Sumie Sakai brought her 27-year in-ring career to an end at NJPW Battle in the Valley on Saturday night.
In traditional style, she went out after taking the pin.
The match was a three-on-three intergender tag. It began with her teammates EVIL and SHO double-teaming Sakai’s friend, Hiromu Takahashi.
As Sakai and Hiromu faced off the ring, they embraced, only for Sakai to hit him with a low blow.
Crowd favorite Hiromu would catch a few boos when he hit Sakai with some chops.
The match had plenty of fun spots. This included EVIL and SHO pair taking stereo top-rope dropkicks from Hiromu’s teammates Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki.
Sakai seemed to have the match won when EVIL and SHO turned on her.
Left on her own, she would not give up and attacked all three of her opponents.
But it would not be long before she would take three finishers, ending with a Time Bomb from Takahashi and the pinfall.
After the bell, the crowd erupted in “Thank you, Sumi” chants.
Much of the locker room then emptied out and surrounded the ring.
.@SumieSakai “Thank you Sumi !!!”
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN#NJPW #njpwworld #njbitv pic.twitter.com/NR7Ur9x38w
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 12, 2025
Her opponents paid tribute to her on the mic, ending with Hiromu, who gifted his jacket to her and thanked her for changing his life.
This was followed by a group photo and a 10-bell salute.
Born in 1971 in Suzuka, Sakai debuted in professional wrestling in 1997 after training under Jaguar Yokota. She gained prominence in Ring of Honor as the inaugural Women of Honor Champion and remains the longest-reigning titleholder in the division’s history.
