That Time WWE’s Iyo Sky Nearly Went To Prison

The literal element of framing makes this seem like a terrible WCW 2000 storyline, but it actually happened.

Sky spent weeks under questioning. Throughout, she maintained that she was not guilty. Eventually, after almost three weeks of being detained, Sky was released. On June 21, she appeared before the press decked out in black. She apologised but publicly maintained her innocence. She also announced that she had split from Nosawa. Her real relationship had to end because she was considered guilty by her association with a notorious name. Sky, on June 28, was absolved, but only to an extent. The Tokyo District Prosecution Office declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence, but this was hardly conclusive. There was no closure. Until something shocking emerged.

Takuyi Suge, who wrestled under the name Yoshitsune, confessed everything at a press conference on July 9. He had planted the drugs under the encouragement of Hayashi, who in return had offered him more gigs in AAA. Suge however said that he could no longer live with the guilt. He essentially lost four years of his career, but eventually gained steady work in Zero1 and as an exciting if shallow freelancer (shockingly, since this is wrestling and you’d have expected him to, he never did go back to AAA). If his ceiling was higher than that, he was never going to reach it after his role in the scandal. Nosawa ended up booking Pro Wrestling NOAH, which is where he put an end to his in-ring career.

Sky, you know about. She’s the Genius of the Sky, but save for a last minute act of attrition on Suge’s part, may never have reached those heights.