Asuka

Previously known as Kana, she started her professional wrestling career in the AtoZ promotion in June 2004, where she remained until retiring in March 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, Reina Joshi Puroresu, Smash and Wrestling New Classic (WNC). Her achievements include winning the JWP Openweight Championship, NEO Tag Team Championship, Reina World Women’s Championship, Smash Diva Championship and Wave Tag Team Championship.

In August 2015, Urai signed a developmental deal with WWE, making her the first Japanese female wrestler signed with the company in over 20 years. After spending two years in WWE’s developmental branch NXT, where she is a former NXT Women’s Champion (with her reign of 510 days being the longest in that title’s history) as well as the Female Competitor of the Year (2016, 2017) and Overall Competitor of the Year (2017) NXT Year-End Award winner, Asuka was moved to the promotion’s main roster in September 2017.

In addition, the company has billed her as having the “longest undefeated streak in WWE history” at 914 days. In January 2018, she was the inaugural winner of the women’s Royal Rumble match. She is also a former SmackDown Women’s Champion, Women’s Tag Team Champion (with Kairi Sane) and the 2020 Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match winner, making her the first to win both the women’s Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank matches.

In December 2015, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stated that Urai “may be the best worker in WWE, man or woman”. In 2017, Asuka became the first Japanese wrestler to top Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s (PWI) annual PWI Female 50 list.

Her techniques include various kicks and submission holds, leading to a reputation for a stiff wrestling style. Urai has also worked as a freelance graphic designer and video game journalist and through her work with Microsoft she has been sponsored by the company, wearing an Xbox 360 logo on her gear.

Other Notable Achievements: Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (5 times), JWP Openweight Championship, Smash Diva Championship (2 times), Smash Diva Championship Tournament (2011), Kuzu Pro Diva Championship, NEO Tag Team Championship – with Nanae Takahashi, One Day Tag Tournament (2011) – with Mio Shirai

Wave Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ayumi Kurihara (1) and Mio Shirai (1), Catch the Wave (2011), Dual Shock Wave (2011) – with Ayumi Kurihara, Reina World Tag Team Championship – with Arisa Nakajima, Reina World Women’s Championship, Reina World Tag Team Championship Tournament (2014) – with Arisa Nakajima