Rikidōzan

[Necro]

Death

On December 8, 1963, Rikidōzan was stabbed once by Katsushi Murata, a member of the ninkyō dantai Sumiyoshi-ikka, a sub branch of the yakuza, after an altercation in a nightclub. Rikidōzan alleged that Murata stepped on his shoe, and demanded an apology. Murata refused and the two began to argue which eventually led to Rikidōzan punching Murata in the face, knocking him against a wall. Rikidōzan then mounted Murata and continued to punch him on the ground until Murata stabbed Rikidōzan once in the abdomen. Both immediately fled the scene and Rikidōzan was taken to Sannoh Hospital, where a doctor decreed the wound to be non-serious but advised Rikidōzan to have surgery. The surgery was successful and he returned home, but went against doctor's orders and began eating and drinking the same day, sending his assistant to the store for sushi and sake. Due to drinking so much, Rikidōzan worsened his condition and required a second surgery one week later, but had developed peritonitis and died at approximately 9:50pm on December 15, 1963. He was 39 years old.[17][18][19]

Rikidōzan's funeral was held on December 20, 1963, in Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Ōta, Tokyo.[20][21] Among those in attendance were Rikidōzan's students, Antonio Inoki, Giant Baba and Kintaro Ohki as well as various other opponents from throughout his career.

Katsushi Murata was later found guilty of manslaughter in October 1964 and served eight years in prison before being released in 1972. Murata visited the grave of Rikidōzan every year on December 15 following his release. He also called the sons of Rikidōzan and apologised yearly. In the years following his release, Murata became a high ranking member of the Yakuza.[17][18][19][22] Murata died on April 9, 2013 from natural causes.[23]

Championships and accomplishments

• Japan Wrestling Association
• All Asia Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• All Asia Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Toyonobori
• JWA All Japan Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Toyonobori
• NWA International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Japanese Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• World Big League (5 times)
• International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2021[27]
• Mid-Pacific Promotions
• NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Bobby Bruns (1), Azumafuji (1) and Koukichi Endoh (1)
• National Wrestling Alliance
• NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2011)[28]
• NWA San Francisco
• NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) – with Dennis Clary
• NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) – with Koukichi Endoh
• North American Wrestling Alliance/Worldwide Wrestling Associates
• NAWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
  • (Class of 2006)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
• WWE
• WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)[29]

Lou Thesz vs Rikidozan NWA Championship 10/13/57 JWA




Lou Thesz on Rikidozan death




Rikidozan vs The Destroyer (JWA December 2nd, 1963) (COMMERCIAL TAPE)




Rikidozan vs Freddie Blassie (JWA April 23rd, 1962) (commercial tape)




Rikidozan vs. Don Leo Jonathan (1958/10/02)

 

[Chris]

On this day in 1954, Rikidozan becomes the first and only Japanese Heavyweight Champion by defeating Masahiko Kimura