Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?

30. 1993: Jun Akiyama

Essa Rios Lita
AEW

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.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!