Seiji Sakaguchi is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and judoka, Sakaguchi holds a 7th dan red and white belt in Judo. Sakaguchi was a mainstay of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance. His sons are professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter Yukio Sakaguchi and television actor Kenji Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi currently works for NJPW as an advisor.
He debuted in August 1967 for the Japan Wrestling Association. When JWA closed down in 1973, he joined New Japan Pro Wrestling. He retired from the ring in March 1990. He was the president of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1992 to 1993.
At age 61, Sakaguchi came out of retirement to team up with Masahiro Chono against Yoshihiro Takayama and Shinya Makabe on September 14, 2003.
Sakaguchi also appeared in the 1982 American film Forced Vengeance. His role was a minor one, though he did appear in the film's climactic fight scene, battling star Chuck Norris.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Entrance themes
- "Moeyo Arawashi"
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other honoree (1996)
- Japan Wrestling Association
- All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Michiaki Yoshimura
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (2 times) with Giant Baba (1) and Kintaro Oki (1)
- NWA United National Championship (2 times)
- New Japan Pro Wrestling
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (5 times) with Antonio Inoki (2), Strong Kobayashi (2), and Riki Chōshū (1)
- WWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him # 146 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Tag Team Award (1975) with Antonio Inoki
- Best Tag Team Award (1976) with Strong Kobayashi
- Fighting Spirit Award (1977)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (1990, 2012)
- Outstanding Performance Award (1976)
- Special Award (2003)