From Ryogoku Loss to Shinjuku Revival: Unagi Sayaka Maps Comeback After Costly Gamble

By: Thom Fain

Unagi Sayaka, one of joshi wrestling’s most enigmatic figures, is plotting her return to prominence with a seven-date tour that begins August 2nd at Shinjuku FACE, marking a dramatic shift in scale following a financially devastating self-produced show at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The comeback tour represents a calculated downsizing for Sayaka, who suffered significant financial losses when her ambitious Ryogoku Kokugikan event drew only 1,870 fans to the legendary venue. The sparse attendance at Sumo Hall, which can hold over 11,000 spectators, created a stark visual reminder of the risks inherent in wrestling promotion.

In the past, Unagi has said that even if others think she’s crazy for doing it – she’s always said she is shooting for the stars, fueled by hopes of fighting the best in the Joshi business while booking the biggest arenas possible as a freelance promoter/booker/wrestler. She previously credited Tam Nakano for being her closest ally in the wrestling business, and someone who taught her to be the fearless and chart her own course through the modern Joshi landscape.

Her Ryogoku show followed Sayaka’s expulsion* from STARDOM after losing to Nakano, creating a perfect storm of professional and financial setbacks. The loss not only ended her tenure with Japan’s premier women’s wrestling promotion but also left her facing the reality of promoting events without the backing of an established company.

Shinjuku FACE, with its intimate capacity of roughly 600, represents a more pragmatic approach to rebuilding. The venue choice signals Sayaka’s awareness that her comeback requires careful crowd management and realistic expectations. Rather than attempting to recapture the grandeur of Ryogoku immediately, she’s opting for sustainable growth.

The seven-date winter tour suggests Sayaka has learned from her Ryogoku experience while maintaining her commitment to independent promotion. For a wrestler known for her unpredictable persona, the methodical approach to booking smaller venues demonstrates a newfound business acumen born from costly experience.

Whether Sayaka can rebuild her following and eventually return to larger venues remains to be seen, but her willingness to start over at Shinjuku FACE indicates that one of joshi wrestling’s most compelling characters isn’t ready to fade away quietly.

* The 1/3 Loser Leaves Town match stipulation did not stick; Unagi was brought back to STARDOM in April of 2025 for Mina Shirakawa’s going away gauntlet