Rossy Ogawa Dishes on SUKEBAN

By: Thom Fain

Post updated at 9:34pm JST with additional information

As rumors generated by the promotion itself indicated negotiations for an official partnership with Japanese stakeholders, SUKEBAN probably won’t be partnering with one Rossy Ogawa anytime soon. The company was formed in September 2023, with the name Sukeban inspired by the girl group subcultures in the 1960’s and 1970’s, alongside an over-the-top visual style that allows it to be made into manga an anime – which has been shown through videos by the promotion in the past.

Bull Nakano was announced as the Commissioner at their first event in New York City, which was streamed live in TikTok. At the event, Nakano, with her iconic facepaint, unveiled the Sukeban World Championship; currently held by Commander Nakajima (Arisa Nakajima).

Commander Nakajima defeated Ichigo Sayaka for the Sukeban World Championship
Sukeban Miami
12/6/23 pic.twitter.com/yfdX1QIBkg

— Sukeban (@Sukeban_World) January 15, 2024

Speaking to Bull Nakano on her YouTube channel, Ogawa said that he didn’t understand what the ultimate goal was for the company and that he believed that SUKEBAN does not take advantage of the wrestlers’ full characters.

Indeed, the early results from SUKEBAN indicates a brand-first approach geared towards East Coast progressives and fashionistas moreso than hardcore wrestling fans. Not that the wrestling was totally absent; no, but the pomp & circumstance and invitation of gender studies editorialists indicate a motivation by the promotion’s leaders that lies outside the foundations of and love for Japanese professional wrestling.

A source close to SUKEBAN top brass has told Monthly Puroresu that they fear for the talents’ images and their bookings back home in Japan. This individual exited the promotion on good terms, but signaled extreme caution about the direction and motives of the startup.

BINGO and Midnight Player
Sukeban Miami
12/6/23 pic.twitter.com/w6HaUgi4vp

— Sukeban (@Sukeban_World) January 6, 2024

While it appears to be a vehicle for the promoters’ subculture fascinations, the one subculture it remains detached from is Japanese women’s wrestling — where Rossy Ogawa helped lay the enduring foundation around 40 years ago in All Japan Women’s.

Monthly Puroresu has had the details of Ogawa’s departure for several weeks, but has worked on requests to speak with him on the record and sourcing a human translator for our audience in the West to get more accurate details about his and STARDOM’s future than what is being circulated by influencers on SNS.

In the meantime, Shigeo’s account on X, formerly Twitter, has provided accurate and timely updates since the news first broke with the press release by Bushiroad Fight two weeks ago.

You can follow Shigeo here.