Meiko Satomura

{{Infobox professional wrestler

|name = Meiko Satomura

|names = Meiko Satomura

|image = Meiko Satomura CHIKARA.jpg

|caption = Satomura in September 2012

|height = {{convert|1.57|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sendaigirls.jp/profile/#satomura|title=Satomura's Official SENDAI Girls Website Profile|access-date=June 10, 2007|publisher=SENDAI Girls' Pro Wrestling|archive-date=November 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102153227/http://www.sendaigirls.jp/profile/#satomura|url-status=live}}

|weight = {{convert|68|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|11|17}}

|birth_place = Niigata, Japan

|billed =Niigata, Japan

|trainer = Chigusa Nagayo

|debut = April 15, 1995

|retired =

}}

{{Nihongo|Meiko Satomura|里村明衣子|Satomura Meiko|born November 17, 1979}} is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand and the Japanese promotion Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling. She is the former two-time Sendai Girls World Champion and a former one-time NXT UK Women's Champion. Satomura is set to retire on April 29, 2025 at the Sendai Girls event "Satomura The Final".{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Ella |date=2024-07-26 |title=Report: WWE Star & Joshi Legend Meiko Satomura Preparing To Retire |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1630509/report-wwe-star-joshi-legend-meiko-satomura-preparing-retire/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}

Professional wrestling career

= Gaea Japan (1995–2005) =

{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}Satomura made her professional wrestling debut for women's promotion Gaea Japan on April 15, 1995, defeating Sonoko Kato.{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=141383|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611063027/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=141383|archive-date=June 11, 2021|title=GAEA Memorial First Gong In Korakuen « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} On November 2, 1996, she and Kato defeated Sugar Sato and Chikayo Nagashima to become the inaugural AAAW Tag Team Champions. Satomura would go on to win that title on two more occasions, teaming with Ayako Hamada and Nagashima. She also won the AAAW Singles Championship twice, with her second reign ending at the hands of Aja Kong on April 3, 2005. Gaea Japan closed a week later on April 10, 2005, after staging its farewell show; in the main event, Satomura defeated her trainer Chigusa Nagayo.

= World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997) =

In 1996, Satomura started appearing for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) through Gaea Japan's working relationship with WCW which was attempting to establish a women's division. She participated in an eight-woman tournament for the inaugural WCW Women's World Championship; however, Satomura was eliminated in the first round by eventual winner Akira Hokuto. When WCW introduced a WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship, a second title for the women, she entered that tournament; however, Satomura was knocked out in the first round by Toshie Uematsu, who went on to win the tournament. Satomura continued to make appearances for WCW until the business relationships between two promotions ended.

= Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling (2006–present) =

Following Gaea Japan's closure, Satomura formed the women's promotion Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling with Jinsei Shinzaki. On September 23, 2009, she participated in the Splash J and Running G tournament along with Kaoru and Tomoko Kuzumi. In the semi-final, Satomura's team defeated the Dynamite Kansai (Makie Numao and Yasuko Kuragaki), to advance to the final. In the final, they defeated the team of Hikari Fukuoka, Kanako Motoya and Sonoko Kato to win the Splash J and Running G tournament.{{cite web|title=GAEA Splash J & Running G|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=12814|publisher=CageMatch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101738/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=12814|url-status=live}}

On 24th February 2025, Satomura competed in her final bout in Europe, teaming with Rayne Leverkusen to defeat Nina Samuels and Millie McKenzie at Final Sting, an event jointly promoted by Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, ICHIBAN (UK), Progress Wrestling and HUSTLE Wrestling.{{Cite web |title=Meiko Satomura Announced For ICHIBAN Puroresu Igirisu Event {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/meiko-satomura-announced-ichiban-puroresu-igirisu-event |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}

= World Wonder Ring Stardom (2012–2018) =

On July 26, 2015, Satomura became the World of Stardom Champion by defeating Kairi Hojo.{{cite web|url=http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B47%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardomxstardom2015%E7%9C%9F%E5%A4%8F%E3%81%AE%E7%A5%AD%E5%85%B8%EF%BD%9E|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084327/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B47%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardomxstardom2015%E7%9C%9F%E5%A4%8F%E3%81%AE%E7%A5%AD%E5%85%B8%EF%BD%9E|script-title=ja:2015年7月26日 Stardom×Stardom2015~真夏の祭典～|archivedate=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|date=July 26, 2015|accessdate=September 16, 2023|work=World Wonder Ring Stardom|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/43784-mon-update-more-hulk-hogan-hof-questions-wwe-looking-for-replacement-for-lee-wwe-stock-falls|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815131544/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/43784-mon-update-more-hulk-hogan-hof-questions-wwe-looking-for-replacement-for-lee-wwe-stock-falls|title=Mon update: More Hulk Hogan, HOF questions, WWE looking for replacement for Lee, WWE stock falls|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|archivedate=August 15, 2015|date=July 27, 2015|accessdate=September 16, 2023|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On December 23, she lost the World of Stardom Championship to Io Shirai.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/487259/|script-title=ja:【スターダム】紫雷イオが王座返り咲き|date=December 24, 2015|accessdate=September 16, 2023|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja|archive-date=December 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224200718/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/womens_prores/487259/|url-status=dead}}

= Chikara (2012, 2016–2017) =

In May 2012, Satomura made her Chikara debut during the promotion's Aniversario.{{cite web|title=Meiko Satomura » Matches|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1944&page=4&year=2012&promotion=18|publisher=CageMatch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=March 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323141556/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1944&page=4&year=2012&promotion=18|url-status=live}} That same year, She returned to Chikara, participating in the group's premiere tournament, King of Trios. In 2016, Satomura, along with Cassandra Miyagi and Dash Chisako won the King of Trios tournament. The trio was announced for the 2017 edition of the tournament.

= WWE (2018, 2020–present) =

== Mae Young Classic (2018) ==

On July 27, 2018, WWE announced that Satomura will be competing in the second Mae Young Classic tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/maeyoungclassic/article/meiko-satomura-mae-young-classic-2018|title=Mae Young Classic 2018 adds Japanese legend Meiko Satomura|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=WWE|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727164657/https://www.wwe.com/shows/maeyoungclassic/article/meiko-satomura-mae-young-classic-2018|url-status=live}} She defeated Killer Kelly, Mercedes Martinez, and Lacey Lane before being defeated in the semifinals by Toni Storm.

== NXT UK (2020–2022) ==

On October 27, 2020, it was reported that Satomura had signed with WWE and would be an on-air talent and coach for NXT UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/10/meiko-satomura-reportedly-set-to-join-wwe-nxt-uk-as-a-in-676324|title=Meiko Satomura reportedly set join WWE NXT UK|date=October 27, 2020|access-date=October 27, 2020|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030222709/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/10/meiko-satomura-reportedly-set-to-join-wwe-nxt-uk-as-a-in-676324/|url-status=live}} On the January 28 episode of NXT UK, a video package aired hyping up Satomura's arrival to the brand.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1354884991122083842|title="Be prepared." @satomurameiko is coming to #NXTUK!|website=Twitter|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128201922/https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1354884991122083842|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-meiko-satomura-signs-wwe-will-join-nxt-uk|title=Meiko Satomura Coming To NXT UK|website=Fightful|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128170524/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-meiko-satomura-signs-wwe-will-join-nxt-uk|url-status=live}} On the February 11 episode of NXT UK, She made her in-ring debut, where she defeated Isla Dawn in an opening match.{{cite news|last1=COOK|first1=RYAN|title=WWE NXT UK Results for 2/11/21 Tag Team Street Fight Match|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-uk-results-live-coverage-21121-tag-team-street-fight-match|access-date=February 12, 2021|work=Fightful|date=February 11, 2021|archive-date=October 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001194648/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-uk-results-live-coverage-21121-tag-team-street-fight-match|url-status=live}} Soon after, Satomura began a feud with NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray, unsuccessfully challenging for the title on the March 3 episode of NXT UK; however, she won the title on the June 10 episode of NXT UK, became the first Japanese wrestler to hold the NXT UK Women's Championship, as well as in NXT UK overall.{{Cite web|title=Meiko Satomura Wins NXT UK Women's Championship|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://www.sescoops.com/2021/06/meiko-satomura-wins-nxt-uk-womens-championship/|access-date=June 10, 2021|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611072611/https://www.sescoops.com/2021/06/meiko-satomura-wins-nxt-uk-womens-championship/|url-status=live}} She had her first successful title defense against Amale on the July 15 episode of NXT UK. She would retain against Stevie Turner on the August 20 episode of NXT UK. She would successfully defend the championship against Blair Davenport on the January 6 episode of NXT UK and Isla Dawn on the March 24 episode of NXT UK.

== NXT (2022–present) ==

On the August 23, 2022, episode of NXT 2.0, Satomura made her first appearance on NXT, an American promotion, where she confronted the NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose. The two agreed to an unification match for their titles at Worlds Collide, with Blair Davenport being added to the match.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=8/23 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs vs. Gallus for the NXT UK Tag Team Titles, Tiffany Stratton vs. Wendy Choo in a Lights Out match, NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate vs. Von Wagner in a non-title match, The Grayson Waller Effect with guest Apollo Crews|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/23/8-23-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-brooks-jensen-and-josh-briggs-vs-gallus-for-the-nxt-uk-tag-team-titles-tiffany-stratton-vs-wendy-choo-in-a-lights-out-match-nxt-uk-champion-tyler-bate/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 23, 2022|access-date=September 2, 2022|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206155418/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/23/8-23-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-brooks-jensen-and-josh-briggs-vs-gallus-for-the-nxt-uk-tag-team-titles-tiffany-stratton-vs-wendy-choo-in-a-lights-out-match-nxt-uk-champion-tyler-bate/|url-status=live}} At the event, Rose won the match by pinning Davenport, ending Satomura's reign as NXT UK Women's Champion at 451 days (as recognized by WWE).{{Cite web|last=Beaston|first=Erik|title=WWE NXT Worlds Collide 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10047499-wwe-nxt-worlds-collide-2022-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights|access-date=September 5, 2022|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|archive-date=February 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201062024/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10047499-wwe-nxt-worlds-collide-2022-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights|url-status=live}} On the February 14 episode of NXT, she made her return, teaming with the NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez defeating Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. After the match, Satomura challenged Perez to a championship match, which Perez accepted.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/02/14/2-14-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-wes-lees-open-challenge-for-the-nxt-north-american-championship-tyler-bate-vs-grayson-waller-roxanne-perez-and-meiko-satomura-vs-kayden-carter-and-ka/|title=2/14 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Wes Lee's open challenge for the NXT North American Championship, Tyler Bate vs. Grayson Waller, Roxanne Perez and Meiko Satomura vs. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, Charlie Dempsey vs. Hank Walker, Axiom vs. Damon Kemp, Tiffany Stratton vs. Thea Hail|date=February 15, 2023|access-date=March 1, 2023|archive-date=March 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301101048/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/02/14/2-14-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-wes-lees-open-challenge-for-the-nxt-north-american-championship-tyler-bate-vs-grayson-waller-roxanne-perez-and-meiko-satomura-vs-kayden-carter-and-ka/|url-status=live}} The following week, the match was made official for NXT Roadblock, where Satomura would lose via roll-up.{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/wwe-nxt-roadblock-results-3-7-2023/|title=WWE NXT Roadblock Results 3/7/2023|date=March 8, 2023|access-date=March 8, 2023|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308033326/https://wrestlingheadlines.com/wwe-nxt-roadblock-results-3-7-2023/|url-status=live}} Satomura then congratulated Perez after the match, only for her (Perez) to collapse afterwards. Since this appearance, Satomura hasn't appeared on WWE programming.

Other media

Satomura appeared in the 2000 documentary Gaea Girls made for the BBC by Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams.{{cn|date=April 2024}} Satomura also attempted the Sponge Bridge course on Kinniku Banzuke.

Championships and accomplishments

Chikara
King of Trios (2016) – with Cassandra Miyagi and Dash Chisako{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/104489/94-chikara-king-of-trios-tournament-final-live-report.html?p=1|title=9/4 Chikara King of Trios tournament final live report|last=Cardoza|first=Adam|date=September 4, 2016|access-date=September 5, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011011006/http://pwinsider.com/article/104489/94-chikara-king-of-trios-tournament-final-live-report.html?p=1|url-status=live}}
DDT Pro-Wrestling
KO-D Openweight Championship (1 time)
KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chihiro Hashimoto and Dash Chisako
Fight Club: PRO
FCP Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2278|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819085718/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2278|archive-date=August 19, 2016|title=FCP Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}}
Gaea Japan
AAAW Single Championship (2 times)
AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship / AAAW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Sonoko Kato (1), Ayako Hamada (1) and Chikayo Nagashima (1)
Hustling Cup (1996){{cite web|title=Hustling Cup|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=512|publisher=CageMatch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611132753/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=26&nr=512|url-status=live}}
High Spurt 600 (1998, 2001){{cite web|title=High Spurt 600 Tournament 2001|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=507|publisher=CageMatch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611132754/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=26&nr=507|url-status=live}}
Splash J and Running G (1995) – with Kaoru and Tomoko Kuzumi{{cite web|title=Splash J & Running G Tournament|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=511|publisher=CageMatch|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611132815/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=26&nr=511|url-status=live}}
Progress Wrestling
Progress World Women's Championship (1 time)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Ranked No. 22 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2022{{Cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/27/full-2022-pwi-womens-150-list-revealed/|title=Full 2022 PWI Women's 150 list revealed|work=aiptcomics.com|first=Patrick|last=Ross|date=October 27, 2022|access-date=October 27, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028084238/https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/27/full-2022-pwi-womens-150-list-revealed/|url-status=live}}
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
Sendai Girls World Championship (2 times, inaugural){{cite web|url=http://www.sendaigirls.jp/information/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024191939/http://www.sendaigirls.jp/information/|script-title=ja:インフォメーション|archive-date=October 24, 2015|date=October 12, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015|work=Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead}}
Joshi Puroresu Dantai Taikou Flash Tournament (2011) – with Dash Chisako, Hiren, Kagetsu, Miyako Morino, Ryo Mizunami and Sendai Sachiko{{cite web|url=http://www.sendaigirls.jp/result/|title=Result|access-date=December 29, 2011|work=Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144517/http://sendaigirls.jp/result/|archive-date=November 10, 2013}}
Tokyo Sports
Joshi Puroresu Grand Prize (2013){{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/news/2013/12/002053.php|title=オカダが2年連続でプロレス大賞MVPを受賞！史上4人目の快挙だが、本人は「当たり前の結果」|date=December 10, 2013|access-date=December 9, 2013|work=Battle News|language=ja|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190757/http://battle-news.com/news/2013/12/002053.php|url-status=live}}
Westside Xtreme Wrestling
Femmes Fatales Tournament (2018)
World Wonder Ring Stardom
World of Stardom Championship (1 time){{cite news|url=http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/07/26/0008246006.shtml|script-title=ja:里村明衣子が赤いベルトを奪取！|date=July 26, 2015|access-date=July 26, 2015|work=Daily Sports Online|publisher=Kobe Shimbun|language=ja|archive-date=July 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726004034/http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/07/26/0008246006.shtml|url-status=live}}
Stardom Year-End Award (1 time)
Best Match Award (2015) vs. Io Shirai on December 23{{cite web|url=http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%892015%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8%E4%BC%9A%EF%BC%86%E5%AE%89%E5%B7%9D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084422/http://wwr-stardom.com/?new01=2015%E5%B9%B412%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%892015%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8%E4%BC%9A%EF%BC%86%E5%AE%89%E5%B7%9D|script-title=ja: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|archive-date=March 4, 2016|date=December 27, 2015|access-date=December 26, 2015|work=World Wonder Ring Stardom|language=ja|url-status=dead}}
WWE
NXT UK Women's Championship (1 time, final){{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/nxt-uk-womens-championship|title=WWE NXT UK Women's Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)|access-date=June 11, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412180207/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/nxt-uk-womens-championship|url-status=live}}