Natsuko Tora

Natsuko Tora
Tora in 2019
Born (1991-01-30) January 30, 1991 (age 33)[1]
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Natsuko Tora[1]
Night Bear
Billed height1.54 m (5 ft 1⁄2 in)[1]
Billed weight75 kg (165 lb)[1]
Billed fromKawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan[1]
Trained byWorld Wonder Ring Stardom
DebutOctober 30, 2016[1]

Natsuko Tora (刀羅 ナツコ, Tōra Natsuko, born January 30, 1991)[1] is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is currently signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the leader of H.A T.E.[1]

Tora is a former two-time Artist of Stardom Champion and one-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion.

Professional wrestling career

World Wonder Ring Stardom

J.A.N. (2016–2018)

On October 30, 2016, Tora made her professional wrestling debut where she teamed with Arisu Nanase as the two faced Azumi and Kaori Yoneyama in a losing effort.[1][2] In 2017, Tora joined "Team Jungle", a group that involved the likes of Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona and Yoneyama.[2] The group was later named "J.A.N.", an acronym for Jungle Assault Nation.[2] On May 21, 2017, Tora received her first title match where she teamed with Kyona and Mayu Iwatani as they challenged Hiromi Mimura, Kairi Hojo and Konami for the Artist of Stardom Championship, but were unsuccessful.[3]

On May 27, 2018, Tora, alongside Kyona and Yoneyama, defeated Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Hazuki and Kagetsu) to win the vacant Artist of Stardom Championship.[4] The trio held the title until September 30, when they lost the title to Stars (Iwatani, Saki Kashima and Tam Nakano) during the afternoon show.[5] On the evening show on the same day, Tora, alongside Kyona defeated Iwatani and Kashima to win the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[6] At Mask Fiesta 2018 on October 28, Tora, under the ring name Night Bear, teamed up with Bear Dog and Black Jungle Fairy in a loss to Dame de Panko, La Gatita and Mayuchica.[7][8] Kyona and Tora held the Goddesses of Stardom Championship until November 23, when they lost the title to Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita).[9] On December 16, Tora challenged Watanabe for the Wonder of Stardom Championship during the main event on the sixth day of Goddesses of Stars show, but was unsuccessful.[10]

Oedo Tai (2018–present)

On April 14, 2019, during the second annual draft, Tora was drafted to Oedo Tai after Kyona lost a five-way match, causing J.A.N. to disbanded.[11][2] With Tora arrival to Oedo Tai, Tora embraced her villainous side.[2] Tora became the leader of Oedo Tai with the former leader Kagetsu retiring.[2] On March 24, 2020, Tora competed in the annual Cinderella Tournament and succeeded to advance to the finals where she was defeated by Giulia.[12] On November 14, Tora, alongside Bea Priestley and Kashima, defeated Donna Del Mondo (Giulia, Maika and Syuri) to win the Artist of Stardom Championship.[13] On December 16, Tora, alongside Kashima and Priestley, lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to Cosmic Angels (Mina Shirakawa, Nakano and Unagi Sayaka).[14]

On January 17, 2021, at Stardom 10th Anniversary Show, Tora challenged Giulia for the Wonder of Stardom Championship in a no disqualification match, but was unsuccessful.[15] On July 7, Tora challenged Hayashishita for the World of Stardom Championship during the main event of Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer, however, the match was stopped by the referee after Tora suffered an injury, which was later confirmed to be a torn ACL.[16]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "刀羅 ナツコ". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese).
  2. ^ a b c d e f Richards, Alex (March 20, 2020). "Star Gazing: "Oedo Tai Leader" Natsuko Tora". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Stardom Gold May 2017 Recap & Review – May 21, 2017". Wrestling House Show. May 21, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Sarpraicone, Mathew (June 20, 2018). "Stardom Shining Stars Night Show Results & Review (5/27/2018)". The Chair Shot. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  5. ^ 2018年9月30日 5★STAR Grand Champion Carnival2018 （昼）. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  6. ^ a b 2018年9月30日 5★STAR Grand Champion Carnival2018 （夜）. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  7. ^ 2018年10月28日　MASK FIESTA 2018. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 28, 2018). "Stardom Mask Fiesta 2018". Cagematch. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  9. ^ 22018年11月23日 BEST OF GODDESSES 2018. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). September 23, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  10. ^ 2018年12月16日 GODDESSES OF STARS 2018. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  11. ^ Murray, Dylan (January 17, 2020). "Star Gazing: Jungle Kyona". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  12. ^ Richards, Alex (March 24, 2020). "Stardom Cinderella Tournament (March 24) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling.
  13. ^ a b Richards, Alex (November 14, 2020). "Unagi Sayaka Debuts, New Champions Crowned At Stardom Show". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  14. ^ Richards, Alex (December 16, 2020). "#AndNEW: Cosmic Angels Win Artist Of Stardom Championships". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  15. ^ 2021年1月17日 『スターダム１０周年記念日』. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Richards, Alex (July 5, 2021). "Stardom Confirms Natsuko Tora has Torn ACL". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  17. ^ Internet Wrestling Database. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 250 Female for 2024". profightdb.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  18. ^ 「５★ＳＴＡＲ　ＧＰ2023」表彰式. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 4, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Pollock, John (January 3, 2022). "STARDOM 2021 award winners". postwrestling.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  20. ^ 2018年12月24日 スターダムアワードで2018年の全日程終了!. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 25, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
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