Shoichi Arai: Difference between revisions
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'''Shoichi Arai''' was a [[Japan|Japanese]] [[professional wrestling]] promoter who ran [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]] from [[1995]] until its demise in [[2002]]. He entered the curcuit as the company's ring announcer in the early days and was best known for his high-pitched voice that ran down countdowns during various deathmatches. |
'''Shoichi Arai''' ([[1966]]-[[May 16]], [[2002]]) was a [[Japan|Japanese]] [[professional wrestling]] promoter who ran [[Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling]] from [[1995]] until its demise in [[2002]]. He entered the curcuit as the company's ring announcer in the early days and was best known for his high-pitched voice that ran down countdowns during various deathmatches. |
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Arai took over ownership after [[Atsushi Onita]] sold the company to him in [[April]] 1995. During his reign, he began toning down the amount of deathmatches in favour of a more entertainment based product, similiar to [[Vince McMahon]]'s [[World Wrestling Federation|WWF]] (now WWE). Eventually, he put an end to deathmatches entirely and this resulted in Onita leaving FMW for good in [[1998]]. From this point on, FMW would suffer a decline. With poor attendance figures and little revenue, the company was slowly becoming a shadow of its former self. Things were to get worse when their number one star, [[Eiji Ezaki|Hayabusa]], suffered a broken neck in a match against [[Mammoth Sasaki]]. Attempting an |
Arai took over ownership after [[Atsushi Onita]] sold the company to him in [[April]] 1995. During his reign, he began toning down the amount of deathmatches in favour of a more entertainment based product, similiar to [[Vince McMahon]]'s [[World Wrestling Federation|WWF]] (now WWE). Eventually, he put an end to deathmatches entirely and this resulted in Onita leaving FMW for good in [[1998]]. From this point on, FMW would suffer a decline. With poor attendance figures and little revenue, the company was slowly becoming a shadow of its former self. Things were to get worse when their number one star, [[Eiji Ezaki|Hayabusa]], suffered a broken neck in a match against [[Mammoth Sasaki]]. Attempting an [[Asai Moonsault]], Hayabusa's foot slipped off the rope, resulting in him landing directly on his head, paralyzing him instantly. |
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With their top star now gone and in excess of over $2 million in debt, he closed the doors on FMW and declared bankruptcy. He owed money to many FMW workers and stopped paying for Hayabusa's hospital fees. He also owed money to the Yakuza and his wife later divorced him. |
With their top star now gone and in excess of over $2 million in debt, he closed the doors on FMW and declared bankruptcy. He owed money to many FMW workers and stopped paying for Hayabusa's hospital fees. He also owed money to the Yakuza and his wife later divorced him. |
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On May 16, 2002, Arai committed [[suicide]] in [[Tokyo]]. His body was found hanging with a suicide note. He was 36 years old. |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.bodyslamming.com/deceased/shoichiarai.html Deceased Superstars - Shoichi Arai] |
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*[http://fmwwrestling.us/FMWHistory.html History of FMW] |
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[[Category:2002 deaths]] |
[[Category:2002 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Date of birth missing]] |
[[Category:Date of birth missing]] |
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[[Category:Suicides by hanging]] |
[[Category:Suicides by hanging]] |
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[[Category:Frontiers Martial-Arts Wrestling alumni]] |
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{{prowrestling-bio-stub}} |
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Revision as of 20:42, 10 December 2007
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Shoichi Arai (1966-May 16, 2002) was a Japanese professional wrestling promoter who ran Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling from 1995 until its demise in 2002. He entered the curcuit as the company's ring announcer in the early days and was best known for his high-pitched voice that ran down countdowns during various deathmatches.
Arai took over ownership after Atsushi Onita sold the company to him in April 1995. During his reign, he began toning down the amount of deathmatches in favour of a more entertainment based product, similiar to Vince McMahon's WWF (now WWE). Eventually, he put an end to deathmatches entirely and this resulted in Onita leaving FMW for good in 1998. From this point on, FMW would suffer a decline. With poor attendance figures and little revenue, the company was slowly becoming a shadow of its former self. Things were to get worse when their number one star, Hayabusa, suffered a broken neck in a match against Mammoth Sasaki. Attempting an Asai Moonsault, Hayabusa's foot slipped off the rope, resulting in him landing directly on his head, paralyzing him instantly.
With their top star now gone and in excess of over $2 million in debt, he closed the doors on FMW and declared bankruptcy. He owed money to many FMW workers and stopped paying for Hayabusa's hospital fees. He also owed money to the Yakuza and his wife later divorced him.
On May 16, 2002, Arai committed suicide in Tokyo. His body was found hanging with a suicide note. He was 36 years old.