[media-credit name=”Photo: Battle-News.com” align=”alignright” width=”620″][/media-credit] Welcome back to another edition of the Joshi Roundup! There were several big events last week which I will cover, and we’ll also take a deeper look at one of my favorite wrestlers, Kairi Hojo! Joshi News Photo: Battle-News.com In Japan more so than in the United States, wrestling promotions … Read more
[media-credit name=”Photo: Battle-News.com” align=”alignright” width=”620″][/media-credit] Hello! My name is Kevin Wilson, and I have been a fan of Japanese wrestling for over a decade. During that time I have slowly started watching more and more women’s wrestling in Japan (better known as Joshi) and that is now my primary interest. I hope through this column I … Read more
[media-credit name=”Photo: Sonny Gutierrez” align=”aligncenter” width=”620″][/media-credit] This past Sunday, Japanese women’s wrestling promotion Stardom held an event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In the night’s main event, World of Stardom Champion Yoshiko defended her title against Act Yasukawa. What followed has sparked outrage in joshi circles. According to eyewitness Sonny Gutierrez of Pro Wrestling … Read more
[media-credit name=”Photo: World Wonder Ring Stardom” align=”alignleft” width=”620″][/media-credit] Heidi Lovelace and Hudson Envy are the latest American indy stars to make the leap to Japan. The two are the first talents to join Stardom Japan through its USA branch, which was established in October. Former SHIMMER Champion Cheerleader Melissa serves as branch president and has … Read more
Independent Women is changing its format! Now, the videos will act like dispatches, giving you quick and timely looks into the lives of indy women’s wrestlers. Our next three dispatches from Cheerleader Melissa finish up her latest tour in Japan. In the first video, she braves the bustling Japanese train system: Next, she visits the … Read more
Independent Women is changing its format! Now, the videos will act like dispatches, giving you quick and timely looks into the lives of indy women’s wrestlers. Our next three dispatches from Cheerleader Melissa show the highs and lows of living in Japan. In the first video, she encounters an unwelcome guest/pest in her Tokyo apartment: … Read more
Cheerleader Melissa is no stranger to winning titles, but she’s just added quite a different one to her resume: USA Branch President for Stardom Wrestling. The SHIMMER Champion, who recently returned from an extended tour with Stardom in Tokyo, Japan, will help the organization find fresh American talent. In her new role, she will also … Read more
Independent Women is changing its format! Now, the videos will act like dispatches, giving you quick and timely looks into the lives of indy women’s wrestlers. Our first three dispatches from Cheerleader Melissa continue her journey in Japan. In the first video, she shows us a Japanese bathroom stall with one very unique feature: Next, … Read more
In the latest episode of Independent Women – titled “Tranquility” – Cheerleader Melissa heads to the Japanese countryside She prepares to take part in a practice Japanese tea ceremony, walking through an idyllic garden on her way there. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent Women is Diva Dirt’s … Read more
In the latest episode of Independent Women – titled “Say Cheese” – Cheerleader Melissa checks out a photo booth in Tokyo, Japan. She poses for photos with fellow wrestlers Kris Wolf and Starfire after they navigate the unique options the booth offers. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent … Read more
In the latest episode of Independent Women – titled “Longboarding” – Cheerleader Melissa goes longboarding with fellow wrestler Kris Wolf in Tokyo, Japan. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent Women is Diva Dirt’s original web series that gives fans a peek behind the scenes at the lives of … Read more
In the latest episode of Independent Women – titled “The Grand Tour” – Cheerleader Melissa gives us an early morning tour of her apartment in Japan, where she’s living while wrestling for the Stardom promotion. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent Women is Diva Dirt’s original web series … Read more
In the latest episode of Independent Women – titled “Return to Japan” – Cheerleader Melissa welcomes us back to Tokyo, Japan, where she is competing for Stardom. She gives us a quick update on her tour so far while standing in front of the iconic SkyTree. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent … Read more
In the fifteenth episode of Independent Women – titled “Before the Bell” – Cheerleader Melissa gives us a behind the scenes look at the STARDOM arena prior to her match in Tokyo, Japan. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent Women is Diva Dirt’s original web series that gives … Read more
Yesterday in Tokyo, Japan, SHIMMER Champion Cheerleader Melissa attempted to become a triple crown champ when she went head to head with STARDOM Champion Io Shirai at STARDOM the Highest. Melissa, who also holds the RCW Angels Championship, was making her first appearance in Japan in over seven years. According to PuroLove.com, Melissa came up … Read more
In the fourteenth episode of Independent Women – titled “Welcome to Japan” – Cheerleader Melissa records a video promo for her STARDOM Championship match in Tokyo, Japan. Watch the episode below: Want to advertise on Independent Women? Contact us! Independent Women is Diva Dirt’s original web series that gives fans a peek behind the scenes … Read more
SHIMMER Champion Cheerleader Melissa will be returning to Japan on March 16th, with her eyes set on earning yet another championship. Melissa will make her STARDOM debut to challenge Io Shirai for the World of STARDOM Championship. The match will take place at the organization’s annual STARDOM the Highest event and will mark Melissa’s return … Read more
Alpha Female etched her name in Joshi history earlier today by becoming the first European to hold a major women’s championship in Japan, when she ended Nanae Takahashi‘s 602-day reign as World of Stardom Champion. After the match, Alpha, who remains undefeated in the promotion, humiliated Takahashi by draping the German flag over her body. … Read more
Top Joshi promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom’s “Goddesses of Stardom” tag tournament reached its climax yesterday as Natsuki*Taiyo (yes, that’s actually how her name is written) and Yoshiko defeated Kairi Hojo and Natsumi Showzuki in the final to become the new Goddesses of Stardom Champions. Taiyo (who is also the Stardom High Speed Champion) and … Read more
Japanese all-women’s promotion Stardom has announced a major match for its October 21st show: Pro-Wrestling: EVE Champion Alpha Female will be taking on Stardom regular Nanae Takahashi. For more on the Stardom promotion, visit its official website. Alpha Female also recently taped an episode of TNA’s Spin Cycle, carrying her EVE Championship belt while on … Read more
Previously: (Kellie) Skating Into Japan: An Aussie Abroad On March 4th 2012, for Universal Woman’s Pro Wrestling REINA, Kellie Skater, 24, was defeated by veteran joshi wrestler Mima Shimoda. This match took place at the Radiant Hall in Yokohama, Japan, and was Skater’s last match in Japan… this time around. Wrestling in Japan had always … Read more
WSU World Champion, Mercedes Martinez, made her debut in Japan earlier today in a losing effort to Nanae Takahashi in Tokyo. Exclusive: Mercedes Martinez Talks About Her Japanese Debut, Match with Lexxus on August 6th Takahashi defeated Martinez in what I’m told was a “damn good” 15 minute match. The match marked Nanae’s 15th anniversary … Read more
STARDOM have announced that veteran joshi wrestler Nanae Takahashi’s 15th anniversary match will be against none other than the “Latina Sensation” Mercedes Martinez! Takahashi’s career began on July 14, 1996 at Korakuen Hall against Momoe Nakanishi and she will be celebrating her 15th anniversary in wrestling with a match on July 24th also to be … Read more