From 16-year-old high schooler to the global queen of professional wrestling
In short: Before she was a WWE Grand Slam Champion, Masami Odate was a teenager balancing high school classes with professional wrestling matches in Japan. Her journey from a part-time freelancer to an international icon is a masterclass in endurance, spanning decades and continents.
Masami Odate, known globally as Iyo Sky, began her career on March 4, 2007. At just 16 years old, she was working as a professional wrestler while still attending high school. Alongside her older sister, Mio, she competed in various Japanese promotions, initially as part of the Team Makehen stable under the training of Tomohiko Hashimoto.
Her early career was defined by intense international movement and versatility. She traveled to Mexico, where she wrestled under names like Viva Kasai and even adopted a cat-like mask for her entrances. In 2010, she formed the Triple Tails stable with her sister and the wrestler Kana. This period saw her navigating the complex landscape of Japanese 'joshi puroresu,' earning prestigious Tokyo Sports awards in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
The transition to the global stage with WWE marked a significant evolution in her persona. After appearing in the 2018 Mae Young Classic, she moved to the NXT brand, where she achieved championship success as both a singles and tag team competitor. By 2022, she had ascended to the WWE main roster under her current moniker, Iyo Sky.
Today, she stands as one of the most decorated athletes in the industry. Her accolades include being a WWE Women's Triple Crown Champion and a Grand Slam Champion. Her career has been a series of high-stakes milestones, from winning the NXT Women's Championship in 2020 to capturing the Women's World Championship in March 2025.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Iyo Sky
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