Meiko Satomura deserves consideration as one of the best to ever perform

While everyone has their eyes on John Cena’s final WWE run in 2025, news of another impending retirement deserves attention as well. Meiko Satomura announced that 2025 will be her last year in the ring. Satomura is a name that wrestling fans must recognize as an icon and perhaps the greatest women’s performer to ever step into the ring. 

Satomura is planning to close out her career in April 2025, which will mark 30 years of competition. She held a press conference to break the news, after announcing her plans earlier in the week. 

Those who stick to North American wrestling only may not initially recognize Satomura’s name, but she’s one whose legacy extends through several generations. Back in 1996 and 1997, when she was still new in the game, she stepped foot in WCW in what would be one of several top promotions she’d compete in throughout the years. Most recently she’s been signed to WWE, while still competing in women’s promotions in Japan. 

Throughout her career, Satomura has captured titles on 11 different occasions. She held multiple of those titles for more than 300 days. That includes her last run as the WWE NXT UK Women’s Championship which she held for 451 days. That led to a brief appearance on WWE programming. 

Every step of her career, Satomura has been a champion. But her legacy includes several of the women she’s inspired to jump into the world of wrestling. Many names openly talk about her importance to their interest and the development of their own careers. She and Bayley during WWE’s tour in Japan, with Bayley picking up the win but not hesitating to talk about how big a match this was for her. 

“Tomorrow night will be an absolute honor,” Bayley posted on Twitter. “Feels like I’m having a WrestleMania match one week before SummerSlam.” 

The Rock is using the nickname “The Final Boss” which has been an excellent addition to his list of monikers. But it’s best to know that the true Final Boss of professional wrestling is the woman known as Meiko Satomura. As her career comes to an end, she deserves to be seen as one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.