Tag: giulia

Giulia challenges Roxanne Perez to Women’s title match on WWE NXT CW premiere

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Giulia has called her shot.

The end of this week’s NXT saw Roxanne Perez come to the ring to boast about her win over Jaida Parker at No Mercy. Chelsea Green first interrupted her, saying that there was no reason for her not to be the number one contender for the NXT Women’s title. That was when Giulia came to the ring. She quickly took out Green before focusing on Perez, saying she wanted a title match on the premiere episode of NXT on the CW, which takes place on October 1.

“Me, you, CW,” she said before dropping the microphone. The show ended with the champion and challenger starting each other down.

After months of speculation, Giulia officially made her NXT debut at No Mercy, confronting Roxanne Perez following her title win. She had first been seen in the crowd earlier this year at NXT Stand & Deliver. Recently she had made several appearances for Marigold, with her final matches taking place last month.

It has already been announced that Ethan Page will be defending his title on the CW premiere in Chicago. His opponent has not been named.

Giulia debuts, confronts Roxanne Perez at WWE NXT No Mercy

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Giulia has arrived.

After defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Jaida Parker at Sunday’s NXT No Mercy premium live event, Roxanne Perez was celebrating her win when the lights went out. As new music played, it soon became clear that it was Giulia making her NXT debut. She entered the ring and confronted Perez, who held the NXT Women’s Championship as the segment ended.

Both Triple H and Shawn Michaels commented on Giulia’s arrival on X:

Speculation had been mounting regarding Giulia’s future, especially after making an appearance in the crowd at NXT Stand & Deliver earlier this year. She revealed in July that her last scheduled match in Japan would be on August 19, which saw her defeat Mai Sakurai in Korakuen Hall. It was followed by a gauntlet match featuring much of the Marigold roster.

Giulia, 30, started wrestling in 2017, first as a regular for Ice Ribbon. In 2019, she jumped to Stardom where she became a one-time World of Stardom Champion and won both the 2020 Cinderella tournament and the 2022 5 Star Grand Prix. 

In April of this year, Giulia officially joined Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion Marigold after Ogawa had been fired from Stardom following accusations of attempting to poach talent.

Giulia reveals date of final match in Japan before WWE arrival

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia says she’s ready to challenge the world of professional wrestling.

On today’s Marigold show, Giulia revealed that she has five remaining matches in Japan with her last one scheduled for August 19 in Korakuen Hall against Mai Sakurai.

“Giulia: ‘The match on August 19th at Korakuen Hall will be my last in Japan. I’m going to challenge the world of professional wrestling!’ Reads a translation of Wrestle Universe’s post.

Later on the show, Giulia and Sakurai agreed to a singles match on the August 19 Marigold event.

Dave Meltzer gave an update on Giulia’s status on Saturday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. He said:

“I was told yesterday that (Marigold) thought that it would be the end of August, but she’s under contract to WWE so when WWE wants to start her she’s going. The announcement will be made, she’s going to say I’m leaving for WWE, and she’s going to have the date and it’s coming up very, very soon and she’ll be starting in NXT.”

Giulia has been mentioned on WWE programming multiple times in 2024. She was shown in the crowd at NXT Stand & Deliver in April and was recently mentioned in a promo by NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez as well.

Giulia says she has ‘an announcement to make’ at Marigold event on Tuesday

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia has something important to say.

As rumors swirl that her time with Marigold could be coming to an end soon, Giulia posted to social media on Sunday that she will make an announcement at the promotion’s event in Korakuen Hall on Tuesday.

“I have an announcement to make to everyone at Korakuen Hall! Let me say it with my own mouth and look into your faces,” a translation of Giulia’s comments read.

Our own Dave Meltzer gave an update on Giulia’s status on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer said:

“I was told yesterday that (Marigold) thought that it would be the end of August, but she’s under contract to WWE so when WWE wants to start her she’s going. The announcement will be made, she’s going to say I’m leaving for WWE, and she’s going to have the date and it’s coming up very, very soon and she’ll be starting in NXT.”

Meltzer also covered what Giulia’s eventual departure means for Marigold in the July 22, 2024 edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer wrote:

“Marigold isn’t going to be made or broken by this, and they have done fine the first time in every city without Giulia, who had been injured. But they have an uphill battle as at first, the belief was they would be touring with a large percentage of the top Stardom names from last year. In the end they will be touring with Mai Sakurai, who was not a major star, Mirai, who was a star, and Hayashishita, who was a great wrestler but not a charismatic force.”

Giulia is also scheduled for a tag team match on Tuesday’s show. She’ll team with Marigold World Champion Sareee against Victoria Yuzuki & Kizuna Tanaka.

Marigold lineup for Tuesday, July 30, at Korakuen Hall —

  • Sareee & Giulia vs. Victoria Yuzuki & Kizuna Tanaka
  • Miku Aono & Natsumi Showzuki vs. Kouki Amarei & Chika Goto
  • Mirai & Mai Sakurai vs. Nagisa Nozaki & Chiaki
  • Nanae Takahashi vs. Bozilla
  • Misa Matsui & Komomo Minami vs. Zayda Steel & Myla Grace
  • Nao Ishikawa vs. Rea Seto

Daily Update: Bryan Danielson & Hangman Page, Giulia, Takeshi Morishima

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • Full Forbidden Door coverage
  • Early notes on how the PPV did
  • Arena business and what historical achievement took place this past weekend
  • How the poll for the show had a unique and noteworthy result
  • Looking at AEW going into All In
  • A look at Money in the Bank, Heatwave, and ticket demand for the three WWE shows this week in Toronto.
  • A look at the playoffs for the G1 tournament
  • UFC 303 coverage of one of the shows where they had to change everything over and over again
  • Thoughts on the WrestleMania documentary, what was talked about, and what wasn’t.
  • A look at all the TV ratings info from the past week including rankings for the night and week, the competition, the whys behind the numbers, segment-by-segment and more
  • Chris Jericho returns to Arena Mexico
  • A look at Friday’s show including the Altantis Jr. ROH TV title win
  • AAA TV time notes
  • AAA Verano de Escandalo card
  • Major changes in Stardom
  • New Japan pushes a big open to 2025 for both their promotion and Stardom with dates for tourists
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Sanshiro Takagi rematch on the bullet train
  • Notable sight gags on the match
  • Update on Marigold’s first major show with Iyo Sky
  • Rematch of one of the best bouts of the year set for the RevPro anniversary show at the Copper Box Arena
  • WWE stars at TNA TV tapings and at Bloodsport
  • More on Britt Baker’s return
  • Tony Khan talks about media rights negotiations, the Juneteenth rating, a milestone Eric Bischoff could never do
  • Will Ospreay opens up about his autism
  • Advance ticket sales for all the WWE & AEW shows over the past week
  • Biggest merch sellers in WWE & AEW
  • Dana White makes a claim that will blow your mind
  • More on the Bloodline angle
  • SmackDown issues with FOX
  • Notes on WWE departures
  • WWE investing in new business with notable partners including the NFL
  • Dijak talks more about his contract not being renewed

This Week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full segment from last night’s Raw between CM Punk and Seth Rollins.
  • After it was announced that Drew McIntyre would be returning to Raw on Monday, GM Adam Pearce wrote on X: “@DMcIntyreWWE Incompetent Bald B**** looking to set a meeting with Insecure Hirsute Dobber for Monday in Dayton. Combative Tattooed Chicagoan won’t be there.  Left you a msg, so shoot me a text or childish tweet and let me know.”
  • Punk posted pictures from his time in Canada on Instagram, including a photo with Arnold Schwarzenegger. 
  • Tokyo Sports has an interview with IYO SKY ahead of her match against Utami Hayashishita at Marigold Summer Destiny on July 13.
  • The company uploaded a video on their new WWE Vault account showing previously unaired tryout matches with former Pro Wrestling NOAH star Takeshi Morishima from 2008. He faced Jamie Noble and Charlie Haas in seperate matches.
  • Also uploaded to WWE Vault is the Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian TLC match from SummerSlam 2000.

AEW/Other Wrestling

Marigold reveals full lineup for Summer Destiny

Posted on by Ian Carey

Marigold has announced the full lineup for Summer Destiny.

Giulia vs. Sareee is expected to headline the July 13 show at Sumo Hall. However, Giulia has still not received medical clearance following a broken wrist she suffered on the promotion’s debut show on May 20. She had surgery on the injury the following week.

Marigold wrote on social media today that Giulia’s participation at Summer Destiny is pending her receiving medical clearance later this week or early next week.

“Giulia’s participation is pending medical clearance later this week or early next week. If she is cleared, Rossy Ogawa will decide if this match is for the Marigold World Championship,” Marigold wrote.

WWE’s IYO Sky will also participate at Summer Destiny. She is scheduled to wrestle Utami Hayashishita on the show. The full lineup, announed on Monday, is below.

Marigold Summer Destiny lineup for July 13, 2024 —

  • Giulia vs. Sareee
  • Utami Hayashishita vs. IYO Sky
  • Bozilla vs. the winner of Mirai vs. Miku Aono
  • Mirai vs. Miku Aono
  • Nanae Takahashi, Mai Sakurai & Nao Ishikawa vs Shinobi Kandori, Takako Inoue & NORI
  • Marigold Superfly Championship Finals: Natsumi Showzuki vs Misa Matsui
  • CHIAKI & Nozaki Nagisa vs Myla Grace & Zayda Steele
  • Kouki Amarei & Chika Goto vs Victoria Yuzuki & TBA

Additionally, a dance performance by the original Actress Girls cast and Princess Tenko is advertised for the event.

Giulia undergoes successful surgery on broken wrist

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia is on the mend and hopeful to be cleared in time for Marigold Summer Destiny.

The 30-year-old suffered a broken wrist just five minutes into the main event of Marigold Fields Forever on May 20. She’d later tell Tokyo Sports that doctors said surgery was the quickest route back for her if she hopes to wrestle Sareee on July 13 show at Sumo Hall.

Marigold announced on Tuesday that Giulia’s surgery has been deemed a success and she will be on hand for the promotion’s show on Saturday.

“Giulia, who has been absent due to a distal radius fracture, underwent surgery this morning in Tokyo and we are pleased to report that surgery was a success! She’ll be discharged on Thursday and will accompany us to our regional shows starting on June 1st.”

Giulia’s injury was addressed by our own Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, with Meltzer saying WWE wanted Giulia to have the surgery.

“WWE wanted her to undergo the surgery. So, she’s doing that,” Meltzer said.

“I know that before the surgery she was still talking about doing the July 13 date at Sumo Hall against Sareee in the singles match, that would probably be a great match, she really wanted to do that match.”

Meltzer continued to say that Giulia has been working hard to help Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion, despite being expected to land in WWE eventually.

“She’s been very hands-on with Marigold as far as really working with the younger wrestlers, trying to help the company. You know, she’s got a lame duck deal, she’s leaving and everyone knows it but she’s really working hard on building the company, to the point of leading the training classes.”

Daily Update: WWE Raw, Giulia, AEW Double or Nothing fallout

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site today:

  • A feature on the first five years of AEW and its future.  
  • A look at both the successes and as well as things not as successful
  • A look at the past, present and future
  • Why this year will be the telling point for the success of the company or not
  • What was guaranteed when AEW started
  • AEW’s business and the perceptions
  • Looking at the value of the promotion
  • History of wrestling wars and how they went down
  • How AEW can take financial advantage of WWE’s move to Netflix
  • The decline of the 18-34 male audience
  • A look in depth at the last several weeks of AEW, NBA, NHL and cable in general
  • WWE expands SummerSlam to two dates
  • El Hijo del Santo talks retirement plans
  • Looking at King & Queen of the Ring and Double or Nothing and challenges for both companies coming off the previous big shows
  • A look at the debut of Marigold, already the No. 2 women’s promotion in the world, what hit and what didn’t hit
  • The life and times of John “Bad Bones” Klinger, a European independent star who passed away this past week
  • The most detailed look at the weekly television ratings, comparisons with other shows, age breakdowns, weekly placings and more
  • Fantastica Mania in the U.S., U.K. and Mexico notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • NOAH has the match of the week
  • Why New Japan changed the Dominion main event
  • All Together Now coverage
  • Best of the Super Juniors coverage’
  • Rematch of a match last year that got worldwide mainstream publicity
  • Updated WWE, AEW, TNA  and boxing PPV notes including how many wrestling fans buy boxing PPVs
  • A look at what going live vs. tape means as far as wrestling ratings
  • One of the NFL’s all-time greats who was nearly became a German heel wrestler
  • Funeral of Tony Jones
  • Lots of notes on the final nail in the coffin of WCW and the questions still not fully answered
  • Lots of injury updates
  • WBD business and AEW negotiations
  • Advanced ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Lots more on payouts for UFC fighters after lawsuit settlement
  • PFL fires one of its best-known fighters for speaking out
  • Mark Shapiro talks the future of WWE & UFC business
  • Injury rates in WWE and AEW
  • SummerSlam and All In advances
  • Notes on NXT Battleground
  • Top WWE star sues famous boxing star

This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue

Monday Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about Raw and the latest wrestling news.  We may have time for questions on tonight’s show as well to  [email protected]
  • Raw tonight is from Savannah, GA.  A Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch cage match headlines the show that has also announced Braun Strowman vs. JD McDonagh.  There were 6,300 tickets out as of this morning which in the building they are running would be just shy of a real sellout.  So it should end up sold out.    We’re looking for reports from the live show with Main Event bouts as well as anything else not airing on television to [email protected]
  • There is tough competition as Boston vs. Indiana game four is tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN.  Boston has a 3-0 lead in the series, so this can clinch it, so it will do a big number.  Dallas vs. Edmonton (game three series tied 1-1) is on TNT & Tru TV tonight at 8:30 p.m. as well.  Raw is coming off a PPV show so that should help.  But the last PPV didn’t help and there wasn’t a lot of controversy relating to Raw coming off Saturday’s show.  Memorial Day often means a late audience meaning a bigger second hour than first but not as much of a third hour tune-out, but every year is different.
  • We’re looking for your thoughts on both King & Queen of the Ring as well as Double or Nothing.  You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
  • Tokyo Sports is reporting that Giulia will be undergoing surgery on her right wrist tomorrow.  We’ll have an update later in the week regarding whether she can make it back for her 7/13 match with Sareee at Sumo Hall for Marigold’s first major show.
  • There is no update on Adam Copeland from last night’s show.  Darby Allin was hurting when the show was over.
  • Double or Nothing was No. 11 in the most searched topics yesterday on Google.  That only meant 20,000 searches which is not a big number.  However, WWE King & Queen of the Ring as noted yesterday was the first WWE PPV show in history not  to crack the top 20 on its day, meaning less than 20,000 searches.  WWE shows previously rarely did under 200,000 and Backlash was considered low at 100,000.  
  • Floyd Mayweather at Double or Nothing was set up by Swerve Strickland getting him to the show.
  • Hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend.  It was a rare quiet weekend and we didn’t even get  many recommendations for non-WWE & AEW matches to watch past the Mao vs. Daisuke Sasaki King of DDT final match from yesterday.
  • Want to make mention of the death of Bill Walton, who lost his battle with cancer today at the age of 71.  Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of all-time at UCLA, and followed by being a Hall of Fame star, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1978 championship as well as being a key player on the Boston Celtics 1986 championship team .   He later became an announcer, where he was heavily lauded.  Unfortunately his NBA career was marred by constant foot injuries but was still considered an all-time great, and on both the league’s 50th and 75th anniversary all-time teams.
  • Mike Tyson needed medical attention while boarding a flight in Miami on Sunday.   Tyson’s reps said he became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare-up 30 minutes before landing.   There were reports this caused a two hour flight delay.  His people said it had nothing to do with the delay and that the delay was due to an air conditioning issue on the flight.    
  • The first two seasons of “Heels” will debut on Netflix on 7/29.  If viewership is strong,  Netflix could decide to do a third season.
  • The Best of the Super Juniors tournament continues tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. from Numazu with B Block bouts.  The bouts are Dragon Dia vs. Ninja Mack, Kushida vs. Douki, Francesco Akira vs. Robbie Eagles,  Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho and Hiromu Takahashi vs. Drilla Moloney.
  • TNA is shutting down its $4.99 per month Ultimate Insides YouTube plan.  They are encouraging all subscribers to move to the TNA+ service.
  • We were just sent in this YouTube link for an interview that Wilma Beyer, the wife of Dick “Destroyer” Beyer did:
  • Greg Lambert has a new book called “One Fall to a Finish:  Inside the British Wrestling Boom  Years and Beyond.  The book covers the period from when ITV attempted to start a wrestling promotion, that failed, which led to WWE retaliating and forming the NXT U.K. brand.  It looks at the World of Sport vs. WWE battle in 2018, the collapse of 5 Star Wrestling and a look at companies like Progress, RevPro, ICW WAW, What Culture and Defiant Pro Wrestling.
  • Marigold announced Wrestle Universe shows on 6/1 from Osaka, 6/2 from Hamamatsu and 76/11 at Korakuen Hall.  Korakuen Hall has Sareee vs. Victoria Yuzuki and Utami Hayashishita vs. Nanae Takahashi.
  • Sukeban runs its third show on Thursday night in Los Angeles at The Trinity in Downtown Los Angeles with Commander Nakayama defending her Sukeban title against Crush Yuu, Rina Yamashita vs. Lady Antoinette vs. Atomic Banshee, Saki Birni & Babyface vs. Konami & Queen of Hearts and Sareee Bomb (Sareee) vs. Maya Mamushi.
  • XICW from Saturday night in Clinton Township, MI:  El Noctambulo & Gran Trueno b Rod Lee & Alex Lynch, Bolo b Dean Hendrix, Great Tiger & Soultaker b Marcus Porter & Thomas Bailey, Heather Blue b Stella Buho andMax egn, Dre Jacobs b Rhino, Tommy Vendetta b Crazy King, Royce Carney II & Caden Monroe & Grim Reality b Schwartzy & LeDon Saners & TJU Meyer & Trevor Straud, Maxximillain b Kyler Coleman to win the lightweight title Aaron Orion & Jack Price b N8 Mattson & Orlando Christopher, Homicide b DBA, Malcom Monroe III b Lince Dorado and Adam Wick to keep the Midwest title (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Giulia to undergo surgery for broken wrist

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia has elected to have surgery on her broken wrist.

The 30-year-old suffered the injury five minutes into the main event of Marigold Fields Forever in Korakuen Hall on Monday. She recently revealed to Tokyo Sports that she’s been told surgery is the quickest route back for her.

Giulia was admitted to the hospital on Monday and her surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

“That day, my arm bent in the opposite direction, and as a result, I broke a bone. I was told that surgery would be the fastest recovery,” a translation of Giulia’s comments read.

It was noted in the Tokyo Sports article that this is Giulia’s first time being hospitalized and the first surgery she’s ever had.

“I’ll spend my time watching movies and watching various professional wrestling videos for the first time in a long time,” a translation of her comments reads.

Sareee and Bozilla defeated Giulia and Utami Hayashishita on Monday. After the match, Giulia challenged Sareee to a singles match at Sumo Hall at Summer Destiny.

Giulia was on hand for Marigold’s afternoon and evening shows on Sunday in Tokyo. She greeted the fans and apologized for being unable to perform on the show.

Giulia suffered wrist fracture at Marigold’s debut show

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia is injured.

The 30-year-old headlined Marigold’s debut event, Marigold Fields Forever, on Monday in Korakuen Hall. She teamed with Utami Hayashishita in a loss to Sareee and Bozilla. On Tuesday, Marigold announced that Giulia suffered a fractured wrist in the match. She will miss the upcoming Hana Kimura Memorial Show scheduled for Thursday.

Marigold wrote:

“Giulia’s right wrist was injured in yesterday’s inaugural match. Today, her doctor examined her and diagnosed her with a fracture. Unfortunately she will miss the Hana Kimura show on the 23rd, and upcoming shows for the time being. We apologize and thank you for understanding.”

After the main event on Monday, Giulia challenged Sareee to a future singles match, possibly at Summer Destiny, which has been announced for July 13 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. At a media event on Tuesday, Giulia reportedly said she’ll be ready for the show.

Giulia’s match on Monday was just her second since departing Stardom earlier this year. She also wrestled at NOAH Wrestle Magic 2024 on May 4. Giulia teamed with Hayashishita, Mai Sakurai, and MIRAI in a win over Great Sakuya, Miyuki Takase, Nagisa Nozaki, and Takumi Iroha on the show.

Rossy Ogawa announces launch of Marigold promotion

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Rossy Ogawa has revealed his new promotion.

During a press conference Monday morning, Ogawa announced the formation of Dream Star Fighting Marigold, or Marigold for short. Their first show, Marigold Fields Forever, will take place on May 20 at Korakuen Hall. It will stream on Wrestle Universe with both Japanese and English commentary. The main event will feature Giulia & X taking on Sareee & X.

The start of the press conference revealed the first seven roster members: Giulia, Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI, Nanae Takahashi, Mai Sakurai, and Yuzuki (now going by Victoria Yuzuki), formerly of Stardom, and Nao Ishikawa. At the end of the press conference, Natsumi Sumikawa, Miku Aono, Misa Matsui, CHIAKI, Chika Goto, and KOUKI, formerly of Actwres girl’Z, announced they will also be part of the roster.

Ogawa was fired from Stardom in February after the promotion accused him of attempting to poach talent on his way out. Ogawa denied the accusations but did say that he was going to form a new promotion. Giulia, who appeared at NXT’s Stand & Deliver event during WrestleMania weekend, will help Ogawa with the promotion before departing for WWE.

Rossy Ogawa to announce new promotion within the next week

Posted on by Ian Carey

We are getting closer to an official announcement regarding Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion. 

Tokyo Sports caught up with the Stardom founder upon his return to Japan after spending the weekend at WrestleMania in Philadelphia. Ogawa told the outlet that a flag-raising press conference for his new promotion will take place within the next week. 

A translation of Ogawa’s comments reads:

I’m going to be very busy from now on. We’ll be holding a press conference to launch the organization within the next week, so I hope to be able to show everyone an overview of our organization. Please look forward to it.

Giulia, who is expected to help kickstart the new promotion, did not travel back from Japan along with Ogawa. However, she is expected to wrestle for Stardom at Korakuen Hall on April 12. While she is no longer under contract to the promotion, she is scheduled to team with Syuri against Hanan & Mayu Iwatani on Friday’s show. 

Giulia is also scheduled to wrestle for Pro Wrestling Noah at Wrestle Magic on May 4.

Ogawa was fired by Bushiroad in February and publicly accused of poaching Stardom talent for his new company. Dave Meltzer published a detailed look at Ogawa’s ousting from the promotion he founded shortly after in an article up now for subscribers. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley also addressed Ogawa’s release and future plans in an episode of Wrestling Observer Live from February 10. 

Giulia makes first WWE appearance at NXT Stand & Deliver

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A top free agent looks to be on her way to WWE NXT.

Former stardom wrestler Giulia was shown sitting in the front row at NXT Stand & Deliver on Saturday afternoon. She was seated with William Regal and former Stardom boss Rossy Ogawa.

“Well guys, the surprises keep coming. One of the biggest international wrestlers Giulia is taking in Stand & Deliver,” Vic Joseph said on commentary. “And she has her eyes on the best women’s division in wrestling. Everyone taking time and soaking in the biggest WrestleMania weekend of all time.”

For months, it’s been expected that Giulia would eventually be signing with WWE. She departed Stardom when her contract with the promotion expired at the end of March.

Tokyo Sports confirmed earlier this week that Giulia was traveling to the United States in advance of WrestleMania weekend. She was backstage with Ogawa at Friday night’s episode of SmackDown.

Ogawa’s contract with Stardom was terminated in February. He’s currently working on starting a new promotion.

In the 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards, Giulia finished second in the Women’s Wrestling MVP category behind Rhea Ripley. She also ranked fourth in Most Charismatic and eighth in Best Brawler.

After Roxanne Perez won the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver, the camera panned to Giulia watching on.

Giulia tweeted a photo of her shaking hands with Paul “Triple H” Levesque backstage at the event. Levesque responded:

It isn’t known when Giulia will be starting with WWE. She’s been announced for a Pro Wrestling NOAH show that’s taking place on May 4. The expectation has also been that Giulia would be helping Ogawa with the start of his new promotion.

Giulia travels to United States ahead of WWE WrestleMania weekend

Posted on by Ian Carey

Giulia is reportedly headed to the United States. 

Tokyo Sports is reporting she was spotted at an airport on Wednesday but when confronted by a reporter, Giulia allegedly claimed she was traveling to the Himalayas and planned to shave off her eyebrows. 

Despite her comments, Giulia is said to have boarded a plane headed to the United States, and Tokyo Sports writes there is a “high possibility” she will attend WWE WrestleMania in Philadelphia. 

The 30-year-old’s contract with Stardom expired at the end of March. She made a surprise appearance at NOAH Magic Monday on her first official day of free agency and revealed she will compete at Wrestle Magic on May 4.

Our own Dave Meltzer wrote in the April 1 Daily Update that Giulia wrestling in NOAH is part of a strategy to launch Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion. 

“This is not just her doing a date on a big show but is part of the strategy for the launch of Rossy Ogawa’s new company,” Meltzer wrote. “Regarding that company, there will be a big announcement planned right now for later in the month on it.”

Giulia is expected to land in WWE eventually, but will first help Ogawa kickstart his new company.