President Okada Reveals One Last Thing the “Itoh Respect Army” Must Accomplish Before Being an Officially Recognized Unit in STARDOM

By: Lewis Carlan

Maki Itoh has been attempting to make her “Itoh Respect Army” an official unit within STARDOM since May 2026. Back in July, the “Itoh Respect Army”, which consists of Maki Itoh, Kikyo Furusawa & Rian, ambushed STARDOM President Taro Okada in his office with signs reading “Make Itoh Respect Army An Official Unit”. They all chanted the words as well at President Okada while he sat at his desk.

Fast forward to Sept. 5th, as the “Itoh Respect Army Summit 2026” was presented at the United Cinemas Toyosu Screen 1 in Tokyo. The event featured Maki Itoh addressing the crowd with her plan of action, a Q&A session, an “Itoh Respect Army”  knowledge quiz, live songs performed by the “Itoh Respect Army” and more.

Photo Credit: STARDOM

The event sold out very quickly once the tickets went on sale and President Okada has suggested that if the event was sold out he was going to consider making the “Itoh Respect Army” an official unit of STARDOM.

Well, President Okada made appearance towards the end of the event and was booed mercilessly by the crowd in attendance.

Photo Credit: STARDOM

President Okada revealed while he was impressed with the sell out he wasn’t ready to grant “Itoh Respect Army” official recognition as a unit in STARDOM. President Okada wants the “Itoh Respect Army” to reach more people before making them an official unit. The final accomplishment they must achieve, as stated by President Okada, is to reach 1,000,000 views on TikTok videos.

From President Okada:

“I’ve watched you fill this event to capacity and run it properly. Everyone knows your achievements since joining STARDOM. Not only the fans, but I also think it’s great that you joined STARDOM. This full house is only natural. You’re one of Japan’s top female wrestlers. You shouldn’t be satisfied just because an event with this many people succeeded. The people here are already madly in love with Maki Itoh, and madly in love with the two of them (Furusawa and Rian). I want you to spread the greatness of the Itoh Respect Army to even more people. Because that’s what’s necessary for STARDOM to become the number one organization in the world. Therefore, before the company grants official recognition to you, we’ll give you one last trial. Achieve a combined total of over 1,000,000 views on TikTok videos. So, you’re still unofficial.” (H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for the English quote translation)

Maki Itoh responded to President Okada and indicated that what he wants achieved sounds like fun. Itoh indicated the three of them will create a TikTok account and begin their quest for 1,000,000 views.

From Maki Itoh:

“That actually sounds kind of fun. It’s something we’d have to do sooner or later, right? Well then, I’ll show you what we can do. The three of us will create an account, work hard to reach 1 million views together, get officially recognized, and we want to create songs and make them a hit! We look forward to your support!” (English translation via Deepl.com)

Photo Credit: STARDOM

The event concluded with the crowd chanting in unison “Itoh Respect Army Forever”.

With President Okada stating that the “Itoh Respect Army” must achieve 1 million views on TikTok before becoming an official STARDOM unit may be perceived as President Okada giving  the “Itoh Respect Army” an impossible task. One may think that President Okada doesn’t want to make the “Itoh Respect Army” an official faction and this is his way of preventing it from happening.

What he shouldn’t do is underestimate the power of Maki Itoh, her “Itoh Respect Army” and their devoted fans. If they do reach one million TikTok views, and there is a very good chance they will, President Okada MUST make the “Itoh Respect Army” officially recognized within STARDOM.