Ryan Sakoda

Early career (1998–2003) 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. World Wrestling Entertainment (2003–2004) On January 6, 2003, Sakoda made his first onscreen appearance for WWE on Raw as a judge for World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Scott Steiner's pose down under the name Charlie Chan. In September 2003, Sakoda was signed to a developmental contract, and 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. ==Personal life==

Sakoda filed a class action lawsuit against WWE, alleging that wrestlers sustained traumatic brain injuries while wrestling for them and that the company tried to conceal that information. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. In March 2016, the suit was dismissed as frivolous by Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant. ==Death==

Sakoda died on September 2, 2021, at the age of 48. His death was not announced until September 27. ==Championships and accomplishments==

• Empire Wrestling Federation • EWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time) • Pro Wrestling Zero-One • NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Samoa Joe ==Notes==