Kazuo Yamazaki (山崎一夫, Yamazaki Kazuo, born August 15, 1962) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, wrestling instructor and commentator who is known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and shoot-style promotions Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) and UWF International (UWFi).[1] He currently works as a commentator for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
| Kazuo Yamazaki | |
|---|---|
 Yamazaki in July 2023 | |
| Born | August 15, 1962 Tokyo, Japan |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Billed height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Billed weight | 103 kg (227 lb) |
| Trained by | Satoru Sayama Yoshiaki Fujiwara |
| Debut | May 6, 1982 |
| Retired | January 4, 2000 |
Professional wrestling career
editNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (1982–1984)
editAn amateur wrestler and high school judoka in his youth, Yamazaki's professional wrestling career began in May 1982 in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He wrestled his debut match on May 6 against Kuroneko. During this time, he was also a student of Satoru Sayama, better known as Tiger Mask, who trained Yamazaki extensively in shoot wrestling and kickboxing. He also trained under NJPW's head submission grappling instructor Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Whenever Kuniaki Kobayashi stripped Sayama of his mask, Yamazaki was always the first to help remask him.
Universal Wrestling Federation (1984–1985)
editIn 1984, Yamazaki joined the shoot style promotion Japanese UWF, an early precursor to modern mixed martial arts. However, differences between his mentor Satoru Sayama and Akira Maeda over direction caused the promotion to fail.
Return To NJPW (1985–1988)
editHe rejoined New Japan in 1985 as a junior heavyweight. Despite this, he found more success in tag teams in 1987, winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship with one of his mentors, Yoshiaki Fujiwara.
Newborn UWF (1988–1990)
editIn 1988, however, the UWF was reconstituted as Newborn UWF and Yamazaki joined it, and stayed there until it folded in December 1990. During this time, he moved up to heavyweight.
UWF International (1991–1995)
editIn May 1991, Yamazaki joined UWF International. In UWF International, he supported Nobuhiko Takada, but after being overlooked several times for shots at Takada's UWFI World Heavyweight championship, he decided to quit and return to New Japan on his own in July 1995.
Return To NJPW (1995–2000)
editDuring the New Japan vs. UWFI feud in 1995-1996, Yamazaki participated on New Japan's side, but mostly as a behind-the-scenes supporter, training Yuji Nagata and Tokimitsu Ishizawa (Kendo Ka Shin) in the use of the shoot-style. He won two more IWGP Tag Team Championships, first with Takashi Iizuka in June 1996 and with Kensuke Sasaki in August 1997. In 1998, he participated in the G1 Climax tournament, defeating Tatsumi Fujinami, Kensuke Sasaki, and Masahiro Chono, before losing to Shinya Hashimoto in the finals. Yamazaki retired from in-ring competition on January 4, 2000, losing to his student Yuji Nagata as his final opponent.
Retirement
edit
Kazuo Yamazaki now works as a wrestling instructor at the NJPW Dojo and sometimes acts as color commentator for the NJPW program on TV Asahi. He also works as a seitaishi in Ayase, Kanagawa.
Championships and accomplishments
edit- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Yoshiaki Fujiwara (1), Takashi Iizuka (1), and Kensuke Sasaki (1)
- G1 Climax Special Tag Team Tournament (1997) – with Kensuke Sasaki
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Universal Wrestling Federation
- Kakuto Nettai Road "B" League Tournament (1985)
Notes
edit- ^ "Profile at Puroresu Central". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
- ^ "Archived copy". www.100megsfree4.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)