#2 She helped cement women’s wrestling in Japan
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They say that even out of the most unfortunate tragedy, one can always find a silver lining. In December 1941, the US was attacked by Japanese kamikaze pilots at their naval base in Pearl Harbour. Seen as one of the most devasting domestic attacks on US soil, the incident would lead to the US officially joining the war effort, helping to bring down global fascism and ushering in a new era of US global dominance.
While many of the US’s young male population went off to fight in Asia and Europe, women were able to take advantage and fulfil many of the roles left behind. In the UK, we still see this as one of the most important events in the women’s suffrage movement. Perhaps less well known is the effect this had on female professional wrestling.
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After the war effort significantly reduced the presence of US professional wrestling both at home and across the world, Mae was instrumental in helping female wrestling fill the void. Having already started a female wrestling scene on the Candian soil in the early 1940s, Young was one of the first women to tour Japan as part of the World Women’s Wrestling Association (WWWA) along with long-term rival Mildred Burke.
The Japanese fans gratefully received the arrival of women's wrestling throughout the 50s, leading to an explosion of interest from home-grown Japanese wrestlers across the country. The presence of female wrestling across Japan was so widely consumed that, in 1968, the All Japan Women’s Pro-wrestling (AJW) promotion officially established itself.
Legendary names such as Akira Hokuto, Aja Kong and former WWE employee Bull Nakano all cut their teeth in the AJW, and they all have the foresight of Mae Young to thank for their success.
