Sukeban Took Over New York City Again
Dominating the ring in front of a sold-out crowd.
Japanese female wrestling league Sukeban made its return to the Big Apple this week, taking over a sold-out Hammerstein Ballroom for an unforgettable World Championship fight. Before a star-studded crowd of 2,000 packing the venue — including fashion and culture favorites like Lila Moss, Rowan Blanchard, and Gray Sorrenti — the high-octane five-fight card perfectly blended raw athletic dominance with gorgeous anime-inspired aesthetics as always.
The highlight of the evening saw reigning Sukeban World Champion Ichigo Sayaka successfully defend her title in a battle against Queen of Hearts. Adding to the electric atmosphere, the night featured a headline musical performance from rapper Molly Santana and a pro-wrestling debut from boxing legend Claressa Shields, who secured a knockout victory for the Dangerous Liaisons gang.
It’s not Sukeban without stunning visuals, makeup and costuming, though. Under the creative direction of Olympia Le-Tan, the event was a masterpiece, debuting graphic embroidered jackets co-created with Nike for the Cherry Bomb Girls. Crush Yuu’s custom piece was hand-embroidered with Swarovski crystals and beads, taking an incredible 564 hours to complete.
With its distinct mix of subculture style, vibrant Tokyo energy and powerful women dominating the ring, Sukeban continues to redefine the intersection of sports and style. West Coast girls, get ready: the league is heading to Los Angeles next on July 3 during Anime Expo.
In other news, Nike teased all its celebrity World Cup campaigns.
