By: J. Curbelo
TJPW’s Miyu Yamashita has enjoyed a steady rise as the company’s ace in the last decade, but throughout 2022 she got to experience more international exposure than ever, which paid off with even further opportunities in these first few months of the year. WWE’s WrestleMania provides a can’t-miss scenario for multiple promotions around the world to celebrate professional wrestling in all its forms, and a few select get the chance to be in the area producing shows.
For the wrestlers, it’s probably the biggest, yet most chaotic week to be a part of. Yamashita has performed in six matches for five different promotions in the U.S. and Canada within one week, and it’s only the beginning. She is set on a three-month excursion, with TJPW stating that it could last longer should she receive a “big opportunity” on June 25th (The date of All Elite Wrestling’s Forbidden Door show with NJPW).
明日から6.25西鉄ホール大会の #wrestleUNIVERSE 会員先行予約です。
3ヶ月間の米国遠征から山下実優が凱旋帰国予定ですが、山下の海外スケジュールは流動的。6/25に現地で非常に大きなチャンスをもし掴むことがあれば、山下は帰国しない可能性もあることをご了承のうえお申し込みください。#tjpw pic.twitter.com/zpx2hyU9na
— TJPW 東京女子プロレス (@tjpw2013) March 29, 2023
The Pro Wrestling EVE Champion started her tour in the West with a singles match against independent veteran Nicole Matthews for Vancouver’s Nation Extreme Wrestling promotion, which also included a Meet & Greet session alongside tag team partner Maki Itoh. This would be followed by her debuts in both Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor’s regular TV shows, scoring wins against Killer Kelly and Shazza McKenzie, respectively.
These performances led to a #1 contendership opportunity for Impact’s Knockouts Championship in the company’s “Multiverse United” co-joint show with New Japan, unfortunately falling short to Deonna Purrazzo in a match involving Gisele Shaw and Masha Slamovich.
.@miyu_tjp takes @GiseleShaw08 out with a kick! #NJPWxIMPACT #MultiverseUnited pic.twitter.com/1zaJnV5u7O
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) March 31, 2023
However, there’s no place like home. The Pink Striker got to be in her element during Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling’s show in Los Angeles’ Globe Theater, defending her newly-won Princess Tag Team Championships with Maki Itoh against the Magical Sugar Rabbits, Mizuki and Yuka Sakazaki. Sadly, it was the latter who managed to overcome Itoh and Yamashita and take their titles after little less than two weeks.
The loss might have taken a toll on Miyu’s mindset, going on to lose to Taya Valkyrie at PRESTIGE Wrestling that very same night. Regardless, Yamashita might prevent the beginning of a losing streak as she’s scheduled to face ROH Women’s Champion Athena for the title next Thursday, after being called out by the Fallen Goddess.
I'm not mad at all..🙄
past is the PAST https://t.co/Dvulb6ebHd— 山下実優 Miyu Yamashita (@miyu_tjp) April 1, 2023
These two have faced each other in January for the same championship at PRESTIGE, with the match ending in controversial fashion despite Yamashita’s earnest attempts at holding a “triple crown” amongst three different continents.
With multiple appearances already confirmed for the rest of April and June, could we see the Ring of Honor belt across the country? Or will Yamashita keep representing the United Kingdom’s Pro Wrestling EVE in American soil as she chases more hardware? Until we know, Yamashita will spend her time meeting fans at the remaining hours of WrestleCon and tasting all the best food the country has to offer.
TJPW will once again be at WrestleCon today at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
We are scheduled to be there from 9am until noon.
Today is the last day we get to meet fans in America, so make sure you come meet us!#tjpw #tjpwUSA pic.twitter.com/b18e8ftWzM
— TJPW 東京女子プロレス (@tjpw2013) April 2, 2023
Date:
April 2, 2023
Category:
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