament championship. In September 1997 he was promoted to his highest rank of maegashira 4, but he did not take part in the tournament. This was initially said to be due to a liver disorder, but it was later revealed that relations with his stablemaster had broken down, and Rikio was forced to retire from sumo. Due to the dispute he was unable to have a formal retirement ceremony, but some of his friends in the sumo world organised an informal one for him in early 1998, with Akebono and Konishiki among the attendees.

[edit] Professional wrestling career

After leaving sumo he was soon spotted by All-Japan Pro Wrestling. After training in their dojo, he made his debut. However, before he could build any momentum, Mitsuharu Misawa left AJPW and in the process, took most of the native talent. Rikio was among this talent. In Pro Wrestling NOAH, he has seen much success. He dethroned Kenta Kobashi for the GHC Heavyweight Championship (at the end of this match Rikio can be seen sobbing as he accepts the title from Kobashi.), ending his two year reign, before losing the title to Akira Taue some time later. His title reign was largely regarded as rushed and not well-developed, as some portions of the crowd were not enthusiastic about his defenses. He captured his second GHC Tag Team Championship with Jun Akiyama when he pinned Mohammed Yone after a waist-lifted side slam.

[edit] In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

[edit] Sumo top division record

Rikio Takeshi[1]
January
Hatsu basho, Tokyo		 March
Haru basho, Osaka		 May
Natsu basho, Tokyo		 July
Nagoya basho, Nagoya		 September
Aki basho, Tokyo		 November
Kyūshū basho, Fukuoka
1996 x x x West Maegashira #14
9–6
 		 West Maegashira #9
6–9
 		 East Maegashira #15
8–7
 
1997 West Maegashira #13
8–7
 		 East Maegashira #12
6–9
 		 West Maegashira #15
8–7
 		 East Maegashira #12
9–6
 		 West Maegashira #4
Retired
0–0–15		 x
Record given as win-loss-absent    Championship Retired Demoted from makuuchi

Sanshō key: F=Fighting spirit; O=Outstanding performance; T=Technique     Also shown: ★=Kinboshi
Divisions: Makuuchi — Jūryō — Makushita — Sandanme — Jonidan — Jonokuchi

Makuuchi ranks: Yokozuna — Ōzeki — Sekiwake — Komusubi — Maegashira

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rikishi in Juryo and Makunouchi (English). szumo.hu. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.

[edit] External links

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