“I give to you my heart and soul each time I’m out there in front of you. So thank you for helping me become who I am in the wrestling world.”
–Rising Son
It’s with a heavy heart we announce the passing of James Itow known to many in Southern California as Rising Son. Rising Son started his professional career in 1999 training at Rudos Dojos. Rising Son was known for his death defying high flying action in the ring, along with the Sayama Feint/Ropeswing Kick, which he was doing long before Rey Misterio. Rising Son won the 2001 Spirit of the Revolution Tournament defeating Super Dragon in the Finals in a 2/3 Falls Match. Rising Son also won the 2003 Revolution J Tournament, also defeating Super Dragon. His matches against Super Dragon were always an epic encounter, but perhaps none more than at XPW’s 2001 Scene Of The Crime at Grand Olympic Auditorium. That match was recently described as one of the most important matches to take place in the modern era of Southern California Wrestling, which was televised helped to launch a boom in Independent Wrestling in Southern California that ultimately resulted in the creation of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Rising Son was interview twice for SoCalUNCENSORED 1st Interview and 2nd Interview.
One of Rising Son’s most infamous moments was the beginning feud with Scorpio Sky that blurred the lines of reality. A shoot on Scorpio Sky and threatening to quit wrestling only resulted in a return and a post match attack on Scorpio Sky with a chair. The two battled over the Revolution Pro Junior Heavyweight Championship which Rising Son won on December 23rd 2003 in South Gate. Scorpio Sky had this to say about Rising Son. “He was the first person in So Cal to really capture my attention; when I watched him perform I said to myself ‘I want to be like him!’ My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans. We lost a great part of Southern California wrestling history.”
Everyone at SoCalUNCENSORED would like to express our deepest condolences to the friends and family of James Itow; Rising Son, he was only 33.
There will also be a forth coming article remembering Rising Son next week.
What a sad thing to wake up to. His contributions to the indy scene will never be forgotten. RIP Rising Son
We love you Jimmy and so proud of everything you have accomplished you will never be forgotten. RIP love and miss you!
please help donate for funeral cost
https://www.gofundme.com/5bbdekwc
My prayers go out to Jimmy and his family. Such a talent, although I have not seen him in years, I always have liked him and his family. May God bless and keep the Itow family!
Man, what terrible news. I haven’t seen or talked to Rising Son in a long time but he was always a real nice guy and a great sport. Fantastic wrestler as well. When I saw this news today it really bummed me out.