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.
Due to an ongoing injury, Mayu Iwatani has been forced to vacate the gold she’s held for Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Iwatani appeared at NOAH’s event at Korakuen Hall on Monday and announced that she is vacating the GHC Women’s Championship. She fractured her big toe in two places last month and will not be able to make it back in time for Wrestle Magic 2026 on June 15. A new champion will be crowned at that show, with the participants to be announced.
When she comes back, Iwatani plans on coming straight for the GHC Women’s Championship again. She left the belt in the ring during her appearance today.
“I am very sorry that things have come to this, but I’m going to relinquish the GHC belt,” she told the fans. “I wanted to make this belt even more my own, and I wanted to grow even more alongside it. When I return, I will definitely come back for this belt. Until then, I’ll have to say goodbye for a little while.”
The GHC Women’s Championship was introduced in 2024 and has only been held by three wrestlers: Kouki Amarei, Takumi Iroha, and Iwatani. Iwatani’s reign as champion lasted 135 days.
Formerly one of the top wrestlers for Stardom, Iwatani now calls Marigold her home promotion. At least for the moment, she still holds the Marigold Supefly Championship amid her injury.
NOAH’s Wrestle Magic event on June 15 will be headlined by a six-man tag match with Kaito Kiyamiya, Titus Alexander & Archie Cole facing a yet-to-be-revealed team of representatives from NJPW, DDT, and Dragon Gate.
🎤 Mayu Iwatani vacates the GHC Women’s Championship due to injury ⚡
Iwatani: “I wanted to compete today and make it back in time for WRESTLE MAGIC, but I fractured my big toe… so I have to vacate the GHC title. Bye for now.”#noah_ghc#MONDAYMAGICpic.twitter.com/7efZb47PYY
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
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.
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.
The former IWGP Women’s Champion confirmed during a press conference on Monday morning that she would be leaving Stardom immediately, and is no longer a member of the roster. Her final match was at Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom on Sunday, losing to Syrui.
During the conference, Iwatani said multiple times that this was a difficult decision to make, saying she had done everything there is to do in Stardom.
Iwatani had been with the promotion since its start in 2011, starting out as a trainee on their debut show. Over time, she became the company’s top star, winning the World of Stardom Championship on two occasions. She had held the IWGP Wormen’s title for 735 days, defeating Mercedes Mone at the 2023 All-Star Grand Queendom event.
A movie based on her memoir called Runaway Wrestler was released last year in Japan.
Another notable Stardom star, Tam Nakano, lost a retirement match to Saya Kamitani in the main event of All-Star Grand Queendom, marking another departure.
Hiromu Takahashi has revealed his first partner for NJPW Battle in the Valley 2025.
At the January 11 event, Takahashi and Sumie Sakai will be facing off in a six-person tag team bout. It’s Sakai’s retirement match and will feature her teaming with one male partner and one female partner against Takahashi and two female partners. He announced last night that Stardom ace Mayu Iwatani will be one of the members of Team Hiromu.
Sakai, 53, is stepping away from in-ring competition after a nearly three-decade international career. She’s best known for the time she spent in ROH, where she was involved in the promotion’s first-ever women’s match in 2002 and later became the inaugural ROH Women of Honor Champion in 2018.
This match was set up following NJPW’s Strong Style Evolved event last weekend. Sakai approached Takahashi and asked him to be the opponent for her retirement bout. Takahashi said he’d be delighted, but he suggested a six-person tag instead of a singles match so more people could be involved. The other members of Team Sumie have not been confirmed yet.
Battle in the Valley is being held in San Jose, California and will include fallout from Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty. Two matches are now official for the show:
NJPW Battle in the Valley (Saturday, January 11) —
Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
Sumie Sakai’s retirement match: Team Sumie (Sumie Sakai, TBD & TBD) vs. Team Hiromu (Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & TBD)
The IWGP Women’s Championship will be defended at the Tokyo Dome at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19.
Mayu Iwatani is putting her belt on the line against AZM at the January 4 show. That match is now official after being set up over the weekend at NJPW & Stardom’s Historic X-Over event.
Iwatani made a successful title defense against Momo Watanabe at Historic X-Over and then declared that she wanted a match at Wrestle Kingdom. AZM, owning a victory over Iwatani from Stardom’s 5 Star Grand Prix tournament this year, made her way out to challenge the champion. AZM had been on the winning side of a six-woman tag match earlier in the night, teaming with Mei Seira & Miyu Amasaki to defeat Konami, Rina & Ruaka.
Following Kairi and Mercedes Mone, Iwatani is the third IWGP Women’s Champion in history. She’s held the title since April 2023. This will be the second time the championship has ever been defended at the Tokyo Dome.
Eight matches have now been confirmed for Wrestle Kingdom. The show will stream live on NJPW World.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 (Saturday, January 4) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Yota Tsuji
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against El Desperado
Three-way match: NJPW World TV Champion Ren Narita defends against Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa
Four-way match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, TJP & Francesco Akira, and Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Konosuke Takeshita (Takeshita’s AEW International Championship will also be on the line if still champion)
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against AZM
The IWGP Women’s World Championship will be defended at NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over II.
Mayu Iwatani will defend her title against Momo Watanabe on the show. The match was revealed on today’s Stardom show at Sumitomo Hall, which was the opening night of the Goddess of Stardom Tag League.
Watanabe attacked Iwatani after Iwatani and her partner Momo Khogo (collectively known as Peach Rock) defeated Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki.
【📺10.26 第14回 ゴッデス・オブ・スターダム ～タッグリーグ開幕戦～ in SHINJUKU生配信中‼】
It’s official for Historic X-Over II: Momo Watanabe will challenge IWGP Women’s champ Mayu Iwatani for the gold after today’s confrontation. #STARDOMpic.twitter.com/og2LolIFWk
Four matches are now confirmed for the second edition of Historic X-Over. The first show took place in November 2022, but the event was not held in 2023. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.
NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over II announced lineup —
IWGP Women’s World Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against Momo Watanabe
Zack Sabre Jr. & Maika vs. El Desperado & Starlight Kid
Great-O-Khan KOPW Championship open challenge to any member of the Stardom roster
Storm will then challenge Iwatani for the IWGP Women’s Championship at Stardom Nagoya Golden Fight on October 5. The former AEW Women’s World Champion appeared via video at Namba Grand Fight in Osaka two weeks ago and issued a challenge to the champion.
Storm has not returned to AEW since dropping the title to Mariah May at All In. May has been calling for Shirakawa to return to the company in recent weeks on AEW programming as well.
Lineup for Stardom’s event at Korakuen Hall on Saturday, October 28, 2024 —
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani & AZM vs. Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa
Goddess of Stardom Champions Momo Watanabe & Thekla defend against Syuri & Saki Kashima
Hazuki & Hanan vs. Koguma & Saya Iida
Tam Nakano, Saori Anou & Saya Kurei vs. Natsuko Tora, Saya Kamitani & Ruaka
Natsupoi, Yuna Mizumori & Sakura Aya vs. Konami, Rina & Azusa Inaba
Momo Kohgo vs. HANAKO
Maika, Xena, Waka Tsukiyama & Rin vs. Suzu Suzuki, Mei Seira, Starlight Kid & Hikari Amase vs. Tomoka Inaba, Hina, Lady C & Ran Yagami
Announced for Stardom Nagoya Golden Fight on Saturday, October 5, 2024 —
World of Stardom Champion Tam Nakano defends against Suzu Suzuki
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against Toni Storm
Toni Storm has a shot to win the IWGP Women’s Championship next month.
Storm has challenged Mayu Iwatani for a title match at Stardom Nagoya Golden Fight on October 5 at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.
She appeared via video at Stardom’s Namba Grand Fight in Osaka today after Iwatani & Hanan defeated AZM & Miyu Amasaki.
Storm said:
“Did you forget about me? Stardom, do you remember who I am? Because I have never forgotten you. I have done a lot in your land and I will always respect Japanese pro wrestling but there is one thing that I must do. In 2017, I became the World of Stardom Champion. Some say it was a mistake. I must prove that it wasn’t. October 5, Nagoya, I challenge you Mayu Iwatani for the IWGP Women’s Championship.”
Former #AEW Women’s champ Toni Storm has challenged Mayu Iwatani for her IWGP Women’s title in Nagoya 10/5!#STARDOM
NJPW’s Walker Stewart announced today that he will start as the new Stardom English play-by-play commentator beginning with the show in Nagoya on October 5.
It feels good to tell the world that I will be serving as the new English play-by-play commentator for @we_are_stardom, starting with our October event in Nagoya! Shoot for the moon, land amongst the star(dom)!
Iwatani has held the IWGP Women’s Championship since defeating Mercedes Mone to win it at All-Star Grand Queendom on April 23, 2023. In the over 500 days she’s held the belt, Iwataini has successfully defended it against Utami Hayashishita, Stephanie Vaquer, Syuri, Mina Shirakawa, Sareee, and Tsukasa Fujimoto.
Stardom Namba Grand Fight 2024 results from September 14, 2024 —
World of Stardom Champion defeated Maika to retain her title
Wonder of Stardom Champion Natsupoi defeated Hazuki to retain her title
A new match has been added to the lineup for NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo.
Mayu Iwatani will defend her IWGP Women’s Championship against Mina Shirakawa on the February 23 show, which will be night one of the two-night event. The news was announced at Stardom’s show in Osaka on Sunday.
Mayu Iwatani will defend the IWGP Women's Championship against Mina Shirakawa at New Beginning in Sapporo February 23! #njpw#njnbghttps://t.co/sU7Vj7XDoD
Shirakawa and Iwatani have met twice previously in singles competition. Iwatani defeated Shirakawa in both the 2021 and 2022 5Star Grand Prix tournaments.
Iwatani defeated Mercedes Mone for the title at All-Star Grand Queendom last April. She has since defended it successfully against Hayashashita, Stephanie Vaquer, and Syuri.
In Sunday’s subscriber exclusive by our own Dave Meltzer, it was noted that Iwatani is the only wrestler under a long-term contract with Stardom due to the upcoming movie on her life that is coming out.
Iwatani teamed with AZM, Utami Hayashishita, and Nanae Takahashi on Sunday in a win over Giulia, MIRAI, Syrui, and Suzu Suzuki.
NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo, Friday, February 23 —
Kazuchika Okada match TBA
IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Nic Nemeth
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani vs. Mina Shirakawa
NJPW World TV Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi defends against Matt Riddle
NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL defends against Shota Umino
El Desperado vs. SHO
Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI vs. SANADA, Taichi, Yuya Uemura, DOUKI & TAKA Michinoku
Toru Yano & Tomoya vs. TBA
NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo, Saturday, February 24 —
Kazuchika Okada’s final NJPW appearance
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito defends against SANADA
Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Hiromu Takahashi vs. DOUKI
BUSHI vs. TAKA Michinoku
Nic Nemeth & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. David Finlay & Gedo
