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Q&A w/ Mio Momono on Marvelous, Oka, Ozaki, Mayu, Marigold + more!

7 hours ago Manuel Ish | MP

Manuel Ish | MP

Q&A w/ Mio Momono on Marvelous, Oka, Ozaki, Mayu, Marigold + more!

By: Pep S. Caro

Marvelous Pro Wrestling is a company that inherited the legacy of the hard hitting Japanese wrestling style from the 1980s All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling and the 1990s and 2000s GAEA. The promotion, founded by CRUSH GALS member Chigusa Nagayo and one of the most influential wrestlers of her generation, is enjoying a great moment as it begins its tenth anniversary activities.

The atmosphere in Marvelous and women’s wrestling has become more lively in Japan with the roster members winning championships and having exciting performances. Before the end of the summer, I was able to talk with Mio Momono, in what was her first interview with any international media outlet after returning from injury. Mio was very kind to answer all the questions that covered a variety of topics.

Monthly Puroresu: Next year, you’ll celebrate your 10th anniversary as a professional wrestler. Please tell us, why did you decide to become a wrestler? What motivates you to compete at the highest level today?

Mio: The first time I saw professional wrestling, it was like a lightning bolt! It was like that God descended upon me. Then I thought, ‘This is what I’m meant to do!’; and started learning wrestling. My motivation right now is the feeling that I simply love professional wrestling. Nothing can beat passion!

Monthly Puroresu: Do you have any wrestlers you consider to have influenced your style? Whether it’s your moves or your gear?

Mio: That is Momoe Nakanishi san!

She is small but made use of the size when she fought for All-Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling. I thought, ‘I should follow her fighting style!’.

Monthly Puroresu: Marvelous is your home, and you always carry the flag wherever you go. How would you describe the philosophy of Marvelous Pro Wrestling to someone from abroad who isn’t familiar with it yet?

Mio: Marvelous Pro Wrestling is myself. Just watch me and you’ll understand it.

Monthly Puroresu: On Marvelous’ 7th Anniversary, you defeated Chikayo Nagashima to win the AAAW Singles Championship. What did winning the belt mean to you? What impressions do you have of Nagashima as a competitor?

Mio: The AAAW belt was originally GAEA’s, it was really meaningful that a Marvelous 1st generation wrestler like Mio Momono got the AAAW single belt from a former GAEA 1st generation wrestler like Chikayo Nagashima san. The belt isn’t everything, but I could accomplished one of my goals.

Nagashima san isn’t big but she faced Nagayo san, Devil Masami san, Dynamite Kansai san and more. So, I can learn a lot from her pro wrestling styles. Also, she wasn’t just fighting past but is still doing now. So, I really respect her.

Monthly Puroresu: Unfortunately, in your first defense, you lost the Championship to Mayumi Ozaki. What impressions do you have of Ozaki as a competitor?

Mio: I can’t forget that I couldn’t stop sobbing from the smell of blood from the match. That match was crazy as well.

Mayumi Ozaki is detestable but I want to fight against her again. Because I’ve never beaten her before.

Monthly Puroresu: At The Wizard of OZ in 2024, you defeated AKINO to win the OZ Academy Openweight ChampionshipWhat impressions do you have of AKINO as a competitor?

Mio: I was in the ring of OZ Academy amidst the deafening boos from OZ fans on that day. But the boos turned cheers when I beat AKINO and got the OZ Champion belt. When that moment ocurred, when everything was turned upside down, I indescribably felt great.

Whether it was Mayumi Ozaki or AKINO, they are detestable but there’s always something about them you can respect.  I don’t want to say it though.

Monthly Puroresu: Unfortunately, in your first defense, you lost the Championship again to Mayumi Ozaki, in your attempt to regain the AAAW Singles Championship. Is the AAAW belt the most important to you?

Mio: I know that Mayumi Ozaki won’t have a title match easily when she has a championship belt. So, I could have challenged for the title after I faced some challenges orderly. However, I lost against her. It was nothing more than a humiliating lose. I was frustrated and reflected on myself. My process to reach to the title match wasn’t wrong. I believe it even now.

Monthly Puroresu: In parallel, you’ve also excelled as a tag team wrestler. Bob Bob Momo Banana has won the AAAW Tag Team Championship and the Sendai Girls World Tag Team Championship twice to date. What does Bob Bob Momo Banana mean to you? What is your relationship with Oka like these days?

Mio: I’ve always considered myself a singles wrestler all along. I was not good at thinking of a Tag team with Yurika first of all with my strong ego (Laughing out loud). The thing is that, I had to think about her. I was thinking about only myself.

But Yurika kept saying she wanted to team up with me, and though I felt a bit pushed into it at first.

Now, though, even someone as self-centered as me, I find myself thinking, ‘I want to do my best for this girl!’ Thanks to Yurika, my perspective on pro wrestling has been widened. I feel like that I can win any tag team title matches with her now!

Monthly Puroresu: You’ve had the opportunity to compete in America several times. Your first match was there in 2016. What has your experience been like competing in America so far?

Mio: The fan’s attitudes in Japan and America are completely different. How they react to what we do. So, I try to enjoy pro wrestling with fans. It’s really great that people in America try to enjoy everything!!!

Monthly Puroresu: In 2023, you competed in the Queen of the Indies tournament, but lost in the final to Masha Slamovich. What impressions do you have of Masha as a competitor?

Mio: The semi final was a tag team match and winners fought for the tournament final. This rule was very interesting because we don’t have this in Japan. Having lived and trained with Masha for over half a year in Japan, I was absolutely delighted and proud to face her in the tournament final in America. Well, next time I’ll win though!

Monthly Puroresu: That same year, you debuted in Europe and competed in RCW in Spain. You defeated Millie McKenzie. What impressions do you have of Millie as a competitor?

Mio: I saw Millie’s way of doing pro wrestling in SENDAI GIRLS and I knew her.

I thought she was adapting tremendously well to Japanese pro wrestling. So, in this match, I think we managed to blend Japanese and British pro wrestling styles really well!

Monthly Puroresu: At the beginning of 2025, you suffered an injury that kept you out of action for a couple of months. We were still able to see you in most Marvelous tournaments. How was your recovery process?

Mio: In terms of injury recovery, things were progressing well, but maintaining my mental state was tough. It’s my sixth injury now, but above all else, the mental aspect was the toughest.

But the Marvelous Family and my fans were waiting for me no matter how many times I get injured. So, I was able to make my comeback!

Monthly Puroresu: Marvelous began a rivalry with Marigold during Nanae Takahashi’s retirement tour. What are your impressions of the current Marigold roster and their level of competition? Which wrestlers catch your eye?

Mio: I do believe that Marvelous Pro Wrestling is the best organization. So, I have never compared the level to any other organizations including Marigold.

I paid attention to Mayu Iwatani san. I believe that taking the Super Fly belt from her is my mission in this rivalry.

Monthly Puroresu: As part of the rivalry, Magenta defeated Nanae and Seri Yamaoka to win the Twin Star Tag Team Championships, and Takumi Iroha defeated Kouki Amarei to win the GHC Women’s Championship. Are you interested in competing for any of Marigold’s championships?

Mio: Although I have no particular attachment or sentiment towards the Super Fly belt from Marigold, it would be rather amusing if I were to take it, wouldn’t it?!

Monthly Puroresu: You already had your first victory in Marigold, alongside Ai Houzan, after defeating Mayu Iwatani and Komomo Minami. What impressions do you have of your opponents as competitors?

Mio: It was my first match against Iwatani san, but the moment we faced each other, I could feel the crowd’s expectations soar.

I’m not interested in Komomo Minami, but for some reason, she’s the one I find myself paying attention to among the young Marigold wrestlers.

Monthly Puroresu: Then, Marigold invaded Marvelous and defeated them in a 5-on-5 match. Utami Hayashishita defeated you to give her team the victory. What impressions did the Marigold representatives leave on you in this match?

Mio: The strength of Marvelous pro wrestling is the team spirit. In that match, we didn’t had it and that’s why we lost the fight. I felt it during the fight as well.

I believe that Utami Hayashishita will be a wrestler I will face more. I’m sure that she likes me.

Monthly Puroresu: The current roster of Marvelous has been doing well and been heavily supported by international fans. What are your impressions of the current roster? What are your expectations for the rookies that will debut in the upcoming months?

Mio: It’s been 10 years since Marvelous pro wrestling was founded. I believe that we have been the best organization all this time.

Young wrestlers who made debuts are younger than me. So, I look at their performance objectively and calmly. I just want them to fight with full force bringing out their individuality to the fullest. Also, they should perform well sticking to their principals without any injuries as well. I have to be stronger. Then I want to be a goal for the younger Marvelous wrestlers.

Monthly Puroresu: Marvelous just announced that they will be holding events similar to “MONDAY MAGIC”, titled “FRIDAY NIGHT GACHA”. They will be held on Fridays in October. What are your expectations for these events? What kind of matches would you like to have if you’re lucky enough, or perhaps even a surprise, to appear?

Mio: To be clear, this event is produced by Chigusa Nagayo san and has absolutely nothing to do with Marvelous.

However, Nagayo san has been putting tremendous effort into this event. I think that this mean that “FRIDAY NIGHT GACHA” is a rival to Marvelous???? On the other hand, I definitely want to be part of such an exciting event! If I could participate, I’d want to have a match beyond anything I could imagine.

Monthly Puroresu: The world is vast. If you could choose an opponent from Japan and an opponent from outside of Japan that you haven’t faced yet to have a singles match, who would you choose?

Mio: HAZUKI san from STARDOM in Japan.

Kairi Sane san who now competes outside of Japan. I want to feel how she fights firsthand!

Monthly Puroresu: Tell us about yourself. What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

Mio: This is my self-introduction:

I’m Mio Momono

・Favorite food is Hamburg steak

・My karaoke signature song is ‘Festival Mambo’

・I’m left-handed

・I’m a genius

・I have three dogs

・I’ve recently taken up golf

Monthly Puroresu: When you don’t have a match that day, what’s a typical day like in your life?

Mio: I might use my days off to rest my body. I’m the type who likes to have plans even on my days off, so I tend to meet up with people quite often. For example to go to see movies!

Monthly Puroresu: Thank you for participating in this interview. Do you have any message for your fans and the fans of Marvelous?

Mio: Thank you for reading my interview until the end! I compete mainly in Japan but I’ll make sure I get to have matches overseas more often.

When you see my matches live in foreign countries, I’ll make sure that you feel the Japanese pro wrestling style.

Well, I’ve talked quite a lot, but whether you believe it or not what I said is entirely up to you⭐️

From Confidence Man Mio!

By the way, ‘Confidence Man’ is a Japanese drama!

Date:

September 22, 2025

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