Miyuki Takase is one of the best wrestlers in Japan and has been able to show her talent to the whole world.
She made her American debut last year at DEADLOCK Pro's No Pressure show when she faced Miyu Yamashita for the first time ever. She also returned to the promotion this year to take part in the DPW Tag Festival, teaming with Andrew Everett. In DEADLOCK's Japan debut, she debuted the second show by challenging Emi Sakura for the DPW Women's Worlds Championship.
Most recently, Takase has competed in a number of promotions including Sendai Girls, PURE-J, Pro Wrestling WAVE, and Diana.
She's also competed in Pro Wrestling NOAH, becoming one of the handful of Joshi competitors to compete in the puro promotion.
Fightful's Scott Edwards had the chance to interview Miyuki Takase as she discussed competing in DEADLOCK Pro, Himeka's retirement, freelancing, and her time in Actwres girl'Z.
You came into pro wrestling without previous knowledge. What has it been like learning it? Did you instantly fall in love with wrestling or was it hard at first?
I had zero exposure to pro-wrestling, so I didn’t know what it was about wrestling – I didn’t even know the rules. Back then, I saw people working so hard that I wanted to work with them, and that is how I joined and started training. Nobody around me knew wrestling so I relied on YouTube, Google, and books to learn; it was hard to learn from scratch because back then YouTube only had a few videos of very old matches. What I found particularly difficult was that there was no ring to practice in; we had access to a ring only 2 or 3 times a month, which was not enough, but complaining wasn’t going to solve the problem, so we did our basic physical training and improvised in any way we could. After making my debut, I got exposed to wrestlers outside the promotion and discovered many amazing matches, which led me to be more and more invested in wrestling.
You have a very hard-hitting, high-energy wrestling style. Is there anyone you’ve studied specifically that made you wrestle like this? Or is this a style you made your own way?
My style is a product of me just being myself, turning up my personality and my emotions during matches, so my style is just who I am. Having said that, I don’t feel that it’s accurate to say that I made my style on my own. In the process of knowing nothing about wrestling to falling in love with it, I watched a lot of matches of my favorite wrestlers, so I must have been influenced a lot by those wrestlers.
The first wrestler that moved my emotions and made me fall in love with them is Rina Yamashita. She’s big and powerful yet speedy, and most importantly, has very exciting matches. I saw her and was immediately shaken from the core. During the process of searching for Rina’s matches, I also fell in love with Ryo Mizunami and Hiroyo Matsumoto, ending up watching a lot of their matches too. What they have in common is that they are energetic and powerful; they are the best and I still love them to this day.
You competed at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s One Night Dream on July 15th. With an increased Joshi presence on NOAH shows in recent months, does the prospect of a GHC Women's Championship interest you?
There must be controversy about the fact that Joshi wrestlers are fighting on the traditional NOAH ring, and that people are talking about a GHC Women’s Championship. However, I believe that Joshi has a unique allure and energy that only Joshi can bring about. I respect the opposing opinions, but I would like them to give us a try and watch our matches. I would like to put on matches that can change their opinion, and that is one of my new challenges. I would definitely be interested in a shot at the GHC Women’s title if that comes up during the course of this challenge.
How is it being one of the first Women's wrestlers to compete in a promotion like NOAH?
I am extremely honored. Like I said, I know there’s a controversy surrounding this situation, but any new endeavor is always met with opposing opinions. I feel proud to be in a position to be one of the wrestlers that have the opportunity to change those opinions, and my goal is to make that happen and increase the number of people that enjoy women’s wrestling along with men’s wrestling, because that means that more people will be deeply immersed in the intrigue of pro-wrestling.
You’ve been in DEADLOCK a few times now. How have your experiences been here in America and what have been your favorite moments inside and outside of the ring?
It was new and exciting, yet at the same time it felt like home. There was the concern that they might not welcome me due to my inability to speak English well, but in the ring we were able to communicate through wrestling and that was really fun. The biggest difference I felt from Japan was the energy of the crowds. On my first show abroad there were 9 matches, which is very rare in Japan. I was surprised by the energy level of the crowds for the opening match, and at the same time I was concerned that they might be burned out by the time I appear in the semi-main event, but there was no need to worry at all. They were even more vibrant for my match, and the whole venue was chanting in unison and enjoying the show. It was an amazing experience that I still remember well. Some fans were wearing my shirt that I sold in Japan despite it being my first show in the US, and the whole experience just made me a fan of the US. I always look forward to the next opportunity I get to wrestle Stateside.
Your matches in DEADLOCK gave you an opportunity to compete against the likes of Miyu Yamashita and Emi Sakura. Is there anyone else in Joshi that you have had the chance to face yet that you’d like to in the future?
I’ve gotten opportunities to share the ring with most wrestlers, but if I were to name wrestlers I’ve never been in the ring with, I am interested in working with Shoko Nakajima and Miu Watanabe of TJPW.
Your first match with Miyu Yamashita in DEADLOCK created a lot of buzz. Are you proud of that match and would you like to compete with her again possibly in Japan this time?
I am certainly very proud of that match. We got to have a rematch in the UK at a later date, which probably means that the first match was highly regarded by those that watched it. I would love to have a third match with her in Japan if the opportunity presents itself.
You were the champion of Actwres girl’Z before the company changed things up, leading you to go freelance. How’d you feel at the time? How do you feel about Actwres girl’Z now after they helped you break into pro wrestling?
I was concerned more about the younger generation than about myself. I wasn’t that worried about myself, because I had the opportunity to learn pro-wrestling outside the promotion, making friends along the way who I could consult. That wasn’t the case though for the newer wrestlers that had just debuted. It was clearly evident to me how worried they were, and I spent every day thinking about what I could do for them, and talked to them for hours if any of them came to me for advice. Right now, I’m very happy to see that they have each found their path and are thriving. I have nothing but thanks for Actwres for giving me the opportunity to launch my career.
What are your fondest memories of your time in Actwres girl’Z?
Probably the time we sat together and brainstormed what we could do when COVID came about, and we were unable to have shows. Motivation levels were hard to keep up, but we got together and shot videos or tried to figure out how to stream matches. It was reassuring to have people around that I could work together with, and it was a breath of fresh air during the stressful days when we could not go out.
I also used to train with Momo Tani and Momo Kohgo before the group training, meeting up at facilities run by local municipalities. Their attitude towards practice motivated me, and we’d also go eat together and share our concerns at the time, providing advice to each other.
Sendai Girls paired you with Mika Iwata and you two have become such a great tag team. Why do you feel they did that and how do you feel about Iwata as your partner?
I think they finally understood how big my love for Mika Iwata is lol.
I used to watch and enjoy Sendai Girls even before I started wrestling for them, and I just found Iwata to be so wild and cool. I was overjoyed when I got to share the ring with her! I think I know her better than anyone else and I believe I can bring out the best in her more than anyone else. I think the promotion saw that in me.Iwata is wild, she’s cool, and just absolutely the best. She’s pure, she hates losing, and puts in 100% effort every time, but can also be delicate and feel very pressured.
That’s why she looks genuinely happy when she’s pleased with her performance, and her smile is cute and captivating.On top of that, she always responds when I scream for help, even though that might not be exactly legal. I think she actually might be a superhero.
When and where do we get to hear the song you recorded?
You’ll have to keep an eye out for future announcements.
How was performing at Himeka retirement Stardom show at Korakuen Hall?
It was a wonderful ceremony, filled with love and witnessed by many. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to meet Himeka and was able to wrestle with her, even just for a short period. More than anything, I am thankful to Stardom for providing us with one last opportunity to interact despite the fact that our professional relationship had been severed.
You came to England for the first time in March, how did you find the experience wrestling over there?
I found the level of wrestling there to be very high. The wrestlers were athletic and had many ideas, and I discovered a lot of amazing talent. I felt that the matches I saw were educational for me, and I’d love to go back.
The Emi Sakura title match earlier this year has been regarded as one of the best in wrestling. Did you feel a connection with her in the ring as she was able to match your physicality? Did you enjoy competing against a legend like Sakura?
The match was very, very fun. It will go down as one of the most memorable matches of my career. I don’t think I was ever able to expose so much of my emotions in a title match against someone I’d almost never wrestled before. It felt like Emi Sakura brought everything out from inside me, and that is probably what makes her a great champion.
You've been freelancing for a few years now, and it's allowed you to compete in America, in STARDOM to celebrate Himeka's retirement, and help create NOMADS with your fellow freelance Joshi wrestlers. What is the most rewarding thing about being freelance?
Singling out the “most” rewarding thing might be difficult because I found every experience to be precious. I guess I can say that becoming freelance has opened a lot of doors to new opportunities, and they have all led to very rewarding experiences.
What are some goals that you want to accomplish freelancing?
I want to wrestle overseas a lot! There are many people out there who still don’t know me, and I want to change that. It is a big goal of mine to become a wrestler that can travel across the globe and thrive everywhere.
I also want more international fans to discover Japanese wrestlers.
If possible, I want to run my own show abroad one day. I want to bring a lot of Japanese wrestlers to the US and have the fans see the amazing Japanese wrestlers live.
You currently have several frequent tag partners in Haruka Umesaki, Mika Iwata, and the person who trained you — Leon. What makes each team you’re in so different and special in their own way?
The team RED SOUL with Leon is the master/apprentice tag team. I was always chasing after Leon in the past, and she allowed me to grow by letting me stand by her side as a partner. It took us a few years, but we were able to become champions together, and it makes me happy that I am in a position now where I can contribute, and we can work together for the win.
The team Luminous with Haruka Umesaki is like a team of sisters; we hang out and go out to eat together, spending time outside the ring too. At first Haruka was a rookie and a teenager so I was the one leading the team; she used to cry after matches because she hated losing. It makes me extremely proud that now she has grown so much that she has become a champion of her promotion and spearheading their growth.
My team with Mika Iwata, Red Energy, is a team of equals that works together to forcefully take the win from opponents. The team is based on my love for Iwata, so I am confident that anyone who sees us will all fall in love with Iwata.
Each team is special for me, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without any of the partners.
You got to team with Himeka one more time as part of her retirement road. What did it mean to you that she wanted that to happen? Did you enjoy your experience in STARDOM? Is there anyone there you’d like to face in the future?
I mentioned this in the interview at the time, but I wasn’t the nicest senior. I was strict because I wanted Himeka to grow, but I also admit that I was very green myself and overwhelmed in general, perhaps being harder on her than I needed to be. So, when Himeka left the promotion I thought that I could have been the reason behind why Himeka decide to leave, but I didn’t mention it to anyone because I believed that our paths would cross again. That’s why I was very sad to hear that she was retiring, but Himeka made my very happy by asking to team with me one last time.
Along with Maya Yukihi, Rina Yamashita, and Natsu Sumire, you created the freelance group known as NOMADS’. Now that it’s been a year since the group began, how do you feel about it? Would you like to do more shows in the future? Do you have any goals for it?
NOMADS’ is a show run by four freelancers, for freelancers. So if a freelancer has any ideas or projects that they would like to make happen, we are there for them.
In an interview I did with NOMADS’ previously, you said two things:
1. You’re your own greatest rival.
2. There were many overseas wrestlers you wanted to face!
Can you explain why you find yourself to be your own greatest rival?
To me it’s intuitive, and it applies to anything. In the end, you are the one person that stops you from doing anything when the going gets tough, when you are let down, when you are taking on a new challenge, etc. Besides, there’s no use in comparing yourself to others because you’re talking about two different people. It’s so much easier to judge whether you’re better today than you were yesterday, or from a year ago.
Being a better version of yourself every day is the key to getting closer to achieving your goals.
Are there any specific overseas wrestlers you’d like to face in the future?
It’s hard to name one, because there are so many wrestlers out there that I still haven’t discovered. I’d rather like to know what the fans think; who do you want to see me fight? Give me names! Many names!
The last time you won singles gold was in 2021. Are there any specific singles championships you have your eyes on in the future?
I want the singles belt of Pro-Wrestling WAVE, which was the first promotion to give me a regular spot after I debuted, and still books me to this day. I’ve won their tournament, I’ve won their tag belts, but I still haven’t won their singles title. I believe that winning this belt will open doors to the next step of my career.
I’m also interested in the W.W.W.D World Singles title, currently held by my tag partner Haruka Umesaki. I’m really interested to see how she would fight in a match when a title is on the line.
Discussing Sareee, she’s someone you have history with as well. Most recently, you teamed with Iwata to face her and Saori Anou in Sendai Girls. You have similar styles that feature hard strikes and great, exciting offense. Since she’s returned to Japan, are you interested in another singles match against her?
Of course! We had a singles match just before she left Japan, and I cannot express how happy she made me with the things she said to me after that match. I want to show her how much I have grown as a wrestler during the time that she was away.
Is there a match from your career that you think all fans should see to understand who Miyuki Takase is as a pro wrestler?
I really want people to watch me fight Nagisa Nozaki. I’ve had lots of singles matches with her, and any one of them would be fine, but my suggestion would be one of my title matches with her, either for the Actwres or the WAVE singles title.
You have many fans worldwide. What would you like to tell them as they continue to follow you?
I always appreciate your support and cheering! Each time you shout my name, it gives me the power to fight. I am able to work had and grow because of all of you!
I hope you keep enjoying pro-wrestling with me! Have the best life possible!
Thank you!
We'd like to thank Miyuki Takase for the time she put into this interview and the thoughtful answers she provided.
You can follow Takase on Twitter/X here: @myuki3114
A huge thank you goes to Mr. HAKU of KOTATSU STUDIOS (Twitter/X: @misterhakusan) for translating Takase's incredible responses. You can check out his YouTube page here.
We also want to thank Chiyoko. Chiyoko helped me translate the questions from English to Japanese.
You can follow Chiyoko on Twitter here: @chiyoko_asakura
Check out Fightful's other exclusive interviews with Sareee and Saori Anou.
