This past Saturday, one of the most influential trainers in pro wrestling, Yukihiro Sakada, passed away in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at the age of 75. Better known by the name “Tokyo Joe“, Sakada was a talent scout for NJPW as well as trainer for Stampede Wrestling, helping Stu Hart in the famed Hart Dungeon as well as assuming the head position when Stu was physically unable to continue.
Sakada wrestled from the 1966 until 1974, when an auto accident left him unable to continue as an active wrestler. He remained in Calgary to work with Stu Hart at Stampede Wrestling, as a booker, agent and trainer, as well as working as a talent scout for NJPW. Through his connections, many Stampede stars would get continued training in Japan and work for NJPW early in their careers, including Bret “Hitman” Hart, Dynamite Kid, Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, and others. He trained such Japanese legends as Jushin “Thunder” Liger, Hiroshi Hase, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hiro Saito and many more.
His final graduating class from the Hart Dungeon include current Smackdown Women’s Champion Natalya, her husband Tyson Kidd, WWE Superstar Viktor of The Ascension, Teddy Hart, and NJPW’s Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Rest In Peace to Tokyo Joe Daigo San. 😢🙏😰 he was sensei. He showed me so much about Wrestling and life. R.I.P. @njpw1972 pic.twitter.com/JuWtbWFBj2
— Harry Smith, “Davey Boy Smith JR” (@DBSmithjr) November 5, 2017
A nice piece I wrote about my coach and sensei who passed away today at 75. R.I.P. “Tokyo Joe” Yukihiro Sakaeda 🙏🇯🇵❤️👍 pic.twitter.com/20cblNtoyJ
— Harry Smith, “Davey Boy Smith JR” (@DBSmithjr) November 5, 2017
Tokyo Joe, thanks for training me & believing in me as the 1st & only female wrestler you ever trained. I’ll never forget your life lessons. https://t.co/LK40HYkxER
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) November 5, 2017
Tokyo Joe pic.twitter.com/ETYcrXYvaH
— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) November 5, 2017
Today I dawned the black/black flag for the memory of my great mentor and friend Tokyo Joe Diago. R.I.P. and thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/fZs5xsCaN2
— Vik_The_Spacelord (@VikTheSpacelord) November 5, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of “Tokyo” Joe Diago.I was in his company a lot in the 80’s when he’d come to the UK and Germany to rep NJPW.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) November 5, 2017
RIP #tokyojoe. A friend and HUGE influence on the Hart’s ❤️
— Georgia Joyce Smith (@georgiasmith87) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/LanceStorm/status/926974689758535680
— FUNAKI (@shofufu824) November 5, 2017
This is sad news. Just talking about Joe the other day….. helped many of us Canadians in the biz #RIPTokyoJoe https://t.co/QE5s497yuV
— Robert Roode (@RealRobertRoode) November 5, 2017
#RIPTokyoJoe Your Students are my favorite tough wrestlers&Awesome persons @NatbyNature @DBSmithjr @TJWilson You are the best!Thank you🙇♀️
— ✌️Sumie Sakai✌️ (@SumieSakai) November 5, 2017
