1. Overview
Yoko Bito, born 新井 陽子Arai YōkoJapanese on December 13, 1986, and better known by her ring name 美闘 陽子Bitō YōkoJapanese, is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. She gained significant popularity during her career with World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was recognized for her powerful kicks and strong in-ring presence. Bito initially debuted in December 2010 and quickly rose to prominence, winning the inaugural Goddesses of Stardom Championship before her first retirement in November 2012 due to injuries. After a four-year hiatus, she returned to Stardom in 2016, achieving further success by winning the 5★Star GP and regaining the Goddesses of Stardom Championship, as well as capturing the Wonder of Stardom Championship. She announced her second retirement in December 2017, later making a one-time sporadic appearance in 2021.
2. Early Life and Background
Yoko Bito was born Yoko Arai on December 13, 1986, in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Prior to her professional wrestling career, Bito was an accomplished athlete in other sports. She was a black belt in Kyokushin karate, where she achieved significant success, winning a Kanto regional tournament and placing second in a national All-Japan tournament. She also excelled in handball, reaching second place nationally.
In 2010, Bito was scouted by Fuka through her blog and subsequently joined the Stardom dojo as a trainee, quickly being identified as a "future ace candidate." She successfully passed her first professional wrestling test on November 12, 2010. Before her official debut, Bito participated in an exhibition match against fellow trainee Eri Susa at "Yuzupon Matsuri," held on October 31, 2010, at Shinkiba 1st Ring.
3. Professional wrestling career
Yoko Bito's professional wrestling career was primarily spent with World Wonder Ring Stardom, marked by an initial rise to prominence, a temporary retirement due to injury, a successful return, and a final retirement, followed by a special one-off appearance.
3.1. World Wonder Ring Stardom (2010-2012)
Bito made her official in-ring debut for World Wonder Ring Stardom on December 31, 2010, wrestling Eri Susa to a time limit draw. On January 21, 2011, in the main event of Stardom's inaugural show, "Birth of Nova," Bito secured her first professional win by defeating Yoshiko with her Doll B finisher. On February 12, she teamed with Ai Iris in a losing effort against Yoshiko and Natsuki Taiyo.
In June 2011, Bito formed a tag team with Yuzuki Aikawa, her main rival, with their first match together on June 12, where they defeated Nanae Takahashi and Mayu Iwatani, with Bito pinning Iwatani. Their second tag match on June 26 saw them, under the provisional team name "BY-ho" (BY砲 (仮)), defeat the "Kawasaki Katsushika Saikyo Densetsu" team of Yoshiko and Natsuki Taiyo, marking their first defeat.
In July 2011, Bito participated in the tournament to crown the first-ever World of Stardom Champion. She advanced to the finals but was ultimately defeated by Nanae Takahashi. Later that year, on November 27, Bito and Aikawa teamed up again to compete in the tournament for the inaugural Goddesses of Stardom Championship. They emerged victorious, defeating Yoshiko and Natsuki Taiyo in the final to become the first champions. Bito and Aikawa held the championships throughout the remainder of 2011 and into 2012. In August 2012, Bito challenged Yuzuki Aikawa for the Wonder of Stardom Championship but was unsuccessful. This match would be her last before she announced her retirement on November 3, 2012, citing neck and back injuries, specifically a cervical spine injury. Following this announcement, she vacated the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.
3.2. Return to Stardom (2016-2017)
After a nearly four-year absence from professional wrestling, Bito declared her return to the ring on April 29, 2016, at a Stardom show in Korakuen Hall. Her official in-ring comeback match took place on June 16, 2016, also at Korakuen Hall, where she lost to Kairi Hojo.
In August, Bito participated in the 2016 5★Star GP. She performed exceptionally well, winning all but one of her matches and tying for first place in her block. On September 11, Bito defeated Kay Lee Ray in a tie-breaker match, advancing to the final where she triumphed over Tessa Blanchard to win the prestigious tournament. On October 10, Bito challenged Io Shirai for the World of Stardom Championship but was unable to secure the title.
On November 11, Bito reunited with Kairi Hojo to compete in the 2016 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, which they won by defeating Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani in the final. Their success continued on December 22, when Bito and Hojo defeated Oedo Tai (composed of Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura) to win the Goddesses of Stardom Championship for the second time in Bito's career. They made their first successful defense on January 15, 2017, against Kay Lee Ray and Nixon Newell, but dropped the title to Hiroyo Matsumoto and Jungle Kyona on March 5.
On September 23, 2017, in Osaka, Bito defeated Mayu Iwatani to capture the Wonder of Stardom Championship for the first time. She successfully defended the title twice but ultimately lost it to Io Shirai in her third defense on November 19, 2017, at Korakuen Hall. Following this loss, Bito announced her second retirement, stating her desire to "return to a normal woman." Her final match took place on December 24, 2017, marking the end of her active career.
3.3. Sporadic appearances (2021)
Despite her retirement, Yoko Bito made a special one-night return to the ring on March 3, 2021, for the "Stardom 10th Anniversary ~ALLSTAR DREAM CINDERELLA~" event held at Nippon Budokan. She participated in a 24-woman Stardom All Star Rumble, which featured a mix of current stars such as Unagi Sayaka, Mina Shirakawa, and Bea Priestley, alongside numerous past legends including Chigusa Nagayo, Kyoko Inoue, Mima Shimoda, Yuzuki Aikawa, Emi Sakura, and Momoe Nakanishi.
4. Signature moves
Yoko Bito was known for her impactful striking and powerful finishing maneuvers. Her signature moves included:
- B Driver: A move similar to Naoki Tanizaki's Implant. Bito would tackle an opponent, lift them onto her shoulders, then secure their legs under her armpits before dropping them headfirst onto the mat. This became her primary finishing move after her return in 2016.
- BY Bomb: A powerbomb variation, similar to the BT Bomb.
- Various Kicks: Bito frequently utilized a range of powerful kicks throughout her matches.
- Doll B: A rotating two-stage kick. This move was named "Doll B" in homage to her trainer Fuka's signature move, "Doll F," incorporating Bito's initial.
- Missile Kick: A diving kick from the top rope.
- Brainbuster: A vertical suplex where the opponent is dropped on their head or neck.
- German Suplex: A suplex where the wrestler grabs the opponent from behind and throws them over their head, landing them on their upper back and neck.
5. Championships and accomplishments
Yoko Bito achieved several championships and accolades throughout her professional wrestling career, primarily within World Wonder Ring Stardom.
| Accomplishment | Notes |
|---|---|
| Nikkan Sports | |
| Joshi Tag Team Award (2011) | with Yuzuki Aikawa |
| World Wonder Ring Stardom | |
| Goddesses of Stardom Championship (2 times) | Inaugural champion with Yuzuki Aikawa (1st reign); with Kairi Hojo (10th reign) |
| Wonder of Stardom Championship (1 time) | 10th champion |
| Goddesses of Stardom Tag League | 2011 with Yuzuki Aikawa; 2016 with Kairi Hojo |
| 5★Star GP (2016) | |
| Stardom Year-End Award (4 times) | |
| Best Match Award (2017) | vs. Takumi Iroha on October 17 |
| Best Tag Team Award (2016) | with Kairi Hojo |
| Outstanding Performance Award (2011, 2016) | |
6. Other information
Yoko Bito's professional wrestling entrance theme music included "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha and "READY GO" by 4Minute, which was also associated with her tag team "Zenyoku Joshi." In 2012, she released a photobook titled "Joshi Pro-wrestling Erokawa Shugi" (女子プロレス エロカワ主義).