Former WWE Star Ryan Sakoda Dies Aged 48
Tributes are flooding in for ex-WWE star and Kyo-Dai member Ryan Sakoda.
Former WWE star Ryan Sakoda has passed away aged just 48.
PWInsider's report doesn't include details on Sakoda's cause of death right now. Also, rather incredibly, the former SmackDown man reportedly died on 2 September. He'd been out of the pro wrestling loop for years though, so maybe that explains why the wrestling media are only just learning about it now.
Sakoda signed with WWE back in late-2003. He'd made a few cameo appearances on TV before that though - most notably, Ryan acted as a judge for one of those Triple H vs. Scott Steiner pose down routines in January that year.
After inking a deal, Sakoda debuted alongside Akio (Jimmy Wang Yang) as Takiri's henchmen. Collectively, the team were known as Kyo-Dai, and WWE's announcers strongly suggested that they had links to the Yakuza. Sakoda's role didn't last long. He was released in August 2004.
Stay tuned for more details on his sad passing when they become available. All here at WhatCulture extend their condolences to Sakoda's family and friends.
An obituary can be viewed here.