Hayabusa (wrestler)
Eiji Ezaki, better known as Hayabusa, was a famous Japanese professional wrestler, stage actor, musician, and promoter. Born on November 29, 1968, in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan, he became one of the most influential figures in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and is remembered for his high-flying style and innovative moves. He passed away on March 3, 2016, in Tokyo.
Ezaki started wrestling in 1987 and trained with notable wrestlers including Takashi Ishikawa, Tarzan Goto, and Rey Misterio Sr. He first wrestled for FMW in the early 1990s, but he also spent time in Mexico, where he developed the Hayabusa persona and learned lucha libre, shaping the fast, aerial in-ring style he would be known for.
Returning to FMW in 1995, Hayabusa quickly rose to become the company’s top star. He won the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship and became the face of FMW, leading the roster through a period of big matches and dramatic storylines. His character included two alter egos: the dark, menacing Darkside Hayabusa (debuting in 1996) and the later masked “H” character (introduced in 1999). He formed memorable rivalries with wrestlers like The Gladiator, Koji Nakagawa, Mr. Gannosuke, and the group Shin Fuyuki-Gun, and he headlined many major events, including several Anniversary Shows.
Hayabusa was a five-time world champion in FMW. He held the Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship three times, the Independent Heavyweight Championship once, and the WEW Heavyweight Championship once. He also won multiple tag and six-man tag titles, and his matches helped define FMW’s wild, no-holds-barred style. One of his most famous in-ring moments is often cited as a pinnacle match against Masato Tanaka in 1998, which is widely celebrated as one of his greatest bouts. His high-risk moves, such as the Phoenix Splash and Falcon Arrow, helped popularize a new era of Japanese wrestling.
In late 1990s and into 2000, Ezaki’s body carried injuries that pushed him to adjust his style from high-flying to more mat-based wrestling. After a career-ending injury in October (a botched springboard moonsault left him badly injured), his in-ring career effectively ended. The promotion FMW eventually folded, and Ezaki shifted his focus to other roles in wrestling, including promoting WMF (Wrestlings Marvelous Future), a successor project inspired by FMW.
Beyond wrestling, Ezaki pursued music and acting. He worked with Dragon Gate, recording a debut album with Dragon Kid titled Trust! in 2007, and participated in US tours with Dragon Gate in 2008. He also ventured into promoting and producing, helping keep professional wrestling ideas and talent flowing between Japan and the United States. In 2015, he took on a leadership role as an executive producer for a revival of FMW.
Ezaki’s influence extends far beyond his title wins. He is considered one of the greatest pioneers of high-flying and junior heavyweight wrestling in Japan, helping to inspire a generation of wrestlers around the world, including many who later became stars in major promotions. His signature moves, his vision for high-risk, high-reward matches, and his perseverance in the ring left a lasting mark on professional wrestling.
On the personal side, Ezaki was married to Harumi from 1997 until their divorce in 2004, and they had two daughters, Ayane and Shie. He and Harumi remained friends and shared custody of their children. Ezaki died of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 3, 2016, at the age of 47.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 10:45 (CET).