- The international odyssey of Norihiro Akashi continues, as he arrived in Mexico on 12/21 for the second leg of his learning excursion. After a couple of days to settle in, Akashi immediately began work for Mexico's #1 organization “TRIPLE-MEX.” In his FURYnet blog, Akashi revealed that when he arrived to Mexico, he was immediately greeted by former FURY star and Kazuma Fujita dojo graduate, Suya Moto, who has spent the last year and a half as a mainstay in Mexico.
Akashi was shocked to learn that he had been sided with the heel “Rudo” side of the roster. As Moto explained to him, the Mexican fans rarely cheered for foreign wrestlers over their own. Akashi seemed confused, but said he would simply use the experience to gain even more knowledge.
Akashi's first night in the lucha libre ring proved difficult, as he worked not one, but TWO shows in one day. Early in the afternoon, he worked his first match for TRIPLE-MEX, in a losing effort with Moto and Rudo luchador Viper against the high flying technico trio of Insano, Sublime Kid and Angel Icaris in two straight falls. “AKASHI,” as he was now called, ended up being pinned in the second fall. Despite some early performance anxiety, AKASHI said the experience was a positive... Later that night, AKASHI worked for the independent “IGR” group, again losing in a singles match to Rudo Dark Tigre. Akashi wrote positively about the experience, but said he was again confused as he was billed as a technico...
The next day, Akashi returned to the TRIPLE-MEX ring with Suya Moto to defeat Angel Icaris and Sublime Kid in an exciting match. The technicos came out strong early on, and scored the first fall with simultaneous cradles. But in the second fall, Moto and Akashi tied it up after both scored stereo submission holds. The match came down to the important third fall, with Akashi himself using the Akashi Trap to pin Icaris's shoulders to the mat for the win! It was then, Akashi noted, that he felt he began to make an impression with the Mexican fans, with a small sect of the front row shouting, “A-KA-SHI!”
Akashi continued to show progress as the New Year began. He was quickly winning over fans in the TRIPLE-MEX ring, along with scoring victories on the smaller level Mexican independents. Akashi finally wrote about what he called a “right of passage,” as he worked THREE SHOWS last Sunday, working for IGR, NWC Mexico, and a special show produced by Suya Moto. Knowing Akashi's potential, Moto booked a very special match, pitting Akashi against the #1 star in Mexico, Máscara Del Norte in a singles match! In front of a sold out crowd, Akashi threw everything he had at Del Norte, as the two put on what most would consider to be more of a Japanese style match. In the end however, Norte downed Akashi in two consecutive falls. But even in defeat, Akashi earned the respect of both Norte, and the Mexican fans. Backstage, Japanese reporters interviewed Del Norte, who was quoted as saying Akashi had more potential than any young wrestler he has seen in years.
Akashi will continue working for TRIPLE-MEX and the other indies for the next month and a half, before traveling to the United States, where he will most likely finish his training. Akashi said that he had already learned so much during his time in Europe and Mexico, and knows that the results of his labor will be seen when he returns to Japan. He noted that after he won the NWC British Commonwealth Jr. Heavyweight title, he made a pledge to win a championship in every country he visits. However, he admitted that the chances of winning a championship in Mexico were low, as foreigners rarely got the opportunity to challenge for title belts... As an aside however, Akashi noted that he was actually unsure if he would be eligible to meet the weight requirements for most of the titles here, as he made the shocking revelation that he was quickly approaching 100kg, and even estimated that he would be atleast 105kg by the time he left...
Akashi was shocked to learn that he had been sided with the heel “Rudo” side of the roster. As Moto explained to him, the Mexican fans rarely cheered for foreign wrestlers over their own. Akashi seemed confused, but said he would simply use the experience to gain even more knowledge.
Akashi's first night in the lucha libre ring proved difficult, as he worked not one, but TWO shows in one day. Early in the afternoon, he worked his first match for TRIPLE-MEX, in a losing effort with Moto and Rudo luchador Viper against the high flying technico trio of Insano, Sublime Kid and Angel Icaris in two straight falls. “AKASHI,” as he was now called, ended up being pinned in the second fall. Despite some early performance anxiety, AKASHI said the experience was a positive... Later that night, AKASHI worked for the independent “IGR” group, again losing in a singles match to Rudo Dark Tigre. Akashi wrote positively about the experience, but said he was again confused as he was billed as a technico...
The next day, Akashi returned to the TRIPLE-MEX ring with Suya Moto to defeat Angel Icaris and Sublime Kid in an exciting match. The technicos came out strong early on, and scored the first fall with simultaneous cradles. But in the second fall, Moto and Akashi tied it up after both scored stereo submission holds. The match came down to the important third fall, with Akashi himself using the Akashi Trap to pin Icaris's shoulders to the mat for the win! It was then, Akashi noted, that he felt he began to make an impression with the Mexican fans, with a small sect of the front row shouting, “A-KA-SHI!”
Akashi continued to show progress as the New Year began. He was quickly winning over fans in the TRIPLE-MEX ring, along with scoring victories on the smaller level Mexican independents. Akashi finally wrote about what he called a “right of passage,” as he worked THREE SHOWS last Sunday, working for IGR, NWC Mexico, and a special show produced by Suya Moto. Knowing Akashi's potential, Moto booked a very special match, pitting Akashi against the #1 star in Mexico, Máscara Del Norte in a singles match! In front of a sold out crowd, Akashi threw everything he had at Del Norte, as the two put on what most would consider to be more of a Japanese style match. In the end however, Norte downed Akashi in two consecutive falls. But even in defeat, Akashi earned the respect of both Norte, and the Mexican fans. Backstage, Japanese reporters interviewed Del Norte, who was quoted as saying Akashi had more potential than any young wrestler he has seen in years.
Akashi will continue working for TRIPLE-MEX and the other indies for the next month and a half, before traveling to the United States, where he will most likely finish his training. Akashi said that he had already learned so much during his time in Europe and Mexico, and knows that the results of his labor will be seen when he returns to Japan. He noted that after he won the NWC British Commonwealth Jr. Heavyweight title, he made a pledge to win a championship in every country he visits. However, he admitted that the chances of winning a championship in Mexico were low, as foreigners rarely got the opportunity to challenge for title belts... As an aside however, Akashi noted that he was actually unsure if he would be eligible to meet the weight requirements for most of the titles here, as he made the shocking revelation that he was quickly approaching 100kg, and even estimated that he would be atleast 105kg by the time he left...
TRIPLE-MEX Promotions,
December 26, 2008
Mexico City – Arena Mexico
- Insano, Sublime Kid & Angel Icaris beat Viper, Suya Moto & AKASHI two falls to zero.
Internacional Grupo Revolución,
December 26, 2008
Mexico - Arena Naucalpan
- Dark Tigre beat AKASHI (6:42) with a La Magistral.
TRIPLE-MEX Promotions,
December 27, 2008
Guadalajara - Arena Coliseo
- Suya Moto & AKASHI beat Angel Icaris & Sublime Kid two falls to one.
TRIPLE-MEX Promotions,
January 02, 2009
Mexico City – Arena Mexico
- Lobo Canadiense, Suya Moto & AKASHI beat Máscara Del Norte, Justice & Elegante two falls to one.
Internacional Grupo Revolución,
January 03, 2009
Arena Neza
- AKASHI beat Venum (8:01) with a German Suplex hold.
NWC Mexico,
January 04, 2009
Mexico City – Venue Unknown
- Suya Moto beat AKASHI (11:48) with the BURN&SLASH.
TRIPLE-MEX Promotions,
January 09, 2009
Mexico City – Arena Mexico
- AKASHI beat Angel Icaris (7:40) with a German Suplex hold.
TRIPLE-MEX Promotions,
January 10, 2009
Guadalajara - Arena Coliseo
- El Salvador, Sublime Kid & Angel Icaris beat Akuma Negro, Suya Moto & AKASHI two falls to one.
Internacional Grupo Revolución,
January 11, 2009
Mexico - Arena Naucalpan
- Elegante & AKASHI beat Viper & Venum (10:57) when AKASHI used a jujigatame on Venum.
NWC Mexico,
January 11, 2009
Mexico City – Venue Unknown
- AKASHI beat Turismo (11:03) with the Akashi Trap.
Suya Moto produced,
January 11, 2009
Guadalajara - Arena Coliseo
- Máscara Del Norte beat AKASHI two falls to zero.
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