25 Facts About Masato Yoshino

Masato Yoshino is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, best known for working in Dragon Gate, where he was known as Speed Star.

Dragon Gate's second Grand Slam champion, having been a record six-time Open the Brave Gate Champion, four-time Open the Dream Gate Champion and two-time King of Gate winner, Yoshino was one of the most decorated and longest-tenured wrestlers in Dragon Gate.

Masato Yoshino made his debut in 2000 as part of Toryumon's Toryumon 2000 Project, where he graduated as part of the 7th term.

Masato Yoshino was influential on many professional wrestlers, both in Japan and the rest of the world due to his high-flying technique and advanced move-set.

Masato Yoshino retired on August 1,2021, where he and Naruki Doi were defeated by Eita and long-time rival BxB Hulk.

Masato Yoshino was noted early on for his incredible speed in the ring, earning him the nickname Speed Star.

Masato Yoshino patterned his look after Tarzan in a homage to Mexican wrestler Tarzan Boy, which involved tights fringed in a pattern to imitate a grass skirt, and the names of several of his moves centered around a jungle theme.

Masato Yoshino adopted a "pet gorilla" named Venezia.

Masato Yoshino briefly teamed with his respected rival K-Ness, but shortly afterwards backstabbed him to join the newly formed Blood Generation stable.

Masato Yoshino did away with his Tarzan gimmick, cutting his hair short and switching from fringed tights to a singlet, and he returned to using his given name, Masato Yoshino, in the ring.

Masato Yoshino began to gain rank within Dragon Gate rapidly in 2007.

Masato Yoshino began teaming with stable leader Naruki Doi as Speed Muscle, and together they would win the I-J Heavyweight Tag Team Championship and the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, as well as become the first Open the Twin Gate Champions and Summer Adventure Tag League Tournament winners.

Masato Yoshino captured the Open the Brave Gate Championship twice that year.

Masato Yoshino's performance was praised by stablemates and rivals alike, and his team with Doi - which looked for a while like it was going to come apart - was reconciled.

Masato Yoshino then had it vacated, only winning it to see its restoration and for a proper decision match to take place.

On July 11,2010, Masato Yoshino defeated YAMATO to win the Open the Dream Gate Championship for the first time.

On October 13,2010, Doi, bitter about Masato Yoshino winning the Open the Dream Gate Championship, turned on him and BxB Hulk and joined the former Deep Drunkers and Takuya Sugawara to form a new heel stable.

On December 26,2010, at Final Gate 2010 Masato Yoshino successfully defended the Open the Dream Gate Championship against Doi.

Masato Yoshino then reunited with Naruki Doi to form World-1 International.

On May 5,2013, Masato Yoshino defeated Dragon Kid to win the Open the Brave Gate Championship for the sixth time.

Masato Yoshino quickly formed a new stable named Monster Express with Akira Tozawa, Ricochet, Shachihoko Boy, Shingo Takagi and Uhaa Nation.

On March 2,2014, Masato Yoshino dropped the Open the Dream Gate Championship to Monster Express stablemate Ricochet.

On May 30,2015, Masato Yoshino defeated T-Hawk in the finals to win the 2015 King of Gate tournament.

On November 23,2015, Masato Yoshino defeated Mr Nakagawa via fan decision the Open the Owarai Gate Championship.

Masato Yoshino competed for the MTV-based wrestling promotion Wrestling Society X, where he teamed up with Genki Horiguchi to form "Team Dragon Gate".