:Atsushi Aoki

Aoki began wrestling in high school, winning the {{convert|69|kg|lb|abbr=on}} weight division in 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.noah.co.jp/prof026.php |title=Aoki Atsushi |access-date=May 26, 2010 |publisher=Pro Wrestling Noah |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831110322/http://www.noah.co.jp/prof026.php |archive-date=August 31, 2009 }} He joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as part of the Aomori 5th General Division Regiment in 2000 where he continued to wrestle, and won the National Open Wrestling Championship in the 69 kg weight class. In 2005, he applied to join the Pro Wrestling Noah dojo and was accepted.

Aoki began training under Jun Akiyama in the Pro Wrestling Noah Dojo in May 2005. His professional wrestling debut came on December 24, 2005, during NOAH's NOAHful Gift in Differ '05 teaming up with Yoshiniro Ota, losing to NOAH founder Mitsuharu Misawa and Japanese wrestling legend Akira Taue. Aoki spent most of 2006 gaining hard earned experience in the ring, mostly on the losing side of matches. He would also make appearances for other Japanese promotions such as Zero-1 MAX and Dragon Gate.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=10627 | title= ZERO1-MAX MAX Satisfaction – Tag 1: Ex-Impact | date= March 8, 2007 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}}{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=10522 | title= Dragon Gate Memorial Gate 2007 | date= March 25, 2007 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}} A month later Aoki undertook a "learning excursion" to Europe where he wrestled for such promotions as Real Quality Wrestling and International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom in the United Kingdom and Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany for the two months the excursion lasted. Following his return to NOAH he teamed up with American Rocky Romero to participate in the 2007 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League. The team ended up with just two points, winning only one match out of five when the team defeated Bryan Danielson and Davey Richards.{{cite web | url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/noah/ntv.html#2007 | title= NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League 2007 | date= July 1–27, 2007 | access-date= May 26, 2010 | publisher= Pro Wrestling History}} On September 3, 2007, Aoki teamed up with Ippei Ota for a match at an AAA / Pro Wrestling Noah co-promoted show called TripleSEM. The team wrestled in the third match of the night and lost to AAA representatives Real Fuerza Aerea (Laredo Kid and Super Fly) in 08:15.{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.net/2007/09/03/super-luchas-desde-japon-resultados-triplesem-en-el-differ-ariake-de-tokio-3-sep-07/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227075725/http://superluchas.net/2007/09/03/super-luchas-desde-japon-resultados-triplesem-en-el-differ-ariake-de-tokio-3-sep-07/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 27, 2012 |title=Super Luchas desde Japón: Resultados TripleSEM en el Differ Ariake de Tokio (3 SEP 07) |date=September 3, 2007 |author=Yoav |access-date=September 12, 2009 |work=SuperLuchas |language=es }} In November, 2007 Aoki took part in NOAH's Mauritius Cup tournament, earning 8 points in total by defeating Ippei Ota, Tsutomu Hirayanagi and Akihiko Ito while wrestling to a draw against Shuhei Taniguchi and Taiji Ishimori. Despite not losing a single match in the tournament Shuhei Taniguchi managed to score 9 points to take the Mauritius Cup.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=1276 | title= Mauritius Cup | date= November 15–28, 2007 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}}

Aoki teamed up with Akihiko Ito to participate in the 2008 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League. The team earned only three points, one point more than Aoki's previous Nippon TV Cup league as the team only managed to defeat Kento Miyahara and Naomichi Marufuji and wrestle to a time-limit draw against Eddie Edwards and Ricky Marvin.{{cite web | url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/noah/ntv.html#2008 | title= NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League 2008 | date= August 23 – September 6, 2008 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= Pro Wrestling History}} He was invited to be part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) 2009 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Aoki earned eight points, ending in second place in "Block A" with victories over AKIRA, Black Tiger V, Jado and Milano Collection A.T. and only losing to "Block A" winner Prince Devitt (Block winner) and Tiger Mask IV. In the semi-final of the tournament he was defeated by eventual tournament winner Koji Kanemoto.{{cite web | url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/superjr00.html#2009 | title= Best of the Super Juniors 2009 | date= May 30 – June 14, 2009 | access-date= April 16, 2012 | publisher= Pro Wrestling History | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130928135859/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/superjr00.html#2009 | archive-date= 2013-09-28 | url-status= dead }} Unlike the 2007 and 2008 version of the Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League Aoki's 2009 participating alongside Kota Ibushi was much more successful as the team won all three round robin matches, defeating the teams of Kenta and Taiji Ishimori, Genba Hirayanagi and Kikutaro and the team of Bryan Danielson and Roderick Strong. In the semi-final match they defeated Eddie Edwards and Ricky Marvin but lost to Kotaro Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in the finals of the tournament.{{cite web | url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/noah/ntv.html#2009 | title= NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League 2009 | date= July 12–25, 2009 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= Pro Wrestling History}} In December, 2009 NJPW invited Aoki back, this time to compete in the 2009 Super J-Cup. Aoki did not make it past the first round as he was defeated by Prince Devitt.{{cite web | url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/jcup.html#5 | title= Super J Cup: 5th Stage | date= December 22–23, 2009 | access-date= May 26, 2010 | publisher= Pro Wrestling History}}

On December 23, 2007, Aoki took on a "10 match challenge" designed to push him to the limit and earn experience against very experienced wrestlers. The first match was against his mentor Jun Akiyama which he lost. The match series was called the "Shining Magic 10 Match Series" and would stretch out over the next two and a half years. In his second match he defeated Davey Richards, but went on to lose against Kenta, Bryan Danielson, Yoshinari Ogawa and Kaz Hayashi. The Seventh match in the series took place on November 14, 2008, and saw Aoki lose to Yoshinobu Kanemaru.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=30804 | title= NOAH Winter Navigation '08 – Tag 1 | date= November 14, 2008 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}} In his eight Shining Magic 10 Match Aoki lost to Junior Heavyweight legend Jyushin Thunder Liger.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=40585 | title= NOAH Southern Navigation '09 – Tag 11 | date= June 22, 2009 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}} In his penultimate Sining Magic match Atsushi Aoki lost to Naomich Marufuji on December 6, 2009, almost two years after the 10 Match series begun.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=45398 | title= NOAH Winter Navigation '09 – Tag 10 | date= December 6, 2009 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}} His tenth and final match in the Shining Magic 10 Match series took place on February 28, 2010, which saw Aoki lose to Minoru Suzuki ending the series with one victory and nine defeats.{{cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=48601 | title= NOAH The Second Navigation 2010 – Tag 9 | date= February 28, 2010 | access-date= May 25, 2010 | publisher= CageMatch.net | language=de}}

On October 30, 2010, Aoki and Kenta defeated Roderick Strong and Eddie Edwards in the finals of a tournament to win the 2010 Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League.{{cite web|url=http://www.noah-usa.cc/newspage%202010%20second.html|title=Results from 10/30 Korakuen Hall Show!|work=Noah-USA|access-date=2010-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103230316/http://noah-usa.cc/newspage%202010%20second.html|archive-date=2010-11-03|url-status=dead}} As a result, Aoki and Kenta received a shot at the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by the champions, New Japan Pro Wrestling representatives Koji Kanemoto and Tiger Mask IV, on November 23, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2320|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910222226/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2320|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-10|title=(Results) New Japan, 11/23/10 & Kanemoto and Tiger retain GHC Jr. Tag Title|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=2010-11-23|access-date=2010-11-23}} On December 24, 2010, Aoki and Naomichi Marufuji defeated Kanemoto and Tiger Mask IV to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Aoki's first title in Noah.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2010/12/24/kanemoto-tiger-mask-lose-ghc-jr-tag-title/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908090734/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2010/12/24/kanemoto-tiger-mask-lose-ghc-jr-tag-title/ |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=Kanemoto & Tiger Mask lose GHC Jr. Tag Title |date=December 24, 2010 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |work=Strong Style Spirit}} Aoki and Marufuji were stripped of the title on April 29, 2011, after Marufuji suffered an injury. On July 30, Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki defeated Kenta and Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win the 2011 NTV G+ Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League, making both of them two-time winners of the tournament. On October 16, 2011, Aoki and Suzuki defeated Kenta and Kanemaru to win the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. They lost the title to Ricky Marvin and Super Crazy on July 22, 2012. On December 19, Noah announced that Aoki would be leaving the promotion, after refusing to re-sign following the firing of Kenta Kobashi.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/60055/ |script-title=ja:ノア激震！小橋解雇、秋山ら退団 |work=Tokyo Sports |date=2012-12-04 |access-date=2012-12-19 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210174908/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/60055/ |archive-date=December 10, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/headlines/20121205-00000000-dal-fight.html |title=ノ小橋、９日両国大会でフリー宣言へ！秋山ら５選手もノア退団申し入れ |work=Sports Navi |date=2012-12-05 |access-date=2012-12-19 |publisher=Yahoo!|language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208051250/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/headlines/20121205-00000000-dal-fight.html |archive-date=December 8, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/p-bt-tp0-20121219-1061517.html|script-title=ja:秋山らノア退団正式決定|work=Nikkan Sports|date=2012-12-19|access-date=2012-12-19|language=ja}} In his final match for the promotion on December 24, Aoki was defeated by Mr. Christmas, portrayed by his trainer Jun Akiyama.{{cite web|url=http://www.noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1085|title=～Noahful Gift in Differ 2012 vol.2～|work=Pro Wrestling Noah|access-date=2012-12-24|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107121620/http://www.noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1085|archive-date=2012-11-07|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/28978-mon-update-raw-tonight-wrestlers-bid-farewell-to-noah-leben-talks-his-issues|title=Mon. update: Raw tonight, wrestlers bid farewell to Noah, Leben talks his issues|date=2012-12-24|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|access-date=2012-12-25|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}

On May 23, 2010, Aoki teamed up with Go Shiozaki to defeat the team of Takeshi Morishima and Taiji Ishimori to win the AAA World Tag Team Championship, which was Aoki's first wrestling title.The AAA Tag team championship is primarily promoted in Mexico but Morishima and Ishimori won the titles during a tour of Mexico and were allowed to defend them in NOAH as well. At Triplemanía XVIII, Aoki and Shiozaki defended the championship against Beer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode and James Storm), La Hermandad 187 (Nicho el Millonario and Joe Líder) and Los Maniacos (Silver King and Último Gladiador) in a four-way elimination match; they were the first team eliminated when Líder pinned Shiozaki, which meant that they lost the AAA Tag Team championship 14 days after winning it. Los Maniacos (Silver Cain and Último Gladiador) won the match and the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.luchalibreaaa.com/triplemaniaxviii.html|title=Triplemania XVIII: Fiesta de Fiestas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815092851/http://www.luchalibreaaa.com/triplemaniaxviii.html|archive-date=August 15, 2010|date=June 7, 2010|access-date=June 8, 2010|language=es|publisher=AAA}}

{{Main|Burning (professional wrestling)|Evolution (AJPW)}}

On January 26, 2013, Aoki, Go Shiozaki, Jun Akiyama, Kotaro Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, all of whom had quit Noah at the same time, announced that they had joined All Japan Pro Wrestling, forming the "Burning" stable.{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130127-00000003-spnavi |script-title=ja:秋山、潮崎らノア退団5選手が全日本プロレスに参戦 |date=2013-01-27 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=2013-01-26 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130071307/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130127-00000003-spnavi |archive-date=January 30, 2013 }} Aoki and Suzuki received their first shot at the All Asia Tag Team Championship on March 17, but were defeated by the defending champions, Koji Kanemoto and Minoru Tanaka.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=344 |title=2013 プロレスLove in 両国～Basic&Dynamic～ |access-date=2013-04-07 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224085129/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=344 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On April 7, Aoki and Suzuki defeated Hikaru Sato and Hiroshi Yamato to win the 2013 Junior Hyper Tag League and earn another shot at Kanemoto and Tanaka.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=366 |title=2013 Junior Hyper Tag League |access-date=2013-04-07 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112905/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=366 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On April 25, Aoki and Suzuki defeated Kanemoto and Tanaka in a rematch to become the new All Asia Tag Team Champions.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=372 |title=Gaora Special 2013 チャンピオン・カーニバル |access-date=2013-04-25 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105528/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=372 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On May 11, Aoki made a one night return to Noah to take part in Kenta Kobashi's retirement event, Final Burning in Budokan, during which he and Suzuki defeated Kentaro Shiga and Tamon Honda in a tag team match.{{cite web | url=http://www.noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1126 | script-title=ja:2013年5月11日(土) | access-date=2013-05-11 | work=Pro Wrestling Noah | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420052008/http://noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1126 | archive-date=2013-04-20 | url-status=dead }} On July 5, following a mass exodus led by Keiji Mutoh, it was announced that Aoki, along with the rest of Burning, had signed an exclusive contract with All Japan.{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130706-00000015-dal |script-title=ja:秋山13年ぶり！電撃"王道"復帰「全日本の名前の下に頑張りたい」 |date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2013-07-14 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=Yahoo! |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723223837/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130706-00000015-dal |archive-date=July 23, 2013 }} On October 29, Aoki and Suzuki quit Burning in order for Suzuki to challenge Kanemaru for the World Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/199266/ | script-title=ja:鼓太郎がバーニング正式脱退で金丸に挑戦 | date=2013-10-29 | access-date=2013-11-18 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=ja | archive-date=2013-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031101132/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/199266/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2219 |title=潮﨑選手が新ユニット「Xceed」結成を宣言！！ |date=2013-11-18 |access-date=2013-11-18 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105844/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2219 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On November 21, Aoki and Suzuki, along with Kento Miyahara, joined Go Shiozaki's new Xceed stable.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/battle/2013/11/002033.php|title=Xcced初陣でKensoがいきなり潮崎を裏切り、全日本に反旗！前哨戦で三冠王者と世界ジュニア王者が揃って挑戦者に完敗！|date=2013-11-22|access-date=2013-11-21|work=Battle News|language=ja}} On January 26, 2014, Aoki and Suzuki lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship to former Burning stablemates Jun Akiyama and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1227/ |title=ニューイヤープレゼント in 神戸 |access-date=2014-01-26 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201184020/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1227/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }} On February 5, Aoki announced he was quitting Xceed to go solo.{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2014/columndtl/201402050018-spnavi|script-title=ja:ドラゲー望月が金丸撃破で全勝優勝宣言 潮崎が曙の巨体を持ち上げ前哨戦制す|last=Takagi|first=Hiromi|date=2014-02-06|access-date=2014-02-07|work=Sports Navi|publisher=Yahoo!|language=ja|archive-date=2014-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222132235/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2014/columndtl/201402050018-spnavi|url-status=dead}} On May 29, Aoki defeated Último Dragón to become the new World Junior Heavyweight Champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8112/ |title=2014 スーパーパワーシリーズ 東京･後楽園ホール【最終戦】 |access-date=2014-05-29 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529203404/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8112/ |archive-date=2014-05-29 }} On July 27, Aoki joined the Evolution stable, after a successful title defense against one of its members, Hikaru Sato.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/fight/index.php?QBlog-20140728-1|title=【全日本プロレス】諏訪魔vsドーリングの三冠戦、青木vs光留の世界Jr戦|date=2014-07-28|access-date=2014-07-27|work=Battle News|language=ja}} In October, Aoki and Sato won the 2014 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/1691/ |script-title=ja:【10.22】復活！2014 ジャイアント・シリーズ 【最終戦】 ～全日本プロレス旗揚げ記念大会～ |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2014 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925080701/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/1691/ |archive-date=September 25, 2015 }} On March 27, 2015, Aoki lost the World Junior Heavyweight Championship to Kotaro Suzuki.{{cite web | url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【3-27】-2015-ドリームパワーシリーズ%E3%80%80最終戦・後楽園/ | script-title=ja:【3.27】 2015 ドリームパワーシリーズ 最終戦・後楽園大会 | date=March 27, 2015 | access-date=March 28, 2015 | work=All Japan Pro Wrestling | language=ja | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410173051/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%903-27%E3%80%91-2015-%E3%83%89%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%91%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%88%A6%E3%83%BB%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92/ | archive-date=2015-04-10 | url-status=dead }} On October 23, Aoki and Hikaru Sato won their second Jr. Tag Battle of Glory in a row by winning the round-robin tournament with a record of three wins and one loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【10-23】-2015-ジャイアントシリーズ　優勝決定戦・後楽/ |script-title=ja:【10.23】 2015 ジャイアントシリーズ 優勝決定戦・後楽園大会 |date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web | url=http://battle-news.com/?p=15746 | script-title=ja:全日本10.23後楽園大会 Jr.Tag Battle of Glory／青木＆光留vs.ヤンキー二丁拳銃、鼓太郎＆中島vs.舎人一家、諏訪魔vs.宮原vs.ゼウス | date=October 24, 2015 | access-date=October 24, 2015 | work=Battle News | language=ja}} On January 1, 2016, Aoki was appointed the president of talent relations.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/news/大森隆男選手取締役就任及び選手会会長に青木篤/|script-title=ja:大森隆男選手取締役就任及び選手会会長に青木篤志選手就任のお知らせ|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2016|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On February 21, 2016, Aoki defeated tag team partner Hikaru Sato in the finals to win the 2016 Jr. Battle of Glory and the vacant World Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/509185/ | script-title=ja:【全日】Ｊｒリーグは青木篤志が制覇 | date=February 22, 2016 | access-date=February 22, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=ja}} He went on to lose the title to Sato on June 19.{{cite web | url = http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/【2016-ダイナマイトシリーズ】-北海道・東京ドーム | script-title=ja:【2016 ダイナマイトシリーズ】 北海道・東京ドームホテル札幌 ピアリッジホール ［観衆］631人(超満員) | access-date=June 19, 2016 | work=All Japan Pro Wrestling | language=ja}} On July 24, Aoki and Sato defeated Isami Kodaka and Yuko Miyamoto to win the All Asia Tag Team Championship.{{cite web | url = http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/sports/fight_all/6320 | script-title=ja:大日本プロレス「両極譚～Ryogokutan～」 | date=July 24, 2016 | access-date=July 24, 2016 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=Yahoo! | language=ja}} On November 17, Aoki and Sato won their third Jr. Tag Battle of Glory in a row by defeating Soma Takao and Yuma Aoyagi in a playoff match.{{cite web | url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/11-17愛知・日進市民会館ホール小ホール［観衆］322人 | script-title=ja:11.17愛知・日進市民会館ホール(小ホール)［観衆］322人(満員) | date=November 17, 2016 | access-date=November 17, 2016 | work=All Japan Pro Wrestling | language=ja}} On November 27, Aoki and Sato lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship to Atsushi Onita and Masanobu Fuchi.{{cite web | url = http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/11-27東京・両国国技館大会試合結果② | script-title=ja:11.27東京・両国国技館大会試合結果② | date=November 27, 2016 | access-date=November 27, 2016 | work=All Japan Pro Wrestling | language=ja}} Aoki and Sato regained the title from Onita and Fuchi on June 20, 2017.{{cite web | url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/6-20帯広大会観衆703人満員 | script-title=ja:6.20帯広大会[観衆]703人(満員) | date=June 20, 2017 | access-date=June 20, 2017 | work=All Japan Pro Wrestling | language=ja}} They lost the title to Black Tiger VII and Taka Michinoku on August 27.{{cite web | url = https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/1878779.html | script-title=ja:ブラック・タイガー7、Takaみちのく組が新王者 | date=August 28, 2017 | access-date=August 27, 2017 | work=Nikkan Sports | language=ja}} In early 2018, still using his birth name, Aoki began working under a mask and regained the World Junior Heavyweight Championship from Tajiri on February 3 in Yokohama.{{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=23&page=5&reign=47| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}} Aoki held the title until August, when he dropped it to Koji Iwamoto. In April 2019, Aoki competed in the Champion Carnival once again as a last minute replacement for Kengo Mashimo. Aoki competed in A Block and managed to finish with 8 points, but was unable to advance to the final.{{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=229521| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}} Aoki regained the World Junior Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time on May 20, 2019, defeating Iwamoto. His last match took place on June 2, teaming with Hikaru Sato and Yusuke Okada in a loss to Jake Lee, Koji Iwamoto, and Nobe Bryant. At the time of his death, Aoki was scheduled to defend his title against Hikaru Sato on June 18. Despite his death, AJPW announced he would be recognized as champion until November 2019, allowing his 6-month defence clause to expire before crowning a new champion.

On June 3, 2019, Aoki was killed in a motorcycle accident when he collided with the side wall around the expressway of Kitanomaru Park in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. He was 41 years old.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1098955-all-japan-pro-wrestling-star-atsushi-aoki-passes-away-after-motorcycle-accident |title=All Japan Pro Wrestling Star Atsushi Aoki Passes Away After Motorcycle Accident |date=2019-06-03 |website=Wrestlezone |access-date=2019-06-04}}

In a press conference in the days after the accident, All Japan Pro Wrestling president at the time, Jun Akiyama announced that the World Junior Heavyweight Championship was to be vacated at the end of the title's mandatory defence period, allowing Aoki to reign as de facto champion in honor of his contributions until late 2019, when the title would have been vacated for lack of defences.

• Collegiate/High School
• All Japan National Champion (152lbs)
• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
• National Open Wrestling Champion (152lbs)

File:青木篤志マスク2018.jpg]]

• AAA
• AAA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Go Shiozaki{{cite web | url=http://superluchas.com/de-ultima-hora-en-japon-los-cinturones-aaa-cambian-de-manos-los-nuevos-campeones-vienen-a-triplemania-18/ | title= De última hora: En Japón los cinturones AAA cambian de manos, los nuevos campeones vienen a Triplemania 18 | date= May 23, 2010 | access-date= May 24, 2010 | publisher= Super Luchas Magazine | language=es}}
• All Japan Pro Wrestling
• All Asia Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Kotaro Suzuki (1) and Hikaru Sato (2)
• World Junior Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
• Jr. Battle of Glory (2016)
• Junior Hyper Tag League (2013) – with Kotaro Suzuki
• Jr. Tag Battle of Glory (2014, 2015, 2016) – with Hikaru Sato
• Hard Hit
• Second Grappling Tournament (2014){{Cite web |date=February 28, 2014 |title=Hādo Hitto: Kessen wa Kin'yōbi |script-title=ja:ハードヒット〜決戦は金曜日〜 |trans-title=Hard Hit: Battle Friday |url=http://www.ddtpro.com/hardhit/7619/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304201845/http://www.ddtpro.com/hardhit/7619/ |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |website=DDT Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}}
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
• PWI ranked him #152 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|access-date=2016-09-01|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}
• Pro Wrestling Noah
• GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Naomichi Marufuji (1) and Kotaro Suzuki (1)
• Nippon TV Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League (2010) – with KENTA
• NTV G+ Cup Junior Heavyweight Tag League (2011) – with Kotaro Suzuki
• VolcanoxSEM Tag Team Tournament (2008) – with Akihiko Ito{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/atsushiaoki.php |title=Untitled Document |access-date=2013-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184151/http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/atsushiaoki.php |archive-date=2013-10-29 }}{{cite web| url = http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=1124| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}}
• Tokyo Sports
• Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
• Rookie of the Year (2006){{Citation |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=2007-01-22|title=2006 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards |periodical=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |publication-place=Campbell, CA |pages=1–12 |issn=1083-9593}}

• List of premature professional wrestling deaths

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Atsushi Aoki}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150405050140/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/player/%E9%9D%92%E6%9C%A8-%E7%AF%A4%E5%BF%97/ All Japan Pro Wrestling profile] {{in lang|ja}}
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