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Meiko Satomura

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Meiko Satomura
Satomura in September 2012
Born (1979-11-17) November 17, 1979 (age 44)[1]
Niigata, Japan[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Meiko Satomura
Billed height1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)[1]
Billed weight68 kg (150 lb)[1]
Billed fromNiigata, Japan
Trained byChigusa Nagayo
DebutApril 15, 1995[1]
Retired2025

Meiko Satomura (里村 明衣子, Satomura Meiko, born November 17, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand and the Japanese promotion Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling. She is a former one-time NXT UK Women's Champion. Satomura is set to retire in 2025.[2]

Professional wrestling career

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Gaea Japan (1995–2005)

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Satomura made her professional wrestling debut for women's promotion Gaea Japan on April 15, 1995, defeating Sonoko Kato.[3] On November 2, 1996, she and Kato defeated Sugar Sato and Chikayo Nagashima to become the inaugural AAAW Tag Team Champions. Satomura would go on to win that title on two more occasions, teaming with Ayako Hamada and Nagashima. She also won the AAAW Singles Championship twice, with her second reign ending at the hands of Aja Kong on April 3, 2005. Gaea Japan closed a week later on April 10, 2005, after staging its farewell show; in the main event, Satomura defeated her trainer Chigusa Nagayo.

World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)

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In 1996, Satomura started appearing for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) through Gaea Japan's working relationship with WCW which was attempting to establish a women's division. She participated in an eight-woman tournament for the inaugural WCW Women's World Championship; however, Satomura was eliminated in the first round by eventual winner Akira Hokuto. When WCW introduced a WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship, a second title for the women, she entered that tournament; however, Satomura was knocked out in the first round by Toshie Uematsu, who went on to win the tournament. Satomura continued to make appearances for WCW until the business relationships between two promotions ended.

Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling (2006–present)

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Following Gaea Japan's closure, Satomura formed the women's promotion Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling with Jinsei Shinzaki. On September 23, 2009, she participated in the Splash J and Running G tournament along with Kaoru and Tomoko Kuzumi. In the semi-final, Satomura's team defeated the Dynamite Kansai (Makie Numao and Yasuko Kuragaki), to advance to the final. In the final, they defeated the team of Hikari Fukuoka, Kanako Motoya and Sonoko Kato to win the Splash J and Running G tournament.[4]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2012-2018)

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On July 26, 2015, Satomura became the World of Stardom Champion by defeating Kairi Hojo.[5][6] On December 23, she lost the World of Stardom Championship to Io Shirai.[7]

Chikara (2012, 2016–2017)

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In May 2012, Satomura made her Chikara debut during the promotion's Aniversario.[8] That same year, She returned to Chikara, participating in the group's premiere tournament, King of Trios. In 2016, Satomura, along with Cassandra Miyagi and Dash Chisako won the King of Trios tournament. The trio was announced for the 2017 edition of the tournament.

WWE (2018, 2020-present)

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Mae Young Classic (2018)

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On July 27, 2018, WWE announced that Satomura will be competing in the second Mae Young Classic tournament.[9] She defeated Killer Kelly, Mercedes Martinez, and Lacey Lane before being defeated in the semifinals by Toni Storm.

NXT UK (2020–2022)

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On October 27, 2020, it was reported that Satomura had signed with WWE and would be an on-air talent and coach for NXT UK.[10] On the January 28 episode of NXT UK, a video package aired hyping up Satomura's arrival to the brand.[11][12] On the February 11 episode of NXT UK, She made her in-ring debut, where she defeated Isla Dawn in an opening match.[13] Soon after, Satomura began a feud with NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray, unsuccessfully challenging for the title on the March 3 episode of NXT UK; however, she won the title on the June 10 episode of NXT UK, became the first Japanese wrestler to hold the NXT UK Women's Championship, as well as in NXT UK overall.[14] She had her first successful title defense against Amale on the July 15 episode of NXT UK. She would retain against Stevie Turner on the August 20 episode of NXT UK. She would successfully defend the championship against Blair Davenport on the January 6 episode of NXT UK and Isla Dawn on the March 24 episode of NXT UK.

NXT (2022–present)

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On the August 23, 2022, episode of NXT 2.0, Satomura made her first appearance on NXT, an American promotion, where she confronted the NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose. The two agreed to an unification match for their titles at Worlds Collide, with Blair Davenport being added to the match.[15] At the event, Rose won the match by pinning Davenport, ending Satomura's reign as NXT UK Women's Champion at 451 days (as recognized by WWE).[16] On the February 14 episode of NXT, she made her return, teaming with the NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez defeating Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. After the match, Satomura challenged Perez to a championship match, which Perez accepted.[17] The following week, the match was made official for NXT Roadblock, where Satomura would lose via roll-up.[18] Satomura then congratulated Perez after the match, only for her (Perez) to collapse afterwards. Since this appearance, Satomura hasn't appeared on WWE programming.

Other media

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Satomura appeared in the 2000 documentary Gaea Girls made for the BBC by Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams.[citation needed] Satomura also attempted the Sponge Bridge course on Kinniku Banzuke.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Satomura's Official SENDAI Girls Website Profile". SENDAI Girls' Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  2. ^ Jay, Ella (July 26, 2024). "Report: WWE Star & Joshi Legend Meiko Satomura Preparing To Retire". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  3. ^ "GAEA Memorial First Gong In Korakuen « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on June 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "GAEA Splash J & Running G". CageMatch. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  5. ^ 2015年7月26日 Stardom×Stardom2015~真夏の祭典～. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). July 26, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Meltzer, Dave (July 27, 2015). "Mon update: More Hulk Hogan, HOF questions, WWE looking for replacement for Lee, WWE stock falls". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. ^ 【スターダム】紫雷イオが王座返り咲き. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 24, 2015. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Meiko Satomura » Matches". CageMatch. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "Mae Young Classic 2018 adds Japanese legend Meiko Satomura". WWE. July 27, 2018. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "Meiko Satomura reportedly set join WWE NXT UK". October 27, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  11. ^ ""Be prepared." @satomurameiko is coming to #NXTUK!". Twitter. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  12. ^ "Meiko Satomura Coming To NXT UK". Fightful. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  13. ^ COOK, RYAN (February 11, 2021). "WWE NXT UK Results for 2/11/21 Tag Team Street Fight Match". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Meiko Satomura Wins NXT UK Women's Championship". June 10, 2021. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Moore, John (August 23, 2022). "8/23 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs vs. Gallus for the NXT UK Tag Team Titles, Tiffany Stratton vs. Wendy Choo in a Lights Out match, NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate vs. Von Wagner in a non-title match, The Grayson Waller Effect with guest Apollo Crews". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  16. ^ Beaston, Erik. "WWE NXT Worlds Collide 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "2/14 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Wes Lee's open challenge for the NXT North American Championship, Tyler Bate vs. Grayson Waller, Roxanne Perez and Meiko Satomura vs. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, Charlie Dempsey vs. Hank Walker, Axiom vs. Damon Kemp, Tiffany Stratton vs. Thea Hail". February 15, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "WWE NXT Roadblock Results 3/7/2023". March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  19. ^ Cardoza, Adam (September 4, 2016). "9/4 Chikara King of Trios tournament final live report". Pro Wrestling Insider. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  20. ^ "FCP Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on August 19, 2016.
  21. ^ "Hustling Cup". CageMatch. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "High Spurt 600 Tournament 2001". CageMatch. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "Splash J & Running G Tournament". CageMatch. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Ross, Patrick (October 27, 2022). "Full 2022 PWI Women's 150 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ インフォメーション. Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  26. ^ "Result". Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  27. ^ "オカダが2年連続でプロレス大賞MVPを受賞！史上4人目の快挙だが、本人は「当たり前の結果」". Battle News (in Japanese). December 10, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  28. ^ 里村明衣子が赤いベルトを奪取！. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. July 26, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  29. ^ 2015年12月26日 スターダム・アワード2015発表会＆安川惡斗引退記念パーティーが開かれました. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  30. ^ "WWE NXT UK Women's Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
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