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Act Yasukawa

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Act Yasukawa
Yasukawa in December 2014
Birth nameYuka Yasukawa
Born (1986-11-13) November 13, 1986 (age 38)[1][2]
Misawa, Aomori, Japan[3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Act[4]
Act Ranger[5]
Act Yasukawa[6]
Wild Bunny[6][4]
Billed height1.64 m (5 ft 4+1⁄2 in)[1]
Billed weight60 kg (132 lb)[1]
Trained byFuka Kakimoto
DebutFebruary 5, 2012[1]

Yuka Yasukawa (安川結花, Yasukawa Yuka, born November 13, 1986),[1][2] better known by the ring name Act Yasukawa (安川惡斗, Yasukawa Akuto), and currently performing under the mononym Act (惡斗, Akuto), is a Japanese professional wrestler. She currently wrestles for Actwres girl'Z.[6]

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 Seisan Matchi (凄惨マッチ, "Ghastly Match") in the aftermath.[7][8]

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.[3]

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.[6] 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.[9]

Professional wrestling career

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2012–2016)

Yasukawa in March 2013

Yasukawa made her pro wrestling debut On February 5, 2012, in a winning effort against Yuuri Haruka at the Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo, Japan.[10]

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.[11][12] However, the team was forced to vacate their title three months later as a result of Act Yasukawa injuring her cervical spine.[13][14]

On November 4, 2013, Yasukawa defeated Dark Angel to win the Wonder of Stardom Championship in the puroresu-honored venue, Korakuen Hall.[15][16][17] Yasukawa retained the championship until June 2014, when she was forced to vacate the title due to thyroid deterioration related to Graves' Disease.[18] During this time, Yasukawa underwent cataract surgery.[19] While in recovery,Yasukawa continued to be involved in Stardom shows by selling merchandise and being part of the ring crew.[20]

Yasukawa returned to the ring on December 7, 2014, teaming up with Kellie Skater in a losing effort against Kairi Hojo and Koguma.[21]

At the Stardom 4th Anniversary Show at Korakuen Hall, Yasukawa defeated Mayu Iwatani to win her second Wonder of Stardom Championship.[22] 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,[19][23] where she was diagnosed with fractured cheek, nasal and orbital bones, which would require surgery.[7][8] The incident received mainstream attention in Japan and became known as Seisan Matchi (凄惨マッチ, "Ghastly Match").[24][25]

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.[26] Yasukawa eventually returned to the ring on September 23, 2015.[27] On December 1, Yasukawa announced she would retire from professional wrestling on December 23.[28][29] In her retirement match, Yasukawa and Kyoko Kimura defeated Haruka Kato and Kairi Hojo.[30] Afterwards, Yasukawa continued working for Stardom as the manager of the Oedo Tai stable.[31]

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.[6] 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.[6][4] As Actwres entered its new era in 2022, Act formed a villainous unit named Beastz Rebellion, alongside Ayano Irie and Riko Fukunaga.[4]

On August 14, 2023, Act challenged Miku Aono for the AWG Single Championship, her first time competing for a title in years; however, it was unsuccessful.[32]

Personal life

Yasukawa was born in Misawa, but her family moved regularly due to her father's work in the Japan Self-Defense Forces.[3]

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:

I am a loner, but with acting, I could be anything that I wanted to be. I could be the action hero that I dreamed of. I couldn’t be a samurai in real life, but I could be one in film.[3]

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.[3]

In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.[3]

Yasukawa's life was the subject of the 2015 Japanese documentary Gamushara.[2][33][34]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 安川惡斗. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Gamushara Information". Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "The Act Yasukawa Story" (Interview). March 13, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Brown, Jeff (May 24, 2023). "Your Guide to Actwres girl'Z". Monthly Puroresu. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  5. ^ 2015年10月25日 Stardom Mask Fiesta2015～Halloween Party～. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Carlin, James (October 2, 2022). "Q&A with Act Yasukawa". Monthly Puroresu. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  7. ^ a b スターダム安川は頬骨など骨折で手術へ. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  8. ^ a b 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」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 24, 2015. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  9. ^ Chowdhury, Abid (November 7, 2022). "ACTwrestling in Korakuen Hall Review - 10.30.22". Monthly Puroresu. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  10. ^ "Stardom Season 5 New Year Stars 2012 - Tag 3". Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Season10~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  12. ^ a b 夏樹組が初代６人タッグ王者／スターダム. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 14, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  13. ^ "Season12の5月分カードが決定！惡斗が長期欠場を発表". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  14. ^ "News 2013年1月~6月". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c "Season14~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  16. ^ a b 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！. Battle News (in Japanese). November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  17. ^ 'Dark Angel' vs Act Yasukawa. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  18. ^ ７月大会の主要カード発表会見. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). June 26, 2014. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  19. ^ a b 女子プロレスが凄惨けんかマッチで紛糾. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  20. ^ "The Stardom Incident". February 24, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  21. ^ "Stardom Stardom Queen Tradition - Tag 2". Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  22. ^ 2015年1月18日 スターダム4周年記念日. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 18, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  23. ^ ケンカマッチで女子レスラー顔面“崩壊”. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 23, 2015. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  24. ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 2, 2015). "Mar. 2, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: CM Punk defamation lawsuit, Brock Lesnar Raw disappearance, state of WWE, and more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 35. ISSN 1083-9593.
  25. ^ ミスター女子プロ・神取が指摘する「凄惨マッチ」の問題点. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 26, 2015. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  26. ^ 2015年5月1日 5・17後楽園カード発表！. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). May 1, 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  27. ^ 惡斗 7か月ぶり復帰戦は涙の勝利. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  28. ^ 2015.12.1 安川惡斗引退記者会見. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  29. ^ “凄惨マッチ”の安川惡斗が引退 １２・２３ラストマッチ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 1, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  30. ^ 2015年12月23日 Stardom Yearend Climax2015～年間最終決戦～. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 23, 2015. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  31. ^ 2016年1月10日 Stardom Newyear Stars2016 開幕戦~スターダム200回大会. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 10, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  32. ^ Brown, Jeff (August 23, 2023). "Actwres girl'Z ACTwrestling at Korakuen Hall – 8.14.23 Review and Results". Monthly Puroresu. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  33. ^ 映画『がむしゃら』予告編. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  34. ^ "Gamushara – The Act Yasukawa Documentary". Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  35. ^ "Season8~". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  36. ^ 大盛り上がりの忘年会でスターダム・アワード発表！. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 27, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  37. ^ "スターダム・アワードを発表！MVPは紫雷イオが受賞！". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  38. ^ 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. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). December 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
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