It has been revealed that Mina Shirakawa of women's professional wrestling "Stardom" will leave at the end of March. While Tamu Nakano and Saya Kamitani's "loser retirement match" (April 27, Yokohama Arena) is a hot topic, the departure of a popular player with a track record of crowning the Wonder Championship is certain to have a big shock. After leaving the team, it seems that we will not be able to take our eyes off Shirakawa's movements, which are likely to advance into the U.S. mat in earnest.
According to multiple sources, Shirakawa informed the group of his intention to leave at the end of last year and decided to leave the group at the end of March, when his contract expires.
Shirakawa turned from a gravure idol to a professional wrestler in August 2018 and made his debut at Best Body Japan Pro Wrestling. After that, after working at Tokyo Women's Pro Wrestling, she started participating in stardom in 20 , and in two months, she was crowned the artist title for the first time as a trio with Nakano & Sayaka Unagi. He recorded the most defense of the title, "V7", and was crowned the Future Championship for the first time in July of the following year.
In November 2022, when he challenged then Wonder Champion Saya Kamitani, Kamitani's Phoenix Splash hit his chin during the match. Although he was absent due to jaw bruises and oral injuries, he returned to speed in a month and a half, avenging Kamitani at the Yokohama Arena tournament in April 2023, and was crowned the title for the first time. Even after being crowned the throne, the momentum did not stop. In May 2023, the two titles were held for the first time in about four years and eight months after launching a "red and white double crown match" to Tamu Nakano, who was the world champion at the time. Although he lost the title to Nakano, he moved the history of stardom.
In March 2012, he participated in AEW's ROH for the first time in the United States, and when he entered the United States, which had been his goal since his debut, he stood out. Last year, she challenged AEW women's champion Tony Storm and Mariah May in one year. Although he did not win the title in both innings, he made a big break in the United States. This was a turning point, and it seems that he decided to leave the organization considering the full-scale start at the overseas mat he had longed for.
Coincidentally, in an interview with the villainous army "H.A.T.E." (Hate) for the Tekura match at the Ota Ward tournament on the 15th, he said meaningfully, "I'm aiming for a bigger place, and I don't have time to care about them (Hate)."
What bothers me is after leaving the company. The most likely move is to an overseas major organization. Speaking of the United States, moving to WWE is considered, but in addition to Tony and Mariah, AEW, which participated last year, also includes STRONG women's champion Mercedes Monet, who challenged and lost at the Tokyo Dome tournament on January 5 this year, so she is considered a strong candidate for a transfer to revenge. Currently, there are many Japanese female wrestlers active in AEW, but if Shirakawa moves to AEW, he will be the first Japanese player to move from stardom.
Shirakawa said, "Monet may be the center of women's professional wrestling in the world, but Mina Shirakawa will play a central role in moving it," after losing to Monet at Tokyo Dome. 新たな挑戦に出る〝ＭＩＮＡ ＳＨＩＲＡＫＡＷＡ〟の今後に注目が集まる。
Minna Shirakawa is from Tokyo. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University, he worked as a wedding designer, but he made up his mind and turned into a gravure idol. After that, his love for professional wrestling increased, and he made his debut in August 2018 in the inaugural match of Best Body Japan Pro Wrestling. After working at Tokyo Women's Pro Wrestling, she moved to Stardom in October 2020. He has been crowned with the Wonder, Future, Goddess, and Artist Championship, and has been excited at the center of the organization. His special move is the Glamorous Collection Mina. 157 centimeters, 54 kilograms.
Riju Kimoto
www.tokyo-sports.co.jp
