STARDOM Announce Partnership with Major League Wrestling, Saya Kamitani and Rina Set to Compete in the US

By Noah Leatherland

STARDOM President Taro Okada took a moment in Korakuen Hall to announce the joshi promotion’s newest partnership. They have teamed up with American promotion Major League Wrestling, with STARDOM stars set to compete for them in June.

STARDOM published this message on their website in regards to the partnership:

Through this collaboration, the two globally recognised organisations will join forces to create new opportunities for their wrestlers, expand their international reach, and deliver compelling content to fans around the world.

The partnership will focus on athlete exchanges and creative collaboration, creating opportunities for wrestlers from both MLW and STARDOM to compete on new stages and in front of new audiences. This partnership reflects a shared goal of delivering world-class matches and further enhancing the global presence of professional wrestling.

They also shared a message from the MLW CEO and owner, Court Bauer:

STARDOM has built an outstanding roster and a unique artistic expression within women’s professional wrestling. I have the deepest respect and admiration for the standard of STARDOM’s matches and the wrestlers who embody the brand. I would like to thank President Okada and everyone at STARDOM for this partnership. This partnership will create fresh match-ups, new experiences and meaningful opportunities for both wrestlers and fans.

The press release also contained a written message from STARDOM President Taro Okada:

MLW has established a firm foothold in the United States, one of the most rapidly developing markets in the professional wrestling business. Furthermore, through partnerships with organisations rich in history and tradition, such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling and CMLL, it continues to accelerate its global expansion. Through our collaboration with MLW, STARDOM will further promote the appeal of Japanese women’s professional wrestling culture not only in the United States but also across all regions covered by MLW’s broadcast and streaming networks. Furthermore, by strengthening exchanges between wrestlers and creating new opportunities for participation, we intend to drive competitive improvement within both organisations and promote further development on the world stage. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to MLW and President Court Bauer for their tremendous efforts in making this partnership possible.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Saya Kamitani and Rina have been announced as competing in the first crossovers between STARDOM and MLW. While Rina appeared at STAROM’s Las Vegas event earlier this year, Kamitani has not wrestled in the United States since 2024.

MLW have a history of working with joshi promotions. They have hosted a number of talent from TJPW. Until recently, Shoko Nakajima was the promotion’s women’s champion and even made defences on TJPW events.

This announcement also comes soon after the announcement of STARDOM participating in Global Wars with Ring of Honor and CMLL on June 18th in Cincinnati, Ohio.