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Former WWE Star Jimmy Wang Yang Opens Up About Troubled Childhood In New Book

Originally posted on Wrestling on SI | By Rick Ucchino | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:16 AM ET

Everyone has a story to tell. Even if it's one they are not particularly proud to share.

Wrestling fans may remember Jimmy Yang from his days in WCW, TNA or his tours over in Japan. Many will recall the Asian cowboy gimmick given to him during his third tour of duty with WWE, which has garnered a cult following in the years since.

I personally know Jimmy Yang as the man who called me out of the blue one day after he heard me on the radio in Cincinnati, where we both lived at the time. Having only ever met me once before, Jimmy thought I could use a little help and offered to better educate me on the wonderful sport of professional wrestling.

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Which is exactly why when Jazzy decided to pursue her own in-ring career, he closed down his wrestling school in Cincinnati and moved down to Georgia to help get her started

"She's doing great. She's bee to Japan twice, all over the states and Puerto Rico. She's really killing it. She's so much better than me at her age than I was. It's amazing to see."

Jimmy has since reopened his wrestling school, only now in the greater Atlanta area, where he's once again mentoring the pro wrestlers of tomorrow. Spreading the word that it doesn't matter where you come from, your past doesn't have to be the guide toward your future.

"I wrote this book because people close to me encouraged me to share my story, insisting that my journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a professional wrestler was an inspiring one. While I was initially hesitant to revisit my past, they convinced me that my experiences could serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change in the lives of others."

'Yun's time' is now available for paperback, digital download and audiobook on Apple, Barnes & Noble and Spotify.

This article first appeared on Wrestling on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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