It’s been a tragic week for the wrestling community, bookended by the loss of two lives. The events which led to the deaths of Shad Gaspard and Hana Kimura were very different. but the result was similar… lights extinguished too soon, leaving many behind struggling to adjust to the darkness.
Reactions to Kimura’s death feature a mix of sadness and anger. We all hope to be the hero Gaspard was, but we can all relate the treatment the Stardom wrestler & Terrace House star received prior to her death. That’s especially true of others who live part of their lives in public as a result of their profession.
Following is a sampling of the messages dedicated to Kimura which have flooded social media from others in the wrestling business since the news of her death was confirmed earlier:
This breaks my heart. The Internet can be a cruel disgusting place. RIP to this beautiful young woman. https://t.co/SbgEyhoqpW
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) May 23, 2020
No how… beautiful sweet Hana, sending you a prayer and all the love to your family and friends. I am speechless….. https://t.co/HZQpCBWkOY
— Wera Loca (@TheTayaValkyrie) May 23, 2020
つらいなぁ。
— 棚橋 弘至 (@tanahashi1_100) May 23, 2020
New Japan Pro Wrestling is deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Hana Kimura.
She was a wonderful and gentle soul.
Our most heartfelt and deepest condolences go to her family, friends and fans at this time.In memoriam: https://t.co/vot9qT0B0A pic.twitter.com/UF9UGVW5A5
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) May 23, 2020
今となっては、彼女が苦しむ理由も相談も、誰もきいてあげられない。
自分を愛してくれてる人のために生きてほしかった。せめて今度こそ、彼女を愛してくれる人の想いが届いていてほしい。
どうか、どうか安らかに。 pic.twitter.com/mylEnMrAXS— 紫雷イオ、Io Shirai (@shirai_io) May 23, 2020
I’ll never forget that smile. pic.twitter.com/XKQmL7N1SI
— Toni Störm トニー・ストーム (@tonistorm_) May 23, 2020
You are one of my best friends. Beautiful.Passionate.Kind.Funny. Charismatic. Talented. Always filled the room with joy. I have no words for how I’m feeling. You have taken a piece of my heart today. Let’s have another match when we may be together again. I love you Hana banana pic.twitter.com/ntWc0PtIjy
— Bea Priestley ビープリーストリー (@BeaPriestley) May 23, 2020
花ちゃん。
かけがえのない大切な仲間を失いました。
心にぽっかりと穴があき、この現実を受け入れることが今は難しいです。— KAIRI SANE (@KairiSaneWWE) May 23, 2020
時差でアメリカは昼過ぎだったから（日本時間は夜中）彼女のツイートにすぐ気付くことができて、イオさんと一緒に直ちにジャングル叫女とロッシー小川さんに電話しました。
きょうなは全力で向かいました。
だけど…
間に合いませんでした— KAIRI SANE (@KairiSaneWWE) May 23, 2020
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest condolences on the passing of Stardom star #HanaKimura.
— NWA (@nwa) May 23, 2020
Tried to write a million things but nothing seems right. We shouldn’t be writing these today. Please let’s use social media to help people not destroy them.#RIPHanaKimura
A bright light taken far too young— KayLeeRay ケイ・リー・レイ (@Kay_Lee_Ray) May 23, 2020
Yes, we are public figures. Yes, we play characters on TV. Yes, we still get bullied every day by people who think words don’t hurt.
I’m reposting this thread as a reminder to us all.
You have no idea what someone is going through. Just be kind.#RIPHanaKimura https://t.co/N1lnx8h4cI
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) May 23, 2020
I just want people to take the same energy that they would want for themselves or their loved ones to have and give it to other people’s loved ones. The amount of depravity on social media is just absolutely insane and unnecessary. It has got to stop. #RIPHanaKimura
— ☀️Sonny Kiss☀️ (@SonnyKissXO) May 23, 2020
Thankyou for teaching me japanese, teaching me japanese dances, always checking I’m okay, for being my translator.
Most importantly, thank you for being there and making me laugh.
It’s so hard being away from home, but you made japan feel like home
Arigatou Hana-San pic.twitter.com/sjFuSJ2bsq
— Xia Brookside (@XiaBrooksideWWE) May 23, 2020
I only met Hana a few times but her kindness shone through instantly and she was set to be one of the greatest wrestlers of a generation but more importantly she was 22 years young with her whole life ahead of her. I can’t imagine how her family & friends feel right now. RIP.
— ZSJ. Ⓥ (@zacksabrejr) May 23, 2020
I will always love and miss you, my friend. You are my little sister. The Swanns send our love and condolences to Hana Kimura, her family, and loved ones. I will never forget you. So much I want to say… my heart is broken. pic.twitter.com/PB5pO20YIj
— Sü Yüng (@realsuyung) May 23, 2020
You are so loved. #RIPHanaKimura
— LIV Morgan (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) May 23, 2020
Legit, my first day at stardom, she was the most welcoming cause she had the best English out of the entire locker room, she loved taking to the gaijin’s to improve her English. I looked forward to seeing her every show. I’m truly heartbroken right now #RIPHana pic.twitter.com/J0zFfNDR2X
— Session Moth Martina マーティナセッション (@mothfromdaflats) May 23, 2020
It’s so beautiful seeing the love for Hana right now. Let’s remember she was a beautiful beast! We love you Hana #RIPHanaKimura pic.twitter.com/hXL5P8tKZl
— Session Moth Martina マーティナセッション (@mothfromdaflats) May 23, 2020
この悲しい気持ちをどこに向けたらいいのか分からないし、なんと言ったらいいのか言葉が見つからないですが…、花ちゃんがまだ小さかった頃いつも、おばあちゃんと一緒に会場に来ていたのを思い出します。
— ASUKA / 明日華 (@WWEAsuka) May 23, 2020
Just woke up to this awful news. There are no words to appropriately describe just how tragic the passing of Hana Kimura is.
She was an extremely talented performer and by all accounts, a great person and a kind soul.
My thoughts go out to her friends and family.
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) May 23, 2020
So devastating & heartbreaking #RIPHanaKimura
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!
It takes zero effort to be kind & even less effort to just say nothing if it’s going to be nasty. Bullying HAS to STOP!!My thoughts are with Hana’s loved ones
— Peyton Royce (@PeytonRoyceWWE) May 23, 2020
I couldn’t imagine dealing with hate on social media at 22. I can barely handle it now. Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves. #HanaKimura #RIPHanaKimura
— Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) May 23, 2020
このビデオは私の宝物 pic.twitter.com/LUWUfBqmWx
— ✌️Sumie Sakai✌️ (@SumieSakai) May 23, 2020
狂ってる
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) May 23, 2020
I literally feel sick to my stomach…
People on social media need to understand that wrestlers are f’n people too.
As someone who constantly gets bullied online this one hit too close to home. People need to grow the f up.#RIPHanaKimura— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) May 23, 2020
Fuck everything. This just ain’t right. I feel sick. I feel sad.
— JAMIE HAYTER • ジェイミー ヘイター (@jmehytr) May 23, 2020
Damn it. Heartbreaking. #RIPHanaKimura
— CASH (@CashWheelerFTR) May 23, 2020
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hana Kimura.
Hana was a beautiful and talented star!
Words are powerful.
Please be kind.Our thoughts and prayers are with Hana’s family during this time. #RIPHanaKimura ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NvJrmxI35A
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) May 23, 2020
The passing of Hana should be a wake up call to everyone. “Online” is the real world, with real people, real emotions and very real repercussions.
WAKE UP! BE KINDER. DO BETTER. If not for yourself, for Hana. #RIPHanaKimura— CHELSEA GREEN (@ImChelseaGreen) May 23, 2020
Please, be kind to each other, from those who love you with every inch of their heart, to those you don’t know.
— Jinny (@JinnyCouture) May 23, 2020
AEW and the wrestling community mourn the passing of Hana Kimura. May she Rest In Peace, and our thoughts are with her family, her friends, and her fans. pic.twitter.com/gouuu3xG5y
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) May 23, 2020
Please be aware of your words on social media. We need to spread more love these days then ever before ❤️ #RIPHanaKimura
— Billie Kay (@BillieKayWWE) May 23, 2020
Crushed. #RIPHanaKimura
— ROCKY ROMERO (@azucarRoc) May 23, 2020
« Be mindful when it comes to your words. A string of some that don’t mean much to you, may stick with someone else for a lifetime. » – Rachel Wolchin
They also break hearts beyond repair. Be kind to each other. Report cyber bullying. This is heartbreaking. #RIPHanaKimura pic.twitter.com/gp317dwx9g
— LuFisto (@LuFisto) May 23, 2020
I didn’t know Hana Kimura but I thought she was immensely charismatic and talented. The circumstances of her passing are incredibly sad.
— Florida Man (@WWEBigE) May 23, 2020
Please. #RIPHanaKimura pic.twitter.com/wToVVI5JF0
— The Virtuosa (@DeonnaPurrazzo) May 23, 2020
We are all human & character or not seeing such hateful comments takes a toll on your mental health. I pray for Hana’s family. I pray that the people who went out of their way to spew such hate behind a keyboard change their ways. I pray we all do better. #RIPHanaKimura
— (@NiaJaxWWE) May 23, 2020
Heartbreaking. Lets be kind to each other. If you’re struggling, find someone to talk to. You are not alone. #RIPHanaKimura
— David Finlay (@THEdavidfinlay) May 23, 2020
Beautiful Angel❤️
Fingerprints will never fade from the lives you have touched.#RIPHanaKimura
— Mandy León (@MandyLeonxo) May 23, 2020
I didn’t really know you, but I know how you felt. I’ve been there. Told to die. Told I’m worthless. A piece of shit. A terrible human being. It hurts…until you want to disconnect from it all. Such an angry and sad world we are. I’m so sorry we’ve failed you. #RIPHanaKimura
— Austin Healy Aries (@AustinAries) May 23, 2020
Beautiful soul rest in peace. You are and will always be loved. #RIPHanaKimura
— Shanna シャナ (@Shannanjii) May 23, 2020
I don’t have the right words for this tonight. I’m shocked and extremely sad. Love and prayers to my @we_are_stardom friends. Hana will be immensely missed
— The Brandalorian (@TheBrandiRhodes) May 23, 2020
My sweet @hanadayo0903 why? Just why? People are so cruel and you didn’t deserve this…. #RIP pic.twitter.com/mCbcU2CMSf
— Thunder Rosa (@thunderrosa22) May 23, 2020
Anger and sadness run through me right now.
people who cause such hurt should be brought to justice for their actions!
beautiful, young vulnerable girls share their light with you for your entertainment and this is how you make them feel?
I wish I could protect them.
— Viper-Piper Niven (@viperpiperniven) May 23, 2020
My
— Tama “The Good Bad Guy” Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) May 23, 2020
Always Will remember you. pic.twitter.com/ZRPYdcxoBD
— LegitLeylaHirsch (@LegitLeyla) May 23, 2020
I didnt even know you and I am crying. Spread love not hate. Words are powerful. ❤️ #riphanakimura
— Shotzi Blackheart (@ShotziWWE) May 23, 2020
Wow, beyond words right now. Her aesthetic was everything, so much star power in one young lady.
What you say to people can have everlasting effects on them. The tongue is a mighty powerful tool please use it to uplift someone. Spread peace not hate. #RIPHanaKimura
— Big Swole (@SwoleWorld) May 23, 2020
Horribly sad news about Hana Kimura. Let’s be kinder. Let’s think before sending that tweet or hitting the post button. Let’s try to help friends, family and loved ones in need before the abyss takes hold. It may seem awkward at first, but you may just save a life. #RIPHanaKimura
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) May 23, 2020
I wish this wasn’t true.
I only met Hana Kimura a handful of times, but her smile and happiness were contagious.
I have this image of her putting makeup on on the ResGal and just looking so peaceful and beautiful.I feel ill inside… people should be better than this. Be kind. pic.twitter.com/IUZLR0QiiY
— (@Kelly_WP) May 23, 2020
The online bullying/HARASSMENT needs to end! Social media has given everyone a voice…use it responsibly. #RIPHanaKimura
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 23, 2020
Be nicer. Be better.
This is heartbreaking.
— Rachael Ellering (@RachaelEversWWE) May 23, 2020
From the moment i met them they treated me like i was family and not like a Unknown Gajin stranger. Hana was kind, friendly,and you could tell how close she was with her mother. After a couple training session i said good by to Hana not knowing if our paths would ever crossagain
— Brody King (@Brodyxking) May 23, 2020
It Was Hana. That moment was so surreal to me. Two people from different parts of the world hoping to “make it” are now standing together in the world most famous arena living our dreams. You were too good for this world Hana. This one https://t.co/HnYW2iHdin
— Brody King (@Brodyxking) May 23, 2020
I am completely sick to my stomach about the news of @hanadayo0903 This cyber bullying needs to stop! She had a bright future. I am so sorry Hana. #RipHanaKimura #HanaKimura
— Jessicka Havok (@FearHavok) May 23, 2020
So much heartache in one week.
— Devil’s Blood (@WWEAleister) May 23, 2020
Rest in peace, Hana Kimura.
If you or anyone you know is need of support, we hope you find these links helpful:
State-by-state suicide hotlines in the U.S.
International suicide hotlines
National Alliance on Mental Health resource page
