For many casual observers whose wrestling consumption is limited to major televised and streaming events, the name Vinnie Massaro may not be immediately familiar. Yet, Massaro has been a fixture in the wrestling world for nearly 30 years, originating his journey in Hayward, California, and ascending to prominent promotions across Japan.
Throughout his career, Massaro has been a consistent presence on the independent circuit, now dedicating significant effort to nurturing and wrestling alongside emerging talents at organizations such as West Coast Pro and Pandemonium Pro Wrestling.
Shifting Dreams and Mentorship
Massaro openly acknowledges a shift in his career aspirations. "Honestly, the dream is not WWE, the dream is not AEW. Those dreams have kind of gone. I realize that I’m not young," he stated. He recognizes that his age makes securing a role as a full-time professional wrestler with major companies unlikely, but he has discovered new avenues for contribution.
"I’ve reached that stage and that age where nobody is going to hire me as a professional wrestler. But there are other things like training. I love teaching young people how to wrestle. I love helping out in the back. I love doing agenting and that kind of stuff. To me, that’s a better outcome for me."
He envisions a future where his legacy is rooted in his mentorship. "Ten years from now, people may be like, ‘Oh you know Vinnie Massaro, he used to be a wrestler.’ You’d be like, ‘Oh I kinda saw him but he’s a good trainer. He knows how to teach people, he’s a good agent and he knows how to do that stuff.’" Massaro expressed contentment with this path, even if it means continuing to teach students at West Coast Pro and remaining an independent circuit wrestler.
Originally, Massaro's primary ambition was not to join WWE or World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Instead, he aspired to compete in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), drawn to the hardcore style that gained popularity in the Northeast. However, this goal became unattainable when WWE acquired ECW.
Finding His "WrestleMania Moment" in Japan
After commencing his training, Massaro redirected his focus toward wrestling in Japan, particularly at the legendary Korakuen Hall.
"But after I started training, the main thing I wanted to do was wrestle in Japan," he recounted. "My favorite wrestler was (Mitsuharu) Misawa and I was like, I want to meet Misawa, hopefully, one day, I want to wrestle Misawa and I’d like to wrestle for All Japan Pro Wrestling and then when he started (Pro Wrestling) Noah, when it was at Korakuen Hall, I wrestled for Noah. And I got to wrestle Misawa. I’ve wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling and I’ve wrestled for Pro Wrestling Noah at Korakuen Hall. I tagged with his former tag team partner – (Yoshinari Ogawa)."
For Massaro, these experiences far surpassed the allure of a "WrestleMania moment." He considers his highlights to be performing at Korakuen Hall for Pro Wrestling Noah during his inaugural Japanese tour, seeing the All Japan Pro Wrestling logo on the mat, competing at Arena Mexico, and wrestling at the ECW Arena, a venue he revered from his youth.
"I loved ECW, it’s the reason why I started wrestling. I stopped watching wrestling but I got back into it because I started watching ECW."
His current definition of success also includes the achievements of his students. "Now, honestly, I think, the fact that I have students that I have trained from day one, literally, they’re like, ‘I’ve never done anything. I’m here, please teach me how to wrestle, and the fact that those students after I’ve trained them and taught them everything from their very first bump and now they’re wrestling for Korakuen Hall, like Miko Alana." He cited Alana, who began with no prior experience, as an example. "She came with me, she came to the school and was like, ‘I’ve never done any of this before in my life,’ and I taught her how to roll, I taught her how to bump, I taught her how to do moves and she was just on the Monday Magic pay-per-view at Korakuen Hall that … People are like, ‘Oh, Vinnie, you never made it,’ I’m like, that’s bulls---. To me, that’s making it."
In-Ring Style and Future Bouts
Massaro acknowledged his in-ring capabilities are focused on hard-hitting maneuvers and showcasing strength, admitting that complex aerial moves like a Spanish Fly from the top rope were unlikely for him. He reflected on two potential career paths: being rigid like Ole Anderson or adaptable like Terry Funk, who embraced diverse wrestling styles globally. Massaro chose the latter.
Massaro is set to team with Japanese wrestling veteran Shigeo Okumura in an upcoming six-man tag team match, where they will face a formidable team led by Lucha Libre legend Blue Panther.
This contest will feature Massaro, Okumura, and Andrew Cass squaring off against Blue Panther, Jiah Jewel, and Seabass Finn. The event is scheduled for Pandemonium Pro’s End of Summer Event on September 5 in Phoenix, Arizona.
"I don’t have a list, but Blue Panther is definitely on that list. They have me tagging with Okumura, somebody who’s been doing this for so long. He’s basically like the guy that helped the guys from Japan be in CMLL. … It’s going to be cool to tag with Okumura and awesome on the other side, Blue Panther. But also on a grand aspect, I’d like to say I’m very proud I’m a big part of Pandemonium Pro Wrestling."
