Mayu Iwatani Reveals Her Thoughts On MIRAI’s Departure From Marigold, Wonders If “She Is Going Back”

By: Lewis Carlan

MIRAI has been an integral part of the Marigold roster ever since it’s inception back in April 2024. She was part of the talent pool that defected to Marigold when Rossy Ogawa was fired from STARDOM in Feb. 2024 and went on to form his new promotion.

When MIRAI announced on Sept. 20th that her time with Marigold was coming to end because she decided to leave the promotion, the majority of fans and wrestlers were left shocked and surprised.

One such superstar that was left in confusion when MIRAI made her announcement was the ICON Mayu Iwatani. Iwatani expressed her feelings on MIRAI when she spoke with Tokyo Sports recently.

Iwatani revealed her first thoughts were “why” when she heard MIRAI was leaving. She then said she felt a sense of sadness and wondered if “she was going back”. Whie Iwatani didn’t specifically mention STARDOM, one could assume that’s what she meant by “is she is going back”.

From Mayu Iwatani:

“When I first heard she was leaving, I wondered, ‘Why?’ She was an absolutely essential member as we build the foundation of Marigold now, and she also took initiative during training. I feel a sense of sadness, like, ‘Is she going back?’”

Iwatani proceeded to praise MIRAI and discussed her feelings on what Marigold will be like after MIRAI departs on Oct. 13th. For remaining month, Iwatani wants to send MIRAI off with happiness.

From Mayu Iwatani:

“MIRAI-chan was always a smiling presence, like the sun of Marigold. When the sun is gone, I wonder what kind of chemical reaction will happen, what kind of weather we’ll have. Maybe a typhoon will come to Marigold, but I felt we who remain must unite even more to blow that storm away and create clear skies. It’s not like she’s quitting pro wrestling, so I think we’ll meet again in the ring someday. For the remaining month, I want to send her off with happiness and a smile.”

While they have met in numerous tag team bouts, Iwatani and MIRAI have had only one singles match to date in their careers. That match took place back in July 2022 during the STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix 2022. MIRAI defeated Iwatani in that bout.

Image Credit: STARDOM

Iwatani last teamed with MIRAI back on June 28th with Victoria Yuzuki as they fell in defeated to CHIAKI, Misa Matsui & Nagisa Nozaki.

While it’s not sure what the next move by MIRAI will be, it is a safe bet that she will cross paths again with Iwatani at some point in the future.