In a heartfelt announcement, Japanese wrestling legend Meiko Satomura confirmed she will hang up her boots in April 2025, marking the 30-year anniversary of her extraordinary pro-wrestling career. This significant milestone not only celebrates her longevity in the sport but also her immense contributions both inside and outside the ring.

Meiko Satomura’s journey with WWE began in October 2020 when she joined as both a performer and coach for NXT UK. Her transition to the US version of NXT in 2022 saw her fiercely competing for the NXT Women’s Championship on multiple occasions. Despite her short stint on the main roster, her influence was undeniable.

On July 25th, Tokyo Sports broke the news of her planned retirement, which Meiko promptly confirmed. Her last WWE television appearance was during the NXT Roadblock special on March 7, 2023. Since then, fans have noticed her absence from NXT tapings and coaching sessions at the WWE Performance Center. However, she continues to be part of WWE’s current Japan tour and recently participated in Fortune Dream 9, with WWE’s blessing, as she remains under contract.

The wrestling community has been buzzing with speculation about the reasons behind her absence from WWE programming. According to Corey Brennan of Fightful Select, only Meiko and WWE higher-ups are privy to the details. Many in the NXT circles believe that she plans to see out her WWE contract without making further television appearances. The prospect of a grand WrestleMania match to mark her retirement appears unlikely, as there are no current plans for her to return to WWE television.

Meiko’s colleagues in NXT and NXT UK have lauded her exceptional coaching abilities. Her brief but impactful presence on the main roster has left a lasting impression. Back in Japan, there is a strong belief that Meiko is redirecting her focus to her wrestling promotion, Sendai Girls, which she founded in 2005. In her retirement announcement, she revealed plans to compete in Sendai Girls in the coming months, suggesting that her final wrestling chapter will be written in her homeland. While a return to the US seems improbable, it remains within the realm of possibility.