Wrestlers Remember Wally Yamaguchi, Update on Batista at Raw

It was reported late last week that Yusuke “Wally” Yamaguchi had passed away at the age of 60 due to health issues. Yamaguchi is the just latest name in a long line of recent pro wrestling-related deaths this year which have included King Kong Bundy, Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, and others. Yamaguchi first made a name for himself by working for numerous Japanese wrestling promotions as a referee, commentator, and a manager. Most fans probably know Yamaguchi for his run in the WWF back during the ‘Attitude Era’ in the late 1990s. It was right around this time when he served as the manager for the Kai En Tai faction, which consisted of Sho Funaki, Mens Teioh, Dick Togo, and several other notable Japanese wrestlers.

I love you Wally-san! #RIPWally#KAIENTAI @shun2guchi pic.twitter.com/LIqB0OEai1
— FUNAKI (@shofufu824) March 10, 2019

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— TAKA???? (@takam777) March 10, 2019

Plenty of other wrestlers look back fondly on Yamaguchi’s time in the business. So when he passed away a couple of days ago, tons of industry members were quick to pay their respects online. Whether they were pro wrestlers who worked alongside Yamaguchi like Funaki or Val Venis, or if they watched some of his work growing up, just about everybody who commented on the manager’s passing spoke very highly of the man. The likes of X-Pac, Jimmy Suzuki, Al Snow, Lance Storm, and others each had kind words for Yamaguchi. WWE released a statement on his death not long after the news was first broken. Details on his death are still coming out, but he had been in poor health ever since he suffered a stroke in late 2017.

Wally Yamaguchi was the 1st person to book me in Japan for Universal Pro when I was 19. He was my friend & I’m really sad to learn of his passing. The tweet below gives an idea of what Wally meant to Japanese Pro Wrestling at one time. ??#RIPWallyYamaguchi https://t.co/QN7td5LXJJ
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) March 10, 2019

My best friend Wally Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi San)passed away .
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
— Jimmy Suzuki (?????) (@JimmySuzuki1) March 9, 2019

Ah jeez, another one gone…. ?? R.I.P. Wally Yamaguchi San. It was nice running into you a few years back ?? ???? ?? pic.twitter.com/BynBtzimCm
— Davey Boy Smith Jr. (@DBSmithjr) March 10, 2019

I’m saddened to have learned of the passing of Wally Yamaguchi! He was a kind man. He helped a LOT of talent. My thoughts go out to his brother Shun and family! God speed! pic.twitter.com/Gt6WCu0eBm
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) March 10, 2019

Very sad news #RIP https://t.co/8BXXCFyn0c
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) March 10, 2019

#RIPMrYamauchi It was a pleasure creating memories for the masses with you my friend. pic.twitter.com/u95cdNkWfe
— TopShelfAnarchy (@ValVenisEnt) March 10, 2019

Following a promo from Triple H last week which saw “The Game” call out Batista and demand that he face him in-person on Raw, it was announced that there will be a face-to-face confrontation between these two former world champions during Raw tonight. In an update from PWInsider, Batista is indeed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tonight, which is the site of tonight’s Raw. Unlike last week when Batista said that he would be on Raw in Philadelphia, this report seems to indicate that this will not be another bait-and-switch. “The Animal” will be on Raw this evening to speak to Triple H. Batista made his shocking return to WWE a few weeks ago. The belief is that he and Triple H will face each other at WrestleMania 35.