Aja Kong

{{Infobox professional wrestler

|name = Aja Kong

|image = SHIMMER Volume 74 - Aja Kong 09 (cropped).jpg

|caption = Kong in April 2015

|birth_name = {{nihongo|Erika Shishido|宍戸江利花|Shishido Erika}}

|names = Aja Kong
Aja Shishido{{cite web | url = http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/women/ajw/tag80.html#89 | title = The Best Tag Team League 1989 | access-date=2017-07-25 | work=Pro Wrestling History}}
AmeErika{{cite web | url = http://www.ayakohamada.com/06Battle/2005index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110915090209/http://www.ayakohamada.com/06Battle/2005index.html | script-title=ja:2005年 | archive-date=2011-09-15 | access-date=2013-04-05 | work=AyakoHamada.com | language=ja| title = AyakoHamada }}
Erika

|height = {{convert|1.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|103|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

|real_height =

|real_weight =

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|9|25|mf=y}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php?WWE-lineups-for-Toronto-Rochester-Cleveland-Syracuse-Erie-correspondents-needed-ROH-in-New-York-and-Pennsylvania-correspondents-needed-Jimmy-Garvin-Aja-Kong-44158|title=WWE lineups for Toronto, Rochester, Cleveland, Syracuse, Erie (correspondents needed), ROH in New York and Pennsylvania (correspondents needed), Jimmy Garvin, Aja Kong|author=Powell, Jason|publisher=ProWrestling.net|access-date=January 28, 2016|date=September 25, 2015}}

|birth_place = Akishima, Tokyo, Japan

|death_date =

|death_place =

|billed = Tokyo Tachikawa

|trainer = Jaguar Yokota{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/226302-cvc-jaguar-yokota-for-greatest-womens-champion |title=CvC: Jaguar Yokota for Greatest Women's Champion |last=Triggs |first=James |date=July 29, 2009 |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=October 20, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126163521/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/226302-cvc-jaguar-yokota-for-greatest-womens-champion |archive-date=November 26, 2021}}

|debut =1986

|retired =

}}

{{nihongo|Erika Shishido|宍戸江利花|Shishido Erika|born September 25, 1970}} is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by her ring name {{nihongo|Aja Kong|アジャ・コング|Aja Kongu}}. She currently makes appearances on the Japanese independent circuit and for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW). 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/aja-kong.html|title=Aja Kong at Online World of Wrestling|access-date=2007-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512133337/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/a/aja-kong.html|archive-date=2009-05-12|url-status=dead}}{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}

Early life

Born Erika Shishido, her mother is Japanese and her father, the late Henry Manigault,

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. an African-American, who worked for US Army at Tachikawa Airfield.{{cite book|language=en|first1=Laprade|last1=Pat|title=Sisterhood of the squared circle: the history and rise of women's wrestling|isbn=9781770413078|oclc=954430292|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/954430292|access-date=2018-09-22}} 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.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

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 of the volleyball club in her junior high school.{{cn|date=August 2021}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/aja-kong-manhandles-the-competition-survivor-series-1995-25061663|title=AJA KONG MANHANDLES THE COMPETITION: SURVIVOR SERIES 1995 (5:03)|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 28, 2016}} 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,{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} 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.{{cite web|title=Limit Break April 30th Yoyogi gym |url=http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0430r-e.html |work=Gaea Japan |access-date=2015-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714194741/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0430r-e.html |archive-date=2014-07-14 }} The duo defeated Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka for the AAAW Tag Team Championship on May 5.{{cite web|title=Junction May 5th Korakuen Hall |url=http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0505r-e.html |publisher=Gaea Japan |access-date=9 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063349/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0505r-e.html |archive-date=11 July 2011 }} The team defended the championship all summer, eventually losing to Manami Toyota and Carlos Amano on September 20.{{cite web|title=New Energy = September 20, 2004 |url=http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0920r-e.html |publisher=Gaea Japan |access-date=9 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063403/http://www.gaea-inc.com/gaeajapan/data/result/2004/0920r-e.html |archive-date=11 July 2011 }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/440256/ | script-title=ja:因縁再燃…奈七永にＷコングが宣戦布告 | date=2015-08-27 | access-date=2015-08-27 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=ja | archive-date=2018-10-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005042840/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/440256/ | url-status=dead }}

Kong also wrestled for Mayumi Ozaki's promotion, Oz Academy where she is affiliated with the Jungle Jack 21 stable.{{cite web|url=http://oz-a.com/profile/aja.html|title=Aja Kong's profile|access-date=January 28, 2016|publisher=Oz Academy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092500/http://oz-a.com/profile/aja.html|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1322936288 |title=12/2 Chikara JoshiMania Night #1 results |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=2011-12-03 |access-date=2011-12-04 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206215953/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1322936288 |archive-date=2011-12-06 }} The following day, Kong defeated Ayako Hamada in the main event.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323027609 |title=12/3 Chikara JoshiMania Night #2 results |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=2011-12-04 |access-date=2011-12-05 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206220003/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323027609 |archive-date=2011-12-06 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323099875 |title=Second report of Chikara JoshiMania Night #3 |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=2011-12-05 |access-date=2011-12-05 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206220026/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1323099875 |archive-date=2011-12-06 }}

Kong returned to the United States on April 11, 2015, working for Shimmer Women Athletes.{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/93000/shimmer-volumes-72-73-results-from-berwyn-il.html?p=1 | title = Shimmer Volumes 72 & 73 results from Berwyn, IL | last=Bentley | first=Martin | date=2015-04-12 | access-date=2015-04-12 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}} Kong was brought in as a surprise to take part in Tomoka Nakagawa's retirement event.{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/93034/tomoka-nokagawa-retires-and-more-shimmer-volumes-74-75-results.html?p=1 | title = Tomoka Nakagawa retires and more: Shimmer Volumes 74 & 75 results | last=Bentley | first=Martin | date=2015-04-13 | access-date=2015-04-13 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}

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.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=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|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/05/25/aew-double-or-nothing-results-powells-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-r/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=25 May 2019|access-date=May 25, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=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|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/02/22/2-22-aew-womens-championship-eliminator-tournament-results-powells-live-review-of-yuka-sakazaki-vs-emi-sakura-and-aja-kong-vs-ryo-mizunami-in-second-round-japan-bracket-matches-tay-conti-vs-n/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=February 22, 2021|access-date=February 23, 2021}}

Personal life

Shishido's mother is Japanese and her father, who served in the military, is African American.{{cite journal|title=Asiaweek|publisher=Asiaweek Limited|date=1991|volume=17|page=cxlix}} Shishido has a half brother and sister via her father. She also has 2 nieces and 2 great nieces.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Championships and accomplishments

All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling
AJW Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/ajw-s.html|title=All Japan Singles Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
AJW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Naboko Kimura{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/ajw-t.html|title=All Japan Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
All Pacific Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/ap.html|title=All Pacific Title (Japan)|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
WWWA World Single Championship (2 times){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/wwwa-s.html|title=WWWA World Singles Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
WWWA World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Amazing Kong (1), Bison Kimura (2) and Grizzly Iwamoto (1){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/wwwa-t.html|title=WWWA World Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Japan Grand Prix (1992, 1996)
Tag League the Best (1992) – with Kyoko Inoue
AJW Hall of Fame (1998){{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/hof.html |title=All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame |access-date=2007-10-09|year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071112071327/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/zenjo/hof.html| archive-date= 12 November 2007 | url-status= live}}
Arsion
Queen of Arsion Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/arsion/arsion-s.html|title=Queen of ARSION Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Twin Star of Arsion Championship (1 time) – with Mariko Yoshida{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/arsion/arsion-t.html|title=Twin Star of Arsion Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Dramatic Dream Team
KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Danshoku Dino and Makoto Oishi{{cite web | url = http://www.ddtpro.com/ddtpro/5681/ | title = Never Mind 2013 | access-date=2013-12-23 | work=Dramatic Dream Team | language=ja}}
Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (3 times){{cite web | url = http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/ddt/ironman-hm.html | title = Ironman Heavymetalweight Title | access-date=2015-02-15 | work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}
GAEA Japan
AAAW Single Championship (3 times){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/gaea/aaaw-s.html|title=AAAW Singles Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
AAAW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Mayumi Ozaki (1), Devil Masami (1), and Amazing Kong (1){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/gaea/aaaw-t.html|title=AAAW Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
HUSTLE
HUSTLE Super Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Margaret{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/hustle/hustle-t.html|title=Hustle Super Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
JWP Joshi Puroresu
JWP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sachie Abe{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/jwp/jwp-t.html|title=JWP Tag Team Title (Japan)|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling
LLPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Amazing Kong
Oz Academy
Oz Academy Openweight Championship (3 times){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/oz/oz-s.html|title=OZ Academy Open-weight Queen Title (Japan)|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Oz Academy Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Hikaru Shida (1), Hiroyo Matsumoto (1), Kaoru Ito (1) and Sonoko Kato (1){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/oz/oz-t.html|title=OZ Academy Tag Team Title (Japan)|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Oz Academy Openweight Championship Tournament (2007)
Best Wizard Award (5 times)
Best Bout Award (2011) vs. Mayumi Ozaki on April 10{{cite web | url=http://www.oz-a.com/press/2012_01_17.html | title=2011年ファンが選んだ Best Wizard | access-date=February 12, 2012 | work=Oz Academy | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501104006/http://www.oz-a.com/press/2012_01_17.html | archive-date=May 1, 2012 | url-status=dead }}
Best Bout Award (2018) {{small|vs. Hikaru Shida on September 17}}{{cite web | url = https://oz-academy.com/archives/16600 | script-title=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！| date=January 8, 2019 | access-date=July 31, 2023 | work=Oz Academy | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731181418/https://oz-academy.com/archives/16600| archive-date=July 31, 2023 | url-status=live}}
Best Singles Match Award (2012) vs. Ran Yu-Yu on October 14{{cite web | url = http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65702771.html | script-title=ja:ファンが選んだベストバウト表彰式 | date=January 16, 2013 | access-date=January 17, 2013 | work=Oz Academy | publisher=Livedoor | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406004029/http://blog.livedoor.jp/ozacademy/archives/65702771.html | archive-date=April 6, 2023 | url-status=live}}
Best Tag Team Match Award (2012) with Sonoko Kato vs. Akino and Ayumi Kurihara on August 19
MVP Award (2010){{cite web | url=http://www.oz-a.com/m/2010_best.html | title=2010年 Best Wizard | access-date=February 12, 2012 | work=Oz Academy | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201172949/http://oz-a.com/m/2010_best.html | archive-date=February 1, 2014 | url-status=dead }}
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
Sendai Girls World Championship (1 time){{cite web | url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/637658/ | script-title=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 | date=2017-01-10 | access-date=2017-01-10 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=ja | archive-date=2017-01-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110234014/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/637658/ | url-status=dead }}
Super Fireworks Pro Wrestling/Pro Wrestling Zero1
Blast Queen Championship (1 time, current)
World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana
WWWD World Championship (1 time){{Cite web|date=|title=Cagematch{{!}}World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Championship|url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=1990|access-date=2021-09-02|website=cagematch.net}}
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)

References

External links

{{Chikara profile|aja-kong}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071024201933/http://www.oz-a.com/profile/aja.html Oz Academy profile]
{{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{Twitter}}
{{IMDb name}}

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