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Act Yasukawa Looks To Hollywood

Act Yasukawa pose by Issa Marie

The Actwres girl’Z Star Brings Her “Evil Actress Spirit” To WrestleMania Weekend

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISSA MARIE

THE “JAPANESE DRUNKEN Samurai” with the “Evil Actress Spirit” is headed to Hollywood, and you do not want to miss out on seeing her!

The former Act Yasukawa, better known for wrestling in STARDOM as a member of Oedo Tai, wants fans to meet ACT (pronounced AKUTO), the current incarnation of Yasukawa representing ACT Wrestling (popularly known as Actwres girl’Z, or AWG).  “I am ready for the fans to meet this current and revolutionized version, ACT, who is very different from the past version most fans are familiar with.”

Act Yasukawa competed by Issa Marie

In pro wrestling, fans and analysts continually talk about the importance of an alternative. They reason that it makes sense to provide a product that is more appealing to a different demographic. Yet, when you look at most promotions—specifically in Japan—you will notice that nearly all of them share a similar structure in their training and business models.

And that is why AWG stands out. ACT wants to show the wrestling world the diverse talent that resides in the growing promotion, which, notably, differs from all others in one key way. “All of us are professional actresses,” she said. “Every expression, every move, we put our soul and heart to entertain the audience.  The organization is still very new when compared to the other promotions, but there is so much potential and talent in every member. Everyone has what it takes to become a superstar.  And, when we do come out to the states as a group, I want the US fans already looking forward to Actwres girl’Z.”

Act Yasukawa competed by Issa Marie

While that group trip hasn’t yet been realized, ACT is looking forward to the new experience of representing AWG over WrestleMania Weekend. “Previously, at Stardom, I traveled and wrestled as a member of Oedo Tai,” she recalls. “But this time, I am on my own, tagging with Aspyn Rose for the first time, as well as being a part of a four-way match against Brooke Havok, Kidd Bandit, and Billie Starkz. I have to prepare for the match, study their movements.  I am looking forward to it.” 

Indeed, with the latter four-way, Relentless Wrestling is starting off WrestleMania Weekend by giving us joshi fans a dream match we did not know we needed in our lives!

Act Yasukawa pose by Issa Marie

Speaking of dream matches, ACT is no stranger to them.  When asked to name hers, she could not settle on a single bout. “I have to say, it was Yuzuki Aikawa, August 19, 2012, Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix [tournament] match,” she said. “Or versus Kairi Hojo (KAIRI), on January 26, 2014, the Wonder of Stardom championship belt match. I cannot decide, because both bouts gave me a special impression that I will never forget.”

For the fans that will be introduced to her via her many appearances during WrestleMania Week, ACT has a personal message: “Hello everyone, I’m ACT from Actwres girl’Z. I am the ‘Japanese Drunken Samurai,’ by loving the Japanese culture and its sake, as I am called the ‘Evil Actress Spirit.’  Please enjoy meeting my different personalities, in and out of the ring. If you enjoy meeting me and my pro wrestling, I would also like you to know Actwres girl’Z through me.  Thank you very much!”

WrestleMania Week Schedule:

Act Yasukawa pose by Issa Marie

March 29

Pandemonium:  Pro Wrestling
5:00 – 7:30 pm PDT
Don Quixote Event Center

Relentless Wrestling
9:00 – 11:00 pm PDT
Don Quixote Event Center

March 31

WrestleCon (appearance/signing)
9:00 am – 2:00 pm & 3:00 – 5:00 pm PDT
Millennium Biltmore Hotel

April 1

WrestleCon (appearance/signing)
9:00 am – 2:00 pm PDT
Millennium Biltmore Hotel

April 2

WrestleCon (appearance/signing)

9:00 am – 2:00 pm PDT
Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Merchandise for Sale

Red USA-Exclusive T-shirts
Black USA-Exclusive T-shirts
4 different Act portraits
Two Shots (Cheki)
Act Yasukawa Lapel Pins
Actwres girl’Z Lapel Pins
Act Yasukawa Stickers
Additional Actwres girl’Z portraits

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ALTERNATE “WOMEN’S 150” COVER: Hyper Misao

Hyper Misao alternate Women's 150 cover

ALTERNATE “WOMEN’S 150” COVER: Hyper Misao

Hyper Misao alternate Women's 150 cover
PWI January 2023 alternate cover

PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED recently unveiled the cover of our January 2023 “Women’s 150” issue, which features the top three Stardom wrestlers on our annual list, with a video announcement hosted by our friends at Church of Joshi.

In the past, we have created several alternate covers that we’ve released for exclusive digital download. The most popular of these, by far, was the 2021 Lulu Pencil cover, which lionized the #500 wrestler from that year’s PWI “500” ranking. Given Ms. Pencil’s sense of humor, charisma, and loyal fan base, there was quite a bit of interest in a cover bearing her likeness.

This year, in addition to Syuri nabbing the coveted number #1 spot, the “Women’s 150” saw another prominent joshi wrestler come in at 150: that being TJPW superhero, Hyper Misao.

Given our past history of creating alternate covers, there has been a call from social media users (like the one below) asking for an official variant featuring Hyper Misao.

Whether or not you have purchased your copy of our latest “Women’s 150” edition, you can download the alternate cover FOR FREE at the link below. The PDF file follows the exact same specs as our print mag, meaning you can easily affix it to the front or back of your magazine. Our many thanks to PWI Contributing Photographer, Issa Marie, who took the cover photo for this design, and our Art Director, Laura Brubaker, for bringing this cover to life.

Hyper Misao alternate Women's 150 cover
PWI January 2023 alternate cover

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF COVER