Akebono Tarō

Akebono Tarō (born Chad Rowan, May 8, 1969-April 10, 2024) was a Hawaiian professional wrestler and former Sumo wrestler. Akebono is most well known to American fans for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2005, where he faced The Big Show in a Sumo match at WrestleMania 21.

Career[]

Finishing moves
- Banzai Drop (Corner slingshot seated senton) – 2006–2007; adopted from Rodney Anoa'i
- M64 (Falling hip toss to an oncoming opponent)
- Muso (Waist-lift side slam) – 2012–2017 adopted from Takeshi Rikio
- Yokozuna Drop / Japanese Drop (Samoan drop, sometimes from the second rope)
- Yokozuna Impact (Jumping piledriver) – 2013–2017
- Yokozuna Press
Signature moves
- Asian mist – adopted from The Great Muta
- Baseball slide
- Bearhug
- Body avalanche
- Bono Bomber (Spinning side slam) – 2007; parodied from Milano Collection A.T.
- Chokeslam
- Flashing Elbow (Running twisting elbow drop) – adopted from The Great Muta
- Hip toss
- Lariat
- Leg drop
- Makai Otoshi (Delayed brainbuster)
- Running elbow drop
- Shoulder block

With Taiyo Kea
- Double team finishing moves
  - Volcano Splash (Akebono performs a diving splash with Kea on his back)

With Takeshi Rikio
- Double team finishing moves
  - Rikibono Splash 63 (Akebono performs a diving splash with Rikio on his back)

With Shinjiro Otani
- Double team finishing moves
  - Dai Funka (Missile dropkick by Otani followed by a Yokozuna Press by Akebono)
  - Dai Kazan Press (Akebono performs a diving splash with Otani on his back)
Entrance themes
- "Time to Fight"