Saya Kamitani Announces She Will Be Competing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

By: Noah Leatherland

New Japan Pro Wrestling hosted a press conference looking ahead to upcoming events in their schedule. As a surprise to many, Saya Kamitani made an appearance with big news. Kamitani declared that she will be apart of Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4th and will compete in the Tokyo Dome.

Confidence was not in short supply as Saya Kamitani spoke at the press conference. She addressed the press on her involvement in NJPW biggest show of the year, as well as outlining her goals for the near future:

I am Saya Kamitani of STARDOM and H.A.T.E, and on January 4, I will be wrestling for NJPW in the Tokyo Dome. So New Japan have finally started to recognise Saya-sama. I’ve been wanting for STARDOM to hold their own show in the Tokyo Dome, but to be in that ring honestly is an honour.

January 4 is a turning point for all of wrestling. The day that Hiroshi Tanahashi retires, Saya-sama will stand dead center in the Tokyo Dome and bring a single black flower to bloom.

Now even NJPW has acknowledged Saya-sama. So that means there’s only one choice for wrestling’s MVP this year!

All the reporters here had better understand. I want the wrestling world to go places that it’s never been and reach scales it’s never gotten to. Saya-sama is the one to make that happen, and all of you can give that vision life or you can kill it. Make it clear. I’m not interested in some pittance of a Women’s MVP award. The only MVP in all of professional wrestling this year is Saya-sama! You all know it, so shut up and cast your vote.

(Translation courtesy of NJPW)

Saya Kamitani currently holds the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, as well the World of STARDOM Championship. Kamitani has yet to defend the NJPW affiliated belt, having defeated AZM for it in September. The belt has yet to be defended at Wrestle Kingdom since its inception in 2023. However, it has been defended at the Tokyo Dome, with Mercedes Mone successfully retaining over Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty this past January 5th.

There have only been a handful of women’s matches so far at Wrestle Kingdom. Aside from tag matches on pre-shows, the only women’s matches on a Wrestle Kingdom main card have been Tam Nakano vs. Kairi and Mayu Iwatani vs. AZM. It is yet to be announced who will join this field with Saya Kamitani at Wrestle Kingdom 20.