1. Overview
Maya Yukihi, born on January 9 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, is a prominent Japanese professional wrestler. She is currently competing as a freelancer, having established herself through extensive work with Ice Ribbon and Oz Academy. Yukihi is a former two-time ICE×60 Champion, five-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion, and one-time Triangle Ribbon Champion, making her Ice Ribbon's fourth Triple Crown Champion. She has also achieved significant success in Oz Academy, holding the Oz Academy Openweight Championship twice and the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship twice. Known for her distinctive personas, including a "face" persona and a "heel" persona named 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese, she employs a diverse wrestling style characterized by powerful finishing moves like the Vertical Drop Tiger Driver and Snowtone Bomb. Beyond the ring, Yukihi is notable for her multilingual abilities, speaking Japanese, English, Korean, and Spanish, and has engaged in various creative endeavors such as photobooks, music releases, and media appearances.
2. Early Life and Background
Maya Yukihi was born on January 9 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and grew up in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Prior to her professional wrestling career, she pursued higher education and worked in the financial sector.
2.1. Education and Pre-Wrestling Career
Yukihi attended and graduated from Ferris University, where she majored in the English Department. After completing her studies, she worked as an office associate at a bank. While still employed at the bank, she also attended a wrestling circle, indicating an early interest in the sport. By the end of June 2014, she resigned from her banking position to fully commit to becoming a professional wrestler, joining Ice Ribbon as a trainee.
3. Professional Wrestling Career
Maya Yukihi's professional wrestling career began in 2014, primarily with Ice Ribbon, where she developed her skills and gained significant recognition. Following her departure from Ice Ribbon, she transitioned to a successful freelance career, appearing in various promotions across Japan.
3.1. Ice Ribbon (2014-2021)
Maya Yukihi was first introduced to Ice Ribbon audiences as a trainee named "Yuki (provisional)" on July 12, 2014, during a dojo match. She made her official in-ring debut on November 24, 2014, at Yokohama Ribbon V, under her new ring name, Maya Yukihi. In her debut match, she teamed with Tsukushi against Mochi Miyagi and Tomoka Nakagawa, though they were unsuccessful. On December 28, in her first match at Korakuen Hall, she secured her first self-victory against Yumili while teaming with Cherry, utilizing the Snowtone Bomb.
In February 2015, Yukihi suffered a fractured middle finger, requiring surgery and a period of absence. Although she was scheduled to return on March 21, she fractured a toe at home, further delaying her comeback. She eventually made her return on May 4 at Radiant Hall, but another injury led to a second absence, from which she returned on October 17. On November 28, she formed a continuous tag team with Risa Sera, naming their duo "Azure Revolution".
In 2016, Yukihi began a seven-match series with the cooperation of Oz Academy, facing notable wrestlers such as Manami Toyota, Mayumi Ozaki, Dynamite Kansai, Kyoko Kimura, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Risa Sera, and Nanae Takahashi. She concluded the series with a record of one win and six losses. During her second match against Mayumi Ozaki, she was invited to join Ozaki's stable, Seikigun, as the successor to Mika Nishio. Embracing the opportunity to become stronger, Yukihi accepted. On April 9, she debuted as a heel under the name 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese for Oz Academy. On July 18, she challenged Tsukasa Fujimoto for the ICE×60 Championship but was unsuccessful. On December 29, she performed her debut song, "Azure sky", at the Legend Joshi Puroresu event at Saitama Super Arena.
In 2017, Yukihi faced Aja Kong in a singles match on January 29, following a challenge she issued after a tag match. Azure Revolution pursued the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, unsuccessfully challenging Kurumi and Tsukushi on April 24. When the title was vacated on September 9, Azure Revolution entered an eight-team tournament, defeating the Lovely Butchers (Hamuko Hoshi and Mochi Miyagi) in the finals on October 29 to become the 42nd International Ribbon Tag Team Champions. On the same night, teaming with Mayumi Ozaki, she also won the Oz Academy Tag Team Championship, achieving two tag titles in one day. On August 27, she challenged her tag partner Risa Sera for the ICE×∞ Championship but was defeated.
Azure Revolution's first International Ribbon Tag Team Championship reign ended on July 1, 2018, when they lost to the Lovely Butchers after 245 days and seven successful defenses. On December 9, Yukihi won a tournament to become the No. 1 contender for the ICE×60 Championship, defeating Maika Ozaki in the finals. At RibbonMania on December 31, 2018, Yukihi defeated Tsukasa Fujimoto to win the ICE×60 Championship for the first time.
On March 17, 2019, Azure Revolution recaptured the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, defeating Gekokujo Tag (Kyuri and Ozaki). On May 1, Yukihi won the Triangle Ribbon Championship in a three-way match, also involving Tsukasa Fujimoto and Banny Oikawa. This victory made her the fourth Triple Crown Champion in Ice Ribbon history. On June 22, she lost the Triangle Ribbon Championship to Tsukasa Fujimoto in a match that also included Tequila Saya. On July 15, Azure Revolution lost the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship to Giulia and Tequila Saya. On August 3, her ICE×60 Championship defense against Tsukasa Fujimoto ended in a 30-minute time limit draw, resulting in the title being automatically vacated per the promotion's rules. She re-entered the tournament for the vacant title and regained the championship on September 14, defeating her tag partner Risa Sera in the finals. On November 23, Azure Revolution lost the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship to the Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto and Tsukushi).
On February 24, 2020, after successfully defending the ICE×60 Championship against Akane Fujita, Yukihi formed her own unit, "Rebel X Enemy," alongside Maika Ozaki, Ram Kaicho, and Rina Yamashita. Her second reign with the ICE×60 Championship ended on August 9, 2020, when she lost to Suzu Suzuki at the final show in the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium before its closure, after 330 days and six successful defenses. At RibbonMania on December 31, Yukihi and Maika Ozaki defeated the Frank Sisters (Hiragi Kurumi and Mochi Miyagi) to win the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship for a fifth time.
On December 1, 2021, it was announced that Maya Yukihi would be leaving Ice Ribbon at the end of the year to become a freelancer, while committing to continue her appearances for the promotion under a freelance contract.
3.2. Freelance (2022-present)
Since becoming a freelancer in 2022, Maya Yukihi has expanded her presence across various Japanese professional wrestling promotions. On April 15, 2022, as 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese, she participated in the main event six-person tag match at the "Korakuen Hall 60th Anniversary Festival", teaming with Mayumi Ozaki and Starlight Kid. On September 23, at a 666 Vol.120 Shin-Kiba event, she challenged for the 666 certified Kikanja Class Championship in a three-way ladder match alongside Maika Ozaki, successfully capturing the title.
On January 22, 2023, Yukihi made a notable appearance at Pro Wrestling Noah's GREAT MUTA FINAL "BYE-BYE" event at Yokohama Arena. Teaming with Sumire Natsu, they faced Saori Anou and Jungle Kyona. This marked the first time female wrestlers competed in a Pro Wrestling Noah event outside of special circumstances, and Yukihi has since become a regular participant in women's matches at Noah's major shows.
On December 6, 2024, it was announced that Maya Yukihi would be taking a long-term absence due to a left ulna and left radius bone fracture.
3.3. Personas and Wrestling Style
Maya Yukihi has primarily utilized two distinct in-ring personas throughout her career: her standard "face" (heroic) persona, also known as Maya Yukihi, and her "heel" (villainous) persona, 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese. These personas are distinguished by their characteristics, entrance themes, and sometimes even choice of weapons.
3.3.1. Ring Names and Personas
The ring name "Maya" (真矢) for her face persona was inspired by Maki Narumiya, a former Ice Ribbon wrestler. Her heel persona, 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese, uses a different kanji for "Maya" (魔矢), which she adopted from Mayumi Ozaki. As part of Oz Academy's Seikigun stable, Yukihi's 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese persona notably employs a whip as a weapon. This use of the whip was inherited from Mika Nishio, whom Yukihi effectively succeeded upon joining Seikigun.
3.3.2. Entrance Themes
For her "face" persona as Maya Yukihi, her entrance theme is "Crystal snow entrance theme." When performing as her "heel" persona, 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese, her entrance music is titled "Dark snow entrance theme."
3.3.3. Signature Moves
Maya Yukihi is known for a diverse set of powerful and technical maneuvers, including several devastating finishing moves and a wide array of other impactful techniques.
Finishing Maneuvers
- Vertical Drop Tiger Driver: A variation of the Tiger Driver, where the opponent is not fully rotated but is held by the waist and driven headfirst into the mat with a sit-down motion. After a particularly dangerous execution during an ICE×∞ Championship match against Giulia in May 2019, this move was temporarily sealed.
- Snowtone Bomb: A high-flying maneuver where Yukihi dives from the top corner, performing a forward rotation with her back straightened, landing with her full weight on the opponent's back. This move was directly taught to her by Cherry, who used a similar technique called the Cheritone Bomb.
- Wheelwind: A small package pin, transitioning into a modified jackknife pin, reminiscent of a "whirlwind."
- Snowstorm: A modified crucifix hold applied from the setup of the Wheelwind.
- Icicle Backtriangle: A submission hold that transitions from a side triangle choke into an armbar as the opponent is flipped face-down. The name "Icicle" (つららtsuraraJapanese) reflects her icy theme.
- Yuki No Kessho (雪の結晶Snow CrystalJapanese): Similar to Lance Archer's Blackout. The opponent is lifted onto one shoulder in a front powerslam position, then lifted higher by both arms before Yukihi sits down, simultaneously rotating the opponent 180 degrees forward to slam them onto their back.
- TSULALA: A move inherited from Mio Shirai, which is her 紫閃光ShisenkouJapanese (Purple Flash).
- Whiteout: A submission hold that locks both the opponent's arms and neck.
Other Prominent Techniques
- Omariwatari (御神渡りGod's CrossingJapanese): A modified knee attack. While the opponent is in a half-downed state, Yukihi runs up, grabs their shoulders with both hands, jumps, and vigorously swings her right knee into their face. The move is named after a natural phenomenon in cold regions where ice ridges form on frozen lake surfaces, resembling a path. It is similar to Shinichiro Tominaga's JK. As 雪妃魔矢YukihimayaJapanese, this move is also used as a finishing maneuver.
- Kara Mekeri (絡め蹴りEntangling KickJapanese): A leg drop that traps the opponent with a roundhouse kick.
- Double arm suplex
- Chokeslam
- Surfboard stretch
- STO
- Trance Kick
- Buzzsaw kick
- Capture
4. Championships and Accomplishments
Maya Yukihi has amassed numerous championships and accolades throughout her professional wrestling career across various promotions.
'All Japan Pro Wrestling'
- AJPW TV Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Suwama and Mayumi Ozaki
'DDT Pro-Wrestling'
- Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)
'Ice Ribbon'
- ICE×60 Championship (2 times)
- ICE×60 Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament (2018)
- ICE×60 Championship Tournament (2019)
- International Ribbon Tag Team Championship (5 times) - with Risa Sera (4) and Maika Ozaki (1)
- Ice Ribbon Tag Team Championship Tournament (2017) - with Risa Sera
- Triangle Ribbon Championship (1 time)
- Fourth Triple Crown Champion
- Ice Ribbon Year-End Award (7 times):
- Best Bout Award (2019) vs. Risa Sera on September 14
- Best Bout Award (2020) vs. Suzu Suzuki on August 9
- Best Dressed Award (2016)
- Best Tag Team Award (2017) with Risa Sera
- Happy Camera Award (2016)
- MVP Award (2019)
- Rookie Award (2016)
'Oz Academy'
- Oz Academy Openweight Championship (2 times)
- Oz Academy Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Mayumi Ozaki (1) and Saori Anou (1)
- Best Wizard Award (4 times):
- Best Bout Award (2017) with Mayumi Ozaki vs. Akino and Kaho Kobayashi on October 29
- Best Bout Award (2021) vs. Mayumi Ozaki, Saori Anou, and Yumi Ohka on August 18
- Best Bout Award (2024) vs. Mayumi Ozaki on August 18
- MVP Award (2021)
'Dark Pro Wrestling Organization 666'
- 666 Certified Kikanja Class Championship (1 time) - with Maika Ozaki
'TTT Pro-Wrestling'
- TTT Certified Indie Unified Six-Person Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Banana Senga and Koju Takeda
'Pro Wrestling Illustrated'
- Ranked No. 82 of the top 100 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 100 in 2019
- Ranked No. 105 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2021
5. Other Activities
Beyond her career in professional wrestling, Maya Yukihi has ventured into various artistic and media endeavors, showcasing her creative talents and expanding her public presence.
5.1. Publications and Works
Maya Yukihi has released both published works and music. Her photobook, titled "COLOR OF SNOW", was released on November 23, 2016, published by Pri-ve Communications with photography by Isamu Nogawa (ISBN 978-4908692734). In 2016, she also released a CD titled "Azure sky", produced by neoplus.
5.2. Media Appearances
Yukihi has made appearances in a range of media formats:
- 'Magazines:'
- Weekly Taishū (December 12, 2016 issue, Futabasha), featured in a gravure spread titled "3 Great Gravure Pro-Wrestling Beauties 'They Stripped This Much!'"
- Weekly Playboy (June 24, 2017 issue, Shueisha), appearing in an interview alongside Hana Kimura.
- Weekly Playboy Gravure Special Summer 2017 (August 9, 2017, Shueisha).
- 'Television Shows:'
- The Nonfiction (October 30, 2016)
- Momm!! (November 14, 2016)
- 'Web Series:'
- Onegai Ranking#AbemaTV (February 17, 2017, AbemaTV Special 2), participating in a "beautiful wrestler showdown."
- Onegai Ranking Part 2 (February 17, 2017, TV Asahi).
- Select Joshi ~Dropkick for My Indecisive Self~ (released February 1, 2019, YouTube, ALPHABOAT), playing the role of "Kanashimi."
- 'Stage Productions:'
- 2.5D Pro Wrestling 'Mugen Taisen' (November 27, 2017, Shinjuku FACE), where she portrayed the character Emy Rashomon.
- 'Modeling Work:'
- "IDOL WRESTLER EXHIBITION Idol × Wrestler Exhibition" (March 13-25, 2018, Ginza Vanilla Gallery), showcasing a fusion of sports and art involving wrestlers from five different promotions.
6. Personal Life
Maya Yukihi was born on January 9 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and hails from Chiba Prefecture. She stands at 65 in (164 cm) and weighs 121 lb (55 kg), with a blood type of A. She is a highly multilingual individual, proficient in Japanese, English, Korean, and Spanish.
Her sports background includes dancing, having studied ballroom dance as a child and later girls' hip-hop. She is also noted for her singing ability, which she has showcased on television programs and through her CD debut. For a period, she served as the MC for Ice Ribbon's weekly Nico Nico Live broadcast, "Weekly Ice Ribbon," succeeding Risa Sera. Her personal preferences include Japanese celebrities like Rika Usami, Daisuke Takahashi, and Yuzuru Hanyu.
7. Health and Injuries
Throughout her wrestling career, Maya Yukihi has faced several significant injuries that have impacted her in-ring activities. In February 2015, she suffered a fractured middle finger, which necessitated surgery and led to a period of absence from competition. Later the same year, a fractured toe at home caused a further delay in her return to the ring. More recently, on December 6, 2024, it was announced that she would be out of action for an extended period due to a fracture in both her left ulna and left radius bones, leading to a long-term absence.
8. Assessment and Legacy
Maya Yukihi has made a significant impact on the joshi puroresu (Japanese women's professional wrestling) scene, particularly through her extensive contributions to Ice Ribbon and her subsequent success as a freelancer. Her ability to achieve the Triple Crown in Ice Ribbon, holding the ICE×60, International Ribbon Tag Team, and Triangle Ribbon championships, solidifies her status as one of the promotion's most accomplished wrestlers. Her versatile wrestling style, incorporating both technical prowess and powerful maneuvers, along with her ability to effectively portray both "face" and "heel" personas, demonstrates her adaptability and in-ring artistry. Yukihi's transition to a freelance career and her pioneering appearances in promotions like Pro Wrestling Noah highlight her influence in expanding the presence of women's wrestling in new arenas. Beyond her athletic achievements, her multilingual capabilities and ventures into various media platforms showcase a multi-faceted personality that has resonated with fans and contributed to her enduring legacy in the sport.