He would die as the result of complications from a stab wound in 1963 from a member of the Yakuza at a Tokyo nightclub that he owned. Details are sketchy, but it is believed that he refused medical attention and continued to party, and the lack of proper treatment caused a fatal infection.
The end of Rikidozan may be a bit of a mystery but the impact in Japan was undeniable. He trained future legends Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki and created a legacy that ran throughout wrestling and not just in Japan. Should the WWE Hall of Fame ever present itself as a complete wrestling Hall of Fame (and some of their inductions do show this), Rikidozan would have to be included.
Should Rikidozan be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 25%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 8.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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