Yoshihiro Asai

Yoshihiro Asai, better known as Ultimo Dragon (b. 1966) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is trained in lucha libre and technical styles of professional wrestling, spending the majority of his career in Japan and Mexico. He is credited with popularizing the "Asai Moonsault", although contrary to popular belief he did not invent the move.

Asai started out in New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left that promotion along with his mentor Gran Hamada to help form Hamada's Universal Lucha Libre promotion. When the ULL went into decline, he moved to WAR.

He made his American debut in 1996 as Ultimate Dragon for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling. He suffered an arm injury in 1999 that required surgery. The operation was botched, causing nerve damage. It was thought that this would be the end of his career and he announced his retirement.

That same year, he opened a promotion and training school called Toryumon, training several wrestlers in his style.

In 2002, he had another surgery to repair the damage done to his arm and returned to wrestling in his promotion. In the Spring of 2003, he signed with the WWE, seeking two lifetime goals of competing in Madison Square Garden and being on a Wrestlemania card. His television debut was at the Garden, and so was the following Wrestlemania. His contract with the company soon ran its course for the WWE did not see Asai as a viable member of their roster; they parted on good terms, and Asai has indicated that he may return maskless for another attempt.

Finishing/Signature Moves

• Asai DDT: Three-quarter facelock jawbreaker into a backflip diving reverse DDT
• Asai moonsault: springboard moonsault from the second rope

Championships/Accomplishments

• IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title (2);
• WWE World Light Heavyweight title;
• UWA World Jr. Light Heavyweight title (2);
• UWA World Welterweight title;
• WCW Cruiserweight title (2);
• NWA MIddleweight title;
• NWA World Welterweight title (2);
• UWA World Middleweight title (5);
• WWA World Jr. Light Heavyweight title;
• British Commonwealth Jr. Heavyweight title (2);
• WAR International Jr. Heavyweight title (2);
• WCW Television title (2);

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 61 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.