Kairi Sane is a Japanese professional wrestler. She was born on September 23, 1988, and her real name is Kaori Housako. Sane was born in Hikari, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in Japan, and has a sister, who is three years older than she is. Ever since she was young, Sane was very interested in sports and athletics. An accomplished athlete, she dominated the water in her youth, competing in yachting at intercollegiate, national, and even world championship levels, with dreams of reaching the Olympics.
After graduating with a degree in Japanese literature, Kairi Sane embarked on an acting career. It was during a theatrical performance, ironically portraying a wrestling villain, that her life took a dramatic turn. Fuka, the head of a prominent Japanese wrestling promotion, Stardom, was in the audience and saw potential in Sane. She invited her to a Stardom event, and Sane was then interested in the idea of making professional wrestling her career and decided to trade the sails for the squared circle.
She emerged on the Japanese scene in 2012 under the name Kairi Hojo. She became one of the biggest prospects outside the WWE due to her Pirate Princess persona. She was soon scouted by and brought to WWE to NXT. Here, she adopted the name Kairi Sane and continued her winning ways. The inaugural Mae Young Classic champion, she soon captured the NXT Women's Championship. Her success earned her a coveted spot on the WWE main roster, where she continued to impress both as a singles competitor and a tag team partner alongside her friend Asuka, forming the popular "Kabuki Warriors."
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How many Injuries has Kairi Sane had?
While the exact number of injuries is not known, Kairi Sane had suffered an injury in at least four matches and suffered concussions at least twice. And of course, this does not include the injury which might be very severe for normal people, but Sane simply decided to ignore it, given the nature of professional wrestling and her resilience and skill. Throughout her years in the ring, she has battled back from several significant injuries.
Early Career Injuries
While details are scarce, it's reported that Sane sustained injuries during her early years in Stardom. The exact nature and severity of these injuries remain unknown. However, it is known that the injuries were so severe that Sane considered retirement from wrestling in 2017, at the age of 29. She then consulted fellow Japanese wrestler and future WWE Hall of Famer Bull Nakano on what she should do. Upon discussions, Sane decided that she will have to leave the intense wrestling of Japan and wrestle overseas.
The Stardom Ring Concussion
Adding to the list is a concussion Sane sustained in September 2016 during the Stardom GP tournament. Details about the specific match are limited, but this incident highlights the ever-present risk of head injuries in professional wrestling. When Sane joined WWE, there were questions about whether she would be able to clear the physical examination. And this was mostly due to the concussions in Stardom.
Neck Injury in Mae Young Classic
Less discussed, but also significant, was a neck injury Sane sustained during the tapings of the 2017 Mae Young Classic tournament. While the specific match where the injury occurred remains unknown, reports surfaced that she was experiencing neck pain alongside a concussion. Although officials expected her to be cleared for return by the tournament finals, this neck injury adds another layer to the toll wrestling took on Sane's body.
The TLC Concussion
During a grueling TLC (Tables, Ladders & Chairs) match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Asuka against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, Kairi Sane is believed to have sustained a concussion. While the exact details remain unclear, some reports suggest she took a bump that resulted in her exhibiting signs of concussion. Despite this, she continued the match with the help of her tag partner Asuka. However, majority of the match was changed due to the concussion.
The 2020 Head Cut
In June 2020, during a WWE Raw match against Nia Jax, Sane took a brutal bump that resulted in a deep cut on her forehead and a concussion. The severity of the concussion forced her to take time off and raised concerns about her future in the ring. This injury significantly impacted her career trajectory, ultimately contributing to her departure from WWE in 2021.
The Ruptured Eardrum
Upon her return to World Wonder Ring Stardom in March 2022, Kairi Sane revealed that she suffered a ruptured eardrum during her first singles match back with the promotion against Starlight Kid.
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