Vinnie Massaro might not be a household name for many wrestling fans, especially those who rely solely on television and streaming services to catch up on the action. However, his wrestling journey, which began nearly 30 years ago, has taken him from Hayward, California, to some of the top promotions in Japan. Massaro has become a familiar face in the independent wrestling scene and contributes significantly to training the next generation of wrestlers at venues such as West Coast Pro and Pandemonium Pro Wrestling.

Despite the potential dream of reaching major promotions like WWE or All Elite Wrestling (AEW) fading away, Massaro has found fulfillment in helping others grow in the industry. He shared with Fox News Digital that he takes immense pleasure in training aspiring wrestlers and assisting in the background activities.

“Honestly, the dream is not WWE or AEW anymore,” Massaro remarked. “I’ve reached an age where hiring me as a professional wrestler isn’t viable. But training young people and helping them succeed brings me joy. It’s a better outcome for me.”

Massaro acknowledges the likelihood that people in the future might remember him not as a wrestler but as a skilled trainer and agent. His satisfaction comes from seeing his trainees succeed, even if it means only working with West Coast Pro and other independent circuits.

Initially, Massaro’s ambition was not to be part of WWE or World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Instead, he dreamt of joining Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) during its rise in popularity in the Northeast. His aspirations shifted when WWE acquired ECW.

As his training progressed, Massaro focused on competing in Japan at the iconic Korakuen Hall. He expressed his admiration for Mitsuharu Misawa and his desire to wrestle him, which he eventually achieved. Massaro’s wrestling highlights include matches at Arena Mexico and the ECW Arena, fueled by his early passion for ECW.

“Wrestling at Korakuen Hall and other iconic locations are my highlights,” Massaro said. “My students now wrestling in places like Korakuen Hall signifies that I’ve succeeded.”

Massaro accepts that his in-ring abilities rely more on strength than on executing high-flying maneuvers. He referenced two possible paths he considered: following Ole Anderson, who maintained traditional styles, or emulating Terry Funk, who adapted to various wrestling styles worldwide. Massaro chose adaptability, training in Japan, Marvelous Pro, and Lucha Libre, among others.

“I’d rather be like Terry Funk,” he stated. “I’ve trained in Japan, Lucha Libre, and tried many different things. It’s not about luck, but persistence.”

Soon, Massaro will team up with Japanese wrestling star Shigeo Okumura to face a team led by Lucha Libre legend Blue Panther in a six-man tag match at Pandemonium Pro’s End of Summer Event. He expressed his excitement about the match, given his history of watching AAA and Lucha Libre, where Blue Panther was a prominent figure.

In conclusion, Massaro cherishes his integral role in Pandemonium Pro Wrestling and looks forward to future opportunities.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.