From bullying to the big stage: the rise of Giulia
In short: Born in London but raised in Japan, Giulia’s path to the WWE was forged through personal hardship. After facing bullying for her heritage, she transformed into a powerhouse of the Japanese joshi scene before making a high-profile jump to the global stage.
Giulia, born Eimi Gloria Matsudo in 1994, was raised in Chiba Prefecture. Her early life was marked by significant adversity; she was bullied from elementary through junior high school because she was only half-Japanese. This experience led her parents to enroll her in a private high school, and she eventually worked in her parents' Italian restaurant before pursuing a career in professional wrestling.
Her rise in the Japanese circuit was prolific. Debuting in 2017 with Ice Ribbon, she quickly ascended to World Wonder Ring Stardom in 2019. There, she became a multi-time champion, notably winning the World of Stardom Championship and the 2022 5 Star Grand Prix. Her career was characterized by intense rivalries, including a notable hair vs. hair match in 2021 and a high-profile title reign in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where she held the STRONG Women's Championship for 249 days.
In 2024, Giulia transitioned to the global stage with WWE. She made a significant impact in NXT, winning the NXT Women's Championship in December 2024. After a brief injury hiatus, she returned as a heel and eventually moved to the SmackDown brand. There, she achieved a record-tying second reign as Women's United States Champion, holding the title for 133 days before regaining it in early 2026. Her journey reflects a transition from a localized joshi star to a prominent international competitor.
Her career highlights a diverse range of styles and affiliations, from forming the 'Donna Del Mondo' stable to competing in mixed tag matches with Zack Sabre Jr. Despite the physical toll of the sport—including a wrist fracture in 2024 and hip nerve damage in 2019—she has consistently maintained a trajectory of rapid championship acquisition and narrative evolution.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Giulia (wrestler)
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