Ryuji Hijikata

Ryuji Hijikata

Birthdate: May 17th, 1978
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Debut: February 7th, 1998
Background: BattlARTS
Promotion History: BattlARTS (1998 to 2000) and All Japan (2002 to present)
Alliances: None
Ring Attire: Purple trunks
Card Position: Lower Mid-Card
Major Tournaments Won: All Japan Jr. Tag League (2008)
Current Title Held: None

Championship History:

All Japan Jr. Heavyweight Championship:
- Defeated Silver King on 4/29/08 and lost to Naomichi Marufuji on 9/28/08

Biggest Matches:
- April 29th, 2008 vs. Silver King (title win)
- September 28th, 2008 vs. Naomichi Marufuji (title defense)

Signature Moves:
- Fisherman Buster (HQ)
- Half-Hatch Suplex
- Jumping High Kick

2005 Recap:
Ryuji Hijikata's role in All Japan in 2005 was typical of those that are not a main eventer and not in one of the two major factions. Hijikata generally worked random tags in the middle of the card (with Suwama, Arashi, etc.), and only got to the top of the card if he was the designated weakest link of his tag team. He did not take any shots at a title belt in 2005 and also was not part of the Champion Carnival.

2006 Recap:
More of the same for Hijikata recently, as he simply can not get himself into a better position in All Japan. He did not take part in any of the tournaments but on the August Sumo Hall event he was on the team that defeated Nobutaka Araya, Nobukazu Hirai, and Kikutaro. Other then that, Hijikata found little success of any importance during 2006.

2007 Recap:
Hijikata slowly has begun climbing up the card in All Japan, gaining respect and ready to finally make an impact in 2008. For much of the spring and summer, Hijikata teamed with Minoru Suzuki and they wrestled mostly in the mid-card. In the Jr. Heavyweight League, Ryuji Hijikata came in second place in his bracket as he picked up victories over two former All Japan Jr. Heavyweight Champions TAKA Michinoku and Katsuhiko Nakajima. On May 27th he faced off against Katsuhiko Nakajima for a shot at the All Japan Jr. Heavyweight Championship, but Hijikata fell to the German Suplex Hold in just over 19 minutes. In October Hijikata took on Silver King, but Silver King would come out victorious. Hijikata took a break in the winter as he wrestled a match in his old stomping ground BattlARTS, but he planned in 2008 to go after the title again.

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