Wrestler Vinnie Massaro Passionate About Training Young Talent

Vinnie Massaro, a seasoned professional wrestler, might not be a household name for those who mostly watch wrestling on TV or streaming platforms. Based in Hayward, California, he has dedicated nearly 30 years to the sport, making a name for himself in various independent wrestling circuits and even reaching Japan’s top promotion.

While he acknowledges that his dreams of wrestling for WWE or All Elite Wrestling (AEW) may not come true, he’s deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of wrestlers. “Honestly, my dreams weren’t WWE or AEW. Those dreams are gone,” he reflects. “I’ve reached an age where it’s unlikely anyone will hire me as a pro wrestler. But I find fulfillment in training young athletes. I enjoy teaching and working behind the scenes. That feels like a more meaningful outcome for me.”

Massaro envisions a future where people might remember him not just as an ex-wrestler but as an effective trainer and mentor. “Ten years from now, they might say, ‘Oh, I know Vinny Massaro; he was a good trainer.’ For me, just being at West Coast Pro, teaching students, and wrestling on the indie circuit brings me happiness,” he adds.

Interestingly, Massaro’s aspirations never leaned toward WWE or WCW; his heart was set on Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), especially as it rose to fame in the Northeast. Unfortunately, that ambition faded when WWE acquired ECW. Once Massaro began training seriously, he shifted his focus to Japan, driven by his admiration for Mitsuharu Misawa and the dream of wrestling at Korakuen Hall.

Reflecting on his journey, Massaro shares, “What I wanted most was to wrestle in Japan. I grew up idolizing Misawa, hoping to meet him one day.” He achieved this dream, competing for both Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling, even wrestling alongside Misawa at Korakuen Hall.

“For me, that was a WrestleMania moment in my eyes,” he expresses, “not in terms of grandeur, but the sheer honor of wrestling at such an iconic venue.” He fondly recalls his first matches in Japan and notable experiences at various arenas, like Arena Mexico and the ECW Arena, which were deeply meaningful to him.

Massaro enjoys witnessing the growth of his students, some of whom started their training from scratch. For instance, Miko Arana approached him with no prior experience, and after coaching her, she now performs at Korakuen Hall. “People might say, ‘Oh, Vinnie, you didn’t make it,’ but to me, watching my students succeed feels like my own success,” he emphasizes.

While he admits that his own style features robust, hard-hitting techniques rather than flashy maneuvers, he believes in learning and adapting. “You can choose your path in wrestling. I could’ve been Ole Anderson, paving my own way, or I could be like Terry Funk, being versatile and working globally. I strive to be more like Funk,” he states.

Looking ahead, Massaro is gearing up for an intriguing match alongside Japanese star Shigeo Okumura against a team led by Lucha Libre legend Blue Panther. This six-man tag team event will take place at Pandemonium Pro’s End of Summer event in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 5th.

“I’m really thrilled about this match,” he admits. He recalls his admiration for Blue Panther and the significant role he played in his passion for Lucha Libre. Masaro feels honored to be teaming up with Okumura, who has been instrumental in connecting Japanese wrestlers to CMLL. Although he has no extensive wish list of wrestlers to face, Blue Panther holds a special significance for him.

In his journey, Massaro finds pride in being a contributing force in the wrestling community and supporting aspiring talents, proving that success can be measured in many ways.