Ice Ribbon

Ice Ribbon (アイスリボン, Aisuribon) is a joshi puroresu (women's professional wrestling) promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.

Ice Ribbon

Founded	2006
Style	joshi puroresu
Headquarters	Warabi, Saitama, Japan
Founder(s)	Emi Sakura
Owner(s)	Neoplus (a Yūgen gaisha)[1]
Sister	Corazon Joshi Puroresu[1] Shinshu Girls Pro Wrestling

History

Emi Sakura

Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler who was active with IWA Japan and FMW in the 1990s as Emi Motokawa. They split with Gatokunyan, the promotion Sakura herself represented, and held their first card on June 20, 2006 in Tokyo.

Ice Ribbon built their own dojo in Warabi, Saitama and gave ownership to a company called Neoplus in January 2009.

Ice Ribbon's shows mainly take place at their dojo called Isami Wrestle Arena in Saitama,[2] with several larger annual events, like Golden Ribbon and RibbonMania, taking place at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.[3]

The wrestlers of Ice Ribbon were made up of those who transferred from Gatokunyan, including the kids whom Sakura instructed exercises and even wrestling. Some of them made their debut as professional wrestlers, and Aoi Kizuki, Makoto, Moeka Haruhi and Riho are still active. Other than that, collaborating with a TV program called "Muscle Venus"[4] and a film in 2009 called "Three Count"[5] Ice Ribbon recruited and trained some actresses as wrestlers. Among them, Hikaru Shida, Miyako Matsumoto, and Tsukasa Fujimoto are still active as wrestlers too. Ice Ribbon has gained some attention for training and debuting underage children as wrestlers. For example, Riho and Kurumi made their debuts at the age of nine, while Hikari Minami and Tsukushi were eleven and twelve, respectively, when they made their debuts.[3][6]

On May 28, 2010, Ice Ribbon announced a new project called 19 O'Clock Girls ProWrestling (19時女子プロレス, Jūkyū-ji Joshi Puroresu), an internet streaming channel on Ustream.[7] The show airs Fridays at 19:00 Japan time (10:00 UTC). The original concept of the show saw Ice Ribbon rookie Sayaka Obihiro being assigned full-time to the project and facing Ice Ribbon wrestlers in weekly matches. The concept was abandoned on August 26, 2011, when the project was officially brought under the Ice Ribbon banner, with Obihiro again becoming a regular member of the Ice Ribbon roster and the 19 O'Clock Girls ProWrestling turning into a regular professional wrestling program with no distinct concept.[8]

From its inception, Ice Ribbon had a close relationship with NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling, which saw Ice Ribbon workers Emi Sakura, Aoi Kizuki and Makoto make regular appearances for the promotion, while NEO wrestlers like Etsuko Mita, Tanny Mouse and Yoshiko Tamura also made several appearances for Ice Ribbon.[9] The relationship lasted until NEO folded on December 31, 2010, with Emi Sakura, Hikaru Shida, Makoto and Tsukasa Fujimoto appearing at the promotion's final event.[10] Starting in late 2010, Ice Ribbon was involved in a year-long interpromotional storyline rivalry with the Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling promotion, which saw Ice Ribbon and Sendai Girls' wrestlers make regular appearances for the opposing promotion.[11][12] Through its relationships with American promotion Chikara and the British Pro-Wrestling: EVE, Ice Ribbon's wrestlers have also made appearances in the United States and the United Kingdom.[13][14] Currently, Ice Ribbon has close relationships with the DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), JWP Joshi Puroresu, Pro Wrestling Wave and Reina Joshi Puroresu promotions.

On December 14, 2011, Ice Ribbon's founder Emi Sakura announced that she was leaving the promotion for "personal reasons" following the January 7, 2012, event in Sendai.[15] Following Sakura's departure, Hikaru Shida and Tsukasa Fujimoto took over the training duties at the Ice Ribbon dojo.[16] The initial training program, from which one can graduate to become an official Ice Ribbon trainee, is currently run by Ice Ribbon's Referee Mio Shirai and ICE ribbon's own Tsukushi. During 2012, Ray, Sayaka Obihiro, and Ice Ribbon originals Hikari Minami and Riho also left Ice Ribbon,[17][18][19][20] while Dorami Nagano went inactive to concentrate on her studies.[21] To combat the decreasing number of wrestlers on its active roster, Ice Ribbon introduced the first six wrestlers trained by Hikaru Shida and Tsukasa Fujimoto: Eri Wakamatsu, Fumiko Sato, Risa Okuda, Rutsuko Yamaguchi, Oshima Kujira and Shoko Hotta.[16] Wakamatsu and Hotta, along with Ayano Takeda and Hiroko Terada, two other Shida and Fujimoto trainees who debuted before the end of 2012, all had quit their professional wrestling careers by April 2013.[22] Risa Sera (renamed from Risa Okuda) is still active.

In February 2012, Ice Ribbon formed a partnership with Japanese pop group hy4_4yh (Hyper Yo-yo). The partnership led to the group making musical appearances at Ice Ribbon events, performing Maki Narumiya's new entrance theme and, on March 7, the two promoting the first "Hyper Ribbon" event, which featured both matches and musical performances.[23][24] On December 12, 2012, Neoplus officially announced the creation of Corazon Joshi Puroresu, Ice Ribbon's sister promotion, which has a more theatrical take on professional wrestling.[1] Following Sayaka Obihiro's December 2012 departure from Ice Ribbon, the promotion put 19 O'Clock Girls ProWrestling on hiatus as it considered the future of the program.[25] On January 4, 2014, Ice Ribbon was dealt another blow, when Hikaru Shida announced she was also leaving the promotion the following March.[26] On January 22, longtime freelancer Mio Shirai signed a contract with Ice Ribbon.[27] Following her September 2015 retirement, she became a referee and trainer for Ice Ribbon.[28] On January 3, 2016, Ice Ribbon original Aoi Kizuki announced her departure from the promotion.[29]

In March 2017, Hana Date, Karen Date, Nao Date and Nori Date, four mixed martial artists representing Team Date, signed with Ice Ribbon.[30]

After 2018, Team Date's contracts with Ice Ribbon has expired.

Roster

Wrestlers

Ring name	Real name	Notes
Aika Ando[31]	Aika Ando
Akane Fujita[32]	Unknown
Asahi	Unknown
Banny Oikawa[33]	Unknown
Hamuko Hoshi[34]	Unknown
Hiragi Kurumi[35]	Unknown	International Ribbon Tag Team Champion
Ibuki Hoshi	Unknown
Kyuuri[36]	Unknown
Maika Ozaki[37]	Unknown
Matsuya Uno[38]	Unknown
Maya Yukihi[39]	Unknown
Mochi Miyagi[40]	Unknown	International Ribbon Tag Team Champion
Nao Ishikawa	Unknown
Ram Kaicho	Unknown	Triangle Ribbon Champion Signed with 666 Wrestling Freelancer
Risa Sera[41]	Risa Okuda	FantastICE Champion
Satsuki Totoro[42]	Unknown
Suzu Suzuki	Unknown	ICE×∞ Champion
Tsukasa Fujimoto[43]	Tsukasa Fujimoto
Tsukushi[44]	Unknown	IW19 Champion
Yappy[45]	Unknown
Yuuki Mashiro	Unknown

Referees

Ring name	Real name
Hifumi Saito[46]	Unknown
Mio Shirai[47]	Unknown

Broadcast team

Ring name	Real name	Notes
Ai Hara[48]	Unknown	Ring announcer
Chiharu[49]	Chiharu Ono[50]	Ring announcer

Backstage personnel

Ring name	Real name	Notes
Manami Toyota[51]	Manami Toyota	Managing Supervisor
Tequila Saya	Unknown	Staff Member

Championships

Championship	Current champion(s)	Reign	Date won	Days held	Defenses	Location	Notes
ICE×∞ Championship	Tsukasa Fujimoto	7	January 23, 2021	5+	0	Tokyo, Japan	Defeated Suzu Suzuki at Ice Ribbon 1095: Winter Story.
IW19 Championship	Tsukushi	3	January 9, 2021	19+	0	Yokohama, Japan	Defeated Hamuko Hoshi at Yokohama Ribbon 2021. The title had previously been unified with the ICE×∞ Championship (then known as the ICE×60 Championship) on July 14, 2013.
International Ribbon Tag Team Championship	Rebel X Enemy (Maika Ozaki and Maya Yukihi)	1 (2, 4)	December 31, 2020	28+	1	Tokyo, Japan	Defeated Frank Sisters (Hiragi Kurumi and Mochi Miyagi) at Ice Ribbon 1090: RibbonMania 2020.
Triangle Ribbon Championship	Ram Kaicho	2	November 8, 2020	81+	2	Saitama, Japan	Defeated the champion Lady Koju (Koju Takeda) and Hiragi Kurumi at Ice Ribbon vs. Shinjuku Ni-chome Joshi Pro Wrestling (Evening Show).
FantastICE Championship	Risa Sera	1	August 9, 2020	172+	7	Yokohama, Kanagawa	Defeated Rina Yamashita in a tournament final to become inaugural champion.

See also

• Professional wrestling in Japan
• List of professional wrestling promotions in Japan

References

1. "ｱｲｽﾘﾎﾞﾝxｺﾗｿﾝｼﾞｬﾊﾟﾝの共同事業について". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). December 12, 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
2. Isami Wrestle Arena official site in Japanese
3. 411mania.com: Into the Indies 10.06.09: Ice Ribbon in English
4. Muscle Venus official site in Japanese
5. Three Count official site in Japanese
6. Byers, Ryan (June 15, 2010). "Into the Indies 06.15.10: Golden Ribbon". 411Mania. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
7. The Japan Times Online 2010.11.26: Women's wrestling seeks to regain its mojo in English
8. 【記者会見】都宮ちい退団・19時女子プロレスについて. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). August 26, 2011. Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
9. "『第1回NEOﾘﾎﾞﾝ』". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
10. "Archived copy" 2010年12月31日(金). NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
11. 後楽園大会　ﾘﾎﾞﾝの騎士たち. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
12. "RibbonMania2011". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
13. Radican, Sean (August 20, 2011). "Radican's Chikara DVD Review Series: Chikarasaurus Rex Night 2 - Claudio vs. Del Rey, Kidd/Cabana vs. Saint/Quack, Kingston, Generico, FIST". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
14. "EVE V Ice Ribbon - This Weekend!". Pro Wrestling EVE. October 6, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
15. 【選手情報】1.7でさくらえみが退団. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
16. 新人デビュープロジェクトを発表／アイスリボン記者会見. Ringstars (in Japanese). Ameba. October 19, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
17. "【選手情報】所属選手『Ray』退団". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
18. 後楽園ﾎｰﾙ｢ﾘﾎﾞﾝの騎士たち2012｣12時試合開始. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
19. "帯広さやかが12・31後楽園大会を最後にアイスリボン退団を発表！12・28『19時女子』でIW19王座への挑戦が決定！". Battle News (in Japanese). December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
20. みなみ飛香がアイスリボンを退団. Ringstars (in Japanese). Ameba. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
21. "Archived copy" 【おはようニュース!（`・ω・´）6/18】. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). June 18, 2012. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
22. 【選手情報】ﾃﾞﾋﾞｭｰﾌﾟﾛｼﾞｪｸﾄﾒﾝﾊﾞｰの進退について. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
23. ｱｲｽﾘﾎﾞﾝ368 18時00分開始. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
24. "hyR_Byh(ﾊｲﾊﾟｰ☆ﾘﾎﾞﾝ)に密航せよ!vol.1". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
25. "Archived copy" 【お知らせ】19時女子ﾌﾟﾛﾚｽについて. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
26. 【結果】アイスリボン１・４横浜. Ringstars (in Japanese). Ameba. January 5, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
27. "【選手情報】1/22(水)紫雷美央がアイスリボン、Ozアカデミー、Wave、ユニオン、史上初の4団体所属選手に!!". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
28. 【8/16記者会見】9月よりMioがアイスリボンにスタッフとして入団！雪妃真矢CDデビュー！　11/19第3回世羅りさプロデュースデスマッチ興行！. Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). August 17, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
29. "【【お知らせ】希月あおい1月9日横浜リボンで退団". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese). January 4, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
30. 【試合結果】3･26　アイスリボン後楽園ホール大会　【ICE×∞】世羅りさvs山下りな　【リボンタッグ】水波綾＆大畠美咲vsつくし＆柊くるみ　葛西純＆松本都vsジャガー横田＆藤田あかね. Battle News (in Japanese). March 26, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
31. "AIKA ANDO". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
32. "AKANE FUJITA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
33. "BANNY OIKAWA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
34. "HAMUKO HOSHI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
35. "KURUMI HIIRAGI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
36. "KYUURI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
37. "MAIKA OZAKI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
38. "UNO MATSUYA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
39. "MAYA YUKIHI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
40. "KYUURI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
41. "RISA SERA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
42. "SATSUKI TOTORO". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
43. "TSUKASA FUJIMOTO". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
44. "TSUKUSHI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
45. "YAPPY". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
46. "HIFUMI　SAITO". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
47. "MIO/MIO SHIRAI". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
48. "AI HARA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
49. "CHIHARU". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).
50. "Chiharu". Joshiresu.
51. "MANAMI TOYOTA". Ice Ribbon (in Japanese).

External links

• Ice Ribbon official site in Japanese