KAIRI Sprained Her Ankle Before Winning The IWGP Women’s Championship
KAIRI was far from 100% on the night of her IWGP Women’s Championship win.
KAIRI sprained her ankle before winning the IWGP Women’s Championship on last month's NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over show.
November 20 was one hell of a night for the former WWE sensation, with the former Kairi Sane overcoming Maya Iwatani to become the first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion in the main event.
However, on arguably the most important night of her career so far, the one-time NXT Women's Champion was actually far from 100% heading into the pressure-filled scenario. Coming into a gruelling two-night mission, with KAIRI also battling it out against Saya Kamitani the night before Historic X-Over, the star would recently tell NJPW that she actually sprained her foot in training.
And despite being advised by doctors that she probably shouldn't be wrestling on the injury, KAIRI was able to get through the first match with Saya in Osaka. That helped her "from a mental standpoint" heading into one of the biggest matches of her career, but the outstanding worker still admitted "with Mayu the next day I was definitely worried."
Thankfully, KAIRI was able to get through that encounter, too, and now sits as the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion.
With Wrestle Kingdom 17 right around the corner, KAIRI is now all set to lock up with Tam Nakano at the event... and possibly even come face-to-face with Sasha Banks if reports are to be believed.