Real Name - Akira Taue
Birthdate - 5/8/61
6'5" 266 lbs. - Chichibu, Saitama, Japan
Athletic Background - Sumo (Juryo); Judo, Track & Field, Baseball (High School)
Teacher(s) - [All Japan Dojo]
Professional Background - All Japan(`87-`00), NOAH(`00-)
Aliases - Tamakirin
Groups - TEAM TAUE
Peak Years - `92-`98
Finisher(s) -
- Tsukuba Makiwari (Hip Tossing Choke Slam)
- Chichibu Cement (Suplex into Chokeslam)
- Nodowa Otoshi (Chokeslam)
- Dynamic Bomb (High-Angle Liger Bomb)
- Ore ga Taue/Ruby Frosion (Atomic Whip into Chokeslam)
Favorites -
- Dynamic Kick (Yakuza Kick)
- Dynamic Suplex (Double-Arm Suplex)
- Atomic Whip
- Bodyslam into Hotshot
- Overhead Chop
Ringwork Rating -
| Move Set | 7 |
| Science | 2 |
| Aerial | 2 |
| Power | 7 |
| Strikes | 7 |
Intangibles Rating -
| Entertainment | 6 |
| Selling | 8 |
| Bumping | 7 |
| Carrying | 6 |
| Heat | 8 |
| Legacy | 6 |
Place in History - Akira Taue’s debut in 1988 was met with much fanfare as was the case with many successful former sumo making the transition to pro-wrestling. Although he was pretty unimpressive in the first few years of his career, Taue’s game began picking up as his partner Jumbo Tsuruta’s began slowing down. As a generational feud heated up All Japan, Taue found a new and lasting partner in Toshiaki Kawada. The “Holy Demon Army” as they became known were the best of the best up until the split in 2000. In the 1990s, Taue was one of the premier wrestlers in All Japan, which was the premier pro-wrestling company in the world. While he was always the fourth man, Taue had exceptional popularity and was the largest of All Japan's top five. Despite his “dynamic” handle, Akira Taue was not the most dynamic performer. He combined power and force characteristic of his sumo background and made for a solid base. When Misawa led most of the All Japan roster in a exodus to form NOAH, Taue left Kawada and it seemed like the nearly forty year old might not have much to offer. Throughout NOAH's early years, Taue remained a solid performer who was given annual pushes to big matches, title shots and even one brief title in 2005. Although sluggish and firmly established as a support character, Taue has maintained his cult-like popularity and has the ability to still perform and help rising stars and top stars. Akira Taue ascended to the role of president of NOAH following the sudden death of Mitsuharu Misawa. The company has been struggling since before Misawa’s death, losing their TV, being linked to yakuza and having difficulties like most puroresu companies with talent depth and drawing cards. Akira Taue is one of the unsung heroes of puroresu. He became one of the greatest workers in the world in a company with the greatest matches and should never be forgotten for his notable contributions.
