Vertical Bison | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Erina Yamanaka, who is one-third of the Marigold 3D Trios Champions, had been on a roll within the world of Joshi Puroresu before an injury put her out of action for an extended period.
Yamanaka suffered a fractured orbital floor during a tag team bout back on April 11th at Marigold Spring Victory Series 2026. She underwent successful surgery and is in the midst of recovering from the injury.
Since her debut with Marigold back in March 2025, Yamanaka has become a regular for the promotion. She won her first Marigold championship on Feb. 23rd when she, Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki A.K.A. La Vie en Rose became the inaugural 3D Trios Champions.
Yamanaka was all set to face Utami Hayashishita in a high profile singles bout on April 14th but had to pull out of the match due to the fracture. She had expressed huge disappointment in not being able to compete against Hayashishita who has officially departed Marigold.
Monthly Puroresu caught up Erina Yamanaka in this exclusive interview as we discussed her injury, the road to recovery and more.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with Erina Yamanaka:
Monthly Puroresu:
You were injured back on April 11th and suffered a fractured orbital floor. Correct me if I am wrong, but it appeared to occur from Mayu Iwatani’s moonsault. Did you know right away that you were seriously injured after it happened?
Erina Yamanaka:
I do not intend to discuss the specific cause of this injury. Immediately after the injury, the pain wasn’t that severe, so I thought it was just a simple bruise. However, since my vision hadn’t returned by the next day, I went to see a doctor, and that was when I first realized the seriousness of the situation.
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you have bad feelings toward Iwatani if it was in fact the moonsault that injured you?
Erina Yamanaka:
As long as I step into the ring, there’s a possibility of getting injured, and I’ve been prepared for that from the start. I also believe that this injury is my own responsibility. I’ve never harbored any resentment toward my opponents in the past, and that hasn’t changed this time either.
Monthly Puroresu:
When you were first diagnosed with the fractured orbital floor, what was the level of disappointment you were feeling knowing you would be out of action indefinitely.
Erina Yamanaka:
I think I remained relatively calm. When I’d be discharged from the hospital, when I could resume training, what I could do in my current condition… all sorts of things crossed my mind. I had to adjust my yoga class schedule, and there were so many people I needed to contact—there was just so much to do. So, it might be more accurate to say I didn’t have time to feel down (laughs).
Photo Credit: Erina Yamanaka
Monthly Puroresu:
You have received so much support and well wishes from pro-wrestlers and fans following your injury. This had to have made you feel good knowing you have so many people supporting you.
Erina Yamanaka:
That’s absolutely right. Hearing people say, “We’re waiting for you, so take your time and heal properly,” was incredibly encouraging. Plus, several wrestlers who’d experienced the same injury reached out to me and told me, “You’ll be back to normal, so don’t worry.” Those words really saved me and gave me a lot of strength.
Monthly Puroresu:
You had successful surgery on April 16th and stated the 40 hour fast was difficult. What steps did you take to help get through such a long fasting period and how long was the operation?
Erina Yamanaka:
The surgery itself took about two hours. Since I was under general anesthesia, it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. But the fasting and abstinence before and after were really tough. When I woke up, I was hooked up to tubes and wires all over my body, my incision hurt, I couldn’t see, and my hair was all sticky (laughs). I had planned to watch a lot of pro wrestling videos while I was in the hospital, but I didn’t have the energy for that at all. Rather than doing anything special, I just had to sleep and endure it.
Monthly Puroresu:
How is the eye feeling now and do you have hopeful date that you will be back in the ring?
Erina Yamanaka:
I have absolutely no pain now, and my strabismus has improved significantly. However, I still have some double vision, so to correct that, I’m setting aside time to do exercises where I cover my right eye and use only my left. I don’t have a specific schedule for my return yet, but my current goal is to be back in the ring sometime in June.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
As you are recuperating, what are you doing to help pass the time as you are away from in-ring competition.
Erina Yamanaka:
I’ve lost some muscle mass, so I try to go to the gym as much as possible. I’m continuing my yoga classes as usual, and I’ve also resumed training in the ring. Since I can’t compete right now, I’m focusing on things I don’t usually have time for, like updating my fan site and creating new merchandise (laughs).
Monthly Puroresu:
Utami Hayashishita departed Marigold on May 23rd. What are your thoughts about her leaving and do you see this as an opportunity to fill the void she is leaving when you are ready to return to the ring?
Erina Yamanaka:
Like everyone else, I first heard about it at the Korakuen Hall event on April 25. It was a real shock. I was originally scheduled to have a singles match against Utami Hayashishita on April 14, but it was canceled due to my injury. I had been determined to challenge her again once I returned, so it was very disappointing that that possibility had slipped away. But more than that, knowing that a match opportunity had been prepared for me even though it was already decided she would be leaving soon—and that it didn’t happen… That fact might be what got me down the most about this injury. The void she leaves behind is far too big; I don’t think I can fill it on my own. However, I do see this as a chance to make my presence known even more strongly within Marigold. If there’s an opening, I want to keep expanding my presence there.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
What is the status of the tentative Erina Yamanaka Fan Club on Fantia?
Erina Yamanaka:
Every time I do a portrait shoot, I take so many photos, and I end up liking them all, so I always have a hard time choosing. Many of the photos that didn’t get selected have been sitting in a folder, unseen by anyone, until now. But I started thinking that since I’ve taken them anyway, I’d like to share them—including those photos—with my fans more. I feel that Fantia is a place where I can share photos and videos that are a bit more personal than what I post on social media, and where I can express myself authentically. It also makes me feel closer to my fans, and it’s been a huge source of support as I continue my activities (laughs). However, since many people overseas can’t access Fantia, I’m thinking of starting an OnlyFans account for my international fans.
Monthly Puroresu:
You are still the Marigold 3D Trios Champion with Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki. Do you know if you will be forced to relinquish the titles?
Erina Yamanaka:
At this point, I’m not sure yet. I do feel a sense of guilt about being absent from matches while holding the belt, especially since I’m not a full-time roster member. I think it also depends on how long my absence will continue, and I want to have a thorough discussion with the two members of La Vie en Rose [Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki] and Marigold as well.
Monthly Puroresu:
You have a big birthday celebration set for May 25th and you will be turning 40 years old. How does it feel reaching this milestone?
Erina Yamanaka:
The last three years, in particular, have flown by. Before I knew it, I was 40! But I think I’m doing pretty well for a 40-year-old (laughs). I feel like my life is getting more and more interesting as I get older, and I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead. The party itself might be small, but since it’s such a special milestone, I plan to enjoy it to the fullest.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you have any goals set for when you return to in-ring competition?
Erina Yamanaka:
First and foremost, my top priority is to focus on rehabilitation and completely resolve my double vision. I also want to gradually increase the intensity of my training in the ring so I can quickly regain my stamina and match sharpness. There are many other wrestlers currently sidelined right now, but that’s exactly why, when I do return, I want to make my presence felt—both in my performance and my results—and secure an even more important position within Marigold.
Monthly Puroresu:
What message would you like to say to your many fans that are awaiting your return to pro-wrestling?
Erina Yamanaka:
I’m truly grateful to everyone who has been thinking of me and cheering me on during my time away. Thank you for not forgetting me and waiting for me. Knowing that there are people who believe I’ll “come back even stronger” is a huge source of strength for me right now. I, too, can’t wait to show everyone my wild side in the ring again, and this time, I want to give you all that energy back through my matches and performances.
Monthly Puroresu:
Thank you Erina-san! I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back inside the ring very soon!
Erina Yamanaka:
I’m truly honored to have had this opportunity for another interview. Thank you so much. These days, I often watch matches from the audience, and it makes me so eager to get back in there—my passion for pro wrestling is growing stronger than ever! I’ll do my absolute best so that you can all see me back in the ring again, so please look forward to it.
(English translations via Deepl.com)
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Erina Yamanaka for granting us this interview.
Date:
May 23, 2026
