Rina Rises To The Top As STARDOM’s Next Big Star
As STARDOM ushers in this new era following departures and retirements, Rina has stepped up to the plate as the promotion’s next top star.
STARDOM has recently been in a rebuilding phase. Top names such as Maika and Syuri have been sidelined with injury. Former World of Stardom Champion Tam Nakano retired from pro-wrestling in April earlier this year. The promotion’s icon, Mayu Iwatani, on the other hand, soon followed with a departure days after Nakano’s retirement. These absences have then placed STARDOM in a position to build new stars moving forward. Fortunately, competitors like Rina have proven to have the ability to fill in such huge shoes.
A quick background on Rina
Rina debuted in June of 2017 at the age of 11 alongside her twin sister Hina and older sister Hanan. Together, they were dubbed the “Sisters of Stardom.” In her early career, she was mentored by the late Hana Kimura who led their Tokyo Cyber Squad faction. The two were close friends, with Rina paying tribute to Hana on multiple occasions by using some of her signature moves.
Upon the faction’s disbandment in 2020, Rina found herself a new home in Oedo Tai, now known as the H.A.T.E. unit. She dubbed herself the “Pink Devil” as she found success later on after winning the Future of Stardom Championship. Despite the belt being contested for rookies, her hard-hitting and technical style led to fans perceiving her defenses as some of the most anticipated on STARDOM’s shows. As the Future of Stardom Champion, she went on to hold the belt for 512 days and 12 successful defenses.
Rina’s post-rookie phase
As of the time of writing, Rina is only 19 years of age. She continues to establish her name among the ranks of her more tenured colleagues Starlight Kid and AZM. Just months after losing the rookie’s belt, she went on to challenge Starlight Kid for the Wonder of Stardom Championship (the promotion’s second highest title) earlier this February. Despite the losing effort, she earned the respect of many fans for the strong yet classic display of joshi puroresu excellence.
2025 continued to be a monumental year for Rina as she participated in her first 5 Star Grand Prix tournament. Although she was inexperienced in round robin competition, she finished as one of four semi-finalists among a vast field of 32 participants.
＼?8.23(土)#5STARGP 優勝決定戦
— スターダム✪STARDOM (@wwr_stardom) August 21, 2025／
?いよいよ5★STAR GP 2025決勝トーナメント準決勝＆決勝戦！
?準決勝 AZM vs 吏南
?準決勝 安納サオリ vs 渡辺桃
?8月23日(土)
?16:00 試合開始
?大田区総合体育館
?大会情報＆チケット購入はこちらhttps://t.co/7rEEnrEURw pic.twitter.com/gHUpRFkHdw
She accumulated 9 points and picked up wins over the likes of Tomoka Inaba and her H.A.T.E. leader Natsuko Tora. For some STARDOM fans, the best matches in this year’s 5 Star Grand Prix involved Rina against the likes of AZM, Natsupoi, and Starlight Kid. This tournament further solidifies her status as the next generation of STARDOM’s top competitors and elevated the public’s perception of Rina in the STARDOM heirarchy.
5☆STAR GP 4戦目。無傷の4連勝
— 吏南?Rina (@chocobi1228rina) August 3, 2025?
キャリア積んでも、結果出しても簡単に出れないのが5☆STARだった。
だからこそ今年やっとの初出場で誰よりもこのリーグ戦にかけてる。
それがしっかり結果に出て素直嬉しい。
優勝するよ。絶対に。
ほんとに口だけじゃないって分からせる。
#STARDOM pic.twitter.com/HVDGOTJuS8
Though she has been wrestling for 8 years, Rina is still young into her career. She has proven that she is a worker they can depend on in high stakes matches, so there is no doubt that fans will see her in World or Wonder of Stardom title bouts again soon.
STARDOM also has plenty of other prospects in Saya Iida, Ranna Yagami, and Rina’s sisters Hina and Hanan, among others. Thus, it is perhaps safe to say that the future of STARDOM is in good hands.
The post Rina Rises To The Top As STARDOM’s Next Big Star appeared first on Wrestlezone.
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