Latest news with #Asuka
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Trish Stratus Debunks Long-Standing WWE Rumor
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has officially debunked a long-standing rumor concerning a dream match that fans have discussed for nearly a decade. In a new interview, Stratus set the record straight about a heavily speculated match against Asuka. For years, it has been rumored that WWE originally wanted Stratus to face Asuka at the NXT TakeOver: Toronto event back in 2016. Speaking with Inside the Ropes, Stratus confirmed this was never in the company's plans. The WWE Rumor Debunked The speculation began because the major NXT event was taking place in Stratus's hometown of Toronto. At the time, Asuka was in the midst of a legendary undefeated streak, and fans assumed a hometown hero like Stratus would be brought in for the major challenger role. "Nope, no, no, that never was a thing," Stratus confirmed. "I think people just assumed it because Toronto and they're like, 'Oh, it's of course it's gonna be Trish Stratus.'" She also pointed out a flaw in one version of the rumor, which claimed she couldn't do the match because she was pregnant. "Don't know if I was even pregnant at that time — 2016, 2016, I was not pregnant. Lies. Debunked it right here. Officially debunked." Trish Stratus seems to have control over both Melina and Mickey James during the WWE RAW Superslam event at Acer Arena , Homebush Stadium on August 4, 2006. Trish Stratus seems to have control over both Melina and Mickey James during the WWE RAW Superslam event at Acer Arena , Homebush Stadium on August 4, 2006. Don Arnold/WireImage Asuka's Reign Of Terror The context of the time explains why the rumor was so believable. In 2016, Asuka was the most dominant force in all of WWE, holding the NXT Women's Championship and an unprecedented undefeated streak that would eventually last for 914 days. She had run through the entire NXT women's roster, and for a major show like TakeOver, a special, credible challenger was needed to face "The Empress of Tomorrow." Given that the event was in Toronto, fans naturally connected the dots to the city's greatest wrestling hero, Trish Stratus. Her own retirement match against Lita at Unforgiven 2006 took place in Toronto, making her synonymous with major events in the city. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation What Really Happened While Stratus was never in the running, WWE did bring back a fellow legend for the match. Mickie James, who had been released from WWE in 2010 and had a successful run in TNA, made her surprise return to the company to challenge Asuka. The match was highly acclaimed and served as a major test for the dominant champion. James's performance was so well-received that it led to her being re-signed to a full-time WWE contract shortly after. After nearly a decade of "what if" scenarios discussed by fans, Stratus has finally put the rumor to rest. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kabuki Warriors reunite for WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at Evolution 2
Photo via WWE The Kabuki Warriors reunite for the Women's Tag Team Championship at Evolution 2025. General Manager Adam Pearce confirmed it in a backstage segment of this week's Monday Night Raw episode. The union came shortly after Sane defeated Roxanne Perez in tonight's episode of Raw. Asuka and Sane reunited to dominate Perez and Racquel Rodriguez in a brawl. Pearce took the opportunity to declare the final team for the Tag Title Championship at Evolution 2025. Kabuki Warriors get in a brawl with WWE Women's Tag Team Champions After Kairi Sane's win over Perez, a brawl broke out within the ring. The loss was not taken easily by Perez and Racquel. This led to an attack on Sane. It was at this moment that Asuka rushed in to save Sane. The audience witnessed the Kabuki Warriors in action once again. Both teams landed strikes at each other. However, towards the end, it was the Kabuki Warriors who dominated the brawl within the ring. Asuka saves Kairi Sane from Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez: Raw highlights, July 7, 2025 After this segment, Asuka and Sane wanted an official match to take down the Judgement Day Women. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce took the opportunity to announce the fourth team for the Women's Tag Team Championship. In a backstage segment, the Warriors approached Pearce with their proposal. 'We wanna talk about evolution.' Asuka stated, 'We wanna take down Judgement Day.' 'So, how about this? You two represent Raw at Evolution in that Fatal 4-Way for the Women's Tag Team Championship. We reunite the Kabuki Warriors.' Pearce took the opportunity to announce the Raw team for the Tag Team Gold. The Kabuki Warriors were the former tag-team champions. They have won the title twice before. Which are the four teams for Women's Tag Team Championship at Evolution 2025? Roxanne Perez replaced Liv Morgan to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion alongside Racquel Rodriguez. However, they have to defend the title against three other teams. The teams will be from Raw, NXT and SmackDown. After the latest episode of Monday Night Raw, all four teams have been confirmed for the upcoming event. The teams are NXT - Sol Ruca and Zaria SmackDown - Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss Raw - The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship will take place during Evolution 2025. The event is scheduled for July 12. Also Read: Rhea Ripley weighs in on her biggest career jeopardy before WWE Evolution Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Japan Forward
07-07-2025
- Science
- Japan Forward
Naval Railgun: Japan's New Chapter in Defense Innovation
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has unveiled an electromagnetic railgun atop the JS Asuka, a 6,200-ton experimental vessel. Military news site The War Zone reported the development on July 1. According to the report, the railgun installed on the Asuka closely resembles a prototype tested by Japan's Ministry of Defense, both on land and at sea, under the supervision of its Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). The high-speed, cost-effective weapon is now undergoing operational trials, with a live-fire test at sea slated for late July. A railgun uses electromagnetic force instead of gunpowder to launch metal projectiles at hypersonic speeds, often surpassing Mach 6. It does so by discharging several megajoules (MJ) of electrical energy in an instant, propelling the projectile along a pair of metal rails. A view of the turret with the protective shroud still in place around the railgun. (©X account/HNlEHupY4Nr6hRM) Because the process generates intense heat and requires a dedicated cooling system too large for conventional destroyers, the JS Asuka was chosen. As an experimental vessel with a spacious, modular deck, it can meet the significant space and power requirements of the hardware. Despite its complexity, the railgun offers various advantages. Beyond targeting ships and ground-based threats, it holds potential for intercepting cruise missiles, drones, and even hypersonic projectiles. The kinetic rounds, or metal slugs, are inexpensive relative to other interceptor missiles and are easier to store. Japan's program stands in sharp contrast to that of the United States, which invested roughly $500 million USD from 2005 to late 2021 to develop two railgun prototypes. Though early signs of promise, the US ultimately shelved the program due to technical and logistical challenges. Japan's Ministry of Defense unveils "rail gun" at the DSEI exhibit (left) on May 21. (©Hidemitsu Kaito) Alongside Japan, countries including South Korea, China, Turkey, France, and Germany are actively pursuing railgun technology. South Korea launched its development efforts in 2010, spearheaded by its Agency for Defense Development. Japan's railgun model drew particular attention at the DSEI defense expo in June, where Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited the event to stress the government's commitment to advancing domestic defense innovation. Previously limited by postwar constitutional constraints and arms export bans, Japan is now gradually shedding its pacifist limitations. In 2023, for instance, Tokyo enacted the Act on Enhancing Defense Production and Technology Bases to facilitate government funding, R&D support, and international partnerships in the defense sector. PM Ishiba (front row, second from left) visits DSEI Japan, a trade fair for defense equipment and weapons, on May 22. (©Sankei) Mitsubishi Electric's air surveillance radar export to the Philippines in 2023 and 2024 marked one of Japan's first major arms transfers since WWII. Two of the four agreed units have been delivered, and Manila is considering an additional order of five, according to The Sankei Shimbun . Multiple reports also indicate that the Philippine Navy is exploring the purchase of six second-hand Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from Japan. Meanwhile, Tokyo is co-developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter with the United Kingdom and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). They aim to field the aircraft by the mid-2030s. If Japan's railgun sea trials prove successful, the country would become the first in the world to deploy an operational naval railgun system. Such a milestone would not only showcase the country's advancing technological capabilities but also signal its evolving strategic posture in response to intensifying military threats from neighboring countries. Author: Kenji Yoshida
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Ju Hak-nyeon, formerly of The Boyz, cleared of charges over alleged prostitution activities
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox South Korean singer Ju Hak-nyeon, formerly of K-pop boy band The Boyz, will not face charges after he was accused of being involved in prostitution activities. The 26-year-old was embroiled in a controversy in June when the South Korean media reported that his then agency, One Hundred Label, had received an enquiry from Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun about his personal meeting with Kirara Asuka, a Japanese adult film actress-turned-influencer, in Tokyo in late May. A South Korean media outlet then claimed that he had allegedly paid for sex with the 36-year-old woman. The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul then received a complaint from a netizen requesting an investigation into Ju. On July 2, South Korean media outlet Sports Kyunghyang reported that the police had decided on June 25 not to prosecute Ju, as the complaint was based on an internet article and that there were insufficient specific reasons or circumstances to initiate an investigation. Ju had admitted on June 19 in a letter of apology on Instagram Stories to meeting Asuka, but denied rumours of being involved in prostitution activities. The apology came after he was booted from The Boyz on June 18. He wrote another post on Instagram on June 20, threatening to take legal action against media outlets which continued to spread false information about him. He also said that he was removed from The Boyz with no valid reasons and that his contract termination was done unilaterally by One Hundred Label. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore PAP questions Pritam's interview with Malaysian podcast, says politics should stop at water's edge World Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain Sport Liverpool star Diogo Jota dead at 28: What you need to know about the footballer Business 60 S'pore firms to get AI boost from Tata Consultancy as it launches a new innovation centre here Singapore Scoot launches flights to Da Nang, Kota Bharu and Nha Trang; boosts frequency to other destinations Singapore Electrician who bit off part of coworker's ear during fight gets 6 months' jail Asia 4 dead, 30 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali The company defended its decision on the same day, saying that he was suspended as the controversy had affected The Boyz's activities and that it provided grounds for contract termination. One Hundred Label warned that it would take legal action against Ju if he continued to repeat the distorted claims. Asuka broke her silence on social media platform X on June 21, saying that she had never accepted money for private sexual services, including during the encounter with Ju. The singer then took to social media on June 22, denying the prostitution allegation again and detailing the sequence of events leading to his sacking from The Boyz. South Korean newspaper The Korea Herald said that a court ruling is expected to determine whether the contract termination is lawful.
Kyodo News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
"Evangelion" Arrives at "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" POP-UP Space from July 18th!
The 8th POP-UP space "EVANGELION STORE EXPO 2025" will be held for a limited time from Friday, July 18th to Thursday, July 31st at the "animate EXPO 2025 STORE," located on the first floor of the Ringside Marketplace West in the "West Gate Zone" of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan venue. The venue will feature must-see items for fans, including "All Episode T-shirts" with large prints of TV anime episode titles, and mugs featuring adorable chibi Asuka. To commemorate the "EVANGELION STORE EXPO 2025" event, a special visit stamp "Yurushito" will be available! Don't forget to get your stamp after enjoying the exhibition and shopping. Furthermore, to celebrate the grand opening of "animate EXPO 2025 STORE," customers who make a purchase will receive an "Eva Store 20th Anniversary × Animate Can Badge" on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, customers who bring their receipt from "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" to animate Umeda store, Osaka Nipponbashi store, or Kyoto store will receive a special postcard. We will continue to share information about the POP-UP space and other latest updates on the "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" official website and social media, so please be sure to check them out! POP-UP Store Information EVANGELION STORE EXPO 2025 [Event Period] Friday, July 18, 2025 - Thursday, July 31, 2025 Note: On Thursday, July 31, the pop-up space will close at 6:00 PM JST Products Information Clear File: EVANGELION STORE 20th ANNIVERSARY [Price] 440 yen (tax included) Emblem Logo Acrylic Block: "Evangelion" 30th Anniversary [Price] 1,320 yen (tax included) Mug: Chibi Asuka [Price] 1,320 yen (tax included) Mug: Chibi Asuka [Price] 1,320 yen (tax included) Korotto Acrylic Figure Collection: Standard Designs [Price] 880 yen per pack (tax included) 8,800 yen per box (10 packs) (tax included) [Varieties] 10 types in total "EVANGELION STORE EXPO 2025" Special Visit Stamp Information [Event Period] Friday, July 18, 2025 - Thursday, July 31, 2025 [Venue] animate EXPO 2025 STORE [Event Details] The "Yurushito" visitor stamp for the "animate EXPO 2025 STORE" will be available for a limited time! After enjoying the exhibition and shopping, don't forget to get your stamp! animate EXPO 2025 STORE & animate Umeda Grand Opening Campaign 1) Postcard Giveaway Campaign Now in progress! [Participating stores] animate Umeda, animate Osaka Nipponbashi, animate Kyoto [Campaign details] During the campaign period, customers who present their receipt from animate EXPO 2025 STORE at the register of participating stores will receive one postcard on a first-come, first-served basis. [Giveaway item] Postcard (3 designs available) 2) Can Badge Giveaway Campaign [Campaign period] From July 18, 2025 (Friday) [Participating stores] animate EXPO 2025 STORE, animate Umeda, animate Osaka Nipponbashi, animate Kyoto [Campaign details] During the campaign period, customers who make a purchase at animate EXPO 2025 STORE will receive one can badge on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, customers who present their receipt from animate EXPO 2025 STORE at the register of animate Umeda, Osaka Nipponbashi, or Kyoto will receive one more can badge as a bonus. [Giveaway item] Can badge (5 designs available) *Customers cannot choose the design of their giveaway item. *The campaign will end when supplies run out. About Store animate EXPO 2025 STORE [Event Period] April 13 - October 13, 2025 [Location] Yumeshima, Osaka West Gate Zone, Ringside Marketplace West, 1st Floor [Operating Hours] 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM JST Related Links (C)COLOR ※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
