Mayu Iwatani has received some good news in her recovery from injury.
The 33-year-old Marigold star fractured her big toe in April and recently had to vacate Pro Wrestling NOAH’s GHC Women’s Championship. At a follow-up appointment today, she learned that she will not need to undergo surgery. Iwatani shared imaging showing that her bone has begun healing over the past couple of weeks.
“Ooooooh!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!!! Finally My bones are starting to heal—!!!,” she tweeted. “Right is two weeks ago. Left is today. Yesssh!!! So glad. No surgery!!!!!! The best!!!”
Because she’s never had surgery before, Iwatani is especially happy that she was able to avoid it here.
Iwatani has also been dealing with a shoulder injury but has said that should no longer be an issue by the time her toe heals.
In Marigold, Iwatani remains Superfly Champion amid her injury. She was previously one of the top wrestlers in Stardom before leaving the company in 2025 for Rossy Ogawa’s new venture.
GHC Women’s Championship —
Iwatani was the third-ever GHC Women’s Champion, following reigns by Kouki Amarei and Takumi Iroha. The title was introduced in 2024 as the first women’s championship in NOAH history.
Because she would not be cleared in time for Wrestle Magic on June 15, Iwatani had to vacate the title. It will be MIRAI vs. Great Sakuya at that show to determine the new champion. Once she’s able to wrestle, Iwatani has promised to come after the belt once again.
Earlier this week, Utami Hayashishita made waves by returning to Stardom after a two+ year absence, confronting Saya Kamitani during the promotion’s card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
That meant the former World Champion was leaving Marigold, the promotion Rossy Ogawa created after being fired from Stardom, the promotion he co-founded.
Ogawa spoke to Tokyo Sports and the media after Marigold’s Thursday show about her move (translated) where he admitted that “I knew she was going to leave. It happened exactly as expected.”
“She should go wherever she wants to go and do whatever she wants to do. She’s already going on tour with them, right? Stardom was very well prepared,” he said.
Hayashishita last wrestled in Stardom in April 2024 before debuting in Marigold a month later. She held their World title for nearly 300 days, last holding it in October 2025. Her final match for Marigold was earlier this week.
Ogawa appeared to be skeptical of how Stardom could use Hayashishita given their roster, and that he wants her to “devote herself completely to Stardom and wrestle with the mindset of burning herself out there.”
“While the promotion is clearly trying to get younger, it’s difficult in many ways for the veteran group to figure out their place. Even the key wrestlers over there aren’t exactly at the center anymore. All she can do is work hard wherever she goes. But this time, she really has to commit herself. Going all over the place isn’t really a good thing,” he said.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion has been in Japan since May 5, wrestling for the Marvelous promotion as well as Tenryu Project.
On Thursday, Marigold announced Rose will make her debut for the promotion at the company’s second anniversary show on May 23 at Ota Ward Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Rose will team with Nagisa Nozaki, Nightshade, and Johnnie Robbie against Natsumi Showzuki, Nao Ishikawa, Koshino SYOKO, and Angel Hayze on the show.
Nightshade and Rose won the AAAW Tag Team titles at the Marvelous 10th Anniversary Show on May 5.
Marigold, the promotion run by Stardom founder Rossy Ogawa, has had a working relationship with WWE since its launch.
Marigold Shine Forever lineup for May 23, 2026:
Miku Aono, Mai Sakurai & MIRAI vs. Utami Hayashishita, Takumi Iroha & Maddy Morgan
TwinStar title match: Misa Matsui & CHIAKI vs. Chika Goto & Kouki Amarei
New Generation Rival Showdown: Seri Yamaoka vs. Senka Akatsuki
Megaton vs. Mystery opponent
Hummingbird vs. The Lady AI
Komomo Minami & Nagisa Tachibana vs. Shinno & Yuuka Yamazaki
Rea Seto vs. Chi Chi
Natsumi Showzuki, Nao Ishikawa, Koshino SYOKO & Angel Hayze vs. Nagisa Nozaki, Nightshade, Nyla Rose & Johnnie Robbie
Marigold Shine Forever May 23 Ota Ward Gym It’s our 2nd anniversary show! 8 big matches and it airs live on Wrestle Universe! (Not a ppv broadcast) pic.twitter.com/F7Qmh6RKwr
Utami Hayashishita has announced that she is leaving Dream Star Fighting Marigold.
The company held a show at Korakuen Hall on Saturday, April 25, where Marigold World Champion Miku Aono successfully defended her title against Hayashishita in the main event.
After the match, Hayashishita addressed the crowd and announced that she would be departing the promotion. She said the decision had been made some time ago and was not related to her loss against Aono. Hayashishita also announced that her final match for Marigold will take place on May 23.
In an interview with Tokyo Sports after the show, Marigold owner Rossy Ogawa said that Hayashishita notified him in January of her decision to leave.
The 27-year-old Hayashishita debuted for STARDOM in 2018 and won the promotion’s Rookie of Stardom award that year. In 2021, she was voted Women’s Wrestling MVP in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. In March 2024, Hayashishita was one of several STARDOM wrestlers to announce they would be leaving the promotion that month, and she joined Ogawa’s new Marigold promotion the following month.
Utami announced that her final Marigold match will be on May 23 at Ota Ward Gym. Maddy Morgan challenged Miku Aono to a World title match next month at Korakuen Hall. pic.twitter.com/5w7mOQE5Hw
Marigold’s Rossy Ogawa has issued an apology after an investigation found that he violated the copyright of his former employer.
Back in January, Stardom accused rival promotion Marigold of intellectual property violation over a Mayu Iwatani card collection it was selling. The collection, which celebrated Iwatani’s 15th anniversary in pro wrestling, included photos of Iwatani during her time with Stardom. Marigold launched an investigation into the situation — which has now concluded with Ogawa issuing an apology to Stardom:
Upon investigation, we discovered that our Representative Director, Rossy Ogawa, had used data obtained and retained in connection with his past work at Stardom Co., Ltd. in the production of the Products without Stardom Co., Ltd.’s permission. This constituted an infringement of the copyrights and publicity rights held or managed by Stardom Co., Ltd., as well as an act of unfair competition.
Consequently, we have immediately ceased the manufacture and sale of the Products. Some of the cards in this product are the property of Stardom Co., Ltd., and therefore the notation ‘Marigold Co. Ltd.’ was incorrect; we hereby correct this error.
We sincerely apologize to Stardom Co., Ltd. and all related parties for the significant inconvenience this matter has caused. This incident was caused solely by our company’s lack of awareness regarding intellectual property rights, and we are committed to taking measures to prevent a recurrence.
We sincerely apologize for this.
Ogawa was one of the founders of Stardom but departed the company in 2024 amid a contentious split. He started up Marigold after that, with Iwatani coming with him as one of the company’s top stars.
Stardom is keeping its options open after allegedly being the victim of intellectual property theft.
The all-women’s Japanese wrestling promotion issued a statement on Monday announcing that it has completed an investigation into the intellectual property violation — which concerns another company selling trading card products featuring photos of wrestlers when they were still with Stardom. While the offending party is not named in Stardom’s statement, it appears to concern a Mayu Iwatani card collection that is being sold by rival promotion Marigold.
Iwatani departed Stardom for Marigold in 2025, joining the new promotion one year into its existence. Marigold was founded by former Stardom boss Rossy Ogawa in 2024 following his contentious split from Stardom.
Stardom’s full statement concerning the alleged intellectual property violation can be read below. It does not state that legal action is being taken but appears to keep the door open for that.
To All Concerned Parties and Fans,
We sincerely thank you for your continued support of Stardom.
Currently, card products utilizing the likenesses of former Stardom wrestlers (hereinafter referred to as ‘the subject products’) are being manufactured and sold by another company.
Following an investigation conducted by our company, we have confirmed the following facts regarding the advertising copy for the subject products and some of the cards enclosed within them:
The products bear the advertising text ‘Stardom Memorial’
They use portraits of wrestlers from their time under our management
They utilize intellectual property managed by our company, such as belts and logos
They use photographic materials shot by our company for product use, and incorrectly display copyright notices attributing copyright to the other company
However, as the company managing the rights to the aforementioned intellectual property and past athlete portraits, we have neither been requested to grant permission nor have we been involved in any way regarding the sale of this product.
Moving forward, we intend to consider necessary measures to protect the intellectual property rights we hold or manage.
We would appreciate your understanding of the above. Thank you for your kind attention.
Marigold has not commented publicly on the situation.
IYO SKY and Mayu Iwatani wrestled in the main event of Marigold Grand Destiny on Sunday.
SKY defeated Iwatani with two Over the Moonsaults in a match that went just under 30 minutes and has been praised by fans online.
It was only SKY’s second match for the promotion. Her first came in July 2024 when she defeated Utami Hayashishita at Marigold Summer Destiny.
WWE Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia watched the bout live from Orlando and commented on her Instagram Stories, writing (translated):
“It’s been a while since I watched pro wrestling and I cried. Don’t laugh, I have a heart too.”
The event was held at Ryogoku Kokugikan, just one week after WWE ran back-to-back shows at the same venue. Ryogoku has also hosted New Japan’s King of Pro Wrestling and NOAH’s Wrestle Odyssey this month.
Also on the show, Miku Aono defeated Hayashishita for the Marigold World title, Victoria Yuzuki defeated Mai Sakurai for the United National title, and Sareee picked up a win over Chika Goto.
Minoru Suzuki also made his somewhat controversial debut for the Joshi promotion. He defeated Megaton after being announced as her mystery opponent.
Marigold Grand Destiny results from Sunday, October 26, 2025:
Kizuna Tanaka defeated Shinno
Gigaton & Shoko Koshino won a Gauntlet tag match against Chanyota & Erina Yamanaka and Darkness Revolution (Nagisa Nozaki & Rea Seto) and Hummingbird & Nao Ishikawa and Komomo Minami & Yuuka Yamazaki and Minami Yuuki & Nagisa Tachibana
Minoru Suzuki defeated Megaton
Sareee defeated Chika Goto
Darkness Revolution (CHIAKI & Misa Matsui) defeated Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) to win the Marigold Twin Star titles
Chihiro Hashimoto defeated Seri Yamaoka
Victoria Yuzuki defeated Mai Sakurai to win the Marigold United National title
Miku Aono defeated Utami Hayashishita to win the Marigold World title
It’s time for the Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.
There are major women’s matches around the world this weekend with CMLL’s International Grand Prix and Mayu Iwatani vs. IYO Sky in Marigold. Plus, there’s two women’s title matches on tonight’s NXT Halloween Havoc.
Speaking of the women, Jade Cargill turned heel on WWE SmackDown and it’s probably for the best. Also, why was Jimmy Uso on SmackDown? Seems sus.
Why do some people have such an unhealthy disdain for Mercedes Mone?
Jim wraps up by discussing the enduring legacy of WrestleFest. He talks to Mike Hermann of Retrosoft Studios about RetroMania Wrestling inspired by WrestleFest and the new DLC featuring Randy Savage, Demolition, and more.
Katsumi Sasazaki — a former pro wrestling referee — is believed to have been found dead after a tragic incident in Japan.
The 60-year-old Sasazaki went missing on Thursday while working at a Kitakami hot spring inn. He was cleaning an outdoor bath when an apparent bear attack happened. Police found bloodstains and animal fur at the scene, as well as items belonging to Sasazaki like scattered cleaning tools, his glasses, and slippers.
A search party later found a body believed to be Sasazaki’s in a wooded area near the scene. The search team shot and killed the adult male Asiatic black bear responsible for the attack.
Sasazaki was a referee for All Japan Women’s Wrestling, Zero1, and Marigold during his career.
The Asahi Shimbun publication wrote:
Known as ‘Katsumi Tiger,’ the stocky Sasazaki had refereed for a women’s professional wrestling organization until recently and also worked as a bus driver transporting the wrestlers, according to Hideo Arai, 67, president of a Yokohama-based entertainment production company.
‘As a renowned referee, he was a pillar of many ring events,’ Arai said. ‘He had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude. I knew he had retired and was working at a hot spring, but how could this happen?‘
Heartbreaking news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who had been missing after being attacked by a bear at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found.
Sasazaki’s final refereeing role was in the Marigold ring. He was a junior from All-Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, quiet but dedicated to his work, and had two young daughters. He was supposed to come to the Shin-Kiba event but ended up absent, and we parted without exchanging a single word. Such an end is unimaginable; it can only be described as deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
A WWE wrestler is headed to Japan to wrestle at Marigold’s The Dream Destiny event next month.
Marigold revealed in a video posted to their social media channels on Thursday that IYO SKY will be wrestling Mayu Iwatani at The Dream Destiny on Sunday, October 26.
Marigold subtitled SKY’s Japanese promo:
“Marigold fans, long time, no see. It’s WWE superstar IYO SKY. So why am I here? There’s one reason. Mayu Iwatani! Over the past few years, when you and I did not meet, we’ve each walked such wonderful paths. Let’s speak to our hearts’ content and tell our story inside of the ring. October 26 at Marigold’s Ryogoku Kokugikan show… Mayu Iwatani vs. IYO SKY. Is official!”
SKY continued in English:
“Hey Mayu. Let’s show the world what an amazing match we will have. Se you soon.”
Iwatani and SKY were infrequent opponents and frequent tag partners in Stardom, twice holding trios titles together and once holding a tag title as partners. Their last singles meeting came in 2018 in Stardom’s Cinderella Tournament.
The Big Audio Nightmare is back as Adam Summers & Mike Sempervive talk about everything happening in NJPW, Stardom, Pro Wrestling NOAH, AJPW, and throughout the very busy world of Japanese wrestling.
Available now, only for subscribers at f4wonline.com.
Lots more on the AAA sale to TKO (and that it’s not actually completed), CMLL’s cryptic response, Grand Slam Mexico, Dorian Roldan talks why he sold and Konnan and Latin Lover talk the future of AAA and in theory how things change in Mexico and the U.S., plus the major business goals.
Tam Nakano ends her career, Mayu Iwatani leaves Stardom, Stardom puts on its biggest show with its biggest match in history and a couple of award categories this should do well in.
Update on WWE Backlash
Update on both major lawsuits against Vince McMahon and WWE. New plaintiffs emerge in the ringboys suit and a new Vice President is implicated, and Janel Grant’s attorneys push for the case to move forward while the defendants want discovery held up.
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff promote Real American Freestyle. What they need for success, what mistakes they’ve already made and is Hogan the right person to the face of the company
Full coverage of TNA Rebellion
Long story on the Hollywood Demons episode on the Von Erichs, how this is different from other stories, more on the deaths, the political situation in Texas and things in the new documentary that aren’t completely accurate, as well as dispelling major myths.
The most detailed look at the ratings, including placings, demos, competition and more for all the shows
End of the CMLL Universal championship tournament with a super finish
MLW vs. CMLL matches this week
Champion Carnival update
Lots of New Japan big matches coming up
Meiko Satomura retires
Big indie shows this week
Big Progress tournament this week
RVD injury update
More NXT stars on TNA television
AEW expects one of its biggest gates for upcoming show
Bryan Danielson talks his career and AEW
Advanced ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows
Lots of injury updates
PFL involved in a number of messy lawsuits
Freak show fight with powerlifters gets major attention
SmackDown time slot change
Did you know the person behind the movie with Liv Morgan did a movie based on a Hall of Fame 80s and 90s pro wrestling legend
Value of WWE’s PLEs on the open market
The story of the most powerful man in combat sports that most reporters aren’t touching
Lots of notes on the Smashing Machine movie
How much Dwayne Johnson has made since joining the TK Board
More talk on a WWE all-women’s PPV show
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
— We did our weekend show last night instead of tonight to get the WWE releases analysis out as soon as possible. Last night’s show went in depth on everyone that was released, lots of talk as to why the releases were done, some reasons, and future prospects for everyone. We also talked about the rest of the weekend news. Garrett Gonzales and I did our week in review as well with instant thoughts on the releases, Hogan & Bischoff’s new promotion, and answered a lot of questions. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night after Raw.
— WWE just added Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez in a non-title match to Raw. Those in WWE are very high on Sky as you can tell and these two were great on Tuesday’s NXT in the tag match.
— Tetsuya Naito’s final New Japan match earlier today in Fukuoka drew the largest crowd in the city for wrestling in six years with Hirooki Goto over Callum Newman in the IWGP world title match main event. Naito & Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi beat Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii & Taichi & Taka Michinku.
— Turki Al-Sheikh announced yesterday that the expected TKO boxing debut show will be 9/12 with Canelo Alvarez vs. Terrenice Crawford for the Ring Magazine title as the main event. Dana White and Nick Khan will be promoters of the show at Allegiant Stadium, the site of WrestleMania. They said that the TV platform for the show will be announced shortly. I wonder if they will go with PPV or try and get as many viewers as possible. I think Netflix looking to repeat the one-night boxing model that worked for them with Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is a good bet.
— Mayu Iwatani’s Marigold debut today over Nanae Takahashi at Korakuen Hall was recommended to us as an excellent match. Iwatani won. Reports that Korakuen Hall sold out instantly were incorrect as they were not sold out at all.
— The other match outside of New Japan heavily recommended was Ozawa over KENTA in the Sumo Hall main event yesterday for NOAH to retain the GHC title.
— TNA announced a media rights deal with Claro Sports in Mexico, South and Central America for all its programming. It will both air on Pay TV as well as streaming.
— Mistico beat Kushida in Friday’s Arena Mexico main event in the CMLL vs. MLW show. MLW talent is there for the weekend.
— Maple Leaf Wrestling’s debut in Toronto is said to be selling well for the Mattamy Athletic Center. They took out ads during Dynamite on TSN as well as have a billboard up in Dundas Square in Toronto, which is the closest thing they have to Times Square.
— Ryan Bader was at the Tokyo Dome for today’s show put on by Rizin. He indicated fighting the winner of their heavyweight Grand Prix on 12/31. Bader, who plays Mark Coleman in the movie “Smashing Machine,” said that he would be heavyweight champion after the fight.
— There are two more episodes of LFG tonight, one at 8 p.m. Eastern and the other at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The second show will air the male semifinals with the winners meeting for “a contract” (keep in mind everyone on the show is already under contract) at an event in Madison Square Garden.
— For Google searches this weekend, Canelo Alvarez, who beat William Scull via unanimous decision in what has been dubbed the most boring major fight weekend in modern boxing history had 560,000 searches. Terrence Crawford had 50,000. Last night’s UFC show had only 120,000 with most of the talk about Reiner de Ridder stopping Bo Nickal in the second round, handing Nickal his first loss. WWE releases had 100,000.
— Insane Wrestling Revolution had a show last night in Monroe, MI. We were told that they offered all fans 40 percent off tickets to Collision on Thursday in Detroit. Those tickets are not selling well with nothing announced for the show. They had a Wrestlefest with Kurt Angle, RVD, Eric Bischof, Shark Boy, Boogeyman, Rhino, Heath Slater, Brookln Brawler, Victoria and ODDB. Benjamin Boone won a Battle Royal. Angle put Pierre Guerin in an ankle lock in a segment. Country Gentlemen b Rhino & Heath Slater to keep the tag titles, Johnny Swinger b Buckeye Sam, KJ Reynolds & Ryan Matthias b Aaron Orion & Adam Wicks, Dread King Logan b Zeeko ODB b Jessicka Havok, Adam Wick won a four-way over Myron Reed, Jake Crist and Rich Swann (all four got a standing ovation after the match) to win the U.S. title, Eh eam b Alienated Youth and PCO & Soultaker to keep the IWG tag titles, Kitty Lafleur & Kenny Urban b Sam Beale & Shelly Benson, NWA champion Thom Latimer beat IWR champion Silas Young to win the title. (thanks to Paul Meade)
— Invicta on 5/16 in Kansas City has announced Katharina Lehner vs. Olga Rubin as the main event.
— Dominick Cruz will replace Joe Rogan as announcer for Saturday’s UFC 315 show in Montreal. Rogan has said he won’t go to Canada.
Just a few days after departing Stardom, Mayu Iwatani has confirmed her next destination.
Iwatani is reuniting with former Stardom boss Rossy Ogawa as the newest member of the Marigold roster. The promotion, which was founded by Ogawa in 2024, held a press conference overnight announcing that Iwatani has joined the Marigold roster. She’ll make her debut at Korakuen Hall this Sunday (May 4) in a singles match against Nanae Takahashi.
The Joshi Puroresu Icon has stepped into the Golden Garden! Join us LIVE on May 4 from Korakuen Hall on Wrestle Universe! 6:30PM JST 5:30AM Eastern 2:30AM Pacific 10:30AM BSThttps://t.co/vDwXf9pjwZ#pw_mgpic.twitter.com/GvGbpvecDn
At the press conference, Iwatani explained her Stardom departure by saying she had already done everything she could do in the promotion. Her goal in Marigold is to become a Grand Slam champion by winning their World title, Superfly title, United National title, and Tag Team belts.
Iwatani also mentioned that — with Marigold having a positive relationship with WWE — a small factor in her decision to join Marigold was possibly getting to wrestle IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, and Giulia again. WWE allowed SKY to work one Marigold match last year, while Giulia wrestled for Marigold after leaving Stardom and before arriving in NXT.
In her final Stardom match, Iwatani dropped the IWGP Women’s Championship to Syuri at All-Star Grand Queendom on April 27. That loss ended Iwatani’s two-year reign as champion.
Iwatani is using “The Joshi Puroresu Icon” as her nickname in Marigold.
Marigold’s show this Sunday will air live on Wrestle Universe with a start time of 5:30 a.m. Eastern. This is the first one-on-one match between Iwatani and Takahashi since 2012. It’s taking place in advance of Takahashi retiring from the ring later this month.
Josh Nason’s Punch-Out nears the halfway mark in my annual 12-part pro wrestling year in review series with a stop in May featuring returning guest Andrew Thompson of Post Wrestling.
Andrew & I go deep (two hours and 30 minutes~!) into happenings like:
AEW Double or Nothing which saw the use of flamethrowers, an unfortunate landing off a barbed wire cage jump by Adam Copeland, the return of MJF and the in-ring debut of Mercedes Mone
Two international WWE PLEs
Some moving and shaking with big WWE contracts
Lots of early AEW TV rights headlines and rumors, and WWE TV developments
Marigold’s debut show
The surprise NXT debut of Ethan Page…and lots more in WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and the wrestling world.
