Kotetsu Yamamoto - Pro Wrestlers Database
NJPW Hall of Fame: NJPW Greatest Wrestlers

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.

Kotetsu Yamamoto was inducted in the NJPW Hall of Fame in 2007 as part of the NJPW Greatest Wrestlers wing.

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

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameMasaru 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)
  • NationalityNationality: JapanJapan
  • Birth PlaceYokohama, 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)
  • NicknamesKotetsu (Little Iron); The Hardhearted/Demon Sergeant; The Human Bomb
  • NotesWhile 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)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWApril 5, 1980August 28, 2010
    PromotionNew Japan Pro WrestlingNJPWBrand Heavyweight January 13, 1972April 4, 1980
    PromotionJapanese Wrestling AssociationJWASeptember 22, 1967December 4, 1971
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAJanuary 20, 1967September 5, 1967
    PromotionNWA Mid-AmericaMID AMERICAJuly 4, 1967September 5, 1967
    PromotionGulf Athletic ClubGACJanuary 20, 1967June 23, 1967
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLASApril 11, 1967June 21, 1967
    PromotionJapanese Wrestling AssociationJWAJuly 19, 1963December 30, 1966
  • Images History

    Jan 2005
    Jan 2005
    Jan 1996
    Jan 1996
    Jan 1979
    Jan 1979
    Jan 1972
    Jan 1972
    Apr 1967
    Apr 1967
    Jul 1963
    Jul 1963
  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    FaceApril 5, 1980August 28, 2010
    TweenerJuly 19, 1963April 4, 1980
  • Finishers

    • Diving Body Press (July 19, 1963 - April 4, 1980)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • 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)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Kotetsu Yamamoto & Kantaro Hoshino - Kantaro Hoshino (January 29, 1974 - April 4, 1980)
    • The Yamaha Brothers - Kantaro Hoshino (August 2, 1967 - January 13, 1970)

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