Ryan Sakoda Biography – Ryan Sakoda Wiki
Ryan Sakoda born Ryan Keiji Sakoda was a Japanese American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances in WWE and later Ultimate Pro Wrestling as a part-time trainer for the wrestlers, as well as working in the independents as Ryan Sakoda.
Before coming to WWE, he had a successful stint in the NWA Zero-One promotion in Japan, stemming from his appearances for Ultimate Pro Wrestling. At the time, he often filled in as an instructor at UPW’s Ultimate University, while wrestling as part of the faction Team Emblem with Japanese superstars Masato Tanaka and Shinjiro Otani.
On January 6, 2003, Sakoda made his first on-screen appearance for WWE on Raw as a judge for World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Scott Steiner’s posse down under the name Charlie Chan.
In September 2003, he was signed to a developmental contract, it would not be long before he was brought up to SmackDown!’s main roster. He along with Akio made their WWE debuts on October 19, 2003, at No Mercy. Sakoda aligned himself with Akio, forming the heel tag team Kyo Dai, the Yakuza-style henchmen of Tajiri.
In August 2004, Sakoda was released from his WWE contract. He returned to UPW in March 2005 as a part-time trainer and part-time auto sales executive at Worthington Ford. He made his return to full-time in-ring competition in 2007 with MTV’s Wrestling Society X. Wrestling as an independent in the local mall circuit until his death, Sakoda had been working for Disney at their Grand California Hotel.
Sakoda filed a class-action lawsuit against WWE, alleging that wrestlers suffered traumatic brain injuries while wrestling for them and that the company tried to conceal that information. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. In March 2016, the suit was dismissed as frivolous by Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant.
He went to study at the Glen A. Wilson High School and was an All-League linebacker. He became a professional wrestler with WWE under the name “Keiji.” He also wrestled for NWA Zero One in Japan. He attended Cal State Long Beach and was a member of the Alpha Chi Phi fraternity.
Ryan Sakoda Age
He was born on December 31, 1974, in Tokyo, Japan, and died on September 2, 2021. He was 48.
Ryan Sakoda Family
As per his obituary, he was the son of Ronney and Colleen Sakoda. He was the brother of Kelley (Cliff) Ikeda and Brett (Shelly) Sakoda. He was an uncle to Kaylee, Brendan, Cammy, and Nicholas. He was the nephew of Jimmy and Akemi Sakoda, Gary and Irene Sumida, and Ray and Carolyn Funatsu and had many cousins.
Ryan Sakoda Height
He stood at a listed height of 6 feet 0 inches ( 1.83 m) tall. He also weighed 110 kilograms.
Ryan Sakoda Death
Sakoda died on September 2, 2021, at the age of 48 according to a report from PW Insider (per Wreslting Inc.) and his obituary.
“Heart is hurting by the sudden passing of Ryan Sakoda,” London wrote. “From our time in OVW to Smackdown he was always able to make me laugh like none other. His impressions were hysterical & his smile was contagious. Met Ryan in 2001 at UPW & he was always a friend. Grateful for the moments. R.I.P.”
Another pro wrestler, Anthony Idol, also paid tribute to Sakoda.
Ryan Sakoda Cause of Death
The cause of death has not been revealed. Sakoda died on September 2, 2021, at the age of 48.
