Mayu Iwatani was born on February 19, 1993, in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. She grew up in the countryside with her family, which includes two older brothers. During her childhood, she practiced judo and high jump, but in high school, she became isolated from society, spending three years mostly indoors as a hikikomori (a term used in Japan to describe those who withdraw from social life). After quitting high school, Iwatani discovered professional wrestling after watching a Dragon Gate event. She then contacted Fuka, the general manager of the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion, which was searching for new wrestlers. In 2010, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
Stardom Career
Iwatani was part of Stardom’s first class of trainees and made her professional wrestling debut at the promotion’s inaugural event on January 23, 2011, facing fellow debutante Arisa Hoshiki. Iwatani and Hoshiki later formed a tag team named AMA, which became one of Stardom’s most popular acts. Despite her popularity, Iwatani was the last of her class to secure a victory in a professional match. In June, she was defeated by Eri Susa, the other winless Stardom trainee, earning her the reputation of Stardom’s weakest wrestler. Iwatani remained winless for the first eleven months of her career before finally defeating Susa in a rematch on December 25, 2011. She and Hoshiki later joined Io Shirai’s “Planet” stable, along with Natsumi Showzuki.
After Hoshiki retired from professional wrestling in June 2012, Iwatani began teaming with Io Shirai under the team name “Thunder Rock.” She also joined the stable “Tawashis,” alongside Hiroyo Matsumoto and Miho Wakizawa. The trio won the Artist of Stardom Championship on December 29, 2013, by defeating Alpha Female, The Female Predator “Amazon,” and Kyoko Kimura. On July 27, 2014, Iwatani captured her first singles title by defeating her teammate Miho Wakizawa for the vacant Wonder of Stardom Championship. Following a record-setting reign, Iwatani lost the Wonder of Stardom Championship to Act Yasukawa on January 18, 2015.
Rise to Stardom
On April 23, 2015, Iwatani won the inaugural Cinderella Tournament, defeating Koguma in the finals. As a result, she earned a shot at Stardom’s top title, the World of Stardom Championship, but was defeated by the reigning champion, Kairi Hojo, on May 17. On May 6, 2015, Iwatani and Io Shirai, as Thunder Rock, won the vacant Goddess of Stardom Championship by defeating Chelsea and Kairi Hojo. On October 11, 2015, Iwatani won the High-Speed Championship by defeating Rosa Negra. During their reign as Goddess of Stardom Champions, Thunder Rock also won the 2015 Goddesses of Stardom Tag Tournament.
On February 28, 2016, Iwatani became a triple champion when she, Shirai, and Kairi Hojo (collectively known as “Threedom”) won the Artist of Stardom Championship. In April 2016, Iwatani, Hojo, and Shirai traveled to the United States to participate in events hosted by Lucha Underground and Vendetta Pro Wrestling. On April 29, 2016, Iwatani won her second consecutive Cinderella Tournament, defeating Hiroyo Matsumoto in the finals, but was again unsuccessful in her World of Stardom Championship challenge against Io Shirai on May 15.
After record-setting reigns, Iwatani and Shirai lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura in their 11th title defense on June 16, 2016. Threedom lost the Artist of Stardom Championship on October 2, 2016, to Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, and Kyoko Kimura in their third defense.
On November 11, 2016, Thunder Rock and Threedom dissolved when Shirai turned on Iwatani after the two lost to Hojo and Yoko Bito in the finals of the 2016 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League. This led to Iwatani challenging Shirai for the World of Stardom Championship at Stardom’s year-end show on December 22, 2016, but she was unsuccessful. The match was later named Stardom’s 2016 Match of the Year. Reportedly, Iwatani was originally scheduled to win the match and the World of Stardom Championship, but the result was changed after she informed Stardom of her plans to retire in 2017.
On February 23, 2017, after nine successful title defenses, Iwatani lost the High-Speed Championship to Kris Wolf in a three-way match that also involved Kagetsu. On April 30, 2017, Iwatani reached the finals of her third consecutive Cinderella Tournament but was defeated by Toni Storm. With Storm targeting the World of Stardom Championship, Iwatani chose to challenge for the Wonder of Stardom Championship, defeating Kairi Hojo on May 14, 2017, to win the title for the second time. Shortly after, it was reported that Iwatani was no longer considering retirement and was being positioned as Stardom’s top star following the departures of Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo from the promotion.
Stardom’s Top Star
On June 21, 2017, Iwatani defeated Shirai to win the World of Stardom Championship for the first time on her fifth attempt, becoming the first wrestler to simultaneously hold the World and Wonder of Stardom Championships. She defended both titles in separate matches but lost the Wonder of Stardom Championship to Yoko Bito on September 23, 2017, in her third defense. The following day, Iwatani lost the World of Stardom Championship to Toni Storm after dislocating her elbow during the match, forcing the referee to stop the contest and award the title to Storm. Iwatani returned to the ring on December 10, 2017, participating in Yoko Bito’s final match at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring.
Upon her return, Iwatani became the leader of a new faction called “STARS.” On February 18, 2018, Iwatani and Tam Nakano unsuccessfully challenged Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura and Kagetsu) for the Goddess of Stardom Championship. On April 1, 2018, Iwatani challenged Storm for the World of Stardom Championship again but was unsuccessful. On June 3, 2018, Iwatani, along with Saki Kashima, defeated Hana Kimura and Kagetsu to win the Goddess of Stardom Championship. On September 24, 2018, Iwatani won the 5★Star GP after defeating Utami Hayashishita in the finals. On September 30, 2018, during the 5★Star Grand Champion Carnival, Iwatani won the Artist of Stardom Championship with Kashima and Nakano after defeating J.A.N. (Jungle Kyona, Kaori Yoneyama, and Natsuko Tora), but Iwatani and Kashima lost the Goddess of Stardom Championship to Kyona and Tora later that day.
On May 16, 2019, STARS (Iwatani, Kashima, and Nakano) lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to Tokyo Cyber Squad (Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona, and Konami). STARS regained the title on June 23, 2019, after defeating Tokyo Cyber Squad but lost it on July 20, 2019, to Andras Miyagi, Kagetsu, and Sumire Natsu. On November 4, 2019, Iwatani defeated Bea Priestley to win the World of Stardom Championship for the second time. On November 15, 2020, she lost the World of Stardom Championship to Utami Hayashishita, ending her reign at 377 days. On October 9, 2021, at Osaka Dream Cinderella, Iwatani wrestled Tam Nakano to a time-limit draw for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.
Since her debut in 2011, Iwatani has become a two-time World of Stardom Champion, a two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion, a one-time High-Speed Champion, a two-time Goddess of Stardom Champion, and a five-time Artist of Stardom Champion. She has also won the Cinderella Tournament twice, back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, and the 2018 5★Star Grand Prix. Additionally, she has appeared for Stardom’s American partner Ring of Honor (ROH), where she is a former one-time Women of Honor World Champion.
Ring of Honor (2017–2019)
On December 15, 2017, Iwatani debuted for American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) as part of a tournament to crown the inaugural Women of Honor Champion. At Bound By Honor in 2019, Iwatani challenged Kelly Klein for the title and emerged victorious. She successfully defended the title twice before losing it back to Klein at the G1 Supercard on April 6, 2019.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2020)
On January 4, 2020, Mayu Iwatani, alongside Giulia, Hana Kimura, and Arisa Hoshiki, made a historic appearance at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 14 event at the Tokyo Dome. In a dark tag team match, Iwatani and her team emerged victorious, defeating Giulia and Hana Kimura. This appearance marked a significant moment, as it was one of the rare instances where women wrestled at the Tokyo Dome, a venue historically dominated by men’s matches.
Mayu Iwatani: A Master of Wrestling Psychology
Mayu Iwatani possesses an extraordinary ability to connect with all types of wrestling fans—hardcore, casual, and newcomers alike—by making them genuinely concerned for her well-being. Her selling skills are exceptional, and they set her apart as one of the most unique performers in the industry.
Despite her incredibly dominant win record, Iwatani doesn’t come across as oppressive like Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, or Roman Reigns. While she occasionally loses, her status as an icon remains unchallenged. Remarkably, even in situations where she triumphs in seemingly impossible odds, such as 5 vs. 1 faction wars, she still manages to portray the role of a babyface in peril. This is because she has layered her character with so many flaws and inadequacies that fans always feel she could lose any match at any time. Fans even find themselves sighing in relief when she simply manages to wake up on time, board the correct plane, pack all her gear, and show up at the right venue. When SLK (Starlight Kid) betrayed her, many were concerned that Mayu might need a new personal assistant.
Iwatani’s deep understanding of pro wrestling psychology is evident in how she handles various situations. For example, when HZK (Hizuki) was thought to have insulted Stardom and its fans to the point of no return, Iwatani crafted the perfect angle to win the fans back. She also excels in putting over wrestlers like Takumi Iroha and the rest of Marvelous, ensuring they receive cheers despite being the “away team” and competition. It’s crucial to Mayu that fans cheer for these wrestlers, and she goes to great lengths to make it happen.
Mayu Iwatani: The Cosmic Mother of Stardom
With Tam Nakano, Iwatani’s presence was akin to an incarnation of a Goddess of Cosmic Angels, exuding an aura of, “You, your faction, your aesthetic—it all stems from me. I’m not just a star; I’m not just the sun; I am the Universe.” She conveyed that if she wanted Tam’s white belt, she could have taken it with ease.
In Stardom, while there are wrestlers who are clearly defined as faces and heels, no one is purely one or the other. Natsuko Tora might be as close to a full heel as you can get in Stardom, but her interactions with her Oedo Tai teammates make it easy to support her. Mayu is a true babyface, but she doesn’t hesitate to take glee in picking on rookies and youngsters when facing them in a match.
I don’t believe Mayu has fully moved on from either Tam Nakano or Starlight Kid’s departures (though Fukigen might seem to have). After beating Starlight Kid in the 5 Star GP, Mayu forced a hug on her and told her that the door to STARS is always open. I think, both in kayfabe and real life, Mayu recognizes that for Tam and Kid to become the best versions of themselves, they needed to step out from under her shadow, even if it was painful. Both of them have explicitly stated that their goal is to surpass Mayu, not because they dislike her, but because they acknowledge her greatness.
It’s important to note that of the many people who have turned their backs on Iwatani, neither Tam nor Kid did so violently. They simply declared, “I’m done with you.” You can see in how she interacts with Tam and Kid that, while she no longer tries to bring them back into STARS, there’s still a pang of guilt and regret—a lingering question of whether she’s doing the right thing. So, the best thing she can do for them is to be that impenetrable wall of a goal and push them as rivals rather than friends, making them truly earn their success.
Mayu Iwatani: The Greatest of All Time?
It’s difficult to dispute that Mayu Iwatani has earned her place as one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. When all is said and done, she may very well go down as the greatest female wrestler of all time.
Dream Matches for Mayu Iwatani
Now, let’s dive into the dream matches. I’ll be picking five women from around the world who I would love to see square off with Mayu Iwatani.
Honorable Mention: Io Shirai
Io and Mayu have faced each other countless times in the past and share a deep history. However, it’s been years since they last locked horns, which is a travesty. These two are arguably the best women’s wrestlers in the world today, and it’s unfortunate that we’ve had to wait so long for another showdown. Io isn’t on my list today due to their extensive history, but she’s definitely someone to keep in mind.
5. Mercedes Moné (AEW)
Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, joined AEW in 2024, further solidifying her status as one of the top performers in wrestling. Now competing in AEW, Mercedes has continued to build her legacy, showcasing her exceptional in-ring skills and elevating the women’s division. A dream match between Mercedes and Mayu Iwatani remains highly anticipated. Mayu’s ability to make even the best wrestlers look better would undoubtedly create a memorable encounter, pushing Mercedes closer to being recognized as one of the greatest of all time.
4. Deonna Purrazzo (AEW)
As of 2024, Deonna Purrazzo and Mayu Iwatani indeed faced off in a singles match on October 14, 2018, during a Ring of Honor event. Since that time, Deonna Purrazzo has significantly advanced her career. She had a notable run as the Impact Knockouts Champion, demonstrating substantial growth and improvement in her in-ring skills. Her success in Impact Wrestling helped establish her as a top competitor.
Currently, Deonna Purrazzo is signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), having joined the promotion in 2023. Her move to AEW has allowed her to continue showcasing her talents on a major platform. A rematch between Purrazzo and Iwatani would indeed be fascinating. It would provide an opportunity to see how much Purrazzo has evolved and whether she has reached the elite level that Mayu Iwatani consistently maintains.
3. Hikaru Shida (AEW)
Hikaru Shida is widely considered one of the top women’s champions in AEW’s history. Her reign as AEW Women’s World Champion was well-regarded, marked by strong performances and successful defenses. Shida has indeed made a significant impact on AEW’s women’s division.
Regarding the match between Shida and Mayu Iwatani, the only recorded encounter between them in a match involving both of them was indeed on July 31, 2016, during a triple threat match that also featured Kotori (also known as Kotori). This match took place at a Stardom event, not in AEW, and it was a notable encounter in the Joshi wrestling scene.
As of 2024, Hikaru Shida and Mayu Iwatani have not had a one-on-one match. The idea that a one-on-one match between them would be a major event is certainly valid, given their respective statuses in the Joshi and AEW wrestling scenes. Such a match could be a defining moment for Shida’s career, providing a significant opportunity for her to prove herself against one of the best in the Joshi wrestling world.
In summary, while Hikaru Shida is a prominent figure in AEW, and a match against Mayu Iwatani would indeed be highly anticipated, as of now, the two have not had a one-on-one encounter, and such a match would be a highly significant event for both wrestlers.
2. Miyu Yamashita (TJPW)
Miyu Yamashita, known as the Ace of Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW), is undoubtedly one of the standout wrestlers in the promotion. Her powerful head kicks and commanding presence have solidified her reputation as a top performer in TJPW. Having achieved nearly everything there is to accomplish in her promotion, a match against Mayu Iwatani would be a thrilling next step for her career.
A bout between Miyu and Mayu would be monumental. It could serve as a significant career moment for Miyu, potentially marking a passing of the torch or simply highlighting Mayu’s enduring greatness. Such a match would not only captivate fans but also add a remarkable chapter to both wrestlers’ legacies. Given Miyu’s accomplishments and stature, transitioning to Stardom and facing Mayu Iwatani could indeed be a defining move for her career. This is a match that wrestling enthusiasts eagerly anticipate and hope will become a reality.
1. Asuka (WWE)
Outside of Mayu Iwatani and Io Shirai, Asuka—formerly known as Kana in Japan—stands out as a top contender for the title of greatest of all time in the Joshi wrestling scene. Asuka’s impressive legacy is well-established; her career, spanning 17 years, includes championships across multiple promotions and numerous accolades. However, a significant gap in her illustrious career is her never having faced Mayu Iwatani.
For the legacies of both Mayu and Asuka, a match between them is crucial, especially before Asuka’s eventual retirement. Despite being a seasoned veteran and over 40 years old, Asuka continues to perform at an elite level, demonstrating her enduring skill and relevance in the wrestling world. A dream match between these two legends would not only be a captivating spectacle for fans but also a defining moment that could solidify their places in history as two of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
