THE YOUNG LION (1995–1998)

Before he became Aisu. Before the mask. Before the championships. There was only a young man named Satohiko Hitta.

Born in Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan, Satohiko entered the prestigious Spirit Pro-Wrestling (SPW) Dojo in 1995 at the age of fifteen.

Like every Young Lion before him, his life immediately became one of sacrifice. He cleaned the dojo floors, assembled wrestling rings, carried luggage for veterans, and lost over and over again. In SPW, Young Lions were not expected to win. They were expected to endure.

Yet even among the other trainees, Satohiko stood out. He was quiet, observant, and patient. While others spent their free time lifting weights or practicing strikes, Satohiko studied anatomy books and old wrestling tapes.

The dojo eventually gave him a nickname: “Yuki no Bourei” — The Ghost of Snow.

He trained alongside Takeshi Ryoma, Kuro Oni, Shinji Arakawa, and his closest friend, Daichi Fujimoto.

Ironically, the future Warrior of Frost was known as an exciting aerial wrestler. He relied on missile dropkicks, springboards, moonsaults, and crossbodies. Many believed he would become a Junior Heavyweight sensation.

Everything changed in 1998 when Daichi Fujimoto suffered a career-ending neck injury. This would become the foundation of a legend.