:Jun Akiyama

In junior high school, Akiyama participated in swimming and in senior high school he competed in freestyle amateur wrestling and judo. After high school, he attended Senshu University in Tokyo, where he joined an amateur wrestling team that produced other professional wrestlers like Riki Choshu, Hiroshi Hase, and Manabu Nakanishi.

Akiyama is close friends with fellow AJPW and Noah alumni Kenta Kobashi, with whom he has a sarcastic backstage relationship.

Akiyama had great success as an amateur wrestler and was eventually scouted by All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). He made his professional wrestling debut on September 17, 1992 in a match against Kenta Kobashi, which he lost. He gradually rose in rank, starting to team up with Akira Taue as part of what remained of Jumbo Tsuruta's team called "Tsuruta-Gun", earning a trial series in January 1993. Afterward, he started working tag teams. The tag team division soon became his speciality, teaming with Takao Omori against Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa. In January 1995, he split with Taue, and alongside Omori, won the All Asia Tag Team Championship, holding the belts for 1,076 days, until dropping them to Johnny Smith and Wolf Hawkfield on January 9, 1998, and also having the longest single reign in the history of those belts, even though sometimes he and Omori parted ways to team up with other wrestlers during that time. In early 1996, he was selected to be Misawa's partner after he split with Kobashi back in December. The two teamed together successfully and won the World Tag Team Championship during 1996. Akiyama and Misawa also competed in the World's Strongest Tag Determination League tournaments in 1996 and 1997, but lost in successive years to the team of Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue. Akiyama then began closing in on the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, first challenging Misawa in September 1997 and January 1998, Kobashi in July 1998, and Vader in January 2000. He was unsuccessful on all four occasions.

After teaming with Misawa, Akiyama began teaming with Kenta Kobashi to form 'Burning'. The team won numerous tag team titles and competed against the teams of Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa, Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue, Yoshihiro Takayama and Takao Omori and others. Burning also won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League tournament in 1998 by defeating the team of Stan Hansen and Vader, and again in 1999 by defeating Akira Taue and Stan Hansen. Akiyama's last major victory in All Japan Pro Wrestling was on February 27, 2000, when he defeated former tag team partner Mitsuharu Misawa by pinfall in a heated and highly acclaimed contest. His last match happened on July 20, where he and Jun Izumida lost to Takao Omori and Yoshihiro Takayama, and after that, he and other 25 wrestlers left to follow up Misawa to form Pro Wrestling Noah.

After a controversy in AJPW over the direction and management, he left the company with Mitsuharu Misawa, and half the roster, for Misawa's newly created Pro Wrestling Noah in mid-2000. Like many other members who made the jump, Akiyama gave himself a makeover, dropping his trademark blue and white trimmed boots and blue trunks for white boots and trunks and dyed his hair brown. He was quickly established as a top star of the company, winning both falls in the main event of Noah's first show, choking out Kenta Kobashi in the second Noah show the night after he turned heel for this first time in his career, and becoming the second GHC Heavyweight Champion, He had stellar title defenses in New Japan Pro-Wrestling against Yuji Nagata and Hiroshi Tanahashi. But a lack of worthy contenders eventually forced Noah to abandon his push, using Yoshinari Ogawa and Yoshihiro Takayama to transition the title back to Misawa. He continued work in Noah as a tag team competitor again to critical acclaim, winning the GHC Tag Team Championship with Akitoshi Saito.

In April 2004, he created the GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship to get back into singles competitions, and adapting an attitude manifested by wearing trunks that were odd colors for him. These motives helped put him back into contention for the GHC title against Kenta Kobashi, which was voted as Match of the Year. Late 2004 and much of 2005 were highlighted by his feud with protégé Makoto Hashi where Akiyama used "tough love" to toughen up young Hashi. On January 22, 2006, Akiyama defeated Akira Taue to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion for the second time, defending the title against Minoru Suzuki on March 5 and Masao Inoue on April 24. Akiyama was defeated by Naomichi Marufuji on Noah's September 9 Nippon Budokan show in his third defense of the GHC Heavyweight Title.

Following his title loss to Naomichi Marufuji, Akiyama made good his promise to Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, going back to wearing blue trunks, and wrestling mainly in the undercard. He successfully redeemed himself by defeating Kikuchi and once again wore white trunks following that match. This put him back in line for success, which had him winning the tag titles a second time with Takeshi Rikio. Due to an injury to Rikio, they were forced to vacate the title. Akiyama competed at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's third Annual "Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome" show, defeating Manabu Nakanishi.

On March 1, 2009, Akiyama defeated Kensuke Sasaki for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. On June 14, 2009, he was forced to vacate the title due to injury, in which left him out of action for the rest of the tour. After making his return later that year, Akiyama continued to wrestle sporadically whilst struggling with back injuries and the burden of post traumatic stress syndrome, following the death of Mitsuharu Misawa.

Akiyama participated in the first Global League, achieving a total of eight points with four wins and just one loss. As the Block B winner, he faced Block A winner Yoshihiro Takayama in the final match on May 2. Takayama won the tournament by pinning Akiyama with an Everest German suplex.

In April 2011, Akiyama and Akitoshi Saito won the 2011 Global Tag League.{{cite web|title=Global Tag Team League Tournament 2011 |url=http://www.noah-usa.cc/Global%20Tag%20Team%20Tournament%202011.html |work=Pro Wrestling Noah |access-date=2011-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515033758/http://noah-usa.cc/Global%20Tag%20Team%20Tournament%202011.html |archive-date=2011-05-15 }}

On October 23, 2011, Akiyama defeated Suwama to finally win All Japan's Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship,{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id%3D201 |title=全日本プロレス オフィシャルサイト - 公式ホームページ |access-date=October 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224090950/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=201 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 }} the belt he could not win during his eight-year run with the promotion before leaving for Pro-Wrestling Noah. Shortly after winning the Triple Crown, Akiyama adopted a new look as he shaved his head bald. On January 22, Akiyama and Saito defeated Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson) to win the GHC Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=898|title=Great Voyage 2012 in Osaka|access-date=2012-01-22|work=Pro Wrestling Noah|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329185000/http://www.noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=898|archive-date=2012-03-29|url-status=dead}} He has successfully defended the Triple Crown against Taiyō Kea (twice), Takao Omori and Keiji Mutoh. Akiyama lost the Triple Crown to Masakatsu Funaki on August 26, 2012, in a match that lasted less than five minutes.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=296|title=40th Anniversary Year Summer Impact 2012|access-date=2012-08-26|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224093909/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=296|archive-date=2013-12-24|url-status=dead}}

On December 3, 2012, it was reported that Akiyama had threatened to not re-sign with Noah after his contract expires in January 2013, when the promotion released Kenta Kobashi from his contract.{{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=2012-12-04 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210174908/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/60055/ |archive-date=2012-12-10 }} On December 19, Noah confirmed that Akiyama would leave the promotion on December 24.{{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}} On December 24, Akiyama, working as "Mr. Christmas", defeated his trainee Atsushi Aoki in both men's final Noah match.{{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}}{{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}}

{{Main|Burning (professional wrestling)}}

On January 26, 2013, Akiyama, Atsushi Aoki, Go Shiozaki, Kotaro Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, all of whom had quit Noah at the same time, announced that they had joined All Japan Pro Wrestling, reforming the "Burning" stable, which he previously formed with Kenta Kobashi in the late 1990s.{{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=2013-01-30 }} On March 17, Akiyama and Shiozaki defeated Get Wild (Manabu Soya and Takao Omori) to win the World Tag Team Championship.{{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=2013-03-17 |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 29, Akiyama defeated Kai in the finals to win the 2013 Champion Carnival.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=369|title=Gaora Special 2013 チャンピオン・カーニバル|access-date=2013-04-29|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113258/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=369|archive-date=2013-12-24|url-status=dead}} On May 11, Akiyama made a one-night return to Noah to take part in Kenta Kobashi's retirement match at Final Burning in Budokan, where he, Kobashi, Keiji Mutoh and Kensuke Sasaki defeated Go Shiozaki, Kenta, Maybach Taniguchi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.{{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}} On June 30, Akiyama received his shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, which he had earned by winning the Champion Carnival, but was defeated by the defending champion, Suwama.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=387 |title=2013 プロレスLove in 両国～an abiding belief～ |access-date=2013-06-30 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102749/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=387 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On July 5, following a mass exodus led by Keiji Mutoh, it was announced that Akiyama, 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=2013-07-23 }} On October 22, Akiyama and Shiozaki lost the World Tag Team Championship to Evolution (Joe Doering and Suwama).{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=428 |title=Anniversary Tour |access-date=2013-10-23 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103348/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=428 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} During the next week, Burning was hit hard with Shiozaki, Aoki and Suzuki all announcing that they were quitting the stable.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/197587/|script-title=ja:秋山がバーニング解体し大森と新タッグ|date=2013-10-24|access-date=2013-10-24|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja|archive-date=2013-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115209/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/197587/|url-status=dead}}{{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 January 26, 2014, Akiyama and Kanemaru defeated former stablemates Aoki and Suzuki to win the All Asia Tag Team Championship.{{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=2014-02-01 }} Following the win, Akiyama, attempting to become the first wrestler in 15 years to hold the All Asia and the World Tag Team Championships simultaneously, formed another tag team named "Wild Burning" with Takao Omori.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/228517/|script-title=ja:秋山が大森に「ワイルド・バーニング」結成呼びかけ|date=2014-01-28|access-date=2014-01-28|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235635/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/228517/|url-status=dead}} Akiyama and Omori received their title shot on February 8, but were defeated by the defending champions, Joe Doering and Suwama.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/6084/|script-title=ja:2014エキサイトシリーズ 大阪・ボディメーカーコロシアム|access-date=2014-02-08|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125040358/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/6084/|archive-date=2014-01-25}} On April 29, Akiyama and Kanemaru lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship to Keisuke Ishii and Shigehiro Irie at a Dramatic Dream Team event. Later that same event, Akiyama "accidentally" won the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship, after laying his arm on it during a backstage interview.{{cite web|url=http://www.ddtpro.com/ddtpro/9279/|title=Max Bump2014|access-date=2014-04-29|work=Dramatic Dream Team|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2014042901/ |title=DDT「Max Bump2014」 |last=Takagi |first=Hiromi |date=2014-04-29 |access-date=2014-04-29 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=Yahoo! |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429195406/http://live.sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/live/fight/all/2014042901/ |archive-date=2014-04-29 }}

On June 4, it was reported that Akiyama was taking over as the new president of All Japan, effective July 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/273706/|script-title=ja:全日本プロレス激震！秋山新社長で再出発へ|date=2014-06-04|access-date=2014-06-04|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja|archive-date=2014-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221631/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/273706/|url-status=dead}} All Japan confirmed the report with an official announcement the following day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/p-bt-tp0-20140605-1312577.html|script-title=ja:秋山社長 全日本７・１再出発|date=2014-06-05|access-date=2014-06-05|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}} Akiyama runs the new All Japan Pro Wrestling through a company named Zen Nihon Puroresu Innovation, while also serving as the promotion's representative director.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_news/10571/ |script-title=ja:「オールジャパン・プロレスリング株式会社」発足について |date=2014-07-04 |access-date=2014-07-04 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164325/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_news/10571/ |archive-date=2014-07-14 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20140704-1328720.html|script-title=ja:全日本秋山社長が馬場イズム回帰を宣言|date=2014-07-04|access-date=2014-07-04|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}} On June 15, Akiyama was placed in a decision match to determine a new Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, but was defeated by Takao Omori.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/9109/ |title=2014 ダイナマイトシリーズ 東京･後楽園ホール 【開幕戦】 |access-date=2014-06-15 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714135215/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/9109/ |archive-date=2014-07-14 }} On June 28, Akiyama and Omori defeated Joe Doering and Suwama to win the World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/9127/ |title=2014 ダイナマイトシリーズ 北海道・札幌テイセンホール |access-date=2014-06-28 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714160434/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/9127/ |archive-date=2014-07-14 }} After successfully defending the World Tag Team Championship against Akebono and Yutaka Yoshie on October 22, Akiyama and Omori vacated the title the following day in time for the 2014 World's Strongest Tag Determination League.{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20141023-1386186.html|script-title=ja:秋山、大森組が世界タッグ王者ベルト返上|date=2014-10-23|access-date=2014-10-23|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}} They regained the title by winning the tournament on December 6, defeating Go Shiozaki and Kento Miyahara in the finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【12-6%E3%80%80最終戦】2014-世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦%E3%80%80大/|script-title=ja:【12.6 最終戦】2014 世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦 大阪大会|date=2014-12-06|access-date=2014-12-06|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141206150816/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%9012-6%E3%80%80%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%88%A6%E3%80%912014-%E4%B8%96%E7%95%8C%E6%9C%80%E5%BC%B7%E3%82%BF%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0%E6%B1%BA%E5%AE%9A%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B0%E6%88%A6%E3%80%80%E5%A4%A7/|archive-date=2014-12-06}} Wild Burning's second reign ended on March 22, 2015, when they were defeated by Akebono and Yutaka Yoshie.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【3-22】-2015-ドリームパワーシリーズ%E3%80%80福岡大会/|script-title=ja:【3.22】 2015 ドリームパワーシリーズ 福岡大会|date=2015-03-22|access-date=2015-03-22|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150409125344/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%903-22%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%E7%A6%8F%E5%B2%A1%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A/|archive-date=2015-04-09}} On September 26, Akiyama defeated Akebono in the finals to win the 2015 Ōdō Tournament.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/?p=14743|script-title=ja:全日本9.26後楽園大会 第3回王道トーナメント準決勝／曙vs.石川、秋山vs.火野、優勝決定戦|date=2015-09-27|access-date=2015-09-27|work=Battle News|language=ja}} On November 1, Akyama defeated Akebono to win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship for the second time.{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/the-power-of-wrestling-charity-show-32601.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221175537/http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/the-power-of-wrestling-charity-show-32601.html |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |title=AJPW The Power Of Wrestling Charity Show |work=The Internet Wrestling Database |date=November 1, 2015 |access-date=February 21, 2023}} He lost the title to Suwama on January 2, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/new-years-two-days-3916---day-1-32614.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221175829/http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/new-years-two-days-3916---day-1-32614.html |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |title=AJPW New Years Two Days '16 – Day 1 |work=The Internet Wrestling Database |date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=February 21, 2023}} On August 11, Akiyama made a rare appearance outside of AJPW, when he took part in an event held by its splinter promotion Wrestle-1. Akiyama teamed with fellow AJPW wrestlers Naoya Nomura and Yuma Aoyagi to defeat the Wrestle-1 trio of Keiji Mutoh, Koji Doi and Kumagoro in an interpromotional six-man tag team match.{{cite web|url=http://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2016/08/11/0009378478.shtml|script-title=ja:Ｗ－１ 秋山が武藤との“全日社長対決”勝利も若手に激怒！|date=2016-08-11|access-date=2016-08-11|work=Daily Sports Online|publisher=Kobe Shimbun|language=ja}}

Image:秋山準2019.jpg

On March 12, 2017, Akiyama defeated Kenso to win the Gaora TV Championship for the first time.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/3-12後楽園ホール大会観衆1190人|title=3.12後楽園ホール大会[観衆]1190人|date=2017-03-12|access-date=2017-03-13|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja}} His Gaora TV Title reign was mostly be the midcard in comedy or gimmick-heavy matches as he wanted to settle down into a midcard role. During this run, he teamed with Takao Omori to again win the AJPW World Tag Team Championship in October 2017, celebrating both men's 25th anniversaries in wrestling. The match, which was originally supposed to be against reigning champions Strong BJ (Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi) of Big Japan Pro Wrestling, was changed before the show due to Okabayashi suffering a major shoulder injury and being forced to vacate. Big Japan's Ryuji Ito filled-in for Okabayashi. Wild Burning lost the tag title on January 3, 2018, to 2017 World's Strongest Tag Determination League winners, Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa. With Takao Omori going down injured around this time, Akiyama revived his old partnership with Yuji Nagata to challenge for the All Asia Tag Team Championship, held by NEXTREAM's Naoya Nomura and Yuma Aoyagi. The match, scheduled for February 3, was changed due to Yuma suffering a broken ankle and vacating the title. Ryoji Sai filled in as Naoya Nomura's partner in a losing effort to Nagata and Akiyama. When Takao Omori returned from injury he too chose to revisit an old partnership – teaming with Manabu Nakanishi in a Wild Child reunion to unsuccessfully challenge both men's regular partners on March 25. Despite saying in 2017 he wanted to take a step back from tournaments and main event titles, Akiyama participated in the 2018 Champion Carnival, presumably because of the large amount of injuries the rest of the roster was facing. In the B Block, Akiyama went 4–3 in the Champion Carnival, with a loss on the final block night to Noah representative Naomichi Marufuji costing him the chance to advance to the finals. On July 15, Akiyama's 490-day reign as Gaora TV Champion came to an end in a technical bout against Tajiri who cheated to win. On July 29, he and Nagata lost the All Asia Tag Team Championship to Nomura and a healed Aoyagi. In February 2021, he let his contract with All Japan expire.

In June 2020, it was announced that Akiyama would transfer to DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) for the remainder of the year.{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Bryan |title=JUN AKIYAMA MOVING TO DDT FOR THE REST OF 2020 |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/jun-akiyama-moving-ddt-rest-2020-314181 |website=f4wonline |publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |access-date=13 February 2021 |date=June 26, 2020}} On December 27, he won the D-Oh Grand Prix 2021, thus earning a title match for the KO-D Openweight Championship.{{cite web|title=D King Grand Prix 2021 (22.11.2020 bis 27.12.2020) |url=http://www.purolove.com/misc/ddt/history/dkinggp21.php |website=PuroLove.com |access-date=December 31, 2021 |language=de}}

In February 2021 it was announced that Akiyama had let his contract with AJPW expire and was a free agent. He then won the KO-D Openweight Championship at Kawasaki Strong 2021 from Tetsuya Endo. On February 15, 2021, it was announced that he had signed a one-year contract with DDT. On December 7, DDT announced that, at the request of Akiyama and Tetsuya Endo, Kenta Kobashi had endorsed the reformation of Burning for its fourth incarnation.{{cite web | url = https://www.ddtpro.com/news/17114 | script-title=ja:小橋建太氏公認で、遠藤哲哉が秋山準らとプロレス界の頂点目指す“新生BURNING”を結成！ | date=December 7, 2021 | access-date=December 7, 2021 | work=DDT Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}} Akiyama and Endo were immediately joined by Yusuke Okada and Yuya Koroku.{{cite web | url = https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/ddt/3843551/ | script-title=ja:小橋建太氏公認で、遠藤哲哉が秋山準らとプロレス界の頂点目指す“新生BURNING”を結成！ | date=December 7, 2021 | access-date=December 7, 2021 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=ja}} On December 26, at Never Mind 2021 in Yoyogi, this new stable debuted by defeating The37Kamiina (Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Ueno, Mao and Toui Kojima).{{cite web | url = https://proresu-today.com/archives/177429 | script-title=ja:【DDT】佐々木大輔が高梨将弘を退けUNIVERSAL王座V3！22年1・30後楽園で因縁の藤田ミノルが挑戦 | date=December 27, 2021 | access-date=December 30, 2021 | work=Proresu-Today.com | language=ja}} On December 4, Akiyama defeated Joey Janela in a Tables, ladders, and chairs match to win the DDT Extreme Championship.{{cite web |author=DDT Pro Wrestling |date=December 4, 2022 |title=DDT ProWrestling |script-title=ja:D王 GRAND PRIX 2022 the FINAL |url=https://www.ddtpro.com/results/19351 |access-date=December 4, 2022 |work=ddtpro.com |language=Japanese}}

Through a working relationship between DDT and American professional wrestling company All Elite Wrestling, Akiyama made his AEW debut, on the November 18, 2022 episode of Rampage, teaming with fellow DDT wrestler Konosuke Takeshita, to defeat the team of Ortiz and Eddie Kingston. After the match, Kingston demanded a singles match between himself and Akiyama, which AEW President Tony Khan scheduled for the Zero Hour of Full Gear. On November 19 at the event, Kingston defeated Akiyama, as the two bowed and embraced, showing their respect for one another after the match.{{cite web | url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/11/19/aew-full-gear-zero-hour-pre-show-results-eddie-kingston-vs-jun-akiyama-ricky-starks-vs-brian-cage-in-an-aew-eliminator-tournament-semifinal-match-orange-cassidy-chuck-taylor-trent-beretta-rock/ | title=AEW Full Gear Zero Hour pre-show results: Eddie Kingston vs. Jun Akiyama, Ricky Starks vs. Brian Cage in an AEW Eliminator Tournament semifinal match, Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, and Danhausen vs. QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Lee Johnson, Cole Karter, and Nick Comoroto | date=19 November 2022 }} Akiyama made his return to AEW on the February 24, 2024 episode of Collision, where he was defeated by Bryan Danielson. After the match, Danielson attacked Akiyama but was thwarted by Kingston who was doing commentary for the match.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Suit |date=2024-02-24 |title=AEW Collision live results: Bryan Danielson vs. Jun Akiyama |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-collision-live-results-bryan-danielson-vs-jun-akiyama |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results |language=en}}

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
• All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Takao Omori (1), Yoshinobu Kanemaru (1), Yuji Nagata (1) and Kotaro Suzuki (1){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/alljapan/asia-t.html |title=All Asia Tag Team Title (Japan) |website=Wrestling-titles.com |access-date=2016-05-12}}
• Gaora TV Championship (1 time)
• Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
• World Tag Team Championship (7 times) – with Kenta Kobashi (2), Mitsuharu Misawa (1), Go Shiozaki (1), and Takao Omori (3){{cite web|url=http://wrestling-titles.com/japan/alljapan/aj-t.html |title=World Tag Team Title (AJPW) |website=Wrestling-titles.com |access-date=2016-05-12}}
• All Japan vs. Ehime Pro 1 Day Six Man Tag Tournament (2019) - with Carbell Ito and Rising Hayato
• Asunaro Cup (1994)
• Asunaro Tag Cup (1998) – with Takao Omori
• Champion Carnival (2013)
• Ōdō Tournament (2015)
• One Night Six Man Tag Team Tournament (1999) – with Kenta Kobashi and Kentaro Shiga{{cite web|url=http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/junakiyama.php|title=Purolove profile|access-date=2010-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017200747/http://www.purolove.com/noah/profiles/junakiyama.php|archive-date=2008-10-17|url-status=dead}}
• World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1998, 1999) – with Kenta Kobashi
• World's Strongest Tag Determination League (2014) – with Takao Omori
• Zen Nihon Award (2014){{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/?p=3585|script-title=ja:全日本12.14後楽園大会 和田京平レフェリー40周年＆還暦記念大会、全試合を京平レフェリーがプロデュース|date=2014-12-15|access-date=2014-12-14|work=Battle News|language=ja}}
• DDT Pro-Wrestling
• DDT Extreme Championship (1 time)
• Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (4 times){{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8096/ |title=2014 スーパーパワーシリーズ 神奈川･横浜ラジアントホール |access-date=2014-05-17 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518003942/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8096/ |archive-date=2014-05-18 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8106/ |title=2014 スーパーパワーシリーズ 千葉･Blue Field |access-date=2014-05-25 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232155/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/8106/ |archive-date=2014-05-25 }}
• KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Danshoku Dino and Makoto Oishi{{cite web |url=https://www.ddtpro.com/results/21682 |title=Get Alive 2023 TOUR in SHINJUKU |date=November 16, 2023 |work=DDT Pro-Wrestling |language=ja}}
• KO-D Openweight Championship (1 time){{cite web| url = https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=739| title = Reference at www.cagematch.net}}
• D-Oh Grand Prix (2021)
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling
• Singles Best Bout (2003) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan on August 17{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2003-awards.html|title=2003 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit}}
• Tag Team Best Bout (2001) with Yuji Nagata vs. Hiroshi Hase and Keiji Mutoh on October 8{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2001-awards.html|title=2001 New Japan Awards|access-date=2011-04-28|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083303/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2001-awards.html|url-status=dead}}
• Nikkan Sports
• Match of the Year (2001) with Yuji Nagata vs. Keiji Mutoh and Hiroshi Hase on October 8{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2001|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2001|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120612/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2001|url-status=dead}}
• Match of the Year (2004) vs. Kenta Kobashi on July 10{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2004|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2004|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 21, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160939/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2004|url-status=dead}}
• Match of the Year (2007) with Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Kenta Kobashi and Yoshihiro Takayama on December 2{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2007|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2007|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204182301/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2007|url-status=dead}}
• Match of the Year (2011) vs. Suwama on October 23{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2011|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2011|website=wrestlingscout|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120152137/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2011|url-status=dead}}
• Outstanding Performance Award (2000, 2001){{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2000|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 2000|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 14, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120611/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2000|url-status=dead}}
• Fighting Spirit Award (1998){{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-1998|title=Nikkan Sports Awards - 1998|website=wrestlingscout|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202120158/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-1998|url-status=dead}}
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
• Ranked No. 6 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012{{cite journal|title=none|year=2012|journal=Pro Wrestling Illustrated|volume=33|issue=7|issn= 1043-7576|page=23}}
• PWI ranked him #90 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
• Pro Wrestling Noah
• GHC Heavyweight Championship (3 times){{cite web|url=http://www.noah-usa.cc/GHC%20Heavyweight%20Champion%20sub%20title%20page.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801050149/http://www.noah-usa.cc/GHC%20Heavyweight%20Champion%20sub%20title%20page.html |archive-date=August 1, 2009 }}
• GHC Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Akitoshi Saito (2), and Takeshi Rikio (1){{cite web|url=http://www.noah-usa.cc/GHC%20Heavyweight%20Tag%20Team%20Champ%20sub%20title%20page.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421035028/http://www.noah-usa.cc/GHC%20Heavyweight%20Tag%20Team%20Champ%20sub%20title%20page.html |archive-date=April 21, 2013 }}
• GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.noah-usa.cc/G%20HARDCORE%20CROWN%20Champ%20sub%20title%20page.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 17, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716173528/http://www.noah-usa.cc/G%20HARDCORE%20CROWN%20Champ%20sub%20title%20page.html |archive-date=July 16, 2007 }}
• Global Tag League (2011) – with Akitoshi Saito
• Tokyo Sports
• Best Tag Team Award (1999) with Kenta Kobashi
• Fighting Spirit Award (1998)
• Match of the Year Award (2004) vs. Kenta Kobashi on July 10
• Newcomer of the Year Award (1992){{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past3/|script-title=ja:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞|access-date=2014-01-20|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja}}
• Outstanding Performance Award (2000, 2001, 2011){{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past4/|script-title=ja:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞|access-date=2014-01-20|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past5/|script-title=ja:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞|access-date=2014-01-20|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja}}
• Technique Award (2003)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
• Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (class of 2020){{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/november-16-2020-observer-newsletter-2020-observer-hall-fame-issue-325041|title=November 16, 2020 Observer Newsletter: 2020 Observer Hall of Fame Issues |last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}
• Match of the Year (1996) – with Mitsuharu Misawa vs Steve Williams and Johnny Ace @ AJPW Super Power Series - Tag 15
• Match of the Year (2004) vs. Kenta Kobashi @ Noah Departure
• Rookie of the Year (1993)
• Tag Team of the Year (1996, 1997) with Mitsuharu Misawa
• Tag Team of the Year (1999) with Kenta Kobashi

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Akiyama, Jun}}

Category:1969 births

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