Tojo Yamamoto - Contributions As A Trainer

Contributions As A Trainer

During and after his years as a manager, knowing that his in-ring career was long since over, Yamamoto continued to contribute to the wrestling business as a prolific trainer. The impact he had on the world of professional wrestling through his training is far-reaching and spans across generations and promotions. He trained dozens of wrestlers who in turn went on to train scores, perhaps hundreds, of additional performers. An example of one of his trainees who went on to teach future generations is Bobby Eaton. Eaton trained countless hopefuls at the WCW Power Plant, but he was also known for his informal coaching of countless younger talent in WCW. He would often go out of his way to make himself available whether it be backstage, in the ring, or most commonly on the road driving long distances from town to town. Like Yamamoto, he was never considered a "main-eventer", but both had a reputation and willingness to help their opponents look good in the ring and get better from just being in the ring with them.

He passed his decades of wrestling knowledge down to many students, including several future world champions such as Jeff Jarret, Mike Rapada, and Sid Vicious. He even had a hand in training Jeff Jarrett's father, Jerry Jarrett. Tojo's other students include legends like The Moondogs (Spike and Spot), Jackie Fargo, Bobby Eaton, and "Wildfire" Tommy Rich. Yamamoto's impact on future generations of wrestlers is immeasurable, as he trained so many people (such as Bobby Eaton), who went on to train many, many more wrestlers. Yamamoto would manage some of the wrestlers he trained, but more incredibly he later faced several of his students in the ring; winning (and losing) many of his Tag Team and Six-Man Tag Team Titles in matches with his former students.

He retired in 1991 due to health problems which included diabetes. He died in Hermitage, Tennessee of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1992.