 |
| What a career, however short it was Photo via @SHIMMERwomen |
Ayumi Kurihara's final match took place yesterday at Korauken Hall in Tokyo at a special show held in her honor. She pinned Aja Kong in a trios match, going out on top on the same exact canvas she debuted upon. Kurihara is forced into retirement at the tender age of 29 due to injuries sustained in her career, many of which can be attributed to a combination of some bad luck mixed in with the high-octane pace that is required of anyone stepping into a joshi ring.
Most of what I know about Kurihara has been through her SHIMMER career, but I'm immensely glad that Dave Prazak and co. decided to bring her over and book her on American soil. She always wrestled with a smile on her face, even if it belied her hard-hitting style. Her match teaming with Ayako Hamada against Ray and Leon was one of the fastest and finest tag bouts I have ever witnessed in my life. Twenty-nine is far too young an age for anyone to retire, but sometimes, life is cruel. Have a happy retirement, Ayumi Kurihara, and domo arigato for what you have given to us over your time in a wrestling ring.
Most of what I know about Kurihara has been through her SHIMMER career, but I'm immensely glad that Dave Prazak and co. decided to bring her over and book her on American soil. She always wrestled with a smile on her face, even if it belied her hard-hitting style. Her match teaming with Ayako Hamada against Ray and Leon was one of the fastest and finest tag bouts I have ever witnessed in my life. Twenty-nine is far too young an age for anyone to retire, but sometimes, life is cruel. Have a happy retirement, Ayumi Kurihara, and domo arigato for what you have given to us over your time in a wrestling ring.