Natsu Sumire Pins Maya Yukihi in Pro Wrestling NOAH

Natsu Sumire Pins Maya Yukihi in Pro Wrestling NOAH

By: J. Curbelo

Women’s wrestling continues to gradually take over the Ark’s mat in the midst of a joshi boom across the industry in Japan. Today’s NOAH Majestic in Ryogoku Kokugikan saw a tag team match with Natsu Sumire joining Ryo Mizunami to face Maya Yukihi and SAKI.

After last month’s singles match between Yukihi and Sumire on the pre-show of NOAH’s Green Journey in Sendai, which saw the Snow Queen defeat her NOMADS’ colleague, the two freelancers were keen on earning grabbing rights on the main card. Using her old reliable whip to gain an advantage in the match, Natsu Sumire captivated the audience with her distinct personality and brand of offense, and managed to overcome Yukihi and SAKI’s targeted attacks on her. Of course, Mizunami made her presence felt too, notably with an intense lariat to take Yukihi down.

.@SMR_sptmber_luv gets her revenge over Yukihi in our women’s tag match!

#noah_ghc #MAJESTIC2023pic.twitter.com/gGB8mbQH31

— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) May 4, 2023

Despite Yukihi’s prowess with her arsenal of kicks, Sumire managed to overcome them with a Shining Wizard in clear tribute to Keiji Muto, followed by a cradle DDT to pick up the win. This was Sumire’s first win in Pro Wrestling NOAH’s third women’s match, following a pattern that has sparked discussion between both fans and wrestlers about a potential GHC Women’s Championship. Despite her negative record in the company, this marked a victory that not even World of Stardom Champion Giulia could achieve while defending her title against Yukihi.

Sumire wants to seize the boost of this win to become the leader of NOAH’s apparent women’s division, as she claimed “The NOAH women’s division is safe if you leave it up to me. I think I proved that today.” Mizunami, who appeared in the company for the first time, expressed gratitude towards all competitors for making it possible for her to be in the match. Furthermore, she is fully onboard with the idea of a GHC Women’s Championship.

Natsu : I was able to win my first victory in the Noah ring. I can handle Noah's women's bracket.
Mizunami :Thanks to Natsu and Yuki, I was able to participate in Noah's Ryogoku event today.
5.4.2023 #noah_ghc #wrestleUNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/KwBmoAsE3u

— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) May 4, 2023