JPN
Saori Anno, known as the "Absolutely Indomitable Girl," is finally making her triumphant return to her hometown. The venue for the February 20th Shiga-Otsu tournament will be the Ukaru-chan Arena (Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium), a place with which she has a deep connection. What are her feelings leading up to the tournament?
The nearest station to the venue is Zeze Station. It became nationally famous as the setting for the bestselling novel series "Naruse Akari Series." Of course, for Anno, a graduate of Otsu Prefectural High School, it is a special place where she spent her bittersweet youth. She also has fond memories of performing a creative dance at the same venue during her third year of high school's sports festival and winning first place
"Since I became a professional wrestler, it has been my dream to have a match at Ukaru-chan Arena. I even wanted to have my retirement match here. It's a place full of tears and smiles from my youth," he revealed
However, last year, she learned a shocking fact: the venue was scheduled to close at the end of March 2026. Anno couldn't just stand by and do nothing. She took proactive steps and managed to arrange for the final professional wrestling event to be held at Stardom
(Lake Biwa, which I visited for promotional purposes)
"It's sad that the venue is closing. But because time is limited, I did what I could to show my gratitude. I want to tell my high school self, '17 years later, I'm a professional wrestler and I've connected Shiga and professional wrestling.'"
On the day she takes to the ring as the main event, she will participate in two matches. First up is a singles match against Saki Kashima. This is likely to be her last singles match against Kashima, who has announced her retirement from professional wrestling at the Yokohama Arena event on April 26th
"I love her so much. I don't know why, but I love her! I think it's probably because I love everything about her. Her face, personality, words and actions, the way she is. Even if she doesn't talk a lot, just her presence makes me happy, thinking, 'Oh, Sakitan is here!' So I'm happy that another dream of mine is coming true in the same place where my dream is coming true. I'm going to shout my love for Sakitan on the shores of Lake Biwa," she declared, unleashing her "love for Kashima."
Meanwhile, in the main event, three wrestlers indispensable to her will gather. She will team up with her close friend Natsupoi to face Starlight Kid and Amasaki Mitsuyoshi. "There's no doubt that Natsumi is my partner. When the moment of fulfilling my dreams comes true, she'll always be close by. I can entrust my back to her." She has special feelings not only for her close friend, but also for her two opponents
"Kid is the perfect talent to bring to the table as a female pro wrestler. But more than that, the attitude of not wanting to let me have it easy just because it's my homecoming is what's really exciting. That's what you'd expect from a rival. Kyoto (Mitsuyoshi) really helped me out this time. Not only did she help with the promotion, but she even put up posters in Kyoto. Kyoto is always so kind despite being my rival. But it's a different story in the ring. Mitsuyoshi will definitely be coming to take the win. After all, it would be incredibly lucrative for Kyoto if she won the Shiga tournament."
Many of her high school friends will be coming to watch the match that day. That's why she has something she wants to tell her local fans. "I want them to know that today's female pro wrestlers, the Stardom wrestlers, are so cute, beautiful, cool, and strong. About 100 of my friends who I grew up with and people who have helped me in my hometown will be coming to watch, and I think they'll be surprised. They'll be like, 'These girls are fighting?!' Lots of kids will be there too. I think it will be their first experience of pro wrestling. It would be great if they thought, 'That's cool! That's amazing! I want to become a pro wrestler!'" she says, expressing her hopes
For Anno, this homecoming show seems poised to be a turning point. "Right now, I have a goal that I can see within myself but nothing has been decided yet, and I can't tell anyone about it. I want to achieve it this year. No, I will achieve it. I will accomplish one thing at a time, and this year I will move forward as Saori Anno."
A one-night-only "dream stage" is about to begin
[Event Information]
STARDOM in OTSU 2026 Feb. ~Thank you Ukaru-chan Arena, I am Saori Anno of STARDOM~
Friday, February 20, 2026
Ukaru-chan Arena (Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium)
https://wwr-stardom.com/schedule/20260220_otsu/
[Confirmed Matchups]
*Matchups are subject to change.
◆Tag Team Match:
Tetsu Akira & Furusawa Kian vs. Kanaya Anne & Fuwa-chan
◆Special Singles Match:
Saori Anno vs. Saki Kashima
◆Tag Team Match
: Rina Yamashita & Itsuki Aoki vs. HANAKO & Rian
◆6-Person Tag Team Match:
Shuri, Sorei Ami & Inaba Tomoka vs. Mizumori Yuna, Sakura Aya & Kurei Sayaka
◆8-Person Tag Team Match
: Maika, Tsukiyama Wakana, Ito Maki, and Hazuki vs. AZM, Seira Mei, India Siuks, and Tabata
◆12-Person Tag Team Match:
Hinami & Lady C & Yagami Ranna & Hanan & Kogo Momo & Hime Yuria vs. Konami & Tora Natsuko & Ruanka & Rina & Inaba Azusa & Fukigen Desu★
◆Special Tag Team Match:
Saori Anno & Natsupoi vs. Starlight Kid & Mitsuyoshi Amasaki