JPN
Stardom announced on Monday, June 22nd, that Utami Hayashishita has joined the company
At a press conference held at Bushiroad's headquarters in Tokyo, President Okada said, "After the Yoyogi tournament, she gave us a strong declaration that she would join us. Although it has been less than a month since she joined, we feel that she has gained the support of many Stardom fans, so in response to Utami's declaration, we will officially welcome her into the company today, June 22nd."
Utami, who debuted with Stardom in August 2018, left the company at the end of March 2024. This will be her first return to the company in approximately two years and three months
Dressed in a Stardom jersey, Utami said, "I have many goals and things I want to do, but as a member of Stardom and as a wrestler, I want to grow even bigger, so please support Utami Hayashishita of Stardom." Just then, the World of Stardom Champion, Suzu Suzuki, who had already finished her press conference, appeared
Suzuki began by saying, "I was just listening, and I just had an interesting thought," and continued, "When Utami came back, the audience and the players were surprisingly welcoming, weren't they? You must have felt a little relieved, right? You must have thought it was better than being criticized, right? I got that feeling from her. I thought, 'Isn't she feeling a little too relaxed? Isn't she getting a bit complacent?' But the Utami Hayashishita I know isn't like this. I have the image of her being more lively, more fierce, more ambitious."
He instructed Kanae Imai, the PR person who was moderating the press conference, "This is a company, so there must be some kind of signing document, right? Bring it over here," and then proposed a World Championship match to Utami, saying, "Act before you think. I will keep my word. So, let's do it, with the red on the line."
Utami immediately replied, "Let's do it." President Taro Okada also gave the go-ahead, and a signing ceremony for the World Championship was hastily held
The decisive battle is set for June 30th at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Suzuki said, "Alright! I'm looking forward to June 30th at Korakuen Hall. See you then!", to which Utami replied, "See you then!", and they pledged to give it their all
In a press scrum after the conference, Shimi revealed her current feelings
-- Returning to Stardom
nostalgic things , but there are also a lot of new things. I feel like there are still many things I need to know and experience about Stardust right now.
--And then you got the opportunity to challenge for the world championship
the company . I used to hold the red belt myself, and I think everyone wants that belt, which is a symbol of strength and a symbol of the organization. I really want that belt too, so I'm really happy that I get to challenge for it.
--It seems like Suzuki is being a bit overconfident. What are your thoughts on that?
Utami Suzu is. I didn't feel like she was looking down on me, and if anything, she said she would put the red belt on the line as soon as I joined, so I thought she was really paying attention to Utami Hayashishita. I thought that Suzu thought Utami Hayashishita was someone worthy of having the belt on the line.
--If you were to win, I'm sure there's one person you'd most like to face. Would you nominate them as your challenger?
Shimi, of course.
--Winning here would significantly increase your chances of competing as the champion in the "5★STAR GP" (starting July 18th at EBARA WAVE Arena Ota)
Utami Hayashishita who has returned, but if there was a belt there, I think no one would be able to ignore Utami Hayashishita anymore. I hope it has a lot of meaning. I want to take that belt and go to 5★STAR.
--Did you see the World Championship match between Sayaka Kurei and Suzuki at Yoyogi on June 20th?
Shimi: I already knew that Suzu was amazing, but my image of Kurei was that she had just debuted, so I also felt how amazing Kurei is. I thought Suzu is really crazy and an amazing person, and I could really feel the energy of the venue. I was watching it on video, and I was really overwhelmed and inspired by it, and I thought that this is how it has to be.
--Can you put on a better match than that?
Suzu ? We debuted in 2018, so we're contemporaries. I don't think there's a better situation than being able to have a match with my favorite contemporary for the red belt.
--What are the differences between Stardom when you were wearing the red belt and Stardom now?
around are different, but the young wrestlers from back then have become incredibly amazing. There are so many new units and wrestlers that I don't know, and I feel like everything has changed, from the sheer number of fans in the arena to everything else. For me, that red belt is very special; it's the highest belt in the organization. I want to become the face of Stardom and dedicate myself to letting everyone know about Stardom and professional wrestling.
--Does it feel like you've come home?
While I do feel a sense of returning to my hometown, I also feel like I'm starting anew from scratch. I see this as another new step .
--What are your current feelings towards the members of Queen's Quest?
the Shimi , but I'd rather tell them directly than say it here.