Welcome to the 2024 Hall of Fame

On April 5, 2024, Bull Nakano, a Japanese warrior and accomplished WWE wrestler, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, becoming immortal and joining the ranks of legends such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and The Undertaker. Known for her wild appearance, characterized by distinctive blue makeup and a high-standing hairstyle, Bull Nakano dominated the ring with her unique style in the 1980s, and especially in the 1990s. Her aggressive yet agile fighting style, combined with a charismatic image, made her an unparalleled icon, with matches full of dynamic attacks and spectacular moves.

One of the most memorable moments of her career was winning the WWF Women's Championship in 1994 when she defeated Alundra Blayze at the legendary Big Egg Wrestling Universe event in Tokyo, attracting over 32,500 live spectators.

Although Bull Nakano gained fame mainly through wrestling, her passions extended beyond the ring. After retiring from the ring in 1997, she decided to continue competing... in a rather unusual way for a wrestler – she became a professional golfer. In 2006, she joined the Duramed Futures Tour.

Nakano was also known for her dedication to the development of women's wrestling worldwide. After ending her active wrestling career, she engaged in promoting the sport in both Japan and the United States, serving as a mentor for young wrestlers. Bull Nakano broke stereotypes about women's wrestling, being a pioneer who combined strength and fierce aggression with agility and technique. She blazed a trail for Japanese wrestlers in the USA and Mexico, winning championship titles there. Her versatility and determination led to a new career in professional golf after leaving WWE, where she passionately took on competition in such a different discipline.

In the Ring...

One of the most memorable rivalries in the history of women's wrestling was between Bull Nakano and Alundra Blayze, also known as Madusa. Their rivalry began in the mid-90s, during a period when WWF (now WWE) was trying to revive the women's wrestling division. Nakano, with her unique style and powerful image, was the perfect opponent for Blayze, who was then the leading female wrestler in the United States.

The climax of their rivalry was the match at the legendary Big Egg Wrestling Universe event, which took place on November 20, 1994, at the Tokyo Dome. Both wrestlers were presented as contrasting characters: Blayze as the good heroine and Nakano as the dangerous and aggressive antagonist. Their matches were intense, full of drama, and a key element of the storyline, highlighting the differences in styles and personalities, which drew the fans' attention and increased the popularity of women's wrestling.

The Big Egg at the Tokyo Dome was one of the largest events in the history of women's wrestling at that time. Nakano and Blayze competed for the WWF Women's Championship, which belonged to Blayze and which she had successfully defended. The match was remembered as exceptionally intense and of very high technical level, and Nakano, using her strength and unique techniques, ultimately won, securing the championship belt. This victory was not only a sports triumph but also symbolic, as it showed that a Japanese wrestler could dominate on the international wrestling scene.

This clash went down in history as one of the most significant moments in women's wrestling, symbolizing the strength and skills of the wrestlers. Bull Nakano became an icon thanks to this match, and her style and determination inspire subsequent generations of wrestlers from the Land of the Rising Sun. This match, due to its significance and impact, is often cited as an example of the best wrestling of the 90s and as a milestone in the history of the sport.

Beginnings

Bull Nakano, whose real name is Nakano Keiko (中野恵子), grew up in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on Honshu, north of Tokyo, Japan. From a young age, she showed an interest in combat sports, which eventually led her to wrestling. At just 15 years old, she began her professional career in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), one of the most prestigious women's wrestling organizations in Japan. She debuted in 1983, and thanks to her natural talent and determination, she quickly attracted attention as a young, promising wrestler.

In the early stages of her career, Nakano performed under her real name, but adopting the ring name Bull Nakano and collaborating with Dump Matsumoto proved crucial for her development. Dump Matsumoto, known for her brutal style and strong personality, became a mentor to the young wrestler. Together they formed a team within the heel stable (negative faction) Villainous Alliance. It was through this collaboration that Nakano began to shape her characteristic image and fighting style, combining strength with technical precision.

Her first successes came quickly. In 1984, at the age of 16, she won her first title, the AJW Junior Championship. Then, in 1985, she won the prestigious AJW Championship, which she defended for an impressive 917 days. Her early successes not only solidified her position in Japan but also foreshadowed future international triumphs that were to come. The collaboration with Matsumoto not only shaped Nakano as a wrestler but also taught her how to build her place in the wrestling scene, both in Japan and on the international stage.

Rise of Career in Japan

Bull Nakano was known for her distinctive fighting style and image that set her apart on the wrestling scene. Her fighting style combined brutality and strength with astonishing agility and technique. Nakano's iconic look included bright blue makeup, an impressive, high-standing hairstyle, and outfits inspired by punk aesthetics, emphasizing her rebellious personality.

One of the most significant aspects of her career was her rivalries with other top wrestlers of the time. Her clashes with Aja Kong, known for an equally brutal style, were some of the most memorable matches in AJW history. Nakano also had notable matches with Akira Hokuto and Manami Toyota, where she demonstrated both her technical skills and physical strength. These rivalries not only defined her career but also contributed to the popularization of women's wrestling in Japan and around the world.

International Expansion

Bull Nakano, besides her fame in Japan, also gained international recognition through her performances in Mexico, where she began working with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 1992. In CMLL, Nakano stood out not only for her technical skills but also for her ability to adapt to the lucha libre style, which differed from Japanese wrestling. Her performances were often spectacular and dynamic, quickly catching the fans' attention.

In June 1992, Bull Nakano participated in a tournament aimed at selecting the first World Women's Champion in CMLL. After a series of intense matches, Nakano won the tournament, defeating Lola González, one of the top Mexican wrestlers, in the final. Her victory was historic, as it was the first edition of this title in CMLL, making Nakano the first World Women's Champion in this organization. During her reign as champion, Bull Nakano had several successful title defenses, solidifying her position as one of the leading figures in women's wrestling worldwide.

Her successes in Mexico not only popularized her international profile but also contributed to the growth of women's wrestling popularity in Mexico, where men traditionally dominated. With her unique style and skills, Bull Nakano managed to unite fans from different cultures and bring new energy to women's wrestling in the region.

And Finally – WWF!

Bull Nakano's success on the international wrestling scene eventually drew the attention of the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), which she joined in the early 90s.

One of the most important storylines in her WWF career was the intense feud with Alundra Blayze, which became one of the most memorable in the history of women's wrestling in the 90s. Blayze, also known as Madusa, was portrayed as the face of the women's division in the WWF, while Nakano served as the villainous antagonist. This rivalry focused on the battle for the WWF Women's Championship and was highlighted by the contrast between the two wrestlers – Blayze as the "good" one and Nakano as the dangerous, aggressive "bad" one.

The key moment of this rivalry was Bull Nakano winning the WWF Women's Championship on November 20, 1994, at the Big Egg Wrestling Universe event in the Tokyo Dome. It was one of the few matches in which the WWF title was defended outside the United States. Nakano won this match, which was the crowning achievement of her WWF career. However, her reign did not last long; Blayze regained the title in April 1995, in a match that concluded their intense rivalry in the WWF.

After leaving the WWF, Bull Nakano continued her career in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where she again rivaled Madusa. Their feud moved to a new battleground, culminating in matches at the Hog Wild event in 1996. In one of these matches, the stakes included not only pride but also the symbolic destruction of Nakano's motorcycle, which emphasized the drama and intensity of their rivalry. Returning to WCW and continuing the rivalry with Blayze was an important element of Nakano's career, cementing her place as one of the most influential female wrestlers in history.

Nakano Style

Bull Nakano was known for her versatile and aggressive fighting style, which combined strength with technique. One of her most characteristic moves was the Guillotine Leg Drop. Nakano executed this move by jumping from the turnbuckle onto a prone opponent, landing with full force on their neck or chest. This move, one of her finishers, was particularly effective due to her considerable mass and precision – it was one of the most destructive moves in Nakano's arsenal. She often used it to finish matches in a spectacular and convincing manner.

Another well-known move of Nakano was the Scorpion Crosslock, also known as Bull’s Angelito. This was a combination of a leg and arm lock, where the opponent lay face down, and Nakano stood over them, grabbing their legs and pulling them back while simultaneously holding the opponent's arms in an extended position. This advanced grappling technique was not only painful but also visually striking, demonstrating her ability to control and dominate the opponent. The Scorpion Crosslock was used by Nakano both as a technique to weaken the opponent and as a finishing move.

Bull Nakano also employed various forms of strikes and kicks, such as the Running Clothesline and Enzuigiri, which were integral parts of her fighting style. The Running Clothesline, performed with full momentum, involved knocking down the opponent with a powerful forearm strike at neck height. The Enzuigiri, a kick to the opponent's head executed from a standing position, was characterized by agility and precision. These moves were used both offensively and defensively, making Nakano an extremely dangerous and versatile wrestler in the ring.

Bull Nakano's Legacy

Bull Nakano was a pioneer who significantly influenced the development of women's wrestling, not only in Japan but worldwide. Her unique fighting style, which combined strength, agility, and technique, served as an inspiration for many female wrestlers. Nakano was one of the first Japanese wrestlers to succeed on the international stage, contributing to the increased recognition and popularity of women's wrestling. Her achievements demonstrated that women could compete equally with men in terms of skill and charisma, helping to break many stereotypes and barriers in the sport.

Nakano's impact on future generations of wrestlers is invaluable. Her successes, both in Japan and the United States, opened doors for many other wrestlers who followed in her footsteps. Bull Nakano became a role model, showing that determination, hard work, and a unique style could lead to international success. Her contribution to popularizing women's wrestling helped increase its visibility and acceptance in the media, as well as the development of professional leagues and wrestling organizations worldwide.

After ending her active wrestling career, Bull Nakano continued her mission to promote women's wrestling as a mentor and promoter. She participated in many events and programs, where she shared her knowledge and experience with younger wrestlers. Her role as a mentor helped shape the next generation of talent, and her presence on the wrestling scene, even after retirement, testifies to her lasting influence on the sport.

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"Strong Japanese Women"

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    未開    ソビエライ

 An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

  Mike Soray

   (aka Michał Sobieraj)

未開    ソビエライ

 An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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