Born: 1968 (Japan)
Biography:
Keiko Aoki, better known as Bull Nakano, was born on January 8, 1968, in Japan. She began her professional wrestling career at a young age, competing in All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW) as a teenager. Nakano quickly made a name for herself in the industry, becoming one of the most dominant and charismatic wrestlers of her time.
In AJW, Nakano established herself as a villainous character and often teamed up with her mentor, Dump Matsumoto. Together, they formed a formidable duo that struck fear into their opponents. Nakano’s in-ring ability and unique style made her a standout performer in Japan.
During her time in AJW, Nakano held multiple singles and tag team championships. In July 1985, she won the prestigious AJW Championship, which she held for three years. Nakano also achieved success in the tag team division, winning the WWWA World Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions, first with Matsumoto and then with Condor Saito and Grizzly Iwamoto.
Nakano’s international wrestling career began in Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 1992. She made an immediate impact by becoming the promotion’s first World Women’s Champion. Nakano’s unique style and fierce presence captivated audiences, solidifying her reputation as a top-tier performer.
In 1994, Nakano ventured to the United States and joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). She quickly found herself in a heated rivalry with Alundra Blayze over the WWF Women’s Championship. Nakano’s intensity and physicality made her a formidable opponent for Blayze, and she eventually captured the title. Her reign as WWF Women’s Champion showcased her exceptional skills and added another accolade to her already impressive career.
After her time in the WWF, Nakano competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) before transitioning into a different sport altogether. In 1998, she decided to pursue a career as a professional golfer. Nakano’s passion for golf led her to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour in 2006.
Throughout her professional wrestling and golfing careers, Nakano has inspired countless individuals with her tenacity and dedication. She broke barriers as a Japanese female wrestler competing at an international level and paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
Bull Nakano’s contributions to women’s wrestling and her ability to transcend cultural boundaries have solidified her status as a true legend in the industry. Her captivating performances and fierce determination continue to leave a lasting impact on both the wrestling and golfing worlds.
Awards:
– AJW Championship
– WWWA World Tag Team Championship (with Dump Matsumoto, Condor Saito, and Grizzly Iwamoto)
– WWF Women’s Championship