Mina Shirakawa

1. Overview

Mina Shirakawa (白川未奈_{Shirakawa Mina}^Japanese, born December 26, 1987) is a Japanese professional wrestler, gravure idol (グラビアアイドル_{gravure aidoru}^Japanese), and tarento (タレント_tarento^Japanese). She is currently signed to the Japanese professional wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom (ワールド・ワンダー・リング・スターダム_{Wārudo Wandā Ringu Sutādamu}^Japanese), where she serves as one of the co-leaders of the Empress Nexus Venus (E neXus V_{Ī Nekusasu Vī}^Japanese) faction alongside Maika.

Shirakawa is known for her multifaceted career, which began in the entertainment industry before her transition to professional wrestling. She has made significant appearances in various international promotions, including the U.S.-based All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), and the English-based Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where she is a former one-time RevPro Undisputed British Women's Champion. In Stardom, she is a former two-time Artist of Stardom Championship holder, a one-time Wonder of Stardom Championship holder, a one-time Goddesses of Stardom Championship holder, and a one-time Future of Stardom Championship holder.

2. Early life and education

Shirakawa was born on December 26, 1987, in Tokyo, Japan. She has a B blood type. She attended Aoyama Gakuin University, where she studied English language and American Literature within the Faculty of Literature. After graduating, she initially worked as a wedding designer.

Shirakawa developed a strong interest in the entertainment industry, inspired by the singer Beyoncé, which led her to leave her wedding design career to pursue entertainment. During her adolescence, she developed large breasts, which she stated gave her the confidence to "be sexy" into her adult life. This confidence later influenced her career as a gravure model and her wrestling persona. She was also inspired by Jushin Thunder Liger (獣神サンダー・ライガー_{Jūshin Sandā Raigā}^Japanese) to enter the professional wrestling business.

3. Entertainment and gravure idol activities

Shirakawa began her entertainment career in 2012. In 2013, she was a semi-finalist in the Miss FLASH competition, organized by Kobunsha. In 2014, in conjunction with the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, she formed the World Cup support idol unit "O-P Samba" (おっPサンバ_{O-P Sanba}^Japanese) as "Amazones Shirakawa," where she was responsible for the sexy and talk segments. The unit performed at events like the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August 2014.

From May 1, 2015, she became the Tokyo Chunichi Sports representative for "Scoop!?" (スクープ!?_Sukūpu!?^Japanese), a unit supporting six sports newspapers in Tokyo. On October 10, 2015, driven by her passion for professional wrestling, she was appointed chairperson of the "P-Joshi Fukyu Iinkai" (プ女子普及委員会_{P-Joshi Fukyū Iinkai}^Japanese, "Pro-Wrestling Fan Girl Promotion Committee"), an official committee for the information website "Pro-Wrestling TIME" operated by Infonia. In June 2016, she won the Visual Web S 2016 semi-Grand Prix.

In December 2017, she developed a crush on Keiichi Yamamoto of Gokuraku Tombo after co-starring with him. She applied for the "Geinin no Last Chance ni Kakeru! 40-dai Saigo no Hi! Gokuraku Yamamoto no Kanojo Kettei 2HSP" (Betting on a Comedian's Last Chance! The Last Day of His 40s! Gokuraku Yamamoto's Girlfriend Decision 2HSP) segment on the "Gokuraku Tombo KAKERUTV" show, appearing on February 15 and 22, 2018. However, she was ultimately rejected by Yamamoto. On August 31, 2019, she left her agency, G.P.R, to become a freelance artist.

4. Professional wrestling career

Mina Shirakawa's professional wrestling career began in 2018, following her successful ventures in the entertainment and gravure idol industries. She quickly established herself in the Japanese independent circuit before joining World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she has achieved significant success and formed key alliances. She has also expanded her presence internationally, competing in major promotions in the United States and the United Kingdom.

4.2. World Wonder Ring Stardom (2020-present)

Shirakawa joined World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom) in October 2020, marking a new chapter in her professional wrestling career. She quickly became a prominent figure within the promotion, forming successful factions and capturing multiple championships.

4.2.1. Cosmic Angels (2020-2022)

Shirakawa debuted in Stardom on October 3, 2020, at Yokohama Cinderella 2020, where she defeated Hanan. The following day, on October 4, at Stardom Nagoya Rainbow Fight, she lost to Tam Nakano but subsequently agreed to form a tag team with her for the 10th Goddesses of Stardom Tag League. On October 7, their tag team was officially named "DREAM☆H," and Shirakawa was listed as a member of the STARS unit.

On December 16, 2020, at Road To Osaka Dream Cinderella in Korakuen Hall, Shirakawa, Tam Nakano, and Unagi Sayaka (ウナギ・サヤカ_{Unagi Sayaka}^Japanese) won the Artist of Stardom Championship by defeating Oedo Tai (Bea Priestley, Natsuko Tora, and Saki Kashima). On December 20, at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, the trio successfully defended their Artist of Stardom Championship in an elimination match against Mayu Iwatani, Starlight Kid, and Gokigen Death☆. Following this victory, Shirakawa, Nakano, and Sayaka officially formed their own unit, Cosmic Angels (COSMIC ANGELS_{Kozumikku Enjeruzu}^Japanese), separating from STARS.

On March 3, 2021, at All Star Dream Cinderella, Shirakawa participated in a 24-woman Stardom All Star Rumble, facing various returning Stardom legends. Cosmic Angels feuded with Donna Del Mondo in early 2021. As a result, Shirakawa teamed with Unagi Sayaka to unsuccessfully challenge Himeka and Maika for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship at New Century 2021 In Shinjuku on March 14. On May 16, 2021, Cosmic Angels successfully defended the Artist of Stardom Championship against Maika, Himeka, and Natsupoi, extending their record for consecutive title defenses to seven.

On April 10, 2021, Shirakawa lost to Utami Hayashishita in the first round of the 2021 Cinderella Tournament. On July 4, at Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer in Yokohama Budokan, Shirakawa won the vacant Future of Stardom Championship by defeating Unagi Sayaka in the tournament finals. However, she lost the title to Unagi Sayaka in a rematch on July 17. On October 3, Cosmic Angels lost the Artist of Stardom Championship to Maika, Himeka, and Natsupoi.

Shirakawa participated in the Red Stars block of the 2021 5 Star Grand Prix, scoring six points, which was not enough to advance to the finals. She also competed in the Blue Goddesses block of the 2021 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League with Tam Nakano as "Dream H," scoring three points, again not enough to reach the finals. On November 27, at Tokyo Super Wars, Shirakawa unsuccessfully challenged Tam Nakano for the Wonder of Stardom Championship. On December 18, at Osaka Super Wars, Shirakawa, Unagi Sayaka, and Tam Nakano lost a six-woman tag team match to Stars (Hazuki, Koguma, and Mayu Iwatani) as part of a 10.00 M JPY Unit tournament. On December 29, at Dream Queendom, Shirakawa, Mai Sakurai, and Unagi Sayaka unsuccessfully challenged MaiHimePoi for the Artist of Stardom Championship.

On January 29, 2022, at Nagoya Supreme Fight, Shirakawa lost to Thekla in a match for the vacant SWA World Championship. On February 23, at Cinderella Journey, Shirakawa and Unagi Sayaka unsuccessfully challenged FWC for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship. Shirakawa participated in the 2022 Cinderella Tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Mirai on April 3. On April 15, 2022, Shirakawa and Unagi Sayaka, as "Pink Kabuki," drew against Rin Kadokura and Haruka Umesaki at the Korakuen Hall 60th Anniversary event.

On November 3, 2022, Shirakawa challenged Saya Kamitani for the Wonder of Stardom Championship. During the match, Kamitani's Phoenix Splash struck Shirakawa's jaw, causing her to bleed from the mouth and leading to a referee stoppage loss. She sustained a jaw contusion and oral injury, forcing her to withdraw from the ongoing Goddesses of Stardom Tag League.

4.2.2. Club Venus (2022-2024)

Shirakawa made her return to the ring at Dream Queendom 2 on December 29, 2022, at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. She was accompanied to the ring by Mariah May and Xia Brookside. Shirakawa and her Cosmic Angels stablemate Unagi Sayaka defeated Donna Del Mondo's Mai Sakurai and Thekla. Following the match, Shirakawa attacked Sayaka, dissolving "Pink Kabuki," and announced the formation of Club Venus (Club Venus_{Kurabu Vīnasu}^Japanese), a new trio including herself, Brookside, and May. Club Venus then entered the TRIANGLE DERBYⅠ tournament, securing their first victory as a unit on January 3, 2023, against Yuko Sakurai, Rina Amikura, and Waka Tsukiyama.

On April 15, 2023, following an eight-woman tag team match against Donna Del Mondo at the final night of the 2023 Cinderella Tournament, Shirakawa declared that Club Venus would separate from Cosmic Angels and become an independent unit, with her as its leader.

On April 23, 2023, at All Star Grand Queendom in Yokohama Arena, Shirakawa achieved a significant milestone by defeating Saya Kamitani to win the Wonder of Stardom Championship, becoming the 17th champion. She used her new finishing move, the Figure Four Driver MINA, to secure the victory. Her first successful title defense occurred on May 4, 2023, at Fukuoka Goddess Legend 2023 in Fukuoka International Center, where she defeated Natsupoi. However, on May 27, at Flashing Champions in Ota City General Gymnasium, Shirakawa lost the Wonder of Stardom Championship to Tam Nakano in a winner takes all match that also had Nakano's World of Stardom Championship on the line, ending Shirakawa's reign after 34 days.

On June 25, 2023, at Sunshine 2023 in Yoyogi National Gymnasium Second Gymnasium, Shirakawa and Mariah May, known as "Rose Gold," won the Goddesses of Stardom Championship by defeating The New Eras (MIRAI and Ami Sourei). They successfully defended the title on July 2, 2023, at Yokohama Budokan against Ami Sourei and Syuri, with Shirakawa securing the win using her Glamorous Collection MINA. However, on August 13, at Stardom x Stardom: Osaka Summer Team in Edion Arena Osaka, Rose Gold lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to REStart (Saori Anou and Natsupoi).

4.2.3. Empress Nexus Venus (2024-present)

On January 20, 2024, at STARDOM AWARD 2023 in Takadanobaba Day.1, Shirakawa, Hanako, Maika, Waka Tsukiyama, and Xena reformed Club Venus into a new stable, with Shirakawa and Maika serving as co-leaders. On January 27, the new stable was officially named Empress Nexus Venus (E neXus V_{Ī Nekusasu Vī}^Japanese) at NEW YEAR STARS 2024 in SENDAI. On March 30, Shirakawa, Maika, and Xena won the Artist of Stardom Championship by defeating Abarenbo GE.

5. Wrestling style and persona

Shirakawa's wrestling persona frequently draws from her background as a gravure model. She has been billed as "the Fighting H-Cup Gravure Wrestler" and is also known as "the Venus of Pro Wrestling," a concept that formed the foundation of her Club Venus faction. Her in-ring style combines elements of glamour with strong, impactful maneuvers.

Shirakawa's signature and finishing moves include:

• Glamorous Driver MINA (グラマラス・ドライバーMINA_{Guramarasu Doraibā Mina}^Japanese): A modified Michinoku Driver β or reverse brainbuster, where she lifts the opponent in a reverse brainbuster position and then sits down to drive their head into the mat. This is her current primary finisher.
• Figure Four Driver MINA (フィギュア・フォー・ドライバーMINA_{Figyua Fō Doraibā Mina}^Japanese): A variation of the Glamorous Driver MINA where she locks the opponent's legs in a Figure-four leglock position in mid-air before spinning and sitting down to deliver the driver. She first used this move to win the Wonder of Stardom Championship at ALLSTAR GRAND QUEENDOM 2023.
• Glamorous Collection MINA (グラマラスコレクションMINA_{Guramarasu Korekushon Mina}^Japanese): A unique pinning hold where she secures the opponent's left arm with her right arm and their shoulders with her body, then hooks their left leg with her left hand. She sometimes strikes a "gravure pose" while executing this pin. She devised this move and first used it to secure a victory against Hina on August 8, 2021.
• Figure-four leglock: Used as a finisher since 2022.

Other notable moves in her arsenal include:

• GSS (Glamorous Strong Style) (グラマラス・ストロング・スタイル_{Guramarasu Sutorongu Sutairu}^Japanese): A modified Argentine backbreaker where she grabs the opponent's thighs and falls backward, dropping the opponent face-first to her side. She conceived this move before her debut and first used it in the inaugural BBW Women's Championship match.
• Glamorous Sword (グラマラス・ソード_{Guramarasu Sōdo}^Japanese): An Enzuigiri.
• Implant DDT
• Romero Special (ロメロスペシャル_{Romero Supesharu}^Japanese): She often shouts "Chance~!" before applying this move, which is used as a tribute to her idol, Jushin Thunder Liger.
• Diving Body Scissors Drop
• Flying Cross Chop: Used as a tribute to Mil Mascaras, whom she met in Mexico.
• Running Neckbreaker Drop
• Corbatta (Corbata_Korubata^Spanish): A move she learned during her time wrestling in Mexico.
• Gyaku Gyaku Ebi Gatame (逆逆エビ固め_{Gyaku Gyaku Ebi Gatame}^Japanese): A move she inherited from Misaki Ohata.
• Kangaroo Clutch
• Kuuchuu Doujime Otoshi (空中胴絞め落とし_{Kūchū Dōjime Otoshi}^Japanese)
• Kawazu Otoshi (河津落とし_{Kawazu Otoshi}^Japanese)

6. Championships and accomplishments

Shirakawa has achieved numerous championships and accolades throughout her professional wrestling career.

7. Other media activities

Beyond her professional wrestling career, Mina Shirakawa has maintained an active presence in various media, including television, internet streaming, stage performances, music, and publishing.

8. Personal life

Mina Shirakawa's personal life reflects her deep passion for professional wrestling and her vibrant personality. Her hobbies include watching professional wrestling and jogging. She describes herself as "living for pro wrestling" and is a devoted fan of Jushin Thunder Liger, considering him a "god." Her interest in wrestling spans various promotions, from New Japan Pro-Wrestling to WWE and Big Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Known for her bright and energetic personality, Shirakawa is often described as a mood-maker who uplifts those around her. She has a unique skill for quickly picking up beans and is also proficient in kickboxing. During her time at Aoyama Gakuin University, she was part of a hip-hop dance circle and was responsible for choreographing O-P Samba.

Shirakawa maintains friendships within the entertainment and wrestling industries. She is friends with gravure idol Arisa, and also with Miho Abe, though she playfully expressed jealousy when Abe interacted with Jushin Thunder Liger in the ring. She is also friends with actress and voice actress Sera Miyamori, with whom she has attended WWE Japan events. Shirakawa consulted with her friend Himeka, who was already a professional wrestler, before deciding to pursue a wrestling career herself. Their friendship continued even after Himeka's retirement from wrestling. Her decision to join Stardom was driven by her goal to emulate Aikawa Yuzuki, a former gravure idol who transitioned successfully into professional wrestling.

9. Influence and evaluation

Mina Shirakawa has carved out a distinctive niche in the professional wrestling landscape, primarily through her unique blend of gravure idol charm and legitimate in-ring prowess. Her persona, often incorporating elements like "the Fighting H-Cup Gravure Wrestler" and "the Venus of Pro Wrestling," has allowed her to stand out and connect with a diverse fanbase. This ability to seamlessly integrate her entertainment background into her wrestling character has broadened the appeal of joshi puroresu (Japanese women's professional wrestling).

Her journey from a wedding designer to a successful gravure idol and then to a prominent professional wrestler showcases her determination and adaptability. Shirakawa's consistent performance and championship reigns in Stardom, including holding the Artist, Future, Goddesses, and Wonder titles, demonstrate her credibility as a formidable competitor. Her role as a co-leader of Empress Nexus Venus further solidifies her influence within Stardom, indicating her leadership qualities and ability to shape the promotion's future.

Furthermore, Shirakawa's appearances and high-profile matches in international promotions like AEW, ROH, and RevPro have significantly raised her global profile and contributed to the growing cross-promotional interest in women's wrestling. Her dramatic storylines, such as the "love triangle" with Mariah May and Toni Storm, have captivated audiences and highlighted her charisma beyond pure athletic competition. Her victory for the RevPro Undisputed British Women's Championship underscores her international recognition and ability to compete at a high level across different wrestling styles. Shirakawa's career is often evaluated positively for her dedication to both her character and her craft, making her a compelling figure in contemporary professional wrestling.