7 Wrestlers Who Were Murdered

7. Rikidōzan (8 December 1963)

Once dubbed the "Father of Puroresu", Rikidōzan was only 39 years old when, 12 years following his in-ring debut, he was killed whilst partying in a Tokyo nightclub with friends.

Almost a full decade before both New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling were founded in 1972, Rikidōzan was the man of the hour on the Japanese scene. His work in the Nihon Puroresu Kyōkai (Japanese Wrestling Alliance) helped carve a famous legacy, as did a historic NWA International Title win over Lou Thesz in 1958.

The end of Rikidōzan's would be steeped in tragedy. Stabbed by Yakuza member Katsuji Murata, he later died of peritonitis after being told by doctors the wound (from a blade supposedly soaked in urine) wasn't serious. Indeed, the wrestler himself was said to have continued partying after throwing Murata out of the club.

Rikidōzan's connections with the mob ran deeper; Murata was a Yakuza rival of Nick Zapetti, who had helped fund the JWA. The stabbing was no accident, though Murata was subsequently charged with manslaughter rather than outright murder.