2024 was the year Mina Shirakawa power bombed her way into many new fans’ hearts. Coming off a successful 2023, The Venus continued that momentum by starting a new faction in STARDOM, challenging for the AEW women’s world championship twice, and becoming a champion in Britain. Around the globe, people chanted, tweeted, and pleaded: #WeWantMina.
Mina started 2025 strong by walking into the Tokyo Dome as a champion. Walking into one of the most iconic stadiums in the world and standing across the ring with one of the biggest stars in the industry, Shirakawa doesn’t look a bit out of place. Knowing she’s only about 6 years into her career at 37 years old, maybe you wouldn’t expect this out of The Venus but, this cloud of doubt has always followed Mina and she is no stranger to proving the critics wrong.
Unexpected Beginnings:
Before wrestling, Mina dabbled in a bit of everything. She did kendo in middle school. She attended university where she studied English and American Literature. She was a wedding planner before then turning to entertainment.
Mina started doing gravure when she was 25, a style of modeling that's a bit more 'provocative' than normal. Even then, she got criticism for starting so late.
"Even when I was working as a gravure idol, it’s not like Japan is explicitly requesting all models be virginal maidens or the ideal Japanese woman, but they still expect every model to have their proper straight black hair and be neat and prim and exactly what they expect. But when I debuted I was already 25, you know I seemed grown up, I had a bit of a more sexy vibe, so I didn’t fit into the mainstream. I tried my best to conform to that, but it was hard." - English translations by @ItsDanaNow
Besides that, she would do theatre performances which then led to her joining a pop group in 2014. The trio was known as “OP Samba”, the name, in Japanese, a reference to breasts. They were a Brazillian carnival-themed group who dressed in extravagant costumes with huge feathers. They even performed a song at a TJPW show!
She first saw wrestling in October of 2012. It was a New Japan show at Ryogoku. Freshly into her gravure career, the world of professional wrestling spoke to Mina’s heart.
In her first blog post, she introduces herself as a "boyish girl who enjoys studying dinosaurs and watching professional wrestling". Alongside her posts of her day-to-day life as a model and singer, she'd also show off her new wrestling merch, herself at shows, or broadcast her support to her favorites.
Her idol group had disbanded about a year after its creation. She'd continue her variety TV appearances and theatre work but on her blog, she'd post even more and more about pro wrestling. It seemed all Mina wanted to do was share her love for the sport and make more fans. She was part of a panel that discussed wrestling- she even got to share the stage with her absolute favorite Jushin Liger which had her in tears afterward.
She also had an online wrestling column and appeared on TV with wrestlers from time to time. A notable one was her with Saki Akai, discussing her desire to take a wrestling move.
She even showed up at an NJPW press conference as a valet for Yujiro Takahashi, where he made a joke about her breast, and in 2018 was a special ring announcer for Actwres girl'Z.
In 2018, after years of watching as a fan and dipping her toes in the industry, Mina took the plunge. It was announced she'd make her in-ring debut at Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling's first show.
When she decided to take up wrestling at 30, many had doubts. Was she starting too late? Was she just a former idol looking to make a quick buck? Hell, even her father didn't think she could succeed as a wrestler. Despite the criticism, Mina made her in-ring debut by teaming up with Shoko Nakajima in losing efforts to Hoshimi Muramatsu & Reika Saiki.
“But with my background in gravure I know wrestlers in other companies have been like “Oh, she’s the model who thinks she’s a wrestler”, or think I’m some bimbo or that I can’t wrestle. If I want to change that perception, I feel like I need to have matches that are twice as intense or emotional as someone else. I’m hoping that people can understand me through my matches.” English translations by @ItsDanaNow
Mina would wrestle wherever she could. Her second-ever match was in Mexico. While the match isn't exactly polished, it's awesome to see Mina throw herself into the deep end despite her lack of experience.
She wrestled some shows in DDT and appeared at other events like competing at CMLL’s Lady Ring Numero 2 for the inaugural CMLL-Japan Women’s title. However, Mina wrestled the bulk of her matches at TJPW.
About a year after debuting, she won the inaugural BBW Women's Championship by defeating Erina Yamanaka. This would be the only gold she'd find herself with as she didn’t find much success or win any other titles. Despite still being relatively green in the ring and nothing extraordinary starting out, Mina showed some improvement and started developing a style in wrestling. She'd use the Romero Special, a tribute to Jushin Liger.
What she lacked in the ring, her confidence, drive, and beauty made up for. But, would her skills ever match her physical attributes?
In September of 2020, Mina would wrestle her last match in TJPW and thus, the next chapter of Mina’s career would begin.
Shoot for the Moon, and you’ll land among the Stars(dom):
On October 3, 2020, Mina made her Stardom debut against Hanan, who already had one more year of experience than Mina at just 15 years old.
When it was announced Mina would be joining the company, many were hesitant. Mina was still relatively new to wrestling and with the knowledge of her background, fans had doubted if she could truly keep up with the already stacked and wickedly talented roster with some fans believing she was mostly brought in to sell some photobooks.
The day after her successful debut, she’d face against the Top Kawaii Of The Cosmos, Tam Nakano. While Mina lost, she didn’t leave empty-handed. After the match, Tam asks Mina why she came to STARDOM. Mina simply answers, “I came to STARDOM to be a real Fighting Spirit H Cup gravure idol wrestler”. Satisfied with this answer, Tam asks Mina to team up with her in Stardom’s upcoming Tag League. Perhaps Tam saw some of herself in Mina as they both had idol backgrounds and were around the same age. While they didn’t make it to the finals, the partnership evolved into something even bigger. Alongside Unagi Sayaka, the three became Cosmic Angels. This was a reunion for Mina and Unagi as the two had faced off plenty in TJPW.
The trio would become a sub-unit in the faction STARS before then leaving to become their own official unit. They'd win the company’s trios belts not too long after their formation. They had 7 successful defenses, and, as of writing this, they have the longest reign in the company’s history at 291 days.
Alright, this may be a strange thing to focus on, but it does go somewhere- trust me. But, Mina’s chest was a big talking point in her career and I've already mentioned them a few times in this article. Of course, her body is what made her successful in gravure and she knew that it could make her more interesting to her new fans. She even called herself the “Fighting H-Cup Gravure Wrestler”- a reference to her bra size. In the tag league, she and Tam went by “Dream H”. Tam and other wrestlers would gawk and poke at Mina's chest. When making her entrance, she drops to her knees and emphasizes her chest to the camera and crowd with a flirty smile. At this point, it was a personality trait.
When starting modeling, it did take her a while to become fully comfortable showing off her body but Mina eventually became confident enough to own her sexuality. But Mina wasn't just her breasts. While sometimes they mentioned them a bit too much, over time Mina became a well-rounded wrestler. She was flirty, she was bubbly but in the ring, she took it very seriously and no one could take that away from her.
Wrestlers who are overly girly or sexual usually aren’t taken as seriously by fans and may even be seen as a "setback" to women's wrestling. But just because Mina wasn't afraid to play up to the camera and use her natural advantages, it didn't make her any less of a pro wrestler.
In 2021, Cosmic Angels continued to defend their belts and Mina found more gold. In July, she and Unagi found themselves in the finals of the vacant Future Of Stardom Title Tournament. You could only challenge for this title if you are under 20 or have less than 3 years of wrestling experience. Mina and Unagi just barely made the cut and it was a bit odd to see two women over 30 fight for the belt meant for the future generation. But Mina could argue she was just as much the future of Stardom as anyone younger than her and she wanted to prove that.
Mina won this encounter and she found herself to be a double champion by holding this and the artist belt. However, she only held it for about 2 weeks before losing it to Unagi.
She'd find herself facing another one of her unit members, Tam Nakano, as she challenged her for the Wonder of Stardom title. Mina sported a new, dark character for this match which showed her versatility. She came out with black hair, a black jacket, and dark makeup with a crazed look on her face. She'd call this version of herself, "Bloody Angel".
While Bloody Angel only ever made a handful of appearances, this dark side of Mina is something that does come out in sprints in her normal matches. It's an intensity and fire that Mina has. It's that wide-eyed stare she has when she gets in the groove. It's that coldness she'll sometimes show to her opponents. It's not as cartoony or ridiculous as "Bloody Angel", but that intensity has lived in Mina always.
While Bloody Angel came and quickly left, that eagerness to try new things to stand out would make Mina that much more endearing.
Mina was unsuccessful in this bout but, this was the start of Mina’s chase for wonder.
2022 wouldn’t be entirely successful for Mina. Unsuccessful attempts at the SWA belt, Goddess belts, Cinderella Tournament, and Artist belts clouded her year. (Though she did get to come out in the Liger mask for a match and win while he was on commentary!)
Many still didn't see Mina as a real wrestler because of her ring skills or comedy antics. She was in a "Cosmic Rules in Summer" match which involved water guns and bikinis and ended with Mina in a towel as her top had come undone.
But, Mina would silence some critics as she had a strong showing in the 5STAR Grand Prix tournament. She showed great improvements and it was the best we had seen Mina so far. However, she got a surprising win over Saya Kamitani, the white belt champion. It was only natural that Mina now be able to challenge for the belt. So, on November 3, 2022, Mina is once again challenging for the Wonder belt.
Many didn't believe Kamitani's historic reign would end here against Shirakawa. Despite the odds being against her, Mina put on a great performance that might have shocked some who still didn't think highly of her at the time. She does her typical limb targeting, going after Saya's knees. She shows some brutality by exposing the wooden boards outside to drive Kamatani's knees through them.
However, things take a turn for the worse. Saya goes for her phoenix splash; a move she’s performed hundreds of times. But she misses. So, she immediately gets back to the top rope and tries again.
This time, she lands horrifically on Mina’s mouth. Saya goes for the pin and it does seem like Mina goes to raise her shoulder but the ref knows something is incredibly wrong and calls the match anyway.
Afterwards, Saya gets a mic and asks Mina if she was hoping to get the white belt and if that hope has disappeared. Mina, remarkably still able to talk somehow, says “I can taste bloody despair. My teeth and my hopes were taken. But this fire will never go out and I will crawl out of this hell.”
Backstage with her jaw just barely hanging on, Mina cuts the promo of her life while sobbing. Her mouth is bloody; a much different Mina than the usual beauty queen we’re used to seeing. It's a must-watch if you haven't seen it before.
“Why is it that what I want is so far away and I can’t get it? Is that why I want it so much? It’s frustrating! I can’t help being frustrated. But no matter how many times in my life that I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, that’s what made me keep on living to grasp hold of my dreams because my dreams are my hope! That’s why if I don’t show the fans that I’m going to crawl out of this hell, I’m not a pro wrestler! I lost my teeth along with my jaw and I couldn’t even take the belt! It’s really an explosion of sadness! I will definitely shake off my fatigue. To become the hope for everyone to live is what keeps going! I’ll start over again and get stronger! Thank you very much.”
Mina suffered a bruised jaw and injuries to her oral cavity.
This is the moment everything changed for her. While Mina may have lost the match, a bunch of blood, and a few teeth; she gained so much more. Motivation. Hunger. A new dream.
Club Venus is HERE!
Mina makes her return 2 months after the incident. She and Unagi are scheduled to team up together.
However, Mina didn’t come alone. By her side are two blondes: Mariah May and Xia Brookside.
With a new haircut and a fixed jaw; Mina looks incredible and not just physically. There’s a new air of confidence about her.
Mina’s return is a success as she gets the win for her team. Afterward, she grabs a mic and asks Unagi why she wasn't there for her these past months she's been out. She then breaks up their team and this was the last we saw of Unagi in Stardom.
She then introduces her new friends and herself as Club Venus. “Welcome to our dream!”
Club Venus would start as a sub-unit of Cosmic Angels, but they'd leave the group to be their own faction. Deja vu.
Mina acquired even more foreign talent to the group by bringing in Australian talent, Xena, and former NXT wrestler, Jessie. Stardom's Waka Tsukiyama would also join the group.
With so much changing for Mina, one thing stayed the same: Her desire for the white belt.
A rematch between Saya and Mina felt imminent.
April 23, 2023. All Star Grand Queendoom.
Many big matches were announced for the show such as Mercedes Mone versus Mayu Iwatani and Giulia versus Tam Nakano. Among those huge matchups, Shirakawa vs Kamitani was one of the most anticipated of them all.
Leading up to their match, Mina would get into Saya’s head by taunting her for not using the phoenix splash anymore in fear of injuring someone else. Mina would unlock her dark side, to torment the champion. At a press conference, Mina grabs Saya's hair and releases black goo from her mouth into Saya's face- perhaps a visual reminder of how Saya left Mina's mouth that dreadful night.
Now with even more eyes on The Venus, a new faction behind her, and a second chance, this was a must-win.
With an audience of five thousand people, Mina comes out laser-focused. Seeing this Mina compared to the one in 2018 is like night and day. Mina’s always had a lot of confidence and a great look, but there was just something different about her. She always had the potential inside her and it seemed she had finally unlocked it. Fans also had a new respect for her because of her desire to come back stronger and that promo also showed fans how dedicated she was that she even spoke with a bloody mouth and broken teeth.
In the match, Saya eventually fights through her fears and hits the splash but it's not enough. In a thrilling ending where the two fight for control, we eventually see Mina hit two glamorous drivers to put away Saya for good. On commentary, Mariah, overcome with emotions, cries for her unit leader.
After a highly intense, excellent, and emotional bout, they share a moment as they lay in the ring, crying. In a show of respect, Saya wraps the belt around Mina.
Mina had finally fulfilled her dream and became the Wonder of Stardom Champion. According to her naysayers, Mina was never supposed to get this far. She’s been met with doubts her whole life. She was too old to start gravure. Then too old to start wrestling. Then she was a former idol trying to make a quick buck in the wrestling business. She was just another pretty face.
But, all of that didn’t matter now because she was champion.
Pre and post-jaw injury Mina is truly night and day. Something about that injury lit something in Mina. Perhaps after years of admiring the sport from afar, the dark reality of pro wrestling hit her. Looking up at the lights with blood trickling down her chin, Mina felt the effects of this scary industry firsthand. But she knew pro wrestling was also beautiful and she still had dreams to achieve. She knew she had to crawl through this hell to get there. And that she did.
Unfortunately, this reign wouldn’t last long. She did successfully defend it once against Cosmic Angels member Natsupoi but her downfall would be against her former faction leader Tam Nakano.
Tam had won the World of Stardom belt the same night Mina became champion and the two agreed to a winner-takes-all match. Mina’s reign ended at 34 days. It was a frustrating moment not only for Mina but for fans as well. After Saya’s historic and dominating reign, it was disappointing to have the one who beat her for it lose it so quickly.
Fortunately for Mina, she wouldn’t remain without gold for long. Mina and Mariah, known as “Rose Gold”, would win the Goddess belts about a month later.
Later in the year, Mariah would leave Stardom. Xena, Jessie, and Xia had all already left a few months earlier.
With just her and Waka left, Mina sought out a collaboration with the World of Stardom champion at the time, Maika. Near late January of the new year; Mina, Maika, Waka, HANAKO, and the returning Xena made up Stardom's newest faction: EneXusV.
With such an exciting and promising start, Mina continued that momentum throughout the whole of 2024.
In February she challenged Mayu for the IWGP title. In March, she popped up on Ring of Honor and over in Stardom she, Xena, and Maika would win the artist belts. Mina seemed eager to go global.
In April at Stardom American Dream, Mina would reunite with her old Club Venus members Mariah May and Xia Brookside. A surprise would happen after the match when Timeless Toni Storm’s music hit.
May had gone to AEW to become closer to the women’s champion Toni Storm. Here to check on her prized pupil, Storm meets Mina and teases a match with her at Forbidden Door.
Mina would travel back and forth between Japan and America to build up the match. Her live show charisma came across naturally on screen and she wasn’t afraid to be a dynamic personality on screen. She was sexy and “close” with Mariah while still being a very solid talent in the ring. A good balance to have when on North American TV. Character work is just as important as in ring skills here, so it helped Mina had personality for days.
In June, Mina and Toni would have their singles match at Forbidden Door. While she didn't win, Mina did settle her beef with Toni by becoming… really good friends and shared a three-way kiss with her and Mariah. It was highly unlikely Mina would have walked away with the title, but it was still really cool to see her on a big stage in America.
Mina would continue to show up on Rampage, ROH, and NJPW Strong shows but she’d find gold again in England of all places. In August, she’d win the RevPro Undisputed British Women's Title.
In all the commotion, there was one thing Mina needed to address. Mariah May was completely different from the last time they were together in June. After May won the Owen Hart Foundation tournament, she immediately stabbed Storm in the back and left her a bloody mess. May won the AEW women’s title at All In London with Mina in the crowd watching on but, it seems the two hadn’t talked since.
The whole saga with Storm was just an elaborate setup; was her love for Mina fake as well?
Mina was invited to Mariah’s champion's celebrations at Full Gear. While Mina was dancing, May snuck up behind Mina with a bottle of champagne. However, Mina caught her and (impressively) kicked it out of her hand before charging at her and driving the two off-stage.
The two had a match for the title on Dynamite in December but Mina wasn’t able to take the belt from May. Despite her shortcomings, it's still impressive Mina had two shots at the title in the same year. She clearly made her mark on AEW television and it was clear the people wanted more Mina. While she did show off her english speaking skills on TV, there is naturally that slight language barrier. But even then, Mina is able to portray what she's feeling and thinking with her in-ring skills, body language, and facial expressions. Her energy is infectious and it's clear that couldn't be contained in just one country. Mina had to go global.
Off to Bigger Dreams:
We’re still barely into 2025, but it feels like Mina is already making big waves and that this could be her biggest year yet.
At Wrestle Dynasty at the beginning of the year, Mina and Mercedes had a winner-takes-all match. (These just never work out for Mina, huh?) The girl who would post about her watching Wrestle Kingdom in the stands was now wrestling in the Tokyo Dome.
Mercedes and Mina have quite a bit of history. There’s a photo of a young Mina and a still in WWE Mercedes together in Japan. The two look like babies compared to the women they are today. Both women took many chances to get where they are today and did it while being undeniably themselves.
The two had a phenomenal match. Mina doesn’t look a bit out of place and it’s clear this is where she belongs- in high caliber matches.
Mina didn’t win but a loss has never slowed down The Venus. I’m confident she’ll bounce back and find some more gold sooner rather than later.
Every year Mina goes from strength to strength. And I believe in 2025 she’ll reach higher heights than she could have ever dreamed of. Who knows where she'll pop up next! It's clear Mina has no intention of slowing down as she is in the prime of her career.
Mina was born to be a star. But most importantly, Mina was born to be a pro wrestler. After years of watching in the crowd, she fully immersed herself in the business and kept going despite other's doubts. She proved everyone wrong and became a global star whose stock only increases as she gets older. The most beautiful thing about Mina is her undeniable heart and passion. Her adoration for pro wrestling is felt in every match. And she's built herself to become a star and one of Stardom's most reliable talents.
And while it may have taken her some time to take the plunge, she is proof it is never too late to chase your dreams. We can be anything we want to be if we fully believe in ourselves. Who can dictate our dreams and their possibilities besides ourselves? Our dreams are ours and ours alone. So why not do everything you can to make them a reality? Even if that’s crawling through hell and coming out on the other side. Shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars.
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