Akira Raijin

Akira Kawabata was born on July 17, 1978, in Takarazuka, Hyōgo.

Trained by former junior heavyweight contender Masanobu Kurisu, Kawabata made his debut in 1998, using the ring name Akira Raijin, working primarily on the Japanese independent circuit.

On August 28, 2004, Raijin debuted for All Japan Pro Wrestling losing to Ryuji Hijikata. His early years with All Japan would be mostly uneventful which is normal for a new wrestler in a Japanese promotion. On June 17, 2005, Raijin teamed with Nobukazu Hirai in a tournament to determine the number one conders for the All Asia Tag Team Championship but lost to Katsuhiko Nakajima and Tomoaki Honma. In November, Raijin and Kohei Suwama participated in the 2005 Real World Tag League but would not pass the round robin stage. On January 4, 2007, Raijin along with Kikutaro and Nobutaka Araya took on, and lost to, El Samurai, Masanobu Fuchi and Ryusuke Taguchi at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome. On May 13, All Japan said farewell to Raijin along with Brute Issei, who both went on overseas training excursions.

Raijin returned to All Japan on June 22, 2008, but just three months later it was announced that he would be travelling back to North America, to work for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), who had signed him to a contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/raijin.html|title=Puroresu Central profile|work=Puroresu Central}} On October 11 Raijin lost to Suwama in his All Japan farewell match.

On September 13, 2009, Raijin made a one-night return to All Japan, teaming up with Great Muta in a winning effort against Suwama and Shuji Kondo.

On March 21, 2010, Raijin made another return to All Japan, now using his TNA ring name Kiyoshi, he teamed up with Bushi to defeat the tag team of Chessman and Dark Ozz.{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=49186|title=AJPW Pro-Wrestling Love in Ryogoku Vol. 9|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-04-01}} On April 3 Kiyoshi entered All Japan's 2010 Champion Carnival. He defeated René Duprée and Suwama, but lost to Taiyō Kea and Masakatsu Funaki in the round robin stage of the tournament, finished third in his block and did not advance to the semifinals.{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=49565|title=AJPW Champion Carnival 2010 - Tag 1|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-05-09}}{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=49606|title=AJPW Champion Carnival 2010 - Tag 2|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-05-09}}{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=49836|title=AJPW Champion Carnival 2010 - Tag 4|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-05-09}}{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=49947|title=AJPW Champion Carnival 2010 - Tag 5|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-05-09}}{{cite web | url=http://superluchas.com/resultados-ajpw-champions-carnival-dias-1-2-y-3-ryota-hamma-es-frenado-por-satoshi-kojima/ | title= Resultados AJPW Champion's Carnival días 1, 2 y 3 – Ryota Hamma es frenado por Satoshi Kojima. | date= April 6, 2010 | accessdate= May 13, 2010 | work=Súper Luchas | language=es}} On April 11, the final night of the tournament, Kiyoshi teamed with Satoshi Kojima to defeat Gurentai (Nosawa Rongai and Taiyō Kea) in a tag team match.{{cite web|url=http://cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=50052|title=AJPW Champion Carnival 2010 - Tag 7|publisher=Cagematch|accessdate=2010-05-09}}{{cite web | url=http://superluchas.com/resultados-ajpw-11-de-abril-minoru-suzuki-gana-por-segundo-ano-consecutivo-el-champions-carnival/ | title=Resultados AJPW (11 de Abril) – Minoru Suzuki gana por segundo año consecutivo el Champion's Carnival. | date= April 12, 2010 | accessdate= May 13, 2010 | work=Súper Luchas | language=es}}

Raijin left Japan to live in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with Scott D'Amore to gain "learning experience" in North America. Raijin would go on to work for various promotions within Canada and eventually branched off into the United States. Raijin wrestled for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, teaming with Brute Issei and losing to Havok and Martyr in a tryout dark match on July 15, 2007, prior to the Victory Road pay-per-view.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/48944/this-day-in-history-hell-freezes-over-bischoff-and-mcmahon-hug-on-raw.html?p=1|title=This day in history: hell freezes over - Bischoff and McMahon hug on Raw|last=Martinez|first=Ryan|author2=Woodward, Buck|date=2010-07-15|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|accessdate=2010-08-11}} On August 12, 2007, Raijin appeared at Juggalo Championship Wrestling's premier show, Bloodymania. He teamed with Brute Issei in the 8 Team Tag Team Elimination match for the JCW Tag Team Championship, becoming the fifth team eliminated in the match. On August 18, at Chikara, Raijin took on Mike Quackenbush in a losing effort for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://chikarafans.com/?page_id=855|title="Here Come the International Invaders: 2nd Stage – Revenge of the Clone Menace" – 8/18/2007|publisher=Chikara Fans|accessdate=2010-05-09}} On April 23, 2008, Raijin took part in JCW's "Slam TV Tour 2008". He debuted as Kowabata, being managed by "The Guidance Counselor" Scott D'Amore.{{cite episode |title=Slam TV Season 2 - Episode 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ph1KX5BiQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/m1ph1KX5BiQ |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|series=SlamTV! |credits=Creator and Producer: Insane Clown Posse |location=Toledo, Ohio |airdate=2008-06-16 |season=2 }}{{cbignore}} After a series of singles victories, Kowabata was put into a stable alongside Scott D'Amore and Conrad "Lights Out" Kennedy.{{cite episode |title=Slam TV Season 2 - Episode 4 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9B7oNXlKuM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/f9B7oNXlKuM |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|series=SlamTV! |credits=Creator and Producer: Insane Clown Posse |location=St. Louis, Missouri |airdate=2008-07-31 |season=2 }}{{cbignore}} D'Amore proclaimed that the team of Kowabata and Kennedy would reform JCW. At the following show, Kowabata and Kennedy defeated fan favorites The Ring Rydas.{{cite episode |title=Slam TV Season 2 - Episode 5 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT7cmP_w0nQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/LT7cmP_w0nQ |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|series=SlamTV! |credits=Creator and Producer: Insane Clown Posse |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin |airdate=2008-08-04 |season=2 }}{{cbignore}} Raijin took part in two BSE Pro tournaments which included Adrenaline Cup and the Sudbury Scramble Cup, both of which he did not win. Kowabata was set to appear at the 2008 Hallowicked After Party, but was signed to TNA weeks prior to the event, resulting in him having to cancel the appearance.

While part of TNA, Raijin continued to wrestle on the independent circuit. On December 20, Kowabata took on JCW Heavyweight Champion Corporal Robinson at Big Ballas X–Mas Party '08 in a losing effort. Raijin would mostly appear for Border City Wrestling and even had a shot at the BCW Can-Am Heavyweight Championship which he lost. On March 13, 2010, Raijin took on Kevin Steen for the Capital City Championship Combat Championship and lost. Raijin, as Kowabata, returned to JCW on May 4, 2011, at the St. Andrews Brawl internet pay-per-view, where he defeated Bill Martel in a singles match.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/20503/|title=Thurs. update: Vince talks WWE financials, new plans, PPV numbers, Chyna in TNA, TUF rating, Couture|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=2011-05-05|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|accessdate=2011-05-05}} At the June 30 pay-per-view Kawabata defeated Jimmy Jacobs in a singles match.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/21214-fri-update-wwe-in-australia-anniversary-of-legendary-bout-austin-dr-talks-marquardt|title=Fri. update: WWE in Australia, anniversary of legendary bout, Austin, Dr. talks Marquardt|date=2011-07-01|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|accessdate=2011-07-01|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} His final match in North America came on January 28, 2012, when he lost to Josh Alexander at Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW).

In the later half of 2008, Kawabata signed a two-year deal with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling after an appearance on Border City Wrestling's (BCW) 15th anniversary show. He was given a heel gimmick, Kiyoshi, which resembled his mentor Great Muta, together with similar face paint and mannerisms. In his debut match on December 18, 2008, he defeated Consequences Creed with a moonsault to advance to the semifinals in a tournament for the vacant TNA X Division Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/tnaimpact/tnaimpact2008/1229665286.shtml|title=Impact Results - 12/18/08 - Orlando, FL|last=Boutwell|first=Josh|date=2008-12-19|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=2009-11-14}} On December 25, he lost to Chris Sabin, failing to advance into the finals of the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/26/7851216.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611050916/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/26/7851216.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2015|title=Impact: Foley Claus is coming to town|last=Sokol|first=Chris|date=2008-12-26|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2009-04-06}}

File:Kiyoshi entrance gear.jpg

On the March 5, 2009, episode of TNA Impact!, Kiyoshi, accompanied by the tag team No Limit (Yujiro and Naito), was unable to defeat the TNA X Division Champion Alex Shelley in a match for the title.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/06/8647016.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223044654/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/06/8647016.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 23, 2015|title=Impact: Jarrett shows Angle the door|last=Sokol|first=Chris|author2=Sokol, Bryan|date=2009-03-06|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2009-04-03}} On the March 14 edition of TNA Xplosion, Kiyoshi defeated Shark Boy with his signature Lightning Flash. On the March 26, 2009, episode of Impact!, Kiyoshi, accompanied by the tag team of No Limit, unsuccessfully challenged Suicide for the TNA X Division Championship.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/27/8900601.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223054006/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/03/27/8900601.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 23, 2015|title=Impact: Captain Joe|last=Sokol|first=Chris|author2=Sokol, Bryan|date=2009-03-27|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2009-04-03}} Kiyoshi and No Limit then aligned themselves with Sheik Abdul Bashir.

After No Limit left the company in May 2009, the duo of Kiyoshi and Bashir went on to form an alliance with The British Invasion of Doug Williams, Brutus Magnus and Rob Terry as well as Eric Young, known as World Elite. The members represented anti–American faction of countries, with Williams, Magnus and Terry representing Great Britain, Bashir representing Iran, Young representing Canada, Kiyoshi representing Japan and Homicide, who joined the group later, representing Puerto Rico. During the summer of 2009, Kiyoshi gradually faded out his Great Muta look and debuted a new look, complete with new ring attire and altered hair style. The World Elite split in early 2010, with Kiyoshi wrestled his last match so far for TNA on February 16, 2010, in an X Division three-way match, taped for Xplosion, where he and Homicide were defeated by Amazing Red.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1266387046.php?style=dark|title=SPOILERS: 2/16 TNA Impact tapings|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=2010-02-17|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=2010-05-23}} Kawabata spent the next four months wrestling part-time in Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling.

Kawabata returned to TNA on June 14, 2010, now under a mask portraying the face character of Suicide, losing to Magnus in a match taped for Xplosion.{{cite web| url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/142746/Various-News:-Suicide-Correction,-Summerslam-Weekend-Update.htm|title=Various News: Suicide Correction, Summerslam Weekend Update|last=Csonka|first=Larry|date=2010-06-18|work=411Mania|accessdate=2010-06-18}}{{cite web| url=http://wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276582066|title=Spoilers: TNA Impact TV tapings for June 17|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=2010-06-15|work=Wrestleview|accessdate=2010-06-18}} At the July 12 tapings of Xplosion, Kawabata picked up his first victory as Suicide, defeating Eric Young.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1278978502 |title=Spoilers: TNA Xplosion tapings in Orlando |last=Gerweck |first=Steve |date=2010-07-12 |work=Wrestleview |accessdate=2010-07-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924065846/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1278978502 |archive-date=2012-09-24 }}

After Kawabata's original two–year contract with TNA expired, it was announced on September 28, 2010, that he had signed a two–year contract extension with the promotion.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=224 |script-title=ja:雷陣明選手のＴＮＡ契約に関して |date=2010-09-28 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |accessdate=2010-10-30 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224115132/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=224 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} On the October 8, 2010, edition of Xplosion Kawabata returned without the Suicide gimmick, working as Kiyoshi and forming a new tag team with compatriot Okada. They were defeated in their first match together by Ink Inc. (Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore).{{cite episode|title=TNA Xplosion ep. 315|episode-link=TNA Xplosion|series=TNA Xplosion|series-link=TNA Xplosion|credits=Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|network=Extreme Sports Channel|airdate=2010-10-08|minutes= approx. 28}} On October 13, Suicide's profile was removed from TNA's official website, seemingly signaling the end of the gimmick. Kiyoshi and Okada had a rematch with Ink Inc. at the December 7 tapings of Xplosion, but were once again defeated.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1291837293 |title=Spoilers: TNA Impact tapings for 12/16 and 1/6 |date=2010-12-08 |accessdate=2010-12-08 |last=Martin |first=Adam |work=Wrestleview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216170159/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1291837293 |archive-date=2010-12-16 }} Shortly afterwards, Kiyoshi's profile was also removed from TNA's official website.

File:078-15PER.jpg

On February 29, 2012, All Japan Pro Wrestling announced that Raijin would be returning to the promotion from his American excursion on March 20.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1042 |script-title=ja:雷陣も凱旋!!～その他のシリーズ参戦選手のお知らせ!! |date=2012-02-29 |accessdate=2012-03-07 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224101331/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=1042 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} In his return match, Raijin teamed with Kaz Hayashi and Minoru Tanaka in a losing effort against the team of Gillette, Hiroshi Yamato and Kai, with Gillette pinning Raijin for the win.{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2012/2012032001/index.html |title=全日本プロレス「４０ｔｈ Ａｎｎｉｖｅｒｓａｒｙ Ｙｅａｒ ２０１２ プロレスＬove ｉｎ 両国 Ｖｏｌ．１４」 |date=2012-03-20 |accessdate=2012-03-21 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=Yahoo! |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322063502/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/other/live/2012/2012032001/index.html |archive-date=2012-03-22 }} On April 1, Kawabata debuted as the masked character Sushi, when he entered the 2012 Junior Tag League alongside Bushi.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=244 |title=40th Anniversary Year 2012 Growin'Up ～ジュニア・タッグリーグ戦～ |accessdate=2012-04-24 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113241/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=244 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} Sushi and Bushi made it all the way to the finals of the tournament on April 14, where they were defeated by Kaz Hayashi and Shuji Kondo.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=249 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222223023/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=249 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-22 |title=40th Anniversary Year 2012 Growin'Up ～ジュニア・タッグリーグ戦～ |accessdate=2012-04-24 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }} In July, Sushi took part in the 2012 Junior Hyper League, where he finished with a record of three wins and two losses, failing to advance from his round-robin block.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=287 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222223005/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-22 |title=40th Anniversary Year 2012 Junior Hyper League |accessdate=2012-07-29 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }} Following Bushi's departure from All Japan, Sushi formed a new partnership with rookie Andy Wu, with the two taking part in the Junior Hyper Tag League in early 2013, where they failed to advance to the finals.{{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～ |accessdate=2013-04-08 |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 }}{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=356 |title=すわまちおこし Vol.1 チャリティー茅ヶ崎大会～2013 Junior Hyper Tag League～ |accessdate=2013-04-08 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224093944/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=356 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=366 |title=2013 Junior Hyper Tag League |accessdate=2013-04-08 |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 26, Kawabata as Sushi received his first shot at the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion Yoshinobu Kanemaru.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=371 |title=Gaora Special 2013 チャンピオン・カーニバル |accessdate=2013-04-26 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114823/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=371 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} Sushi re-entered the title picture on October 12 by pinning Kanemaru in a six-man tag team main event.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/battle/2013/10/001990.php|title=全日本41年目の旗揚げ記念シリーズ開幕戦を締めたSushiが、世界ジュニア王座に挑戦表明！宮原は潮崎に肉薄したものの惜敗！|date=2013-10-13|accessdate=2013-10-13|work=Battle News|language=ja}} Sushi received his title shot on October 27, but was again defeated by Kanemaru.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=430 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105814/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=430 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-24 |title=Anniversary Tour |accessdate=2013-10-27 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }}

Afterwards, Sushi began petitioning for All Japan to restore the Gaora TV Championship, which had been quietly sidelined earlier in the year.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2208 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222224538/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2208 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-22 |title=Sushi選手、最強タッグを辞退！Gaoraベルト復活を希望！！ |date=2013-11-11 |accessdate=2013-11-21 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }} After its restoration, Sushi entered a four-man tournament for the vacant title, defeating Hikaru Sato in his semifinal match on November 21.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=432 |title=2013 王道ルネサンス |accessdate=2013-11-21 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224084309/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=432 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }} Three days later, Sushi defeated Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) representative Keisuke Ishii in the finals to win the tournament and become the third Gaora TV Champion.{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=434 |title=2013 王道ルネサンス |accessdate=2013-11-24 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222224543/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=434 |archive-date=2013-12-22 }} Sushi made his first successful title defense on January 3, 2014, against another DDT representative, Soma Takao.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1144/ |script-title=ja:ニューイヤーウォーズ 2014 東京・後楽園ホール大会 |accessdate=2014-01-03 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103190556/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1144/ |archive-date=2014-01-03 }} On February 23, Sushi, alongside Menso～re Oyaji, received his first shot at the All Asia Tag Team Championship. The two were, however, defeated by the defending champions, Burning (Jun Akiyama and Yoshinobu Kanemaru).{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1240/ |title=エールクリエイトpresents 2014 沖縄Impact vol.1 |accessdate=2014-02-23 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227082529/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1240/ |archive-date=2014-02-27 }} On May 17, Sushi lost the Gaora TV Championship to Kotaro Suzuki in his second defense.{{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 |accessdate=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 }} On December 14, Sushi put his mask on the line in a tag team match, where he and "Mr. Christmas" faced Último Dragón and Masked Burning #2. Though Sushi was pinned for the win by Dragón and was per stipulation supposed to unmask himself, Mr. Christmas instead offered to unmask in his place, revealing himself as Jun Akiyama.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/?p=3585|title=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|accessdate=2014-12-14|work=Battle News|language=ja}} On June 4, 2015, Sushi defeated Kenso to win the Gaora TV Championship for the second time.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【6-4】-2015ダイナマイト・シリーズ%E3%80%80開幕戦・後楽園|title=【6.4】 2015ダイナマイト・シリーズ 開幕戦・後楽園大会|date=2015-06-04|accessdate=2015-06-04|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712065003/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%906-4%E3%80%91-2015%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8A%E3%83%9E%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E9%96%8B%E5%B9%95%E6%88%A6%E3%83%BB%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92/|archive-date=2015-07-12|url-status=dead}} On August 15, Sushi fractured his jaw in a match, which sidelined him indefinitely and forced him to forfeit the Gaora TV Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/news/8-16神戸大会において一部対戦カード変更のお知ら|title=8.16神戸大会において一部対戦カード変更のお知らせ|date=2015-08-16|accessdate=2015-08-15|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling|language=ja}} {{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made his return to in-ring action on November 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【11-1】全日本プロエス　チャリティー弘前大会/ |script-title=ja:【11.1】全日本プロレス チャリティー弘前大会 |date=2015-11-02 |accessdate=2015-11-02 |work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }} {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On January 15, 2017, AJPW announced that Sushi would be leaving the promotion at the end of the month and becoming a freelancer.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/sushi%e9%81%b8%e6%89%8b%e9%80%80%e5%9b%a3%e3%81%ae%e3%81%8a%e7%9f%a5%e3%82%89%e3%81%9b|script-title=ja:Sushi選手退団のお知らせ|date=2017-01-15|accessdate=2017-01-15|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }} On January 28, Sushi was defeated by Jun Akiyama in his final AJPW match.{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/match/1-28%e5%9f%bc%e7%8e%89%ef%bd%a5%e9%b3%a9%e5%b1%b1%e7%94%ba%e4%b8%ad%e5%a4%ae%e5%85%ac%e6%b0%91%e9%a4%a8%e5%a4%a7%e4%bc%9a%ef%bc%bb%e8%a6%b3%e8%a1%86%ef%bc%bd455%e4%ba%ba%e8%b6%85%e6%ba%80%e5%93%a1|script-title=ja:1.28埼玉･鳩山町中央公民館大会［観衆］455人(超満員)|date=2017-01-28|accessdate=2017-01-29|work=All Japan Pro Wrestling |language=ja }}

After becoming a freelancer, Kawabata continued working under a mask as Sushi, but also resumed working unmasked as Kiyoshi.{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/?p=29834|title=Sushiが女子レスラーとおにぎりvs寿司対決！|date=2017-05-16|accessdate=2017-07-17|work=Battle News|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/709833/|title=諏訪魔 初の電流爆破戦で大仁田組撃破もレフェリー・カシンの謎ジャッジで混乱|date=2017-07-16|accessdate=2017-07-17|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja}}

File:Kiyoshi Moonsault.jpg]]

• Finishing moves
• Crossface - 2011
• Diving headbutt drop - 2008-2012
• DOA / Dead On Arrival (Sunset flip powerbomb) - 2010
• Katsuo no Ipponzuri (Fisherman brainbuster) - 2012-present
• Kurt Cobain (Stomp facebreaker) - 2011
• Lightning Flash (Thrown death valley driver) - 1998-2012
• Moonsault - 1998-2012
• Raijin Buster (Sitout powerslam) - 1998-2008
• Running reverse STO to a kneeling opponent - 1998-2012
• Tekamaki (Baseball slide arm wringer into a jackknife hold) - 2012-present
• Signature moves
• Armbar
• Asian mist
• Diving high knee
• Diving seated senton
• Diving somersault plancha
• High speed high kick to the head of a seated or kneeling opponent
• Mongolian chop
• Overhead belly-to-belly suplex
• Rolling back kick
• Running shoulder block
• Side kick
• Sliding lariat
• Straight jacket neckbreaker slam
• Nicknames
• "The Magic Ninja"
• "The Worldwide"
• Managers
• Jonathan Presley
• Scott D'Amore
• Entrance themes
• "Kiyoshi Theme" by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2008-2012)
• "World Elite" by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2009-2010; used as a member of World Elite)
• "Coming Alive" by AD/AM (TNA; 2010)
• "Sushi Kui nee!" by Shibugakitai (AJPW/Independent circuit; 2012-present)

• All Japan Pro Wrestling
• Gaora TV Championship (2 times)
• Gaora TV Championship Tournament (2013)
• Championship International Wrestling
• CIW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=1445|title=CIW United States Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2013-05-22|work=WrestlingData}}
• UPW Pro Wrestling
• UPW Alternative Championship (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
• PWI ranked him #151 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=97&nr=91#2009|title=PWI 500|accessdate=2010-02-07|publisher=Cagematch}}
• Tenryu Project
• Tenryu Project World 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) — with Daichi Hashimoto and Hikaru Sato

{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de apuestas|l1=Luchas de apuestas}}

{{reflist|group=Note}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Akira Raijin}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224113/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/profile/raijin.php Raijin's All Japan Pro Wrestling profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141006111646/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/player/sushi/ Sushi's All Japan Pro Wrestling profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110102062049/http://www.tnawrestling.com/roster/superstar-roster/item/1626-kiyoshi TNA profile]
• {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
• {{Twitter}}

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Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers

Category:20th-century Japanese professional wrestlers

Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers

Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers

Category:People from Takarazuka, Hyōgo

Category:Japanese male professional wrestlers

Category:Masked wrestlers

Category:Sportspeople from Hyōgo Prefecture

Category:Gaora TV Champions

Category:Tenryu Project World 6-Man Tag Team Champions