Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?
30. 1993: Jun Akiyama
To be considered the fifth AJPW 'Pillar' is an outrageous achievement. Akiyama wasn't on the same level as the other four as a (consistent) drawing card, and in truth emerged at the forefront of the promotion when the King's Road style had tumbled into excess, but was an exceptional, all-time great wrestler all the same, worthy of near-mythical standing.
He was better earlier than anyone.
His frightening main event with Kenta Kobashi at NOAH Departure 2004 drew in a massive crowd, a highlight of a scene in flux, and it was there that, in defeat, he became a legend. The suplexes from apron to floor still inspire terror, and put Jun over as the biggest threat to Kobashi's seminal GHC Heavyweight title reign.
He's still wrestling to an incredibly respectable level in 2023 for Dramatic Dream Team.