10 Times Wrestlers Went Into Business For Themselves In The Ring
1. Yoshiko Ends Act Yasukawa's Career
Japan's Stardom company has carved a golden reputation as wrestling's premier joshi promotion in recent years, but they played host to one of the most unpleasant wrestling shoots of all time in February 2015.
Yoshiko and Act Yasukawa faced off in a battle of ex-stablemates, but the former wasn't out to work a wrestling match. Instead, Yoshiko decided to pummel her opponent with legitimate shoot moves. Yasukawa was bloodied up within a few minutes, and things got so bad that veteran wrestler Kyoko Kimura decided to throw in the towel on Act's behalf long before the intended conclusion.
Yasukawa was a broken mess. Diagnosed with fractured cheek, nasal, and orbital bones, her wounds exasperated a pre-existing eye condition, and led to her eventual retirement. She tried to return in September, but was force to leave the sport three months later, citing permanent damage to her vision brought on by Yoshiko's assault as the reason.
Dubbed the 'Ghastly Match' in Japan, the bout brought no long-term consequences for Yoshiko. She apologised and retired from the sport in the aftermath, but she was never blacklisted, and returned to work unhindered in 2016. She's still active on the joshi circuit today, but hasn't worked for Stardom since.