New WWE NXT signing Giulia has paid tribute to the late Hana Kimura on what would have been the deceased wrestler’s 27th birthday.
On Instagram, Giulia shared a photo of her WWE NXT arrival and the message HBD (Happy Birthday) as well as a blossom, a flower associated with Kimura.
Kimura and Giulia faced off during their respective careers in STARDOM where both would hold championship gold. Giulia would be Kimura’s second-to-last opponent.
In May 2020, Kimura took her own life after online bullying stemming from her appearance on a reality TV show. She was 22 years old.
In March 2021, a man from Osaka was indicted on charges of online abuse directly resulting in Kimura’s passing. He was fined 9000 Yen, equal to $80.
The punishment was condemned as too light given what had transpired. Kyoko Kimura, Hana’s mother and also a wrestler, filed a lawsuit against the man.
In April 2021, another man was indicted for his harassment of Kimura. He told authorities he was “simply joining in with what he saw others doing.”
In June 2022, a new “online insults” law passed in Japan which could see offenders face a one-year jail sentence or a 300,000 Yen fine ($2,200).
Several wrestling promotions featured tributes to Kimura after her death including NJPW, ROH, NWA, AEW, Impact, STARDOM, and WWE.
