Unagi Sayaka

In this Japanese name, the surname is Unagi.
Unagi Sayaka
Sayaka in 2023
Born (1986-09-02) September 2, 1986 (age 38)[1]
Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
Websitehttps://unagisayaka.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
  • Himawari Unagi
  • Ichigo Sayaka[2]
  • Sayaka Unagi
  • Unagi Sayaka[3]
Billed height168 cm (5 ft 6 in)[4]
Billed weight54 kg (119 lb)
Trained byTokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling[5]
Debut2019[1]

Unagi Sayaka (ウナギ・サヤカ, Sayaka Unagi, born September 2, 1986)[3][4] is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. She is best known for her time with World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a former Artist of Stardom and Future of Stardom Champion.[6] In the Japanese independent scene, she worked for promotions such as Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW), All Japan Pro-Wrestling (AJPW), Gleat, Marvelous, Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Diana.

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (2019–2020)

[edit]

Unagi made her professional wrestling debut under the name Himawari Unagi on January 4 at the TJPW Tokyo Joshi Pro '19 show by teaming up with Saki Akai to face the team of Yumi and Yuki Kamifuku.[7] During her tenure with Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling she fought as a singles wrestler and competed against other well-known wrestlers such as Yuka Sakazaki at TJP Pinano Pipipipi Graduation Special on April 5, 2019,[8] Maki Itoh at TJPW Tokyo Princess Cup on August 8, 2020,[9] or Miyu Yamashita.[10]

Unagi, like many TJPW wrestlers, has also wrestled for parent promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling, and has appeared at DDT Peter Pan, making her first appearance at Wrestle Peter Pan 2019 on July 15, where she teamed up with Natsumi Maki and Yuna Manase in a losing effort to Rika Tatsumi and The Bakuretsu Sisters (Nodoka Tenma and Yuki Aino).[11]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2020–2022)

[edit]

Unagi debuted in World Wonder Ring Stardom on November 14, 2020, at the Korakuen New Landscape Event teaming up with Tam Nakano and Mina Shirakawa, as the newest member of Cosmic Angels, defeating Stars (Gokigen Death, Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Kid).[12] She began her tenure with Stardom as a tag team wrestler, and worked against different stables such as Donna Del Mondo (Himeka, Maika and Natsupoi)[13] and Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe and Saya Kamitani). On December 16, at Road To Osaka Dream Cinderella, Cosmic Angels defeated Oedo Tai (Bea Priestley, Natsuko Tora and Saki Kashima), to win Unagi's first title of her career, the Artist of Stardom Championship.[14] At Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020 on December 20, they scored their successful title defense against Stars (Gokigen Death, Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Kid).[15]

At Stardom 10th Anniversary Show on January 17, 2021, Unagi unsuccessfully challenged Saya Iida for the Future of Stardom Championship.[16] On March 3, 2021, at All Star Dream Cinderella, Unagi won a 24-person All-Star Rumble featuring wrestlers from the promotion's past, such as Chigusa Nagayo, Kyoko Inoue, Yoko Bito and Yuzuki Aikawa.[17] At Stardom Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 on April 4, Unagi fell short to Saya Kamitani in a singles match.[18] On the first night of the Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2021 from April 10, she defeated Natsuko Tora in a Cinderella Tournament First-round match.[19] In the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2021 she fought in the Block B and scored a total of nine points after competing against Syuri, Saya Kamitani, Takumi Iroha, Konami, Utami Hayashishita, Tam Nakano, Maika, AZM and Ruaka.[20] At Stardom 10th Anniversary Grand Final Osaka Dream Cinderella on October 9, 2021, she dropped the Future of Stardom Championship to Ruaka.[21] Unagi participated in the Stardom Super Wars trilogy of events, making her first appearance on November 3, 2021, at Kawasaki Super Wars where she unsuccessfully challenged stablemate Tam Nakano for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.[22] At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, she teamed up with Lady C in a losing effort against AZM and Momo Watanabe.[23] At Osaka Super Wars, the last event of the trilogy which took place on December 18, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Tam Nakano in a losing effort against Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki and Koguma in a Six-woman tag team match as part of a ¥10 Million Unit tournament.[24] At Stardom Dream Queendom on December 29, 2021, Unagi teamed up with Mai Sakurai and Mina Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challenge MaiHimePoi (Maika, Natsupoi and Himeka) for the Artist of Stardom Championship.[25]

Unagi on the second night of the Stardom World Climax 2022 from March 27.

At Stardom Nagoya Supreme Fight on January 29, 2022, Unagi unsuccessfully challenged Saya Kamitani for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.[26] At Stardom Cinderella Journey on February 23, 2020, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challenge FWC (Hazuki and Koguma) for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[27] At Stardom New Blood 1 on March 11, 2022, she teamed up with Waka Tsukiyama in a losing effort against Marvelous (Maria and Ai Houzan).[28] On the first night of the Stardom World Climax 2022 from March 26, Unagi teamed up with Tam Nakano to unsuccessfully face Mayu Iwatani and a returning Kairi.[29] On the second night from March 27, she participated in a 18-women Cinderella Rumble match won by Mei Suruga and also involving various wrestlers from other promotions such as Tomoka Inaba, Aoi, Haruka Umesaki, Nanami, Yuna Mizumori and others from Stardom.[30] Unagi made it to the second rounds in the Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2022 where she was defeated by Natsupoi on April 10.[31] At Stardom Golden Week Fight Tour on May 5, 2022, Unagi teamed up with Tam Nakano and Mina Shirakawa to defeat Queen's Quest's Utami Hayashishita, AZM & Lady C.[32] At Stardom New Blood 2 on May 13, 2022, she teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Haruka Umesaki to defeat YoungOED (Starlight Kid, Ruaka and Rina).[33] At Stardom Flashing Champions on May 28, 2022, Unagi teamed up with Mina Shirakawa and Waka Tsukiyama, falling short to Prominence (Suzu Suzuki, Akane Fujita and Mochi Natsumi).[34] At Stardom Fight in the Top on June 26, 2022, she fought in a three-way match won by Ruaka and also involving Lady C.[35] At Stardom New Blood 3 on July 8, 2022, she teamed up with Mina Shirakawa, Yuko Sakurai and Rina Amikura in a losing effort against Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid, Ruaka & Rina) and Haruka Umesaki.[36] At Mid Summer Champions in Tokyo, the first event of the Stardom Mid Summer Champions series which took place on July 9, 2022, she teamed up with Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa, Saki and Hikari Shimizu to defeat Donna Del Mondo (Giulia, Maika, Himeka, Natsupoi and Mai Sakurai).[37] At Mid Summer Champions in Nagoya on July 24, she teamed up again with Shirakawa and Shimizu, this time in a three-way match won by Prominence (Risa Sera, Hiragi Kurumi and Suzu Suzuki), and also involving Queen's Quest (Lady C, Hina and Miyu Amasaki).[38] At Stardom in Showcase vol.1 on July 23, 2022, Unagi competed in a comedic Cosmic rules three-way match in which she battled Saki and Mina Shirakawa into a no-contest.[39] At Stardom in Showcase vol.2 on September 25, 2022, she competed in another match of its kind, this time by teaming up with Shirakawa against Saki and Hikari Shimizu, and Tam Nakano and Natsupoi. The match result was again a no contest.[40] At Stardom x Stardom: Nagoya Midsummer Encounter on August 21, 2022, she teamed up with Saki an Shirakawa to unsuccessfully challenge Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid and Saki Kashima for the Artist of Stardom Championship.[41] At the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2022, Unagi fought in the "Red Stars" block, scoring only four points after competing against Tam Nakao, Himeka, Maika, Risa Sera, AZM, Utami Hayashishita, Koguma, Syuri, Saki Kashima, Saki, Mai Sakura and Momo Kohgo.[42] Sayaka Unagi announced on October 4, 2022, that she has become a temporal free agent. However, Unagi stated that she would remain a member of Cosmic Angels.[43] It was reported that Unagi was however still signed to the company as she was only on an unpaid hiatus. She returned for a one night only show, the Stardom in Showcase vol.3 from November 26, 2022, where she teamed up with Tam Nakano and Natsupoi in a losing effort against Prominence (Hiragi Kurumi, Risa Sera and Suzu Suzuki) as a result of a Six-Woman Hardcore Tag Team Match.[44]

Freelancing (2022–present)

[edit]
Sayaka in May 2023

After taking a break from Stardom to start a freelance period, Unagi began wandering the Japanese independent circuit. She made her debut in Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out on October 7, 2022, where she defeated Aoi. She was involved in a storyline with Tomoka Inaba as she challenged her for the Queen of JTO Championship.[45] Unagi competed for Marvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling's vacant AAAW Single Championship in a tournament on December 4, 2022, also involving Tomoko Watanabe, Rin Kadokura, Mio Momono, Ai Houzan, Queen Aminata, Maria, Riko Kawahata, Chikayo Nagashima and Yuna Manase. She came out unsuccessfully in the process.[46] She took part in the 2023 edition of Pro Wrestling Zero1's Fire Festival, becoming the first ever female competitor of the tournament and placing herself in the A block where she faced Takuya Sugawara, Junya Matsunaga, Mizuki Watase, Yuko Miyamoto and Masato Tanaka.[47]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Sayaka as the both Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion and Kitsune World Champion in 2024

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Unagi Sayaka/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved March 3, 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. ^ a b ウナギ・サヤカ. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Saalbach, Axel. "Unagi Sayaka • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "Joshi Wrestler Profiles - Unagi Sayaka". joshicity.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Unagi Sayaka Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tjp Tokyo Joshi Pro '19". metareel.com. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Source Of Wrestling Releases (April 6, 2019). "WOMEN WRESTLING TJPW.Pinano.Pipipipi.Graduation.Special.2019.04.05 DDT.Universe". wrestling-home.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  9. ^ Glacier, Robert (July 23, 2020). "Tokyo Princess Cup Participants Announced". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  10. ^ Dark angel (July 26, 2019). "TJP: "Tokyo Joshi 2019 Summer" The dispute for a new title begins". superluchas.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  11. ^ DDT Pro-Wrestling (July 15, 2019). "Wrestle Peter Pan 2019". ddtpro.com (in Japanese). Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  12. ^ Richards, Alex (November 14, 2020). "Unagi Sayaka Debuts, New Champions Crowned At Stardom Show". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  13. ^ We Are Stardom (November 25, 2020). "Sunday November 29 is in Morioka!". twitter.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Richards, Alex (December 16, 2020). "#AndNEW: Cosmic Angels Win Artist Of Stardom Championships". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  15. ^ Richards, Alex (December 20, 2020). "Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella News Roundup (12/20/20)". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  16. ^ Duffy, John (January 18, 2021). "Utami and Giulia successfully retain at STARDOM's 10th Anniversary show". diva-dirt.com. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Pollock, John (March 3, 2021). "Tam Nakano wins Wonder of Stardom Championship from Giulia". postwrestling.com. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  18. ^ Walsh, Shannon (April 4, 2021). "STAR ANNOUNCES SHE IS LEAVING JAPAN & MORE: 4/4 STARDOM YOKOHAMA DREAM CINDERELLA 2021 IN SPRING PPV RESULTS". pwinsider.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  19. ^ World Wonder Ring Stardom (April 10, 2021). ""CINDERELLA TOURNAMENT 2021" April 10 (Sat) Korakuen Hall (606 spectators / limited number of corona measures)". wwr-stardom.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  20. ^ Richards, Alex (July 4, 2021). "Stardom Announces 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Lineup". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  21. ^ "2021年10月9日 『10th Anniversary GRAND FINAL OSAKA DREAM CINDERELLA 2021 ～大阪めっちゃスターダム～』". World Wonder Ring Stardom. October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  22. ^ "2021年11月3日 『KAWASAKI SUPER WARS ～川崎超女大戦～』". World Wonder Ring Stardom. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  23. ^ Peterson, Karen (November 27, 2021). "Stardom Tokyo Super Wars Report: Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika, Nakano vs. Shirakawa". postwrestling.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  24. ^ WrestlingwithDemons (December 18, 2021). "12/18 STARDOM OSAKA SUPER WARS PPV REPORT". pwinsider.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Rose, Bryan (December 29, 2021). "NEW WORLD OF STARDOM CHAMPION CROWNED AT DREAM QUEENDOM". f4wonline.com. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  26. ^ Summers, Adam (January 30, 2022). "Big Audio Nightmare: Stardom Nagoya Supreme Fight review". f4wonline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  27. ^ Peterson, Karen (February 23, 2022). "STARDOM Cinderella Journey Nagaoka: Saya Kamitani vs. Natsupoi, AZM vs. Starlight Kid". postwrestling.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  28. ^ Richards, Alex (March 11, 2022). "Miyu Amasaki Joins Queen's Quest". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 26, 2022). "STARDOM World Climax 2022: The Best Results (3/26): Kairi Sane (KAIRI) Returns To The Ring". fightful.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  30. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 27, 2022). "STARDOM World Climax 2022: The Top Results (3/27): KAIRI vs. Starlight Kid, Syuri vs. Mayu Iwatani". fightful.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  31. ^ Daly, Wayne (April 10, 2022). "STARDOM Results: Cinderella Tournament 2022 Day 2 – Osaka, Japan (4/10)". wrestling-news.net. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  32. ^ Peterson, Karen (May 5, 2022). "STARDOM Fukuoka Goddess Festival: Saya Kamitani vs. Maika, Goddesses of Stardom match". postwrestling.com. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Tokyo Sports (May 13, 2022). 【スターダム】赤の王者・朱里が世羅の暴行でＫＯ 高笑いの世羅は「同じ目に合わせてやるからな！」. tokyo-sports.co.jp. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  34. ^ Richards, Alex (May 28, 2022). "Stardom Flashing Champions 2022 News Round-Up". lastwordonsports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  35. ^ Peterson, Karen (June 27, 2022). "Stardom Fight in the Top Report: Six-Woman Tag Cage Match, Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi". postwrestling.com. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  36. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 8, 2022). "STARDOM NEW BLOOD 3 Results (7/8/22) / MIRAI vs. Suzu Suzuki, Miyu Amasaki vs. Giulia, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Peterson, Karen (July 9, 2022). "Stardom MidSummer Champions Report – Syuri vs. Momo Watanabe; Saya Kamitani vs. Starlight Kid". postwrestling.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  38. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 24, 2022). "STARDOM MidSummer Champions 2022 In Nagoya Results (7/24/22) / Syuri vs. Tam Nakano, More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  39. ^ Edwards, Scott (July 23, 2022). "STARDOM in SHOWCASE Vol. 1 Results (7/23/22) / Coffin Match, Prominence vs. Donna del Mondo, More". fightful.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  40. ^ Edwards, Scott (September 24, 2022). "STARDOM in SHOWCASE Vol. 2 Results (9/25/22): Starlight Kid vs. Suzu Suzuki, Giulia & Rina Yamashita Team, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  41. ^ Dark Angel (August 26, 2022). "Stardom: «Stardom x Stardom 2022 Nagoya Midsummer Encouter [sic]» 5 titles at stake". superluchas.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  42. ^ Richards, Alex (October 1, 2022). "STARDOM 5STAR GRAND PRIX 2022 FINAL (OCTOBER 1) RESULTS & REVIEW". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  43. ^ Black, Matt (October 4, 2022). "Unagi Sayaka announces she is leaving Stardom and will be a free agent". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  44. ^ Breward, Trent (November 26, 2022). "STARDOM in Showcase Vol.3 Review – 11.26.22". monthlypuroresu.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  45. ^ Dark Angel (October 14, 2022). "JTO: Tomoka Inaba retains title; Unagi Sayaka introduces herself". superluchas.com. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  46. ^ E. Wrestling, Scott (November 29, 2022). "MARVELOUS AAAW 1-DAY TOURNAMENT (DECEMBER 4) PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS". voicesofwrestling.com. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  47. ^ Dark Angelita (June 6, 2023). "Zero1: "Fire Festival 2023" Grupos y calendario". superluchas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  48. ^ "Ironman Heavymetalweight Title". wrestling-titles.com. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  49. ^ Carlin, James (November 11, 2023). "Kitsune Wrestling Expands into Tokyo with November Showcase".
  50. ^ Fain, Thom (January 6, 2023). "Unagi Sayaka Continues Epic Freelance Run with JTO Girls Title Win". Monthly Puroresu.
  51. ^ Internet Wrestling Database. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 250 Female for 2024". profightdb.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  52. ^ "Artist Of Stardom Title History". wrestling-titles.com. December 16, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  53. ^ "Future Of Stardom Title History". wrestling-titles.com. July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  54. ^ 2021年9月25日　『5★STAR GP 2021 ～最終戦＆優勝決定戦～』. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). September 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  55. ^ Pollock, John (January 3, 2022). "STARDOM 2021 award winners". postwrestling.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
[edit]
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