Erica Shishido, better known by her professional wrestling name, Aja Kong, has created a legacy for herself that has expanded over the course of four decades and just might make it into a fifth. The Tokyo, Japan-native is internationally known amongst wrestling fans from around the world and respected by her peers for her longevity and tenacity in such a brutal sport. Weighing in at 227lbs, Kong uses her size and strength to overpower her opponents. Throughout her illustrious career, Aja Kong has (wo)manhandled other wrestlers with ease to the point that she's put many lives in danger with her passionate performances.
Since making her debut in the All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) in 1986, she instantaneously became a love-to-hate heel in the company. In 1995, Kong made her way to the WWF where she dominated the entire women's roster, including breaking the nose of Chaparita Asari yet was never a champion in the organization. That didn't stop her from racking up championship honors in leagues like GAEA Japan, Hyper Visual Fighting Arsion (Arsion), AJW, and more. To this very day, Aja Kong is smashing faces with spinning elbows in the All Elite Wrestling, LLC (AEW) at the age of 49.
Wondering where to go in 2020 for an amazing deal, to beat the crowds, or for a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? These destinations are on travel addicts’ radar for rightfully hyped 2020 events, new offerings, and recent developments that make them a must-visit right now.
On top of the majestic scenery its long been known for, Montana is a newly trendy nature getaway celebrated for its expanding luxury hotel scene, culinary offerings, and shop-local boutiques, according to an American Express study detailing where cardholders are traveling in 2020. But Montana is also about to get more accessible than ever before thanks to emerging flight routes sure to stir up competition. Launching two brand-new seasonal routes to Big Sky country, American Airlines will fly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana, beginning mid-year and continuing through Labor Day. Take advantage of the new direct route before the secret gets out, and so that they’ll continue next year.
One of the cities featured in Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020, Urugay’s capital Montevideo is a stable and LGBT-friendly destination to visit in South America—a continent that’s seen dips in tourism of late thanks to political instability in travel destinations like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Travelers identified the city as a trending travel destination for anyone seeking an immersive, one-stop escape; according to the study, “over half (54 percent) of global travelers say they want to go on one long trip to a place that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.” Montevideo’s offerings include beaches, nightlife, markets, theaters, culinary prowess, and festive Gay Pride Day celebrations in September.
Europe’s intensely overtouristed spots (Venice, Barcelona, Santorini) have new Eastern European hotspots to thank for stealing away some of the spotlight: Romania is making a name for itself as one of the top five most trending Airbnb booking destinations for 2020. The nation that’s home to Transylvania, Dracula’s castle, and well-preserved medieval towns nestled among rolling hills has seen a 298 percent annual increase in Airbnb bookings.