Kanako Urai is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the Raw brand under the ring name Asuka. She is currently a double champion – in her second reign as Raw Women’s Champion, and one half of the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions with Charlotte Flair. In January 2018, she was the inaugural winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match.
About Asuka (wrestler) in brief
Kanako Urai is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the Raw brand under the ring name Asuka. She is currently a double champion – in her second reign as Raw Women’s Champion, and one half of the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions with Charlotte Flair in their first reign as a team. In January 2018, she was the inaugural winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match. In December 2015, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that Urae “may be the best worker in WWE, man or woman” She is also the first Japanese wrestler to top Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual PWI Female 100 list. Her techniques include various kicks and submission holds, leading to a reputation for a stiff wrestling style. She has also worked as a freelance graphic designer and video game journalist. Since 2019, she has her own YouTube channel, KanaChan TV, focused on gaming and lifestyle content; she currently has over 400 thousand subscribers. She was trained by Yuki Ishikawa, and made her professional wrestling debut for all female promotion AtoZ on June 16, 2004, in a match against Leo-na. She spent the first part of her career with A toZ, before suddenly retiring due to chronic nephritis on March 19, 2006. She returned to the ring a year and a half later, starting to work as a freelancer for promotions such as JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Wave and Pro Wrestling Zero1.
In August 2015, she signed a developmental deal with WWE, making her the firstJapanese female wrestler signed with the company in over 20 years. In September 2017, she moved to the promotion’s main roster in September 2017. She also became the third Women’s Triple Crown Champion and the second Women’s Grand Slam Champion. In July 2011, she defeated Aysumi Kurihara in the finals to win the Catch the Wave tournament. On July 24, 2010 Kana defeated Yuemie Ranemie and Yuen Toshie in the final of the Catch The Wave tournament to become the new NEO Tag Team Champion. On October 10, 2009, she teamed with Takahashi to defeat Hiroyo Matsumoko and Kyoto and Kyura Inoue for the NEO Tag Championship. On December 31, 2009 Kana quit Passion Red, but did not start working regularly for the promotion until the end of 2010, when NEO Wrestling Wave folded. In October 2010, she became the first woman to become a member of the NEO Team Team Team. On January 24, 2011, Kana lost to Ayumi Kurura and Yoshiko Yoshiko in a tournament for the Catch Catch the Waves tournament. She won the title two months later, losing it to Ayumu Ayihara and Tamura in December 2011. In March 2012, she lost the title for two months before losing it again to Tamura and Ayumi in December 2012.
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