also known by his ring name

Ring name

A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...

 , is a Japanese professional wrestler

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...

, currently signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling

New Japan Pro Wrestling

is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...

.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2006–present)

Hirasawa originally debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling

New Japan Pro Wrestling

is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...

 on 28 January 2006. In the fall of 2009, Hirasawa joined Yuji Nagata

Yuji Nagata

is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique....

's new Blue Justice Army

Blue Justice

Blue Justice is a professional wrestling stable currently competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling and led by Yuji Nagata.-2009:Blue Justice first formed in September 2009 as it was formed as a branch of New Japan that seeks Justice. Upon the groups formation Nagata and Inoue also began forming a team...

 along with Wataru Inoue

Wataru Inoue

is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:Inoue made his debut in 1999 on the Japanese independent circuit, then climbed the ladder to get to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2004...

 and Super Strong Machine

Junji Hirata

is a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestles for the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion, and currently uses the ring name .-Career:Hirata made his debut in New Japan on August 26, 1978 against Yoshiaki Fujiwara...

. After embarking on an extended tour of Puerto Rican World Wrestling Council

World Wrestling Council

The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....

 (WWC) in September 2010, Hirasawa adopted the new ring name Hideo Saito as a tribute to Masa Saito

Masa Saito

is a former Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Saito or . He wrestled for several years in various promotions operated by the National Wrestling Alliance . He later joined the World Wrestling Federation , where he teamed with Mr. Fuji to hold the World Tag Team Championship twice...

 and Hideo Nomo

Hideo Nomo

is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to...

. In WWC Saito would win both the WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship

WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship

The WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship is a secondary title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council ....

 and the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship

WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship

The WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling championship that is defended in the World Wrestling Council based in Puerto Rico. The title was created in January 1974 and, as its name suggests, is defended exclusively within Puerto Rico.-Title history:...

. In May 2011 Saito took part in New Japan's first tour of the United States. On 13 May in Rahway, New Jersey

Rahway, New Jersey

Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...

, he entered the tournament to determine the first ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion

IWGP Intercontinental Championship

-Title history:-External links:*...

, losing to Yujiro Takahashi

Yujiro Takahashi

, also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No...

 in his first round match. Hirasawa returned to New Japan on 18 June, now going permanently by the Saito name, and turned on the Blue Justice Army and its leader Yuji Nagata, joining CHAOS

Chaos (professional wrestling)

CHAOS is a Japanese professional wrestling stable formed by Shinsuke Nakamura and Toru Yano in New Japan Pro Wrestling.-Formation:In April 2009, Toru Yano turned on Togi Makabe, costing Makabe the match against Shinsuke Nakamura. As Nakamura continued the attack on Makabe, Tomoaki Honma tried to...

. In August, Saito took part in the 2011 G1 Climax, losing his first eight matches only to pick up his opening win on the final day of the tournament in a match against former mentor, Yuji Nagata. On 19 September, Nagata defeated his former protégé in a grudge match.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • As Hideo Saito
    • Caribbean Death Grip (Tongan death grip)
  • As Mitsuhide Hirasawa
    • Hira Bottom (Side slam)
    • Nagata Lock II (Crossface) – adopted from Yuji Nagata
      Yuji Nagata
      is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique....
      
      
• Signature moves
  • Diving headbutt
  • German suplex
  • Spear

Championships and accomplishments

• World Wrestling Council
  World Wrestling Council
  The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
  
  
  • WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
    WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
    The WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship is a secondary title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council ....
    
     (1 time)
  • WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship
    WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship
    The WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling championship that is defended in the World Wrestling Council based in Puerto Rico. The title was created in January 1974 and, as its name suggests, is defended exclusively within Puerto Rico.-Title history:...
    
     (1 time)

External links

• Official New Japan Pro Wrestling profile
• Profile on Puroresu Central