Vertical Bison | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
After being signed to Land’s End Pro-Wrestling for the last eight years, Damonji So has decided to leave the promotion and will begin competing as a freelancer. The announcement of his decision to become a freelancer was made public on Sept. 28th.
Daimonji So is a former All Asia Heavyweight Champion for Land’s End. He held the title for 642 days from June 6th 2023 through March 9th 2025. While he was the All Asia Heavyweight Champion, Daimonji So successfully defended the title eleven times before losing it to Dylan James. His final match for Land’s End took place on Sept. 9th and he was on the losing end of a six man tag team bout.
As Daimonji So is getting set for new beginnings as a freelancer, he continues to enjoy success in Big Japan Pro-Wrestling and GLEAT. He is the leader of the BJW faction Yosomono and an integral member of the GLEAT unit Black Generation International.
He is currently one third of the BJW Yokohama Shopping Street Six Man Tag Team Championship with his Yosomono faction allies Daichi Hashimoto & Joji Otani. Daimonji has an opportunity on Oct. 9th to become one half of the GLEAT G Infinity Champions with Soma Watanabe as they face the titleholders TJP & G Sharpe at Korakuen Hall.
As he begins his career as a freelancer, Monthly Puroresu caught up with Daimonji So for an exclusive interview as we discussed a number of topics.
Monthly Puroresu:
It was announced that you are departing Land’s End Pro-Wrestling to become a freelancer. What led you to this decision?
Daimonji So:
I’d been thinking about becoming a freelancer for about two years. I didn’t miss any matches, but I got injured, which gave me some time to think about my future: How old can I be and still wrestle professionally? What can I do from here on out? And once I’m over 30, how long can I keep performing at my best? I agonized over all sorts of things. I learned so much from Lands’ End and Mr. Choi, which is precisely why I had to decide whether or not to leave the promotion, but time doesn’t stop. I’m 33 now, and I believe these next five years will be make-or-break for me. That’s why I made this decision.
Monthly Puroresu:
How would you describe your time with Land’s End for the past eight years?
Daimonji So:
I made my debut in December 2016 at CCW in Florida. When I returned to Japan, of course, no one knew who I was. At first, I only had matches in “mat wrestling” without a ring. Just as I was struggling with whether to continue pro wrestling, I met Mr. Choi, the president of Lands End, and he offered me a spot on the Lands End roster. Over the past eight years, so many things have happened. I competed all over the country, wrestled in front of historic temples, and was even taken to South Korea, Ireland, Singapore, and Hong Kong. But above all, the fact that he gave me the chance to wrestle back then was where it all began. If I hadn’t met Ryouji Sai, I might have quit pro wrestling. Although I made my debut in the U.S., my true start as a wrestler was at Lands End.
Photo Credit: Land’s End Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Is there any nervousness now that you are a freelancer?
Daimonji So:
Anxiety? I don’t really feel anxious, but since I’m no longer with the promotion, I don’t have teammates to work with anymore. That’s a bit lonely, but since it’s a choice I made myself, I can’t afford to feel anxious. There’s a line from one of my favorite movies: “leap of faith.”
Monthly Puroresu:
Are there any promotions you hope to work for?
Daimonji So:
I won’t specify a location, but I definitely want to test my skills. I’d also like to compete somewhere I haven’t been before.
Photo Credit: Big Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Using Yuya Aoki as an example, he left BJW to go freelance and he has been competing for AJPW quite a bit lately. Is AJPW a promotion you would like to return to and compete on a more regular basis? Maybe even pursue the Triple Crown Title?
Daimonji So:
It’s all about timing. Right now, I’m going to the promotion that needs me.
Monthly Puroresu:
Would you be open to officially joining another promotion should the opportunity arise?
Daimonji So:
That’s all about timing, too.
Monthly Puroresu:
There has been some speculation on social media that you are the Pro Wrestling NOAH mystery man that attacked Naomichi Marufuji. Do you have any comment on that?
Daimonji So:
No. Some people are speculating by tagging me on social media. I’m happy they have high hopes for me, but it just so happened that now was the right time for me to leave the promotion.
Photo Credit: Daimonji So
Monthly Puroresu:
As a former BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion, what are your thoughts on Kazumasa Yoshida as the current titleholder?
Daimonji So:
Nothing in particular. I think he’s struggling a bit? He’s taking action while still wrestling with his doubts but that wouldn’t make a challenge very interesting. I’d like to challenge him once he’s confident enough to hold the belt aloft and fight as the face of BJW.
Monthly Puroresu:
You and Soma Watanabe have a shot at the GLEAT G Infinity Titles on Oct. 9 against the champions G Sharpe and TJP. What can we expect in this bout and how important it is to bring the belts back to Black Generation International?
Daimonji So:
October 9th will be my first match as a freelancer. So, the importance of this title match, more than just returning the belt to B.G.I. or facing the fantastic tag team of TJP & G Sharpe, lies in the fact that it’s a crucial match for me to make a name for myself as a freelancer. It’s also about making my name known to the world. But rather than feeling the pressure, I’m more eager to enjoy teaming up with Soma Watanabe. I’m going to have fun.
Photo Credit: GLEAT
Monthly Puroresu:
You, Daichi Hashimoto and Joji Otani hold the BJW Yokohama Shopping Street Six Man Tag Team Championship. Do you believe Yosomono has increased the prestige of the that title?
Daimonji So:
I think whether we’ve raised the prestige of the title will depend on what the next champions do after we lose and they take the belt. If the fans think the next champions are boring, our team’s value will go up. But as things stand now, I think we’re putting on the most exciting matches we’ve had in the last few years.
Photo Credit: Big Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
As a freelancer, who are some of the opponents that you never faced that you hope to compete against?
Daimonji So:
It could be anyone I haven’t fought yet. But if I had to name just one person, it would be KONOSUKE TAKESHITA. About three years ago, he listed my name on his social media as someone he wanted to face, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are your plans for the rest of 2026 and beyond?
Daimonji So:
I don’t have a plan, but I’m confident. Now that I’ve gone freelance, I have to be more active than ever—otherwise, there’s no point in being freelance. I want to fight all over the world. This might sound like a plug, but I’m waiting for bookings. I look forward to meeting you in the country of whoever is reading this article.
(English translations via Deepl.com)
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Daimonji So for granting us this exclusive interview.
Date:
October 6, 2026
