Kana vs. Mio Shirai, Japanese Women Wrestlers

Kana is a real favorite on this blog, and I'm expecting Mio Shirai to become one as well.

Mio was once one half of The Sexy Purple Thunder Sisters with Io Shirai, though I don’t know if they are still tag teaming or not.

But here is a video posted by the legendary nagashimark on YouTube of Kana taking on Mio at at show by the Japanese wrestling promotion NEO, back in February of this year in...well…in Japan of course.

This match doesn’t have the high flying, high risk moves that you see a lot of times in Joshi.
These ladies go down to the mat for some MMA style submission wrestling.

First Mio comes in, looking more like a female mixed martial arts fighter than a wrestler...


Then Kana comes in looking more like a female wrestler than a MMA fighter and gives Mio a nice look of disgust...or maybe contempt..

The match starts off more like kick boxing or Muay Thai....

But soon these two ladies hit the mat and begin exchanging holds and counters at an impressive speed...

After a brief exchange, Mio winds up on the receiving end of a leg lock from Kana...

Another quick exchange of holds, and Kana winds up with what looks like maybe a kneeling figure four leg lock?...

Again, Kana goes after the leg...

Now Mio comes up with her own leg lock and repays the punishment...

But Kana reverses back and traps Mio in a very painful looking arm bar (Seated armbar?)....

And this is just the first half of this match!

You can see the second half, and check out more of nagashimark's videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/nagashimark

Kana vs. Mio Shirai, Japanese Women Wrestlers, posted to http://joshipuroresu.blogspot.com/ on May 7th, 2010.

Hiren wrestling Tomoko Nakagawa

This time we have a video posted by HybridDolphinELPS on YouTube of Hiren wrestling Tomoko Nakagawa in Japan for the Oz Academy wrestling promotion.
I know Oz Academy started out as a stable, but I think by this time they were putting on their own shows.

This video is a little different from the others as in it is basically a beat down.
Oh there are some cool MMA style moves in it, and submission holds that would make a WWE Diva or TNA Knockout (well not all of them) submit in about 30 seconds.
But it's pretty much just a one sided attack.



First up you have Hiren.
Hiren (Yurie Kaneko) was born on January 16th, 1986 in Katsushika City, Tokyo, Japan and made her pro wrestling debut on July 9th, 2006, wrestling Mariko Yoshida.



And her opponent Tomoko Nakagawa.
She was born on September 29th, 1981, in Asahikawa Hokkaido, Japan and made her pro wrestling debut on January 23rd, 2005 with Yuu Yamagata against TAKA Michinoku and Ryota Chikuzen.



Hiren immediately takes control, as her corner people attack Tomoko and really work over her leg, like old school nWo.
Then Hiren proceeds to hit her with every spare folding chair in the arena.
This must be no DQ.



Focusing on the injured leg, Hiren clamps on a leg lock going for a submission.



In perfect heel style, Hiren smiles and looks like she is really enjoying punishing her opponent.



But Tomoko, isnt about to give up, she escapes and even hopping on one leg, launches her own counter-attack.



Tomoko is too badly damaged though, and quickly Hiren clamps on an ankle lock that would make Kurt Angle or Ken Shamrock proud.



This would have ended a regular match here, but Tomoko refuses to give in, and Hiren adds grinding a boot into the back of Tomoko's head to add insult to injury.

Here is the match in it's entirety, and if you like it, go to HybridDolphinELPS' page and subscribe for even more great Joshi videos.

For more Japanese female wrestling you can go here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Japanese-Female-Wrestlers

Japanese Female Wrestling - Saki Maemura vs. Takako Inoue

Here are some Japanese female wrestling video captures from a match posted on YouTube by nagashimark between female wrestlers Saki Maemura and Takako Inoue.
This took place in the Japanese wrestling promotion AJW (All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling) on March 29, 2009.


Of course with almost any joshi puroresu match, you're gonna see not only high flying, high risk maneuvers, but some mat based submission wrestling moves as well.
Here we see Takako applying what I think is a Stepover Toehold Facelock (STF) to Saki.


The punishment continues as Takako switches to a camel clutch.


Not satisfied with that, she leans back and wraps Saki in a rear body scissors.


Saki gets her revenge later on, as she traps Takako in her own camel clutch.

Of course to get the full effect of these moves, you really need to go to YouTube and check out the full match.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5abd417pblk


nagashimark always posts some Japanese wrestling videos and this is no exception.

Ayako Hamada Finally at TNA.com

I'm interrupting the Women of Hustle series to let everyone know that Ayako Hamada has finally been acknowledged on the TNA homepage.
You can read a press release about her from TNA here:
http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/1647/84/

It looks like TNA will call her just "Hamada".

Just thought I'd pop in with that since a lot of people have been wondering when she'd actually show up.
Now if I can just forgive them for that Cody Deaner crap......

Ayako Hamada Update

Finally an update on Ayako Hamada in TNA.
The Sun is reporting that Ayako is expected to start at the next set of TV tapings.

As you may recall, on April 8, 2009, it was announced at a press conference that Ayako had signed with TNA.
Of course I have been waiting since then to see just when she would pop up.

I'm still thinking a tag team with her and Sarah Stock (aka Dark Angel, aka Sarita) would be a great idea.
Lucha Libre AND Joshi Puroresu combined.

The Most Popular Japanese Female Wrestlers

Ray, the most popular Japanese female wrestler?

Over on Hub Pages (I do a lot of Hub Pages) I did a list of the most popular Japanese female wrestlers.
I kinda took me by surprise that the "greats" really didn't rank up there too well.
There was no Bull Nakano, Aja Kong, Akira Hokuto or Devil Masami
Female wrestlers like Ray, NAO, Hikaru and Basara did well.
But I guess some of the new wrestlers ranking well is a good sign for the future of joshi puroresu in general.

Over at YouTube, you have people like nagashimark and doublemiz keeping the "old school" alive with matches like Chaparrita ASARI versus Kyoko Inoue and Crush Girls versus Akira Hokuto and Mitsuko Nishiwaki.
You can see some of the old classic matches over there, and trust me, some of them are awesome.
Forget comparing them to the WWE Diva of TNA Knockout matches, compare them to Triple H or Randy Orton.

Anyway, part of the list I came up with for the most popular wrestlers (most searched for here and on the internet) is:

1. Ray
2. NAO
3. Hikaru
4. Basara
5. Francoise

You can head over there and take a look at the entire list if you'd like.

Latest IBUKI Results

At IBUKI's latest show on April 5, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan....

1. Kyoko Kimura defeated Kazumi Shimouma in 10:53 with a Headbutt.

2. Atsuko Emoto defeated Esui in 10:02 with the Momo Clutch.

3. Hiroyo Matsumoto and Misaki Ohata defeated DASH Chisako and Yukari Ishino in 15:13, when Matsumoto used a Back Drop on Ishino.

4. Tomoka Nakagawa defeated Ayumi Kurihara in 14:10 with a Cradle.

5. Ray and Natsuki*Taiyo defeated Shu Shibutani and Fuuka in 21:14, when Ray used the Sky Twister Press on Shibutani.

IBUKI's next show will be on May 31 at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.

You can find out more about IBUKI and their wrestlers here:
http://s-ovation.com/wrestling/

Kiyoko Ichiki

Kiyoko Ichiki
Height: 5' 1" (153cm)
Weight: 116.6lbs (53kg)
Date of Birth: February 21 1973
Pro Wrestling Debut: December 10 1994 vs. Cynthia Moreno
Promotions: IWA (1994-1996), Free (1996), GAEA (1996-1997), Big Japan (1997-)
Career Title History
Misae Genki Defeated Kiyoko Ichiki to become the first Big Japan Pro Wrestling champion on 07/02/2000 in Tokyo (Tokyo Korakuen Hall)
Kiyoko Ichiki then got the title back on 10/30/2000 in Tokyo (Tokyo Korakuen Hall) and vacated the title immediately after the match.

Mari Apache

Mari Apache

Real Name: Mariella Babluena Torres
Height: 5' 5"
Weight: 138lbs
Pro Wrestling Debut: : October 15 1995
Born: October 18 1979
Promotions: ARSION (1998-)

Career Title History:
March 15 2000 - Won the Sky High of ARSION title from Chaparrita ASARI. Lost the title on August 12 2000 to Ayako Hamada.
Other Notes

One of three Mexican women who work for the Arsion promotion.
Mari is the twin sister of Fabi Apache, who also works for Arsion.
Worked as Lady Venum in Mexico.

Carlos Amano

Carlos Amano
Born: March 16 1976
Weight: 134.2lbs (61kg)
Height: 5' 2" (158cm)
Real Name: Rieko Amano
Pro wrestling debut: December 4 1994 against Tomoko Miyaguchi
Promotions: JWP (1994-)

Career Title History:
January 15 1999 - With Commando Bolshoi won the JWP Tag Team titles from Hikari Fukuoka and Tomoko Kuzumi. Lost them on February 10 2000 to ZAP I & ZAP T.
On February 24, 1999 JWP changed Amano's name from 'Rieko Amano' to 'Carlos Amano'
A member of Mayumi Ozaki's 'Oz Academy'.
On August 10, 1996, Amano lost to Tomoko Kuzumi in the tournament final to crown a new JWP Junior champion.
JWP named the Hikari Fukuoka and Tomoko Kuzumi vs. Rieko Amano & Tomoko Miyaguchi match on October 21 as their 1998 match of the year.

AKINO

AKINO
Height: 5' 3" (160cm)
Weight: 127.6lbs (58kg)
Measurements: (CM) 89-67-92
Pro Wrestling Debut: : July 21 1998, vs. Mariko Yoshida
Date of Birth: October 24 1973
Real Name: Mika Akino
Promotions: ARSION (1998-)
Hometown: Tokyo
Career Title History

Mika Akino, better known as AKINO, is a female joshi wrestler . Billed from Honshū, she started late in the sport and didn't debut until the age of 25. Trained by Mariko Yoshida, she proved to have an innate ring presence and excelled at the sport.

June 30 1999 - With Ayako Hamada, won the Twin Star of ARSION from Hiromi Yagi and Rie Tamada. Lost it on February 18 2000 to Mariko Yoshida and Aja Kong.
December 3 2000 - Won the vacant Sky High of ARSION defeating Chaparrita ASARI.

Rie Tamada

Name Rie Tamada
Nickname: Fighting Cheetah
Trained by: AJW
Birth date March 16, 1973 - Yuuki County, Japan
Pro wrestling debut: October 4 1991 vs. Chikako Hasegawa
Height 5' 2"/158 cm
Weight 126 lbs/57 kg
Signature move: Dragon Suplex,Rolling Elbow, Missile Kick

August 10 1992 - Won the All Japan Junior title from Akemi Torisu, lost it to Kumiko Maekawa, September 15 1992.
March 17 1995 - Won the All Japan tag team titles with Mariko Yoshida, from Michiko Ohmukai and Carol Midori. Titles vacated.
December 4 1995 Won the All Japan tag team titles with Yumi Fukawa. Lose them to Chikayo Nagashima & Sugar Sato on September 1 1996.
November 21 1996 - Won the All Japan Singles title from Kumiko Maekawa, vacated it in December 1997.
December 7 1998 - With Hiromi Yagi, won the Twin Star of ARSION, defeating Tiger Dream and Ayako Hamada in the tournament final. Lost the titles on June 30 1999 to Mika Akino and Ayako Hamada.
August 20 2000 - With GAMI, won the Twin Star of ARSION from Michiko Ohmukai and Mima Shimoda. Lost the titles on December 3 2000 to Etsuko Mita & Mima Shimoda.
December 8 2001 - With GAMI, won the Twin Star of ARSION defeating Ai Fujita and Michiko Ohmukai. Lost the titles on February 17 2002 to Ai Fujita and Michiko Ohmukai.
December 17 2002 - With Takako Inoue won the Twin Star of ARSION.

En español:
Apodo Conocido De Rie Tamada: Cheetah que luchaba entrenó cerca: Fecha de marcha la 16 de 1973 del nacimiento de AJW - condado de Yuuki, favorable principio de lucha de Japón: De octubre el 4 de 1991 contra. Movimiento de la firma del peso 126 lbs/57 kilogramo de la altura 5' 2"/158 centímetro de Chikako Hasegawa: Dragón Suplex, Codo Rodante, Retroceso Del Misil De agosto el 10 de 1992 - ganó todo el título menor de Japón de Akemi Torisu, perdido le a Kumiko Maekawa, de septiembre el 15 de 1992. De marcha la 17 de 1995 - ganó todos los títulos del equipo de la etiqueta de Japón con Mariko Yoshida, de Michiko Ohmukai y carol Midori. Los títulos desocuparon. De diciembre 4 el 1995 ganó todos los títulos del equipo de la etiqueta de Japón con Yumi Fukawa. Piérdalos a Chikayo Nagashima y azúcar Sato de septiembre el 1 de 1996. De noviembre el 21 de 1996 - ganó todo el Japón escoge título de Kumiko Maekawa, desocupado le en diciembre de 1997. De diciembre el 7 de 1998 - con Hiromi Yagi, ganado la estrella gemela de ARSION, derrotando el sueño y Ayako Hamada del tigre en el final del torneo. Perdió los títulos de junio el 30 de 1999 a Mika Akino y a Ayako Hamada. De agosto el 20 de 2000 - con GAMI, ganado la estrella gemela de ARSION de Michiko Ohmukai y Mima Shimoda. Perdió los títulos de diciembre el 3 de 2000 a Etsuko Mita y a Mima Shimoda. De diciembre el 8 de 2001 - con GAMI, ganado la estrella gemela de ARSION que derrota Ai Fujita y Michiko Ohmukai. Perdió los títulos de febrero el 17 de 2002 a Ai Fujita y Michiko Ohmukai. De diciembre el 17 de 2002 - con Takako Inoue ganó la estrella gemela de ARSION.

Akira Hokuto

Name Reyna Jubuki
Real name Hisako Uno Sasaki
Nicknames The Dangerous Queen
Name history Hisako Uno (Pro wrestling debut: - 12/88), Akira Hokuto (12/88 - ), Akira (CMLL and AJW, 04/92 - ??/92), Reyna Jubuki (02/94 - )
Family Kensuke Sasaki (husband), Máscara Mágica (former husband)
Trained by: Jaguar Yokota
Birth date July 13, 1967 - Yoshikawa, Saitama, Japan
Pro wrestling debut: June 12, 1985 - Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center - Nakajima, Sapporo, Japan
Height 5'7"/170 cm
Weight 132 lbs/60 kg
Signature moves Northern Lights Bomb, Dangerous Queen Bomb, Strange Hold Gamma
Titles: AJW All Japan Junior Wrestling Title, WWWA World Tag Team Womens Wrestling titles (4) (1 with Yumiko Hotta, 2 with Suzuka Minami, 1 with Mima Shimoda ), AJW All Pacific Title (2), CMLL World Women's Title, WCW World Women's Title, AAAW Tag Team Womens Wrestling titles (with Mayumi Ozaki)

Hiroka

Name: Hiroka
Name history: Raven Hiroka (2002 2005), Hiroka (2005 current)
Trained by: Mima Shimoda , Shinobu Kandori, Jose Luis Feliciano, El Hijo Del Gladiador
Born: September 23, 1981 Japan
Pro wrestling debut: September 18, 2002
Signature moves: kick to the face, fisherman's buster
Titles: CMLL World Women's Championship

http://themostbeautifulwomen.blogspot.com/

Mariko Yoshida

Name Mariko Yoshida
Real name Mariko Yoshida
Nicknames ARSION No Shinjutsu (True Heart of ARSION)
Name history Mariko Yoshida (Pro wrestling debut: - )
Trained by: All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling Dojo
Birth date Feburary 15, 1970 - Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
Pro wrestling debut: October 10, 1988 vs. Keiko Waki
Height 5'4"/163 cm
Weight 141 lbs/64 kg
Signature moves Air Raid Crash, Crucifix Armbar, Henkei Sleeper
Titles: AJW All Japan Women's Tag Team Champion (3) (2 with Takako Inoue, 1 with Rie Tamada), AJW All Japan Women's Champion, CMLL Women's Champion, Queen of ARSION Champion (2), Twin Star of ARSION Champion (2)(with Aja Kong, with Lioness Asuka)