Masato Yoshino

Yoshino in June 2021

###

Higashi, Osaka, Japan

**Masato Yoshino** (吉野正人, *Yoshino Masato*, born July 17, 1980 in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known for his work in Dragon Gate (DG). He is currently working for GLEAT as the Championship Belts' manager
and the comissioner of the *G Prowrestling* brand.

Yoshino his widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of the promotion's history, he was known by the nickname *"Speed Star"* or mostly known in the United States as *"The fastest wrestler on the planet"* due to his high-flying technique and incredible speed in the ring, influencing many professional wrestlers throughout their careers.

Yoshino was trained by Último Dragón, making his debut in September 2000. He was assigned to the Toryumon 2000 Project promotion, consisting of the second class graduates of the Ultimo Dragon Gym. Yoshino became of the famous Italian Connection and renamed himself to "YOSSINO", a Italian-sounding name. During his time in T2P, YOSSINO held the UWA World Trios Championship twice, and the NWA World Welterweight Championship once, while also having several highly acclaimed matches that increased his standing within the promotion.

He was later absorbed into Toryumon Japan and became part of the promotion's successor Dragon Gate. After the disbanding of Italian Connection in 2005, Yoshino turned heel, being repacked and began competing under his real name. Afterwards, Yoshino embarked on a successful solo career, as his popularity began growing. In 2006, he formed a tag team with Naruki Doi, as they became one of greatest and most decorated tag team in the promotion's history and later shared a long-standing rivalry. In 2008, after turning face, Yoshino transitioned into a clean-cut hero figure and was positioned as their next "face of the company" and public face for the next decade. He went to become one of the most decorated and longest-tenured wrestlers in Dragon Gate history.

Yoshino is a four-times world champion, having held the Open The Dream Gate Championship four times. He also held the Open The Brave Gate Championship six times, the Open The Triangle Gate Championship eleven times, Open The Twin Gate Championship three times, the Open The Owarai Gate Championship and the International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship once each, and his also Dragon Gate third Grand Slam Champion and the third Triple Crown Champion. He has also won Dragon Gate's premier tournament, the King of Gate, holding the record for most wins with two (2015 and 2018).

## Early Life

In elementary and junior high school, Yoshino immersed himself in baseball and swimming; However, became interested in professional wrestling after watching a match between Antonio Inoki and Big Van Vader at Wrestling World 1996 on television. He trained at the gates of the the largest amateur wrestling facility in Japan, JWA Kansai. After entering university, he continued to study hard, although he did not give up on his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, despite the overcoming opposition from his parents and others and instead he dropped out of school and went to Mexico, where he joined under the wing of Último Dragón.

## Professional Wrestling Career

### Toryumon (2000–2004)

Masato Yoshino was part of the T2P class, tied with Stevie "brother" Tsujimoto for the second-highest rank of the students, although far behind top ranked Milano Collection AT. He was noted early on for his incredible speed in the ring, earning him the nickname *Speed Star*. He patterned his look after Tarzan, 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. He was nicknamed *Sexy Tarzan* at times by female fans, due to his outfit and muscular physique. He also adopted a "pet gorilla" (a midget wrestler in a gorilla suit) named *Venezia*.

Yoshino and Tsujimoto joined Milano Collection A.T.'s Italian Connection stable when it was formed on March 3, 2002, and renamed themselves to YOSSINO and "brother" YASSINI, respectively. While in the Italian Connection, he would hold the UWA World Trios Championship twice, with Milano/YASSINI, and with Milano/Condotti Shuji, and would also hold the NWA World Welterweight Championship once. He would also have several highly acclaimed matches with rival Darkness Dragon/K-ness that would increase his standing within the promotion.

The Italian Connection began splintering in 2003 when Milano and Yossino wished to take the stable in a face direction, while Shuji, YASSINI, Berlinetta Boxer and Bakery Yagi wanted to remain heel. The ItaCon split when Kondo and YASSINI attacked Venezia, then Yossino for trying to stop them, and finally Milano. Kondo and the others went on to form Aagan Iisou, and ItaCon would settle as a face stable, adding Anthony W. Mori as a third member after his former partner Takuya Sugawara joined Aagan Iisou. ItaCon would feud with Aagan Iisou into the birth of Dragon Gate in July 2004.

### Dragon Gate (2004–2021)

#### Early feuds and teaming with Naruki Doi (2004–2010)

During the early days of Dragon Gate, Yossino continued to team with his fellow Italian Connection members. Together they became the first Open The Triangle Gate Champions, after winning the 2004 Rey De Parejas, defeating Aagan Iisou (Shuji Kondo, Takuya Sugawara and "brother" YASSHI) in the finals on November 7, 2004. The Italian Connection vacated titles due to Milano's injury on February 23, 2005. Later that month, Italian Connection disbanded after Milano left the promotion.

Yossino then embarked on a singles career, preparing for the tournament to crown the first Open The Brave Gate champion, which he lost in the finals to Naruki Doi on March 13. Following the tournament, Yossino began briefly teaming with his respected rival K-ness, before turning on him to join the newly formed Blood Generation stable on March 27. He also did away with his Tarzan gimmick, cutting his hair short and switching from fringed tights to a singlet, and he returned to using his real name, Masato Yoshino, in the ring. During a long year feud between Blood Generation and Do FIXER, on July 12, Yoshino and his Blood Generation stablemates CIMA and Magnitude Kishiwada defeated DoFIXER's (Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi, and Ryo Saito) to win the Open The Triangle Gate Championship. On March 19, 2006, Yoshino defeated Dragon Kid and Naoki Tanizaki in a tournament final to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship. In April, Yoshino, Tanizaki and Naruki Doi alongside Gamma turned on Blood Generation's leader CIMA, after expelled Gamma from the stable, following a constant dispute between the two. Eleven days later, despite Doi and Gamma winning the full rights to the Blood Generation name from CIMA and Don Fujii, they refused the name and became the Muscle Outlaw'z.

Yoshino continued to gain rank in 2006, and formed a regular tag team with Naruki Doi, known as Speed Muscle, an amalgamation of their respective nicknames "Speed Star" and "Bosou Muscle". On November 19, Yoshino, Doi and Gamma defeated Final M2K (K-ness, Susumu Yokosuka, and Yamato Onodera) to win the vacant Open The Triangle Gate Championship, only to lose them to Pos.HEARTS (Anthony W. Mori, BxB Hulk, and Super Shisa), before regaining them on January 21, 2007. On February 12, Yoshino lost the Open The Brave Gate Championship to Matt Sydal. During the year, Muscle Outlaw'z had began a feud with CIMA's new stable Typhoon, and this to a title match for the Open The Triangle Gate Championship, where Yoshino, Doi and Gamma lost the titles to Typhoon's CIMA, Ryo Saito, and Susumu Yokosuka on March 25. On April 9, Yoshino, Doi and Magnitude Kishiwada defeated New Hazard (Cyber Kong, Jack Evans, and Shingo Takagi) to win the vacant Open The Triangle Gate Championship. In August, Yoshino and Doi took part in the inaugural Summer Adventure Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record seven wins and two losses, advacing to the semifinals of the tournament. On August 26, Yoshino and Doi defeated Taku Iwasa and Kenichiro Arai and then Cyber Kong and Shingo Takagi, in the semifinals and finals, respectively, to win the Summer Adventure Tag League. Afterwards, Doi and Yoshino declared themselves the inaugural Open The Twin Gate Champions, with the development of the championshipbeing founded through the prize money of the tournament. On September 9, Yoshino, Doi and Kishiwada lost the Open The Triangle Gate Championship to Don Fujii, K-ness, and Masaaki Mochizuki. Later that month, Yoshino defeated Yasushi Kanda to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship for the second time. The following month, once the Open The Twin Gate Championship was commissioned, Doi and Yoshino defeated Taku Iwasa and Keni'chiro Arai to win the I-J Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, unifying the two belts. On November 24, Doi and Yoshino added the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to their collection, after defeating Ricky Marvin and Kotaro Suzuki to win the titles, before losing them to Shingo Takagi and BxB Hulk on January 15, 2008. On February 8, Doi and Yoshino lost the Open The Twin Gate Championship to Taku Iwasa and Keni'chiro Arai, and opted to stop teaming with each other.

In March 2008, Yoshino began being pushed into Open The Dream Gate Championship title picture, which led to Yoshino being granted title match against CIMA on March 20. Yoshino lost in just under 30 minutes when Naruki Doi threw in the towel. His 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. On April 13, Yoshino lost the Open The Brave Gate Championship to Anthony W. Mori. Afterwards, Yoshino and Doi began leaning towards becoming faces again, thus tensions started stirring with the rest of Muscle Outlawz. The tensions continued growing, until on May 5, at Dead or Alive, during the match, MO'z members turned on Yoshino, with Doi coming to his aid, before costing their former stablemate Yasushsi Kanda the Mask vs. Hair Cage Survival match, forcing his hair to be shaved and completing Speed Muscle's face turn.

Later that month, following the formation of Real Hazard, Yoshino and Doi along with BxB Hulk, Naoki Tanizaki, and m.c.KZ - formed WORLD-1 on May 31. Yoshino and Doi, went to the American promotion Total Nonstop Action (TNA) in June 2008 in order to participate in that year's World X Cup, representing Team Japan as heels. They competed in various tag team matches against members of the other teams in the weeks leading up to the World X Cup, but they lost every one of them. In the World X Cup 12 Man Elimination Tag Match at TNA Victory Road, he represented Team Japan alongside Puma and Milano Collection AT As the last surviving member of his team, he overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the last two men in the match, before succumbing to Alex Shelley in the loss.

On June 29, Yoshino under the disguise of Dr. Muscle, defeated Gamma to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship (which Gamma had renamed to the "Open The Gamma Gate" Championship), restoring the Brave Gate's faceplate to the belt. Afterwards, Yoshino vacated the title, stating that he only won it to see its restoration and for a proper decision match to take place. In August, Yoshino and Doi won their second consecutive Summer Adventure Tag League, defeating Shingo Takagi and Dragon Kid in the finals, granting them a Open The Twin Gate Championship match. On September 26, Yoshino and Doi defeated Ryo Saito and Susumu Yokosuka to win the Open The Twin Gate Championship for the second time. Nine days later, Yoshino and Doi lost the titles to Cyber Kong and YAMATO. On October 12, Yoshino defeated Genki Horiguchi to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship for the third time. He lost the title to CIMA on March 22, 2009. On May 29, Yoshino defeated Gamma to become the number one contender to the Open The Dream Gate Championship. On June 7, he, Hulk and PAC defeated CIMA, Gamma and KAGETORA to win the Open The Triangle Gate Championship. The following week, Yoshino was granted his title shot to the Open The Dream Gate Championship unsucessfully challenging his WORLD-1 stablemate Naruki Doi. On October 14, Yoshino, Hulk and PAC lost the Open The Triangle Gate Championship to Akebono, Don Fujii and Masaaki Mochizuki.

#### Junction Three and second reunion with Naruki Doi (2010–2012)

On July 11, 2010, Yoshino defeated YAMATO to win the Open The Dream Gate Championship for the first time. On August 14, Yoshino defeated Osaka Pro Wrestling's Tigers Mask to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship for the fifth time, but immediately afterwards vacated the title, due to also holding the Open the Dream Gate Championship. On August 24, 2010, Yoshino and Naruki Doi won their third Summer Adventure Tag League by defeating Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito in the finals. On October 13, Doi, bitter about 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 Yoshino successfully defended the Open the Dream Gate Championship against Doi. On January 30, 2011, Yoshino and PAC defeated Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano to become Dragon Gate USA's first ever Open the United Gate Champions. On April 14, 2011, Yoshino lost the Open the Dream Gate Championship to Masaaki Mochizuki. At the same event, World-1 failed to win the Open the Triangle Gate Championship from Blood Warriors and was as a result forced to disband.

On April 24, former World-1 members Yoshino, BxB Hulk, PAC, and Susumu Yokosuka agreed to form a new alliance with Masaaki Mochizuki to battle Blood Warriors. On June 8, the new group was named Junction Three in reference to it being a union between the former members of World-1, KAMIKAZE and the Veteran-gun. On June 18, Yoshino, Gamma and YAMATO defeated the Blood Warriors team of CIMA, Naruki Doi and BxB Hulk to win the vacant Open the Triangle Gate Championship. They would go on to lose the title to the Blood Warriors team of Kzy, Naoki Tanizaki, and Naruki Doi on September 2. On September 11, Yoshino and PAC lost the Open the United Gate Championship to Open the Twin Gate Champions, CIMA, and Ricochet, in a title vs. title match. On February 9, 2012, Junction Three was forced to disband, after losing a fourteen-man elimination tag team match to Blood Warriors. After a ten-month rivalry, Blood Warriors defeated Junction Three in a fourteen-man elimination tag team match on February 9, 2012, forcing JIII to disband. After Doi was kicked out of Blood Warriors by new leader Akira Tozawa on March 1, Yoshino then reunited with Naruki Doi to form World-1 International on March 25. On March 30, Yoshino and Ricochet defeated Ronin's Chuck Taylor and Johnny Gargano at a Dragon Gate USA event in Miami, Florida to win the vacant Open the United Gate Championship. On May 6, Yoshino, Doi, and Pac defeated Jimmyz (Genki Horiguchi H.A.Gee.Mee!!, Jimmy Kanda, and Ryo "Jimmy" Saito) to win the Open The Triangle Gate Championship. On June 21, Yoshino and Ricochet were stripped of the United Gate Championship due to Yoshino being forced to miss Dragon Gate USA's July 2012 events. On July 22, the Open The Triangle Gate Championship were declared vacated, after PAC left Dragon Gate following their fifth title defense.

On May 5, 2013, Yoshino defeated Dragon Kid to win the Open The Brave Gate Championship for the sixth time. He vacated the title on August 30 after he, Chihiro Tominaga and Ryotsu Shimizu lost to the debuting Millennials (T-Hawk, Eita and U-T), saying he felt the title should be competed for within the new generation. On September 12, Naruki Doi turned on Yoshino again to join MAD BLANKEY, signaling the end of World-1 International.

#### Monster Express (2013–2016)

Yoshino quickly formed a new stable named Monster Express with Akira Tozawa, Ricochet, Shachihoko Boy, Shingo Takagi, and Uhaa Nation on August 30. On October 10, Yoshino defeated YAMATO to win the Open the Dream Gate Championship for the second time. He lost the title to Monster Express stablemate Ricochet on March 2, 2014. As part of Monster Express, Yoshino and Shachihoko BOY formed a team named "Amigo Tag" and on March 1, 2015, they defeated Cyber Kong and YAMATO to win the Open The Twin Gate Championship. On May 30, Yoshino defeated T-Hawk in the finals to win the 2015 King of Gate, earning a title shot to the Open The Dream Gate Championship. On June 13, in the first night of Champion Gate in Hakata, Yoshino and BOY lost the Open The Twin Gate Championship to Naruki Doi and YAMATO. The following day, Yoshino defeated BxB Hulk to win the Open The Dream Gate Championship for the third time. He lost the title to Shingo Takagi on August 16. On November 23, 2015, Yoshino defeated Mr. Nakagawa via fan decision the Open The Owarai Gate Championship. He was stripped of the title on April 3 due to failure to defend it within the previous three months. On December 5, Yoshino, T-Hawk and Tozawa defeated VerserK (Naruki Doi, Shingo Takagi, and YAMATO) in a tournament final to win the vacant Open the Triangle Gate Championship. They lost the titles to Ryo "Jimmy" Saito, Jimmy Kanda and Genki Horiguchi H.A.Gee.Mee!! on September 4, 2016. On October 12, Monster Express was forced to disband after losing a Loser Unit disband match against VerserK.

#### Final reunion with Naruki Doi and retirement (2016–2021)

After the disbanding of Monster Express Yoshino would form an alliance with Kotoka (who wanted payback from VerserK) and his longtime partner Naruki Doi (who was kicked out of VerserK) were three fought in losing effort VerserK on December 1 at the Korakuen Hall. Later Yoshino and Kotoka formed an alliance with Ben-K and unsuccessfully failed to win Open The Triangle Gate Championship after losing to Jimmyz (Ryo "Jimmy" Saito, Jimmy Susumu and Jimmy Kanda), the match included VerserK (Cyber Kong, El Lindaman and Mondai Ryu). On January 18, 2017, Yoshino, Kotoka and Ben-K participated at the New Years Unit War 6 Man Tag Team Tournament and they came all the way into the finals. At the finals, they were defeated by VerserK (T-Hawk, Shingo Takagi and El Lindaman) after the interference from the rest of the members of VerserK. After the match, Verserk attacked Yoshino, Kotoka and Ben-K until Dr. Muscle who was later revealed to be Yoshino's longtime partner Naruki Doi made the save and the four made an alliance against VerserK. On April 7 Yoshino formed a new unit with Doi, Ben-K and Big R Shimizu. Later Kotoka would join them naming the unit MaxiMuM. On December 23 at Final Gate, Yoshino, Doi, and MaxiMuM newest member, Jason Lee defeated Tribe Vanguard (YAMATO, BxB Hulk and Kzy) to win the Open The Triangle Gate Championship. They lost the titles to Natural Vibes (Kzy, Genki Horiguchi and Susumu Yokosuka) on May 6, 2018, at Dead or Alive. Following the Dead or Alive, Yoshino finished the tournament with a record of two wins, one loss, and one draw, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. On June 1, Yoshino defeated Takashi Yoshida to advance to the finals of the tournament. On June 9, Yoshino defeated YAMATO in the finals to become the first wrestler to win the King of Gate for a second time. The following day, Yoshino defeated Masaaki Mochizuki to win the Open the Dream Gate Championship for the fourth time. On December 4, Yoshino lost the Open the Dream Gate Championship to PAC in his fifth title defense. On December 23, Yoshino and Doi attempted to win the Open the Twin Gate Championships. In May, Yoshino took part in the 2019 King of Gate, finishing the tournament with a record of three wins and two losses, failing to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

In December, Yoshino and Doi became involved in a feud R.E.D, after helping their mentor Último Drágon them. Later that month, Yoshino and Doi suspended MaxiMuM to form the Toryumon stable, as part of a "Generation War" against Dragon Gate and R.E.D. On December 26, it was announced that Yoshino would retire in 2020, due to the lingering effects of the neck injury he suffered in 2017. Over the following year, Yoshino began a year long feud with R.E.D, with Eita continuously mocking Yoshino's retirement, while also targetting his neck. On September 21, 2020, at Dangerous Gate, Yoshino took part in the six-way steel cage survival match. The match ended with Yoshino, and R.E.D's Big R Shimizu and Eita still in the steel cage. After Eita retreived the fourth flag, Yoshino defeated Shimizu, after he retrieved the last flag of the match, following the help from Ultimo Dragon. Afterwards, the members of Toryumon convinced Yoshino to postpone his retirement due to circuntances created by the COVID-19, leading him to accept. On November 15, during 2020 Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, Yoshino announced that he was going to retire at second night of 2021 Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival. On December 20, at Final Gate, Toryumon was forced to disband, after losing to R.E.D in No Disqualification Losing Unit Disbands match. Over the course to his retirement match, Yoshino began passing his wrestling moves to the younger generation of Dragon Gate wrestlers. As part of his feud with R.E.D, Yoshino requested Eita and Hulk to team with him and Naruki Doi in a match at Dead or Alive, as an experience of teaming with wrestlers, whose match wouldn't be possible, before his retirement. Eita and Hulk accepted under the condition that Doi and Yoshino would be wearing red ring gear, which they accepted. In the match, Eita and Hulk ended up turning on Doi and Yoshino causing them to lose their match.

On July 31, 2021, during the first night of 2021 Kobe Pro-Wrestling Festival, Yoshino took part of his first retirement match teaming with "brother" YASSHI, Toru Owashi, Shuji Kondo and Takuya Sugawara in a losing effort against Último Dragón, Naruki Doi, YAMATO, Dragon Kid and Kagetora. The following day, Yoshino teamed with Naruki Doi for the last time facing R.E.D's (Eita and BxB Hulk) in a losing effort, for his retirement match. After the match, Yoshino shook hands with his opponents and roster of Dragon Gate, who came in to celebrate his retirement.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *15th Anniversary* (Indian deathlock octopus stretch/kimura lock combination) – 2015; used once
	+ *Byakuya* (Modified figure-four armbar) - 2003; used rarely
	+ *Lightning Spiral* (Swinging leg hook fireman's carry slam, sometimes as a counter to a running opponent's premeditated attack or in an avalanche variant)
	+ *Sol Naciente* (Straight jacket triangle choke)
	+ *Sol Naciente Kai* (Straight jacket triangle choke while trapping the opponent's legs)

* **Signature moves**
	+ *Another Space* (Sit-out snap scoop slam piledriver)
	+ *Ashi Yoshino I* (Corkscrew arm wrench takedown)
	+ *Ashi Yoshino II* (Armbreaker leg-drop)
	+ *Back Home Lariat* (Running lariat to a running opponent)
	+ Boston crab
	+ *Comoli* (Rope hung figure four necklock)
	+ *Counter Lightning Spiral* (Leg hook fireman's carry slam to a running opponent)
	+ Diving double foot stomp to a rope-held opponent's arm or wrist
	+ Diving somersault leg drop
	+ *From Jungle* (Spinning headscissors takedown / *front tijeras* twisted into an octopus stretch)
	+ *Henkei Neckbreaker Drop* / *Slingblade* / *Speed Blade* (Spinning sit-out sleeper slam, sometimes in an avalanche-springboard variant)
	+ High-angle backbreaker drop
	+ *La Escalera* (Wrist-clutch cradle roll into a grounded hammerlock octopus stretch)
	+ *Missile Senton* (Front missile dropkick transitioned into a diving senton)
	+ *Moonsault Plancha* (Top rope moonsault press to an opponent or several opponents on the outside of the ring)
	+ Multiple armbar variations
		- Cross
		- *Riverina Death Lock* (Modified split-legged scissored)
		- Seated
	+ Multiple DDT variations
		- Avalanche tornado
		- Double rotation springboard tornado
		- Half-nelson hammerlock dropping
		- Somersault reverse
	+ Multiple dropkick variations
		- Jumping missile to an opponent attempting a *Leapfrog*
		- *Lightning in the Corner* (Reverse front missile to an opponent on the corner)
		- *Lightning in the Jungle* (Front missile)
		- Running single leg
		- *Yoshino-style* (Apron sliding to an opponent leaning on the bottom rope)
	+ Multiple powerbomb variations
		- *"Another" Another Space* (Hammerlock spin-out side)
		- Falling
		- Top-rope sunset-flip followed up by a walking
		- *Yoshino-style Liger Bomb* (Sitting or running high-angle sit-out, sometimes done from a top-rope sunset-flip start-up); adopted from Jushin Liger
	+ Multiple suplex variations
		- Fisherman
		- *Jungle Throw* (Overhead high-angle double-wristlock or hammerlock belly-to-back)
		- Snap
		- Stalling
	+ *Riverina Especial* (Hammerlock small package)
	+ *Speed Star* (Spinning headscissors takedown twisted into a crucifix)
	+ Spinning double leg facebuster
	+ Swinging neckbreaker
	+ *Tarzan Heart* (Cross-legged STF)
	+ Tilt-a-whirl *front tijeras* (Front headscissors takedown)
	+ Tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam
	+ Topé suicida
	+ *Torbellino* (Spinning headscissors takedown twisted into a facecrusher, sometimes transitioned into a crucifix pin)
	+ *Ude Yoshino* (Spinning headscissors takedown twisted into a crucifix armbar takedown)
	+ Wheelbarrow facebuster
* **With Naruki Doi**
	+ **Double team finishing moves**
		- *Torbellino* (Yoshino) followed by the *Bakatare Sliding Kick* (Doi)
		- Assisted *Bakatare Sliding Kick* (Doi)
	+ **Double team signature moves**
		- Assisted double stomp to the arm (Yoshino)
		- Assisted missile dropkick into a senton on another opponent (Yoshino)
		- Assisted rope hung senton bomb (Doi)
		- Drop toe hold (Doi) / Sliding kick (Yoshino) combination
		- Flapjack (Doi) / One-handed bulldog (Yoshino) combination
		- Front missile dropkick (Yoshino) / Doi 555 (Doi) combination
		- Poetry in Motion corner elbow (Yoshino)
		- Springboard spinning sleeper slam (Yoshino) / Powerbomb (Doi) combination

* **Nicknames**
	+ **"Speed Star"**
	+ "The Fastest Wrestler on the Planet"

* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Two Worlds" by Phil Collins (T2P; 2000-2002)
	+ "Welcome to Jungle" by Kyoichiro Yoshimei (Toryumon Japan/Dragon Gate; 2002-2005)
	+ **"Speed Star" by Tsutomu Toya ft. Yoko Kubota** (Dragon Gate; 2005-2021 / GLEAT; 2022-present)

## Championships and accomplishments

* **Dragon Gate**
	+ International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Naruki Doi
	+ Open The Dream Gate Championship (4 times)
	+ Open The Brave Gate Championship (6 times)
	+ Open The Owarai Gate Championship (1 time)
	+ Open The Triangle Gate Championship (11 times) – Milano Collection AT and Anthony W. Mori (1), CIMA and Magnitude Kishiwada (1), Naruki Doi and Gamma (2), Naruki Doi and Magnitude Kishiwada (1), BxB Hulk and PAC (1), Gamma and YAMATO (1), Naruki Doi and PAC (1), and Naruki Doi and Shachihoko Boy (1), Akira Tozawa and T-Hawk (1), and Naruki Doi and Jason Lee (1)
	+ Open The Twin Gate Championship (3 times) – with Naruki Doi (2) and Shachihoko Boy (1)
	+ King of Gate (2015, 2018)
	+ Summer Adventure Tag League (2007, 2008, 2010) – with Naruki Doi
	+ Open The Brave Gate Championship League (2006)
	+ Rey De Parejas Tournament (2004) with Milano Collection AT and Anthony W. Mori
	+ Ashiyanikki Cup 6 Man Tag Team Tournament (2019) – with Naruki Doi and Kaito Ishida
	+ Best Bout Award (2020) Toryumon Generation vs. R.E.D on December 20
	+ Third Grand Slam Champion
	+ Seventh Triple Crown Champion
* **Dragon Gate USA**
	+ Open The United Gate Championship (2 times) – with PAC (1) and Ricochet (1)

* **Pro Wrestling Illustrated**
	+ PWI ranked him #**116** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012
	+ PWI ranked him #**268** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016

* **Pro Wrestling Noah**
	+ GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Naruki Doi

* **Tokyo Sports**
	+ Technique Award (2013)

* **Toryumon Japan**
	+ Differ Cup (2003) – with Ultimo Dragon
	+ NWA World Welterweight Championship (1 time)
	+ UWA World Trios Championship (2 times) – with Milano Collection AT and "brother" YASSINI (1) and Milano Collection AT and Condotti Shuji (1)

* **List Wrestling Observer Newsletter**
	+ 5 Star Match (2006) with Naruki Doi and CIMA vs. Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito (ROH Supercard of Honor, March 31)
	+ Match of the Year (2006) with Naruki Doi and CIMA vs. Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito (ROH Supercard of Honor, March 31)
	+ 4½ Star Match (2020) R.E.D vs. Toryumon Generation on December 20

## References

1. ↑ Boutwell, Josh 2010-08-20. Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . *WrestleView*. Retrieved on 2010-08-22. “Open the Brave Gate Title: Masato Yoshino def. Tigers Mask (c) to win the title! [...] Yoshino will now vacate the (Brave Gate) title”
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Boutwell, Josh 2010-08-30. Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . *WrestleView*. Retrieved on 2010-08-30.
3. ↑ Boutwell, Josh 2010-10-15. Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . *WrestleView*. Retrieved on 2010-10-16.
4. ↑ 2010 Dragon Gate results . *Purolove*. Retrieved on 2010-12-27.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Jeremy 2011-01-30. Dragon Gate USA's United Finale Taping Results (spoilers) . *411Mania*. Retrieved on 2011-01-30.
6. ↑ 4/14 Champion Gate - 14 Apr 2011 . *iHeartDG* (2011-04-14). Retrieved on 2011-04-14.
7. ↑ 4/24 Gate of Passion - 24 Apr 2011 . *iHeartDG* (2011-04-24). Retrieved on 2011-04-25.
8. ↑ 6/8 Gate of Maximum Kickoff - 08 Jun 2011 . *iHeartDG* (2011-06-08). Retrieved on 2011-06-08.
9. ↑ Radican, Sean 2011-09-11. Radican's DGUSA Internet PPV report 9/11: Ongoing coverage of DGUSA show from Milwaukee . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2011-09-11.
10. ↑ 2/9 TRUTH GATE, Blood Warriors vs. Junction Three Finale - 09 Feb 2012 . *iHeartDG* (2012-02-09). Retrieved on 2012-02-10.
11. ↑ 5/6 Dead or Alive 2012 - 05 May 2012 . *iHeartDG* (2012-05-06). Retrieved on 2012-05-06.
12. ↑ Dead or Alive 2013  (in Japanese). *Dragon Gate* (2013-05-05). Retrieved on 2013-05-06.
13. ↑ 意地を見せた斎了を下したYamatoに、土井から裏切られた吉野が挑戦表明！ジミーズを下したミレニアルズはベテラン軍を指名！  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2013-09-13). Retrieved on 2013-09-13.
14. ↑ *ja:吉野、鷹木、戸澤らの新ユニット本格始動 トライアングルゲート戦はＭＢに苦杯* (in Japanese). *Sports Navi*. Yahoo! (2013-10-07). Retrieved on 2013-10-07.
15. ↑ 吉野がYamatoを下してドリームゲート王座奪取！早速土井が挑戦者に名乗り！ベテラン軍がミレニアルズを叩き潰す！  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2013-10-10). Retrieved on 2013-10-10.
16. ↑ Meltzer, Dave 2014-03-02. Shocking title change in Japan . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2014-03-02.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 King of Gate  (in Japanese). *Dragon Gate*. Gaora. Retrieved on 2015-05-30.
18. ↑ ドラゲー・吉野がハルク破り王座奪還  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2015-06-15). Retrieved on 2015-06-15.
19. ↑ 鷹木がドリーム王座奪取 独裁政権樹立へ  (in Japanese). *Tokyo Sports* (2015-08-17). Retrieved on 2015-08-17.
20. ↑ 11/23 CROWN GATE - iHeartDG . *iHeartDG.com* (2015-11-23). Retrieved on 2015-11-23.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 Dragon Gate USA profile . Dragon Gate USA. Retrieved on 2009-12-31.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 Puroresu Central profile . Puroresu Central. Retrieved on 2009-12-31.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Toryumon Mexico Results . *iHeartDG*. Retrieved on 2014-01-02.
24. ↑ Puroresu Central profile . Puroresu Central. Retrieved on 2009-12-31.
25. ↑ Glorious Gate 2009 Results . *iHeartDG*. Retrieved on 2014-01-02.
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 Cagematch title history . Cagematch. Retrieved on 2009-12-31.
27. ↑ Radican, Sean 2012-03-30. Radican's DGUSA "Open the Ultimate Gate 2012" iPPV Report 3/30 - Yoshino & Ricochet vs. Gargano & Taylor, PAC vs. Low Ki . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2012-03-31.
28. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012 . *The Internet Wrestling Database*. Retrieved on 2012-08-25.
29. ↑ オカダが2年連続でプロレス大賞MVPを受賞！史上4人目の快挙だが、本人は「当たり前の結果」  (in Japanese). *Battle News* (2013-12-10). Retrieved on 2013-12-09.