Former pro wrestling star Hayabusa dies at 47

Former Japanese pro wrestling star Hayabusa (real name Eiji Ezaki) died Thursday from a brain hemorrhage. He was 47.

Hayabusa is considered by many to be one of the greatest high-flying wrestlers of all time, and he was the top star of Japan’s Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling from 1994 to 2001.

He suffered a career-ending broken neck during a match in 2001 when he slipped on the ropes while attempting a maneuver. He was paralyzed for several years, but made an emotional appearance last season when he appeared at an event, got out of his wheelchair and, with the help of a cane, slowly walked to the ring. You can watch that in the video above.