The shift occurred after FMW secured a television and pay-per-view deal with DirecTV, who wanted a role in shaping the product.

While attempting an Asai Moonsault, Hayabusa slipped off the rope and landed on his head, resulting in immediate paralysis.

In conversations with Hayabusa, Arai brought up plans to kill himself, because his life insurance would pay off his debt to the yakuza.

[2] On May 16, 2002, an early morning jogger found Arai hanging by his necktie in Tokyo's Mizumoto Park.

The Arai family continued paying his debt to the yakuza for years, until his ex-wife's father paid the remaining balance.