WWE Superstars Pay Tribute to Late Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama

– A number of WWE Superstars, including New Day members Big E and Kofi Kingston, have paid tribute to the late Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball. As noted, Toriyama tragically passed earlier this month at 68 years old. Previously, The New Day wore Dragon Ball Z-inspired attire at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, Texas. You can view some of the tributes by WWE stars to Toriyama this week below:

FUUUUUSION! HA!!! @TheTrinity_Fatu #RIPAkiraToriyama 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CYlFXiXzl8

— ZV (@ZelinaVegaWWE) March 11, 2024

Rest in Peace to the absolute GOAT, Akira Toriyama, who created Dragonball and laid the foundation for modern anime as we know it. What a legend that will be remembered eternally!

— King (@LexisKingWWE) March 8, 2024

Rest In Peace, Akira Toriyama. pic.twitter.com/LrKLnzW318

— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) March 8, 2024

#ThankYouToriyama pic.twitter.com/YcqQsGPovr

— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) March 8, 2024

Woods also shared the following on his Instagram account:

So it has has taken me a bit longer to post this because I’ve had so many emotions swirling about Akira Toriyama’s passing…

I’ve just really been thinking about my Dragon Ball fandom over the years and it almost seems silly that something that is supposed to be a mere animated series has influenced my life in so many deep and meaningful ways.

From pushing myself to the limit of my potential, both for my own benefit as well as my family’s, to setting an example for my kids and other people to follow, I, along with millions of others, was inspired many times over by the essence of the Dragon Ball franchise.

I have always found such brilliance in the fact that Akira Toriyama created a legendary franchise that hits on totally different levels depending on the phase of life you are experiencing. Watching Dragon Ball as a child summons to the surface totally differently emotions entirely than it does watching as an adult…yet each experience is equally impactful. Genius, really.

I just wanted to share my gratitude for Akira Toriyama’s graciousness and willingness to continue to share his massive vision with all of us over the years, and consequently making Dragon Ball a perennial franchise that is and will forever be one of the most influential pop culture phenomenons in anime history.
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#akiratoriyama #thankyou

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