Eiji Ezaki
Encyclopedia
is a former Japanese
professional wrestler better known as the masked Hayabusa (Falcon/Phoenix), who worked primarily for Atsushi Onita's
Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling promotion.
. He would make his FMW debut on May 5, 1991 at the Nagoya International Center
and later formed the Kyushu Express with Mr. Gannosuke
. In 1993, Atsushi Onita
, seeing potential in Ezaki, decided to send him on an overseas excursion of North America.
style from wrestling instructor Rey Misterio, Sr.
Ezaki wrestled for the World Wrestling Association
, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
during his time in Mexico. He then returned to Japan to face Jushin Liger
in a well received first round match during the Super J Cup tournament.
Between January 1995 and April 1995, Ezaki would wrestle in the United States, mainly in the Florida
area.
, and Onita himself, while he would frequently team with Jinsei Shinzaki
. Ezaki occasionally altered his character to the "Darkside of Hayabusa" or the maskless "H."
Ezaki wrestled one match in Extreme Championship Wrestling
at Heatwave '98. He and Jinsei Shinzaki
unsuccessfully challenged Rob Van Dam
and Sabu for the ECW Tag Team Championship
.
In October 2001, Ezaki suffered a career-ending injury during a match against Mammoth Sasaki. While attempting a springboard moonsault off the bottom rope, his foot caught the underside of the middle rope, preventing a full rotation. Ezaki landed on his head and was paralyzed
as a result. The injury also provoked a very high fever and required surgery. Ezaki was considered the heart and soul of FMW, and after his departure, the company slowly folded.
He traveled to a few WWE events where he met old friends such as Sabu, Rob Van Dam
and Rey Mysterio backstage. He also had the opportunity to take photographs with Vince McMahon
, Shane McMahon
, and Triple H
and spoke with Jeff Hardy
.http://fmwwrestling.us/Hayabusa2.html
Ezaki attended the PWU (Pro Wrestling Unplugged) FAHRENHEIT: 3RD DEGREE event on August 19, 2006 at the New Alhambra (formerly known as ECW Arena). This was his first appearance in the USA since 2000, the last time being at E3 in Los Angeles, helping promote TOKYOPOP
's FMW DVDs by having a 6-man tag match. He also participated in a shoot interview with RF Video.
Ezaki has been active in working with the Dragon Gate
promotion. He recorded a duet album with Dragon Kid
entitled Trust!http://spora.jp/hayabusa_dragonkid/ which came out in November 2007. He partook in the company's first US tour, joining them in their appearance in Los Angeles on September 5 and Hawaii on September 8, 2008.http://a319.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/67/l_49758bcc5ce0b5d4b21ec1d0e1637556.jpg Ezaki also designed the tour's T-shirt. http://a269.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_1ad541f6b70f22747442fdde63f3fb74.jpg When asked about his career in an interview, Ezaki said that one never knows what the chances are of a return to the ring. He has made significant progress in recovering from his injury and is now able to walk without an aid.
Ezaki is close personal friends with Jushin Liger. The two had a falling out in 1996 after Ezaki turned down a deal with NJPW, but they mended their friendship on April 22, 2005 when they spoke for the first time in nine years.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
professional wrestler better known as the masked Hayabusa (Falcon/Phoenix), who worked primarily for Atsushi Onita's
Atsushi Onita
Atsushi Onita is a Japanese former politician and active professional wrestler best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling...
Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling promotion.
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (1991–1993)
Eiji Ezaki began his wrestling career training in the FMW dojoDojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
. He would make his FMW debut on May 5, 1991 at the Nagoya International Center
Nagoya International Center
The Nagoya International Center is a non-profit organization based in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan...
and later formed the Kyushu Express with Mr. Gannosuke
Mr. Gannosuke
is a Japanese professional wrestler better known as Mr. Gannosuke, who competed primarily for Atsushi Onita's Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling promotion. He also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship.-Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling :...
. In 1993, Atsushi Onita
Atsushi Onita
Atsushi Onita is a Japanese former politician and active professional wrestler best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling...
, seeing potential in Ezaki, decided to send him on an overseas excursion of North America.
North American Excursion (1993–1995)
Ezaki adopted the Hayabusa gimmick in 1993 while in Mexico. While there, he learned the lucha libreLucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
style from wrestling instructor Rey Misterio, Sr.
Rey Misterio, Sr.
Miguel Ángel López Díaz, better known as his ring name Rey Misterio, Sr. is a Mexican professional wrestler, trainer and actor. He is the uncle of well-known luchador Rey Mysterio, Jr. His name directly translates to "Mystery King" in English...
Ezaki wrestled for the World Wrestling Association
World Wrestling Association
The World Wrestling Association is a lucha libre promotion based in the Tijuana-area of Mexico. It was founded in 1986 by Benjamin Mora, Jr....
, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración is a lucha libre professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico...
, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
during his time in Mexico. He then returned to Japan to face Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
in a well received first round match during the Super J Cup tournament.
Between January 1995 and April 1995, Ezaki would wrestle in the United States, mainly in the Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
area.
Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (1995–2001)
Upon his return to FMW in May 1995, Hayabusa wrestled very dangerous matches involving barbed wire and explosives. After one "Exploding Cage" match, he was rushed to the hospital due to severe burns. Hayabusa's rivals included Mr. Gannosuke, The GladiatorMike Awesome
Michael Lee Alfonso , better known by his ring name Mike Awesome, was an American professional wrestler best known in America for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and in World Wrestling Federation and also in Japan for his work with Frontier Martial-Arts...
, and Onita himself, while he would frequently team with Jinsei Shinzaki
Jinsei Shinzaki
Kensuke Shinzaki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his stage names Jinsei Shinzaki and Hakushi...
. Ezaki occasionally altered his character to the "Darkside of Hayabusa" or the maskless "H."
Ezaki wrestled one match in Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
at Heatwave '98. He and Jinsei Shinzaki
Jinsei Shinzaki
Kensuke Shinzaki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his stage names Jinsei Shinzaki and Hakushi...
unsuccessfully challenged Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam
Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Sabu for the ECW Tag Team Championship
ECW Tag Team Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling...
.
In October 2001, Ezaki suffered a career-ending injury during a match against Mammoth Sasaki. While attempting a springboard moonsault off the bottom rope, his foot caught the underside of the middle rope, preventing a full rotation. Ezaki landed on his head and was paralyzed
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
as a result. The injury also provoked a very high fever and required surgery. Ezaki was considered the heart and soul of FMW, and after his departure, the company slowly folded.
Post-retirement
Ezaki later pursued a career as a singer.He traveled to a few WWE events where he met old friends such as Sabu, Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam
Robert Alexander "Rob" Szatkowski , better known by his ring name Rob Van Dam , is an American professional wrestler and actor who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Rey Mysterio backstage. He also had the opportunity to take photographs with Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon
Shane Brandon McMahon is an American executive, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of YOU On Demand. A former executive and professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment , he is the son of WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and former US Senate candidate Linda...
, and Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
and spoke with Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy
Jeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is a former two–time TNA World Heavyweight Champion...
.http://fmwwrestling.us/Hayabusa2.html
Ezaki attended the PWU (Pro Wrestling Unplugged) FAHRENHEIT: 3RD DEGREE event on August 19, 2006 at the New Alhambra (formerly known as ECW Arena). This was his first appearance in the USA since 2000, the last time being at E3 in Los Angeles, helping promote TOKYOPOP
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
's FMW DVDs by having a 6-man tag match. He also participated in a shoot interview with RF Video.
Ezaki has been active in working with the Dragon Gate
Dragon Gate
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion formerly known as Toryumon Japan. Most of Dragon Gate's wrestlers are graduates from Último Dragón's Toryumon Gym, and thus the promotion is based on a Junior Heavyweight style with varying emphasis on high flying maneuvers, flashy technical grappling,...
promotion. He recorded a duet album with Dragon Kid
Dragon Kid
Dragon Kid is a Japanese professional wrestler who wrestles for Dragon Gate.-Professional wrestling career:...
entitled Trust!http://spora.jp/hayabusa_dragonkid/ which came out in November 2007. He partook in the company's first US tour, joining them in their appearance in Los Angeles on September 5 and Hawaii on September 8, 2008.http://a319.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/67/l_49758bcc5ce0b5d4b21ec1d0e1637556.jpg Ezaki also designed the tour's T-shirt. http://a269.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_1ad541f6b70f22747442fdde63f3fb74.jpg When asked about his career in an interview, Ezaki said that one never knows what the chances are of a return to the ring. He has made significant progress in recovering from his injury and is now able to walk without an aid.
Other media
- Hayabusa appears in the low-budget wrestling movie "Backyard Dogs" and in "Mask de 41" as the "Red Falcon". He also appears as Eiji Ezaki in "Baion".
- Hayabusa also appeared in the music video "Life Is...~another story~" by J-Pop artist Ken HiraiKen Hiraiis a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and spokesperson.During his career, Hirai has released 32 singles and 11 albums up until October 2010. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi Wo Tojite became the best-selling single...
. - Hayabusa appears in the Japan-exclusive Nintendo 64Nintendo 64The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
games Virtual Pro Wrestling 64Virtual Pro Wrestling 64Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 is a professional wrestling video game released in 1997 on the Nintendo 64 game console. The game was only released in Japan and uses a slightly remodeled version of WCW vs. nWo: World Tour's engine...
and Virtual Pro Wrestling 2: Ōdō Keishō. He appears unofficially in WCW vs. nWo: World TourWCW vs. nWo: World TourWCW vs. nWo: World Tour proved to be one of THQ's biggest hits and was awarded the title of "Fighting Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. It gained Player's Choice status with over a million copies sold and its 1998 re-release was instrumental in THQ's 59% revenue...
, as Hannibal, and WCW/nWo RevengeWCW/nWo RevengeWCW/nWo Revenge is a professional wrestling video game released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 game console. It is the sequel to 1997's WCW vs. nWo: World Tour and would be THQ's last game for World Championship Wrestling...
, as Han Zo Mon.
Personal life
Ezaki was married and has two children. The couple divorced sometime in 2004. He has kept in touch with his wife and children since the divorce.Ezaki is close personal friends with Jushin Liger. The two had a falling out in 1996 after Ezaki turned down a deal with NJPW, but they mended their friendship on April 22, 2005 when they spoke for the first time in nine years.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Falcon Arrow, sometimes while rotating 360° or while diving off the top rope – innovated
- Firebird Splash (450° splash)
- H Thunder (Scoop side piledriver)
- Phoenix Splash (Corkscrew 450° splash) – innovated
- Signature moves
- Corkscrew senton
- Dragon suplex
- Fisherman buster
- H Edge (Modified ura–nage)
- Kneeling double underhook ganso bomb – rarely used
- Shooting Stardust (Shooting star press)
- Sitout double underhook powerbomb
- Springboard into either a somersault senton, a corkscrew senton or a moonsault
- Thunder fire powerbomb – used as a tribute to Atsushi OnitaAtsushi OnitaAtsushi Onita is a Japanese former politician and active professional wrestler best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling...
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s - "The Falcon"
- "The Phoenix" / "The Fushichou"
- "The Flying Assassin"
- Entrance themesMusic in professional wrestlingMusic in professional wrestling serves a variety of purposes. The most common uses of music in professional wrestling is that of the entrance theme, a song or piece of instrumental music which plays as a performer approaches the ring...
- "One Big Rush" by Joe SatrianiJoe SatrianiJoseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
(NJPW, Super J Cup - April 16, 1994) - "Fight With Dream"
- "Fight With Dream (Kawasaki Remix)"
- "Fight With Dream II"
- "Welcome to the Darkside" - as Darkside of Hayabusa
- "Silver Resistance" - as H
- "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani
Championships and accomplishments
- All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestlingis a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
- AJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipAJPW All Asia Tag Team ChampionshipThe All Japan Pro Wrestling All Asia Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in Japanese promotion All Japan Pro Wrestling . It was created on November 16, 1955 in the Japan Wrestling Association when King Kong Czaya & Tiger Jokinder defeated JWA founder Rikidōzan &...
(1 time) – with Jinsei ShinzakiJinsei ShinzakiKensuke Shinzaki is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his stage names Jinsei Shinzaki and Hakushi...
- Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling
- FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight ChampionshipFMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight ChampionshipThe FMW World Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship was a premiere championship in the wrestling promotion Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, or FMW....
(3 times) - FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team ChampionshipFMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team ChampionshipThe FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship was a tag team hardcore wrestling championship contested in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling.-WWA World Martial Arts Tag Team Championship :-FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Championship :...
(2 times) – with Masato TanakaMasato TanakaMasato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
(1), Daisuke IkedaDaisuke IkedaDaisuke Ikeda is a Japanese professional wrestler who is currently wrestling in the Independent circuit in Japan.-Professional wrestling career:...
(1) - FMW Independent Heavyweight ChampionshipFMW Independent Heavyweight Championship-Title History:...
(1 time) - FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team ChampionshipFMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team ChampionshipThe FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Championship was a championship in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling. It was active from May 1996 until May 1999. The title was then abandoned, but it was replaced in July 1999 with the World Entertainment Wrestling Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The final...
(3 times) – with Tetsuhiro Kuroda and GOEMON (1), Masato TanakaMasato TanakaMasato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
and Koji Nakagawa (1), Masato TanakaMasato TanakaMasato Tanaka is a Japanese professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling in Japan and in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the United States where he was a one-time world champion, having won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once...
and Hisakatsu OyaHisakatsu OyaKenichi Oya is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Hisakatsu Oya. Although he started out for New Japan Pro Wrestling, he is well-known for his stint in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling....
(1) - WEW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- WEW Tag Team ChampionshipWEW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe WEW World Tag Team Championship is a tag team professional wrestling championship formerly contested in the Japanese promotion Frontier Marital-Arts Wrestling and World Entertainment Wrestling and currently contested in Apache Army. *Note: The title is sometimes called the FMW/WEW World Tag...
(2 times) – with Mr. Gannosuke (1), Tetsuhiro Kuroda (1)
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #38 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
in 1998/1999 - PWI ranked him #255 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Fighting Spirit Prize (1997)