Report Last Updated - 12/07 (Winter)
Real Name - Takeshi Inoue
Birthdate - 12/20/72
6'3" 286 lbs. - Sakuri, Nara, Japan

Aliases - none

Athletic background - Sumo (Maegashira 4)

Professional background - All Japan(`00), NOAH(`00-), Zero-One(`01)

Groups - MIGHTY CLUB, Takeshi RikiMaru

Career Highlights - n/a

Finisher(s) -
- Muso (Wrist-clutch Spike Slam)
- Dropping Lariat

Favorites -
- Powerbomb
- Chokeslam
- Belly-to-Belly Suplex
- Shoulder Block
- Elbow

Ringwork Rating -
move set - 7
science - 2
aerial - 1
power - 8
strikes - 7

Intangible Rating -
entertainment - 6
selling - 7
bumping - 6
heat - 6
carrying - 6
push - 6
potential - 5

Outlook - Takeshi Rikio was one of the most promising talents when NOAH was getting started. An accomplished sumo who improved more than he might have in the All Japan hierarchical scene. Rikio had great size and intensity that NOAH’s heavyweight division needed. After gathering experience in the tag team ranks, Rikio was given a big singles push. Despite going over several of the top guys before conquering Kenta Kobashi for the GHC championship, Rikio's time on top was short lived. The company lost confidence quickly and Rikio has been shifted back to tag team wrestling. He has trimmed up and looks less like the blubbery former sumo that came into NOAH. Rikio is in his mid-thirties and while he is very good, it seems like he needs to step his game up or NOAH needs to get more desperate or his big push may never come.