Post-Dream Queendom STARDOM Press Conference Signals Big ‘24

By: Thom Fain

New year, new STARDOM. Following an electric night at Ryogoku Sumo Hall for Dream Queendom, a press conference was held at Bushiroad headquarters today where we heard from Maika, IWGP title challenger and champion Mayu Iwatani & Syuri, along with words from the company’s class of new recruits in addition to a change of plans at Ittenyon on January 4 at TDC Hall.

New Bushiroad Fight President & CEO Taro Okada addresses PPV technical blunder, promises a better future | Masahiro Kubota | MP

Rossy Ogawa made official the triple-threat between Maika, Suzu Suzuki and Giulia following the comments of the NJPW Strong Women’s Champ the night before.

After new Red Belt champion Maika was introduced to the press, she apologized to fans who couldn’t see her victory and choked up when she admitted the PPV wasn’t viewable by a significant number of her fans — for its part, STARDOM is offering refunds for the streaming snafu.

Maika, gleaming with her new title in hand, states she is very disappointed [in the outcome of the PPV streaming], but that she truly wants to lead STARDOM.

Masahiro Kubota | MP

She also said she wants to compete with the top male wrestlers, and become active overseas.

New talent RIAN was introduced by Rossy Ogawa. The spunky debutante states her first match is delayed due to injury, but states it’ll be worth the wait.

#STARDOM’s newest class of recruits includes RIAN. She’s a bit banged up and had to delay her start, but promised she’ll catch up to her peers soon enough.

More from today’s press conference coming over at https://t.co/3l7eh0kMoW pic.twitter.com/tISKadwG20

— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) December 30, 2023

Next up were Yuzuki, Yagami, Kurara, and Hanako filling out the class of STARDOM rookies. Each of them addresses the cameras to give a glimpse at their personality and what they bring to STARDOM’s table.

Yuzuki stated, “I will aim for the Rookie of the Year title!”  Yagami I recognized she has high expectations to live up to, and Kurara said she’s nervous going into her third debut match.

”I don’t know if I can beat HANAKO, but I want to win as much as I can — I want to live the best life in puroresu,” she said.

Hanako, the apparent favorite with nine months of hard work behind her, said she deserves to win because she’s got the technique and confidence.

Masahiro Kubota | MP

Syuri and Mayu Iwatani were next. It’s been a while since we saw an IWGP Women’s Title match with Mayu addressing an injury, which she says still isn’t healed. The challenger cited Antonio Inoki as her inspiration — she has looked reinvigorated lately after suffering a Red Belt title loss at last year’s Dream Queendom.

.@syuri_wv3s says she wants to get the IWGP title & be active overseas — she aims to become the women's Antonio Inoki and believes in 2024, she’ll make it happen.

Full report over at https://t.co/3l7eh0kMoW pic.twitter.com/LJMnplOOYo

— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) December 30, 2023

Monthly Puroresu will be on hand to provide life coverage of the 1.4 Tokyo Dome City Hall event, which will include English commentary for streaming fans around the globe.

Masahiro Kubota | Monthly Puroresu