Ryan Sakoda

Ryan Sakoda (December 31, 1974 - September 27, 2021) was a Japanese American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
==Professional wrestling career==
Before coming to WWE, Sakoda had a successful stint in the NWA Zero-One promotion in Japan, stemming from his appearances for Ultimate Pro Wrestling. During this time Sakoda 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.
In September 2003, Sakoda was signed to a developmental contract, it wouldn't be long before Sakoda 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. Sakoda returned to UPW in March 2005 as a full-time trainer and made his return to full-time in-ring competition in 2007 with MTV's Wrestling Society X.
==In wrestling==
*Finishing moves
:*Death Valley driver
:*Discus elbow smash
:*Double powerbomb
*Signature moves
:*Diving somersault stunner
:*Running powerslam
*Nicknames
:*"The Japanese Assassin"
==Championships and accomplishments==
*Empire Wrestling Federation
:*EWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX
:*NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (1 time)1 - with Samoa Joe
1After the title was vacated, Samoa Joe and partner Keiji Sakoda's reign was stricken from the promotion's records.
==External links==
* Profile
* Profile
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni
Category:Ultimate Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Wrestling Society X alumni
Category:Japanese wrestlers
Category:1974 births
Category:1998 debuts
Category:NWA Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni
Category:Alternative Wrestling Show alumni
Category:Pro Wrestling LIVE alumni
Category:EPIC Pro Wrestling WAR alumni
Category:HUSTLE alumni
Category:Ohio Valley Wrestling alumni
Category:Pro Wrestling ZERO1 alumni
Category:All Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:X Wrestling Federation alumni
Category:Empire Wrestling Federation alumni
Category:2021 deaths
Category:Wrestlers who have died
Category:Male wrestlers