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Japanese Wrestling Legend Hayabusa Dies at 47 — WWE Issues Statement, While Superstars Pay Tribute

By Xander Deccio
Published on: 13:19 PST, Mar 4, 2016

Hayabusa, an innovative high flyer in the world of wrestling, who paved the way for current superstars has died. He was 47.

Hayabusa died from subarachnoid hemorrhage, or “bleeding of the brain” according to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer. Haybusa’s body was discovered in his home by the owner of a nearby tavern as Hayabusa was to give a small concert that day but never showed up.

WWE posted the following regarding the death of Hayabusa.

“An innovative high-flyer who helped inspire a generation of Superstars, the mysterious, masked Hayabusa was known for throwing caution to the wind. Ezaki created daring moves like the Phoenix Splash, which to this day can be seen in the repertoire of daredevil competitors, including former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A major star in Japan in the mid to late ’90s, Hayabusa competed in one major American match, teaming with Jinsei Shinzaki (known as Hakushi in WWE) in a losing effort against Sabu & Rob Van Dam at ECW’s Heat Wave 1998 event. Although his career was cut short by injury in 2001, Ezaki never strayed far from the industry, where he continued to impart his knowledge.”

Born Eiji Ezaki, Haybusa began wrestling career training at the FMW and would make his debut on July 19, 1991, by teaming up with Amigo Ultra in defeating Akihito Ichihara and Yukihido Ueno in a tag team match. Hayabusa would then go on to lose the majority of his matches as it was customary to do so in Japanese professional wrestling. In 1994, Hayabusa would debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling at Super J Cup in 1994 where he wrestled Jushin Thunder Liger, losing in the first round of the tournament. In 1993, he would debut his Hayabusa gimmick while in Mexico. It was there that Hayabusa would learn the lucha libre style from Rey Misterio, Sr. Haybusa would go on to wrestle for Mexican promotions World Wrestling Association, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Hayabusa would then relocate to Florida to wrestle from January-April, 1995, opting to return to FMW in May of that year.

It was during Hayabusa’s second stint with FMW that he would perform in dangerous hardcore matches. These matches would include the use of explosives and barbed wire. It was during an “Exploding Cage” match that Hayabusa had to be rushed to the hospital after suffering several severe burns to his body. Hayabusa would make his only appearance with ECW in 1998, during their annual Heatwave PPV. Hayabusa would team up with fellow Japanese wrestler Jinsei Shinzaki in a losing effort against Rob Van Dam and Sabu for the ECW Tag Team Titles.

In 2001, Hayabusa would suffer a career ending injury during his match with Mammoth Sasaki after botching a springboard moonsault off the middle rope. Hayabusa would land on his head cracking two vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair in the process. FMW would later fold as Hayabusa was considered the heart and soul of the promotion. In 2015, Hayabusa would regain the use of his legs and was able to walk with the use of a cane.

In recent years, Hayabusa had made a career as a singer and would actively work with Japanese wrestling promotion, Dragon Gate.

In light of Hayabusa’s death, many WWE superstars paid tribute to the Japanese high flier.

[Header photo courtesey of Wong Maye-E/AP Photo]

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