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SUKEBAN MAKES BIG RETURN TO NYC

Sukeban sent us the following:

Sukeban Makes Triumphant Return to New York for Sold-Out World Championship Fight at Hammerstein Ballroom

Ichigo Sayaka successfully defends the Sukeban World Championship in a battle against Queen of Hearts

Headline performance by Molly Santana and surprise cameo from World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Claressa Shields highlighted the card, which took place before an audience of 2,000 fans

Event highlights can be seen here

New York, NY — May 21, 2026 — Sukeban –– the Japanese female wrestling league –– held a World Championship fight at a sold-out Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Tuesday. The league’s triumphant return to the city showcased a five-fight card featuring rival Tokyo gangs, highlighted by Sukeban World Champion Ichigo Sayaka successfully defending her championship belt against Queen of Hearts. 

The fight included a special performance from rapper Molly Santana and the surprise pro-wrestling debut of two-time Olympic gold medalist and boxing World Heavyweight Champion Claressa Shields, who knocked out Supersonic to earn the victory for the Dangerous Liaisons gang. The night also saw the return of the Sukeban staple Yo-yo Masters from Japan.

For the fight, Sukeban and Nike co-created and debuted a series of graphic embroidered jackets for the Cherry Bomb Girls. Crush Yuu’s piece was embroidered entirely by hand with beads and Swarovski crystals and took 564 hours to complete.  

Under Sukeban creative director Olympia Le-Tan, the event saw anime-influenced visuals by Tokyo creative unit Margt, costume elements by Vanna Youngstein and Miss Claire Sullivan, two debut hats from Stephen Jones, bags by Katie Hillier, nail art by Mei Kawajiri, and makeup by the Pat McGrath team.

Notable guests in attendance included Norman Reedus, Bianca Jebbia, Rowan Blanchard, James Jebbia, Lila Moss, Gray Sorrenti, Tom Sachs, Sarah Hoover, Seven Strong, Kader, Precious Okoyomon, Ferdinando Verderi, Cooke Maroney, Tom Sachs, Ella Devi, Pierre Bourne, Ava Nirui, Patia Borja, Leah McSweeney, Bobbi Salvör Munuez, Rachel Simon, Kevin Claiborne, Dain Yoon, Ines de la Fressange, Yeha Leung, Kim Shui, Kilo Kish, Oyinda, Elizabeth Wang, Gabrielle Richardson, Chloe Vero, Ajani Russell, Oyinda, Gabrielle Richardson, Vanna Youngstein, Imani Randolph, Craig McDean.

The full results of the event include:

Sukeban World Championship Fight

Ichigo Sayaka defeated Queen of Hearts to retain the Sukeban World Championship

Four-way Mayhem 

Crush Yuu defeated Babyface, Atomic Banshee, and Stray Cat

Special Weapons Match

Lady Antoinette and Countess Rea Seto defeated Yukina and Saki Bimi

Tag Team Gang Warfare

The Dangerous Liaisons (Claressa Shields and Commander Nakajima) defeated the Cherry Bomb Girls (Supersonic and Rina Yamashita), Vandals (BINGO and Midnight Player), and the Tokyo Toys (Delirious Dolly and Seri Bear)

Special Tag Team Match

The Tokyo Toys (Krackin’ Kouki and Smack in the Box) defeated the Cherry Bomb Girls (Nagisa and Crush Yuu)

Sukeban's next fight takes place on July 3rd during Anime Expo at the Novo in Downtown Los Angeles.

For more information, visit sukeban.com and follow Sukeban on Instagram, TikTok, and X at @sukeban_world.

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