Kairi Sane

Kaori Housako (September 23, 1988), best known as Kairi Sane, is a Japanese female professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the SmackDown brand. Making her WWE debut in NXT, Sane became a one-time NXT Women's Champion and a one-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion with Asuka as The Kabuki Warriors. Before WWE, she spent much of her career in Japan wrestling for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she became a one-time World Of Stardom Champion, a one-time Wonder Of Stardom Champion, three-time Goddesses Of Stardom Champion and a four-time Artist Of Stardom Champion.
== Professional wrestling career ==
===World Wonder Ring Stardom (2012-2017)===
Debuting as Kairi Hojo, she made her Stardom debut on January 7, 2012 during the first night of the 2012 Stardom Season 5 New Year Stars event, in a match won by Yuzuki Aikawa. On November 25, Kairi received her first title match, competing in a tag team match for the vacant Goddesses Of Stardom Championship, teaming with Natsumi Showzuki against Natsuki Taiyo & Yoshiko. Kairi and Shozuki did not succeed in winning the Goddess of Stardom tag titles.
The following year in 2013, on January 17, Kairi challenged for the Wonder Of Stardom Championship held by Yuzuki Aikawa during second night of the 2013 Stardom Season 10 New Year Stars event. Although unsuccessful in winning that title match, Kairi and Natsumi Showzuki went on to challenge again for the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship at Stardom Ryogoku Cinderella Champions Fiesta. There, they defeated the Goddesses Of Stardom Champions Kimura Monster-gun (Hailey Hatred & Kyoko Kimura) to win the titles. On June 23, during the sixth night of 2013 Stardom Season 12 Chapter Two: Beginning event, Kairi teamed with Kaori Yoneyama & Yuhi in defeating Christina Von Eerie, Hailey Hatred & Kyoko Kimura to win the vacant Artist Of Stardom Championship. They later lost the titles during the fourth night of the Stardom Season 14 Goddesses In Starsevent, to team Kimura Monster-gun (Alpha Female, Female Predator Amazon & Kyoko Kimura).
On January 26 at the Stardom 3rd Anniversay Show, Kairi challenged Act Yasukawa again for the Wonder Of Stardom Title but was unsuccessful in winning the championship. Later on February 9, Kairi's next title match was during the third night of the Stardom Season 15 New Year Stars event, where she teamed with Kaori Yoneyama & Yuhi to challenge for the Art Of Stardom tag titles held by Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mayu Iwatani & Miho Wakizawa, however Kairi's team were not successful in their title match. At the 2014 Stardom The Highest event, Kairi teamed with Nanae Takahashi to challenge Kimura Monster-gun (Alpha Female & Kyoko Kimura) for the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship but were unsuccessful in winning the titles. During the Stardom Osaka Championship Night event, Kairi teamed with Koguma & Nanae Takahashi in an unsuccessful title match for the Artist Of Stardom Championship held by Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mayu Iwatani & Miho Wakizawa. On July 27, during the sixth night of the Stardom Shining Stars event, Kairi competed in a Tournament Semi Final for the Wonder Of Stardom Championship, where she was eliminated by Mayu Iwatani. At Stardom X Stardom, Kairi teamed with Nanae Takahashi in defeating Kimura Monster-gun (Alpha Female & Kyoko Kimura) to win the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship. August 24, Kairi joined a Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix tournament, where she scored two points after defeating Nanae Takahashi on the first night. On September 27, during the second night of the 5STAR Grand Prix, Kairi scored three points after her match against Kaori Yoneyama ended in a Time Limit Draw. On September 13, during the third night of the 5STAR Grand Prix, Kairi remained at three points after her defeat to Cheerleader Melissa. On September 15 during the fourth night of the Grand Prix tournament, Kairi remained at three points after a second defeat, losing to Io Shirai. During the fifth and final night of the Grand Prix, Kairi landed a score of five points after defeating three-point holder Star Fire. Kairi finished her year on December 23 at Stardom Year-End Climax, with a successful tag title defense with Nanae Takahashi, retaining the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship against Risa Sera & Takumi Iroha.
The following year in 2015, on February 22 at Stardom Queen's Shout, Kairi and Nanae Takahashi retained the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles against Oedo Tai (Hudson Envy & Kyoko Kimura). On March 29 at the 2015 Stardom The Highest event, Kairi won a Tournament Semi Final after defeating Kyoko Kimura. She advanced to the Tournament Final where she defeated Io Shirai to win the vacant World Of Stardom Championship. On May 3, during the first night of the 2015 Stardom Golden Week Stars event, Kairi joined team Candy Crush with Chelsea and Koguma, to defeat Io Shirai, Mayu Iwatani & Reo Hazuki to win the Artist Of Stardom Championship. During the second night of the Stardom Golden Week Stars event held on May 6, Kairi and Chelsea won a Tag Team Tournament Semi Final after eliminating Hatsuhinode Kamen & Kaori Yoneyama. They advanced to the Tournament Final where they defeated Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani to win the vacant Goddesses Of Stardom Championship. After successful singles title defenses during May 17 through July 4, Kairi lost the World Of Stardom title during the first night of the 2015 Stardom X Stardom event, to Meiko Satomura. On October 11 at Stardom Appeal The Heat, Kairi won a Number One Contendership match for the World Of Stardom Championship after defeating Act Yasukawa.
On January 17, 2016 during the first night of the Stardom 5th Anniversary show, Kairi's title match was held against the defending World Of Stardom Champion Io Shirai who successfully retained the title. During the fifth night of the Stardom 5th Anniversary: Stardom Vs. The World II event, Kairi challenged Santana Garrett for the Wonder Of Stardom Championship but was unsuccessful in winning the title. On February 28, during the sixth night of the Stardom 5th Anniversary - Stardom Vs. The World III event, Kairi and teammates Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani lost the Artist Of Stardom Championship to team Hyper Destroyers (Evie, Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kellie Skater). At 2016 Stardom The Highest event, Kairi and teammate Meiko Satomura challenged for the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship but were unsuccessful against the defending champions Thunder Rock (Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani).
At the 2016 Stardom Gold May, Kairi defeated Santana Garrett to win the Wonder Of Stardom Championship. On May 20 at an inter-promotional event ABC 4eme Gala International De Catch Feminin ~ Stardom Europe including Association Biterroise de Catch, Kairi and The Alpha Female challenged for the ABC Women's Championship held by Heidi Katrina in a three-way match however, both challengers in unsuccessful in winning the title. During the third night of the 2016 Stardom Shining Stars event, Kairi and her teammates Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani retained their Artist Of Stardom Championship against Oedo Tai (Diosa Atenea, Kagetsu & Kyoko Kimura). During the October 2 edition of Stardom, Kairi and teammates Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani lost the Artist Of Stardom Championship to Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu & Kyoko Kimura). On December 22 at the 2016 Stardom Year-End Climax 2016, event, Kairi and Yoko Bito won the Goddesses Of Stardom titles from Oedo Tai (Kagetsu & Kyoko Kimura). She wrestled and won a singles match that same night, defeating Nana Suzuki.
On January 15, 2017 at the Stardom 6th Anniversary show, Kairi and Yoko Bito retained their Goddesses of Stardom tag titles against the United Kingdom challengers Kay Lee Ray & Nixon Newell. On January 29 during the first night of the 2017 Stardom New Years Stars event, Kairi successfully defended the Wonder Of Stardom Title against Nixon Newell. She continued her title reign successfully with a victory on February 23 at Stardom Stardom Of Champions, defeating Jungle Kyona. At Stardom Champions Around The World In Nagoya, Kairi and Yoko Bito lost the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles to Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona. At Stardom The Highest Kairi unsuccessfully challenged for the World Of Stardom title held by Io Shirai. Six days later at Stardom Grows Up Stars, Kairi was once more in possession of the World Of Stardom title, successfully defending the title against Konami. On April 15 during the sixth night of the 2017 Stardom Grows Up Stars event, Kairi and teammates Hiromi Mimura and Konami wrestled an Artist Of Stardom tag team title qualification match won by Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu & La Rosa Negra). Kairi's team later went on to win the Artist Of Stardom titles from the defending champion triad Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK & Io Shirai) on the second night of the 2017 Stardom Golden Week Stars event. On May 14, during the opening night of the 2017 Stardom Gold May event, Kairi lost the Wonder Of Stardom title to Mayu Iwatani. Kairi wrestled her final Stardom match on June 4 during the opening night of 2017 Stardom Shining Stars show where she and teammates Hiromi Mimura and Konami lost the Artist Of Stardom titles to Queen's Quest in a title rematch.
===Pro Wrestling ZERO1 (2012-2013, 2015)===
During her rookie year, Kairi made her ZERO1 debut in 2012 on November 6 at ZERO1 Universe, where she and teammate Yuhi defeated Mayu Iwatani & Natsumi Showzuki. She returned the following year on November 24, 2013, during the opening night of the ZERO1 Gods Of Shimane Country Tour, in a match won by Natsuki Taiyo. On November 25, during the second night of the tour, Kairi wrestled in a three-way match against Natsuki Taiyo and Hiroyo Matsumoto. Kairi returned two years later in 2015, on May 23 for a match at Oedo Super Fireworks where she and teammates Kayoko Haruyama, Takako Inoue and Yumiko Hotta defeated Aki Shizuku, KAORU, Takumi Iroha & Tomoko Watanabe.
===Tour in Mexico (2014)===
Kairi made her international debut in 2014, beginning with bookings in Mexico. She first wrestled for Toryumon Mexico, making her debut at Toryumon Mexico Dragonmania IX, where she and teammates Dark Angel, Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani defeated defeat Baby Star, Diosa Atenea, Mystique & Princesa Ahy Leen in a four-on-four tag match. While in Mexico, Kairi next wrestled for LEGEND Promociones, making her debut on May 17 at LEGEND Lucha Fan Fest 7, where she teamed with Crazy Star, Estrella Negra and Mystique against India Mazahua, Mayu Iwatani, Princesa Mohicana & Xena ending in a No Contest finish.
===Debut in Spain (2016)===
Kairi made her Spanish debut in Spain's Revolution Championship Wrestling (RCW) promotion on May 21 during the second night of the RCW Presents Stardom Europe event where she and teammate Mayu Iwatani defeated The Owens Twins (Kasey Owens & Leah Owens) in a tag match.
===UK Debut (2016)===
On May 22, Kairi made her UK debut in British Empire Wrestling (BEW) during the third night of the BEW International Grand Prix 2016 ~ Stardom Europe event, teaming with The Alpha Female to defeat Dahlia Black & Toni Storm.
===Debut in France (2016)===
Kairi's French debut was on May 20 for Association Biterroise de Catch (ABC), during the opening night of the ABC 4eme Gala International De Catch Feminin ~ Stardom Europe event, where she and The Alpha Female challenged defending Heidi Katrina in a three-way match for the ABC Women's Championship.
===United States Tour (2016)===
Kairi debuted as Doku in Lucha Underground on April 10 during episode "Breaker Of Bones", in a match against Pentagon Dark. Kairi next debuted on April 11 for Vendetta Pro Wrestling during the second night of the Vendetta Pro Casino Royale event, teaming with Cheerleader Melissa to challenge for the Goddesses Of Stardom Tag Titles held by team Thunder Rock (Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani) resulting in a Time Limit Draw. On October 7, Kairi made her Sabotage Wrestling debut, teaming with Yoko Bito in defeating Kaitlin Diamond & Kat Von Heez.
===World Wrestling Entertainment===
====Mae Young Classic====
Kairi signed with WWE and debuted as Kairi Sane on July 13 during the Mae Young Classic; where she defeated Tessa Blanchard in the first round. During the second round on July 14, Kairi Sane advanced after eliminating Bianca Belair. She eliminated Dakota Kai in the quarter finals to advance. Kairi eliminated Toni Storm during the semi finals later held on that same date. On September 12, Kairi defeated Shayna Baszler to win the Mae Young Classic. For winning the tournament, she earned herself a title shot at the vacant NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Houston.
====NXT (2017-2019)====
Kairi Sane debuted two nights after the conclusion of the Mae Young Classic, wrestling on the September 14 edition of NXT, defeating Aliyah. During November 2017, Kairi was involved in a series of four-way matches all won by Peyton Royce, involving Ember Moon and Nikki Cross; leading towards a title match for the vacant NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: WarGames. At WarGames, Kairi was unsuccessful in winning the vacant title as Ember Moon emerged the winner of the four-way title match.
Returning in January 2018, Sane entered the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble match held during the 2018 Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Throughout the months of February and March, Sane competed in NXT in singles matches against opponents including Shayna Baszler, Vanessa Borne, Rhea Ripley, Peyton Royce and Taynara Conti. She was also involved a few tag team matches, teaming Candice LeRae, Jessie Elaban, Dakota Kai and Ember Moon on different match occasions. On April 5 during the first day of the 2018 WrestleMania Axxess weekend event, Sane entered the NXT Women's Championship Invitational, advancing in the first round after eliminating Bianca Belair. On April 7 during the third day of the Invitational, Sane was eliminated in the semifinals Peyton Royce. On April 8 during the WrestleMania 34 Kickoff show, Sane entered the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal that was eventually won by Naomi. On April 19 at NXT, Sane challenged Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's title but did not succeed in winning the championship. She finished the remainder of the month in a succession of tag matches involving various partners including Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Steffanie Newell and Nikki Cross against various tag team combinations. Throughout the month of May, Sane would team mostly with Nikki Cross in matches mostly involving Taynara Conti and her partners including Reina Gonzalez or the Women's Champion Shayna Baszler. She ended the month teaming with Jessie Elaban in a tag match won by Lacey Evans & Vanessa Borne. During the June 2 house show, Sane began the month with a victory defeating Bianca Belair.
After successful tag matches during the June 14 and 
June 15 house shows, Sane made her televised return during 
the July 11 episode of NXT, defeating Vanessa Borne. The following week, she returned for the July 18 episode of NXT, where she competed in a triple-threat No. 1 Contendership match for the NXT Women's Championship, defeating opponents Candice LeRae and Nikki Cross. Sane returned to live events including the June 22 house show during which she teamed with rookie Kacy Catanzaro in defeating Reina Gonzalez & Taynara Conti. She returned for the final week of live events during the June 29 house show, defeating Taynara Conti. The following night at the final house show of the month, Sane teamed with Xia Li in a tag 
match defeating Lacey Evans & Vanessa Borne.
The following month, Sane returned for a match during the July 12 house show, defeating Taynara Conti. Two nights later, Sane returned for the July 14 house show, teaming with Jessie Elaban in a tag match defeating Reina Gonzalez & Rhea Ripley. She made her televised return during the 
August 15 episode of NXT (taped July 18), defeating Aliyah. She spent the remainder of July in house shows teaming with either Jessie Elaban or Candice LeRae in tag matches defeating tag teams including Shayna Baszler & Taynara Conti or Taynara Conti & Vanessa Borne. The following month, Sane's next title match was held during the August 17 house show, losing to the reigning NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler. On August 18, Sane met Baszler in a title rematch held at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV, where she defeated Baszler to become the new NXT Women's Champion. She made her televised return during the September 5 episode of NXT (taped August 23), defeating Trish Adora. She next wrestled her final stateside house show on August 25, teaming with Deonna Purrazzo and Io Shirai in a tag match lost to Shayna Baszler and newcomers Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir.
During the September 13 house show, Sane returned to team with Candice LeRae in a tag match lost to rookies Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir. During the following night's house show, Sane teamed with Dakota Kai & Io Shirai in a tag match lost to Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir. Sane made her televised return during the September 26 episode of NXT (taped September 20), where she defeated Vanessa Borne. She finished the remainder of the month in tag matches all lost to the team of Jessamyn Duke, Marina Shafir & Shayna Baszler. After successfully retaining the NXT Women's title in house shows against Lacey Evans, Sane met Shayna Baszler in a title rematch held on October 28 at the first-ever all-women's pay-per-view Evolution, where she was lost due to the referee stopping the match, resulting in Shayna Baszler winning the title back from Sane. On November 17 at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II, a Women's title rematch was held with Best Two Out Of Three Falls rules, ending with Baszler retaining the championship.
The following month, Sane returned for the December 6 house show, during which she teamed with Dakota Kai in defeating Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir in a tag match. The following night during the December 7 house show, Sane teamed with Candice LeRae & Dakota Kai in a tag match defeating Jessamyn Duke, Marina Shafir & Shayna Baszler. During the December 8 house show, Sane won a title match defeating the reigning NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, however due to her disqualification victory, she did not win the title. During the December 9 house show, Sane teamed with Candice LeRae, in a tag match lost against Marina Shafir & Shayna Baszler. Six nights later, Sane returned for the December 15 house show, during which she teamed with Mia Yim in a tag match lost to Jessamyn Duke & Shayna Baszler.
==== SmackDown Live (2019) ====
After the 2019 Superstar Shake-up, Sane made her main roster debut on the April 16 episode of SmackDown Live. There, she made her debut in an eight-woman tag match, teaming with Asuka, Bayley and Ember Moon, to defeat Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville & The IIconics. The following week on during the April 23 episode of SmackDown Live, Sane wrestled and won her first singles match, defeating Peyton Royce. Since her debut tag team match, Sane and Asuka quickly became allies and formed a new team of their own. On the April 30 episode of SmackDown Live in Columbus, Ohio, Sane and Asuka defeated local wrestlers Jaylee & Queen Aminata. The following month, Sane and Asuka revealed their new team name as The Kabuki Warriors on the May 14 episode of SmackDown Live. During the show, the Kabuki Warriors defeated the team of Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, and had their hands raised in victory by Smackdown General Manager Paige, the former leader and teammate of Rose and Deville.
On October 6th at Hell in a Cell 2019 the Kabuki Warriors defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
====Raw & New Roles (2019-2020)====
On October 14th The Kabuki Warriors were drafted to Raw during the 2019 WWE draft. The Kabuki Warriors retained the Women's Tag Team titles until WrestleMania 36 Night 1, during the opening bout of the pay-per-view, losing to Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross in a rematch. The Kabuki Warriors wrestled their final title match the following year in 2020 during the July 13 episode of Monday Night RAW unsuccessfully fully challenging the reigning Tag Team Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks. She wrestled her final WWE match on the July 20 episode of Monday Night RAW, defeating Bayley. During that same month, Sane went on to announce her departure from WWE to return to Japan and be with her husband. On October 2, 2020, Kairi announced that she had resigned with the company as an ambassador and trainer for WWE's Japanese branch. She also did Japanese commentary for Hell in a Cell 2020.
====Return and Damage CTRL (2023-present)====
At Crown Jewel 2023 Sane made her return and joined Damage CTRL after helping IYO SKY. On the November 10, 2023 episode of Friday Night Smackdown Sane teamed with Bayley & IYO SKY and faced the team of Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair & Asuka which ended in a no contest after Asuka misted Belair.
== In wrestling ==
*Finishing moves
**Insane Elbow / Seven Seas (Diving elbow drop, with theatrics)
**Ikari / The Anchor (Bridging cross-legged Boston crab)
*Signature moves
**4173 (Bridging Gedo clutch)
**Alabama Slam / Tokyo Slam (Double leg slam)
**FKE / Flying Kabuki Elbow (Springboard forearm smash)
** High-impact elbow smash, with theatrics
**Interceptor (Spear)
**Marine Spike (Diving double foot stomp to a tree of woe-hung opponent)
** Sliding D (Sliding forearm smash to an opponent seated in the corner, with marching theatrics) - adopted from Masato Tanaka
**Flying Headscissors
**Axe Kick
**Uraken
**Dropkick
**Running Blockbuster
*Nicknames
** "Onna Kaizoku"
** "People's Champ"
** "Pirate Princess"
*Entrance themes
**"The Last Voyage" (Stardom)
**"The Next Voyage" by CFO$ (2017-2019)
**"Warriors" by  DJDTP (2019-2020)
*Teams and stables
**The Kabuki Warriors- with Asuka
== Championships and accomplishments ==
*New Japan Pro Wrestling
**IWGP Women's Championship (1 time)
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI ranked her #10 in the 2017 PWI Top 50 Females
**PWI ranked her #10 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
**PWI ranked her #16 in the 2023 PWI Top 250 Females
*World Wonder Ring Stardom
** Goddesses Of Stardom Championship (3 times) - with Natsumi Showsuki (1), Nanae Takahashi (1) and Yoko Bito (1)
** Artist Of Stardom Championship (5 times) - with Kaori Yoneyama & Yuhi (1), Koguma & Chelsea Diamond (1), Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani (1), Hiromi Mimura & Konami (1) and Natsupoi & Saori Anou (1)
** World Of Stardom Championship (1 time)
** Wonder Of Stardom Championship (1 time)
*World Wrestling Entertainment
**WWE Mae Young Classic 2017 Winner
**WWE Women's Tag Team Championship (2 times, Current) - with Asuka
*WWE NXT
**NXT Women's Championship (1 time)
==External links==
* Profile at CAGEMATCH.net
* Profile
* Twitter page
Category:2012 debuts
Category:1988 births
Category:Female wrestlers
Category:Japanese wrestlers
Category:Living people
Category:Actwres girl'Z alumni
Category:Association Biterroise de Catch alumni
Category:British Empire Wrestling alumni
Category:Inoki Genome Federation alumni
Category:Lucha Underground alumni
Category:Pro Wrestling KAGEKI alumni
Category:Sabotage Wrestling alumni
Category:Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Revolution Championship Wrestling alumni
Category:Vendetta Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Toryumon Mexico alumni
Category:Women Wrestling Stars alumni
Category:NXT Women's Champions
Category:World Wonder Ring Stardom alumni
Category:WWE NXT alumni
Category:WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
Category:IWGP Women's Champions
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment current roster