Career Timeline of Kairi Sane: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kairi Sane built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kaori Housako, known as Kairi Sane in WWE, is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She gained prominence through her work in WWE across two tenures. She is renowned for her wrestling skills and contributions to the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 14, 2011: Graduation from Stardom Training

On November 14, 2011, Housako passed her "pro test" and graduated as part of Stardom's third class of trainees, alongside Act Yasukawa, Natsumi Showzuki and Yuuri Haruka.

January 7, 2012: Stardom Debut

On January 7, 2012, Kairi Hojo made her debut for Stardom, losing to Yuzuki Aikawa.

November 2012: Tag Team Formation and Tag League

In November 2012, Hojo formed a tag team with Natsumi Showzuki, finishing second in the 2012 Goddesses of Stardom Tag League.

2012: Kairi Hojo Joins World Wonder Ring Stardom

In 2012, Kairi Hojo began wrestling for the Japanese promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she wrestled until 2017.

January 2013: Zenryoku Joshi Disband and Wonder of Stardom Championship Challenge

In January 2013, Zenryoku Joshi disbanded when Hojo unsuccessfully challenged Yuzuki Aikawa for the Wonder of Stardom Championship.

April 29, 2013: Goddesses of Stardom Championship Win

On April 29, 2013, Kairi Hojo and Natsumi Showzuki won the Goddesses of Stardom Championship, defeating Hailey Hatred and Kyoko Kimura.

June 23, 2013: Artist of Stardom Championship Win

On June 23, 2013, Kairi Hojo, Kaori Yoneyama, and Yuhi won the vacant Artist of Stardom Championship.

May 2014: Mexican Debut

In May 2014, Kairi Hojo made her Mexican debut, representing Stardom in the DragonMania 9 and Lucha Fan Fest 8 events.

February 2015: Named Intermediary in Stardom

In February 2015, following an incident between Act Yasukawa and Yoshiko, Kairi Hojo was named an intermediary between the wrestlers and management.

2015: 5Star Grand Prix Tournament Winner

In 2015, Kairi Hojo won the 5Star Grand Prix Tournament.

January 2016: Formation of Threedom Stable

In January 2016, Kairi Hojo came together with Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani to form a new stable called "Threedom".

February 28, 2016: Artist of Stardom Championship Win with Threedom

On February 28, 2016, Kairi Hojo, Io Shirai, and Mayu Iwatani, as "Threedom", defeated Evie, Hiroyo Matsumoto, and Kellie Skater to win the Artist of Stardom Championship.

October 2016: WWE Contract Offer

In October 2016, Housako was contacted and offered a WWE contract for the following year, though she had not made a final decision yet.

2016: Goddesses of Stardom Tag League Victory

In 2016, Kairi Hojo and Yoko Bito won the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League, defeating Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani in the finals.

March 5, 2017: Loss of Goddesses of Stardom Championship

On March 5, 2017, Kairi Hojo and Yoko Bito lost the Goddesses of Stardom Championship to Hiroyo Matsumoto and Jungle Kyona.

March 2017: Signing with WWE

In March 2017, Housako signed a three-year contract with WWE.

October 2017: NXT Television Debut

In October 2017, Kairi Sane made her television debut on NXT, defeating Aliyah.

2017: Departure from World Wonder Ring Stardom

In 2017, Kairi Hojo ended her run with the Japanese promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom.

2017: Kairi Sane signs with WWE and Wins Mae Young Classic

In 2017, Kairi Sane signed with WWE and won the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament.

January 28, 2018: Royal Rumble Participation

On January 28, 2018, Kairi Sane participated in the first women's Royal Rumble match, entering at number 6.

2018: NXT Women's Champion

In 2018, Kairi Sane captured the NXT Women's Championship and won the NXT Year-End Awards for Female Competitor of the Year and Overall Competitor of the Year.

April 5, 2019: NXT Women's Championship Fatal Four-Way

On April 5, 2019, Kairi Sane competed in a fatal–four-way match for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver: New York but was unsuccessful.

April 16, 2019: SmackDown Live Debut and Kabuki Warriors Formation

On the April 16, 2019, episode of SmackDown Live, Paige announced that she would be managing a newly formed women's tag team consisting of Kairi Sane and Asuka, later dubbed "The Kabuki Warriors". Sane was drafted to the main roster as a result.

October 28, 2019: Kabuki Warriors Turn on Paige

On the October 28, 2019, episode of Raw, the Kabuki Warriors turned on Paige and used the green mist on her.

2019: WWE Main Roster Debut and Tag Team Champion

In 2019, Kairi Sane debuted on WWE's main roster and became a WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, along with Asuka, and the team also received a WWE Year-End Award for Women's Tag Team of the Year.

May 11, 2020: Becky Lynch vacates Raw Women's Championship

On the May 11, 2020, episode of Raw, Becky Lynch vacated her Raw Women's Championship and revealed that Asuka won the championship the night before. Sane was seen congratulating Lynch backstage.

July 2020: Televised Singles Victory

In July 2020, Sane achieved her first televised singles victory in WWE by defeating Liv Morgan on Raw.

July 29, 2020: WWE Releases Video Chronicling Sane's Last Week

On July 29, 2020, WWE's YouTube channel released a video chronicling Kairi Sane's last week in WWE.

October 2, 2020: WWE Ambassador and Trainer in Japan

On October 2, 2020, Kairi Sane announced that she had started working as an ambassador and trainer for WWE's branch in Japan.

2020: Return to Japan

In 2020, Kairi Sane returned to Japan and became a WWE ambassador and trainer.

2020: Bayley Actions

In 2020, during her return at Crown Jewel, Sane confronted Bayley and forgave her for her actions in 2020.

December 2021: Departure from WWE

In December 2021, Kairi Sane left WWE after her contract expired.

December 2021: End of WWE Contract

In December 2021, Kairi Sane's WWE contract expired.

February 2022: Return to World Wonder Ring Stardom

In February 2022, Kairi Sane returned to World Wonder Ring Stardom.

February 18, 2022: Return to Stardom as Kairi

On February 18, 2022, Housako returned to Stardom under the ring name Kairi.

November 2022: Inaugural IWGP Women's Champion

In November 2022, Kairi defeated Mayu Iwatani to become the inaugural IWGP Women's Champion at Historic X-Over, a wrestling event co-promoted by Stardom and NJPW.

March 2023: Free Agent Status

In March 2023, Kairi Sane became a free agent.

March 24, 2023: Confirmed Free Agent and WWE Return

On March 24, 2023, Housako confirmed she became a free agent. Reports later indicated she came to terms with WWE for a return.

April 2023: Artist of Stardom Championship Win

In April 2023, Kairi, alongside Natsupoi and Saori Anou of REStart, defeated Hiragi Kurumi, Risa Sera, and Suzu Suzuki of Prominence for the Artist of Stardom Championship at Stardom All Star Grand Queendom.

2023: IWGP Title Defense and Loss

In 2023, Kairi defended her IWGP title against Tam Nakano at Wrestle Kingdom 17 before losing it to Mercedes Moné at Battle in the Valley, ending her reign at 90 days.

January 26, 2024: WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Win

On January 26, 2024, Sane and Asuka defeated Kayden Carter and Katana Chance on SmackDown to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships for the second time as a team.