Yumiko Hotta
In March 1990, Yamada had a cervical hernia which forced Dream Orca to vacate their AJW Tag Team Championship and forced Yamada to temporarily retire. Yamada did not return until December 1990. Yamada spent most of the first half of 1991 competing in midcard matches, frequently against Yumiko Hotta. During July and August 1991, Yamada competed in the 1991 Japan Grand Prix. Yamada defeated Miori Kamiya in the first round but was defeated by Kyoko Inoue in the second round on August 18, 1991. Yamada and Kyoko Inoue toured Mexico in 1991. The two continued to team up afterwards and on December 8, 1991 won Tag Legaue the Best 1991, defeating Jungle Jack of Aja Kong and Bison Kimura in the finals. This was the biggest win of Yamada's career up until that point. Yamada also started to develop a rivalry with Manami Toyota during this period.