Miu Watanabe Becomes No.1 Contender, Challenges Shoko Nakajima at TJPW New Year Princess

By: Noah Leatherland

At TJPW Ray of Hope in Nagoya, the main event decided who would be the first challenger for Shoko Nakajima and the Princess of Princess Championship. Emerging as the victor, Miu Watanabe has earned that opportunity at TJPW New Year Princess.

After Nakajima won the title at TJPW All Rise, both Watanabe and Hyper Misao emerged, looking to be the first one to test Nakajima’s mettle. A No.1 Contender’s Match was made for Nagoya to decide. There, Misao put up a good fight, but Watanabe proved to be just too formidable. Watanabe’s tear drop suplex secured the win, getting her the pinfall on Misao and booking her place at TJPW New Year Princess.

Nakajima came to the ring after the bout and took a microphone, stopping Misao before the masked competitor headed to the back. They had hoped that they would be able to carry on their yearly tradition of facing each other on January 4th. But, with Watanabe’s win, that is not to be:

Misao, wait a sec! Misao, to be honest, I was so excited to see who would win that I couldn’t take my eyes off the match. Misao, the Kyoraku Kyomei showdown—it was a dream, but even though it wasn’t possible this year… I’ll still have the belt until the year after next. Let’s do it then. It’s a promise!

The two partners pinky-promised. Misao headed to the back, where she made her post-match comments with tears in her eyes:

The fact that I’m ending the history of Kyoraku Kyomei at Korakuen Hall on January 4th with my own hands feels incredibly heavy; I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom. But Hyper Misao is someone who has always bounced back from adversity and grown stronger. I’ll do my best to make sure this isn’t the end.

Back in the ring, Nakajima and Watanabe exchanged words now that their title match was set.

Nakajima:

You’re tough. Do you remember two years ago, when you were the champion and I challenged you but lost? Every time I fight you, for some reason, all kinds of people give me tons of praise… but it’s not fun at all! You’ve been winning the whole time, and I’m not having any fun! January 4th, you’re challenging me again, huh?

Watanabe:

Since I won this match, I’ll say it again—just like I did last week—please let me challenge for that belt, the Princess of Princesses belt that you hold, Nakajima. On January 4th.

Nakajima:

I’d be happy to! How many times have we fought in singles matches now? I’m definitely not going to lose next time, and watching today’s match really drove that home. I really, really want to beat you.

Watanabe:

I’m glad Nakajima-san feels that way about me. We’ve had some of our best singles bouts—some of which even ranked number one. I’ve been winning quite a bit lately, so I’ve got nothing but happy memories.

Nakajima:

Shut up! Best bouts are crap!

Watanabe:

It’s fine—it’s on the rankings!

Nakajima:

You idiot! Screw you!

At that point, Nakajima stormed off, leaving Watanabe alone in the ring to address the crowd:

So does this mean, Nakajima-san, that you think I’m your greatest challenger? After today’s singles match, I wanted to see the January 4th tradition too. I wish I could have seen it, but it’s what Misao-san decided. I’m going to go after that belt on January 4th. It’s always fun to fight Nakajima-san, no matter how many times we face off, and ever since I lost that belt at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, I’ve been filled with regret and jealousy. That belt is filled with all kinds of bitter memories for me. The new belt—with a design different from the one I used to hold—feels so far away now … I’ll overtake that belt and take it for myself, so everyone, please look forward to seeing me become the Princess of Princesses again!

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

TJPW New Year Princess takes place on January 4th at Korakuen Hall.