The Iihashi Brothers (飯橋兄弟 Iihashi Kyōdai) were a Japanese professional wrestling tag team, consisting of real life brothers, who are known by their ring names Riki (理貴) and Ishin (偉進) Iihashi, respectively. The due were trained and signed to Dragon Gate (DG).
Riki and Ishin both are the first thoroughbred professional wrestlers in Japan, being the sons of former sumo wrestler turned professional wrestler Koji Ishinriki, and former joshi wrestler Utako Hozumi. On June 6, 2022, the duo disbanded after Riki decided to retire from professional wrestling, while Iihsin continues to wrestle.
Professional wrestling career[]
Dragon Gate (2021–2022)[]
Riki and Ishin trained for their professional wrestling career in the Japanese promotion Dragon Gate's wrestling school called "Dragon Gate Nex", being part of the Dragon Gate Future class, wrestling several exhibition bouts before officially debuting against Dragon Gate veterans Don Fujii and Yasushi Kanda on September 20, 2021 at Dangerous Gate in a losing effort. Due to their parents being professional wrestlers, Riki and Ishin reference their parents, Riki using similar ring gear and moveset to his father's, while, Ishin tributes her mother with her Juliana's-style accessories, a hot pink feather boa and matching fan ring gear.
As is customary for most professional wrestlers, Riki and Ishin spent most of his matches losing to other, more experienced wrestlers, which would help put over other wrestlers while at the same time give Riki and Ishin some in-ring, televised, experience. On February 20, 2022, Riki and Ishin along with fellow Dragon Gate Future rookie Takuma Fujiwara took part in the tournament to crown the new Open The Triangle Gate Champions, being defeated in the first round by finalists, Z-Brats (H.Y.O, BxB Hulk and Shun Skywalker). Following their match, General Manager Ryo Saito announced that the rookies of class of 2021 would be facing each other at Memorial Gate in Wakayama in a five-way match, with the winner receiving a title match for the Open The Brave Gate Championship against Dragon Dia on March 5 at Champion Gate in Osaka. At the event on February 23, they eliminated fellow rookie Takumi Hayakawa, before being both eliminated by the eventual winner Takuma Fujiwara. In May, Ishin took part in the 2022 King of Gate, being eliminated in the first round after drawing with Takuma Fujiwara. Following a recent abscence due to an injury, on June 6, Riki decided to retire from professional wrestling.
In wrestling[]
- Signature tag team moves
- Double octopus hold
- Double wheelbarrow suplex
- Riki's signature moves
- Alcatraz (Chickenwing facelock/seated camel clutch combination)
- Belly to back suplex
- Dropkick
- Knife edge chop
- Ishin's signature moves
- Abdominal stretch
- Octopus hold
- Springboard dropkick
- Entrance themes
- "Future Dreams" by Yatsuka Nakagawa
- "Brothers" by Yatsuka Nakagawa feat. Utako Hozumi, Ishinriki, and Jon Underdown