If you thought the WWE was intense, you haven’t witnessed Stardom, the professional women’s wrestling league in Japan.
While the WWE’s Wrestle Mania involves a lot of violent action, Stardom consists of real, full-on body slams, kicks, and bright, colorful costumes.
Japanese women’s professional wrestling is an entertainment show that involves a dance-routine performance before every highly intense wrestling match.
Wrestler Kairi Hojo jumps at her opponent.
Thomas Peter
Stardom was founded in 2010, five years after the All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling came to a close after the president became ill.
Stardom became popular quickly after it was founded. Here are some of the most intense moments from professional women’s wrestling in Japan.
Stardom’s style is much like martial arts, with many of the wrestlers relying on kicking as their main line of defense.
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Like in the martial arts, kicks are paired with jumping to make them harder and more intense.
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The female wrestlers are required to wear bright and colorful costumes.
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Some of the fights involve more than just two wrestlers.
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There are tag team matches in which teams of six go up against each other.
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Below, teams participate in a tag-team match.
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Sometimes the rules of the ring are completely ignored. The fights can, at times, get serious and have to be stopped.
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Stardom places heavy emphasis on physical attractiveness.
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Many of the wrestlers are, or were previously, models. They publish many modeling-photo books and calendars annually.
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The audience is predominantly male.
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Below, wrestlers Kris Wolf and Starfire fight during their Stardom professional wrestling show.
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The wrestlers have to partake in ice-spray treatments during shows to help numb any pain they are having.
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The Red Belt is the first place Championship title, and the White Belt is second place. There are also Championship belts offered for the team matches.
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Attending Japanese women’s pro wrestling live for the first time ever–and having an absolute blast
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