Maika Reveals If She Feels STARDOM Is In Crisis Following Numerous Departures, Discusses Her Injury

By: Lewis Carlan

In a little over a month, STARDOM has been rocked by major departures from their organization. Mina Shirakawa and Mayu Iwatani both left STARDOM to sign with other promotions, Shirakawa with AEW and Iwatani with Marigold. Another top superstar, Tam Nakano was forced to retire from in-ring competition following a loss to Saya Kamitani in a career vs career match on April 27th.

To add to the losses of three major stars, another top competitor, Maika, announced recently that she will be taking an extended period of time away from the ring as she has been dealing with an injured elbow for a few years.

Maika spoke with Tokyo Sports recently and was asked about how her everyday life was altered by her injured right elbow. Maika admitted that she figured it was normal to get hurt as a pro-wrestler.

From Maika:

“I thought it was normal for a wrestler to get hurt, and the adrenaline makes the pain go away during a match. So, I kept getting by, but before I knew it, it had gotten really bad, and now it’s affecting my daily life to the point where even washing my hair is difficult and it hurts to even hold a drink. It’s not good to endure it for too long, and I realized I was failing as a professional.”

Maika was asked if she had any plans set upon her return to in-ring competition when she is fully healed. She indicated that she wants to face Chihiro Hashimoto and Mika Iwata again.

From Maika:

“I want to fight Chihiro Hashimoto and Mika Iwata again. Well, not just Sendai Girls, I want to fight wrestlers from various promotions, and I also want to go overseas, so I want to recover fully and come back at the end of the year as a better version of myself.”

Last year when five wresters from STARDOM departed for Marigold, Maika indicated that she was reluctant to take a break. She pointed out that she had sacrificed too much of herself for the sake of STARDOM and her unit.

From Maika:

 “Up until now, I have sacrificed too much of myself for the sake of my unit, for the sake of STARDOM, and for the sake of the company. Before I knew it, I had stopped wrestling for myself. So this time, taking a break might be the first decision I’ve made for my own sake in a long while.”

Maika was questioned whether STARDOM is in a state of crisis with the loss of herself, Mayu Iwatani, Mina Shirakawa & Tam Nakano. Here is how she responded:

“I don’t think it’s a crisis at all. Last year’s split was much tougher, but we all went through that to get to where we are now. The younger members have grown up, and HANAKO is also going to challenge for the Wonder title. STARDOM will be fine without me now. I’ve done everything I could.”

Maika stated that she wants to return fully healed by the end of the year. Everyone at Monthly Puroresu wishes Maika a full recovery and looks forward to seeing back competing soon.

(H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for all the above English quote translations)