Wrestler Spotlight: Rasse - Aerial Skills and Physical Prowess

A veteran of the pro-wrestling industry since July 2002, a former championship holder, and an international competitor, Rasse has called Michinoku Pro his home for most of his career. Rasse has been most recognized for having a fast-paced style featuring an aerial offense, which makes him a perfect fit for Michinoku Pro's unique environment that spotlights fast-paced junior heavyweight action. In recent years, Rasse utilizes the strength advantage that he often has in matches, using power moves and submissions on his opponent.

It's rare to see Rasse in singles action, being that he is a very accomplished tag team wrestler. Rasse won the Tohoku Tag Team Championship in 2007 and 2012 with two different partners, and he won the Chiba Six Man Tag Team Championship a record three times in 2019 with Yapper Man 1 and Yapper Man 2.

Although Rasse mainly wrestles in Michinoku Pro, he has also appeared in other prominent promotions during his career, wrestling on NJPW and BJW television shows in 2006. Wrestling in these promotions with styles distinct from Michinoku Pro's showed Rasse's ability to appeal to diverse wrestling fans, highlighting his versatility as a talent. And in 2015, Rasse wrestled in promotions located in other parts of Asia as well as in Europe and Australia, further showing his versatility.

Despite Rasse's tag team championship success that has solidified his place in the world of Japanese professional wrestling, and matches that Rasse has had overseas where he has demonstrated to pro-wrestling fans outside of Japan what he can do in the ring, many fans have not seen Rasse in action. He wrestled overseas during a time that streaming was not as recognized as it is today, and for many years it has been difficult to see the Michinoku Pro product outside of Japan. That will change in March, when Michinoku Pro will expand its international reach as it joins the ranks of WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

So, whether you're a longtime fan of Michinoku Pro or someone who appreciates wrestlers who have movesets that include aerial and power moves, Rasse is a talent to check out. He has given over two decades to the pro-wrestling industry and continuously is a wrestler who Michinoku Pro can count on to entertain its audiences.

[HERO][PREVIEW] AJPW star and Japanese legend Atsushi Onita Appearing at the 4/27/24 Tokyo Event!

HERO was launched in February 2010, and at the time they were known as “DEAF JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING HERO”, due to the fact that their goal was to create events that would serve as a bridge between the hearing impaired and people who are not hearing impaired. In August 2016, the promotion’s name was changed to “HERO: Barrier-Free Pro-Wrestling”, with their target audience becoming not only the hearing impaired but also the visually impaired, people who use wheelchairs, and pro-wrestling fans in general.

HERO’s roster includes hearing-impaired wrestlers who compete in matches with the other wrestlers, which shows that HERO’s, “barrier-free” attitude even extends to the ring. HERO events also feature familiar faces, which will happen again on Saturday, April 27 at Shinkiba 1stRING (1-6-24 Shinkiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo), with the event starting at 6:45 PM (doors will open at 6:15 PM). This HERO event will feature a legend of the ring, as Atsushi Onita will be one of the competitors! He is currently a co-holder of the All Asia Tag Team Championship in AJPW.

Atsushi Onita rose to fame in the pro-wrestling industry as a result of his many successes, which included winning the NWA International Junior Heavyweight Championship (a record three times), the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship, the FMW Double Championship (a record seven times), and the FMW Six Man Street Fight Tag Team Championship. Onita is also credited with helping the hardcore / deathmatch style become popular in Japan.

And when Atsushi Onita comes to Shinkiba 1stRING on April 27, he will be teaming with Tomoryu (as seen in FMW) and two mystery partners to go against Wild Bear (as seen in ZERO1 and FMW), Wild ZERO, Guts Ishijima (as seen in Michinoku Pro, DDT, Ice Ribbon and WAVE), and Takuya Kaiwa in a, "Street Fight Death" match!

In other action, former ZERO1 International Junior Heavyweight and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Mineo Fujita will face former BJW Junior Heavyweight Champion Kaji Tomato.

PLUS

- Shota Nakagawa (as seen in AJPW, DDT, BJW, and WAVE)

- Kuma Arashi (as seen in AJPW, BJW, ZERO1, and FMW)

- Andy Wu (as seen in AJPW, DDT, BJW, ZERO1, and FMW)

- Black Avalon

- Makoto (former ICExInfinity Champion)

- Shigeo Kato (as seen in Michinoku Pro, DDT, and BJW)

- Tomonori Chiba (as seen in FMW)

and others

More matches will be officially announced in the coming weeks as HERO 40 draws closer. HERO events are operated by GPS Promotion, and tickets for HERO 40 can purchased at the GPS Web Shop here.

[ESW] 3/15 Card Update! ESW Interstate Championship on the Line!

The card for Empire State Wrestling Tough Luck continues to grow, and all of the action will take place on Friday, March 15 at the Frontier Fire Hall (2176 Liberty Drive, Niagara Falls, N.Y.), with the doors opening at 6pm and the show starting at 7pm. The ESW Interstate Championship will now be on the line, as the new champion Spencer Slade will defend it against internationally traveled talent Sean Legacy, who spent most of 2023 wrestling in Japan for NOAH.

Sean Legacy has also appeared in AEW.

ESW Interstate Champion Spencer Slade prides himself on his ability to outwork competition, so while Slade's match with Sean Legacy will be a true test, that's exactly what Slade wants.

PLUS

A special meet & greet featuring legends and former World Tag Team Champions Demolition!

Kevin Blackwood (former ESW Heavyweight Champion)
vs.
Jason Hotch (TNA star)

Bill Collier (as seen in AEW)
vs.
Gregory Iron (as seen in Championship Wrestling From Hollywood)

James Sayga
vs.
Nick Ando (as seen in XPW)

Vinnie Moon (w/ Will Calrissian)
vs.
Frank Feathers

Edge Of Hope
vs.
Channing Decker (as seen in TNA)
Matt McCoy
Tommy K
Robby Vegas

For those of you who will be in New York on March 15 and can attend this event at the Frontier Fire Hall, tickets can be purchased here.

If you will be unable to be in New York on March 15, you can see, "ESW Tough Luck" LIVE via IndependentWrestling.TV, a livestreaming platform available on Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and online.

Michinoku Pro Is Coming to WRESTLE UNIVERSE!

Michinoku Pro was introduced to new audiences in the 1990s by Kaientai Deluxe making appearances in ECW and WWE. And now, one of pro-wrestling's most unique companies will further expand its international reach as it officially joins the ranks of WRESTLE UNIVERSE in March! This marks a monumental moment for both Michinoku Pro and WRESTLE UNIVERSE, bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the world of online wrestling as Michinoku Pro will become one of the latest companies to increase in visibility while utilizing streaming services to reach a wider audience, reshaping how wrestling content is distributed and consumed internationally.

Michinoku Pro was founded by The Great Sasuke in his hometown of Iwate, Japan. The company is named after the north-eastern area of the Tōhoku region, which was called "Michinoku" ("end of the road") in ancient times. Michinoku Pro is dedicated to bringing pro-wrestling to Iwate, and most of its events take place there. In the beginning, Michinoku Pro was a small operation with only a few staff members. Since then, the company has seen much success. Michinoku Pro DVDs are sold in stores nationwide, and Michinoku Pro drew a sellout, standing room only crowd of 1,890 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo in December 2019, which was the highest reported attendance at the Korakuen Hall for a pro-wrestling event since April 2015. Also, the company has been running shows for over 30 years, when the average lifespan of a promotion is 10 years.

Michinoku Pro's style is a combination of the traditional Japanese style with the lucha libre style, as many of the matches in Michinoku Pro feature high-flying and fast-paced action. And while most promotions in Japan and other parts of the world utilize a junior heavyweight championship as a midcard championship, Michinoku Pro utilizes its Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Championship as the top championship in the company, as well as its only currently active singles championship. With the Michinoku Pro roster mainly consisting of junior heavyweights, athleticism is one of the main aspects of matches at a Michinoku Pro event, with the wrestlers performing moves that are best done by junior heavyweights. And the company features a roster of talent that consists of names that fans outside of Japan know, as well as ones they SHOULD know!

Joining WRESTLE UNIVERSE provides Michinoku Pro with a global platform to showcase their unique brand of wrestling to a wider audience that up to now has only read and seen pictures of what Michinoku Pro has to offer. For WRESTLE UNIVERSE, Michinoku Pro's arrival will add another layer of diversity and excitement to its already-impressive lineup of promotions that caters to a wide range of fan preferences and has something for everyone who enjoys Japanese wrestling.

Michinoku Pro's arrival on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will be a game-changer for both parties, as Michinoku Pro will reach new heights while WRESTLE UNIVERSE will solidify its position as one of the premier destinations for Japanese wrestling. It's safe to say that WRESTLE UNIVERSE is ready to impress the world in 2024, with Michinoku Pro taking it to another level. A free trial of WRESTLE UNIVERSE is currently available, and you can start it here.

[World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana / Prominence] Risa Sera Homecoming Show on 3/3 at Seranishi Town Center

Active since 2011 and founded by former WWWA Champion Kyoko Inoue, World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana features a mix of legends and new-generation talent, making it a promotion that has something for everyone who enjoys women's wrestling. Shining out of the corona pandemic, Prominence is a promotion that mainly features women wrestlers and blends together hardcore wrestling, technical wrestling, and comedy. On Sunday, March 3rd at Seranishi Town Center (〒722-1701 3381 Oguni, Sera-cho, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture) with a 1:00 pm start time (doors will open at 12:00 pm), Diana and Prominence will co-present the Risa Sera Homecoming Show. This show will feature a homecoming match for Risa Sera, a native of Sera, Hiroshima.

Risa Sera is a 2-time former ICExInfinity Champion (the top singles championship in Ice Ribbon), with her second reign being the second-longest in the history of the championship. Sera has also seen success in Stardom, where she has held the Artist Of Stardom Championship. Currently, Sera is a co-holder of the WAVE Tag Team Championship, with this being her second reign. Sera is also the leader of Prominence, a unit that produces the shows of the same name. So, Risa Sera will be making her homecoming as a successful and notable member of the pro-wrestling industry. And in the main event of Sera's homecoming show, she will team with Miran (as seen in Stardom, Ice Ribbon, and PURE-J), and former AJW star Jaguar Yokota to face Kyoko Inoue, fellow Prominence member and former Ice Ribbon star Akane Fujita, and Nanami (as seen in Stardom, ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, Sendai Girls, WAVE, and PURE-J).

OTHER MATCHES ON THE CARD

Haruka Umesaki (World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Champion)
Nao Ishikawa (as seen in Stardom, DDT, and Ice Ribbon)
vs.
Yuma Makoto
Mizuki Kato

Miyako Matsumoto (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
Mochi Natsumi (Prominence member and former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Ayako Sato (former Daily Sports Tag Team Champion)
Deborah K (as seen in ZERO1 and WAVE)

Hiragi Kurumi (Prominence member and former ICExInfinity Champion)
vs.
Kohaku (WAVE star)

You can get tickets by going to the Diana Store here.

If you will be unable to attend the event on March 3rd, you can see the Risa Sera Homecoming Show via DIANA Live, the promotion's own live streaming service, starting at 13:00 Japan Time.

[YPW][TwitCasting] Yanagase Pro Wrestling on 2/24 LIVE

One day after the ladies of Ladius are in action, YPW will bring their men's division to SPORTS BAR M's Cafe this Saturday, February 24, with the event starting at 19:30 Japan Time. Every month, Yanagase Pro Wrestling is broadcast LIVE on TwitCasting, a livestreaming service based in Japan that has over 33 million registered users worldwide.

The card will be as follows:

Kenta Kosugi (as seen in BJW and ZERO1)
Mari Manji (from the Ladius division)
vs.
Kubota Brothers (former NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champions)

Yanagase Kamen Fuerza (as seen in ZERO1)
Jack Kennedy (as seen in DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
vs.
Lowther (as seen in DDT, AJPW, and BJW)
Rekka (as seen in Michinoku Pro, NJPW, AJPW, DG, and BJW)

"3WAY", match
JADE (as seen in AJPW)
vs.
Gaia Hox (as seen in Michinoku Pro and BJW)
vs.
Convoy Nishio

Yanagase Pro Wrestling was founded in 2017 and presents 3 - 4 events per month (with 2 of them being Ladius events), the final event of the year being an annual Christmas Special. Along with YPW's own talented roster, its events also feature stars of the Japanese wrestling scene who have had impressive accomplishments outside of YPW. All YPW events can be watched live via TwitCasting and are available to watch in full for the following two weeks after the live broadcast.

To learn more about Yanagase Pro Wrestling and Ladius, check out my closer look at Yanagase Pro Wrestling.

Open to New Wrestling Writing Opportunities

- News and articles
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Samples of my work: https://bit.ly/424I6iK

Wrestling Promotions! Want to Reach Fans Globally?

Harold-Williams.com offers:

- Sponsored content & event coverage
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Samples of my work: https://bit.ly/424I6iK

[YPW][TwitCasting] Yanagase Pro Wrestling on 2/23 and 2/24 LIVE

Yanagase Pro Wrestling (YPW) presents two days of wrestling action this week! First up will be the ladies' division of YPW, Ladius, with "Ladius Friday Night Match", this Friday, February 23 at SPORTS BAR M's Cafe, with the event starting at 20:00 Japan Time. Then, this Saturday, February 24 it will be the men's division of YPW's turn at the cafe, with the event starting at 19:30 Japan Time.

Yanagase Pro Wrestling was founded in 2017 and presents 3 - 4 events per month (with 2 of them being Ladius events), the final event of the year being an annual Christmas Special. Along with YPW's own talented roster, its events also feature stars of the Japanese wrestling scene who have had impressive accomplishments outside of YPW. All YPW events can be watched live via TwitCasting and are available to watch in full for the following two weeks after the live broadcast. TwitCasting is a livestreaming service based in Japan that has over 33 million registered users worldwide.

Sae and Mari Manji know each other better than anyone. Every year, they engage in a series of matches, testing their skills and improving along the way, as they push their limits. The series continues this Friday, and you can watch it live on TwitCasting for only 1,000 yen, which is around 7 USD. Be there at 20:00 Japan Time!

One day after the ladies of Ladius are in action, YPW will bring their men's division to SPORTS BAR M's Cafe this Saturday, February 24. The event will start at 19:30 Japan Time. Every month, Yanagase Pro Wrestling is broadcast LIVE on TwitCasting, a livestreaming service based in Japan that has over 33 million registered users worldwide.

The card will be as follows:

Kenta Kosugi (as seen in BJW and ZERO1)
Mari Manji (from the Ladius division)
vs.
Kubota Brothers (former NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champions)

Yanagase Kamen Fuerza (as seen in ZERO1)
Jack Kennedy (as seen in DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
vs.
Lowther (as seen in DDT, AJPW, and BJW)
Rekka (as seen in Michinoku Pro, NJPW, AJPW, DG, and BJW)

"3WAY", match
JADE (as seen in AJPW)
vs.
Gaia Hox (as seen in Michinoku Pro and BJW)
vs.
Convoy Nishio

To learn more about Yanagase Pro Wrestling and Ladius, check out my closer look at Yanagase Pro Wrestling.

Wrestler Spotlight: JADE - Aggressiveness and Intensity

JADE has been making his presence known on the Japanese wrestling independent scene since 2015, when he began wrestling in Tottori Darazu Pro Wrestling. JADE's career had a great start as he won his debut match.


That same year, only nine months into his career, JADE was a participant in AJPW Real World Tag League 2015, which was an early sign that tag team wrestling would become his specialty. JADE also stopped wrestling in the Chugoku region of Japan (where he is from and where Tottori Darazu Pro-Wrestling is based) and began exploring promotions in the Kansai region of Japan. In 2019, JADE finally made his way to the Chubu region's Yanagase Pro Wrestling, where JADE continues to wrestle frequently.

JADE's style is aggressive, which has often been labeled "bullyish", most likely because during his entrances, it's common for JADE to drench fans sitting at ringside in water from a plastic bottle. During a match, he is very unpredictable, which keeps fans on the edge of their seats as they eagerly anticipate JADE's next move. And sometimes his intensity leads to him bringing the action to those seats, as evidenced during a match at a December 2022 Yanagase Pro Wrestling event at SPORTS BAR M's Cafe against Kenta Kosugi. As they delivered stiff shots to each other, JADE took the battle into the crowd, and even outside the venue.

Although JADE is a tough competitor in singles matches, it's tag team wrestling that he excels the most at. JADE can quickly develop good chemistry with someone who he is teaming with for the first time, and this specialization in tag team wrestling helped him become co-holder of the Kanto region-based Chigasaki Pro-Wrestling's Twin Wave Tag Team Championship for a reign that is the longest in the championship's history.

One of the most impressive aspects of JADE's arsenal is his array of kicks. No matter whether JADE is targetting his opponent's head, legs, or chest, JADE always delivers kicks with power and precision.

All throughout JADE's career, he has done things his own way, and it has helped JADE stand out on the independent Japanese wrestling scene. Currently at a transitional point in his career, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for JADE.

[MoveOn Pro-Wrestling] MoveOn vol. 5 on 3/9

Founded in 2020 and based in Osaka, MoveOn Pro-Wrestling is promotion that helps give wrestlers who live in Osaka and its surrounding area more opportunities to showcase their talents. On Saturday, March 9, MoveOn will be at Azalea Taisho where they will present, "MoveOn vol. 5", with a 5:00 p.m. start time (doors open at 4:30 p.m.).

The card will be as follows:

MoveOn Openweight Championship
Kazuaki Mihara (MoveOn Openweight Champion)
vs.
Koji Iwamoto (former AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Katsumi Oribe (as seen in AJPW, DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
vs.
Towa Iwasaki (former ZERO1 United National Heavyweight Champion)

Keisuke Goto (as seen in Michinoku Pro, AJPW, DDT, ZERO1, and WAVE)
vs.
Hiroaki Taniguchi (as seen in BJW and ZERO1)

Yuto Kikuchi (as seen in Michinoku Pro, BJW, AJPW, DDT, and WAVE)
Manon
vs.
TiiiDA (as seen in NJPW, AJPW, DG, DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
Yasutaka Oosera (of Michinoku Pro)

"SEAdLINNNG" match
Arisa Nakajima (former SEAdLINNNG Beyond The Sea Champion)
vs.
Momoka Hanazono

You can get ticket information by contacting MoveOn on Twitter here, or by contacting Kazuaki Mihara on Twitter here, or by contacting Koji Iwamoto on Twitter here, or by contacting Katsumi Oribe on Twitter here, or by contacting Keisuke Goto on Twitter here, or by contacting Hiroaki Taniguchi on Twitter here, or by contacting TiiiDA on Twitter here, or by contacting Momoka Hanazono on Twitter here.

[Pro Wrestling Rampage] PWR Gem City Madness on 3/9

Pro Wrestling Rampage (PWR) was founded in 2007, and the Erie, Pennsylvana-based promotion has been very successful for a promotion of PWR's size since its inception. Sometimes bringing in talents who had made names for themselves in WWE and ECW, PWR also developed its own roster of homegrown talent, and in 2008 reached its highest recorded attendance of almost 600 fans.

Pro Wrestling Rampage's next event will be "Gem City Madness", on Saturday, March 9th at the SAGA CLUB in Erie with a 6PM starting time (doors open at 5PM).

The card will be as follows:

Alex Daniels (as seen in CZW, IWA MS, and EVOLVE)
vs.
Anthony Young (as seen in AEW)
vs.
Brayden Lee (former IWA Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Lake Erie Championship
Dakoda Orion (Lake Erie Champion)
vs.
Mattick (as seen in ROH)

Cristiano Argento (as seen in WWE)
vs.
Levi Everett (as seen in WWE)

Robby Vegas
vs.
Darren Crowe

Haley Dylan
vs.
Shilo

Matt McCoy
vs.
Dave Bentley

Ryze
vs.
Kyle Boone

PLUS

- Starburst

Tickets can be purchased here.

[DIANA LIVE] World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana on 2/18 LIVE

Active since 2011 and founded by former WWWA Champion Kyoko Inoue, World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana features a mix of legends and new-generation talent, making it a promotion that has something for everyone who enjoys women's wrestling. On Sunday, February 18th, the women of Diana will be in action for "Diana Amistad Tournament vol.52". It will start at 13:00 Japan Time, and it will be broadcast via DIANA Live, the promotion's own live streaming service.

The card will be as follows:

World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Championship
Kyoko Inoue (World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Champion)
vs.
Jaguar Yokota (former World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Champion)
vs.
Himiko (as seen in ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, WAVE, and PURE-J)

Haruka Umesaki (World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Champion)
Nanami (as seen in Stardom, ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, Sendai Girls, WAVE, and PURE-J)
vs.
Mizuki Kato
Tae Honma (former Ice Ribbon star)

Deborah K (as seen in ZERO1 and WAVE)
vs.
Yuki Miyazaki (Regina Di WAVE Champion)

Ayako Sato (former Daily Sports Tag Team Champion)
Miran (as seen in Stardom, Ice Ribbon, and PURE-J)
vs.
Yuma Makoto
Maika Ozaki (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)

And after you've watched "Diana Amistad Tournament vol.52", check out the February 11 World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana event that was broadcast live on DIANA Live. Also check out "Diana Future Sight Vol. 18", which was broadcast live on DIANA Live on February 9.

Hidden Gems of Japanese Wrestling Games

While WWE dominates the wrestling game scene overall, and the Fire Pro Wrestling series of games is the favorite of many Japanese wrestling fans, there many Japanese wrestling games that are underneath the radar of most wrestling fans but are greatly enjoyed by those who know about them:

All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling: Queen Legend Dream Battle (PlayStation)

Released in 1998, All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling: Queen Legend Dream Battle is based on All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling, one of the most important Japanese women's wrestling promotions in history, and the first to become very successful. The game features wrestlers who were members of the AJW roster, including Manami Toyota , Aja Kong, Akira Hokuto, Kyoko Inoue, and many more.

King of Colosseum II (PS2)

Released in 2004, King of Colosseum II is a spinoff of the Fire Pro Wrestling series. King of Colosseum II features licensed Japanese wrestlers, and has talent and championships from NJPW, NOAH, AJPW, ZERO1, and many more. There are almost 200 characters in total, and many of those who have played it consider King of Colosseum II to be one of the greatest wrestling games ever made. In addition to the impressive amount of wrestlers to compete as, there is also a Match Maker mode, where the player has the role of a booker.



Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 (Nintendo 64)

Released in 1997, players of Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 have expressed how surprised they are by its fluid animation. But the best feature of this game is that it's the Japanese version of WCW vs. nWo: World Tour , which means that not only does Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 have Japanese wrestlers, but it also has WCW and nWo wrestlers such as Rey Mysterio, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, and The Giant, which makes the game appealing to fans of American wrestling.



Wrestle Angels: Survivor (PS2):

Released in 2006, Wrestle Angels: Survivor is a wrestling management simulator in which the player takes the role of the president of a women's wrestling promotion, hiring & training talent, and booking matches. Up to four people can play this game and compete with each other.



These are just a few examples of well-liked Japanese wrestling games that you may not know about. Give them a try- one of them just might become your new all-time favorite.

Wrestler Spotlight: Deborah K - A Career Shaped by Diversity

It is often believed that diversity shapes our lives, and the same can be said for Deborah K's wrestling career, as her experiences in very different styles of promotions has developed her into the wrestler that she is today. And it's a career that dates back to the early 2000s.

Deborah K's career began in 2002 (using her real name, Keiko Hirose) as a member of the AJW roster, during a period when the women's wrestling scene in Japan was very different from how it is today. AJW was at the forefront of the scene, which means that she was getting her start in a top promotion, as opposed to an independent promotion like many women wrestlers do today. This was a difficult situation to be in- the environment was competitive, filled with many talented newcomers and established stars, making breaking through a challenge. Plus, there was a lot of pressure to succeed and meet expectations, considering the company's prestige. But at the same time, AJW offered experienced trainers and the opportunity to wrestle and learn from experienced veterans. She wrestled there until 2004, before stepping away from the wrestling ring for many years.

Now known as Deborah K, she made her return to the wrestling ring in 2016, and the landscape of the women's wrestling scene had changed. AJW went defunct in 2005 after losing its TV spot a few years earlier, now replaced by many new promotions, including ones on the independent scene, which had become much more developed since she had last wrestled. She began wrestling in the Chiba-based Kagura Project. This gave her the opportunity to be exposed to a different type of audience. While in AJW, she was wrestling in front of around 1,000 fans- in Kagura Project, she was now wrestling in front of less than 100 fans, which enabled her to connect with fans more easily. Plus, in a less competitive environment with a smaller roster, her career was able to grow faster, as she was now often being in the main event of shows, as opposed to always being in the opening match or the midcard. Three years later, she began exploring other small promotions.

All of Deborah K's various experiences prepared her for when she began wrestling in World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana in 2021. A mid-sized promotion, attendance numbers at its events range widely: Diana has presented shows in front of over 1,000 fans, as well as small crowds- Deborah K has experience wrestling in front of both sizes of crowds, and can easily adapt.

Plus, wrestling for many years in smaller promotions can give a wrestler a stronger work ethic and more resilience, which would help a wrestler thrive in the more competitive environment of Diana. And the Diana roster comprises of both veterans and new-generation talent: Deborah K wrestled many new-generation talents while in small promotions, and that experience provides useful when going against wrestlers in World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana such as Sae of Yanagase Pro Wrestling, a newer face on the wrestling scene who wrestles often in Diana.

And Deborah K experienced wrestling against veterans while in AJW, which she continues to do in World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana, competing with veterans such as Ayako Sato, who is said to be Deborah K's favorite wrestler.


While Deborah K was in AJW, she had the benefit of working with veteran wrestlers who she could learn from, but their careers began in AJW, and there was not yet a developed independent wrestling scene where valuable experiences could be gained. However, she has had those experiences, and now a veteran herself, she can share invaluable knowledge that she has gained with the newer generation of wrestlers in Diana.

As Deborah K's career continues in World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana, all of her prior experiences have shaped her into the wrestler that she is today, as she inspires wrestlers and entertains fans of all types, whether they prefer wrestlers of the AJW era or wrestlers who are the product of the more diverse wrestling landscape of today.

[VKF Pro Wrestling][PREVIEW] "BOM-BA-YE Life Begins At Sixty!" 3/31/24

Founded in 2007 and based in Osaka, VKF Pro Wrestling is promotion that helps give wrestlers who live in Osaka and its surrounding area more opportunities to showcase their talents. It also has events in Tokyo, and on Sunday, March 31, VKF will be at Tokyo BASEMENT MONSTAR where they will present "BOM-BA-YE Life Begins At Sixty!", with a 6:00 p.m. start time. This event will commemorate the 60th birthday of VKF owner Toshiyuki Kawamura.

The card will be as follows:

Yuya Susumu (former NOAH star)
Jun Masaoka (as seen in Michinoku Pro, NJPW, DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
vs.
Masamune (former UWA World Tag Team Champion)
CHANGO (as seen in AJPW, DG, DDT, BJW, and Ice Ribbon)

Kengo Mashimo (former AJPW World Tag Team Champion)
Naka Shuma (as seen in BJW and ZERO1)
vs.
TORU (as seen in AJPW, DDT, BJW, and ZERO1)
Joji Otani (as seen in DDT, BJW, ZERO1, and WAVE)

"Mixed tag team", match
Kikutaro (former DG star)
LINDA (as seen in Stardom and AJPW)
vs.
Naoshi Sano (former DDT star)
Nanashi (as seen in DDT and WAVE)

Akira Jo (as seen in Stardom and DDT)
vs.
Tetsuya Goto

Momoka Hanazono (as seen in Michinoku Pro, Stardom, BJW, ZERO1, WAVE, and PURE-J)
Ancham (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Sya (as seen in DDT, BJW, Ice Ribbon, and WAVE)
Akane Fujita (former Ice Ribbon star)

You can get ticket information by contacting VKF via vkf4life@yahoo.co.jp, or by contacting Akane Fujita on Twitter here, or by contacting Naka Shuma on Twitter here, or by contacting Joji Otani on Twitter here, or by contacting Tetsuya Goto on Twitter here.

[ESW] 3/15 Card Updates! ESW Tag Team Championship on the Line! First-Ever ESW All-Women's Tag Team Match Added!

Empire State Wrestling Tough Luck will be taking place on Friday, March 15 at the Frontier Fire Hall (2176 Liberty Drive, Niagara Falls, N.Y.), with the doors opening at 6pm and the show starting at 7pm, and it's shaping up to be an excellent event as more matches have been added. One of them will be for the ESW Tag Team Championship, as CXR puts their championship on the line against PME (as seen in IWA MS).

Interest in women's wrestling is at a level where their matches are often the ones being talked about the next day. And that may happen again after Empire State Wrestling Tough Luck, where they will present its first-ever ESW all-women's tag team match! Katie Arquette (as seen in WWE) will team with Adena Steele (as seen in AEW), to go against Christina Marie (as seen in AEW) and Haley Dylan!

PLUS

A special meet & greet featuring legends and former World Tag Team Champions Demolition!

Kevin Blackwood (former ESW Heavyweight Champion)
vs.
Jason Hotch (TNA star)

Bill Collier (as seen in AEW)
vs.
Gregory Iron (as seen in Championship Wrestling From Hollywood)

James Sayga
vs.
Nick Ando (as seen in XPW)

For those of you who will be in New York on March 15 and can attend this event at the Frontier Fire Hall, tickets can be purchased here.

If you will be unable to be in New York on March 15, you can see, "ESW Tough Luck" LIVE via IndependentWrestling.TV, a livestreaming platform available on Android, iOS, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and online.

[DIANA LIVE] World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana on 2/11 LIVE

Active since 2011 and founded by former WWWA Champion Kyoko Inoue, World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana features a mix of legends and new-generation talent, making it a promotion that has something for everyone who enjoys women's wrestling. On Sunday, February 11th, the women of Diana will be action with the event starting at 12:00 Japan Time, and it will be broadcast via DIANA Live, the promotion's own live streaming service.

The card will be as follows:

Himiko (as seen in ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, WAVE, and PURE-J)
Makoto (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Honoka (former WAVE Tag Team Champion)
Kizuna Tanaka (former WAVE Tag Team Champion)

SPiCEAP
Tae Honma (former Ice Ribbon star)
Maika Ozaki (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
vs.
Mizuki Kato
Sae (of Yanagase Pro Wrestling)

Jaguar Yokota (former AJW star)
Ayako Sato (as seen in ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, WAVE, and PURE-J)
Hanako Nakamori (PURE-J star)
vs.
Kyoko Inoue
Deborah K (as seen in ZERO1 and WAVE)
Sayaka Unagi (former Stardom star and current DDT star)

Risa Sera (former International Ribbon Tag Team Champion)
Miran (as seen in Stardom, Ice Ribbon, and PURE-J)
vs.
Nanami (as seen in Stardom, ZERO1, Ice Ribbon, Sendai Girls, WAVE, and PURE-J)
Yuma Makoto

World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Championship
Haruka Umesaki (World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Champion)
vs.
Ayame Sasamura (former Sendai Girls Junior Champion)

And after you've watched this World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana event, check out "Diana Future Sight Vol. 18", which was broadcast live on DIANA Live on February 9.