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Kaori Yoneyama
Kaori Yoneyama
Kaori Yoneyama
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Kaori Yoneyama (米山 香織, Yoneyama Kaori; born February 26, 1981)[8][19] is a Japanese professional wrestler, working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent circuit. Yoneyama started her career in 1999, working with the JWP Joshi Puroresu promotion. During the following years, she became a one-time JWP Openweight Champion, a one-time JWP Junior Champion, a five-time JWP Tag Team Champion, a one-time Pure-J Openweight Champion and a three-time Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Champion. Notable titles she has held outside of JWP include All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling's AJW Championship and AJW Tag Team Championship, Ice Ribbon's International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, Big Japan Pro Wrestling's BJW Women's Championship, and NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling's High Speed Championship. In July 2011, Yoneyama announced that she would be ending her twelve-year career the following December. After a retirement tour, which took Yoneyama not only across the Japanese independent circuit, but also to the United States, she announced during her retirement ceremony that she had changed her mind and decided to continue her career. In January 2013, Yoneyama quit JWP to become a freelancer, working for promotions such as Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling, Oz Academy, Union Pro Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

JWP Joshi Puroresu (1999–2013)

[edit]

Yoneyama made her professional wrestling debut for the JWP Joshi Puroresu promotion on November 29, 1999, in a match against Kayoko Haruyama, during which she suffered an eye injury, which forced her to take an early break from her new career.[8][21] After making her return in early 2000, Yoneyama continued wrestling for JWP, but also made appearances in promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), Hyper Visual Fighting Arsion, JDStar, International Wrestling Association of Japan, Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling (LLPW) and NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling.[8][21] Yoneyama won her first professional wrestling championship on July 6, 2002, when she defeated Erika Watanabe for the JWP Junior Championship.[22] On July 20, Yoneyama and Kayoko Haruyama defeated Mika Nishio and Miyuki Fujii for the AJW Tag Team Championship,[23] which was followed by Yoneyama defeating Fujii in a singles match on November 29 to win the AJW Championship.[24] On January 2, 2003, Yoneyama won yet another title by defeating Princesa Sandy for the BJW Women's Championship.[25] Her AJW Championship reign ended two days later, when she was defeated by Mika Nishio, and a month later she and Haruyama were stripped of the AJW Tag Team Championship.[23][24]

On January 25, 2004, Yoneyama and Haruyama defeated Etsuko Mita and Misae Genki in a tournament final to win the JWP Tag Team Championship.[26] On August 15, Yoneyama ended her two-year reign with the JWP Junior Championship by vacating the title.[22] On December 12, Yoneyama and Haruyama lost the JWP Tag Team Championship to Akino and Tsubasa Kuragaki.[26] Yoneyama would regain the title from Akino and Kuragaki on May 15, 2005, this time teaming with Toujyuki Leon.[26] On August 7, Yoneyama defeated Tanny Mouse to become the 199th Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, but immediately afterwards vacated the title and entered a battle royal to determine the 200th champion. In the match, Mouse would regain the title.[27] After a fifteen-month reign, Yoneyama and Leon lost the JWP Tag Team Championship to Ran Yu-Yu and Toshie Uematsu on August 6, 2006.[28] While still maintaining JWP as her home promotion, in September 2006, Yoneyama began working regularly for her friend Emi Sakura's new Ice Ribbon promotion.[29] Yoneyama ended the year by winning the Daily Sports Christmas Cup.[30] On February 28, 2007, Yoneyama and Toshie Uematsu won a one night tournament to become the number one contenders to the JWP Tag Team Championship.[31] However, they would fail to capture the championship in their title match against Kazuki and Sachie Abe on March 21.[32] In late 2007, Yoneyama began feuding with JWP Openweight Champion Azumi Hyuga, which led to a title match between the two on December 9, where Hyuga retained her title.[33] In January 2009, Yoneyama debuted a new character, Yoneyamakao Lee, a Chinese wrestler supposedly signed to the nonexistent New Beijing Pro Wrestling (NBPW) promotion. The character mainly made appearances for DDT, the inventors of the NBPW concept.[17] On July 19, Yoneyama and Emi Sakura defeated Command Bolshoi and Megumi Yabushita for the JWP Tag Team and Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Championships.[34] On August 2, Yoneyama defeated Pro Wrestling Wave representative Yumi Ohka in the finals to win the 2009 Natsu Onna Kettei Tournament.[35] On September 20, Yoneyama made an appearance for NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling, defeating Natsuki☆Taiyo for the NEO High Speed Championship.[36] The following day, Yoneyama and Sakura won another championship by defeating Minori Makiba and Nanae Takahashi for Ice Ribbon's International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, meaning that, for the second time in her career, Yoneyama was now holding four different championships simultaneously.[37] Yoneyama's and Sakura's three reigns ended on December 13, when they lost all of their tag team titles to Azumi Hyuga and Ran Yu-Yu.[38]

Yoneyama in June 2010

On July 4, 2010, Yoneyama defeated Kayoko Haruyama in a tournament final to become the number one contender to the JWP Openweight Championship.[39] On July 18, Yoneyama defeated Nanae Takahashi to win the JWP Openweight Championship for the first time.[40][41] Afterwards, Yoneyama announced that start of the "Yoneyama Revolution", during which she offered to defend the Openweight Championship against any wrestler from any promotion.[42] On July 24, Yoneyama entered the 2010 Natsu Onna Kettei Tag Tournament, teaming with JWP founder and promoter Command Bolshoi, with the two defeating Kayoko Haruyama and Tanny Mouse in their first round match.[43] On August 15, Yoneyama and Bolshoi first defeated Dynamite Kansai and Tsubasa Kuragaki in the semifinals and then Kagetsu and Leon in the finals to win the Natsu Onna Kettei Tag Tournament.[44] On September 19, Yoneyama defeated former partner Emi Sakura in a JWP Openweight Championship vs. Hair match; as a result, Sakura was shaved bald.[45] On October 10, Yoneyama faced American Hailey Hatred in a match, where she put her JWP Openweight Championship and Hatred her Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW) Women's and Totally Lethal Wrestling (TLW) World Women's Championships on the line. After the first match ended in a double knockout, Yoneyama and Hatred wrestled another match, which also ended in a double knockout, meaning that both champions kept their titles.[46] On November 22, Yoneyama made her debut for Smash at Smash.10, where she teamed with Emi Sakura in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Kana and Syuri. After the match, Yoneyama offered to defend the JWP Openweight Championship against Syuri.[47] On November 30, Yoneyama and Hailey Hatred, known collectively as "Queens Revolution",[48] defeated Cherry Bomb and Sexy Star at a Joshi 4 Hope event to become the inaugural TLW World Women's Tag Team Champions.[49] Yoneyama returned to Smash on December 11 at Smash.11, where she teamed with Command Bolshoi to defeat Syuri and Nagisa Nozaki in a tag team match.[50] On December 24 at Happening Eve, Yoneyama defeated Syuri in the main event to retain the JWP Openweight Championship.[51] In January 2011, Yoneyama brought back the Yoneyamakao Lee character and, under it, began making regular appearances for Ice Ribbon.[52] The following month, Yoneyamakao formed a tag team with Hikari Minami, which eventually led to the two unsuccessfully challenging Emi Sakura and Ray for the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship two months later.[53][54] Back in JWP, Yoneyama and Hatred joined forces with Kyoko Kimura and Sayaka Obihiro to form a stable named Yoneyama Kakumei-gun ("Yoneyama Revolutionary Army").[55][56] On April 3, Yoneyama lost the JWP Openweight Championship to Leon in a match, which was also contested for the NEO High Speed Championship.[57] Yoneyama's reign lasted 258 days and included record-setting ten successful title defenses, all against JWP outsiders as part of the "Yoneyama Revolution".[57][58] Afterwards, Yoneyama was sidelined for two months with a mandible fracture.[59]

On July 10, Yoneyama announced after a match that she was going to retire from professional wrestling at the end of the year.[60][61] The announcement led to Yoneyama unsuccessfully challenging Hailey Hatred for the JWP Openweight, TLW World Women's and IMW Hybrid Fighting Championships on August 7.[62] Yoneyama's retirement tour saw her make appearances for promotions such as Universal Woman's Pro Wrestling Reina,[63] Pro Wrestling Wave,[64] Oz Academy,[65] Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling,[66] and Freedoms.[67] On November 13, Yoneyama and Hatred put their TLW World Women's Tag Team Championship on the line against JWP Tag Team and Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Champions Kayoko Haruyama and Tsubasa Kuragaki. Yoneyama and Hatred went on to win the match to become Triple Crown Tag Team Champions.[68] Yoneyama's retirement tour also led her to make her American debut, when she took part in Chikara's JoshiMania weekend as a last minute replacement for an injured Command Bolshoi.[69][70] On December 2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Yoneyama teamed with Hanako Nakamori and Tsubasa Kuragaki to defeat Archibald Peck, El Hijo del Ice Cream and Ice Cream Jr. in an intergender six-person tag team match.[71] The following day in Everett, Massachusetts, Yoneyama defeated Nakamori in a singles match.[72] On the third and final night of the tour in Manhattan, New York, Yoneyama was defeated by Mayumi Ozaki in a singles match.[73] On December 14, Yoneyama wrestled her Ice Ribbon farewell match, where she wrestled Hiroyo Matsumoto to a ten-minute time limit draw.[74] On December 23, Yoneyama was defeated by Kayoko Haruyama in her retirement match.[75] However, during the post-match ceremony, Yoneyama interrupted a ten bell salute to her career and announced that she had changed her mind and did not want to retire after all.[75] The surprise turn led to JWP offering a refund to anyone who attended the show, announcing that in the future wrestlers would have to sign contracts to make sure they do retire after their retirement matches and finally stripping Queens Revolution of all three of their tag team championships.[76][77][78] JWP also refunded tickets for all events from Yoneyama's retirement announcement to her supposed retirement match.[79] Yoneyama later apologized for betraying the trust of her fans and co-workers and claimed that she had come to the decision to retire after her mandible fracture, feeling that, with her recent lengthy JWP Openweight Championship reign, she had done all she could in JWP and did not want to continue risking her health. However, gradually she started to have a change of heart brought on especially by her trip to the United States.[76][80] Yoneyama continued wrestling for JWP on January 9 at the promotion's first event of 2012.[81]

Yoneyama in September 2012

On April 22, Yoneyama faced Emi Sakura in a special singles match, where the loser would have to join the winner's promotion. Sakura won the match and, as a result, Yoneyama was forced to join her new Thailand-based Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling promotion.[82] On May 4, Yoneyama and Sakura defeated Command Bolshoi and Rabbit Miu to win the vacant JWP Tag Team and Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Championships, taking the belts with them to Thailand three days later.[83][84] Upon joining Gatoh Move, Yoneyama, along with male wrestler Madoka, began helping Sakura train wrestlers for the promotion.[85] Yoneyama and Sakura, now known collectively as the "Tai-Pan Sisters",[86] returned to JWP on June 17 to make their first successful defense of the JWP Tag Team and Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Championships against the team of Arisa Nakajima and Manami Katsu.[87] Yoneyama and Sakura made their second successful defense on July 15 against the team of Kazuki and Morii,[88] after which they changed their team name from the Tai-Pan Sisters to "Reset".[89] On August 19, Reset lost the titles to Arisa Nakajima and Command Bolshoi in their third title defense.[90] On September 9, Yoneyama and Sakura defeated Hanako Nakamori and Morii in a tag team match, after which the two agreed to join Reset to form the "Heart Move Kei Reform" (HMK) stable.[91][92][93][94] On September 14, Yoneyama returned to the United States and Chikara as she, Command Bolshoi and Tsubasa Kuragaki entered the 2012 King of Trios in Easton, Pennsylvania, as Team JWP, defeating The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield, Mark Angelosetti and Matt Classic) in their opening match of the tournament.[95][96][97] The following day, Team JWP was eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals, after losing to F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor, Icarus and Johnny Gargano).[96][98][99][100] On the third and final day of the tournament, Yoneyama teamed with Manami Toyota in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Bolshoi and Kuragaki.[96][101][102] Back in JWP, the first big match between HMK and the JWP Seikigun ("regular army") took place on October 7, when Yoneyama, Sakura, Nakamori and Morii defeated Arisa Nakajima, Command Bolshoi, Kayoko Haruyama and Manami Katsu 3–0 in an eight-woman captain's fall elimination tag team main event, with Yoneyama scoring the deciding pinfall over the JWP Openweight Champion Haruyama.[103] Afterwards, Yoneyama was named the number one contender to Haruyama's title.[104] On October 21, Yoneyama failed in her title challenge against Haruyama.[105] On November 10, Yoneyama made a special appearance for Pro-Wrestling: EVE in Sudbury, Suffolk, England, teaming with April Davids in a tag team tournament. After defeating The Blossom Twins (Hannah and Holly) in their first round match, Yoneyama and Davids were defeated in the finals of the tournament by Bete Noire and Viper.[106] On December 24 at JWP's year-end event, Yoneyama was defeated by Command Bolshoi in a singles grudge match.[107] After the match, the two seemingly buried their hatchet.[108] On January 6 at JWP's first event of 2013, Yoneyama and Morii were defeated in a tag team match by Kazuki and Sachie Abe, with Kazuki pinning Yoneyama for the win. Following the match, Yoneyama thanked the fans in attendance for their support during the past thirteen years and announced that she was resigning from the promotion.[109] She, however, announced that she reveal the actual date of her resignation at a later date.[110] JWP confirmed the upcoming resignation the following day.[111] On January 13, Yoneyama teamed with Sareee in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Arisa Nakajima and Kay Lee Ray. Following the match, Yoneyama announced that she would be wrestling her final JWP match on January 27.[112] On January 27, 2013, Yoneyama wrestled her JWP farewell match, a six-woman tag team match, where she, Hanako Nakamori and Morii were defeated by Arisa Nakajima, Command Bolshoi and Kana, with Nakajima pinning her for the win.[113][114] Following the event, Yoneyama announced that in the future, she would be working as a freelancer.[115]

Freelancing (2013–present)

[edit]
Yoneyama in December 2019

On February 13, 2013, Yoneyama earned the right to name and design Union Pro Wrestling's women's title by pinning Cherry in a tag team match, where she and Masako Takanashi defeated Cherry and Mio Shirai.[116][117] Despite her big sendoff from JWP, Yoneyama continued making appearances for the promotion as a freelancer, making her first appearance just three weeks after her farewell match on February 17, when she teamed with Leon to defeat Hanako Nakamori and Morii in a tag team match.[118][119] On March 10, Yoneyama defeated Cherry to become the inaugural Union Fly to Everywhere World Champion.[120] Yoneyama made her first successful defense of the title on April 5 against Nazo Fukumen B.[121] On May 3, Yoneyama lost the Fly to Everywhere World Championship to Cherry in a three-way elimination match, which also included Nazo Fukumen B.[122][123] On September 16, Yoneyama produced her own independent event, which saw her team with Emi Sakura in a main event tag team match, where they defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto and "Kotori".[124] On April 27, 2015, Yoneyama made her debut for the newly revived FMW promotion, teaming with Kagetsu in a tag team match, where they were defeated by Miss Mongol and Ray.[125][126] On December 13, Yoneyama and Tsubasa Kuragaki defeated Kagetsu and Kaho Kobayashi to win the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship.[127] On December 22, Yoneyama defeated DJ Nira at Gatoh Move's year-end show to win the IWA Triple Crown Championship.[128] She lost the title to Riho on June 22, 2016.[129] On September 11, Yoneyama and Kuragaki lost the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship to Hikaru Shida and Syuri.[130] On July 2, 2017, Yoneyama and Cherry defeated Yuki Miyazaki and Yumi Ohka to win the Wave Tag Team Championship.[131] They lost the title to Hiroe Nagahama and Kaho Kobayashi in their first defense on August 12.[132] In October, Yoneyama returned to the United States to work Shimmer Women Athletes' October 18 and 19 tapings. On the first day, she teamed with Akino and Tsukasa Fujimoto to defeat Kellie Skater, Mia Yim and Tomoka Nakagawa on Volume 67, before teaming with Fujimoto on Volume 68 to unsuccessfully challenge Skater and Nakagawa for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship.[133] The following day, Yoneyama and Fujimoto defeated Nevaeh and Sassy Stephie on Volume 69, before Yoneyama ended her weekend by losing to Nikki Storm on Volume 70.[134]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2013-present)

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Yoneyama (the third from the right of the upper row) at Stardom's Anniversary Show in April 2014.

On February 3, 2013, Yoneyama made a surprise appearance for the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion, affiliating herself with Nanae Takahashi's Nanae Gundan stable and challenging Natsuki☆Taiyo to a match for the High Speed Championship.[135][136] The title match was made official on February 12.[137][138] On March 3, Yoneyama failed to capture the High Speed Championship from Natsuki☆Taiyo, when their title match ended in a thirty-minute time-limit draw.[11][139][140] On April 29, Yoneyama took part in the Ryōgoku Cinderella event at Ryōgoku Kokugikan, teaming with Hiroyo Matsumoto and Syuri in a six-woman tag team match, where they were defeated by Mika Nagano, Nanae Takahashi and Tsukasa Fujimoto.[141][142][143] On June 2, Yoneyama defeated Natsuki☆Taiyo in a rematch to win the High Speed Championship for the second time.[144][145] On June 23, Yoneyama, Kairi Hojo and Yuhi defeated Kimura Monster-gun (Christina Von Eerie, Hailey Hatred and Kyoko Kimura) in a decision match to win the vacant Artist of Stardom Championship.[144][146][147] On July 7, Yoneyama made her first successful defense of the High Speed Championship against Mayu Iwatani.[144][148] Yoneyama, Hojo and Yuhi made their first successful defense of the Artist of Stardom Championship on August 17 against Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyou Densetsu (Act Yasukawa, Natsuki☆Taiyo and Yoshiko).[144][149] From August 25 to September 23, Yoneyama took part in the 5★Star Grand Prix tournament of 2013, where she finished with a record of two wins and three losses, failing to qualify for the finals.[150][151] On October 14, Yoneyama, Hojo and Yuhi, now known collectively as "Chibis", made their second successful defense of the Artist of Stardom Championship against Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mayu Iwatani and Miho Wakizawa.[152][153] On October 20, Yoneyama and Yuhi entered the 2013 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, but were eliminated in their first round match by Act Yasukawa and Kyoko Kimura.[152][154] On November 4 at Stardom's 100th event, Chibis lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to the Kimura Monster-gun (Alpha Female, The Female Predator "Amazon" and Kyoko Kimura) in their third title defense.[152][155] In November 2013, Yoneyama and Madoka began producing small independent events under the name YMZ (Yoneyamadoka da ze).[156][157] On December 23, Yoneyama made her second successful defense of the High Speed Championship against Yuhi.[152] Six days later, Yoneyama lost the title back to Natsuki☆Taiyo in her third defense.[152]

A rematch between the two took place on February 2, 2014, in which Taiyo retained the High Speed title.[158] On February 9, Chibis received a rematch for the Artist of Stardom Championship, but were defeated by the defending champions, Tawashis (Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mayu Iwatani and Miho Wakizawa).[159][160] Yoneyama attempted to regain the title from Tawashis with new partners, but failed alongside Hatsuhinode Kamen and Kellie Skater on March 16 and Kamen and Sayaka Obihiro on June 1.[159][161][162][163] On April 29, Yoneyama was defeated by Natsuki☆Taiyo in a two out of three falls match for the High Speed Championship.[159] On May 3, Yoneyama and Madoka won Gatoh Move's second annual Go Go! Green Curry Khob Khun Cup, a tournament for mixed tag team teams, defeating Emi Sakura and Masa Takanashi in the finals.[164] On August 10, Yoneyama regained the Artist of Stardom Championship from the Tawashis, alongside Hatsuhinode Kamen and the debuting Tsubasa Kuragaki.[165] At Mask Fiesta 2014 on October 26, Yoneyama, performing under the name Yonehinode Kamen, teamed up with Hatsuhinode Kamen in a loss to Risa Sera and Takumi Iroha.[15][166] On December 7, Yoneyama, Kamen and Kuragaki lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to Io Shirai, Mayu Iwatani and Takumi Iroha in their first title defense.[167]

On June 17, 2017, Yoneyama won the Artist of Stardom Championship for the third time, when she, Hiroyo Matsumoto and Jungle Kyona defeated AZM, HZK and Io Shirai for the title.[168][169] On August 13, 2017, Yoneyama, Kyona and Matsumoto lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to HZK, Io Shirai and Viper, also in their first defense.[170][171] At Mask Fiesta 2018 on October 28, 2018, Yoneyama debuted as Happy Pumpkin in a win over Gao.[172]

While being part of the Tokyo Cyber Squad stable, Yoneyama adopted the gimmick of "Death Yama-san".

At the 2019 Stardom Draft on April 14, 2019, Yoneyama was drafted to the International Army stable, later known as Tokyo Cyber Squad.[173] At Stardom Yokohama Cinderella 2020 on October 3, 2020, Yoneyama fell short to Natsupoi in a Singles match. On the same night, Jungle Kyona and Konami lost to Oedo Tai's Natsuko Tora and Saki Kashima in a Losing unit must disband match, as Tokyo Cyber Squad folded to mourn the death of their former leader Hana Kimura. Yoneyama received the invitation of joining Mayu Iwatani's unit of Stars which she accepted and switched her gimmick to "Gokigen Death" in the process.[174] At Stardom Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020 on December 20, Yoneyama teamed up with her new stablemates Mayi Iwatani and Starlight Kid, and unsuccessfully challenged Cosmic Angels (Mina Shirakawa, Tam Nakano and Unagi Sayaka) for the Artist of Stardom Championship.[175]

At Stardom 10th Anniversary Show on January 17, 2021, Yoneyama unsuccessfully challenged AZM for the High Speed Championship.[176] At Stardom All Star Dream Cinderella on March 3, 2021, she participated in a 24-women Stardom All Star Rumble featuring various active stars such as Mei Hoshizuki and Bea Priestley, and from the past such as Chigusa Nagayo, Kyoko Inoue, Mima Shimoda, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Emi Sakura, Momoe Nakanishi and others.[177] At Stardom Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 on April 4, Yoneyama teamed up with Mayu Iwatani, Saya Iida, Starlight Kid and Hanan, falling short to Oedo Tai's Natsuko Tora, Ruaka, Konami, Saki Kashima and Rina as a result of a Ten-woman elimination tag team match. Since Yoneyama was last eliminated, she was forced to quit Stars and join Oedo Tai.[178] At Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2021, she fell short to Mayu Iwatani in the first round matches from April 10.[179] At Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer on July 4, Yoneyama teamed up with to defeat Maika and Lady C, Hanan and Hina, and Saki Kashima and Rina in a Gauntlet tag team match.[180] At the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2021, Yoneyama fought in the "Red Stars" block where she scored a total of ten points after competing against Momo Watanabe, Mayu Iwatani, Koguma, Starlight Kid, Himeka, Natsupoi, Giulia, Mina Shirakawa and Saki Kashima.[181] At Stardom 10th Anniversary Grand Final Osaka Dream Cinderella on October 9, 2021, Yoneyama unsuccessfully challenged Starlight Kid for the High Speed Championship.[182] At the 2021 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, Yoneyama teamed up with Saki Kashima as "I love HigashiSpo!" and fought in the "Red Goddess" block where they scored a total of four points after competing against the teams of FWC (Hazuki and Koguma), AphrOditE (Saya Kamitani and Utami Hayashishita), Himepoi '21 (Himeka and Natsupoi), Cosmic Angels (Unagi Sayaka and Mai Sakurai), and Water & Oil (Hanan and Rina).[183] Yoneyama and Kashima wrestled one of their league match at Kawasaki Super Wars, the first event of the Stardom Super Wars which took place on November 3, 2021, where they defeated Hanan and Rina.[184] At Tokyo Super Wars on November 27, Yoneyama teamed up with Saki Kashima and Rina falling short to Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki and Hanan.[185] At Stardom Dream Queendom on December 29, 2021, Yoneyama won a five-way match also involving Waka Tsukiyama, Lady C, Saki Kashima and Rina.[186]

At Stardom Nagoya Supreme Fight on January 29, 2022, Yoneyama competed in the same kind of five-way match, this time competing alongside her Oedo Tai stablemates Ruaka, Saki Kashima and Rina, getting defeated by Momo Kohgo.[187] At Stardom Cinderella Journey on February 23, 2022, she teamed up with Saki Kashima, falling short to Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano.[188] On the first night of the Stardom World Climax 2022 from March 26, Yoneyama teamed up with Saki Kashima and Ruaka and competed in a six-woman tag team gauntlet match won by Donna Del Mondo (Himeka, Natsupoi and Mai Sakurai) and also involving Queen's Quest (AZM, Lady C and Miyu Amasaki) and Cosmic Angels (Waka Tsukiyama & Mina Shirakawa) and Momo Kohgo.[189] At Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2022, she fell short to Koguma in the first rounds of April 3.[190] At Stardom Flashing Champions on May 28, 2022, she unsuccessfully challenged Mayu Iwatani for the SWA World Championship.[191] At Mid Summer Champions in Tokyo, the first event of the Stardom Mid Summer Champions series which took place on July 9, 2022, Yoneyama teamed up with Saki Kashima, Ruaka ad Rina to defeat Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki, Koguma and Saya Iida).[192] At Mid Summer Champions in Nagoya on July 24, she teamed up with Ruaka and fell short to Mayu Iwatani and Momo Kohgo.[193] At the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix 2022, Yoneyama did not compete in either of the blocks but made an appearance on the first night of the tournament from July 30, 2022, where she competed in a tag team gauntlet match.[194] At Stardom in Showcase vol.1, the first event of the non-canon "Showcase" branch of events which took place on September 25, 2022, Yoneyama won an 18-woman Nagoya rumble match where she appeared under her old Stars gimmick of "Gokigen Death".[195]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Luchas de Apuestas record

[edit]
See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Kaori Yoneyama (championship and hair) Emi Sakura (hair) Tokyo, Japan JWP Revolution September 19, 2010 [45]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kaori Yoneyama

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kaori Yoneyama (born February 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and renowned for her versatile in joshi spanning over two decades. Standing at 4'11" (150 cm) and weighing 125 lbs (57 kg), she debuted on November 29, 1999, in the against Kayoko Haruyama, quickly establishing herself as a high-energy performer known for her agility, comedic gimmicks, and expertise. Throughout her career, Yoneyama has wrestled in major promotions such as , NEO Japan Ladies, , , Pro Wrestling Wave, , and Gatoh Move, often under alter egos like Gokigen Death and Fukigen Death to enhance her character-driven style. She has formed notable tag teams, including Beast Friend with Hiroyo Matsumoto and , and HMK with and Hanako Nakamori, contributing to her reputation as a reliable veteran who mentors younger talent while competing in over 100 matches annually. Yoneyama's accolades include over 19 championship reigns across various titles, such as the AJW Championship (1 time), JWP Openweight Championship (1 time), JWP Tag Team Championship (5 times), (5 times), and NEO/Stardom High Speed Championship (2 times), highlighting her success in both singles and multi-woman divisions. She has also triumphed in tournaments like the Natsu Onna Kettei Tag in 2009 and 2010. In 2013, Yoneyama transitioned into promotion by founding YMZ (Yoneyama MatsuZawa), focusing on independent events that emphasized fun and accessibility, which she continues to oversee as of 2025. Following YMZ's disbandment on January 1, 2025, she launched Gokigen Pro Wrestling, hosting regular shows at venues like FACE and POST DI AMISTAD in Kawasaki, with events such as the sold-out "Gokigen Festival" on November 11, 2025, and the upcoming "Gokigen Tournament 2" on December 19, 2025. Despite a knee injury in August 2024 from which she returned in January 2025 after approximately five months, Yoneyama remains active, appearing in high-profile matches like the October 27, 2025, event and securing recent title victories, including the Daily Sports Championship on May 6, 2025, with partner Leon in Pure J. Her enduring contributions have earned her high ratings on wrestling databases, underscoring her status as a "workhorse" of wrestling.

Early life and training

Personal background

Kaori Yoneyama was born on February 26, 1981, in Zushi, a coastal suburban city in , . She stands at a height of 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) and has a billed weight of 57 kg (126 lb), attributes consistently noted across her professional promotions. Yoneyama has a background in , which provided an early foundation in athletic discipline before her entry into . This setting in Zushi, known for its proximity to and local recreational opportunities, likely offered initial exposure to sports and entertainment that aligned with her later career path.

Entry into wrestling

Kaori Yoneyama, originally from Zushi in , pursued her aspiration to become a professional wrestler after being inspired by the excitement of joshi puroresu during her high school years. At age 16, during a summer break as a sophomore, she attended an event featuring and experienced the thrill of the matches, prompting her to decide on a career in wrestling. Initially lacking access to dedicated pro wrestling training facilities, she joined a mixed martial arts gym called RODEO STYLE to build foundational skills. Following her high school graduation in early 1999, Yoneyama auditioned for and joined the promotion, entering their established program in . She lived in the promotion's dormitory and underwent rigorous training under senior wrestlers, enduring intense physical demands that left her exhausted and dealing with injuries. Despite these challenges, she persevered through the demanding regimen, which emphasized technical proficiency and endurance suitable for joshi-style competition. Yoneyama passed her professional test for JWP later that year, even after sustaining injuries during practice sessions. She made her in-ring debut on November 29, 1999, at , facing fellow trainee Kayoko Haruyama in a singles match. Billed under her real name, Kaori Yoneyama, she established herself as a junior heavyweight competitor, leveraging her compact 150 cm frame and energetic style to align with JWP's emphasis on agile, high-impact performances.

Professional wrestling career

JWP Joshi Puroresu era (1999–2013)

Kaori Yoneyama debuted in professional wrestling on November 29, 1999, for , facing Kayoko Haruyama in her first match after training at the promotion's . During her developmental years from 1999 to 2002, Yoneyama primarily competed in the junior division, honing her skills through undercard bouts that emphasized her emerging technical prowess and high-flying maneuvers, such as the and double wrist armsault. This period allowed her to build experience against established juniors, establishing a foundation for her transition toward more prominent roles within the promotion. Yoneyama's breakthrough came in 2002 with her first major title victory, defeating Erika Watanabe on to capture the JWP Junior Championship, which she held for over two years until vacating it in August 2004 after four successful defenses. Later that year, on July 20, she and partner Kayoko Haruyama won the AJW Tag Team Championship from Miyuki Fujii and Mika Nishio in a cross-promotional match, marking her entry into contention. On November 29, 2002, Yoneyama claimed the AJW Championship by defeating Miyuki Fujii, holding it for 36 days before losing to Mika Nishio. She extended her accolades into 2003 by winning the vacant BJW Women's Championship on January 2 against Princesa Sandy, a that lasted until the title's deactivation in 2011 due to Big Japan Pro-Wrestling's women's division closure. In the mid-2000s, Yoneyama solidified her tag team success in JWP, securing her first JWP Tag Team Championship on January 25, 2004, alongside Kayoko Haruyama by defeating Etsuko Mita and Misae Genki; this was the first of her five reigns with the title, partnering variously with Haruyama, Emi Sakura (twice), Tojuki Leon, and Hailey Hatred. Her partnerships often highlighted her versatile style, blending technical holds with aerial offense and comedic elements that endeared her to fans. These victories, including tournament wins like the 2009 Natsu Onna Kettei Tag League with Emi Sakura, underscored her reliability as a tag specialist while she continued to pursue singles opportunities. Yoneyama reached her career peak in JWP during 2010, when she defeated on July 18 to win the JWP Openweight Championship after years of challenging for the top prize, transitioning fully from the junior ranks to the division. She defended the title successfully against opponents like Tanny Mouse on August 1 and Hailey Hatred on October 10, before a high-profile hair vs. hair match against on September 19, where Yoneyama retained amid intense storyline rivalry with veterans. Her reign ended on April 3, 2011, against Leon in a title unification bout, but she recaptured the championship on March 10, 2013, against Cherry before her tenure concluded. In July 2011, Yoneyama announced her intention to retire at the end of the year, prompting a farewell tour across promotions that built emotional storylines around her 12-year career. However, during her planned retirement ceremony on December 23, 2011, she reversed the decision in a dramatic angle, opting to continue wrestling and leading to the stripping of her and Hailey Hatred's as punishment for the swerve. This event highlighted her comedic gimmick roots while extending her in-ring legacy. Yoneyama's exclusive association with JWP ended on January 27, 2013, with a farewell match against Command Bolshoi, amid the promotion's internal restructuring. Throughout her 14-year stint, she evolved from a junior up-and-comer to a mainstay competitor, renowned for her high-flying technical style infused with humor.

Freelance transition and independent circuit (2013–2019)

Following her departure from in early 2013, Kaori Yoneyama transitioned to a freelance career, immediately securing bookings across Japan's independent wrestling landscape. In 2013, Yoneyama founded the promotion YMZ (Yoneyama MatsuZawa), organizing independent events alongside her freelance wrestling appearances. Her first major appearance came in Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling, where she debuted with a one-count match victory over Madoka on March 15, 2013, marking her entry into the promotion's eclectic, comedy-infused style. This shift allowed her to diversify her opportunities, as she began working without a home promotion, focusing on building connections through reliable performances in various circuits. Yoneyama quickly achieved success in Union Pro Wrestling, defeating Cherry on March 10, 2013, to become the inaugural Union Fly to Everywhere World Champion in a match that established the women's division's flagship title. She defended the championship successfully against opponents including on June 2, 2013, holding it for 54 days before vacating it due to scheduling conflicts. Her freelance schedule expanded to include , where she partnered with Tsubasa Kuragaki to capture the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship on December 13, 2015, by defeating and in the main event of the "Loaded" show. The duo reigned for 273 days, solidifying Yoneyama's prowess in the promotion. In , she maintained steady involvement through numerous singles and tag matches, often competing in undercard bouts that highlighted the promotion's high-energy environment, including challenges related to the Triangle Ribbon Championship. Throughout the period, Yoneyama appeared in cross-promotional events with promotions like Pro Wrestling Wave, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, and Kaientai Dojo, where she excelled in versatile roles blending technical wrestling with comedic elements. To enhance her indie appeal, she developed alter egos such as Death Yama-san, a grim reaper-inspired used in select bookings for humorous stipulations and multi-woman matches, adding a unique flair to her freelance persona. By 2017, as Pure-J emerged from JWP's remnants, Yoneyama integrated appearances there, pursuing opportunities in its division while continuing her multi-promotion grind. This nomadic approach presented challenges, including logistical demands of 100+ annual matches across disparate groups, yet it fostered her reputation as a dependable midcard talent capable of elevating undercard contests and contributing to inter-promotional spectacles.

Career in World Wonder Ring Stardom

Debut and rise (2013–2019)

Kaori Yoneyama made her debut for on February 3, 2013, appearing as a surprise participant during an event and aligning herself with veteran wrestler Nanae Takahashi's , Nanae Gundan, which positioned her as a crossover talent from the independent circuit. Her freelance background facilitated this entry, enabling her to compete regularly in Stardom's undercard matches and high-speed division bouts, where her compact stature and agile wrestling style—featuring quick armdrags, moonsaults, and kicks—quickly earned her a niche among the promotion's faster-paced competitors. Yoneyama's early momentum in culminated in her first title success on June 2, 2013, when she defeated defending champion at the event to capture the High Speed Championship, marking her second overall reign with the title after an initial win in the promotion's predecessor league. She held the championship for 210 days, defending it twice in high-energy singles matches that highlighted her technical prowess and speed against fellow specialists like Takumi Iroha and Yuhi, solidifying her role in the division before losing it to Taiyo in a rematch on December 29, 2013. This reign emphasized Yoneyama's ability to blend veteran experience with the promotion's emphasis on rapid, acrobatic exchanges. Throughout 2013, Yoneyama engaged in key storylines centered on the high-speed roster, including a high-profile feud with Taiyo that spanned multiple defenses and rematches, as well as rivalries with emerging talents like Io Shirai, whom she faced in block matches during tournaments. She also participated in Stardom's inaugural 5★Star Grand Prix from August 25 to September 23, 2013, competing in and earning four points with two victories (over Takumi Iroha and Kairi Hojo) and three losses, including a submission defeat to Shirai that underscored the competitive depth of the high-speed field. These encounters helped establish Yoneyama as a reliable for younger wrestlers, often in multi-woman tags that tested her endurance and adaptability. As Yoneyama's tenure progressed into the mid-2010s, she transitioned toward more prominent midcard opportunities, frequently teaming with rising stars in trios competition. On June 23, 2013, alongside Kairi Hojo and Yuhi as the informal unit Chibis, she captured the in a three-way decision match against the Kimura Monster-gun stable (, , and Hailey Hatred), initiating a 134-day reign focused on showcasing youthful energy and technical synergy. She recaptured the title on August 10, 2014, further demonstrating her growing influence in tag and trios formats, and won it for a third time on June 17, 2017, partnering with Hiroyo Matsumoto and to defeat representatives AZM, HZK, and Io Shirai☆, which highlighted her evolution into a role for Stardom's next generation. Yoneyama's match highlights from this era included several standout defenses and multi-woman encounters that pitted her against Stardom's emerging aces, such as a 2013 High Speed title retention against Yuhi in a singles match and various trios bouts against and her allies, where Yoneyama's veteran savvy often neutralized the speed of opponents like Iwatani in chaotic, high-stakes environments. These performances, including her contributions to the 5★Star Grand Prix in subsequent years like 2014 and 2017, reinforced her status as a foundational figure in Stardom's midcard, bridging the gap between undercard agility and main-event storytelling without dominating the top singles scene.

Championships and recent developments (2020–present)

In 2021, Yoneyama aligned with in , contributing to the stable's efforts and participating in multi-woman matches that highlighted her veteran experience. Throughout the period, she frequently adopted the Fukigen Death persona, a comedic, high-energy character suited for fast-paced and humorous bouts, often in six-woman or eight-woman tags to showcase younger talent. Yoneyama's title successes in Stardom during this era include multiple reigns with the , a six-woman tag title emphasizing teamwork and spectacle. A notable example is her 2025 reign as part of the HATE unit with and Rina, capturing the belts on September 10 in after defeating the defending champions in a high-stakes trios match; this reign, ongoing as of November 2025, underscores her continued relevance in faction warfare. She has also challenged unsuccessfully for the , Stardom's premier singles title, positioning herself against top competitors to elevate emerging storylines. Recent highlights include her participation in Stardom's Dream Queendom 2024 event on December 29, 2024, where, as Fukigen Death, she teamed with Azusa Inaba, Rina, and Ruaka in an eight-woman tag loss to HANAKO, Mina Shirakawa, Rian, and Waka Tsukiyama, blending comedy with competitive intensity. In the Cinderella Tournament 2025, held in March, Yoneyama entered as Fukigen Death, securing a pre-show victory over Rian on March 15 but falling to Lluvia in the first round on March 8, demonstrating her endurance in single-elimination formats. She continued with tag action, such as in Stardom Nighter events at Korakuen Hall, including a April 2025 appearance in multi-person bouts that reinforced her role in undercard excitement. She continued her active schedule, including a multi-woman tag team match at the Stardom Nighter event on October 27, 2025, at Korakuen Hall. As a with as her primary base, Yoneyama ranked #204 in the 2024 PWI Women's 250, recognizing her consistent output across promotions. By mid-2025, she had competed in over 40 matches alone, maintaining a rigorous schedule that included tag defenses and tournaments. Evolving into a veteran mentor, she guides rookies in WAVE and other indies while staying active in 's ecosystem, balancing high-volume bookings with developmental influence.

Championships and accomplishments

Singles titles

Kaori Yoneyama's singles career is marked by several notable championship reigns across various promotions, showcasing her adaptability in junior, , and divisions. Her first major singles title came in , where she captured the JWP Junior Championship on July 6, 2002, holding it for 771 days until vacating it on August 15, 2004, establishing her as a cornerstone of the promotion's junior division during its early years. This extended reign highlighted her technical prowess and endurance in fast-paced matches against rising talents. In a brief but significant crossover achievement, Yoneyama won the AJW Championship on November 29, 2002, by defeating Miyuki Fujii, only to lose it to Mika Nishio on January 4, 2003, after a 36-day reign that bridged JWP and styles. Shortly thereafter, on January 2, 2003, she claimed the BJW Women's Championship by defeating Princesa Sandy, embarking on a dominant reign lasting 3,233 days—the longest in the title's history—during which she made defenses against international competitors, including wrestlers from and the , underscoring her global appeal in hardcore and deathmatch environments. She also held the IWA Triple Crown Championship from December 22, 2015, to June 22, 2016 (183 days), defeating DJ Nira and losing to . Yoneyama's pinnacle in JWP came with the JWP Openweight Championship, which she won on July 17, 2010, in Tokyo, holding it for 260 days until losing to Leon on April 3, 2011; this reign featured multiple successful defenses against top Joshi competitors, solidifying her status as a versatile main eventer capable of competing beyond weight classes. As a freelancer following JWP's closure, she continued her singles success, winning the NEO High Speed Championship twice: first on September 20, 2009, for a 175-day reign that emphasized her high-flying speed in NEO Women's Pro Wrestling, and second on June 2, 2013, holding it for 210 days until December 29, 2013, after NEO's integration with Stardom. In 2013, she became the inaugural Union Fly to Everywhere World Champion on March 10 by defeating Cherry via a roll-through German suplex, holding the title briefly in Union Pro-Wrestling's lighthearted yet competitive scene. Later freelance highlights included the Pure-J Openweight Championship, captured on March 20, 2021, in , though her 22-day ended against Rydeen Hagane on April 11, 2021, representing a key accomplishment in the post-JWP era amid her independent bookings. Yoneyama also secured the World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Championship twice, including a beginning December 1, 2021, by defeating Yumi Ohka in a three-way match, and another from March 17, 2024, to March 29, 2024 (12 days); these demonstrate her enduring relevance in veteran-led promotions. Additionally, she held the DDT briefly in the 2000s through comedic defenses in Dramatic Dream Team events. She also won the Openweight Championship once in her freelance career. These accomplishments illustrate Yoneyama's versatility, transitioning from junior lightweight bouts to and challenges, with reigns spanning promotions like JWP, AJW, BJW, NEO, Union, Pure-J, Diana, and , amassing over a dozen singles titles while maintaining a high match volume into her 40s.

Tag team and trios titles

Yoneyama's tag team career is marked by numerous successful partnerships across promotions, showcasing her versatility in collaborative wrestling dynamics. She frequently teamed with wrestlers who complemented her high-energy, technical style, forming units that emphasized synchronized offense and crowd engagement. Her tag team achievements span over two decades, contributing to more than 10 reigns in various promotions, often highlighting themes of and in joshi puroresu. In , Yoneyama captured the JWP Tag Team Championship five times between 2004 and 2012, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the division's landscape. Her first reign came on January 25, 2004, alongside Kayoko Haruyama, lasting 322 days in a partnership built on Haruyama's complementing Yoneyama's . She then held the title with Tojyuki Leon from May 15, 2005, to August 6, 2006, for a record 448 days, their dynamic relying on Leon's aerial prowess and Yoneyama's ground control to dominate defenses. Later reigns included two with —first from July 19, 2009, to December 13, 2009 (147 days), and again from May 4, 2012, to August 19, 2012 (107 days)—where their veteran chemistry created fast-paced, entertaining bouts; and a brief 53-day run with Hailey Hatred from November 13, 2011, to January 5, 2012, blending international flair with Yoneyama's precision. Yoneyama also secured the Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Championship five times, frequently unified with the JWP Tag Team title during her JWP tenure but continuing in later promotions. Her initial win occurred on July 19, 2009, with , defeating Command and in , highlighting a partnership that fused Sakura's comedic elements with Yoneyama's serious intensity. Subsequent reigns included another with Sakura in 2012, one with Hailey Hatred in 2011, one with Kakeru Sekiguchi on July 17, 2022, and most recently with Leon on May 6, 2025, in Pure-J, reinforcing her role across eras. Outside JWP, Yoneyama's tag team success continued in , where she won the AJW Tag Team Championship twice: first on July 20, 2002, partnering with Kayoko Haruyama to defeat Miyuki Fujii and Mika Nishio for the vacant titles (vacated February 18, 2003), and once on January 4, 2004, with Saki Maemura defeating Hikaru and Haruka Matsuo (263 days until September 23, 2004); these reigns emphasized striking and submissions. In Oz Academy, she claimed the once with Hiroyo Matsumoto as part of the Beast Friend unit, winning on December 2, 2018, and holding it for 161 days until May 12, 2019; this pairing, rooted in their shared affiliations, focused on Matsumoto's strength carrying high-impact sequences. In , Yoneyama's tag and trios accomplishments include the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, won once with on September 21, 2009, for an 83-day reign that showcased their recurring synergy in inter-promotional matches. For trios action, she held the Triangle Ribbon Championship twice, first in a multi-wrestler collective and most recently winning it on July 27, 2024, in a three-way match, before relinquishing it on August 8, 2024, due to injury; these reigns underscored her adaptability in 's chaotic, multi-person formats. Transitioning to World Wonder Ring Stardom, Yoneyama excelled in trios competition by winning the Artist of Stardom Championship five times between 2013 and 2020 as part of Team Jungle and J.A.N. Her first trios reign came on June 23, 2013, with Kairi Hojo and Yuhi, lasting 134 days. She followed with a 258-day run in 2016–2017, and later on June 17, 2017, with Hiroyo Matsumoto and , lasting until August 2017, where the group's powerhouse dynamics created dominant defenses. Another 126-day run from May 27, 2018, to September 30, 2018, alongside and , filling a vacancy after defeating members and emphasizing Tora's aggression paired with Yoneyama's veteran leadership. These partnerships highlighted Yoneyama's evolution into a stabilizing force in Stardom's faction-based trios scene.
TitleReignsPartnersNotable DurationPromotionSource
JWP Tag Team Championship5Kayoko Haruyama, Tojyuki Leon, (2x), Hailey Hatred448 days (with Leon)Cagematch
Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Championship5 (2x), Hailey Hatred, Kakeru Sekiguchi, LeonVariesVarious (primarily and Pure-J)Wrestling-Titles
AJW Tag Team Championship2Kayoko Haruyama, Saki Maemura263 days (with Maemura)Wrestling-Titles
Oz Academy Tag Team Championship1Hiroyo Matsumoto161 daysLast Word on Sports
International Ribbon Tag Team Championship183 daysWrestlingData
Artist of Stardom Championship5Various (e.g., Kairi Hojo/Yuhi, Hiroyo Matsumoto//, others in J.A.N.)258 days (2016–2017)Cagematch
Triangle Ribbon Championship2Various (trios collective)VariesCagematch

Notable matches and records

Luchas de Apuestas record

Kaori Yoneyama's involvement in Luchas de Apuestas matches, a originating from Mexican and infrequently adopted in due to its high personal stakes, is limited to a single documented encounter. This occurred on September 19, 2010, during JWP Revolution at FACE in , where Yoneyama, as the reigning JWP Openweight Champion, faced her former partner in a title versus hair match that served as the culmination of their intensifying rivalry. The feud, rooted in their prior successful collaboration as JWP Champions, escalated into personal animosity, heightening the emotional intensity typical of such high-stakes bouts in tradition. Yoneyama secured the victory via pinfall after , retaining her and, per the , overseeing the post-match of Sakura's head, a dramatic that underscored the match's gravity. This triumph significantly elevated Yoneyama's status as a premier competitor within JWP, solidifying her reputation for resilience in pivotal confrontations. No additional Luchas de Apuestas matches appear in Yoneyama's record, highlighting the rarity of this in her otherwise extensive career focused on standard and championship contests.

Key rivalries and special appearances

Throughout her career, Kaori Yoneyama has been involved in several notable rivalries that highlighted her versatility in both serious and high-stakes encounters. One of her most prominent feuds was with former tag team partner , which built over years of collaboration and competition in , eventually leading to a intense confrontation in 2010 where personal stakes elevated the drama between the two veterans. Yoneyama also challenged and defeated Leon to win the PURE-J Openweight Championship on March 20, 2021, showcasing her adaptability across weight classes and styles. In , she engaged in fast-paced clashes with during tournaments like the 5STAR Grand Prix, where their matches emphasized high-speed maneuvers and technical prowess, allowing Yoneyama to compete effectively against younger, agile talents. Yoneyama has made several special appearances incorporating her comedic personas, adding levity to events without overshadowing core storylines. As Fukigen Death, her "unhappy" character featured in comedy segments within Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling and , where exaggerated expressions and antics provided humorous relief amid intense cards. A variant, Gokigen Death, appeared in events during 2024 and 2025, continuing this tradition of playful interruptions in matches across independents. These personas often involved masks, such as the Sarubobo Mask, drawing from Japanese cultural elements to enhance her contributions to the comedy tradition while maintaining focus on underlying arcs. Among her notable non-title matches, Yoneyama teamed with Cherry in the 2025 Dual Shock Wave Tournament for Pro Wrestling WAVE, losing to Itsuki Aoki and Kakeru Sekiguchi in the first round on September 1, 2025. She also competed at Stardom's event on March 9, 2024, participating in multi-woman tags that bridged her freelance status with Stardom's roster. Following her recovery from a injury in August 2024, Yoneyama returned to the ring, competing in a multi-woman match at Stardom's event on October 27, 2025. Cross-promotion bouts in Pro Wrestling WAVE have been frequent, including singles and tags that integrated her into WAVE's ecosystem alongside regulars like Cherry and . Yoneyama's impact in these areas is reflected in accolades, including multiple awards from JWP, such as MVP Awards in 2002, 2010, and 2011. She ranked #204 in the 2024 PWI Women's 250, recognizing her enduring presence in the independent scene.

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