Japanese Wrestling Legend Hayabusa Passed Away at 47

A Japanese wrestling legend has passed away far too soon. Eiji Ezaki, also known by the ring name Hayabusa, or simply “H”, has died from bleeding in the brain reports say.

Ezaki was an innovator in high-risk aerial moves like the Falcon Arrow and the Phoenix Splash (which Seth Rollins currently uses on the occasion). Ezaki started as the masked Hayabusa in Mexico in 1993 and came back to Japan in 1994 as the FMW representative in the Super J Cup Tournament.

Hayabusa remained one of FMW’s top stars until an accident in the ring in 2001 left him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

Last year, he surprised a Japanese crowd by being able to walk with assistance and was escorted to the ring by some of Japan’s biggest wrestling legends Genichiro Tenryu, Kenta Kobashi, and Keiji Muto.

In his career, Ezaki captured numerous championships in FMW and All Japan and one of the biggest foreign stars of the 90’s, he only competed competed in one major American match. Teaming with Jinsei Shinzaki (known as Hakushi in WWE), Ezaki faced against Sabu & Rob Van Dam in a losing effort at ECW’s Heat Wave pay per view in 1998.

WWE Superstars ranging from Neville to AJ Styles to Samoa Joe and Kalisto tweeted out condolences and respect for the fallen wrestling star.

(Via WWE)