Winona Makanji (born 23 June 1994), known mononymously by her ring name Kanji, is an English professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. She has wrestled for Progress Wrestling, where she is a two-time Progress Wrestling World Women's Championship, Progress Wrestling World Women's Champion, as well as with other promotions from the British independent scene, such as Pro-Wrestling: EVE and Revolution Pro Wrestling, the latter in where she was a Southside Women's Champion.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2018–2019)

Kanji was the last Queen Of Southside Champion in Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE) when the promotion was taken over by Revolution Pro Wrestling in September 2019.

WWE (2019)

Kanji briefly competed for WWE's NXT UK (WWE brand), NXT UK branch as indie developmental talent. She made her only appearance at ''WWE NXT UK #47'' on June 14, 2019, where she competed in a number one contendership Battle royal (professional wrestling), battle royal for the NXT UK Women's Championship won by Kay Lee Ray and also involving Candy Floss (wrestler), Candy Floss, Isla Dawn, Jazzy Gabert, Jinny (wrestler), Jinny, Killer Kelly, Nina Samuels, Piper Niven, Rhio (wrestler), Rhio, Rhea Ripley and Xia Brookside.

Revolution Pro Wrestling (2021–present)

Kanji's first title defense of the Southside Women's title in RevPro was on 7 February 2021, at ''Epic Encounters 8'', where she successfully defended the title against Stevie Turner, Bobbi Tyler. Kanji continued to hold the title until 17 December 2022, at ''RevPro Uprising'', where she lost the title to Dani Luna.

Progress Wrestling (2021–present)

Kanji made her Progress debut on 27 February 2021, at ''Chapter 105: Bring The Thunder'', winning a Progress Women's Championship #1 contender's match also involving Taonga, Millie McKenzie, Lana Austin, Mercedez Blaze and Alexxis Flacon and Gisele Shaw. Soon after, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, reigning Progress Wrestling#Progress World Women's Championship, Progress World Women's Championship Jinny (wrestler), Jinny was forced to vacate the title. Therefore, a three match series between Shaw and Kanji was announced to determine the new champion. Kanji won the series 2–1 against Shaw to win the vacant title. Shortly after Shaw won the vacant title at ''PROGRESS Chapter 117'', Kanji defeated Shaw to win the women's title for the second time on 5 June 2022, at ''Chapter 135: Super Strong Style 16 Tournament Edition 2022''. Several months later, she lost the women's title again, this time to Lana Austin, at ''PROGRESS Chapter 146: They Think It's All Over...'' on 27 November 2022.

Championships and accomplishments

*Attack! Pro Wrestling **Attack! Pro Wrestling, Attack! 24:7 Championship (1 time) *WhatCulture, Defiant Wrestling **Defiant Women's Championship (1 time) *House Of Pain Wrestling **HOP Women's Championship (1 time) *Progress Wrestling **Progress Wrestling World Women's Championship (Progress Wrestling World Women's Championship#Title history, 1 time) * Pro Wrestling Chaos ** Maiden of Chaos Championship (1 time) *''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' **Ranked No. 42 of the top 150 female singles wrestlers in the ''PWI Women's 150'' in 2021 * Revolution Pro Wrestling ** Southside Women's Championship (1 time)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Kanji, wrestler 1994 births Living people 21st-century female professional wrestlers English female professional wrestlers Sportspeople from Nottingham Progress Wrestling World Women's Champions 21st-century English sportswomen