Megumi Kudo

Megumi Takayama is a Japanese entertainment personality and former professional wrestler. Takayama competed as Megumi Kudo (工藤めぐみ, Kudou Megumi) for Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling, where she became the top star of the Women's Division. Kudo is primarily known for competing in brutal death matches, where the ring ropes were replaced with barbed wire.

Professional wrestling career

Kudo played basketball in high school. She joined All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling at the age of 16, but did not achieve any substantial success. Kudo was released in March 1988. Following her release, Kudo worked as a kindergarten teacher. Kudo returned to wrestling in March 1990 with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling. Kudo participated in Japan's first mixed tag team match in October 1990, teaming with Ricky Fuji in a losing effort to Tarzan Goto and Despina Montagas. Her notable feuds were against Shark Tsuchiya, Combat Toyoda and Sumie Sakai. In 1992, Kudo released a music album titled "Keep On Running," and starred in the action film A Human Murder Weapon.

On December 6, 1993, Kudo returned to All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling for one night, losing to WWWA World Champion Aja Kong. Kudo competed in her retirement match on April 29, 1997 against Shark Tsuchiya. The match was contested in a "No Ropes Barbed-Wire Double Landmine Glass Crush Death Match". Kudo officially vacated both of her title belts in a retirement ceremony on June 13, 1997.

Retirement

After retiring from professional wrestling, Kudo worked on various television programs, including as a color commentator for pro wrestling events. She also hosts a weekly radio show in Japan. Kudo married professional wrestler Bad Boy Hido on July 12, 1998, whom she met while in FMW.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Kudo Driver (Back-to-back double underhook piledriver) – innovated
• Signature moves
  • Thunder fire powerbomb
  • Kudome Valentine (Kneeling head spike double underhook powerbomb)
  • Ganso Bomb
  • Sitout double underhook powerbomb
  • Dragon sleeper
  • Bridging Dragon suplex
  • Northern Lights suplex
  • Flying hip attack
  • DDT
  • Rear naked choke
  • Running elbow smash
• Nicknames
  • "Evil Princess"
  • "Extreme Queen"
• Entrance themes
  • "I'd Die For You" by Bon Jovi (FMW, 1990–1992)
  • "Keep On Running" (FMW, 1992–1995)
  • "One Way Heart" (FMW, 1995–1997)

Championships and accomplishments

• Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling
  • WWA World Women's Championship (6 times)
  • FMW Independent World Women's Championship (4 times)