Saori Anou

Saori Anou
Anou in July 2022
Born (1991-02-01) February 1, 1991 (age 33)[1]
Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Black Poteko
Countess Saori[2]
Saori Anou
Billed height160 cm (5 ft 3 in)[3]
Billed weight56 kg (123 lb)
Trained byYuna Manase
Debut2015

Saori Anou (安納サオリ, Anō Saori, born February 1, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom. She is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotion Actwres girl'Z and her freelance appearances in promotions such as Oz Academy and Ice Ribbon.[4] She is the former ICE Cross Infinity Champion in Ice Ribbon.[5] In Stardom, she is a member of Cosmic Angels and is a former two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion.

Professional wrestling career

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Actwres girl'Z (2015–2019)

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Saori Anou debuted as a professional wrestler at the inaugural Actwres girl'Z show, AgZ Prologue on May 31, 2015. Until her departure from the company in December 2019, Anou was one of AgZ's biggest and most important stars for the promotion. On November 15, 2018, Anou defeated SAKI in the finals of the AgZ Title Tournament and became the promotion's first champion.[6] Anou would go on to lose the title to Reika Saiki on August 19, 2019. Anou would make two appearances in AgZ in 2021, including Act Yasukawa's return match.[7]

Independent circuit (2015–present)

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Anou at a Nomad's event in April 2023

As a freelancer, Anou is known for competing in various promotions. At a house show hosted by Pure-J on October 9, 2017, she teamed up with Natsumi Maki and unsuccessfully challenged Command Bolshoi and Leon for the Daily Sports Tag Team Championship.[8] At W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2018 Autumn Bout, an event promoted by Wrestle-1 on November 1, 2018, Anou teamed up with Natsumi Maki in a losing effort to Hana Kimura and Asuka.[9] At Seadlinnng Shin-Kiba 11th NIGHT' on April 12, 2019, Anou teamed up with Miyuki Takase and Himeka Arita in a losing effort to Hiroyo Matsumoto, Makoto and Yoshiko.[10] At Zero1 Super Fireworks, an event promoted by Pro Wrestling Zero1 on February 24, 2020, she teamed up with Mayumi Ozaki against Aja Kong and Hiroyo Matsumoto who was the Blast Queen Champion in a Super Plasma Blast Deathmatch which was also for the title but failed to capture it.[11]

World Wonder Ring Stardom

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(2015–2017)

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Anou stepped into World Wonder Ring Stardom for a brief period of time. She is known for competing in various events such as the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, making her first appearance at the 2016 edition where she teamed up with Hiromi Mimura, placing themselves in the Block A and scoring one point after facing the teams of Twisted Sisters (Holidead and Thunder Rosa), Chelsea Green and Santana Garrett, and Kairi Hojo and Yoko Bito.[12] At Stardom Year-End Climax 2016 on December 22, she teamed up with Kaori Yoneyama in a losing effort to Natsuko Tora and Jungle Kyona and Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura and Kris Wolf) as a result of a three-way tag team match.[13]

(2023–present)

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Anou returned to Stardom in April 2023, agreeing to tag with Kairi and Natsupoi to take on Prominence at Stardom All Star Grand Queendom for the Artist of Stardom Championship. At the Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2023 before that, Anou joined Cosmic Angels after Mina Shirakawa and Waka Tsukiyama left the group.[14] On April 23, 2023, at All Star Grand Queendom, Anou alongside Kairi and Natsupoi defeated Prominence (Hiragi Kurumi, Risa Sera and Suzu Suzuki) to win the Artist of Stardom Championship.[15] On May 27, at Flashing Champions, REStart lost their title to the Baribari Bombers (Giulia, Mai Sakurai and Thekla), ending their reign at 34 days.[16] At Stardom x Stardom: Osaka Summer Team on August 13, Anou and Natsupoi won the Goddesses of Stardom Championship by defeating Rose Gold.[17] At Dream Queendom 2023, Anou won the Wonder of Stardom Championship by defeating Mirai.[18]

DDT Pro Wrestling (2017–2018, 2020–present)

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Anou has made sporadic appearances for DDT Pro Wrestling during the years. Her first match took place at DDT YAROZ Part 4 on February 14, 2017, where she defeated Tam Nakano.[19] At DDT Live! Maji Manji #11 on July 10, 2018, she competed in an 7-person survival battle royal for the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship also involving Konosuke Takeshita, Kudo, Toru Owashi, Masahiro Takanashi, Nobuhiro Shimatani and Saki Akai.[20]

She also competed in signature events of the promotion such as DDT Peter Pan. On the first night of Wrestle Peter Pan 2020 on June 6, she teamed up with Hiroshi Yamato to defeat Haruka Kato and Keisuke Ishii.[21]

Ice Ribbon (2017–present)

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Anou also made appearances for Ice Ribbon. At New Ice Ribbon #974 on August 3, 2019, she teamed up with Maika Ozaki and unsuccessfully challenged Giulia and Tequila Saya for the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship.[22] At New Ice Ribbon #1090 on December 31, 2020, Anou unsuccessfully challenged Suzu Suzuki for the ICE Cross Infinity Championship.[23] On June 26, 2022, Anou defeated Yuki Mashiro to win the vacant ICE Cross Infinity Championship.[5] At New Ice Ribbon #1267 on March 19, 2023, Anou dropped the title to Satsuki Totoro, ending her reign at 266 days.[24]

Oz Academy (2017–present)

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Anou is known for competing in Oz Academy. She made her first appearance in the promotion at OZ Academy Plum Hanasaku 2017 on August 20 where she teamed up with Command Bolshoi and Aoi Kizuki in a losing effort to Kaori Yoneyama, Rina Yamashita and Sakura Hirota as a result of a six-woman tag team match.[25] When competing in the promotion, she is part of the Ozaki-gun stable. At OZ Academy You Might Think on October 7, 2018, she teamed up with stablemates Mayumi Ozaki and Yumi Ohka in a losing effort to Borderless (Rina Yamashita and Yoshiko) and Hikaru Shida.[26] At Something is Happening Tonight on August 25, 2019, Anou teamed up with Maya Yukihi and defeated Beast Friend (Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kaori Yoneyama) to win the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship.[27] At OZ Academy Plum Hanasaku 2020 ~ OZ No Kuni Buntai Final on August 28, 2020, she unsuccessfully challenged Mayumi Ozaki for the Oz Academy Openweight Championship.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

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Anou is a former one-time ICE Cross Infinity Champion

Notes

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  1. ^ Anou's first reign was when the championship was called the AgZ Championship.[29] During her reign, the title was re-named to the AWG Single Championship.[30]

References

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  1. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Saori Anou • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Ross, Jamie (September 1, 2023). "Sukeban, New NYC-Based Joshi Promotion Set to Hold First Event on September 21st, Full Roster Revealed". WrestlePurists. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Saori Anou/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Saori Anou Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  6. ^ "安納サオリが初代アクトレスガールズ王座を戴冠！ジュエリーブランド製作の高級ベルトを巻き「それなりの価値がある女だと思う」". バトル・ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  7. ^ "「体重も20kg落ちた」6年ぶりに"惡の女優魂"安川惡斗が一夜限りの復活！". バトル・ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  8. ^ Pure-J (October 9, 2017). 【試合結果】１０月９日（月・祝）両国・ＫＦＣホール １３時. jwp-produce.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Dark angel (November 9, 2019). "W-1: "Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Autumn Bout"". superluchas.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  10. ^ Seadlinnng (April 12, 2019). 「SEAdLINNNG～SHINKIBA 11th NIGHT!」★2019年４月12日(金)東京・新木場１ｓｔＲＩＮＧ 観衆＝238人. seadlinnng.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  11. ^ Pro Wrestling Zero1 (February 24, 2020). 超花火超花火プロレス旗揚げ記念大会. z-1.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved August 24, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Pro Wrestling History. "Goddesses of Stardom Tag Title League History". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  13. ^ Wilson, Kevin (January 1, 2017). "STARDOM YEAR END CLIMAX 2016 (DECEMBER 22) REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  14. ^ Peterson, Karen (April 15, 2023). "STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Final Report: Winner is crowned". postwrestling.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Fritts, Chick (April 23, 2023). "Stardom All Star Grand Queendom live results: Mercedes Mone vs. Mayu Iwatani Giulia faces Tam Nakano in the show's main event". f4wonline.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Edwards, Scott (May 27, 2023). "STARDOM Flashing Champions 2023 Results (5/27/23): Tam Nakano vs. Mina Shirakawa". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Edwards, Scott (August 13, 2023). "STARDOM x STARDOM 2023 Results (8/13/23): Tam Nakano, Mayu Iwatani, And More". Fightful. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  18. ^ Edwards, Scott (December 29, 2023). "Stardom Dream Queendom 2023 Results (12/29/23): Suzu Suzuki vs. Maika, More". Fightful. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  19. ^ DDT Pro Wrestling (February 14, 2017). "DDT ProWrestling" 野郎Z其の四 【会場】東京・新木場1stRING. ddtpro.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  20. ^ DDT Pro Wrestling (July 10, 2018). "DDT ProWrestling" DDT LIVE！ マジ卍 #11 2018年7月10日. ddtpro.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  21. ^ DDT Pro Wrestling (July 6, 2020). "DDT ProWrestling" WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020【DAY1】. ddtpro.com. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  22. ^ Ice Ribbon (August 3, 2019). ◆2019年08月03日 開始時間 12時00分～ ／ 開場時刻 11時30分 大阪リボン2019・III. iceribbon.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  23. ^ Ice Ribbon (December 31, 2020). ◆2020年12月31日 開始時間 11時30分～ ／ 開場時刻 10時45分 アイスリボン後楽園大会「RIBBONMANIA2020」. iceribbon.com (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  24. ^ Thompson, Andrew (March 19, 2023). "Hikaru Shida & Ibuki Hoshi Lose Ice Ribbon International Ribbon Tag Team Titles". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Purolove (August 20, 2017). "OZ Academy "PLUM HANASAKU ~ COUNTRY OF OZ 2017", 20.08.2017 (GAORA TV) Tokyo Korakuen Hall". purolove.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  26. ^ Oz Academy (October 7, 2018). 10月7日新宿大会試合結果超速報！～志田光＆山下りな＆AKINOが正危軍を撃破！. oz-academy.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  27. ^ "This Month in Joshi Wrestling – May". The Pro Wrestling Journal. 7 June 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  28. ^ Garza (August 28, 2020). "OZ ACADEMY PLUM HANASAKU ~ OZ NO KUNI BUNTAI FINAL". thewrestlingrevolution.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  29. ^ a b c "【試合結果】11･15 Beginning後楽園ホール大会 安納サオリvs沙紀 万喜なつみ＆関口翔vs高瀬みゆき＆有田ひめか 本間多恵＆角田奈穂vs茉莉＆清水ひかり". battle-news.com (in Japanese). November 16, 2018.
  30. ^ "アクトレスガールズ ～Actwres Girl'Z Beginning 新木場大会～ 才木玲佳が新王者". miruhon.net (in Japanese). August 18, 2019.
  31. ^ Wrestling Titles (July 25, 2021). "Ironman Heavymetalweight Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  32. ^ Wrestling Titles (August 18, 2021). "OZ Academy Tag Team Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  33. ^ 【1/10新宿】試合結果速報～ベストバウト、MVP、さらにタッグ戦の行方は!?. Oz Academy (in Japanese). January 10, 2021. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  34. ^ "【22.1.9新宿】試合結果～2021MVPは雪妃魔矢！全試合くじ引きで決定するも、火災報知器作動にて大会中断". Oz Academy (in Japanese). January 1, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "【24.1.7新宿】全試合結果～OZの至宝マーベラスに流出！トーナメントは尾崎・加藤が罰ゲーム決定！" (in Japanese). Oz Academy. January 4, 2024. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  36. ^ 2018年Best Wizard詳細～ファンの皆さまによるベストバウト＆MVP投票をじっくり発表！. Oz Academy (in Japanese). January 8, 2019. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  37. ^ Internet Wrestling Database. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 250 Female for 2024". profightdb.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  38. ^ Wrestling Titles (March 20, 2021). "POP (Princess of Pro-Wrestling) Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  39. ^ Fain, Thom (January 21, 2024). "STARDOM AWARD 2023 Winners & Photo Gallery". Monthly Puroresu. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  40. ^ Goodwin, Rob (September 4, 2024). "NEWS: Stardom Announce Awards for 5Star Grand Prix Ahead of Korakuen Hall". thestardomcast.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
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