Kotetsu Yamamoto: Profile, Career, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won, Gimmick Evolution and Stats

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Kotetsu Yamamoto, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Masaru Yamamoto (山本勝) was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan on October 30, 1941.

He died on August 28, 2010 at the age of 68.

While becoming a wrestler, Yamamoto was the last ever student trained under Rikidōzan before the latter’s death.

Kotetsu Yamamoto was inducted in the NJPW Greatest Wrestlers in 2007.

Profile Info

Gender Male

Real Name Masaru Yamamoto (山本勝)

Ring Names

Kotetsu Yamamoto ( September 22, 1967 - August 28, 2010)
Oki Yamaha ( July 4, 1967 - September 21, 1967)
Kotetsu Yamamoto ( July 19, 1963 - July 3, 1967)

Born October 30, 1941

Died August 28, 2010 (aged 68)

Nationality

Japan

Birth Place Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Billed From

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan ( July 19, 1963 - August 28, 2010)
Japan ( July 4, 1967 - September 21, 1967)

Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)

Weight

220 lbs (100 kg)

Nicknames Kotetsu (Little Iron); The Hardhearted/Demon Sergeant; The Human Bomb

Notes While becoming a wrestler, Yamamoto was the last ever student trained under Rikidōzan before the latter’s death.

Career History

Roles

Commentator ( October 1, 2000 - August 28, 2010)
Coach ( April 1, 1988 - August 28, 2010)
Referee ( April 5, 1980 - August 28, 2010)
Wrestler ( July 19, 1963 - April 4, 1980)

Companies / Promotions

Promotion	from	to
Promotion NJPW	April 5, 1980	August 28, 2010
Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight	January 13, 1972	April 4, 1980
Promotion NWA	April 12, 1967	September 5, 1967

Face / Heel Turns

Alignment	from	to
Face	April 5, 1980	August 28, 2010
Tweener	July 19, 1963	April 4, 1980

Images

Jan 2005

Jan 1996

Jan 1979

Jan 1972

Apr 1967

Jul 1963

Finishers

Diving Body Press ( July 19, 1963 - April 4, 1980)
Burning Hammer - Inverted Death Valley Driver ( January 1, 1970 - April 4, 1980)

Titles & Accomplishments

Hall of Fame

NJPW Greatest Wrestlers - Year 2007, Individual

Titles Won

International Wrestling Enterprise

1 IWA World Tag Team Championship (with Kantaro Hoshino)

NWA Mid-America

1 NWA Mid-America Southern Tag Team Championship (with Kantaro Hoshino)

Other Accomplishments

NJPW Alumnus Battle Royal Winner (2003)
Tokyo Sports Effort Award (1974)
Tokyo Sports Lifetime Achievement Award (1979, 2010)

Relations

Tag Teams & Stables

Kotetsu Yamamoto & Kantaro Hoshino - Kantaro Hoshino ( January 29, 1974 - April 4, 1980)
The Yamaha Brothers - Kantaro Hoshino ( August 22, 1967 - January 13, 1970)