JPN
At "STARDOM in KORAKUEN 2026 Feb." (February 28th, Korakuen Hall), reigning champion HANAKO will face Tetsu Akira in the Future of Stardom Championship match. Facing a spirited challenger who debuted just one year and one month ago, what are the feelings of the champion, whose "deadline" is just one month away?
--After the preliminary match, did you get a sense of the challenger's determination?
Hanako: Akira is good at putting her feelings into words, and when we stand across from each other, she always looks at me with eyes that seem to draw me in. In that sense, I can feel Akira's feelings and determination. We've actually fought before, and there's a difference in our physiques, and she should know that I won't go down easily with her usual fighting style, so I'm looking forward to seeing how she fights in the Future match
--At the Kobe tournament on February 22nd, you said that you were carrying the hopes of your seniors on your shoulders
HANAKO: I don't know what kind of feelings my seniors had when they held the Future belt, but from the title defenses and mic work of previous seniors, I felt that you can't wear this belt with half-hearted feelings. Young wrestlers are the future of professional wrestling, and I think Stardom is the best organization in professional wrestling right now, so I think this Future belt embodies the future of professional wrestling. The champion of such a Future belt should be a wrestler who can lead the younger generation, so I think everyone had a certain level of resolve
-- The rules for this title are "less than 3 years since debut, or under 20 years old." March 25th marks 3 years since his debut
HANAKO: The Future title has only been relinquished twice before (the second champion, Utami Hayashishita, relinquished it to move on to another promotion, and the fourth champion, Saya Iida, relinquished it due to injury), so if I relinquish it at the full deadline, I will be the first in history. As a Stardom homegrown talent, I've always felt that I need to rewrite the records and history that have been set so far. I'm the only one who can do that. A few years ago, when my seniors were declaring their intention to stay, I, as a young wrestler, had absolutely no confidence and thought that there was no point in saying anything, so I couldn't do anything. But it's different now. This time, I want to create results and show it through my actions
--Tetsu isn't the only one aiming for the belt. Sakura Aya, who debuted on the same day and defeated him in the V1 match, is also calling for a challenge within the time limit
HANAKO: With less than a month to go, there are fewer and fewer days left for a title defense, so I want to fight someone who is serious about this Future title and who is serious about winning it. Last time at NEW BLOOD (February 4th), when I called out who wanted to take on the Future title, Sakura said something like, "I have the Cute of something or other," and I thought, "Is that all Sakura really means?" It really made me feel like Sakura is just doing pro wrestling as a means to become famous, and it was a real shock. I don't want the Future title to become an accessory for people like that. As a wrestler, I absolutely don't want to lose, and I won't lose
--In addition, Yagami Ranna and Hime Yuria have also put themselves forward, so there are many potential challengers
Hanako said in backstage comments and on social media that she didn't like that I was wearing the Future ring, and that she could make it shine more, but the first time she actually said that to my face was at the last NB when she responded to my call. Opportunities don't come to those who are well-behaved and wait their turn. Even if Ranna, who grew up in a sheltered environment surrounded by seniors who always protect her, were to take it, I think it would only become a burden. It's a shame because she's in such a good environment and has good talent, but she's not using it
-- E neXus V has disbanded, but have your feelings changed at all?
HANAKO Tsukiyama, Rian, HANAKO. We, the "other" ones, were left behind and had to go through a tough time. There were things we wanted to do when Maika and Gina returned, and we were finally starting to look forward to what was to come, so at first it was lonely, but even though we disbanded, we've continued to team up and I sometimes act as their second, so I feel like the bond of EXV is still strong and it makes me feel like I'm not alone. But I also want to team up with wrestlers from other units!
February 28th (Sat) STARDOM in KORAKUEN 2026 Feb. Tokyo, Korakuen Hall
*Match lineups are subject to change
◆10-Person Tag Team Match:
Natsupoi & Saori Anno & Yuna Mizumori, Sakura Aya & Sayaka Kurei vs. Natsuko Tora & Ruanka & Rina & Azusa Inaba & Fukigen Desu★
◆3-Way Tag Battle:
Tomoka Inaba & Kiyoka Toratake vs. Maika & Gina vs. Maki Ito & Kian Furusawa
◆6-Person Tag Team Match:
Saki Kashima, Rina Yamashita, and Itsuki Aoki vs. Wakana Tsukiyama, Rian, and Anne Kanaya
◆6-Person Tag Team Match:
Sorei Ami & Lady C & Yagami Ranna vs. India Siuks & Tabata & Kira
◆Special Tag Team Match:
Sareee & Iroha Takumi vs. Hazuki & Fuwa-chan
◆8-Person Tag Team Match:
Hanan, Iida Saya, Kogo Momo, and Hime Yuria vs. Starlight Kid, AZM, Seira Mei, and Amasaki Mitsuyuki
◆Future of Stardom Championship Match:
Champion HANAKO vs. Challenger Tetsu Akira
◆Wonder of Stardom Championship Match
: Champion Konami vs. Challenger Hina
[Event Information]
STARDOM in KORAKUEN 2026 Feb.
Saturday, February 28, 2026,
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
https://wwr-stardom.com/schedule/20260228_korakuen/