Professional Women's Wrestling in Japan
Reuters photographer Thomas Peter spent time recently getting to know professional wrestler Kris Hernandez, who fights in Japan under the name Kris Wolf. She became the first foreigner to work her way up into the world of Japanese women's pro wrestling, as part of Tokyo promoter World Wonder Ring Stardom. Peter reports "Professional women's wrestling in Japan means body slams, sweat, and garish costumes. But Japanese rules on hierarchy also come into play, with a culture of deference to veteran fighters. The brutal reality of the ring is masked by a strong fantasy element that feeds its popularity with fans, most of them men."
The wrestler Kairi Hojo jumps at her opponent Mieko Satomura as they fight in the stands during a Stardom female professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, on July 26, 2015. #
Thomas Peter / Reuters
Ticker tape confetti rains on the wrestler Act Yasukawa after her last match before retirement during a Stardom female professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on December 23, 2015. #
Members of the media take pictures of Holidead during a Stardom wrestling show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on December 23, 2015. #
A wrestler holds on to the rope during a Stardom wrestling show in Tokyo on July 26, 2015. #
Stardom Wrestlers fight in Shinkiba 1st Ring in Tokyo on December 6, 2015. #
People watch women fight during a Stardom wrestling show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestler Kairi Hojo jumps at her opponent Mieko Satomura at Korakuen Hall on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestler Mieko Satomura carries her opponent Kairi Hojo through the audience area of Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on July 26, 2015. #
Merchandise on display outside a Stardom female professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall on December 23, 2015. #
A man takes pictures of ring announcer Fuka Kakimoto of Stardom, after a show in Tokyo on December 23, 2015. #
The President of the Stardom female professional wrestling promotion Hiroshi 'Rossy' Ogawa sells brochures before the start of a wrestling show on December 23, 2015. #
Professional wrestler Kris Wolf (left) and guest Thomas Belfer talk about life in Japan as they record a video for the Huffington Post at its office in Tokyo on March 12, 2016. #
Dancers leave the backstage area before a Stardom professional wrestling show at Korakuen Hall on December 23, 2015. #
Stardom wrestler Kris Wolf greets fans as she enters the arena at Korakuen Hall on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestler Kris Wolf receives ice spray treatment during a wrestling show in Tokyo on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestler Kaori Housako jumps at her opponent Mieko Satomura in Korakuen Hall on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestler Jungle Kyouna is choked during a wrestling show at Shinkiba 1st Ring in Tokyo on December 6, 2015. #
The wrestler Kris Wolf (center) and fellow wrestlers scatter across the Shinkiba 1st Ring on December 6, 2015. #
Members of the audience watch female wrestlers fight outside of the ring in Tokyo on July 26, 2015. #
The wrestlers Kris Wolf and Starfire fight in Korakuen Hall on July 26, 2015. #
Io Shirai (top) performs a moonsault onto Mayu Iwatani during a wrestling match on July 26, 2015. #
The professional wrestler Kris Wolf (center) meets fans Eiichi Nakazato (right) and Eishi Matsumoto in a restaurant in Tokyo on March 12, 2016. #