Atsuki Aoyagi (青柳亮生 Aoyagi Atsuki) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he is a former two-time World Junior Heavyweight Champion and the winner of the 2022 Jr. Battle of Glory. He is also the younger brother of professional wrestler, Yuma Aoyagi.
Aoyagi made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) on January 2, 2019, and worked as a mid-card, in order to gain experience, before his status steadly began rising as part of the main junior heavyweight title picture, culminating in him winning his first title in the promotion, the World Junior Heavyweight Championship on two different occasions and the 2022 Jr. Battle of Glory.
Early Life[]
Aoyagi’s during his time in judo high school practiced judo and amateur wrestling for 3 years. He grew up a fan of professional wrestling, while watching over the years along with his older brother Yuma, who inspired him to be a professional wrestler.
Professional wrestling career[]
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2019-present)[]
In August 2018, Aoyagi was introduced to the All Japan Pro Wrestling roster, and made his professional wrestling debut on January 2, 2019, on the first night of the AJPW New Year's Wars, where he first competed in a 15-man battle royal won by Jake Lee and also involving notable opponents such as Gianni Valletta, Atsushi Aoki, Masanobu Fuchi, Hokuto Omori, Kotaro Suzuki and Osamu Nishimura, and secondly in a tag team match, in which he teamed with Dan Tamura in a losing effort against Hikaru Sato and Atsushi Aoki. As is customary for most professional wrestlers, Aoyagi spent most of his matches losing to other, more experienced wrestlers, which would help put over other wrestlers while at the same time give Aoyagi some in-ring, televised, experience.
On January 17, 2020, Ayoagi fractured the second and fourth metacarpal bones of his left hand, leading him to be sidelined with an injury for four months. He made his return from injury on June 7, facing Francesco Akira in a losing effort. Soon after, Aoyagi began teaming with his older brother Yuma. On September 21, Aoyagi became part of a team that won a number one contenders match to the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, leading him to receive a title match on October 24, facing Koji Iwamoto in a losing effort.
On December 27, Aoyagi and rival Rising HAYATO took part in the 2020 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory losing in the final to Hikaru Sato and Dan Tamura. On January 10, 2021, after Aoyagi and HAYATO faced each other in a double knockout, Aoyagi's older brother Yuma and Kento Miyahara invited them to join Nextream, which they accepted. On February 23, Aoyagi and HAYATO won a three-way number one contenders match to the All Asia Tag Team Championship. They unsucessfully challenged Purple Haze (Izanagi and Zeus) for the titles on March 8. On June 2, Aoyagi took part in the 2021 Jr. Battle of Glory losing in the first round to SUGI. Following his brother's departure from Nextream, on June 19, after saving his brother from an attack by Voodoo Murders, Aoyagi also announced his departure from the stable in order to reform his team with his older brother.
In August, Aoyagi took part in the 2022 Ōdō Tournament, losing in the quarter finals to Shotaro Ashino. On October 31, Atsuki and his older brother Yuma unsucessfully challenged Strong Hearts (El Lindaman and T-Hawk) for the All Asia Tag Team Championship. On December 26, Aoyagi and Yu Iizuka took part in the 2021 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory losing in the semifinals to Hikaru Sato and Dan Tamura. On September 18, 2022, at AJPW 50th Anniversary, Aoyagi defeated Tiger Mask to win the World Junior Heavyweight Championship. In November to December, Aoyagi took part of the 2022 Jr. Battle of Glory, finishing in first place with a record of four wins and one loss, advancing to the finals. In the finals, Aoyagi defeated Dan Tamura to win 2022 Jr. Battle of Glory.
On February 4, former Nextream members Aoyagi, his brother Yuma, Kento Miyahara, and Rising HAYATO formed a stable dubbed "Zennichi Shin Jidai" (New Age of All Japan in English), alongside Shuji Ishikawa, Yuma Anzai and Ryo Inoue, as a reaction against the influence of wrestlers from other promotions, who appeared or held titles in AJPW making them an anti-invader stable. On February 19, Aoyagi lost the World Junior Heavyweight Championship to Naruki Doi in his sixth title defense. From April 8 and May 4, Aoyagi and Rising HAYATO, took part of 2023 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory, finishing the tournament with a record of two wins, one draw and one loss, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On May 4, Aoyagi and HAYATO were defeated by Black Generation International (Kaito Ishida and Kotaro Suzuki) in the finals. On May 29, Aoyagi defeated Naruki Doi to regain the World Junior Heavyweight Championship. On June 10, Aoyagi and his brother Yuma defeated Masayuki Kono and Yusuke Kodama in a tournament final to become the inaugural Tenryu Project's United National Tag Team Champions. On July 2, Aoyagi lost the World Junior Heavyweight Championship to El Lindaman. On July 16, Aoyagi and his brother Yuma lost the United National Tag Team Championship to Suwama and Dan Tamura. From November 12 and December 6, Aoyagi took part of the 2023 Jr. Battle of Glory, finishing the tourmanent with a record of three wins, three losses and a draw, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. In February 2024, Aoyagi was sidelined with a left new injury. After ten months, he made his return from injury on December 8, announcing his in-ring return for December 31.
Personal life[]
His brother Yuma Aoyagi is a fellow professional wrestler and was also one of his trainers.
On February 22, 2020, he created a YouTube channel named "No-Taps" with fellow rookies Hokuto Omori and Dan Tamura, where he calls himself "Drop" in his videos, based on his own finishing move the Dropkick.
Aoyagi's favorite anime and manga is My Hero Academia, whom he inspired to make his own in ring character.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Firebird Splash (450° splash)
- Handspring leg lariat
- Signature moves
- Dropkick
- Enzuigiri
- Fisherman Bomb (Fisherman suplex transitioned into a sitout spinebuster)
- Fisherman suplex
- Missile dropkick
- Multiple moonsault variations
- Diving
- Standing
- To the outside
- Spanish Fly (Avalanche Slam)
- Tornillo (Corkscrew plancha)
- Managers
- Nicknames
- "Holding Peace Sign"
- "Plus Ultra"
- Entrance theme
- "Lazer Light" by Ta2
Championships and accomplishments[]
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- World Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Jr. Battle of Glory (2022)
- New Year Battle Royal Championship (2024)
- Tenryu Project
- United National Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Yuma Aoyagi
- United National Tag Team Championship tournament (2023) – with Yuma Aoyagi