Early Life

Lioness Asuka, born as Tomoko Kitamura on July 28, 1963, in Kanagawa, Japan, was drawn to professional wrestling early in her life. Although detailed information about her childhood is limited, it is known that she trained at the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) dojo.

Asuka made her professional wrestling debut on June 28, 1980, at just 16 years old, competing against Chigusa Nagayo, who would later become her tag team partner. They formed the highly successful tag team known as The Crush Gals. During her time at the AJW dojo, she was trained by notable wrestlers, including the legendary Jaguar Yokota.

Asuka quickly gained recognition for her high-flying moves, strong strikes, and technical skills, which helped her establish a reputation as one of Japan’s most talented female wrestlers. Throughout her early career, she participated in various singles and tag team matches, accumulating experience and solidifying her status in the wrestling world.

Early Training

Lioness Asuka received her training at the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) dojo, which was known for producing many of Japan’s top female wrestlers. The dojo provided a rigorous training environment for aspiring wrestlers to learn the fundamentals, master techniques, and develop their in-ring abilities.

One of Asuka’s most notable trainers during her time at the AJW dojo was the legendary Jaguar Yokota. Yokota was a highly accomplished wrestler in her own right and was renowned for her technical prowess, aerial maneuvers, and innovative moves. As a trainer, Yokota played a significant role in shaping Asuka’s wrestling style and honing her skills.

Under the tutelage of Yokota and other experienced wrestlers at the AJW dojo, Asuka refined her striking abilities, grappling skills, and high-flying moves. This intensive training prepared her for a successful career in the professional wrestling world, ultimately leading to her becoming one of the most talented and respected female wrestlers in Japan.

Career

Lioness Asuka’s early career began when she made her professional wrestling debut on June 28, 1980, at the age of 16. She faced Chigusa Nagayo, who would later become her tag team partner in the iconic duo known as The Crush Gals.

In the early stages of her career, Asuka competed in both singles and tag team matches, rapidly gaining experience and honing her skills. Her athletic ability, high-flying moves, and strong striking skills helped her stand out as a promising talent in the world of Japanese women’s wrestling.

As she continued to develop her skills and reputation, Asuka began to capture titles and accolades. In 1981, she won her first championship, the AJW Junior Championship. This early success marked the beginning of her rise to prominence in the Japanese wrestling scene.

The turning point in her early career came when she formed the tag team The Crush Gals with Chigusa Nagayo. The duo quickly gained popularity due to their charisma, in-ring chemistry, and exceptional wrestling abilities. The Crush Gals became a major draw for the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling promotion throughout the 1980s. They held the WWWA World Tag Team Championship multiple times, engaging in memorable feuds with other prominent tag teams like The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) and The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin).

Asuka abd and Chigusa Nagayo

Rivalries

During her career, Lioness Asuka had several rivalries that helped shape her legacy in professional wrestling. Some of the most notable rivalries include:

The Crush Gals vs. The Jumping Bomb Angels:

The Crush Gals (Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo) had an intense rivalry with The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki). The two tag teams faced off in numerous matches throughout the 1980s, competing for the prestigious WWWA World Tag Team Championship. These matches showcased the incredible athleticism and skill of all four wrestlers and helped elevate women’s wrestling in Japan.

The Crush Gals vs. The Glamour Girls:

Another prominent rivalry in Lioness Asuka’s career was against The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin). The Glamour Girls, an American tag team, competed against The Crush Gals in the late 1980s for the WWWA World Tag Team Championship. The matches between these two teams featured a clash of styles and cultures, with The Crush Gals representing Japanese wrestling and The Glamour Girls representing American wrestling. This rivalry helped to further solidify Asuka’s status as a top-tier wrestler in the international wrestling scene.

Lioness Asuka vs. Chigusa Nagayo:

Although Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo were tag team partners as The Crush Gals, they also had a rivalry as singles competitors. The two wrestlers faced each other in several high-profile matches, often competing for singles championships. This friendly rivalry between Asuka and Nagayo added depth to their partnership and showcased their individual abilities as top wrestlers.

These rivalries played a significant role in shaping Lioness Asuka’s career and contributed to her becoming a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling. The intense matches and memorable feuds with her rivals helped to elevate both Asuka and the entire Japanese women’s wrestling scene.

Private Life

There is limited information available about Lioness Asuka’s personal life, as she has maintained a relatively private life outside the ring. It is known that her real name is Tomoko Kitamura, and she was born on July 28, 1963, in Kanagawa, Japan.

Outside of wrestling, Asuka has occasionally appeared in Japanese media, including television shows and movies. For example, she appeared in the Japanese movie “Kessen! Minami no Shima de Supponpon” (1990) alongside other professional wrestlers.

Awards & Titles

Throughout her illustrious career, Lioness Asuka has won numerous championships and accolades. While it is difficult to list every single achievement, some of her most notable awards and accomplishments include:

AJW Junior Championship:

Asuka won her first championship in 1981 when she captured the AJW Junior Championship, an early indication of her rising success in the world of professional wrestling.

WWWA World Tag Team Championship:

As one half of the iconic tag team The Crush Gals, Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo won the WWWA World Tag Team Championship multiple times, solidifying their status as one of the most successful and popular tag teams in Japanese women’s wrestling history.

WWWA World Single Championship:

Lioness Asuka also achieved significant success as a singles competitor, winning the prestigious WWWA World Single Championship on several occasions. This title win showcased her prowess and skill as an individual wrestler.

AJW All Pacific Championship:

Asuka captured the AJW All Pacific Championship, further establishing her as one of the top female wrestlers in Japan.

Tag Team of the Year (1985):

As part of The Crush Gals, Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo were awarded Tag Team of the Year in 1985 by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This accolade recognized their impact on the wrestling world and their exceptional in-ring performances.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1997):

In recognition of her contributions to the wrestling industry, Lioness Asuka was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1997, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential and accomplished female wrestlers of all time.

These awards and accolades highlight Lioness Asuka’s remarkable career and her impact on the world of professional wrestling.

Retirement

Lioness Asuka officially retired from professional wrestling on April 29, 2005. She held a retirement ceremony at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, where her final match took place. In her retirement match, Asuka teamed up with her longtime partner Chigusa Nagayo as The Crush Gals, facing the team of Aja Kong and Amazing Kong.

The retirement event was a celebration of Asuka’s long and successful career, and it included several notable wrestlers from the Japanese wrestling scene. The match itself was a fitting conclusion to her in-ring career, as she was able to share the ring with her legendary tag team partner one last time.

After retiring from active competition, Asuka remained involved in the wrestling industry, primarily focusing on training and mentoring the next generation of wrestlers. She also made occasional appearances at wrestling events and conventions, engaging with fans and maintaining her connection to the world of professional wrestling.Retirement

Early Life

Chigusa Nagayo was born on December 8, 1964, in Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan. She was the youngest of four children. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a housewife. Nagayo was a shy and quiet child who was bullied by her older siblings and classmates. She found solace in watching professional wrestling on television. When Nagayo was 14 years old, she saw a professional wrestling match for the first time and was immediately hooked, deciding that she wanted to become a professional wrestler.

Early Training

She began training as a professional wrestler in 1980 at the All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) dojo. She trained under the legendary joshi trainer, Kazuo Yamazaki. Yamazaki was known for his brutal training methods, which included running, weight training, and endless drills. Nagayo was one of the few wrestlers who could withstand Yamazaki’s training.

Nagayo’s training was also very technical. She learned all the basic moves of professional wrestling, as well as more advanced moves like suplexes and moonsaults. She also learned how to take bumps and how to sell moves. The training was very hard, but she was a natural athlete and she quickly learned the skills she needed to be a successful professional wrestler.

Career

Nagayo debuted on August 8, 1980, for All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) against Yukari Omori. She cried upon losing and was scolded by Tommy Aoyama, a member of the Queen’s Angels, who was retiring that night. Through 1981, she only wrestled eight times due to the promotion having too many wrestlers. Her early career was marked by a series of setbacks. She lost her first several matches and was often injured and was criticized for her lack of charisma. However, she persevered and gradually began to improve.

In 1982, Nagayo formed a tag team with Lioness Asuka. Known as the Crush Gals, they quickly became one of the most popular tag teams in AJW. They won the AJW Tag Team Championship on several occasions. They were extremely popular during the 1980s and are considered one of the most influential female tag teams in the history of professional wrestling. Both wrestlers had successful individual careers, but their partnership as The Crush Gals truly elevated them to legendary status. Their high-energy matches, combined with their distinctive personalities and looks, quickly made them fan favorites. The Crush Gals’ popularity extended beyond the wrestling ring, as they released multiple pop albums and appeared in various media outlets. As a tag team, The Crush Gals won the WWWA World Tag Team Championship on three occasions, defeating top teams of their era. Their intense and hard-hitting matches against rivals like The Jumping Bomb Angels (Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki) and The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin) are still remembered as some of the most exciting bouts in women’s wrestling history. The Crush Gals’ popularity and success in the 1980s helped raise the profile of women’s professional wrestling, not only in Japan but around the world. Their matches inspired a new generation of female wrestlers, and their influence can still be felt in the wrestling industry today.

Nagayo also enjoyed success as a singles wrestler. She won the AJW Women’s World Championship on three occasions and also won the AJW Tag Team Championship with Aja Kong.

Rivalries

Chigusa, as part of The Crush Gals and as an individual wrestler, was involved in several notable rivalries throughout her career. These rivalries not only showcased her in-ring talent but also helped elevate women’s professional wrestling in Japan and beyond. Some of the most famous rivalries involving Chigusa Nagayo include:

In addition to her tag team rivalries, Chigusa Nagayo also had notable individual feuds, one of which was with Dump Matsumoto. Matsumoto, a fierce and dominant heel, often clashed with Nagayo in brutal and highly emotional matches. This rivalry highlighted Nagayo’s fighting spirit and resilience, as she often stood up against the larger and more aggressive Matsumoto.

Another significant individual rivalry for Chigusa Nagayo was against Devil Masami. Both wrestlers were highly skilled and pushed each other to their limits in their matches. This rivalry showcased Nagayo’s technical abilities and her capacity to perform in high-pressure situations against top-tier opponents.

These rivalries played a significant role in defining Chigusa Nagayo’s career and helped establish her as one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time. The intensity and passion displayed in these feuds also contributed to the growing popularity and recognition of women’s professional wrestling during the 1980s and beyond.

Chigusa Nagayo is known for being relatively private about her personal life. However, there are some aspects of her life outside of wrestling that have been documented. Nagayo was married to fellow professional wrestler Kazuo Yamazaki, with whom she had a son. The couple later divorced.

Awards & Titles

Chigusa Nagayo has had an illustrious career in professional wrestling, earning numerous awards and accolades for her accomplishments in the ring. Some of the most notable awards and achievements she has received include:

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards:
1984 Rookie of the Year
1987 Most Outstanding Wrestler
1987 Best Babyface (shared with Lioness Asuka as part of The Crush Gals)
1985, 1986, and 1987 Feud of the Year (Crush Gals vs. Dump Matsumoto and her allies)

Championships and accomplishments in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW):
3-time WWWA World Tag Team Champion (with Lioness Asuka)
2-time WWWA World Single Champion
AJW Champion
1987 Japan Grand Prix Winner

Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranking:
No. 169 in 1991, making her one of the highest-ranked female wrestlers on the list that year.

Hall of Fame inductions:
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
AJW Hall of Fame (Class of 1998)

Retirement

Chigusa Nagayo’s retirement from professional wrestling took place on April 3, 2002. The event was held in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan arena and marked the end of her storied in-ring career. Her final match was a six-person tag team match, where Nagayo teamed up with Meiko Satomura and Ayako Hamada to face Mayumi Ozaki, Lioness Asuka, and Sugar Sato.

Nagayo’s retirement was a significant moment in the world of women’s professional wrestling, as she had been an influential and pioneering figure in the industry for over two decades. Her contributions to the sport, both as a wrestler and a mentor, helped shape the future of women’s wrestling and inspired countless wrestlers to follow in her footsteps.

Although Nagayo retired from in-ring competition, she remained involved in the wrestling industry. In 1995, she co-founded GAEA Japan, a women’s wrestling promotion, which operated successfully until it closed in 2005. In 2015, she founded another women’s wrestling promotion, Marvelous, further demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the growth and development of women’s professional wrestling.

Legacy

Chigusa Nagayo’s retirement marked the end of an era, but her impact on the world of professional wrestling continues through her work as a promoter and mentor to the next generation of female wrestlers.