Maika’s Journey to Dream Queendom 2023

By: Ben Harris

In two weeks, STARDOM’s final PPV of 2023 will take place. Dream Queendom already promises to feature plenty of matches with high stakes, the biggest of which is Maika vs. Suzu Suzuki for the World of Stardom Championship. Tam Nakano’srelinquishment of the belt has provided a massive opportunity for Maika. In a year where her in-ring performances have not translated into positive results, Maika can enter 2024 holding the most prestigious prize in STARDOM by defeating her arch-rival. Let’s take a look back at Maika’s journey and discuss her chances of being victorious.

It’s safe to say that Maika has had an eventful 2023. She kicked it off by saying farewell to her tag team partner Himeka, who retired from wrestling. The two soulmates had a physical, emotional encounter in Himeka’s final match at All Star Grand Queendom. Maika was left in tears afterwards, perhaps pondering what she’d do with Himeka no longer at her side. The answer was chase after a singles championship. Following Grand Queendom, Maika began developing a more aggressive attitude. Her offense became more vicious with less care for the well-being of her opponents. She also started competing without Donna del Mondo, often teaming with Suzu Suzuki, Mei Seira and Megan Bayne instead, which has created a tense relationship with Giulia at times. While she’s still in DDM, Maika has certainly phased herself out of being a full-time member.

リーグ戦やりたかったよね

無視され続けてる鈴季すずも滑稽やけど
赤いベルトのチャンピオン大丈夫そ？

#STARDOM #スターダム #DivineKingdom #ディバキン pic.twitter.com/OoQaJlBWx8

— 舞華 (@_Maika0324) November 4, 2023

This new attitude of Maika earned her a streak of momentum and an impressive win-loss record heading into this year’s 5★STAR GP. For many fans, she was their favourite to win the tournament. Amidst a stacked block, Maika suffered just two defeats as she advanced to the final. She left the likes of Utami Hayashishita, AZM and Wonder of Stardom champion MIRAI in her wake. She displayed incredible resiliency to hold Mina Shirakawa to a draw which all but eliminated the latter. The final obstacle was Suzu Suzuki, the woman who Maika had developed a strong partnership with. Prior to the 5★STAR, they both hoped to battle one another in the final. Unfortunately for Maika, an outstanding performance in a big match ended in defeat once again. Suzu donned the crown and cape, punching her ticket to a future World of Stardom Championship match. Maika was left empty handed with no direction, and not for the first time.

Maika has found plenty of championship success in STARDOM. She’s a two-time Artist of Stardom champion and has held the Goddess and Future of Stardom belts. She is, though, still searching for that major singles championship win. So far, Maika has had three Red Belt opportunities and one shot at the White Belt but narrowly lost them all. A singles tournament win has even eluded her despite being a Cinderella and 5★STAR GP finalist. At some point, that big victory has to come. Maika did win the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League with Megan Bayne last month but the two were unsuccessful in winning the belts. Holding one of STARDOM’s top championships is a goal that always seems so close yet so far for Maika. Now, she has earned one more shot at the Red Belt after defeating Ami Sohrei and Momo Watanabe in Korakuen Hall. Tam Nakano’s injury opened up an opportunity and she has grabbed it with both hands. Her final obstacle? Suzu Suzuki yet again.

Many are wondering if Maika has what it takes to right the wrongs in her STARDOM career. Can she avoid back-to-back defeats against Suzu Suzuki? Is she capable of winning a major championship and being the face of the company? Her performances throughout this year are evidence that she can do it. Maika’s intensity in the ring makes her enjoyable to watch. She no longer holds back when demonstrating her power against opponents. Her Michinoku Driver has been a fantastic addition to her moveset, as she can hit it out of nowhere in such a brutal manner. If she feels like it, she can perform it again in the space of a few seconds. Maika has developed into someone who’s a threat to anyone she competes against. With other new generation stars like Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani and MIRAI having already achieved much success, Maika is determined to not be overlooked. She will soon have the chance to join their elite club of those who have won a major singles championship in STARDOM.

両国､みんなの期待を背負って戦うよ

鈴季すず､お前は言ったよな？
期待とか気にするなんて残念だって

お前はその期待と私の溜まりに溜まったもんに潰されるんだよ

完膚なきまでにね。

#STARDOM #スターダム pic.twitter.com/yHkp48s7F1

— 舞華 (@_Maika0324) December 9, 2023

In-ring talent is not a problem for Maika ahead of Dream Queendom, but her mental state could be. The loss to Suzu Suzuki in the Five Star GP finals will be prominent in her memory. Suzu knows she can beat Maika. Maika does not know if she can beat Suzuki. It doesn’t help that the former Prominence member is skilled at playing mind games. Maika, though, will find comfort in the fact that she can physically overwhelm her. She demonstrated this at a recent press conference when she slammed her rival through a table. Her hate for the Crazy Girl has grown over the past few weeks, making Maika more dangerous than she was in their first battle. She will also be motivated to win after Divine Kingdom’s failure to gain the Goddess of Stardom championships. At the same time, this loss could have created further doubts in Maika’s mind. 

When that bell rings in Ryogoku Kokugikan on December 29th, Maika needs to be focused on Suzuki and not think about the past. The biggest match of her career can not end with another look up at the lights.