Hayabusa (wrestler)
Eiji Ezaki (江崎 英治, Ezaki Eiji) (29 November 1968 – 3 March 2016) was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was better known for wrestling under a mask as Hayabusa. He mainly worked for the Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) promotion. He also wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and in North America for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and one match with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
Hayabusa | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan | 29 November 1968
Died | 3 March 2016 | (aged 47)
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Darkside of Hayabusa Eiji Ezaki H Hayabusa |
Billed height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
Billed weight | 75 kg (165 lb) |
Trained by | Tarzan Goto |
Debut | May 5, 1991 |
Retired | October 22, 2001 |
Career
changeEzaki debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) at the 1994 Super J Cup, losing in the first round to Jushin Thunder Liger.[1] He started wrestling under the Hayabusa gimmick in 1993 while he was working in Mexico.[2]
In October 2001, Ezaki suffered a career-ending injury when he tried to perform a springboard moonsault off the middle rope, lost his footing, landed on his head, and cracked two of his vertebrae which left him paralyzed.[3] In 2015, Ezaki had regained the use of his legs and was able to stand on his own and walk with a cane.[4]
On 3 April 2015, Hayabusa took part in a press conference which announced the return of FMW. He had served as the executive producer of the promotion.[5]
Death
changeOn 3 March 2016, Ezaki died from a subarachnoid hemorrhage at age 47.[2] He was found dead in his home by the owner of a tavern that he was supposed to do a small concert for that day, but did not show up.[6]
References
change- ↑ "Eiji "Hayabusa" Ezaki Passes Away at 47". Fight Network. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Eiji "Hayabusa" Ezaki Passes Away at 47". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "FMW Star Hayabusa Dead at 47". WrestlingInc.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "Japan News: Matches & Official Dates for FMW's return tour in Japan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "FMW復活 ハヤブサ復帰リングを用意". Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "ハヤブサさん「急死の詳細」を関係者明かす". Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2016-03-05.