GHC Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani’s Next Challenger Is Confirmed

By: Lewis Carlan

Eight days have passed since Mayu Iwatani successfully defended her GHC Women’s Title against Utami Hayashishita and today she confirmed who her next challenger will be.

Last week on MONDAY MAGIC RISING SUN SEASON EP2, Great Sakuya made it clear that she was targeting the GHC Women’s Championship after her match by writing the letters GHC in the air. This week at MONDAY MAGIC RISING SUN SEASON EP3, Sakuya was victorious in her tag team match with partner Alivia Rose and once again wrote the letters GHC in the air.

There was a big difference between this week and last and that was this week, the GHC Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani appeared and confronted Sakuya. Iwatani suggested they face each other next week with the GHC Women’s Title on the line to which Sakuya smiled with approval.

Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH

From Mayu Iwatani:

“Good evening, everyone who came to the Shinjuku show! Thank you. I’m Mayu Iwatani. Sakuya… ah, you can stay there. Could you please not come any closer? Whoa, whoa, it’s okay, it’s okay. Anyway, if you get too close, you’ll just go ‘pfft’ (with the poison mist). Could you just stay there? Let’s talk from there. Recently, you’ve been doing that GHC thing (writing the letters in the air), that’s a challenge, right? Mayu Iwatani is here today. I haven’t had a title match yet at MONDAY MAGIC, so let’s do it. Next week! Let’s fight for this belt at next week’s MONDAY MAGIC! The fans who are applauding, does that mean you’ll come see us next week too? Well then, I’ll see you again next week!”

While she was backstage, Iwatani further spoke about her GHC Women’s Title defense which will be her first ever bout with Great Sakuya.

From Mayu Iwatani:

“Yes, um, here I am at MONDAY MAGIC. Lately, you know, I had seen footage of Sakuya writing ‘GHC’ in the air with her finger, and I was like, ‘Huh? Does she want to challenge for this belt?’ Well, since I haven’t had a title match at MONDAY MAGIC yet, in order to properly show off the fact that I am the champion, I’ll be having a title match here next week! My first match against Great Sakuya! I’m not quite sure how it’ll turn out, but for now, I intend to be careful of that poison mist. Thank you. Please look forward to it!”

This will be Iwatani’s second defense of the GHC Women’s Title that she won back on Jan. 3rd from Takumi Iroha at Marigold First Dream 2026.

The GHC Women’s Championship match between Mayu Iwatani and Great Sakuya is set for Feb. 9th at MONDAY MAGIC RISING SUN SEASON EP4.

(H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for the English quote translations)