Ex-WWE champion announces retirement with two huge | Sports News

Japanese skilled wrestling famous person Meiko Satomura, revered because the “Living Legend of Joshi Puroresu,” introduced her storied in-ring profession to a close on April 29 on the storied Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The former WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion teamed with longtime Sendai Girls Pro Wrestling associate Manami for one last match however then stunned followers with an impromptu send-off.

Satomura and tag workforce associate Manami have been victorious in opposition to Aja Kong and Chihiro Hashimoto in a match followers thought doubled as a heartfelt celebration of Satomura’s lasting legacy. But she then handled followers to an additional Five On Two Handicap Match, tagging with her previous rival in Kong in opposition to Hashimoto, Mika Iwata, Senka Akatsuki, Takumi Iroha, and Yuna to a five-minute time restrict draw.

The crowd stood in unified admiration as purple ribbons rained from the rafters. Satomura took a bow and obtained flowers for her contribution to the cardboard, which was additionally acknowledged by followers online. One fan referred to as the match “A perfect, classical send-off for Meiko,” whereas one other referred to as it an “Incredible match and moment from start to finish.”

The now 45-year-old industry veteran exited the ring with her arm raised, receiving tributes from WWE stars of generations previous and current who she has influenced. WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H and former WWE Heavyweight Champion Gunther, additionally a fellow alumnus of WWE’s NXT UK model, personally congratulated her on Instagram. WWE Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky’s video was featured as half of a reside feed tribute following the match.

“Whenever I hit a plateau in my career, I would ask, ‘What would Meiko Satomura do?'” stated Sky. “It was you who got me to WWE. Even after you retire, pro wrestlers worldwide will look up to you and follow in your footsteps.”

Satomura’s retirement match marked her 1,048th match in a profession spanning 30 years. She has held 9 prestigious championships throughout a number of continents, together with the NXT UK belt, two reigns because the Sendai Girls World Champion, and the distinguished World Of Stardom Championship.

Satomura held the WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion title for 451 days, defending it in opposition to current and former WWE stars, together with Blair Davenport, Mandy Rose, and Ivy Nile. Nile stays energetic on Monday Night Raw, and this was Satomura’s last singles title protection of her WWE profession.

She battled in seven tag matches throughout Tokyo Joshi Pro, Stardom, and freelance occasions in April alone to arrange for her last sendoff. Her final match in opposition to Kong and Hashimoto was rated 9.09/10 by reviewers on Cagematch.

DON’T MISS

Beyond the wins, the belts, and the bruises, Satomura’s attain extends into coaching rooms and tv screens in every single place. WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura posted a video of himself coaching with her the day after her retirement match, as he tried to grasp her trademark Scorpio Rising kick.

Satomura’s coaching prompted reward from AEW’s Mercedes Mone and WWE’s Rey Fenix. WWE ring announcer Alicia Taylor and NXT standout Karmen Petrovic additionally chimed in to pay respect to the ladies’s wrestling legend.