Mayu Iwatani is a Japanese professional wrestler, widely regarded as one of the defining figures of modern joshi wrestling. She is best known for her long tenure in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she became the promotion’s central figure and leader of the STARS faction.
Standing at approximately 5 ft 4 in and weighing around 52 kg, Iwatani is known for her resilience, high-flying ability, and technical consistency.
She has also competed in promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), gaining international recognition.
Iwatani made her professional wrestling debut on 23 January 2011 after training under Fuka and Nanae Takahashi.
Her path into wrestling was unconventional—after struggling socially during her teenage years, she discovered professional wrestling through a Dragon Gate event and decided to pursue it professionally, eventually moving to Tokyo to train.
Her early years in Stardom were marked by gradual improvement, transforming from an inexperienced rookie into a technically skilled and reliable performer.
Mayu Iwatani built the majority of her career in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she became one of the promotion’s most important figures and its recognized “ace.”
Her career reflects both long-term loyalty to Stardom and expansion into international wrestling platforms.
Her championship record and tournament victories establish her as one of the most decorated wrestlers in Stardom history.
Mayu Iwatani is defined by a high-speed, technically sound wrestling style, combining aerial maneuvers with precise execution and strong fundamentals.
Unlike purely power-based or character-driven wrestlers, Iwatani excels through consistency and in-ring quality, often delivering high-level performances across different match types.
Iwatani is widely recognized as the “Icon of Stardom”, reflecting her role as the promotion’s central figure for over a decade.
She has been described by industry analysts, including Dave Meltzer, as one of the best wrestlers in the world, alongside peers such as Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo.
Mayu Iwatani is a cornerstone of modern professional wrestling, particularly within the joshi scene. Rising from an unconventional background to become Stardom’s defining figure, she has built a career marked by consistency, championship success, and international recognition.
With elite in-ring ability, long-term influence, and a legacy as one of the faces of Japanese women’s wrestling, Iwatani stands as one of the most important performers of her generation—and a lasting symbol of Stardom’s identity.
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