Sad news in the wrestling world tonight, as a member of WWF's Kaientai stable has passed away.
President of Tokyo Championship Wrestling Jimmy Suzuki posted on Twitter Saturday that Wally Yamaguchi passed away at the age of 61. No cause of death was mentioned, but Wally's health problems have been well known since he sustained a stroke in 2017. He'd been battling heart issues as well.
Suzuki stated that he'd be hosting a memorial show to benefit Yamaguchi on March 13.
Yamaguchi's claim to fame in American wrestling came as a manager of Kaientai in WWF, which consisted of Taka Michinoku, Men's Teioh, Funaki and Dick Togo. Together they'd feud with Val Venis, which saw a controversial storyline that resulted in Yamaguchi uttering the lines "I choppy choppy, your pee pee." The show closed with a nude Venis tied up as the stable attempted to chop off his penis.
Yamaguchi was important to both the launch of Gedo's wrestling career and FMW, and would later help orchestrate WWF bringing in the aforementioned Kaientai. His brother, Shun, still serves as an announcer for WWE.
My best friend Wally Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi San)passed away .
— Jimmy Suzuki (ジミー鈴木） (@JimmySuzuki1) March 9, 2019
He had stroke about one year ago. Had hart problem as well and he was on bed for about one year. I’ll have my show on March 13 as TCW Wally Yamaguchi Memorial Show. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/bSkErjS9wm
Others would also share their thoughts of Wally.
Just got word that Wally Yamaguchi passed away. What a damn shame. He was a great ambassador to pro wrestling. The world is a sadder place without him. #kaientai
— アンドリュー・ケトン・ストウエル (@AkiraMichinoku) March 9, 2019
RIP Wally Yamaguchi
— Masa Horie (@MasanoriHorie) March 10, 2019
Yusuke "Wally" Yamaguchi (May 5,1958 - March 10,2019)
ウォーリー山口（山口雄介）さんのご冥福を心からお祈りします。
小学生の頃からゴング誌＆別冊の海外情報にワクワク心を躍らせ、アメリカン・プロレスに大きな夢と憧れを持つことが出来ました。ありがとうございました！ pic.twitter.com/Iwyz31fUJY
We wish our best to the friends, family and fans of Yamaguchi.
