Tokyo Cyber Squad, often shortened as TCS, was a professional wrestling stable that performed in World Wonder Ring Stardom. The stable was led by Hana Kimura and primarily also consisted of Death Yama-san, Jungle Kyona, Konami, Rina and Ruaka.

Tokyo Cyber Squad
Official logo of the stable
Stable
Leader(s)Hana Kimura
MembersSee below
Name(s)International Army
DebutApril 19, 2019 (2019-04-19)
DisbandedOctober 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)

History

edit

Formation

edit

On September 24, 2018, Hana Kimura betrayed Oedo Tai by attacking Kagetsu with a chair during one of his matches. Following the match, Kimura declared that she was no longer affiliated with Oedo Tai.[1] Kimura then began teaming up with numerous foreign wrestlers, forming a loose collective referred to as the International Army.[2] For the 2019 Stardom Draft, International Army was recognized as an official stable and Kimura was designated as the leader.[2] At the draft on April 14, 2019, an elimination match took place between the leaders of the International Army (Kimura), J.A.N. (Jungle Kyona), Oedo Tai (Kagetsu), Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe) and Stars (Mayu Iwatani) to determine the draft order, with the stipulation that the losing unit had to disband.[2][3] Kimura earned the final draft spot by eliminating Kyona, which led to J.A.N. disbanding.[3] During the draft, Kimura retained Bobbi Tyler, Mary Apache and Rebel Kel from the International Army, while also drafting Konami from Queen's Quest, Natsumi and Rina from Stars, and Kaori Yoneyama, Jungle Kyona and Ruaka from the now disbanded J.A.N.[3][4] Although Apache and Natsumi were drafted to the International Army, they never wrestled as a part of the stable.[5][6]

Hana Kimura's leadership (2019-2020)

edit

On April 21, 2019, the stable was renamed to Tokyo Cyber Squad.[7] On May 6, Rebel Kel wrestled in Stardom for the last time.[8] On May 6, Kaori Yoneyama debuted her new Death Yama-san gimmick, which is the persona she would continue to use from then on while wrestling with Tokyo Cyber Squad.[9] On May 16, Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona and Konami won the Artist of Stardom Championship by defeating Stars (Mayu Iwatani, Saki Kashima, and Tam Nakano).[10] At Shining Destiny on June 16, Bobbi Tyler, Death Yama-san and Ruaka faced Zoe Lucas and Stars (Saki Kashima and Saya Iida). During the match, Lucas betrayed her team and joined Tokyo Cyber Squad.[11][12] On June 23, Kimura, Konami and Kyona lost the Artist of Stardom Championship back to Kashima, Iwatani and Nakano.[13] On July 15, Konami and Kyona won the Goddesses of Stardom Championship by defeating Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita).[14][15] On November 11, Bobbi Tyler wrestled in Stardom for the final time.[16] On December 15, Lucas wrestled in Stardom for the final time.[17]

On January 4, 2020, Leyla Hirsch wrestled alongside Kimura and Kyona,[18] after which Hirsch would continue to wrestle with Tokyo Cyber Squad. On January 19 at Stardom 9th Anniversary Show, Konami and Kyona lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to Oedo Tai (Bea Priestley and Jamie Hayter).[19][20] On February 8, 2020 at Stardom The Way To Major League, Kimura, Kyona and Konami lost a number one contendership match for the Artist of Stardom Championship against Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Natsu Sumire and Saki Kashima), and Death Yama-san and Leila Hirsch won a gauntlet tag team match by last eliminating the team of 3838 Tag (Saya Iida and Saya Kamitani).[21] On March 11, Hirsch left Japan to return home, meaning she could no longer participate as a member of Tokyo Cyber Squad.[22][23] On May 23, Kimura committed suicide.[24][25][26]

Post-Kimura (2020, 2021)

edit

At Yokohama Cinderella 2020 on November 3, 2020, Jungle Kyona and Konami faced Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora and Saki Kashima) in a match in which the losing unit had to disband. During the match, Konami betrayed Tokyo Cyber Squad by hitting Kyona with a steel chair, leading to Tokyo Cyber Squad losing and disbanding.[27][28]

At the first Hana Kimura Memorial Show from May 23, 2021, Konami and Kaori Yoneyama "reunited" the stable for one night only as they teamed up with Kagetsu and Hazuki who represented the old Oedo Tai and fell short to Asuka, Syuri, Natsupoi, and Mio Momono in an eight-woman tag team match.[29]

Members

edit
* Founding member
L Leader
Member Joined Left
Hana Kimura *L April 19, 2019 May 23, 2020
Bobbi Tyler * November 15, 2019
Death Yama-san October 3, 2020
Jungle Kyona
Konami
Mary Apache April 19, 2019[a]
Natsumi
Rebel Kel May 6, 2019
Rina October 3, 2020
Ruaka
Zoe Lucas June 16, 2019 December 15, 2019
Leyla Hirsch January 4, 2020 March 11, 2020

Timeline

edit

Championships and accomplishments

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Mary Apache and Natsumi were drafted to the International Army but never wrestled as a part of the stable.

References

edit
  1. ^ "2018年9月24日 5☆STAR GP2018". World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Pageot, Harley R. (April 13, 2019). "World Wonder Ring Stardom: Previewing the 2019 draft with guest contributors and a look back at the 2018 draft". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Richards, Alex (April 15, 2019). "Weekly Wonder World Of Stardom Draft Special (4/8/19-4/14/19)". Last Word on Sports. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  4. ^ ドラフト会議2019/ユニット新編成速報. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). April 14, 2019. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Mary Apache - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Natsumi - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  7. ^ 【試合詳細】4・21 スターダム大阪大会(昼) 木村花&ジャングル叫女&小波vs花月&夏すみれ&刀羅ナツコ 星輝ありさ&鹿島沙希&飯田沙耶vs渡辺桃&AZM&ビー・プレストリー アンドラス宮城vsレベル・ケル. Battle News (in Japanese). April 21, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "Rebel Kel - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Kaori Yoneyama - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Casey. "New STARDOM Champions Crowned". Squared Circle Sirens. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Richards, Alex (June 26, 2019). "Stardom Shining Destiny (June 16) Results & Review". Voices of Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Kevin (June 28, 2019). "Stardom Shining Destiny 2019 on 6/16/19 Review". JoshiCity. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  13. ^ 2019年6月23日 鹿島沙希凱旋大会. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). June 24, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  14. ^ a b 2019年7月15日 WORLD BIG SUMMER in NAGOYA. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Richards, Alex (July 15, 2019). "#AndNEW: Tokyo Cyber Squad Win Goddesses Championships". Last Word on Sports. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Bobbi Tyler - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "Zoe Lucas - Matches". Cagematch. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  18. ^ "Stardom Wrestle Cinderella". Cagematch. January 4, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  19. ^ 2020年1月19日 スターダム9周年記念日. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). January 19, 2020. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Richards, Alex (January 19, 2020). "Stardom 9th Anniversary: Title Change, Betrayal, Syuri & Sareee". Last Word on Sports. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Michael, Casey (February 8, 2020). "New Artist Of STARDOM Champions Crowned". Squared Circle Sirens. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  22. ^ Hirsch, Leyla [@LegitLeyla] (March 12, 2020). "Unfortunately due to shows being canceled, I've decided to come early from Japan" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ World Wonder Ring Stardom [@wwr_stardom] (March 11, 2020). 本日の午後便でレイラ・ハーシュ選手が帰国しました。 [Leyla Hirsch returned to Japan on this afternoon flight.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ DeFelice, Robert (May 23, 2020). "Hana Kimura Has Passed Away". Fightful. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  25. ^ 『テラハ』出演の木村花さんが死去 22歳 所属のスターダムが発表 [Hana Kimura, who appeared on "Terrace House", dies at 22 years old, Stardom announced]. Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Rogers, Krista (21 December 2020). "Terrace House star Hana Kimura's suicide proceeding as a criminal case". SoraNews24. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  27. ^ Richards, Alex (October 3, 2020). "Stardom Yokohama Cinderella 2020 News Roundup". Last Word on Sports. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  28. ^ Kevin (October 29, 2020). "Stardom Yokohama Cinderella on 10/3/20 Review". JoshiCity. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  29. ^ Klyn, Parker (May 22, 2021). "HANA KIMURA MEMORIAL SHOW LIVE RESULTS: KAGETSU, OTHERS IN ACTION". f4wonline.com. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  30. ^ a b c d Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50/100 for 2019". profightdb.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.