Aja Kong Explained

Aja Kong
Names:Aja Kong
Aja Shishido[1]
AmeErika[2]
Erika
Height:1.65m (05.41feet)
Weight:103kg (227lb)
Birth Date:September 25, 1970[3]
Birth Place:Akishima, Tokyo, Japan
Billed:Tokyo Tachikawa
Trainer:Jaguar Yokota[4]
Debut:1986

is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by her ring name . She is the founder of the Arsion all-women professional wrestling promotion and has won several championships in both singles and tag team divisions throughout her career, primarily while with All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.[5]

Early life

Born Erika Shishido, her mother is Japanese and her father is Henry Manigault (deceased),[6] an African-American man who worked for US Army at Tachikawa Airfield.[7] Although her parents were de facto married, they were forced to divorce when Erika was five years old, due to her father's sudden repatriation and grew up in a single-mother family. Her mother was ostracized by all her relatives who did not like her relationship with Erika's father.

Erika and her mother moved from Tachikawa to Akishima, Tokyo when Erika was in the 5th grade of elementary school. Erika started learning karate at the recommendation of her mother from elementary school. Erika was teased for her "mixed blood" and had fights almost daily, and she continued to suffer from serious bullying up until she graduated from junior high school. She was part volleyball club in her junior high school.

Professional wrestling career

All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (1986–2005)

Shishido was trained by All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) and graduated as part of their class of 1986. She made her debut that summer against Noriyo Toyoda. She immediately joined Dump Matsumoto's heel stable Gokuaku Domei ("Atrocious Alliance"), along with classmate and tag team partner Nobuko Kimura. After the stable dissolved in 1988 due to Matsumoto's retirement, Shishido and Kimura went their separate ways, but re-formed in 1990 as Jungle Jack. Now called Aja Kong and Bison Kimura, they entered a two-year feud against their former allies Bull Nakano and her heel stable Gokumon-to. During their partnership they won the WWWA World Tag Team Championship twice. They lost a hair versus hair match on January 11, 1991, resulting in both women being shaved bald.

Kong herself also pursued Nakano for the WWWA World Single Championship during the early 1990s. She failed in several attempts before finally achieving her goal on November 15, 1992, ending Nakano's three-year reign.

World Wrestling Federation (1995)

In 1995, Kong made an appearance in the American World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as the sole survivor of a women's elimination match at the pay-per-view Survivor Series by pinning all 4 members of her opposing team, including WWF Women's Champion, Alundra Blayze.[8] Kong also appeared on two episodes of Monday Night Raw and was victorious in both bouts. During one bout, she broke the nose of Chaparita Asari.

Kong was being built up as a challenger for the WWF Women's Championship held by Alundra Blayze. Kong was scheduled to face Blayze at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in January 1996, but the company elected to end its women's division after Alundra Blayze showed up on WCW Monday Nitro with the WWF Women's championship and threw the belt into a garbage can.

Arsion (1997–2004)

In 1997, Kong left AJW and started the independent promotion Hyper Visual Fighting Arsion (usually referred to as simply Arsion). She led the organization until February 12, 2001, when she walked out of a tag team match and announced she was quitting.

Freelance in Japan (2004–present)

On April 30, 2004 at the joshi promotion Gaea Japan's event Limit Break, Kong wrestled Amazing Kong in the latter's Japanese debut. Later in the night, the duo formed a tag team called W Kong.[9] The duo defeated Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka for the AAAW Tag Team Championship on May 5.[10] The team defended the championship all summer, eventually losing to Manami Toyota and Carlos Amano on September 20.[11] They also held tag team championships in Japanese women's promotions AJW and Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling. On June 6, 2006, wrestling as Erika and Margaret, the team defeated Wataru Sakata and Ryoji Sai for the Hustle Super Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles on October 9, 2006 to American tag team Bubba Ray and Devon in a three-way match which also included the team of Sodom and Gamora. On August 26, 2015, Kong reformed the W Kong tag team with Amazing Kong.[12]

Kong also wrestled for Mayumi Ozaki's promotion, Oz Academy where she is affiliated with the Jungle Jack 21 stable.[13] She has also held the promotion's championship.

Freelance in the United States (2011–2012, 2017–2019)

In December 2011, Kong took part in American promotion Chikara's JoshiMania weekend, losing to Sara Del Rey in the main event of night one on December 2.[14] The following day, Kong defeated Ayako Hamada in the main event.[15] On the third and final night of the tour, Kong teamed with Mio Shirai and Tsubasa Kuragaki to defeat Hanako Nakamori, Manami Toyota and Sawako Shimono in a six-woman tag team match.[16]

Kong returned to the United States on April 11, 2015, working for Shimmer Women Athletes.[17] Kong was brought in as a surprise to take part in Tomoka Nakagawa's retirement event.[18]

On November 11, 2017, Kong returned to Shimmer Women Athletes joining the Trifecta heel stable with Mercedes Martinez and Nicole Savoy to replace the recently departed (for WWE) Shayna Baszler and appeared in matches the following night as well.

All Elite Wrestling (2019, 2021)

On May 25, 2019, Kong made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut, as she teamed with Emi Sakura and Yuka Sakazaki where they unsuccessfully challenged the team of Hikaru Shida, Riho, and Ryo Mizunami.[19] In February 2021, Kong was announced as a participant in a tournament for the AEW Women's World Championship as part of the Japanese bracket. Kong made it to the semi-finals, where she lost to Mizunami after being counted out.[20]

Personal life

Shishido's mother is Japanese and her father, who served in the military, is African American.[21] Shishido has a half brother and sister via her father. She also has 2 nieces and 2 great nieces.

Championships and accomplishments

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Best Tag Team League 1989 . 2017-07-25 . Pro Wrestling History.
  2. Web site: AyakoHamada . https://web.archive.org/web/20110915090209/http://www.ayakohamada.com/06Battle/2005index.html . ja:2005年 . 2011-09-15 . 2013-04-05 . AyakoHamada.com . ja.
  3. Web site: WWE lineups for Toronto, Rochester, Cleveland, Syracuse, Erie (correspondents needed), ROH in New York and Pennsylvania (correspondents needed), Jimmy Garvin, Aja Kong. Powell, Jason. ProWrestling.net. January 28, 2016. September 25, 2015.
  4. Web site: CvC: Jaguar Yokota for Greatest Women's Champion . Triggs . James . July 29, 2009 . Bleacher Report . October 20, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211126163521/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/226302-cvc-jaguar-yokota-for-greatest-womens-champion . November 26, 2021.
  5. Web site: Aja Kong at Online World of Wrestling. 2007-10-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20090512133337/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/aja-kong.html. 2009-05-12. dead.
  6. In TV Asahi program "Anata ni aitai” (『あなたに逢いたい』 - "I want to meet you"), she searched for her father as part of her project, but because her father was a former soldier, they were not allowed to disclose information due to security issues and subsequently abandoned the search. Then at TBS broadcast of Information dramatic Mokugeki!, the subjected was revisited. They had discovered the identity of the man, but turned out he had already died.
  7. Book: en. Laprade. Pat. Sisterhood of the squared circle: the history and rise of women's wrestling. 9781770413078. 1770413073-->. 954430292. 2018-09-22.
  8. Web site: AJA KONG MANHANDLES THE COMPETITION: SURVIVOR SERIES 1995 (5:03). WWE. January 28, 2016.
  9. Web site: Limit Break April 30th Yoyogi gym . . 2015-08-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194741/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0430r-e.html . 2014-07-14 .
  10. Web site: Junction May 5th Korakuen Hall . . 9 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063349/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0505r-e.html . 11 July 2011 .
  11. Web site: New Energy = September 20, 2004 . . 9 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063403/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0920r-e.html . 11 July 2011 .
  12. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/440256/ . ja:因縁再燃…奈七永にＷコングが宣戦布告 . 2015-08-27 . 2015-08-27 . . ja . 2018-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181005042840/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/440256/ . dead .
  13. Web site: Aja Kong's profile. January 28, 2016. Oz Academy. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092500/http://oz-a.com/profile/aja.html. 2016-03-04. dead.
  14. Web site: 12/2 Chikara JoshiMania Night #1 results . Martin . Adam . 2011-12-03 . 2011-12-04 . WrestleView . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111206215953/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1322936288 . 2011-12-06 .
  15. Web site: 12/3 Chikara JoshiMania Night #2 results . Martin . Adam . 2011-12-04 . 2011-12-05 . WrestleView . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111206220003/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323027609 . 2011-12-06 .
  16. Web site: Second report of Chikara JoshiMania Night #3 . Martin . Adam . 2011-12-05 . 2011-12-05 . WrestleView . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111206220026/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323099875 . 2011-12-06 .
  17. Web site: Shimmer Volumes 72 & 73 results from Berwyn, IL . Bentley . Martin . 2015-04-12 . 2015-04-12 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  18. Web site: Tomoka Nakagawa retires and more: Shimmer Volumes 74 & 75 results . Bentley . Martin . 2015-04-13 . 2015-04-13 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  19. Web site: Powell. Jason. AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks vs. Pentagon Jr. and Fenix for the AAA Tag Titles, Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes, Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 25 May 2019. May 25, 2019.
  20. Web site: Powell. Jason. 2/22 AEW Women's Championship Eliminator tournament results: Powell's live review of Yuka Sakazaki vs. Emi Sakura and Aja Kong vs. Ryo Mizunami in second-round Japan bracket matches, Tay Conti vs. Nyla Rose and Britt Baker vs. Madi Wrenkowski in U.S. bracket first-round matches. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. February 22, 2021. February 23, 2021.
  21. Asiaweek. Asiaweek Limited. 1991. 17. cxlix.
  22. Web site: All Japan Singles Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  23. Web site: All Japan Tag Team Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  24. Web site: All Pacific Title (Japan). Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  25. Web site: WWWA World Singles Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  26. Web site: WWWA World Tag Team Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  27. Web site: All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame . 2007-10-09. 2003 . Puroresu Dojo. https://web.archive.org/web/20071112071327/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/hof.html. 12 November 2007 . live.
  28. Web site: Queen of ARSION Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  29. Web site: Twin Star of Arsion Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  30. Web site: Never Mind 2013 . 2013-12-23 . . ja.
  31. Web site: Ironman Heavymetalweight Title . 2015-02-15 . Wrestling-Titles.com.
  32. Web site: AAAW Singles Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  33. Web site: AAAW Tag Team Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  34. Web site: Hustle Super Tag Team Title. Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  35. Web site: JWP Tag Team Title (Japan). Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  36. Web site: OZ Academy Open-weight Queen Title (Japan). Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  37. Web site: OZ Academy Tag Team Title (Japan). Wrestling-Titles.com. August 3, 2015.
  38. Web site: 2011年ファンが選んだ Best Wizard . February 12, 2012 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501104006/http://www.oz-a.com/press/2012_01_17.html . May 1, 2012 . dead .
  39. Web site: https://oz-academy.com/archives/16600 . ja:2018年Best Wizard詳細～ファンの皆さまによるベストバウト＆MVP投票をじっくり発表！. January 8, 2019 . July 31, 2023 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731181418/https://oz-academy.com/archives/16600. July 31, 2023 . live.
  40. Web site: http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65702771.html . ja:ファンが選んだベストバウト表彰式 . January 16, 2013 . January 17, 2013 . . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406004029/http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65702771.html . April 6, 2023 . live.
  41. Web site: 2010年 Best Wizard . February 12, 2012 . . ja . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201172949/http://oz-a.com/m/2010_best.html . February 1, 2014 . dead .
  42. Web site: http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/637658/ . ja:【センダイガールズ・新宿】橋本千紘 アジャに敗れ王座陥落 . 2017-01-10 . 2017-01-10 . . ja . 2017-01-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170110234014/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/637658/ . dead .
  43. Web site: CagematchWorld Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Championship. 2021-09-02. cagematch.net.

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