Yoshiko (wrestler)

Yoshiko

Yoshiko in August 2014
Birth name Yoshiko Hirano[1]
Born (1993-07-26) July 26, 1993[2][3]
Katsushika, Tokyo[2][3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Kintora[4]
World of Tiger[5]
Yoshiko
Yoshikong[6]
Billed height 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)[2][3]
Billed weight 80 kg (176 lb)[2]
Trained by Fuka[7]
Nanae Takahashi[7]
Natsuki☆Taiyo[7]
Yuu Yamagata[7]
Debut January 23, 2011[3]

Yoshiko Hirano (平野 芳子 Hirano Yoshiko, born July 26, 1993)[2][3] is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name Yoshiko (世志琥 Yoshiko, originally 世Ⅳ虎). She debuted with the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion in January 2011, forming a successful partnership with Natsuki☆Taiyo, with the two winning the Goddess of Stardom Championship and the 2012 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League. Following Taiyo's retirement, Yoshiko won Stardom's top title, the World of Stardom Championship, in August 2014. Yoshiko's reign ended in controversy in February 2015, when she went off script during a match with Act Yasukawa, legitimately beating and injuring her. Afterwards, Yoshiko was stripped of the World of Stardom Championship, suspended and eventually announced her retirement. She, however, returned in January 2016, now affiliated with the Seadlinnng promotion.

Professional wrestling career

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2010–2015)

Hirano was presented as part of World Wonder Ring Stardom's roster at the promotion's first press conference on September 7, 2010. She was trained alongside the likes of Eri Susa, Mayu Iwatani, Yoko Bito and Yuzuki Aikawa as part of Stardom's first class of trainees. Hirano was given the ring name Yoshiko, spelled with the Roman numeral for the number four, IV, read as "shi".[8] She was given a villainous character, inspired by the yankii culture.[3] Her debut match took place at Stardom's inaugural event on January 23, 2011, where she was defeated by Yoko Bito.[9][10] Afterwards, Yoshiko formed a partnership with veteran wrestler Natsuki☆Taiyo.[3] The team was named "Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu" ("Kawasaki [Taiyo's birthplace] Katsushika [Yoshiko's birthplace] Strongest Legend").[3] On July 24, Yoshiko was part of a match to determine the inaugural Wonder of Stardom Champion, but was defeated by Yuzuki Aikawa.[11] On November 27, Yoshiko and Taiyo were defeated by Aikawa and Bito in the finals of the 2011 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, which was used to determine the inaugural Goddess of Stardom Champions.[12] Yoshiko ended the year by winning a four-woman tournament contested between the class one trainees to become the 2011 Rookie of Stardom.[12]

Yoshiko in March 2013

Yoshiko and Taiyo eventually won the Goddess of Stardom Championship on November 25, 2012, by defeating Kairi Hojo and Natsumi Showzuki in the finals of the 2012 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League.[13][14] Meanwhile, Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu expanded into "Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu Plus One" with the additions of Act Yasukawa, Kyoko Kimura and Saki Kashima.[15][16] After three successful title defenses, Yoshiko and Taiyo lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to former stablemate Kyoko Kimura and Hailey Hatred on March 17.[17][18] On April 29, Yoshiko main evented Stardom's Ryōgoku Cinderella event, defeating Yuzuki Aikawa in her retirement match.[19] On October 17, Yoshiko took part in a sixteen-woman elimination tag team match, promoted by Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling. The match pitted a team of younger wrestlers against a team of industry veterans. Yoshiko won the match for the younger generation by scoring the final elimination over Sendai Girls' founder Meiko Satomura.[20] Back in Stardom, Yoshiko continued teaming with Taiyo until her retirement in June 2014.[21] On the road to her retirement, Taiyo was defeated by Yoshiko on March 16 in what was billed as the final match between the teacher and student pairing.[22]

After going solo, Yoshiko won Stardom's top title, the World of Stardom Championship, by defeating Io Shirai on August 10, 2014.[3] Afterwards, Yoshiko came together with Shirai, Mayu Iwatani and Reo Hazuki to form a group of wrestlers born in the Heisei period, opposing a team of Stardom's older wrestlers, led by Nanae Takahashi.[23] On January 18, 2015, Yoshiko successfully defended the World of Stardom Championship against Takahashi.[24]

On February 22, 2015, Yoshiko faced former stablemate Act Yasukawa in her third defense of the World of Stardom Championship. The match saw Yoshiko go off script,[25] legitimately beating Yasukawa until veteran wrestler Kyoko Kimura threw in a towel to end the match after less than eight minutes.[26][27] Afterwards, Yasukawa was diagnosed with fractured cheek, nasal and orbital bones, which required surgery.[28][29] Yasukawa had had issues with her eyes before the incident, having undergone a cataract surgery the previous year.[29] On February 25, Stardom held a press conference, during which Yoshiko publicly apologized for the incident, after which she was stripped of the World of Stardom Championship and suspended indefinitely.[30][31] The incident received mainstream attention in Japan and became known as Seisan Matchi (凄惨マッチ, "Ghastly Match").[32][33] The incident also strained the relationship between Stardom's management and top wrestler Nanae Takahashi, leading to Takahashi quitting the promotion in May.[34] On May 31, Stardom announced that Yoshiko had decided to retire from professional wrestling.[35][36] Her retirement ceremony took place on June 14, however, during the closing ten-bell salute meant to signal the end of her career, Yoshiko walked out on the ceremony, leading to questions over whether she was truly retired.[37][38] Yasukawa eventually returned to the ring on September 23, 2015,[39][40] but retired the following December due to the damage inflicted on her eye in the incident with Yoshiko.[41][42]

Seadlinnng (2016–present)

Yoshiko returned to professional wrestling on January 11, 2016, during an event held by Nanae Takahashi's new Seadlinnng promotion. She appeared ringside, supporting Takahashi during her main event match against Meiko Satomura.[43] On February 11, Seadlinnng officially announced that Yoshiko (now with a revised ring name) had joined the promotion and would be returning to wrestling full-time.[44] Her return match took place on March 7 and saw her defeat Takahashi.[45] Afterwards, Yoshiko also began making appearances outside of Seadlinnng, working for Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling on April 8,[46] World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana on May 5,[47] and participating in Pro Wrestling Wave's 2016 Catch the Wave tournament between April 10 and June 5, making it to the semifinals, before losing to eventual tournament winner Ryo Mizunami.[48][49]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 世IV虎は礼儀をわきまえたピュアな女性. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 世志琥. Seadlinnng (in Japanese). Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ～スターダムの女番長～. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Season11~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2014年10月26日　「Stardom Mask Fiesta2014」～Halloween Party～　新木場1stRing". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 26, 2014. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ 世志琥が海外限定でリングネームを「Yoshikong」に変更. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 11, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Yoshiko". Wrestlingdata. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  8. ↑ 2010年9月~12月　. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 2, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Season1~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  10. ↑ 女子プロレスの星となるか、新団体「スターダム」が旗揚げ. Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. January 23, 2011. Archived from the original on January 27, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Season2~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 "Season4~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  13. ↑ ヤンキーアイドル、世IV虎様が初ベルト. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. November 26, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  14. 1 2 夏樹＆世IV虎のオリジナル川葛がタッグリーグを制覇して、第2代タッグ王座となる！世IV虎は待望の初ベルト！. Battle News (in Japanese). November 25, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Season5~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Season7~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  17. ↑ 木村組がタッグ王座奪取／スターダム. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). March 17, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  18. ↑ キムラモンスター軍が川葛からタッグ王座、奈苗から赤いベルトを奪取！里村はラスト後楽園の愛川に激勝！. Battle News (in Japanese). March 17, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  19. ↑ ゆずポン涙の１０カウント「グラレスラーは強いのだ！」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  20. ↑ 里村決意！長与と決着戦. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  21. ↑ 世Ⅳ虎「もっとビッグになって恩返しすっから」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). June 15, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  22. ↑ 川葛最後の対決で世Ⅳ虎が夏樹超え. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 17, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  23. ↑ 世Ⅳ虎ついにスターダム王座奪取. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). August 11, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  24. ↑ 2015年1月18日　スターダム4周年記念日. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 18, 2015. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  25. ↑ Thomas, Peter (April 9, 2016). "Japan's female pro wrestlers blur the lines between decorum and brutality". CBC News. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  26. ↑ 女子プロレスが凄惨けんかマッチで紛糾. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 22, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  27. ↑ ケンカマッチで女子レスラー顔面“崩壊”. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 23, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  28. ↑ スターダム安川は頬骨など骨折で手術へ. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 23, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  29. 1 2 顔面骨折の惡斗が告白「凄惨ケンカマッチの真相」「元の顔に戻して復帰します」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 24, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ 凄惨マッチの世ＩＶ虎が涙浮かべ陳謝　王座剥奪＆無期限出場停止処分. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 25, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  31. ↑ 世IV虎は無期限出場停止 安川を見舞いに. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 25, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  32. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (March 2, 2015). "Mar. 2, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: CM Punk defamation lawsuit, Brock Lesnar Raw disappearance, state of WWE, and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 35. ISSN 1083-9593.
  33. ↑ ミスター女子プロ・神取が指摘する「凄惨マッチ」の問題点. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 26, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  34. ↑ スターダムまた激震！高橋奈苗が電撃退団. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  35. ↑ 凄惨マッチの世ＩＶ虎が現役引退へ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 31, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  36. ↑ “凄惨マッチ”の世IV虎、引退を発表. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. May 31, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  37. ↑ 世ＩＶ虎　引退式も取材対応なし. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. June 14, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  38. ↑ １０カウントゴングなし…世ＩＶ虎は本当に引退なのか. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  39. ↑ 安川悪斗、凄惨マッチからの復帰戦. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. September 23, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  40. ↑ 惡斗 7か月ぶり復帰戦は涙の勝利. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  41. ↑ 「凄惨マッチ」の安川が引退　視力低下. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. December 1, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  42. ↑ 引退正式発表の惡斗に舞台出演オファー. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 2, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  43. ↑ 世Ⅳ虎復帰表明に里村激怒！シードリングと絶縁も. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). January 13, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  44. ↑ 世IV虎が改名「世志琥」で現役復帰　３・７後楽園大会で高橋奈七永と一騎打ち. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 11, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  45. ↑ 世志琥が１年ぶり復帰戦　高橋奈七永との死闘制す「プロレスは最高です！」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 7, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  46. ↑ 世志琥が１年４か月ぶり他団体戦で勝利　仙女との抗争継続. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 8, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  47. ↑ 世志琥が「ディアナ」５周年大会で主役強奪！. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). May 6, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  48. ↑ 世志琥　３２人参加リーグ戦で白星発進「まあ私の完勝ってことで」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). April 10, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  49. ↑ 世志琥が復帰後初黒星　Wave水波綾に敗れ「今日のことは忘れねえ」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). June 5, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  50. 1 2 3 ゆずポンに引導渡した世Ⅳ虎です世露Ⅳ苦！. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  51. ↑ "World Wonder Ring"Stardom"". Amazon (in Japanese). Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Season8~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  53. ↑ "スターダム・アワードを発表！MVPは紫雷イオが受賞！". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 29, 2013. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  54. ↑ 大盛り上がりの忘年会でスターダム・アワード発表！. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 27, 2012. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  55. ↑ 2014年12月27日　スターダム忘年会＆脇澤美穂プロレス生活謝恩会が開かれました. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 28, 2014. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
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