AEW’s Rush has shared a touching scene in tribute to Akira Toriyama following the manga titan’s death this week at the age of 68.
Toriyama suffered an acute subdural hematoma, which is a type of bleeding near the brain, his studio reported following his death. Toriyama is best known for creating manga hit Dragon Ball, which has spawned shows, movies, video games and more. The main series follows Goku and his efforts to collect the titular Dragon Balls to protect the Earth.
Rush’s Tribute
Taking to Twitter, Rush shared that he had begun re-watching the series, this time with his new-born son. Rush was grateful to Toriyama for making him happy in his childhood and is grateful he can now share Dragon Ball with his son.
TODAY I STARTED WATCHING THE SERIES WITH MY SON AND WE HAVE 7 EPISODES OF DRAGON BALL Z
THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME HAPPY IN MY CHILDHOOD AND NOW TO MY SON? RIP pic.twitter.com/NG0M2gBobt
— RUSH OFICIAL (@rushtoroblanco) March 8, 2024
Pro-Wrestling and Dragon Ball
Rush is hardly the only professional wrestler to have their life influenced by Toriyama and his hit manga series. For WrestleMania 32, the New Day donned armor similar to the Saiyan alien species from Dragon Ball. In 2020, Rhea Ripley wore a Vegeta-themed attire for her WrestleMania debut against Charlotte Flair in the crowd-less WWE Performance Center.
WWE Money in the Bank 2023 saw not one but two references to Dragon Ball. For her Women’s Tag Team Championship match, Ronda Rousey wore an attire based on Majin Vegeta, the darker version of the series staple. Zelina Vega, who has cosplayed several manga characters in the ring, wore an attire referencing series villain Frieza. The power of the Dragon Balls wasn’t with either Superstar as Rousey would lose her title match while Vega failed to capture the Women’s Money in Bank briefcase.