Tag: Interview

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PROTEUS MAKES PROGRESS WITH DONOVAN DIJAK

Dijak chats with PWI about winning gold in London, tangling with Hollywood actors, and why PROGRESS Wrestling is a big priority for him.

WHEN YOU’RE AS WELL-TRAVELED a professional wrestler as Donovan Dijak is, there are very few new experiences to unlock. For someone who has been a big-time player in ROH, WWE, MLW, and many other places, the man himself typically knows what to expect when he takes a booking. When he caught a plane to London recently for an appearance on a PROGRESS Wrestling show, not even Dijak could have predicted what lay in store. Then again, it’s not every day you fly thousands of miles to beat up a legit Hollywood A-lister.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING

PWI: You went into Chapter 199: Bonestorm and officially ended Paul Walter Hauser’s 556-day reign as PROGRESS Wrestling Proteus champion. Sure, 556 days is a long time … but some people might say that maybe he didn’t do a lot during that time. Going in there, the fans were obviously behind you, and I don’t think it’s unfair to say that they were desperate to see you dethrone Hauser for the belt. What were your thoughts going into the match? 

DD: I don’t know if they were desperate to see me dethrone him. I think they were desperate to see anybody dethrone him. They didn’t even know I was in the building until my music hit. I thought the build was absolutely tremendous. I haven’t been, you know, directly a part of the build. Obviously, Damo and Paul did a tremendous job … whether it was an intentional decision or unintentional decision around, you know, (Hauser’s) long absences and the lack of defenses, or whatever it happened to be. It created a moment where the crowd absolutely despised him. I’ve been around a lot of “heat” in professional wrestling, but that was some of the more sort of realistic feeling heat that I’ve experienced in my time. It felt like people were genuinely unpleased with (Hauser) and his attitude and his schedule and things like that. And it all just culminated in a wonderful storyline, an incredible build, an incredible reaction.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING

PWI: There was even an “if Hauser wins, we riot” sign in the crowd. Obviously, he plays that villain role very well, and he seems to “get it.” Speak just a little bit on that, and what you’ve seen his approach be.

DD: Well, to be fair, I think he plays every role really well. I mean, we’re talking about one of the best modern actors in the world right now. So, he’s obviously extremely talented when it comes to portraying multiple different characters. But in terms of professional wrestling specifically, yes, he does absolutely understand the nuances of, you know, storytelling, and good versus evil, and how that’s portrayed in a pro wrestling setting. So yeah, he’s just unbelievably prepared. He is unbelievably invested in everything, especially in this particular setting, because both he and I have known each other for a while now, and we’ve wanted this. You mentioned the sign. I guess it was more than a sign. It was a bit like a bed sheet or something like that. It was so big. After I won the championship, I made the decision to go up on the balcony and pose right in front of it. And God, I didn’t even know that was there. I just made a decision to go up on the balcony just on a whim. And where I happened to be just happened to be right in front of that sign, which, in hindsight, is really cool, because it adds some of those old ECW Hammerstein Ballroom vibes.

PWI: This year, PROGRESS Wrestling got new owners in Big Damo and Nikki Storm. Give us your insight on how fun it is to be a part of what they’re doing.

DD: (They have) an unbelievable level of commitment, dedication, and passion. And I don’t I just say these things lightly. Damo knows this: If he was half-assing it, I would just nod and be like, “Yeah, it’s going to be a great show.” I’m not going to do that with him. I’m a very, very, very upfront and honest person when it comes to these operations, because I think that’s extremely important. It’s extremely important for transparency. It’s extremely important for trust. And I think anyone who’s followed me trusts that when I make a recommendation or if I say something about something, I genuinely mean it. Damo and Nikki are doing an unbelievable job with PROGRESS. I see what they’re sacrificing. I see what they’re investing. I see their passion and dedication behind the scenes constantly. The level (of effort) that they’re putting into to continuing to build PROGRESS is genuinely unprecedented. And I’m so excited to be part of it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING

PWI: The Proteus championship sort of lends itself to being allowed to be a bit more creative and to color outside the lines a little bit. Is there anything creatively that you’re looking to do as Proteus champion?

DD: I just found out, like legitimately at the merch table after the show. Because I knew I’d heard about this championship before. I’d heard different stipulations and things like that. But I found out from one of the fans that I was talking to, because I wanted like, a definitive breakdown. They told me that historically, the Proteus champion gets to decide what the match stipulation is every single time. I don’t know whether it’s going to continue to be that, but if it is, that’s awesome. I’m going to embrace it just like I embrace anything that’s unique. Or if the goal is just, “hey, elevate that championship,” then that’s my goal. You know, in my mind, this is the number one championship in all of PROGRESS right now, and I’m going to build it that way, and I’m going to defend it that way. I’m going to wear it at every single show that I’m on across the world. I want it to be represented well. I want it to be defended well. I want it to have unbelievable matches attached to its name. It’s the sort of sense of pride that I that I brought to the North American championship when I was in NXT. I never actually won the NXT North American championship, but I think anyone who’s a fan of NXT would kind of put my name up there as being synonymous with the North American championship. I was someone who worked endlessly to build that championship. And you know, anyone can be a champion, but building a championship takes time and heart and dedication and passion. So, that’s my goal right now for this championship. Whatever I’m told is the direction for the Proteus championship, I’m going to adhere to those guidelines, and I’m going to go above and beyond to make sure that it flourishes.

Damo and Nikki are doing an unbelievable job with PROGRESS. I see what they’re sacrificing. I see what they’re investing […] And I’m so excited to be part of it.

PWI: If You could say something to longtime fans of PROGRESS Wrestling, or even fans checking it out for the first time, maybe because of your match against Hauser, what would you say?

DD: I work for many companies all over the world. As an independent contractor, you have to make decisions (about where you’re going to work), and I can tell you unequivocally right now, PROGRESS is at the top of my list for what I’m prioritizing in 2027. In PROGRESS. I’m seeing people who are fighting and scratching and clawing to be the best presentation of themselves and of the company that they can possibly be. And I love that.

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Big Damo & Nikki Storm (Nikki Cross) Purchase PROGRESS Wrestling, DEFY

Hailing from Northern Ireland and Scotland, respectively, the former WWE stars (and longtime fan favorites of the U.K. wrestling scene) have purchased the leading BritWres promotion along with its U.S. partner group, DEFY Wrestling.

THE GLOBAL WRESTLING LANDSCAPE has once again shifted with today’s news that Damian “Damo” Mackle (formerly Killian Dain) and Nicola Glencross (formerly Nikki Cross) are the new heads of PROGRESS Wrestling, as well as the Seattle-based DEFY Wrestling. The enterprising couple assumes the PROGRESS reins from the promotion’s previous owners, Lee McAteer & Martyn Best, who purchased the company back in 2021.

“We are delighted to be the new co-owners of PROGRESS,” said Mackle, a former multi-time champion for the promotion as Big Damo, in the official press release. “We both started in the U.K. and Ireland and fully believe this is host to the greatest talent pool on earth [and that] PROGRESS is well positioned to showcase this generation and the next generation.”

PROGRESS, the influential British wrestling promotion cofounded by Jim Smallman & Jon Briley in 2011, has long been a top destination for wrestlers on the rise in the United Kingdom and beyond. Through the years, the likes of Gunther, Will Ospreay, Toni Storm, Zack Sabre Jr., Jonathan Gresham, Chris Brookes, and Jordynne Grace have earned major accolades and notoriety in PROGRESS rings. In recent years, PROGRESS has become a proving ground for internationally recognized talent such as Man Like DeReiss, Rayne Leverkusen (Lizzy Rain), Rhio, and Will Kroos (Mason Rook). And the 2024 merger with DEFY (founded in 2017 by Matt Farmer & Jim Perry) has coincided with PROGRESS’ return to international touring and an expanding influence outside the United Kingdom.

BIG DAMO (COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING)

“We would like to thank Martyn Best and Lee McAteer for being wonderful custodians and bringing new levels of professionalism to our industry,” said Mackle, speaking via today’s official press release from PROGRESS. “They steered PROGRESS after a worldwide pandemic, created an incredible wrestling network in Hooked On Wrestling TV, created a phenomenal working partnership with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan and DEFY in [the] USA, and showed ambition and an incredible drive to give multiple talented men and women visas to compete in the USA [as well as] opportunities in so many other countries.”

It is also notable that Glencross (who, following her recent WWE departure, will once again perform as Nikki Storm on the U.K. wrestling circuit) is the first woman to have an ownership stake in PROGRESS. “It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling, so I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels,” said Glencross, also speaking in today’s press release.

NIKKI CROSS/STORM (COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING)

News of the change in ownership arrives on the heels of some significant events in the PROGRESS Wrestling canon. The most recent of these was the annual Super Strong Style 16, a prestigious international tournament presented in London, England. The 2026 edition featured both men’s and women’s brackets for the first time ever. The two-day SSS16 followed PROGRESS’ recent return to Las Vegas, Nevada—an exciting WrestleMania Week card that saw, among other things, Damo battle wrestler/award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser for the PROGRESS Proteus championship.

“We are over the moon,” Mackle told Pro Wrestling Illustrated when reached for additional comment. “PROGRESS Wrestling is one of the top independent wrestling promotions on the planet and is full of incredible talent. Nikki and I are excited to bring our experience both in ring and behind the scenes to the table and drive PROGRESS even further forward.

“We have been hard at work already getting prepared for our first show, Chapter 195: WonderBrawl 2, June 7 at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and preparing for Nikki’s first U.K. independent appearance in 10 years at Chapter 196: Scorchio!, at the fabled Electric Ballroom in Camden, London,” says Mackle, adding the location is “the spiritual home of PROGRESS.”

For more information on upcoming PROGRESS events, visit progresswrestling.com

COURTESY OF PROGRESS WRESTLING
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Maxxine Dupri Reveals How Her JAUNTY Clothing Line Got Its Name

Maxxine Dupri, 2024 Royal Rumble

TEXT BY CANDACE CORDELIA

Maxxine Dupri is a woman of many talents, including being the face and designer of her very own clothing range, JAUNTY. And, as the Alpha Academy stable member told me in an exclusive interview for PWI (excerpted in our June 2025 issue), she has her mom to thank for giving her the name of her apparel brand that’s become a sensation with her fans and wrestling peers alike. 

“My mom is extremely creative,” began Dupri. “She is my ChatGPT. If I am like, ‘What’s a cute catchphrase? What’s this?’ … and my mom will have 15 [off] the top of her head. I don’t know how she does it. She’s very, very creative.”

She continued, “I knew I wanted something that started with a ‘J’ because the middle names in my family all start with a ‘J.’ My mom sent me a bunch of different options, and jaunty was one of them. I’ll read you the meaning of it because when I had it I was like, Oh — this is it!”

Maxxine Dupri in JAUNTY activewear
Maxxine Dupri in JAUNTY activewear
Photos by Bella Piety (@bellacreative.co)

Reading from her phone, Dupri then recited the definition of the word “jaunty” as “having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner.” She added, “I just felt like that was exactly what I wanted my brand to embody even as it evolved. Through each step, that always aligned.” 

And just like that, JAUNTY was (and continues to be) JAUNTY. But, when Maxxine’s not busy trying to get in Natalya’s good graces and working hard in the WWE ring, she’s constantly thinking of new ways to bring her brand to the next level. 

“Because I have a creative mind, I will wake up one day and be like, JAUNTY needs a perfume! My brain is always going 100 different ways, and then next week I’ll be like, Wait, is that a good idea?”

Maxxine Dupri, 2024 Royal Rumble
Photo by Jordan Williams

She admitted, “To be totally honest … I’m a really big goal setter. I always set goals for the business with followers, profit, all of that kind of stuff. I always write out different goals for each year. But I think for where the brand actually evolves … my success in that realm has come from letting that happen authentically and letting it flow as my life flows, and let it grow with me. It’s not something that I have pinpointed, but it’s something that I’m always thinking about. And honestly, if I wasn’t getting married so soon [to WWE NXT wrestler Anthony Luke], I would have done a whole bridal line.

“There’s some brands, like ALT SWIM is one, where they make amazing bikinis and they embroider your new last name on them. So many cool things for bachelorette parties and honeymoons, and I am so inspired by all of that. I don’t know what’s next for JAUNTY, but I’m excited to see where my life goes and what that means for JAUNTY.”

Check out the full conversation between Maxxine Dupri and PWI’s Candace Cordelia (including relevant stories about Chelsea Green and Nikki Bella) in the video below.

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Thekla On Mercedes Mone: “Seeing Her Walk Around With Four Belts? I’m A Little Concerned For Her Well Being”

TEXT BY CANDACE CORDELIA
PHOTOS BY ISSA MARIE

AT THE TIME OF my interview with the larger-than-life Austrian pro wrestler Thekla, for PWI’s May 2025 issue, she expressed her excitement about the possibilities of taking her athletic, artistic, and stylistic talents to America. And as much as she dreams of starting her own fashion line and taking wrestling fashion “to the next level” (“I have some pretty crazy stuff coming up … like, big gears”), she has some even more pressing concerns. One of these is the opportunity for STARDOM’s “Idol Killer” to face some dominant women wrestlers who’ve had a head start on becoming American idols in today’s wrestling industry.

Take, for example, Mercedes Mone. Mone currently holds three titles: the AEW TBS championship, NJPW STRONG Women’s championship, and RevPro Undisputed British Women’s championship (which was unified with the Southside Women’s title). In Thekla’s forthright opinion, all three titles (and four physical belts) are simply too many for one woman to possess.

“I saw her at the Tokyo Dome. She had a bit of a thing with Mina Shirakawa. Now, she’s got four belts. I think that’s a little much,” begins Thekla. “Seeing her walking around with four belts? I’m a little concerned for her well being. It looks a little heavy. I think somebody outta help her out with carrying those, if you know what I mean. I’d love to step in the ring with her for sure.” 

Along with Mone, Thekla would also love to reunite with former AEW Women’s World champion Mariah May, yet in a way the one-time Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner might not appreciate very much. “Mariah May and I used to be in Stardom together,” says Thekla. “I think she really needs a good kick in the face again, to be honest. She’s somebody who’s got it coming.” 

Mercedes Mone poses with her four belts backstage at the Tokyo Dome.

Thekla also has designs on staring down two of WWE’s most popular wrestling superstars in the squared circle—Iyo Sky and Giulia. She recalls, “I ran into Iyo Sky the other day. She’s cool. Seeing her reminded me of the fact that I got trained by Mio Shirai (Iyo Sky’s sister). I was like, Damn! That could be something cool if I ever got to test her skills.” 

As for her former Donna Del Mondo team member, Giulia, Thekla adds, “Obviously, number one is always, the one person [I] always get tagged with, Giulia. Great look. Great girl. I would love to run it back with her sometime.”  

According to Thekla, “anything can happen these days.” And, with plans to descend into Las Vegas during WrestleMania Week, she’s looking toward a future filled with generational matches involving Mercedes, Mariah, Iyo, Giulia, and more … with no regrets concerning the past. 

“I’ve been on a roll lately,” Thekla proclaims. “I got suspended like two or three times. I stopped counting. This has been happening, but I’m still proud of myself ’cause I just do what I have to do. I think it’s always a little bit of a grey area, a difficult situation, when I get suspended. I can be a little bit of a hot head. I do agree. But … I didn’t see myself being 100 percent in the wrong, ever. On the other hand, I can tell that lately I’ve been getting booked a little less by STARDOM. Especially now that I’ve dropped the belt together with Momo (Watanabe). But, to me, that’s fine because I’ve got my sights on the States anyway. I’ve been slapping girls around in Japan for the last five years. I’m really ready to raise some hell in the States right now.

“I think there’s so much more to do.”

Thekla taunts Hanan during the Goddesses of Stardom title bout on December 29.
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BROTHERS OF DOOM

Jun & Rei Saito Discuss Their Budding Music Career, The All Japan Triple Crown Title, And Fighting One Another

When Dokken’s “Dream Warrior” begins to play in whichever venue All Japan Pro Wrestling is stationed for the day, fans are immediately locked in for the “DOOM!” that comes next. Jun & Rei Saito are twin brothers who are well accomplished in the world of sports, playing football in America before pursuing sumo careers in Japan … and, eventually, pro wrestling. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4, respectively, with a combined weight of 559 lbs, the Saito Brothers in some ways feel like a blast for the past—a nod to All Japan’s well-documented history of having big, physically imposing wrestlers at the forefront. With their red-and-black color scheme and an affinity for leather, the Saitos make up what they lack in wrestling experience with pure charisma and being effortlessly cool.

Jun & Rei have arisen as two of Japanese puroresu’s most popular rising stars. This year marks four years since their debut, and their accomplishments speak for themselves. They are two-time (and current) AJPW World tag team champions, as well as the 2024 victors of AJPW’s World’s Strongest Tag Determination League tournament. In 2023, they won Tokyo Sports’ Newcomer Award, and the Best Tag Team Award the following year. Somewhere in the midst of their shared success, the brothers have also managed to establish themselves as top singles wrestlers. Jun Saito currently holds All Japan’s top prize, the Triple Crown championship, after defeating Davey Boy Smith on New Year’s Eve.

Their next milestone to conquer? Music. Recently, Jun & Rei Saito announced that they would be releasing their first single on February 26, from the album entitled Which One? There is a long history of the music and wrestling industries intertwining to bring new fans to both worlds—and the Saito Brothers are eager to add themselves to that list.

PWI contributor Lyric Swinton caught up with Jun & Rei—with the help of translator Ash Mann—to chat about their upcoming music, their current goals, being faces of All Japan, and how they feel about fighting one another.


PWI: It was announced that you both would be entering the musical world with a debut single titled “DOOM,” anticipated for February 26 release date. Wrestlers doing music isn’t a new concept, with the Crush Gals being the biggest and most successful example. Did either of you have a musical background before this? What was your thought process when coming to the decision to make music?

Rei: We had absolutely no experience in music at all. Even we were surprised when we were going to make our very first single, but obviously the goal is to expand and broaden the horizons of people to get into wrestling.

PWI: You two have only been wrestling since 2021, but you’ve managed to accomplish a lot in a fairly short amount of time. What were your initial goals when you entered pro wrestling coming from the sumo world? Did you expect this level of success so early on?

Rei: In All Japan Pro Wrestling, the goal is to win the World tag titles, obviously. Because we’re a tag team, right? We want to be the best tag team [and win] the Best Tag Team Prize in the Tokyo Sports Awards, which we also managed to win [in 2024]. It’s been maybe, say, about three and a half years since we debuted. We managed to get all this experience. So, we felt that with experience, we’d get results and get the confidence to get all these results in a short amount of time. We spent about eight years in the sumo world, so we have the physical ability to do it. We’ve just [had] to put it into the wrestling sense, and you can see the results.

PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE

PWI: Over the past year, you’ve won the All Japan World tag team championship for a second time, expanded your stable to include Mr. Saito and Senor Saito, won World’s Strongest Tag Determination League, and took home the Best Tag Team Prize from the Tokyo Sports awards. And you placed number seven on the “PWI Tag Team 100.” How do you feel about the 2024 you had? And are there any milestones you’re looking to conquer in 2025?

Jun: In 2024, we won the Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Prize. We’re very happy, but disappointed we didn’t get the MVP award. The top prize—the top, top prize—I think Zack Sabre (Jr.) won. We’re a little bit disappointed about that. For 2025, we hope to win the MVP Award as a tag team for the very first time … because it hasn’t been accomplished in Tokyo Sports awards at all.

Rei: In 2024, I had a right shoulder injury. So, I was out for a month, but I came back in tip-top form. And, as a tag team, we were actually unbeaten the whole year.

PWI: Jun, you are currently the Triple Crown champion, holding one of the most prestigious wrestling titles of all-time. We saw you rise to the occasion as a singles wrestler quite a bit in 2024, first making it to the Champion Carnival final and eventually winning the title on New Year’s Eve. Talk about what your journey to the Triple Crown has been like, and what you hope to convey to fans during your reign.

Jun: Obviously the Saito Brothers, everybody knows us as a tag team. We’ve been working as a tag team our whole entire careers. And then, when I was in the Champion Carnival, I didn’t manage to win it. But I managed to go all the way to the finals, and that’s a pretty amazing result. Of course, for a singles wrestler in All Japan, the top title is Triple Crown, right? And to be able to get it before my brother [Rei], it makes me very happy … There has not been a title match between brothers for the Triple Crown yet, so I would love to accomplish it. But if Rei decides to challenge me, I will say no until he actually stacks up his own accomplishments and enough wins to get there.

PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE

PWI: How do you feel about that, Rei?

Rei: I have seen my brother’s effort to become champion. I wish I could become champion, too, but I haven’t really [gotten results] as a singles competitor yet. I would love to work more on that singles front first, take part in tournaments, get some results, and maybe think about challenging for the Triple Crown if my brother [Jun] is still champion.

PWI: As fun as it is to watch you two as a team, it’s just as entertaining to watch you face each other. I had the pleasure of watching you two lock horns on New Year’s Eve in 2023 in Tokyo. And you never hold back. Why do you think your chemistry is so special not just as teammates, but also as opponents?

Rei: When it comes to wrestling and brothers fighting, I’m not gonna hold back. There’s no point holding back because as brothers, we’ve been fighting [since we were] kids, so this is normal for us.

Jun: It’s not difficult. In fact, it’s very easy. Because many years ago, when we were still doing sumo, in the early years, there were two brothers who were yokozunas, the top ranked sumos. When they had the finals together and they fought, they didn’t really like fighting each other … On the other hand, for me, if it’s a fight between brothers, I will not only just put in 100%, maybe like 120%. It’s actually very easy. It’s more natural that way. Maybe it might be a bit more tiring, by going that extra [mile] just to beat the other brother.

PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE

PWI: I’ve seen fans in Jun and Rei costumes at shows, and even outside of wrestling. Your popularity in Japan is growing larger and larger by the day. What does the support from fans mean to you both? Does it ever get overwhelming?

Jun: Wrestling fans, the fans give wrestling its energy. Years ago, when we were debuting, Coronavirus [was happening], [there were] no crowds, nothing at all. But when the crowds came back, we felt like we could work extra hard. Because the roar of the crowd and the cheers of the fans when they call our names, it gets us more excited and helps us put the extra gear in to make the matches more exciting. I’m really thankful that the fans cheering really helps to make the wrestling [more exciting]. I’m very thankful to get the support of the fans.

Rei: Even though it’s fighting and it’s sports, it’s also entertainment. So, I’m very thankful that we have support of fans right now.

PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE

PWI: You both have American heritage and have spent some time on excursions there at the beginning of your careers. Now that you both are no longer rookies but legitimate forces to be reckoned with, are there any dream matches in America, or even other promotions in Japan that you’d like to have?

Jun: As a tag team, we always want to win the Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team award. In 2023, it was Bishamon, [NJPW’s] Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI. I still remember when they won the thing. We won the Best Tag Team prize this past year, so obviously I would love to challenge Bishamon one day.

Rei: As wrestlers, we haven’t been to the U.S. in a while. We would love to wrestle in the United States. We [would] like to wrestle in Europe as well. We definitely would love to give a try to AEW or WWE once in our careers, because I’m sure every wrestler would have thought about that at least once in their careers.

PWI: It feels like a new era for All Japan and stars like you, Yuma Anzai, Ren Ayabe, and others are at the forefront of that new era. All Japan Pro Wrestling has a rich and storied past, but it also has an energetic and exciting present. What does it mean to both of you to be faces of such an important organization in wrestling history?

Rei: Obviously, All Japan Pro Wrestling has a very long history. Many fans overseas, they know the history with Giant Baba. We all know the history. It’s very, very long and very, very storied. Now for us to be able to be in this very historic promotion, we’re very honored to be here, but I feel that we’re not at the peak yet. And, going forward, we’re gonna still try to reach that peak and [make] All Japan more and more exciting.

Jun: When you think of All Japan, you think of very big guys, very big, large individuals. And they bring a lot of exciting, hard fights [and] intense bouts. In the ’80s and ’90s, wrestling in Japan was at its peak. Everybody knows it’s the hottest thing. But lately, in a sense [that buzz] has gone to other sports, like MMA and whatever else. The pro wrestling spirit is still in Japan. It’s still there. And we would like to bring that spirit and the fan base back via our exciting bouts in All Japan Pro Wrestling.

 

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RHIO Talks U.K. Dominance, AEW All In and WrestleMania Weekend

SINCE THE TITLE’S INCEPTION in 2017, 28-year-old Rhio has defended the PROGRESS Women’s championship more than any champion has during one reign. Successfully defeating a dozen-plus challengers, including Lana Austin, Kanji, Nina Samuels, Delmi Exo, and Session Moth Martina, is no easy feat.

Rhio’s PROGRESS title run has reached more than 400 days, but it’s by no means her only accomplishment worth celebrating. The U.K. powerhouse ranked #25 on the 2024 “PWI Women’s 250,” making her the highest-ranked U.K. freelancer on the 2024 list.

PWI‘s Kristen Ashly spoke with Rhio about her record-breaking year.

ASHLY: Congratulations on your “PWI Women’s 250″ ranking! You made #25. What do you think made this year so special?

RHIO: This year, I’ve broken records and made history in some of the top independent promotions in Europe. I feel this year has been my best work so far, and with every challenge I’ve come out stronger. Also, this year I made my debut in the U.S., which is another big milestone for me. I think this year has had many special moments for me, so many amazing matches and incredible opponents. Opportunities have come and I’ve just run with it. Just as I think it can’t get any crazier, it does.

ASHLY: You’ve held multiple titles during the evaluation period for this year’s list. Do you have one that you’re particularly proud of? Is there one you think is missing from the list?

RHIO: I’m particularly proud of holding both the ICW and PROGRESS Women’s championships, especially when I was holding them at the same time. Both of these championships are legitimate world championships and have such a rich lineage. So, to be able to join the list of incredible women that have held these championships means a lot to me. In terms of one I feel is missing, I am definitely going to be working towards the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s championship. 

Rhio holds aloft the PROGRESS and Insane Championship Wrestling Women’s belts. Given the breadth and depth of competition surrounding each prize, she believes both championships to be legitimate world titles. (PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE)

ASHLY: One title you should feel incredibly proud of is the PROGRESS Women’s title, which you held the entire evaluation year. What defense did you find the most difficult?

RHIO: I’m extremely proud of holding the PROGRESS Women’s world championship. It’s hard to say which is the most difficult defense as there has been quite a few. But some of the ones that spring to mind are: the 4-way ladder match I had at this year’s Super Strong Style 16, myself versus Emersyn Jayne, myself versus Lizzy Evo, and myself versus Kanji, off the top of my head.

ASHLY: What defense do you think is still missing?

RHIO: I feel me [against] the DEFY Women’s champion is something that is missing. Especially with the partnership of PROGRESS and DEFY. So, hopefully that is something we can do. 

ASHLY: U.K. women’s wrestling is known as some of the best in the business. How do you feel the U.K. stacks up against other countries?

RHIO: Oh, I agree the U.K. women’s wrestling scene is incredibly strong at the moment, and I’m proud to be a part of it. We have one of the best women’s wrestling scenes in the world. So many beautiful, strong, and talented women that will step to anyone to prove themselves. Women putting in consistent hard work.

Rhio joins Saraya’s entourage at Wembley Stadium during the second AEW All In event.
(PHOTO BY LEE SOUTH/©ALL ELITE WRESTLING)

ASHLY: One incredible moment to see as a Rhio fan was your in-ring appearance at All In, supporting Saraya. How did that moment feel?

RHIO: I loved appearing at AEW All In supporting Saraya. And being a part of a moment that involved two incredible British women [Saraya and Jamie Hayter] in front of a huge crowd at Wembley was very special.

ASHLY: How did that opportunity come about? AEW has a wonderful group of U.K. talent. Is that somewhere you’d like to wrestle on a regular basis?

RHIO: The opportunity came about after I received an email inviting me to Cardiff and All In. AEW has so many amazing British wrestlers and is definitely somewhere I could see myself wrestling regularly.

ASHLY: WrestleMania Weekend in Philadelphia was the time to see Rhio! You had two title defenses that weekend, one for PROGRESS and one as part of Kevin McElvaney’s ThrashElvania. Both were incredible matches; did you have similar mindsets going into them?

RHIO: I loved wrestling in Philadelphia over Wrestlemania Week. I loved all of my matches. I would say my mindset going into them was very different, as the one for PROGRESS was a singles match with the former champion I beat, and someone I know very well (Lana Austin). So, with that said, I knew she was coming into this with extra motivation. Whereas my match at ThrashElvania was a triple threat with two women I have never wrestled before. So, I went into that match knowing that I didn’t have to be pinned to lose. I didn’t fully know what to expect from my opponents. So, I had to watch my back even more in that one.

Delmi Exo gets clobbered by Rhio’s side headbutt during their triple-threat bout for the PROGRESS Women’s title at ThrashElvania, which took place over WrestleMania Weekend.
(PHOTO BY ISSA MARIE)

ASHLY: Do you approach a match differently when you’re facing more than one opponent, or an opponent that you don’t face often?

RHIO:  When it comes to approaching my matches, I always approach them differently. Because I know that all my opponents are different, they think differently, and they move differently. 

ASHLY: Also that weekend, you faced Shoko Nakajima on a TJPW show. This isn’t your first time wrestling for TJPW. Is it different wrestling in the U.S. for TJPW, as opposed to Japan? Do you find wrestling British Style is different from joshi? Are there adjustments to make?

RHIO: It did feel different wrestling for TJPW in the U.S. as opposed to wrestling for them in Japan. I don’t really know why, I can’t quite figure that out. But it was definitely different for me. The British and joshi style do have their differences, but the prominent similarity is they are both a hard-hitting style, which I think transcends well. If I get to face Shoko Nakajima again, which I hope I do, it’s more [that] I need to adjust to her in particular, not the style. Again, it goes back to me taking every opponent as they come.

Rhio catches Alex Windsor with a missile dropkick (rendered all the more devastating by a trash can) during the exceptionally violent 10-woman tag at RevPro’s latest anniversary event.
(PHOTO BY SCOTT LESH)

ASHLY: Looking at your resume, your match in August for the 12th Anniversary of RevPro featured what was easily one of your best matches of the year: the no-DQ 10-woman tag team match. Do you find it’s harder to create a memorable and maybe cleaner match with so many opponents?

RHIO: The 10-woman tag at RevPro for their 12th anniversary was very special. A match of that caliber is definitely not an easy task, but I feel everyone in that match was so different, so everyone showed out in their own unique way. When you have so many experienced and talented people in one match, it does make it easier. We also had an amazing person who helped and supported us. (Thank you, Will Ospreay.)

ASHLY: Wrestling fans can agree your career trajectory is amazing to watch. What’s next for you?

RHIO: I’m so proud of my career trajectory so far, and I plan on keeping the momentum going and the good times rolling. I don’t know what’s next for me, but I’m very excited for my future. I’m going to keep working hard and be open to every opportunity that is presented to me. 

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HYAN On Her Global Wrestling Campaign

SHE CALLS HERSELF “The Renaissance Woman” … and, as 2024 draws to a close, no one is questioning that moniker. Hyan has remained one of the highest-ranking indie wrestlers on the annual “PWI Women’s 250,” ranking at #35 in 2024 after coming in at #45 last year. Not holding a full-time wrestling contract is no problem for the Texas native, whose in-ring abilities and proven drawing power continue to garner her bookings worldwide.

Hyan had plenty to share with PWI’s Kristen Ashly regarding her 2024 global wrestling campaign.

ASHLY: This has been a big year for you when it comes to PWI lists. You made the “PWI 500″ for the first time and are back in the 30s at #35 on the “Women’s 250.” What made this a pillar year for you?

HYAN: I think taking a chance on myself by going on long excursions overseas, as well as making wrestling my full-time job, (contributed) to my success this year. I’ve been putting in the work for a long time and it’s very cool to see it pay off.

ASHLY: You, as I wrote in your bio, really had a fantastic global campaign. You returned to Europe, this time in Germany, competing for the wXw Women’s title. Now, outside of the “W250” evaluation period, you’re spending time in Japan (at Marvelous and Pro Wrestling NOAH). Does traveling step you outside your comfort zone?

HYAN: Going overseas, especially for the first time, 1,000% takes me out of my comfort zone. New culture, new opponents, new languages (at times). It’s all a learning experience and really puts your skills to the test.

ASHLY: What do you feel wrestling internationally does for your style?

HYAN: I try to add something from every place I’ve wrestled into my style. The U.K. has a fast and explosive style that’s been molded by Will Ospreay, and that is something that I’ve definitely taken with me to the States.

ASHLY: You faced Giulia for the NJPW STRONG Women’s title at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. How did that opportunity come about?

HYAN: I’d been very vocal about wanting to wrestle for NJPW. And I feel like I just kept putting it out there in the universe for it to come to fruition! It definitely helps to network and meet people. I don’t think I would have gotten that opportunity without Andy Quildan and RevPro.

ASHLY: Fighting Spirit Unleashed was an incredible card. What was your experience working side-by-side with joshi talent, luchadoras, and NJPW legends?

HYAN: It’s a crazy thing to say, “I was on the same card as Tanahashi.” His match was before mine, and when he came through the back I did a little air guitar gesture at him and he did it back. It was a cool li’l moment for me. I have a cool life [laughs].

Hyan poses with a copy of the October 2024 PWI, which contains a writeup on her recent acting exploits.

ASHLY: You won this year’s Queen of the Indies by defeating Masha Slamovich. You lost to Masha in the first round of the 2023 tournament. How did it feel defeating Masha this year? Did you use anything that you perhaps learned from last year’s match? How did you prepare for it?

HYAN: It’s hard to prepare for something like Queen of Indies, because you don’t know who you will end up wrestling past the first round. It’s a literal marathon of wrestling. I thought it was a cool, full-circle moment to wrestle Masha in the finals. I genuinely believe she is the best woman on the indies, and one of the best wrestlers, period. It’s always an honor to get in the ring with her.

ASHLY: Finally, any goals for your upcoming year? How does the 2025 “Renaissance Woman” campaign look?

HYAN: My hope is to wrestle in more countries next year! Australia, Canada, and Mexico are on my lists for sure. My family is Mexican, and I still have family that live there. It’s one of my dreams to have my mom watch me wrestle in Mexico.

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MINA SHIRAKAWA Talks Mariah May, Toni Storm, And Staying Authentic

THOUGH REGARDLESS OF where MINA SHIRAKAWA ranks, fans demand more of her, “The Venus'” spot in the 2024 “PWI Women’s 250″ mirrored how much fans clamored for the 36-year-old Stardom sensation. 

Her year was fantastic. Shirakawa became a phenomenon in All Elite Wrestling as the savior to her tag team partner and friend Mariah May. She traveled extensively across the globe to assert her dominance. She challenged and defeated some of the best wrestlers in the world. All of this without sacrificing her sense of self or originality. Authentically Mina.

In celebration of Shirakawa’s spectacular 2024—and ahead of her appearances with May on AEW Rampage and at Full Gear—we present her written interview with PWI’s KRISTEN ASHLY.

ASHLY: Congratulations on making it to number 16 on the “PWI Women’s 250″! You jumped 35 spots to make the top 20. What do you think changed this year that created such a big leap?

SHIRAKAWA: That jump is because I’m the most international women’s professional wrestler; for most of the year I’ve been flying to wrestle on weekdays in the United States and then on weekends back in Japan. I think the reason I’ve managed to rank so high this year is because there’s a lot of wrestling fans that know who I am now.

ASHLY: You wrestled in the U.K. for the first time this year. In your first appearance for RevPro, you defeated Dani Luna for the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s title. Are there any differences between wrestling British style vs. joshi? Any differences when wrestling in North America?

SHIRAKAWA: I think that British wrestling is quite similar to Japanese wrestling, and the fans were happy when we had a technical wrestling match. One of my signature moves is the figure four, and the fans erupted in cheers when I tapped the champion out with it to win the title. It’s really gratifying to know that my decision to become a professional wrestler wasn’t a mistake. In comparison, I think American-style wrestling is more dynamic. I don’t really change my style of wrestling when it comes to big matches, but I’ll change the types of moves that I use.

Mina Shirakawa uses her signature figure-four leglock to submit Dani Luna and capture the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s championship. (PHOTO BY SCOTT LESH)

ASHLY: You’re returning to the U.S. in what is being reported as a longer tour. Are those reports true? What are your hopes for this time in the U.S.?

SHIRAKAWA: I’ve been making Mariah (May) wait a lot, and I plan to stay in the United States until her feelings of loneliness are gone. I’m here to celebrate her championship win and wrestle a lot of matches as [our team] Rose Gold.

ASHLY: Mariah has turned into what you could call a primadonna. Has your friendship changed since she turned on her idol, Toni Storm?

SHIRAKAWA: Our friendship hasn’t changed in the slightest. We’re still best friends forever. However, I am a little concerned that she’s acting a bit weird recently … but I think with me by her side, she’ll calm down again soon enough.

At Mariah May’s urging, Toni Storm and Shirakawa shake hands after their Forbidden Door AEW Women’s title bout. (PHOTO BY KEVIN McELVANEY)

ASHLY: Your triangle with Mariah and Toni created a huge title opportunity for you at Forbidden Door 2024. Are you still hungry for the AEW Women’s title? Would you face Mariah for it?

SHIRAKAWA: I know that Mariah has worked so hard, both in AEW and in Stardom. Right now, I just want to be able to celebrate her championship win with her. The two of us overcame a lot of hardships together in Japan, so I’m celebrating with her as if I’d become champion.

ASHLY: Since Mariah’s betrayal, you’ve tagged with Toni Storm. Has your relationship with Toni changed? Do you feel closer because of Mariah?

SHIRAKAWA: Well … I’d still like all three of us to be friends. I know that Toni must’ve been really hurt after Mariah betrayed her like that, so I wanted to give her my emotional support. I believe that if I love them both, then we’ll all be able to be friends again. Toni and I are good friends back in Japan. Not only in matches, but privately as well.

Shirakawa and Storm prepare to a tag-team hip attack on AZM. (PHOTO ©STARDOM)

ASHLY: Within Stardom, you’re well-known for amazing tag team wrestling. You won the Artist of Stardom championship with Maika and Xena in March. Do you feel differently about tag team wrestling over singles action? Do you have a preference?

SHIRAKAWA: Xena and Maika are both powerhouse wrestlers, and when the three of us are in the ring together, we’re very smart and synchronized—we defeat anyone! But honestly, I prefer singles matches to tag team matches. With tag team matches you have the support of your partners, whereas in singles matches you have to try and manage everything by yourself. I love the feeling of tension that comes along with singles matches because I think to myself, “How am I meant to take down a bigger opponent if my strength is much less?” It’s like playing chess within your own mind, and I enjoy it a lot.

ASHLY: Stardom has really opened itself to work with international partners, and you seem to be a main beneficiary of that advantage, appearing everywhere. Do you feel it’s easy working with other companies? Have you learned anything in the process?

SHIRAKAWA: To be frank, it’s difficult! It kind of feels like I’m starting a new life all over again. Everyone in Stardom already knows the kind of person that Mina Shirakawa is—the fans, the staff, and other wrestlers. Yet I love meeting other wrestlers when I go to different companies. You have to start off by getting to know others; when I’m in attendance at shows run by other companies, I make the effort to talk to as many staff members as possible instead of just sitting in the waiting room. I have to study the matches of my opponents because I’m not familiar with their movesets. But by watching an AEW show from beginning to end, I can see the types of things that I can add to the show, so I always make sure to watch it the whole way through … and it helps me study English, too.

One company Shirakawa knows well is New Japan Pro Wrestling. In December, she’ll face Johnnie Robbie, an outstanding talent from the U.S. indies. 

ASHLY: You’re wrestling Johnnie Robbie at Strong Style Evolved. Mercedes Moné also happens to be main-eventing. Are there any plans to challenge her for either of her belts at the show?

SHIRAKAWA: I’ve been friends with Mercedes Moné for around five years now, but we’ve never had the opportunity to meet in the ring, even though I’ve always wanted to wrestle her. I’d like to challenge her when I’m at my best mentally. I don’t know when that will be, though.

While Shirakawa’s talent is undeniable, one important aspect of her greatness is her ability to stay true to herself, despite pressures otherwise. It’s a trait that many fans relate to and hold on to for inspiration.

ASHLY: In a recent installment of my PWI women’s wrestling column (“The W Column”), I explained how inspirational you are to women with your refusal to hide from your past. How is staying true to yourself important in wrestling? What would you say to a woman who is feeling shame for who they are?

SHIRAKAWA: There are no answers in wrestling, so you have to go through with the decisions that you believe are the best ones. Really, it’s a test to see how much you believe in yourself. With life, people will try and tell you that you can’t do this, or that you can’t do that. You can’t let yourself be fooled by those people. I hate the saying, “This is how a woman should be.” I want to face the world as a human being regardless of what my gender is. You’re the only person responsible for what happens in your life, and you’re the only person who can make it interesting. If there’s no example of that, then there’s no shame in beginning now. No matter when you start, it’s never too late; you can make it work if you try your absolute hardest!

(PHOTO BY SCOTT LESH)

The past year was a pillar year in the career of Mina Shirakawa. The fans continue to chant “We Want Mina,” and Shirakawa is more than happy to oblige. The future looks bright for “The Venus.”

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THE SYSTEM WORKS

Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards In Conversation With Pro Wrestling Illustrated

The reigning TNA Wrestling World tag team champions reflect on their success to date and get real about their competition ahead of this weekend’s “Under Siege” event.

TNA Wrestling's The System: Eddie & Alisha Edwards with Brian Myers
TRUST THE SYSTEM: Eddie & Alisha Edwards talk shop with Brian Myers at a recent TNA Wrestling TV taping at South Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. (PHOTO BY KEVIN McELVANEY)

FOR TWO VETERANS like Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards, spending your days basking in former glories could be a perfectly acceptable way to spend one’s career at this point. That’s not what motivates these men, however. Not content to ever phone it in, the accomplished duo are the current, reigning TNA World tag team champions. And Myers & Edwards spoke with PWI’s Jason McVeigh just days before competing at TNA’s Under Siege event. In the conversation below, they tell our readers how it feels to be on top of TNA Wrestling as part of the faction known as The System … and how they still strive to steal the show each and every night.

McVEIGH: So, Under Siege is coming up this Friday. You’re involved in a big six-man tag team match against Matt Hardy and Speedball Mountain. I guess I’ll ask Brian first, what can we expect from the match?

MYERS: I mean, it’s going to be very exciting, right? Six top-tier wrestlers in the main event, you know, anything’s possible in that situation. The System right now is really cooking … we’re out to prove a point, we’ve had some of the best six-man matches the past four months. Put them up against any other trios matches in the entire business. And this will be no exception. And if Matt Hardy thinks he’s going to rejuvenate his career at the expense of The System? He is very, very wrong.

PWI: Just on that one, Eddie, talk a little bit about Matt Hardy. This is Matt’s first match back in TNA, obviously. Is there anything you’re concerned about going against him?

EDWARDS: I’m not concerned. I think Matt, should be the one who’s a little concerned. You know, he’s been gone for quite a while now. Things have changed since he’s been gone. The System is at the top of the mountain right now. And it’s something that he has to understand, like Brian said: Matt’s not going to come in and get the buzz off of beating The System. And we already beat Speedball Mountain. Now, Matt’s back to get a taste of it, too. It’s going to be exciting because it is the first time Matt is back in a TNA ring in however many years. And that’s a cool thing, and it’s going to be cool to be a part of that. But it’ll be even better to put an end to it pretty quickly.

PWI: You guys are the TNA World tag team champions right now and you’ve spent a lot of weeks as a ranked team on Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s web and print rankings. Why is this partnership working so well?

EDWARDS: It’s because there’s a lot that goes into it. It’s not just the stuff that happens in the ring. We are friends outside the ring. Me, Moose, Alisha … we’ve been best friends outside of the ring for a while now. So, this has been percolating for a while before The System formed. And me and Brian, when we get in the ring, we have that same trust and that same respect for each other in the ring that we do outside of it. I think that shows every time we’re in there. Because you can see that having fun, we’re kicking ass, we’re doing it together, and we get to have these great matches together.

MYERS: Yeah, it’s a mutual admiration for each other. We’ve always had that, and then we’ve become best friends. And that shows in the ring. Thenm there’s the professional side of it where you literally have two of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers of our generation, coming together to be a super team. So, all things have fallen into place.

PWI: You kind of touched on it there, Brian … you both are very accomplished tag team wrestlers. What is it that keeps tag team wrestling exciting for you both?

MYERS: I love tag team wrestling. Obviously, I love being a singles competitor, too. I just love wrestling in all shapes and sizes. But I think what we have going now is Eddie and I are out there to steal the show every single night and try to improve on our performance every time we go out there. And I feel like these past four months, we’ve really done that. Each time just gets a little bit better and a little more in sync. That’s what you look forward tom and that’s what keeps me heading into these TNA weekends where I’m like, Okay, sick, we can keep this frigging thing going.

PWI: The System has seen a lot of success in TNA this yearm and it’s been a lot of fun to watch you guys do what you’re doing. Can you speak a little bit on the dynamic of the group? You know, not just the two of you, but Alisha and Moosem as well?

EDWARDS: Yeah, I think it’s a family group. Like I said, we are best friends outside the ring and Alisha keeps us in line. She’s kept me in line for so many years. But also, she’s done that in the back for so many years at this point, that I think it comes across on screen and in the ring, as well. It’s tough to find a group where people aren’t selfish, and they’re not focused on themselves. But this group isn’t. And it’s because we do have this relationship outside of the business.

MYERS: The bottom line is: The System’s real, and that’s why it’s working. And that’s why it’s going to continue to work. It’s as real as it gets in whatm at times, is a very fake industry.

PWI: What can we expect from The System going forward?

MYERS: I see no end in sight, nor do I look forward to that. I want this to go on for as long as we can. I want to live in the moment and be present, knowing that this is a great time in my career. We’re all having a freaking blast being best friends, doing what we do best, and stealing the show, and having fun. That’s what my life and career is about right now.

EDWARDS: Yeah, it’s the same for me. We all realize that we’re doing something special, and it feels like a special time for our careers, but also for the company. We want to capitalize on that. We don’t want to sell ourselves short or do anything to dilute the group. We want to run with this as long as we can to continue to drag TNA up that mountain.

PWI: There’s been a lot of changes in the company recently, but both of you have been loyal to the promotion for a while. Why is TNA the right place for Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards?

EDWARDS: For me, I’ve been here for over 10 years at this point. And I have said all along that the company has always treated me with respect and treated me right. So, that’s the reason that I’ve stayed here all along. But, at this point, it’s about what I want to do with my career. I don’t want to be on the road all the time. I enjoy the schedule that we have. I have a family; I have a daughter at home that I love being home with. And I love our locker room. It’s a group that I can truly buy in on. I buy in to what we’re doing. And I feel that we all have that same sense backstage, where we all know what we’re doing, and that we are all trying to drive this company forward. We keep chugging away, I’ve been trying to learn for 10 years, but I like where we’re going. That’s why I’m still here. And that’s why I believe in TNA.

MYERS: TNA is one of the best things that ever happened to me in my career. It’s just been such a perfect fit for so many reasons. They allow me to be the best version of myself. It’s been a collaborative effort, and a fun creative thing.

PWI: We are still only a few months into this run that The System are having. But are there any moments that stand out?

EDWARDS: Winning the tag team title for sure. And just being in the ring together. The first time we hit our pose in front of the hard cam … that was cool and something that’s burned into my mind.

MYERS: I would say the debut of Nic Nemeth at Hard to Kill, also. Even though it didn’t exactly turn out great for The System on that night, the upside I saw was that it was going to get a lot of people talking about us and about TNA. So, to be a part of that and hear the reaction was a big deal.

PWI: Favorite TNA tag team of all time?

MYERS: I loved America’s Most Wanted. When Matt (Cardona) and I were breaking into the business and were clueless 18-year-olds trying to figure out wrestling, AMW were the best babyface tag team in wrestling, and we really tried to watch their stuff and see what they were doing right. Because they were really getting after it at the time.

EDWARDS: Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. They’re two of the absolute best on their own and as a team. What they’ve accomplished is next level. And also, a team that was in TNA and so many other places is the Hardys. I was lucky enough to be in there with them when I was a member of The Wolves. I was a big fan of Matt and Jeff growing up, and just everything they accomplished. So, I put them up there, as well.

PWI: What do you want PWI readers to know about Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers in 2024?

EDWARDS: That we’re not going to stop. We’re in it for the long haul, and this is just the beginning.

MYERS: Yeah, and that The System is the real deal and we’re out there trying to steal the show every night and bring more eyeballs to TNA. We’ve got the hardest-working locker room [at TNA], and we are a part of that.

MORE INFORMATION ON TNA UNDER SIEGE

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Sareee-ISM Chapter 2: A Pro Wrestling Dream Team

Saree sits on the ring apron and smiles at the camera

From on the ground in Japan, here’s a special preview of the second produce show promoted by Sareee, complete with words from the joshi superstar herself.

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISSA MARIE
[except for official show graphics]


Following the success of Sareee-ISM Chapter 1, a complete sellout with a high streaming rate, Sareee is ready to do it again. This time, at Sareee-ISM Chapter 2, she is giving fans the best of the Western and Japanese styles by forming a pro wrestling dream team with the former IWGP Women’s Champion, KAIRI. 

While in Japan, I had the opportunity to speak with Sareee about Sareee-ISM Chapter I and choosing KAIRI as her partner for this latest round.  


“It had been a while since I last wrestled in Japan … wrestled Chihiro Hashimoto,” Sareee reflects. “Unfortunately, I was not victorious in my triumphant return match, but not being able to win fueled me.  I have now made it my personal goal to defeat Hashimoto in our next encounter.”

Sareee is speaking of the main event of her first produce show. Aside from the headline match not ending in her favor, the card was a resounding success on all counts. “That night, I was able to use all of the knowledge I gained here in Japan and overseas,” she tells me. “And I am very happy with the results and success of Sareee-ISM Chapter I.” 

Loss aside, the overall experience of the first Sareee-ISM show was all the encouragement she needed to want to do it again. But why only a four-match card?

“I believe that in pro wrestling, quality outweighs the quantity of the matches ,” said Sareee. “Fans pay to watch the best pro wrestling.”  And ain’t that the truth!

A higher number of matches doesn’t necessarily translate to selling more tickets. However, I would say that teaming with KAIRI will certainly help. Smiling, Sareee explained that “for the second show, I wanted to show the fans the best of both worlds [Western and Japanese styles of pro wrestling] and I can only do that with KAIRI; we are the only ones that can do it!”  While their respective experiences were very different, both Sareee and KAIRI worked tirelessly to incorporate their deep-rooted joshi training into their sports entertainment wrestling while under the WWE umbrella.

Headlined by the tag team match featuring Sareee and KAIRI, Sareee-ISM Chapter 2 will stream live worldwide via sareeelive.com: Friday August 4, 2023, 7:00 p.m. JST/6:00 a.m. EST/3:00 a.m. PST. 


The match card is one you will not want to miss:

Opening Match
Chi Chi vs Ibuki Hoshi

Second Match
Kaoru Ito & Kohaku vs Jaguar Yokota & Kizuna

Semi-Main Event
Miyuki Takase vs Mio Momono 

Main Event
Sareee & Kairi vs Arisa Nakajima & Takumi Iroha

I didn’t need much convincing to watch this show But, if you’re still unsure, Sareee has a message for you:

“I hope that all fans around the world stream this second chapter, where the beauty of Strong Style is showcased by the wrestlers that came before me, and the future of Joshi. This match card is a dream come true, from America to Japan, WWE/NXT to Sareee-ISM, KAIRI and I want to show you the best of pro wrestling of both worlds.  Thank you for your continued support! I look forward to the day we can meet again!”

And stay tuned for Part II of this interview, where Sareee and I talk about her typical day … and I share what it was like to watch her train with her mentor, Kauro Ito!