While the Joshi promotion Stardom remains a niche brand for many wrestling fans, it is widely regarded as being home to some of the best women's wrestling in the world. Giving major breaks to wrestlers like IYO SKY, Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, KAIRI, and a number of other popular stars today, Stardom has been a breeding ground for major women's wrestling stars over the past 10 years.
For those unfamiliar with Stardom, Utami Hayashishita remains one of the biggest stars in the company alongside names such as KAIRI, Mayu Iwatani, Syuri, and Giulia. With age on her side, fans can expect Utami to continue her path on the road to becoming one of the biggest stars in women's wrestling, and can learn a thing or two about her career thus far!
10 She Debuted In 2018
Becoming a wrestling fan after watching WWE, with Taijiri being noted as one of her favorites, following a homecoming show for the Japanese legend, Utami Hayashishita would begin her wrestling training in March 2018. Later that same year, Utami would make her in-ring debut for the company during the Summer of 2018.
Wrestling first in August 2018, Utami Hayashishita would take part in a match against Jungle Kyona, who recently debuted on AEW Dark against Riho, that would see the rookie take Kyona to a time-limit draw. From there, Utami would continue to impress as she would enter the 5 Star Grand Prix tournament, making it to the finals where she would lose to the face of the company, Mayu Iwatani.
9 Utami Is Only 24 Years Old
Despite being considered to be one of the top stars in all of women's wrestling already, Utami is only 24 years old. On top of her young age, she has only been wrestlings since 2018, making it that much more impressive that she is as good as she is so early in her career.
Currently sitting with an 8.70 rating on Cagematch.net, Utami Hayashishita is one of the most critically-acclaimed wrestlers working today and is a star that fans need to see wrestle to truly understand. For those unfamiliar with Stardom, seeking out an Utami match is a great gateway into this Japanese all-women's promotion.
8 Kagetsu Trained Her
During her brief time training in 2018, Utami Hayashishita would train directly with Stardom rather than an outside wrestling dojo. At this point, her trainer would be legendary Japanese women's wrestling star, Kagetsu.
Having debuted in 2008, Kagetsu would wrestle across Japan after being trained by former NXT UK Women's Champion, Meiko Satomura. Working across promotions such as Sendai Girls and Stardom, Kagetsu would capture the World of Stardom Championship once during their career before retiring in 2020.
7 She Was On A Reality Show As A Kid
In her early years before becoming a professional wrestler, Utami Hayashishita would first be known to audiences for her role on a reality show in Japan. Taking part in the Big Daddy show, Utami would be featured alongside the rest of her family, as her father was the titular "Big Daddy". The show followed her father and the rest of her family, which amounted to 12 people in the family.
The show would be a major success in Japan as well, running from 2006 until 2013 and airing in the prime-time slot known as "Golden Time" in Japan. Coming out of the show, Utami's name would help carry some weight as she entered the wrestling business in 2018, though her impressive skills are what made her into the star she is today.
6 She Is The Current Leader Of Queen's Quest
On top of being a major star on her own merit, Utami Hayashishita is a member of Stardom's Queen's Quest faction. For those unaware, Queen's Quest is a historic group in the promotion, with former members including WWE's IYO SKY, Doudrop, and Blair Davenport during their days in the company.
Officially becoming the leader of the group in 2022, Utami Hayashishita now leads a full faction featuring AZM, Saya Kamitani, Lady C, Hina, and Miyu Amasaki as the curreny lineup. The group remains a staple of Stardom and one of the biggest fan-favorite groups, though Cosmic Angels may have them beat in the fan service department.
5 Utami Is Considered To Be A Prodigy
With the aformentioned young age and short experience in the ring, it should come as no surprise that Utami Hayashishita is considered by many to be a professional wrestling prodigy. Spending a total of just five months in training before making her full-time debut for Stardom, the future ace of the company would be positioned extremely strong out of the gates after almost winning the 5 Star Grand Prix in her first outing.
Still only 24 years old, the wrestling world is Utami's oyster. With an increased working relationship between New Japan and Stardom, and with talks of Stardom and AEW also working together in the future, a bigger spotlight will likely be shining on Utami in the near future, helping to build her into an even bigger superstar in the process for Stardom.
4 In Four Years She Is Already A Decorated Champion
Having been wrestling since 2018, now in 2022, Utami has only been wrestling for four years. In that time however, she has not wasted a moment and has become a very decorated star in a short amount of time. Picking up title after title, Utami has helf six titles during her time in Stardom, while also having multiple tournament wins under her belt as well.
A former Artist of Stardom trios tag-team champion, Utami also captured the regular tag titles in Stardom alongside fellow Queen's Quest members Momo Watanabe and Saya Kamitani during her time in the company. On top of that, she has held the SWA World Championship, the Future of Stardom Championship, and the World of Stardom Championship.
3 She Has Been World Champion Before
Looking at her reign as World of Stardom Champion, Utami Hayashishita defeated the Icon of Stardom, Mayu Iwatani, to become world champion in late 2020. Marching into 2021 as the face of the company, Utami would defend the belt against names such as Bea Priestley, Saya Kamitani, Syuri, and Maika.
Her first match with Syuri for the belt would also be highly acclaimed, scoring a 5.5 star rating from Dave Meltzer, becoming one of the highest rated women's matches of all time. Hayashishita's reign would come to an end at the end of 2021, with Syuri defeating her to become the new World of Stardom Champion, ending a 409-day long reign with the belt.
2 She Wrestled At Wrestle Kingdom 15
In recent years, Stardom has begun to have more of a presence within New Japan Pro Wrestling, first getting a dark match at 2020's Wrestle Kingdom that would see Hana Kimura get the chance to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome before her tragic passing later that year, the companies would continue working together into 2022, where they will now put on their first-ever co-branded show; Historic X-Over.
At 2021's Wrestle Kingdom 15, Queen's Quest would get a chance to perform in the Tokyo Dome, with Utami Hayashishita, AZM, and Saya Kamitani repping Stardom and their faction in the historic venue during NJPW's biggest show of the year.
1 She Is One Of The Best Wrestlers In The World
Not only is Utami Hayashishita regarded as one of the best women's wrestling stars of today's wrestling world, but also one of the best wrestlers in the world. Regardless of gender, Utami has broken down barriers with her intense, physical wrestling style that meshes well with most of her opponents in Stardom. With a great, marketable look on top of that, it comes as no surprise that she has become as popular as she has in recent years.
With many years ahead of her in wrestling, Utami is one of the biggest names for fans to keep their eyes out over the coming years. Whether she stays put in Japan or jumps to wrestling in North America, it goes without saying at this point that Utami Hayashishita is already one of the best wrestlers alive today.