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Tor Kamata
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Tor Kamata
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McRonald Kamaka[3] (March 9, 1937 – July 23, 2007) was an American-Canadian professional wrestler known by the ring name Tor Kamata. He won several heavyweight and tag team championships, most notably the PWF World Heavyweight Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the AWA World Tag Team Championship in the American Wrestling Association. He was a classic heel, reviled for dirty tricks in the ring, included rubbing salt in his opponent's eyes.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

After returning to Hawaii after leaving the United States Air Force, 50th State Big Time Wrestling promoter Ed Francis convinced Kamaka to try professional wrestling.[2] He was given the name Tor Kamata in reference to Tomas De Torquemada of the Spanish Inquisition.[2] He also worked as Dr. Moto, holding the American Wrestling Association's AWA World Tag Team Championship with Mitsu Arakawa. One of his signature moves, the "judo chop" became a popular phrase for all types of martial arts strikes in the 1960s, even being mentioned by Snoopy in the comic strip Peanuts (21 December 1964, 14 January 1967). A generation later, the phrase was satirised in the Austin Powers films.[2]

In the early 1970s, Kamata worked for Stampede Wrestling in Canada, where he held the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship three times.[2] In the promotion, he feuded with Dan Kroffat.[2]

In 1976 and 1977, Kamata wrestled in the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Managed by Freddie Blassie, he had two memorable matches with Bob Backlund when Backlund was on the brink of becoming the WWWF Champion. In the first, Kamata threw salt into Backlund's eyes, which set the stage for a televised Texas Death match, aired May 7, 1977. Again Kamata threw salt in Backlund's eyes, so Backlund merely used the referee's shirt to wipe it out. Then Backlund delivered an Atomic Knee Drop and won the match. At the time, Superstar Billy Graham had just defeated Bruno Sammartino for the championship and Backlund was being built up as the number one contender.

After WWWF, Kamata worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1978 where he worked there to the end of his career.

Kamata returned to WWWF, now WWF in 1980 feuding with WWF Champion Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales. He left later that year and returned to Japan. He worked in various territories until his retirement in 1987.

Personal life

[edit]

Kamata was an amateur wrestler during high school.[2] He was a club bouncer before becoming a professional wrestler.[2] He joined the United States Air Force and trained with amateur wrestlers in Turkey.[2] During the 1970s, he owned restaurants in Calgary, Alberta, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he also ran a shiatsu business.[2][3]

Kamata died on July 23, 2007, in Saskatoon after almost a decade of heart disease.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Tor Kamata

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McRonald Kamaka (March 9, 1937 – July 23, 2007), better known by the Tor Kamata, was an American-Canadian professional wrestler renowned for his powerhouse style and villainous persona during a career spanning from 1959 to 1987. Standing at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) and weighing 350 lb (159 kg), Kamata competed across North American territories such as the (AWA), , and the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), as well as in with promotions like . He was particularly noted for his tactics, including blinding opponents with salt thrown from hidden bags and delivering signature chops, which contributed to his reputation as a hated yet entertaining . Kamata, born in Hawaii, began his wrestling journey after high school and working as a nightclub , debuting professionally in following his military service in the U.S. . Early in his career, he adopted various ring names like Dr. Moto and teamed with wrestlers such as Mitsu Arakawa, capturing the on December 2, 1967. He achieved further success in the 1970s, winning the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship multiple times starting in 1972 and engaging in high-profile feuds with stars like Dan Kroffat and , including a against Backlund on May 7, 1977. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Kamata expanded internationally, securing the PWF World Heavyweight Championship in Japan on June 1, 1978, and the NWA Australasian Tag Team Championship with General Hiro in 1982. His career also included acting appearances, portraying characters in Stampede Wrestling as Dr. Moto and Magnum, P.I. (1980) as a bodyguard. Kamata was part of a wrestling family, as the brother of Koa Tiki and father of Mike Kamaka, both professional wrestlers. He retired in 1987 due to health issues and passed away in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from heart failure at age 70.

Early life

Birth and family background

McRonald Kelii Kamaka, professionally known as Tor Kamata, was born on March 9, 1937, in Oahu, . Kamaka came from a large, close-knit family typical of Hawaiian culture, with six brothers—Stanley, Raymond, Albert, Benjamin, Charles, and Daniel—and two sisters, Yvonne and Helene; details on his parents' occupations remain undocumented in available records. During high school, he pursued , marking the beginning of his athletic interests.

Amateur pursuits and military service

Born in in 1937 to a family of Native Hawaiian heritage, McRonald Kamaka was raised by his grandparents on family land in Waikane, fostering a strong connection to his cultural roots. He attended Castle High School, graduating in 1956. During his high school years, Kamaka engaged in , honing foundational strength and techniques that would influence his later physical prowess. After high school, Kamaka enlisted in the United States Air Force in the late 1950s, acquiring the discipline essential for high-stakes environments. Stationed at various bases, including overseas in , he continued training with amateur wrestlers, further refining his athletic skills during his tenure. Upon returning to following his military discharge, Kamaka took up work as a bouncer at Queen's Surf, a role that demanded robust physical resilience and adept crowd control abilities transferable to the demands of wrestling performances.

Professional wrestling career

Debut and territorial beginnings

McRonald Kamaka, who would later adopt the Tor Kamata, entered in 1959 following his discharge from the . Upon returning to his native , he was persuaded by local promoter to pursue a career in the ring, marking the beginning of his transition from amateur pursuits to professional bouts. Kamaka trained under established figures in the Hawaiian wrestling scene, including Curtis "The Bull" Iaukea and , honing his skills for the professional arena. His debut occurred under his real name in small venues across , where he competed in preliminary matches against local talent, building experience in front of modest crowds. In his formative years, Kamaka toured NWA-affiliated territories in the Pacific region, including and , where he began incorporating basic tactics such as aggressive stalling and rule-bending to draw boos from audiences and solidify his villainous role. These early appearances emphasized physicality over flash, drawing on his foundation to execute holds and takedowns effectively. As he developed his persona, Kamata gained significant weight, reaching over 300 pounds, which enhanced his imposing presence in the ring. Promoter Ed Francis soon assigned him the ring name Tor Kamata, inspired by Tomás de Torquemada of the Spanish Inquisition, signaling his first major gimmick shift toward a menacing, foreign-inspired character; Kamata complemented this by self-studying and integrating basic sumo-inspired maneuvers, such as stiff palm strikes and charging attacks, to add authenticity to his heel portrayal.

Major North American promotions

Tor Kamata's tenure in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) during the 1970s solidified his reputation as a cunning heel, often managed by Freddie Blassie and portraying a ruthless Japanese villain. He engaged in high-profile feuds with champion Bruno Sammartino, challenging the Italian strongman's dominance through brawling style and interference tactics that drew intense crowd reactions. Similarly, his rivalry with Pedro Morales highlighted Kamata's ability to generate heat as a credible midcard antagonist, with matches emphasizing his aggressive offense against the popular champion's technical prowess. A defining moment occurred in 1977 when Kamata infamously threw salt into Bob Backlund's eyes during a key bout, resulting in a disqualification and paving the way for a televised Texas Death Match rematch that showcased Backlund's resilience while amplifying Kamata's dirty-fighting persona. In the (), Kamata operated under the alias Dr. Moto and formed a formidable partnership with Mitsu Arakawa in the late and early , embodying a villainous Japanese gimmick that played on anti-foreigner sentiments to rile audiences. The duo's chemistry relied on coordinated maneuvers, including double-team attacks and frequent disqualifications, allowing them to capture the on December 2, 1967, by defeating Wilbur Snyder and Pat O'Connor in a hard-fought encounter. Their reign emphasized Kamata's role as the enforcer, using his size and power to complement Arakawa's speed, and helped establish the team as a staple of cards across the Midwest territories. Kamata found significant success in based in , where he maintained a multi-year residency spanning the late into the early , emerging as a top who consistently drew strong crowds through his intimidating presence and brutal match style. His character thrived in the promotion's hard-edged environment, positioning him against homegrown talent and contributing to the territory's reputation for intense rivalries. Notable interactions included bouts with rising local stars like , where Kamata's veteran tactics tested the younger wrestler's skills and helped build Hart's early credibility in the ring.

International and Japanese wrestling

Kamata's international career gained prominence through his extensive tours in Japan during the 1970s, particularly with the International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE), where he fully embraced the "Tor Kamata" persona as a menacing Japanese villain. This character drew on his prior experience in North American feuds to craft intense, culturally adapted storytelling that positioned him as a ruthless , often employing brutal tactics to antagonize local audiences. In IWE, Kamata participated in multiple tours, including a notable run featuring 19 matches, where he solidified his role as a dominant , occasionally taking on managerial duties to guide allied heels in skirmishes and multi-man brawls. Transitioning to (AJPW) in the late 1970s and 1980s, Kamata continued to evolve his villainous archetype, incorporating sumo-inspired elements such as powerful slaps and charging bull rushes to enhance his exotic, imposing presence against Japanese stars. His bouts often highlighted these maneuvers, blending them with his signature chops and headbutts to create a hybrid style that resonated in the strong-style environment. Notable encounters included high-profile singles matches against , such as their June 10, 1978, clash during the Super Power Series, where Kamata's aggressive charges tested Tsuruta's technical prowess in front of packed venues. Kamata further amplified his international heel appeal by adopting variations like "Killer Tor Kamata" in select bookings, allowing him to portray an even more sadistic figure while maintaining the core exotic villain gimmick that bridged promotions. Teaming with notorious partners such as Abdullah the Butcher in AJPW's 1980 Real World Tag League, where they amassed eight points before elimination, exemplified his cross-promotional impact and ability to draw heat through unyielding aggression. These efforts not only boosted attendance but also influenced gaijin portrayals in Japanese wrestling by emphasizing cultural fusion in character work.

Championships and accomplishments

World and regional heavyweight titles

Tor Kamata achieved prominence in the heavyweight division through his capture of the on June 1, 1978, in Akita, , where he defeated the reigning champion in a match for . This brief reign lasted 11 days until he lost the title to on June 12, 1978, in Ichinomiya, . During this period, Kamata defended the belt in Japanese arenas against local competitors, showcasing his aggressive style in high-profile bouts that highlighted his role as a foreign invader. In regional promotions, Kamata secured three reigns with the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship during 1972, establishing himself as a dominant force in the . His first reign began on February 18, 1972, when he defeated Kurt von Hess, holding the title for 105 days until losing it on June 2. He quickly regained it on June 23, 1972, by defeating Geoff Portz, for a 26-day run ending July 19, followed by a third reign starting August 4, 1972, which lasted 29 days before he dropped the belt on September 2. These defenses took place primarily in Calgary's and other venues, where Kamata's brutal matches drew strong crowds and solidified his reputation in the promotion. Returning to his Hawaiian roots, Kamata won the NWA Hawaiian Heavyweight Championship twice, first on August 9, 1978, in , defeating to begin a 42-day reign that ended on September 20, 1978. His second reign commenced in October 1980, though exact dates and duration remain undocumented; it concluded via vacancy later that year after Kamata was injured by the . These victories underscored his dominance in the Pacific region, with defenses against local and touring talent reinforcing his status as a territorial mainstay.

Tag team successes

Tor Kamata, wrestling under the moniker Dr. Moto alongside partner Mitsu Arakawa, captured the on December 2, 1967, in , , defeating Pat O'Connor and Wilbur Snyder in a match that lasted over 26 minutes. Their reign lasted 392 days, marking one of the longest defenses in the title's early history, during which they employed ruthless strategies to retain the belts. Notable among their successful defenses was a hard-fought best-of-three-falls bout against the Vachon brothers (Mad Dog Vachon and Butcher Vachon) in , where Arakawa and Moto's coordinated aggression, including frequent tags and opportunistic attacks, secured the victory despite the challengers' ferocity. Kamata's tag team prowess extended to various regional promotions, where he formed effective partnerships that capitalized on his brute strength and technical savvy. In 1965, he teamed with to win the Southern Tag Team Championship by defeating Len Rossi and on October 2 in , holding the titles for 17 days through a style emphasizing double-team maneuvers and interference to isolate opponents. Later, in 1969, Kamata partnered with Luke Brown to claim the NWA Central States North American Tag Team Championship for a brief but impactful 7-day reign, showcasing their ability to overwhelm foes with power-based assaults. These successes highlighted Kamata's versatility in heel tandems, often relying on dirty tactics like eye rakes and illegal holds to maintain dominance. In the 1970s, Kamata's international tag team work included stints in Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he paired with wrestlers like Abdullah the Butcher in high-profile matches, including the 1980 Real World Tag League, employing synchronized heel tactics such as blind tags and corner ambushes to challenge top teams like Giant Baba and Jumbo Tsuruta for the NWA International Tag Team Championship, though without securing the belts. In 1982, he also won the NWA Australasian Tag Team Championship with General Hiro on October 21 in Auckland, New Zealand. His imposing heavyweight background provided complementary power to these partnerships, allowing for devastating double-team suplexes and prolonged submissions that terrorized opponents across territories.

Personal life and legacy

Family, business, and later years

Kamata was a father of six children, with his two eldest born in and later raised in Hawai'i alongside the family. After remarrying, he relocated to with his second wife, Joanne, with whom he had three children, settling initially in Calgary, , during the 1970s. His successful wrestling career provided the financial foundation to launch several business ventures outside the ring. In the 1970s, Kamata opened Tor's , a Calgary eatery specializing in Asian-inspired dishes that reflected his Hawaiian roots, located on 37th Street S.W. He later owned another restaurant in , , serving similar Polynesian-influenced cuisine. Earlier, following initial retirement stints, he operated a doughnut wagon in Hawai'i's Waikane and Wai'anae areas, offering a taste of local Hawaiian flavors. Additionally, Kamata ran a therapy business in , drawing on traditional techniques. Entering semi-retirement in the 1980s, Kamata made sporadic wrestling appearances, including tours in with and stints in New Zealand's professional circuit through the early 1990s. These engagements allowed him to stay connected to the wrestling community while focusing on his entrepreneurial pursuits in .

Death and posthumous recognition

Tor Kamata, born McRonald Kamaka, passed away on July 23, 2007, at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, at the age of 70, following nearly a decade of battling heart disease. He had relocated to Saskatoon in his later years, where he operated a shiatsu therapy business alongside a restaurant. A memorial service for Kamata was held on July 30, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at 1725 McKercher Drive in Saskatoon. Obituaries, including one published by Slam Wrestling, emphasized his enduring reputation as a "legendary Stampede Wrestling villain," noting how his performances as a ruthless heel drew intense crowd reactions and solidified his status as a performer fans loved to hate. Kamata's posthumous recognition underscores his impact on , particularly in shaping Japanese villain tropes in North American promotions during the mid-20th century. As a Hawaiian performer who adopted a menacing Japanese gimmick—often complete with elements and wartime stereotypes—he influenced a generation of heels who exploited cultural fears for dramatic effect, most notably in territories like . He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of its official class, honoring his three-time reign as Stampede North American Heavyweight Champion and his broader contributions to Canadian wrestling.

References

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  3. https://puroresusystem.fandom.com/wiki/Tor_Kamata
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  6. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/nz/allstar/ausa-t.html
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  10. https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/19/ln/hawaii708190349.html
  11. http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/RIP/TorKamata.shtml
  12. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/tor-kamata-2/
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  28. https://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/awa/awa20-2.htm
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  32. https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/u-of-c-project-shows-how-stampede-wrestling-put-calgary-on-the-map
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  36. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/canada/ab/stampede/hof.html
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