Sareee Discusses Pulling Out of AEW Dynamite, Gives Injury Update

By Noah Leatherland

Sareee was set to make her AEW debut this week, competing in the first round of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. However, after travelling to Cincinnati, OH, for the event, Sareee was not cleared to compete.

Sareee had travelled across to the United States with her Spark Rush tag team partner, Takumi Iroha. On Wednesday night, Tony Khan announced on social media that Sareee was not cleared, and that she would be replaced in the tournament by Maya World, who went on to defeat Skye Blue.

While the last minute switch was sure to disappoint Sareee fans, she has spoken to BBM Japan and provided some more information on the decision:

As for the condition of my neck, I’d received clearance from my doctor in Japan to compete. However, the American team were very cautious, partly because the injury was to my neck.
To be honest, I can’t say I was in peak condition. But I believe that opportunities aren’t something you wait for—they’re something you go out and seize yourself.

 

“Don’t hesitate—just go, and you’ll find out.”

‘Who’s the fool who thinks about losing before they’ve even started?’

 

With those words in my heart, I set off for America. Whilst I feel frustrated that I ultimately couldn’t compete, I have no regrets. I believe there was meaning in the fact that I made my own decision and took action at that time.

 

I am also truly grateful to Takumi Iroha, who accompanied me as a substitute and support. Although she didn’t get to compete in the tournament as a substitute, there are many hungry wrestlers at AEW who want to seize their chance, and the competition is fierce on a daily basis. Maya [World], who competed as a substitute this time, has also faced a terrible tragedy—the sudden loss of a family member—yet she continues to face professional wrestling head-on.

 

I believe AEW also wanted to give opportunities to wrestlers who are looking forward and doing their best even in such circumstances.

 

For my part, my debut in ROH last year, starting with a defence of the IWGP Women’s Championship, led to this offer to compete in the AEW Women’s Championship Tournament. During this tour, I saw many officials and staff backstage who were absolutely thrilled by Takumi’s matches, which made me realise once again just how incredible she is.

 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to step onto the AEW ring as Spark Rush this time, but I believe this tour was a major turning point for us, and next time, I definitely want to step onto the AEW ring as Spark Rush.

 

This isn’t the end. I—and we—are looking firmly ahead, and I want to build on this experience for the future.

 

I spent a great deal of time thinking about the future during this tour of the US: my own physical condition, Spark Rush, my career in professional wrestling, and what lies ahead. To be honest, I wrestled with many doubts.

 

I would like to share the answers to those questions directly with you all at the Marvelous event in Shin-Kiba tomorrow, June 14th.

 

I would be delighted if you could watch over us.”

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

While Iroha did not compete on AEW Dynamite, she did have a match that was taped for ROH Global Wars, set to air on June 18th.