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Jungle Kyona

Kyona Yano (矢野 享菜, Yano Kyōna, born April 4, 1991) better known by her ring name Jungle Kyona (ジャングル叫女, Janguru Kyōna),[2][4] is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in the joshi puroresu promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was a former three-time Artist of Stardom Champion and Goddesses of Stardom Champion.

Jungle Kyona
Kyona in January 2023
Birth nameKyona Yano[1]
Born (1991-04-01) April 1, 1991 (age 33)[2]
Nagoya, Aichi, Japan[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Black Jungle Fairy
Jungle Kyona
Billed height1.56 m (5 ft 1 in)[2]
Billed weight62 kg (137 lb)[2]
Trained byFuka
DebutNovember 15, 2015[3]

Early life

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Before becoming a professional wrestler, Yano worked in the Republic of Senegal on the Western Coast of Africa for two years.[3]

Professional wrestling career

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World Wonder Ring Stardom (2015–2021)

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Early career (2015-2017)

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On November 15, 2015, Yano made her professional wrestling debut at World Wonder Ring Stardom under the ring name Jungle Kyona, where she defeated Momo Watanabe in her first match.[3] In only a month after her debut, Kyona won the Rookie of Stardom Tournament.[3] On December 23, at Stardom Year-End Climax, Kyona received her first title match where she teamed with Hiromi Mimura and Watanabe as they challenged the Hyper Destroyers (Evie, Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kellie Skater) for the Artist of Stardom Championship, but were unsuccessful.[5]

Entering 2016, Kyona and Momo Watanabe teamed together under the name JKGReeeeN.[3] On January 10, JKGReeeeN challenged Thunder Rock (Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani) for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship, but were unsuccessful.[6] JKGReeeeN continued to wrestle through 2016 and participated in the 2016 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, in which they did not reach the finals.[3] Shortly after the tournament, Watanabe turned on Kyona and joined Queen's Quest.[3]

In 2017, Kyona began to pursue several championships. On January 29, Kyona unsuccessfully challenged Kay Lee Ray for the ICW Women's Championship.[3] On February 23, Kyona challenged Kairi Hojo for the Wonder of Stardom Championship, but was unsuccessful.[7] On March 3, Kyona won her first title in her hometown in Nagoya, where she teamed with Matsumoto to defeat Hojo and Yoko Bito to win the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[8][9]

Team Jungle and J.A.N. (2017-2019)

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Shortly after winning the Goddesses of Stardom Championship, Kyona and Hiroyo Matsumoto formed a group named "Team Jungle", alongside Kaori Yoneyama and Natsuko Tora.[3] On June 17, Kyona, along with Matsumoto and Yoneyama, defeated Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK and Shirai) to win the Artist of Stardom Championship.[10] The trio held the title until August 13, where they lost the title to HZK, Shirai and Viper.[3] On June 21, Kyona and Matsumoto lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura and Kagetsu).[11] Kyona teamed with Bito to participate in the Tag League and managed to win their way to the finals, where they lost to the team of Bea Priestley and Kelly Klein on November 5.[12]

In 2018, Team Jungle started to lose their members, as Matsumoto left Stardom by March and Yoneyama had other commitments in multiple wrestling promotions outside of Stardom, Leaving Kyona and Tora the only members of the group.[3] After not being picked by any unit in the annual draft, Kyona, along with Leo Onozaki, Ruaka, Tora and Yoneyama formed a unit named "J.A.N.", an acronym for Jungle Assault Nation.[3] On May 27, Kyona, along with Tora and Yoneyama, defeated Oedo Tai (Hazuki, Kagetsu and Kimura) to win the vacated Artist of Stardom Championship.[13] On June 17, Kyona main evented Korakuen Hall where she challenged her former tag team partner Watanabe for the Wonder of Stardom Championship, but was unsuccessful.[14] On August 12, Kyona fought to a draw against the debuting Utami Hayashishita, which marked the beginning of a rivalry between the two.[3] On September 30, while J.A.N. lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to Stars (Iwatani, Saki Kashima and Tam Nakano) on the afternoon show, Kyona and Tora defeated Iwatani and Kashima to win the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[15] At Mask Fiesta 2018 on October 28, 2018, Kyona, under the ring name Black Jungle Fairy, teamed up with Bear Dog and Night Bear in a loss to Dame de Panko, La Gatita and Mayuchica.[16][17] On November 23, Kyona and Tora lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita.[18]

On January 14, 2019, Kyona received her first World of Stardom Championship match, when she challenged Kagetsu, but was unsuccessful.[19] On April 14, at the second annual draft, all faction leaders battled in a five-way where the loser of the match must disband their own unit.[3] Kyona lost to Iwatani, Kagetsu, Kimura and Watanabe, and therefore, J.A.N. was disbanded.[3]

Tokyo Cyber Squad and hiatus (2019-2021)

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Kyona in 2019

At the 2019 Stardom Draft on April 14, 2019, Kyona was drafted to the International Army stable, later known as Tokyo Cyber Squad.[20][3] On June 16, Kyona, along with Kimura and fellow Tokyo Cyber Squad member Konami, defeated Iwatani, Kashima and Nakano to win the Artist of Stardom Championship.[21] On June 23, the trio lost the title back to Stars.[22] On July 15, Konami and Kyona won the Goddesses of Stardom Championship, where they defeated Hayashishita and Watanabe.[23]

On January 19, 2020, Konami and Kyona lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to Jamie Hayter and Priestley, ending their reign at 188 days with 3 successful title defenses.[24] After Hayter and Priestley vacated the championship as they couldn't defend it due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[25] Konami and Kyona challenged Hayashishita and Saya Kamitani on July 26 for the vacant title, but were unsuccessful.[26] At Stardom Yokohama Cinderella 2020 on October 3, Konami and Kyona lost to Kashima and Tora when the losing team must disband, therefore, Tokyo Cyber Squad was disbanded, as Konami turned on Kyona during the match and joined Oedo Tai.[27] The rest of the Tokyo Cyber Squad were drafted to Stars.

On October 7, Stardom announced that Kyona will be out of in-ring competition for extended period of time, due to multiple injuries.[28] On September 30, 2021, Kyona left Stardom.[29] In the 2018 Viceland documentary The Wrestlers, she spoke about how she does not feel pain when she wrestles and that injuries are like battle scars for her.

Independent circuit (2022–present)

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Yano in April 2023

After almost two years of in-ring absence due to injury, Kyona made her return at Hana Kimura Memorial Show 2 on May 23, 2022, where she defeated Kyoko Kimura in an exhibition match.[30] She started an excursion in the United States independent scene and competed in All Elite Wrestling's AEW Dark #167 show from October 25, 2022, where she fell short to Riho.[31] Kyona returned to Japan at the beginning of 2023, and competed in The Great Muta Final "Bye-Bye" on January 22, where she teamed up with Saori Anou and defeated Nomads (Sumire Natsu and Maya Yukihi).[32] In February 2023, Kyona announced she would be taking a hiatus from wrestling due to a knee injury.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ 矢野享菜さん | 夢追人 | GAKKANファミリーボード | 至学館大学同窓会 (in Japanese). Shigakkan University Alumni Association. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e 2015年11月15日 スターダムvsセンダイガールズ団体対抗戦
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Murray, Dylan (January 17, 2020). "Star Gazing: Jungle Kyona". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  4. ^ "異色レスラー・ジャングル叫女デビュー". デイリースポーツ. 2015-11-05.
  5. ^ Wilson, Kevin (December 30, 2015). "Stardom Year End Climax on December 23rd, 2015 Review". Joshi City. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Wilson, Kevin (January 15, 2016). "Stardom New Years Stars #2 on January 10, 2016 Review". Joshi City. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  7. ^ Wilson, Kevin (March 3, 2017). "Stardom of Champions 2017 (February 23) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  8. ^ a b 2017年3月5日 Champion around the world in Nagoya. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). March 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  9. ^ 【スターダム】王座陥落・美闘が手術で長期欠場へ. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). March 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  10. ^ a b 2017年6月17日 Shining Stars2017. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  11. ^ 2017年6月21日 Galaxy Stars2017. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kelly Klein and Bea Priestly win Goddesses of Stardom Tag Team Tournament". Ring of Honor. 6 November 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Sarpraicone, Mathew (June 20, 2018). "Stardom Shining Stars Night Show Results & Review (5/27/2018)". The Chair Shot. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  14. ^ Lawrenz, Jordon (July 11, 2018). "Stardom: Goddesses of Destiny Review". PWPonderings. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Sarpraicone, Mathew (October 17, 2018). "Stardom Grand Champion Carnival 2018 Night Show Results & Review (9/30/2018)". The Chair Shot. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  16. ^ 2018年10月28日　MASK FIESTA 2018. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 28, 2018). "Stardom Mask Fiesta 2018". Cagematch. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Richards, Alex (November 23, 2018). "#AndNEW: New Goddesses of Stardom Champions Crowned". Last Word On Pro Wrestling.
  19. ^ Wilson, Kevin (February 2, 2019). "Stardom 8th Year Anniversary Review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  20. ^ Pageot, Harley (April 20, 2019). "4/14 STARDOM GLORY STARS report: The 2019 Stardom Draft decided by Kagetsu vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe vs. Jungle Kyona vs. Hana Kimura". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Michael, Casey (May 16, 2019). "New Stardom Champions Crowned". Squared Circle Sirens.
  22. ^ Pageot, Harley R. (July 4, 2019). "6/23 Stardom Saki Kashima's Homecoming report: Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona, & Konami vs. Mayu Iwatani, Tam Nakano, & Saki Kashima for the trios titles". PWTorch. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Richards, Alex (July 15, 2019). "#AndNEW: Tokyo Cyber Squad Win Goddesses Championships". Last Word On Pro Wrestling.
  24. ^ Richards, Alex (January 19, 2020). "Stardom 9th Anniversary: Title Change, Betrayal, Syuri & Sareee". Last Word On Pro Wrestling.
  25. ^ "The Goddesses of Stardom tag team titles have been declared vacant, as Bea Priestley and Jamie Hayter cannot defend the titles in the current situation. Former champions Jungle Kyona & Konami take on #1 contenders Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani to declare new champions!". World Wonder Ring Stardom. July 20, 2020.
  26. ^ Richards, Alex (July 26, 2020). "#AndNEW: 3 New Champions At Stardom Cinderella Summer In Tokyo". Last Word on Pro Wrestling.
  27. ^ Toro, Carlos (October 5, 2020). "Stardom Yokohama Cinderella Results (10/3): Title Matches, Tokyo Cyber Squad Forced To Disband". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  28. ^ Richards, Alex (October 7, 2020). "Jungle Kyona To Miss Extended Period Of Time Due To Injuries". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  29. ^ "Jungle Kyona announced that she is leaving Stardom as of today. We're happy for the next phase of her life! She gave us so many great matches and memories. Good luck, Kyona!". World Wonder Ring Stardom. September 30, 2021.
  30. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (May 23, 2022). "Hana Kimura Memorial Show Results (5/23): Aja Kong, Syuri, Veny, And More Pay Tribute To Hana Kimura". fightful.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  31. ^ Thompson, Andrew (October 25, 2022). "Jungle Kyona vs. Riho, Lucha Brothers vs. WorkHorsemen taking place on 10/25 AEW Dark". postwrestling.com. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Murray, Dylan (January 22, 2023). "Keiji Muto Selects NJPW Star As His Final Opponent". wrestlinginc.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  33. ^ Thompson, Andrew (2023-03-12). "Jungle Kyona discusses pushing herself despite knee injury, needing that motivation". POST Wrestling | WWE AEW NXT NJPW Podcasts, News, Reviews. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  34. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 100 Female Wrestlers Results". Wrestling Travel. November 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  35. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (November 21, 2020). "Nine Female Tag Teams land on PWI's Tag Team 50 list". Diva Dirt. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  36. ^ 2018年9月24日　5☆STAR GP2018. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  37. ^ 2019年9月22日 5★STAR GP 2019～優勝決定戦～. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). September 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  38. ^ "Best Tag Team Award". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database.
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