The Queen of Hearts (left) gets a face full of boot, courtesy of Maya Mamushi, during Sukeban’s pro wrestling event in Miami. The popular women’s pro wresting league makes its Los Angeles debut this Thursday at the Trinity Hotel Downtown.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU SPORTS EDITOR
Published May 29, 2024
There was a time, not all that long ago, when Los Angeles was the capital of professional wrestling.
In those days before Hulk Hogan and the World Wrestling Federation transformed the sport of dubious authenticity into a billion-dollar global empire, the epicenter of action in the famed square circle was the Olympic Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles.
Built in 1924 with an eye toward the 1932 Olympic Games in L.A., it became a mecca for up-and-coming boxers, especially under the guidance of master promoter Aileen Eaton.
In the 1950s, the landmark venue was one of the earliest to embrace the idea of televising arena events. In addition to boxing, it soon became a home for roller derby – remember the L.A. Thunderbirds? – music events and the country’s best-known pro wrestlers.
There were stars like Gorgeous George, Mr. Moto, the Destroyer, Bobo Brazil, Killer Kowalski, the Sheik, Crazy Luke Graham, George “the Animal” Steele and Roddy Piper, even before he became “Rowdy.”
The Olympic closed quite unceremoniously in the mid-1980s, as wrestling had found the majority of its audience on TV and on tours. It re-opened in the 1990s and has sporadically hosted music raves and other one-off events. Since 2005, it has been home to a church.
This week, the shouting and orchestrated mayhem returns to L.A., just 10 blocks or so up the road from the famous former arena.
Sukeban, the Japanese female wrestling league, will bring its action and collaborating events to its Los Angeles premiere at The Trinity Ho-tel in Downtown L.A. on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m.
Sukeban Los Angeles follows Sukeban’s Miami fight, which saw 2,000 fans attend and 1.3 million more watch live on TikTok and Twitch to see the crowning of Commander Nakajima as the inaugural world champion. With Japanese wrestling legend Bull Nakano at the helm as commissioner and scheduled to appear in L.A., Sukeban blends pro wrestling with anime, music, fashion, and culture to reach new and existing fans.
In addition to the five-match fight card, which begins at 8 p.m., the event will include a Japanese-style street fair featuring local Los Angeles vendors and exclusive merchandise. The street fair opens at 7 p.m.
One of the featured wrestlers, Midnight Player, shared some thoughts on the unique nature af Japanese wrestling with The Rafu Shimpo ahead of Thursday’s event.
“I think shining a spotlight on Sukeban and joshi (women’s) pro wrestling in a city as vibrant as Los Angeles will help build a bridge between Japanese and American fans,” she said. “I am so proud to be able to stand in Los Angeles as a member of Sukeban. I can’t wait to add to this city’s rich pro wrestling history on Thursday night, just a few blocks from the Olympic.”
Midnight Player also explained that as opposed to the emphasis on high-flying stunts seen in the American brand, Japanese puroresu showcases the sporting nature of pro-wrestling, and tries to show off athleticism, skill, and technique.
“I believe that pro wrestling is both a form of entertainment and a sport, so I like that wrestling fans around the world can experience a new style of pro wrestling through Sukeban.”
Sukeban has also appealed to the growing international interest in Japanese anime and otaku culture, to create a multilayered attraction.
“Manga and anime have helped convey the greatness of Japanese wrestling to America,” she explained. “For example, [fellow wrestlers] Tiger Mask and Kinnikuman are representatives of manga and anime that have become pioneers in Japanese wrestling culture and have ultimately been transmit-ted worldwide.
“However, in recent years I have felt that the connection between pro wrestling and anime and otaku culture has been fading. That’s why I believe that Sukeban, which incorporates anime, otaku, and kawaii culture, will be an important key to a new era that connects Japan and the United States, as well as pro wrestling and Japanese culture.”
The full card for the event includes:
Match: Commander Nakajima vs. Crush Yuu. Crush Yuu of the Cherry Bomb Girls challenges the leader of the Dangerous Liaisons and current Sukeban World Champion, Com-mander Nakajima. Can the Com-mander continue her reign, or will she be crushed?
Gang Warfare: Rina Yamashita vs. Lady Antoinette vs. Atomic Banshee;
The Cherry Bomb Girls, Dangerous Liaisons, and Vandals collide in a three-way match-up, as Rina Yamashita steps into the ring with Lady Antoinette and Atomic Banshee. Which gang will prevail when anything goes?
Harajuku Stars vs. Dangerous Liaisons: Saki Bimi, Babyface vs. Konami, Queen of Hearts;
A feud brewing since the Sukeban World Premiere, the Harajuku Stars and Dangerous Liaisons re-main at each other’s throats. In Los Angeles, the dominant team will stand tall;
Special Singles Match: Sareee Bomb vs. Maya Mamushi. International star Sareee Bomb, representing the Cherry Bomb Girls, follows up her victory at Sukeban Miami with a dream match against Maya Mamushi of the Harajuku Stars;
Tag Team Grudge Match: Super-sonic, Stray Cat vs. Midnight Player, Otakuchan;
The enemy of your enemy is your friend, in the case of the Cherry Bomb Girls and Stray Cat. The feline and Supersonic team up to take on the Vandals, who are still reeling from Stray Cat’s decision to remain on her own, rather than join their stable.
Tickets are just under $57 including all fees, and are on sale now at sukeban.com/la.
The Trinity is located at 851 S. Grand Ave. in Downtown Los Angeles.
–Additional information provided by Sukeban