The promotion that broke the rules of professional wrestling

Countries & Cities · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2015, a World of Stardom title match turned from a choreographed spectacle into a brutal, unscripted physical altercation. The incident was so severe it forced the promotion to overhaul its safety protocols, ban specific strikes, and take immediate financial hits to manage the fallout.

World Wonder Ring Stardom (STRDOM) emerged in 2010 as a prominent joshi puroresu promotion, blending high-impact mixed martial arts influences with a heavy emphasis on the physical attractiveness of its performers. While it quickly gained national television coverage in 2020, its reputation was forged through a mix of high-profile idol crossovers and intense, often volatile, in-ring competition. The promotion's growth was marked by major milestones, including its first international shows in California in 2015 and its largest-ever crowd of 5,500 at the historic Ryōgoku Kokugikan in 2013.

The promotion faced a defining crisis on February 22, 2015, during a match between Yoshiko and Act Yasukawa. The bout ended when the two began 'shooting'—a term for real, unscripted fighting. Yoshiko gained the upper hand, causing severe injuries to Yasukawa, including fractured cheek, nasal, and orbital bones. The incident was complicated by pre-match tension; Yoshiko had refused to sign the contract, citing Yasukawa's health issues, only to sign it in the ring after being attacked by teammates.

The aftermath forced a radical restructuring of Stardom's operations. President Rossy Ogawa issued a public apology, and the promotion's leadership took a 30% pay cut for three months to manage the situation. New safety mandates were implemented, including a ban on face punches (with disqualifications for first offenses) and the permanent assignment of a ringside doctor to all events. This event remains a pivotal moment in the promotion's history, illustrating the thin line between performance and reality in professional wrestling.

Beyond the controversy, Stardom has established enduring traditions, such as the annual Goddesses of Stardom Tag League and the Cinderella Tournament. Despite the 2015 incident, the promotion continues to be a major force in the industry, navigating complex corporate shifts including a brief period as a subsidiary of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) between 2024 and 2026.

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