Act Yasukawa Explained
Act Yasukawa |
Birthname: | Yuka Yasukawa |
Names: | Act Act Ranger Act Yasukawa Wild Bunny |
Weight: | 600NaN0 |
Birth Date: | November 13, 1986[1] |
Birth Place: | Misawa, Aomori, Japan[2] |
Trainer: | Fuka Kakimoto[3] |
Debut: | February 5, 2012 |
,[4] better known by the ring name, and currently performing under the mononym , is a Japanese professional wrestler. She currently wrestles for Actwres girl'Z.[5]
Making her pro wrestling debut in 2012, she wrestled exclusively for the joshi puroresu promotion Stardom. Yasukawa's career ultimately ended in December 2015, 10 months after she participated in a match against Yoshiko for the World of Stardom Championship, wherein she was legitimately assaulted and injured by her opponent, suffering fractured cheek, nasal and orbital bones. The incident received mainstream attention in Japan and became known as the in the aftermath.[6] [7]
Yasukawa was known for temporarily incorporating the blindness in her right eye, an effect of Graves' Disease, into her persona by wearing an eyepatch. She was also known for commonly carrying a bottle of rum to the ring to spit at people as part of her performance.
She returned to professional wrestling as a performer May 2021, working regularly for Actwres girl'Z sub-brand Action RING Girls as Hisen, before wrestling in Actwres girl'Z as Wild Bunny. On October 3, 2022, Wild Bunny would "go on hiatus" when Yasukawa would return under the name ACT after Wild Bunny's mask was attempted to be ripped off by Naru, awakening ACT once again.[8]
Professional wrestling career
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2012–2016)
Yasukawa made her pro wrestling debut On February 5, 2012, in a winning effort against Yuri Haruka at the Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo, Japan.[9]
In the first month of 2013, Yasukawa captured her first pro wrestling championship alongside tag team partners Natsuki☆Taiyo and Saki Kashima. The trio won a tournament to decide the inaugural Artist of Stardom Champions.[10] [11] However, the team was forced to vacate their title three months later as a result of Act Yasukawa injuring her cervical spine.[12] [13]
On November 4, 2013, Yasukawa defeated Dark Angel to win the Wonder of Stardom Championship in the puroresu-honored venue, Korakuen Hall.[14] [15] [16] Yasukawa retained the championship until June 2014, when she was forced to vacate the title due to thyroid deterioration related to Graves' Disease.[17] During this time, Yasukawa underwent cataract surgery. While in recovery, Yasukawa continued to be involved in Stardom shows by selling merchandise and being part of the ring crew.[18]
Yasukawa returned to the ring on December 7, 2014, teaming up with Kellie Skater in a losing effort against Kairi Hojo and Koguma.[19]
At the Stardom 4th Anniversary Show at Korakuen Hall, Yasukawa defeated Mayu Iwatani to win her second Wonder of Stardom Championship.[20] She is the first of only three people thus far to hold the title twice.
On February 22, 2015, Yasukawa was scheduled to challenge Yoshiko for the World of Stardom Championship in the main event of a Korakuen Hall show. However, the match resulted in a no contest when Yoshiko began to shoot on Yasukawa, legitimately assaulting her to the point that the match had to be stopped. Following the match, Yasukawa, with a bloody and badly swollen face, was rushed to a Tokyo hospital,[21] [22] where she was diagnosed with fractured cheek, nasal and orbital bones, which would require surgery.[6] [7] The incident received mainstream attention in Japan and became known as .[23] [24]
On May 1, Yasukawa was forced to vacate the Wonder of Stardom Championship due to the facial fractures inflicted on her earlier in the year.[25] Yasukawa eventually returned to the ring on September 23, 2015.[26] At Mask Fiesta 2015 on October 25, Yasukawa, wrestling under the ring name Act Ranger, defeated Kairian 2.0.[27] [28] On December 1, Yasukawa announced she would retire from professional wrestling on December 23.[29] [30] In her retirement match, Yasukawa and Kyoko Kimura defeated Haruka Kato and Kairi Hojo.[31] Afterwards, Yasukawa continued working for Stardom as the manager of the Oedo Tai stable.[32]
Actwres girl’Z (2021–present)
On December 13, 2021, Yasukawa teamed with Saori Anou against Natsuki and Natsumi Sumikawa at a Actwres girl'Z event, bringing back the Act Yasukawa character in-ring for the first time since her retirement at Year End Climax 2015. At Actwres, Yasukawa at times performed under a masked persona named Wild Bunny, first making an appearance on February 13, 2022, before performing as Act.[33] As Actwres entered its new era in 2022, Act formed a villainous unit named Beastz Rebellion, alongside Ayano Irie and Riko Fukunaga.
On August 14, 2023, Act challenged Miku Aono for the AWG Single Championship, her first time competing for a title in years; however, was unsuccessful.[34]
Personal life
Yasukawa was born in Misawa, but her family moved regularly due to her father's work in the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
As a child, Yasukawa dreamed of becoming a samurai. Her parents supported her passion by guiding her into Kendo. However, when Yasukawa reached middle school she was informed there were no samurai in modern Japan. During this time, Yasukawa suffered from a near-blindness in her right eye, mental illness, and bullying. At some point during her childhood, Yasukawa attempted suicide. In high school, Yasukawa found solace by joining the drama club:
Yasukawa attended the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. After being cast in the 2011 stage production of Wrestler Girls, Yuzuki Aikawa approached Yasukawa and offered her a chance to audition as a wrestler for Stardom. She agreed, but after training for only three months, Yasukawa fell ill and was advised by her doctor not to wrestle. Instead, Yasukawa chose to take medication that can leave her infertile but strengthen her body enough that she would be cleared to join Stardom.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.
Yasukawa's life was the subject of the 2015 Japanese documentary Gamushara.[35] [36]
Championships and accomplishments
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Gamushara Information. May 4, 2015 .
- The Act Yasukawa Story . March 13, 2014 . May 1, 2015 .
- Web site: Rossy Ogawa's Storied History, and the Revolution of Joshi Puroresu . Fain . Thom . December 21, 2022 . Monthly Puroresu . November 22, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901182132/https://monthlypuroresu.com/features/rossy-ogawa-and-the-revolution-of-joshi-puroresu/ . September 1, 2023.
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?stars=act . ja:安川惡斗 . Act Yasukawa . November 4, 2023 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202042223/http://wwr-stardom.com/?stars=act . December 2, 2016.
- Web site: Carlin . James . October 2, 2022 . Q&A with Act Yasukawa . 2023-04-30 . Monthly Puroresu . en-US.
- Web site: http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/02/23/0007765273.shtml . ja:スターダム安川は頬骨など骨折で手術へ . February 23, 2015 . February 23, 2015 . Daily Sports Online . . Japanese.
- Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/370484/ . ja:顔面骨折の惡斗が告白「凄惨ケンカマッチの真相」「元の顔に戻して復帰します」 . February 24, 2015 . February 24, 2015 . . Japanese . February 24, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150224083540/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/370484/ . dead .
- Web site: Chowdhury . Abid . November 7, 2022 . ACTwrestling in Korakuen Hall Review - 10.30.22 . 2023-04-30 . Monthly Puroresu . en-US.
- Web site: Stardom Season 5 New Year Stars 2012 - Tag 3 . May 2, 2015 .
- Web site: Season10~ . https://web.archive.org/web/20130622030114/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page232854.html . June 22, 2013 . January 14, 2013 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20130114-1071924.html . ja:夏樹組が初代6人タッグ王者/スターダム . January 14, 2013 . August 10, 2014 . . Japanese.
- Web site: Season12の5月分カードが決定!惡斗が長期欠場を発表 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104235241/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page0003.html . 2012-11-04 . May 9, 2013 . May 9, 2013 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: News 2013年1月~6月 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175333/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page232804.html . October 14, 2013 . May 9, 2013 . . Japanese.
- Web site: Season14~ . https://web.archive.org/web/20131021034842/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page265300.html . October 21, 2013 . November 4, 2013 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://battle-news.com/battle/2013/11/002015.php . ja:スターダム100回記念大会のメインは激闘の末、イオが奈苗を残り1秒で下す!惡斗が白ベルト、モンスター軍が6人タッグ王座を奪取! . November 4, 2013 . November 4, 2013 . Battle News . Japanese.
- 'Dark Angel' vs Act Yasukawa . May 3, 2015.
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2014%E5%B9%B4%EF%BC%96%E6%9C%88%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%96%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%EF%BC%97%E6%9C%88%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%BB%E8%A6%81%E3%82%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8%E4%BC%9A%E8%A6%8B . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717054216/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2014%e5%b9%b4%ef%bc%96%e6%9c%88%ef%bc%92%ef%bc%96%e6%97%a5%e3%80%80%ef%bc%97%e6%9c%88%e5%a4%a7%e4%bc%9a%e3%81%ae%e4%b8%bb%e8%a6%81%e3%82%ab%e3%83%bc%e3%83%89%e7%99%ba%e8%a1%a8%e4%bc%9a%e8%a6%8b . ja:7月大会の主要カード発表会見 . June 26, 2014 . July 17, 2014 . June 28, 2014 . . Japanese . live .
- Web site: The Stardom Incident . February 24, 2015 . May 3, 2015 .
- Web site: Stardom Stardom Queen Tradition - Tag 2. May 3, 2015 .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B41%E6%9C%8818%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A04%E5%91%A8%E5%B9%B4%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E6%97%A5 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032936/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%e5%b9%b41%e6%9c%8818%e6%97%a5%e3%80%80%e3%82%b9%e3%82%bf%e3%83%bc%e3%83%80%e3%83%a04%e5%91%a8%e5%b9%b4%e8%a8%98%e5%bf%b5%e6%97%a5 . ja:2015年1月18日 スターダム4周年記念日 . March 5, 2016 . January 18, 2015 . January 18, 2015 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/02/22/0007761352.shtml . ja:女子プロレスが凄惨けんかマッチで紛糾 . February 22, 2015 . February 22, 2015 . Daily Sports Online . . Japanese.
- Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/369961/ . ja:ケンカマッチで女子レスラー顔面“崩壊” . February 23, 2015 . February 23, 2015 . . Japanese . February 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223014125/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/369961/ . dead .
- Meltzer . Dave . Dave Meltzer . March 2, 2015 . Mar. 2, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: CM Punk defamation lawsuit, Brock Lesnar Raw disappearance, state of WWE, and more . . . 1083-9593 . 35 .
- Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/370885/ . ja:ミスター女子プロ・神取が指摘する「凄惨マッチ」の問題点 . February 26, 2015 . February 27, 2015 . . Japanese . February 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150227045008/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/370885/ . dead .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=7378 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092530/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=7378 . ja:2015年5月1日 5・17後楽園カード発表! . May 18, 2015 . May 1, 2015 . May 2, 2015 . . Japanese . live .
- Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/450022/ . ja:惡斗 7か月ぶり復帰戦は涙の勝利 . September 24, 2015 . September 24, 2015 . . Japanese . September 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150925105136/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/450022/ . dead .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B410%E6%9C%8825%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-mask-fiesta2015%EF%BD%9Ehalloween-party%EF%BD%9E . ja:2015年10月25日 Stardom Mask Fiesta2015~Halloween Party~ . October 25, 2015 . November 4, 2023 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20180820142459/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B410%E6%9C%8825%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-mask-fiesta2015%EF%BD%9Ehalloween-party%EF%BD%9E . August 20, 2018.
- Web site: Stardom Mask Fiesta 2015 ~ Halloween Party . Cagematch . November 4, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104162952/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=139350 . November 4, 2023.
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015-12-1%E3%80%80%E5%AE%89%E5%B7%9D%E6%83%A1%E6%96%97%E5%BC%95%E9%80%80%E8%A8%98%E8%80%85%E4%BC%9A%E8%A6%8B . https://web.archive.org/web/20151224214413/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015-12-1%e3%80%80%e5%ae%89%e5%b7%9d%e6%83%a1%e6%96%97%e5%bc%95%e9%80%80%e8%a8%98%e8%80%85%e4%bc%9a%e8%a6%8b . ja:2015.12.1 安川惡斗引退記者会見 . December 24, 2015 . December 1, 2015 . December 1, 2015 . . Japanese . live .
- Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/478510/ . ja:“凄惨マッチ”の安川惡斗が引退 12・23ラストマッチ . December 1, 2015 . December 1, 2015 . . Japanese . December 1, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151201020322/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/478510/ . dead .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8823%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-yearend-climax2015%EF%BD%9E%E5%B9%B4%E9%96%93%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%B1%BA%E6%88%A6%EF%BD%9E . https://web.archive.org/web/20220616184435/https://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8823%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-yearend-climax2015%EF%BD%9E%E5%B9%B4%E9%96%93%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%B1%BA%E6%88%A6%EF%BD%9E . ja:2015年12月23日 Stardom Yearend Climax2015~年間最終決戦~ . June 16, 2022 . December 23, 2015 . December 23, 2015 . . Japanese . live .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2016%E5%B9%B41%E6%9C%8810%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-newyear-stars2016-%E9%96%8B%E5%B9%95%E6%88%A6%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0200%E5%9B%9E%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A . https://web.archive.org/web/20160116185127/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2016%E5%B9%B41%E6%9C%8810%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-newyear-stars2016-%E9%96%8B%E5%B9%95%E6%88%A6%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0200%E5%9B%9E%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A . ja:2016年1月10日 Stardom Newyear Stars2016 開幕戦~スターダム200回大会 . January 16, 2016 . January 10, 2016 . January 10, 2016 . . Japanese . live .
- Web site: Your Guide to Actwres girl'Z. Monthly Puroresu. Jeff. Brown. May 24, 2023. September 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230527201740/https://monthlypuroresu.com/features/your-guide-to-actwres-girlz/. May 27, 2023. live.
- Web site: Actwres girl'Z ACTwrestling at Korakuen Hall – 8.14.23 Review and Results. Monthly Puroresu. Jeff. Brown. August 23, 2023. September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230916232934/https://monthlypuroresu.com/features/actwres-girlz-actwrestling-at-korakuen-hall-8-14-23-review-and-results/. September 16, 2023. live.
- 映画『がむしゃら』予告編 . May 2, 2015 .
- Web site: Gamushara – The Act Yasukawa Documentary . 3 April 2015 . May 2, 2015 .
- Web site: Season8~ . https://web.archive.org/web/20130621145103/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page220359.html . June 21, 2013 . August 19, 2012 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page0003.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20121104235241/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/page0003.html . ja:大盛り上がりの忘年会でスターダム・アワード発表! . December 27, 2012 . 2012-11-04 . June 10, 2015 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: スターダム・アワードを発表!MVPは紫雷イオが受賞! . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014192618/http://wwr-stardom.p-kit.com/NEWS.html . December 29, 2013 . October 14, 2013 . June 10, 2015 . . Japanese . dead .
- Web site: http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%892015%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8%E4%BC%9A%EF%BC%86%E5%AE%89%E5%B7%9D . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084422/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%892015%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8%E4%BC%9A%EF%BC%86%E5%AE%89%E5%B7%9D . ja:2015年12月26日 スターダム・アワード2015発表会&安川惡斗引退記念パーティーが開かれました . March 4, 2016 . December 27, 2015 . December 26, 2015 . . Japanese . dead .