| Ryan Sakoda | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Keiji Sakoda[1] Keiji Sakota[2] Sakoda[1] Ryan Sakoda[1] Ryu Sakoda[2] Vapor[2] Quick Cook Lee[2] |
| Billed height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] |
| Billed weight | 110 kg (240 lb)[1] |
| Born | December 31, 1974 [1] Tokyo, Japan[1] |
| Resides | Hacienda Heights, California[1] |
| Billed from | Tokyo, Japan |
| Trained by | Bill Anderson[2] Jesse Hernandez[1][2] |
| Debut | 1998[2] |
Ryan Sakoda (born December 31, 1974) is a Japanese American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment and current work for Ultimate Pro Wrestling as a part-time trainer for the wrestlers, as well as working in the independents as Ryan Sakoda.
Contents |
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.
1After the title was vacated, Samoa Joe and partner Keiji Sakoda's reign was stricken from the promotion's records.