Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Erina Yamanaka made her Joshi Puroresu debut back on Aug. 8th 2019 for Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling when she faced Mina Shirakawa in a singles bout. While Yamanaka lost her debut, a fire was ignited within her as she went full steam ahead in pursuit of a career as a pro-wrestler.
Yamanaka has competed for BBW for the past seven years and has held numerous titles for the promotion. She is a former two-time BBW Women’s Champion and last held the title in Sept. 2023. In addition, Yamanaka has held the BBW Super Bodyweight and BBW Joshi Tag Team Titles.
While Yamanaka was looking to increase her amount of matches, she caught the eye of the higher-ups at Marigold which led to her debut for the promotion in March of 2025. In her first Marigold match, Yamanaka teamed with Mai Sakurai & Miku Aono and they defeated the then Darkness Revolution trio of CHIAKI, Misa Matsui & Megaton.
Since her first appearance for Marigold, she has become a regular for the promotion and has challenged, unsuccessfully, for two Marigold singles titles.
Yamanaka won her first Marigold championship on Feb. 23rd when she, Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki became the inaugural 3D Trios Champions. The Trios champions successfully defended their belts against Mayu Iwatani, Victoria Yuzuki, and Komomo Minami on March 14th.
Monthly Puroresu caught up Erina Yamanaka as we discussed a variety of topics in this special interview.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with Erina Yamanaka:
Monthly Puroresu:
Congratulations on becoming the first ever Marigold 3D Trios Champion with Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki. How important was it for you to win that title?
Erina Yamanaka:
Thank you! As for how important it was… until now, I had never referred to myself as a “professional wrestler.” Precisely because I’ve always respected those who stand in the ring full-time, I felt it might be presumptuous for someone like me—who isn’t a full-time wrestler—to call myself that. But winning this 3D Trios title changed my mind. In fact, I started to feel that it would be disrespectful to keep wearing the belt while still holding onto that mindset. Winning this title was a major turning point for me—it gave me the resolve and unwavering determination to be a professional wrestler.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
Why do you think you, Mai Sakurai and Natsumi Showzuki work together so well as a trio?
Erina Yamanaka:
Yuuka’s been calling me “old lady” lately… (laughs), but I think it’s because all three of us are, in a sense, intelligent adult women. Whether it’s during matches, on the mic, or in other situations, when one of us steps forward, another naturally steps back. I feel like each of us instinctively understands and fulfills the role needed at any given moment. That’s partly because we communicate so well on a daily basis, but I also think our serious nature, life experience, and mutual respect play a big role. I also feel like our wavelengths and values just click.
Monthly Puroresu:
In March 2025, you challenged Sakurai for the Marigold UN Title and now you are the 3D Trios Champion with her. Do you prefer competing against Sakurai or teaming with her?
Erina Yamanaka:
That UN Championship match was a major turning point for me. I think Sakurai is a wrestler who has a special ability to bring out the best in her opponents, whether she’s facing them in the ring or teaming up with them. We’re currently tag team champions, but precisely because of that, I feel that fighting her in a singles match while we’re partners and standing side by side would be incredibly exciting. I’m just greedy, after all.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
Your first title defense for the Marigold 3D Trio Championship was on March 14 against Mayu Iwatani, Victoria Yuzuki, and Komomo Minami. While you were successful, was the bout as difficult as you expected?
Erina Yamanaka:
First of all, I’m honestly relieved that we were able to successfully defend the title. Our opponents included two singles champions, and since they’ve been a team for a long time with plenty of tag team experience, I felt they were a major threat, and there was a lot of pressure. However, we also have a proven track record of winning our way through tournaments as a trio, and defeating Darkness Revolution—a unit that’s been together for a long time—to win the title gave us a huge boost of confidence. On top of that, since we regularly share our thoughts and have spent time eating and training together, I believe we were able to prepare thoroughly. I feel that all of that hard work led to this result.
Monthly Puroresu:
Were you aiming to defeat Iwatani or Yuzuki during the defense to possibly earn a shot at their respective singles titles?
Erina Yamanaka:
Of course. I finally had the chance to face Yuzuki the other day, but we didn’t have much time to really go at it. I want to clash with her more in the ring, and if that were to be a title match, it would be even more appealing. Plus, the fact that she holds the UN belt really gets me excited. As for Mayu, I want to challenge her again and again. Just being able to fight her is special in itself, but I don’t intend to be satisfied with that alone. Even if it’s just a fluke, I don’t want to give up on winning. That said, right now I’m rooting for Natsumi. I want her to become the first three-time champion in Marigold history, and when that happens, I want to be the first one to challenge her!
Monthly Puroresu:
What were the circumstances that led you to compete for Marigold?
Erina Yamanaka:
Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling has a limited number of events, and I’ve long wanted to have more matches. In January 2025, I had a title match against Chi Chi and Soy, and someone who watched that match recognized my potential and gave me advice on how to expand my opportunities. From there, the dots started connecting, and it eventually formed a straight line leading to Marigold.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
You debuted for BBW back in Aug. 2019 against Mina Shirakawa. What do you remember about your first pro-wrestling match?
Erina Yamanaka:
It was grueling—I couldn’t tell which way was up or down, left or right. It felt like I was drowning in the ring. Also, after the match, Mina grabbed my hand and raised it high.
Monthly Puroresu:
What inspired you to become a professional wrestler?
Erina Yamanaka:
On August 5, 2018, I watched the inaugural match of Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling, it was the first pro-wrestling match I’d ever seen. And that was the day I decided I wanted to become a pro-wrestler. From the audience seats, the ring looked bright and dazzling, beautiful yet terrifying, and I was powerfully drawn to it. In that moment, a flame ignited within me—the determination to “stand there, no matter what.”
Monthly Puroresu:
Does being a yoga instructor benefit you at all when you are competing as a pro-wrestler?
Erina Yamanaka:
Yes, I believe it does. I can incorporate movements and techniques that utilize my flexibility during matches, and I feel that core strength is extremely important for aerial moves. People sometimes tell me, “You’re unique” or “You’re different from the others,” and I think that’s surely the result of my experiences in both yoga and BEST BODY JAPAN (a bodybuilding contest organization) coming together.
Photo Credit: BBW
Monthly Puroresu:
What are some of your favourite things to do when you are away from in-ring competition?
Erina Yamanaka:
Right now, I’m busy with my work as a yoga instructor, running a studio, and coaching for bodybuilding competitions, so honestly, I don’t really have much time to relax and have fun. I used to enjoy playing video games and watching anime. Lately, whenever I have free time, I go to the gym or visit nail and hair salons—I spend a lot of time on beauty treatments. I’m really into anti-aging right now (Laughs).
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
You have held a number of titles during your career. Which one are you most proud of and why?
Erina Yamanaka:
I have special feelings for every title, so it’s really hard to narrow it down to just one… but I’d have to say the 3D Trios belt is number one. As I’ve mentioned before, winning this title meant a great deal to me, and I’m truly proud that I fought my way through the tournament to become the first-ever champion. But it’s not just that. There’s also the Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling Women’s Tag Team Title, which I won and defended alongside Miko Hasegawa, and which we eventually had to relinquish when she retired. And then there’s the Women’s Singles Title, which was taken from me in Saki Akai’s final singles match before her retirement. These are also indispensable, precious titles in my career.
Monthly Puroresu:
In July 2025, you pushed Mayu Iwatani to the brink and came within a hair’s breadth of winning the Marigold Super Flyweight Championship. Although you lost, are you proud of how you performed in that match?
Erina Yamanaka:
That match was an unforgettable battle and a truly treasured experience for me. Mayu showed me a side of myself I didn’t know existed. As I fought, I was surprised by myself, thinking, “I had this kind of potential?” and “I can actually do this?” It was also the first time the crowd chanted “Erina-sama” after a match. Even though I lost, I was happy. But I think all of that was the “magic” of the wrestler Mayu Iwatani. I felt like I understood a little bit why she’s called a “genius.” She is a figure who feels terrifyingly distant, yet utterly captivating. And someday, I want to be able to reach that place on my own strength, without relying on that “magic.” I feel I must become that person.
Monthly Puroresu:
You’re currently working as a freelancer, but are you interested in becoming a full-time member of Marigold?
Erina Yamanaka:
Best Body Japan Pro-Wrestling understood that I love pro-wrestling and that I want to continue doing it for a while longer. With that in mind, considering my age and career, they encouraged me to take the freelance path—where I might have more opportunities—believing that if I want to continue for the long term, I should gain as much experience as possible now. Also, there’s my yoga studio and the instructors who work there. That’s why I want to explore a path that’s sustainable and happy not just for myself, but for everyone involved.
Photo Credit: Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
What is the main difference between Erina Yamanaka in 2019 and Erina Yamanaka in 2026?
Erina Yamanaka:
Actually, there’s one huge difference, and I’d like to talk about it someday… but for now, I’ll keep it a secret and build up the suspense (laughs). If I were to name another major difference, in 2019—and up until very recently—I was a “yoga teacher whose hobby is pro wrestling.” But in 2026, I’ll be both a yoga teacher and a pro wrestler!
Monthly Puroresu:
Are you interested in competing overseas? Do you have any specific destinations in mind?
Erina Yamanaka:
Absolutely. Competing overseas is one of my goals. I’ve lived in a relatively global environment—I studied abroad in China for a while, and my stepfather is from Ghana—but I’ve never been to the U.S. yet. I’d love to go there and compete!
Monthly Puroresu:
What are your main goals for 2026?
Erina Yamanaka:
To compete overseas, to retain the 3D Trios title and win a singles title!
Monthly Puroresu:
Thank you very much for your time, it was a pleasure conducting this interview with you.
Erina Yamanaka:
I’m truly honored to have been invited to this interview. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! Not long ago, nobody knew who I was, and now I’m doing an interview! It feels both strange and joyful to be featured like this. And I’m also deeply grateful to everyone who knows about me and took the time to read this with interest. I’ve had life-changing experiences before, and meeting Marigold was definitely one of them. I’ll be turning another year older in May, but every day is so much fun that I actually feel like I’m getting younger and younger! It looks like there are still many things to come, and I have a hunch that opportunities to travel overseas might come my way as well. Whether it’s at the venue or via livestream, I’d be thrilled if you could enjoy my matches and performances. I’ll do my best to create more opportunities for that, but above all, I want to step into the ring and enjoy myself to the fullest. Thank you so much!
(English translations via Deepl.com)
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Erina Yamanaka for granting us this interview.
Date:
March 25, 2026
