A deeply tragic week of pro wrestling managed to end on a chilling note as Stardom wrestler Hana Kimura has reportedly died at the age of 22.
Kimura’s life appeared to be in danger after the budding star sent out a series of graphic, troubling tweets with slashes to her wrist, suggesting she had engaged in self-harm. Kimura had been the subject of hundreds of mean tweets from fans and critics on a daily basis.
Kimura posted an apparent suicide note on Twitter that translated to the following:
Stardom confirmed Kimura’s death with the following statement:
“Stardom fans, we are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away. Please be respectful and allow some time for things to process, and keep your thoughts and prayers with her family and friends. We appreciate your support during this difficult time.”
A winner of Stardom’s 2019 Fighting Spirit Award and ranked just outside the Top 50 in 2018’s PWI Female 100, Kimura was a budding star internationally. In a week where fans were endured the passings of Shad Gaspard, Larry Csonka and the grim account of Owen Hart’s death on Dark Side of the Ring, fans are now mourning the death of yet another beloved wrestler.
Kimura’s death will bring about much-needed discussions of social media behavior, especially among the rabid Internet Wrestling Community, which is among the most toxic of fanbases—not to mention ecosystems—in any corner of sports, pop culture or entertainment. The onset of the Wednesday Night Wars has brought a whole new wave of toxicity amid constant squabbling between WWE vs. AEW brand loyalists. The amount of social media filth was enough to force The Young Bucks off Twitter.
Kimura’s life, however, meant so much more than a token message about cyberbullying that will sadly be lost in a 24-hour news cycle. That makes it doubly saddening that such seemingly trivial opinions can carry so much weight with anybody, regardless of stature.
Hana Kimura was a second-generation star and daughter of journey-woman wrestler Kyoko Kimura. Fans and wrestlers worldwide have posted tributes eulogizing the popular star.
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