Grappling With Tragedy: Masakazu Fukuda

Brian Damage

Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.

Masakazu Fukuda

Masakuza Fukada began his training under the tutelage of Masayoshi Motegi (The innovator of the rolling German suplex) and debuted in 1996. Fukuda was a highly thought of prospect in professional wrestling and considered a future star in the business. He mainly competed for WAR and New Japan Pro Wrestling and furthered his training in New Japan’s Dojo.

Fukuda used a high impact or Strong Style type of wrestling in his short career. The physicality caused him to be sidelined with a head injury for several months. He returned from his injury to compete in New Japan’s Young Lion Cup Tournament in April of 2000. Fukuda wrestled another Young Lion in Katsuyori Shibata.

During the match, Shibata hit Fukuda with a flying elbow off the top rope. Fukuda stayed motionless on the mat and began snoring which alarmed Shibata and the referee who quickly called for the match to end. Medical staff attended to Fukuda and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital. Five days later, he died after suffering from a brain hemorrhage. When the Young Lion Cup tournament resumed, it was dedicated in the memory of Fukuda including a ten bell salute. Tatsumi Fujinami was a pall nearer in Fukuda’s funeral which was attended by many from the Japanese pro wrestling industry. Masakazu Fukuda was just 27 years old at the time of his death.