JPN
Is she finally returning to the ring? Momo Watanabe of HATE, also known as "Black Peach," has hinted at an imminent return. Speaking to reporters, she revealed, "I feel more energetic than before I was out. I'm pretty much in perfect condition. I can't wait to get back, hehe."
Last year, she won the "5★STAR GP" league tournament for the first time, and on November 3rd at the Ota Ward tournament, she challenged the then-two-time champion Saya Kamitani for the World & STRONG Women's Championship. However, she was unable to win the belts
The grueling battle came at a great cost, and after this match, she remained sidelined to treat her injuries. She made a one-night-only return at the Korakuen Hall event on April 23rd this year, which was Saki Kashima's final match before her retirement, but she has not yet made a full comeback since
What motivated her to return was the current state of HATE. "Considering everything, I just can't stand to watch it right now. I feel like if I don't return, there's nothing that can be done."
The unit had virtually monopolized the belts within the organization since last year, but a turning point came at the Yokohama Arena event on April 26th. Saya Kamitani lost the World Championship to Sayaka Kurei. Konami also lost the Wonder Championship to Hanan, and Natsuko Tora & Ryuka relinquished the Goddess Championship to AZM & Mitsuyoshi Amasaki
Furthermore, at the Korakuen Hall event on May 26th, Konami, Rina, and Fukigen Desu★ were defeated by Sorei Ami, Hina, and Lady C, losing the Artist of the Year Championship. HATE is now without all of its belts
Watanabe commented on the current situation, saying, "Everyone at HATE is positive, but I think the situation where all the belts have been taken is quite a crisis. Looking at it from the sidelines, I was thinking, 'Uh, is HATE going to be okay?' And the guys who took the belts seem to have become complacent, or rather, it's too soon, isn't it? Lately, all we see is ridiculous stuff. Something that's just for the entertainment value. But this isn't a comedy show." He expressed his growing sense of crisis
She said she was particularly shocked by Kamiya's loss of the championship title. "I was watching it firsthand, or rather, I was even participating, but I never thought she (Kurei) would take it. I was supposed to take it from Kamiya, so I didn't think I'd lose so easily. I was really surprised," she recalled
Kamiya's defeat shocked the wrestling world, but towards the end of the match, HATE, who was in her corner, interfered. Watanabe's high kick accidentally hit Kamiya. Kamiya was severely damaged by this and was then overwhelmed by Kyurei, ultimately falling victim to a Firebird Splash. However, it seems that Watanabe has no memory of the accidental hit
Furthermore, there was a new development at the Yokohama Arena showdown where they lost three titles: Bea Priestley betrayed STARS and joined HATE
For Watanabe, Bea is a wrestler with whom he has a deep connection. Bea was formerly a member of the unit "Queen's Quest (QQ)" (now defunct), which Watanabe led, but rebelled at the Korakuen Hall event on January 19, 2020. She left QQ and joined Oedo Tai, the predecessor of HATE
Watanabe grinned and said, "Now that Bea's back, too. Bea betrayed me a long time ago, and when she left, it was so sudden. And now she's suddenly back like that. She congratulated me after I won the 5★STAR, so we haven't really talked much yet. I'd like to team up with her soon after her return. Well, you can find out everything about Bea in the ring." If Black Peach's return is realized, it seems like a new wave is about to sweep through the Stardom ring