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Arai Yuki (Yuki)

Discussion in 'Team KII' started by Crests, Mar 12, 2014.

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ForrestFuller Senbatsu

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Arai is now 1/2 of the Princess Tag Team Champions (with Saki Akai). Her first gold in TJPW (2nd overall counting the Ironman Heavymetalweight Title she won just about 4 years ago.)

Last edited: Jul 10, 2022

ForrestFuller, Jul 9, 2022

#81
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sscrla Stage48 Moderator Staff Member Stage48 Moderator

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Video (but she is not in the ring at the time)

if the video does not show watch the video here

sscrla, Jul 12, 2022

#82
lionel90 Under Girls

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After match interview

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Jul 13, 2022

#83
ForrestFuller Senbatsu

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https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/4329461/

Looks like Yuki is coming to the states for an excursion (AEW and other US wrestling Indies companies).

ForrestFuller, Jul 19, 2022

#84
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David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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English-language article and interview published today by 'Wrestle Inn':
https://wrestleinn.com/2022/09/23/rookie-no-more-an-interview-with-yuki-arai/

Rookie No More: An Interview with Yuki Arai

Yuki Arai’s progression apparently isn’t going to require a lot of patience.

It’s only been just over a year since her first singles match for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling. It’s only been since the spring of 2021 that Arai of the pop group SKE48 started training as a wrestler with company ace Miyu Yamashita.

Yet here we are in 2022, Arai looking like a big deal, rapidly learning the mat game, and reigning as champion.

She and Saki Akai knocked off Yuka Sakazaki and Mizuki for the Princess Tag Team Championship at the Summer Sun Princess event in July. That ended a historic title reign and perhaps began another that will be a showcase for Arai, a means to prove her marquee status.

Arai still has learning to do between the ropes. Her move set is rather limited much the way a rookie quarterback only uses a portion of the team playbook at first. But she has the most difficult parts of wrestling down pat – charisma, storytelling, facial expressions.

That’s a big part of why Arai won the 2021 Tokyo Sports Newcomer Award.

TJPW clearly believes in her given how much spotlight it has given her so far. She already has singles bouts against TJPW’s elite: Miyu Yamashita, Yuka Sakazaki, Shoko Nakajima.

And a major showdown with Maki Itoh looms.

Itoh has grown to be her biggest rival in a hurry. Their conflict began before Arai was officially a wrestler. Itoh defeated her for the DDT Ironman Heavyweight Championship, the 24-7 Championship-like title. Then when Arai arrived on the TJPW stage, Itoh was there to greet her with a defeat in her debut. The two met again for the International Princess Championship at the Grand Princess show in March. Arai lost each time.

Her revenge could be coming shortly judging by the pace Arai’s career has been on.

I recently had the chance to throw a number of questions Arai’s way. Thanks to some translation help from TJPW officials, we get to hear her thoughts on her growth thus far, winning the Rookie of the Year award, and some invaluable advice she got from a top star in the company.

Q: What has been the most difficult part of training as a pro wrestler?
Arai: At first, I was so scared to take a back bump, so it was challenging for me. My natural instincts made me want to land hand-first but it took a while to get my muscle memory in. Also, I’m doing my best to catch up with the seniors! Two hours from Nagoya to Tokyo for training was tiring at first, but now I’m so used to it I could go there with my eyes closed!

Q: What has been the best advice the veteran TJPW wrestlers have given you?
Arai: The most important advice I got was from Yuka Sakazaki. She taught me that rest is as important as training. I am the type of person who’d go for training when I can, as much as I can, even if it means giving up on some sleep but I’ve changed. You’ll get hurt more easily when you’re tired, so I’ve been doing my best to take care of myself!

Q: How would you rate yourself as a wrestler so far?
Arai: 2/10. Wrestling is really difficult, so I think I’m still a ways away when I look at everyone else. I still have 8 points for improvement so I hope you can keep your eyes on my growth as a wrestler.

Q: You won the Tokyo Sports Rookie of the Year award. You won the Princess Tag Team Championship a little over a year after your debut. Has your success surprised you? Is this where you expected to be?
Arai: I never thought I’d win the Rookie of the Year award. I really love it so much as I feel the expectations of so many people inside this award. And I’m doing my best every day to respond to such expectations! And the proof of it is the Tag belts. I’m very glad to show some of my improvement in this manner. This was nothing like I imagined my wrestling career would turn out like, I wish I could tell my past self how much I would enjoy TJPW. I bet she’d be surprised. That’s how much charm that TJPW has.

Q: How is Saki Akai different as a tag team partner than other teammates you’ve had?
Arai: Everyone has their uniqueness but I feel a sense of relief when I’m next to her. Our careers and age are quite wide apart, but we are both similar in our paths (into wrestling) and we have a sort of mental link to be able to understand each other without speaking. Her past is similar to my present and she does so much to help me through this journey. I hope to do my best to be just like her! I hope we can keep showing our charms to as many people as we can.

Q: You have been linked with Maki Itoh even before you joined TJPW. How would you describe your rivalry with her and where do you think it goes next?
Arai: I had beef with her even before I joined TJPW. She was the one who took my Ironman Heavymetalweight title after all. She was also my debut opponent too. My first title match was against her too. I’ve never been able to beat her. It’s frustrating but one day I’ll get a win over her. My desire to beat her is what keeps me going. And at the same time, she’s also a senior I respect and has taught me many things as well. She the #1 person I’d like to beat now. I always have it in mind I’ll beat her one day!

Q: What’s your favorite memory of TJPW so far?
Arai: The moment we [Arai and Saki Akai] won the tag belts. Perhaps its due to my surroundings but throughout all the hurdles and challenges, something finally came my way. To be able to hold this belt with Akai is the best memory so far!
Click to expand...

David61, Sep 24, 2022

#85
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David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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Yuki and her wrestling partner Itoh Maki together performed 'Ookami to Pride' at today's SKE48 14th Anniversary Festival:

(Source: https://news.dwango.jp/idol/76941-2209)

David61, Sep 25, 2022

#86
lionel90 Under Girls

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David61 said: ↑

Yuki and her wrestling partner rival Itoh Maki together performed 'Ookami to Pride' at today's SKE48 14th Anniversary Festival:
Click to expand...

Fixed

lionel90, Sep 25, 2022

#87
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David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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SKE48's official YT channel has posted a 'behind' video of Itoh Maki's appearance at the 14th Anniversary Concert':

if the video does not show watch the video here

It includes Yuki training Maki to perform 'Ookami to Pride' as well as part of the performance at the concert.

David61, Sep 30, 2022

#88
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lionel90 Under Girls

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What a brute !!

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Oct 2, 2022

#89
David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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Yuki won her first international match yesterday:
https://nordot.app/951794399219023872

Post-match comments together with her partner Akai Saki at 6:38:

if the video does not show watch the video here

David61, Oct 10, 2022

#90
David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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Video of Yuki's match on Sunday:

if the video does not show watch the video here

David61, Oct 11, 2022

#91
lionel90 Under Girls

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Although it's painful to see her being destroyed like that, with her partner, they managed to keep their belt

Max the Impaler vs Harajuku Pom was hilarious.

Last edited: May 6, 2023

lionel90, Oct 11, 2022

#92
David61 Under Girls Stage48 Donor

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Official video to promote Yuki's appearance tomorrow (11/13) in Kyoto:

if the video does not show watch the video here

David61, Nov 12, 2022

#93
lionel90 Under Girls

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Reiwa AA Canon (Arai Yuki and Akai Saki) are challenged for their Princess Tag Team belt by Aino Yuki (red girl) and Raku (yellow girl).
They ill defend their title on 11/27 at Korakuen hall

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Nov 18, 2022

#94
lionel90 Under Girls

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if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Nov 20, 2022

#95
lionel90 Under Girls

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Sign in ceremony

There's a change in challengers.
Raku caught covid and is unable to show up. So Aino Yuki will team up with Harajuku Pom and compete for the tag Team belt.

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Nov 25, 2022

#96
lionel90 Under Girls

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Result
https://www.ddtpro.com/results/19304
Title succesfully defended for the 3rd time

The next challengers for the tag Team belt are going to be "The Wasteland War Party": Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer.
Match on 23/01/04

This is going to be brutal challenging, Max is only 2 time the size of those ladies. (Max absolutly hates idols)
Just look at how she terrorised and smashed poor Harajuku Pom some weeks ago

if the video does not show watch the video here

fanmade

if the video does not show watch the video here

Last edited: Nov 28, 2022

lionel90, Nov 27, 2022

#97
lionel90 Under Girls

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if the video does not show watch the video here

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Nov 28, 2022

#98
lionel90 Under Girls

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Upcoming tournament:
Dai3 kai "futari wa princess" Max Heart tournament

Reiwa AA Canon are starting on 23/01/15 against Aino Yuki and Raku
https://www.ddtpro.com/news/19496

Full draw:

if the video does not show watch the video here

lionel90, Dec 28, 2022

#99
ForrestFuller Senbatsu

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Her and Akai's reign as Princess Tag Team Champions ends at 179 days as Wasteland War Party are the new Princess Tag Team Champions.

Also damn!
https://twitter.com/tde_gif/status/1610497975888781315

ForrestFuller, Jan 4, 2023

#100

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