This upcoming Monday is Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling's (TJPW) signature show, Wrestle Princess IV! The show will feature a special singles match between AEW's Nyla Rose and Maki Itoh, a match to crown new Princess Tag Team Champions, and a double title match between Rika Tatsumi and Max The Impaler.
The main event will see the Princess of Princess Championship on the line as Mizuki will take on her biggest challenge yet as Tokyo Princess Cup winner and former three-time Princess of Princess Champion Miyu Yamashita takes her on.
Ahead of the event, Fightful's Scott Edwards had the chance to interview Mizuki ahead of her huge title defense!
Among the topics discussed were Yuka Sakazaki's graduation and how she feels about her tag team partner moving on, the match against Miyu Yamashita on Monday, and training with Mercedes Moné, who is a big fan of Mizuki.
Here's what Mizuki had to say!
At Wrestle Princess IV, you will face Miyu Yamashita.
What were your initial thoughts when you saw her win the tournament?
I felt her desire and momentum to win the tournament because it was her 10th time.
In your career against her, you’re 2-3 as she eliminated you from the Tokyo Princess Cup this year. In the prior Princess of Princess Championship match against each other, she was able to beat you in that as well. Do these losses stick with you and do you learn from them? How are you feeling heading into the main event match against her?
I was very determined to carry TJPW on my back, and I was determined to win the title match, so I was very disappointed and depressed that I did not win In the prior Princess of Princess Championship match.
But now, fighting Yamashita as champion was a path I did not want to avoid, so I know I must win.
What do you believe makes TJPW so unique?
I think it is a place where you can continue to pursue your dreams.
When Yuka Sakazaki announced her graduation from TJPW, how did you feel?
I was prepared for it, but I still miss it.
I realized that I have to cherish each and every match and time.
You have a very close relationship with your Magical Sugar Rabbits partner Yuka Sakazaki. Can you tell us about that relationship? How has she made you a better wrestler as a result?
She is special!
I don't think I would be where I am today without Yukacchi.
At Grand Princess ‘23, you finally became Princess of Princess Champion by defeating Yuka Sakaxaki. It was a long road to finally win. What made you keep pushing forward? And what were your feelings when you won the championship?
I was able to reach it because everyone who supported me kept having my back.
I also thank you from the bottom of my heart for being by my side.
When I got the belt, my hands were shaking, but I strongly felt that I would make the belt shine in my own way from now.
Will we get to see Magical Sugar Rabbits team up again?
It will happen with my hard work.
How much did Mizuki Endo/Aiger help you in the early stages of your career and how was it sharing the ring with her one last time before she retired?
I really didn't like training with Endo-san, but she always faced me kindly and always took everything with great kindness.
She is my favorite senior!
I have nothing but fear for Aiger...
Joshi and its popularity is growing in America. How do you feel about the growing fan base? Are you interested in wrestling in America more in the future?
I'm always surprised that people support me outside of Japan! I'm so happy!
I want to have many matches in America as well.
TJPW held a show in America earlier this year and will be doing so again soon. What were you feeling following the show in Los Angeles, getting the chance to main event? What should fans look forward to at the next show?
Everyone was very warm and supportive, and I was very happy and empowered by the many people who called me by name!
I am sure we can show you a more powerful and more exciting us.
With Yuka Sakazaki’s graduation do you feel any pressure on you to guide TJPW into the future?
I don't feel any pressure because all of us are running with sparkling energy.
But if there is a girl who can no longer run, I will run with her, holding her hand.
Are there any wrestlers outside of TJPW you would like to defend the Princess of Princess Championship against? Or face that you haven’t had the chance to already?
I'm curious as to who my fans want me to fight against.
Many new wrestlers have recently joined TJPW. Are there any wrestlers that fans should keep an eye out for? How is your training with them? Have you given them any tips on how to be successful?
I think it will be exciting to see how they grow because they all have different colors.
The first match of Wrestle Princess 4 is Haru Kazashiro vs. Runa Ookubo, but in a few years they may be competing for the belt, and I hope so.
If they can find their own personality without comparing themself with others, they can be more sparkling! I'll be watching them in secret!
Mercedes Moné is a huge fan of yours! How does that make you feel?
I am her biggest fan!
I love her because she is kind of like a big sister even though we haven't been together for a long time!
What was it like getting to train with Mercedes? Is she someone you’d like to face down the road?
I learned a lot from watching her detailed and careful moves!
I would like to fight her in a single match! Dream big!
But she also has great costumes like Sailor Moon and princesses, so I might want to team up with her and wear one too.
Your reign as Princess of Princess Champion has coincided with the absences of several of TJPW's top stars. How have these absences affected your mentality as the top champion in the company?
I was anxious at first, but I had a colleague who supported me and everyone who was cheering me on, so I thought, "There is no need to be anxious! Enjoy the excitement with everyone!", and I was able to get over it quickly.
Since becoming champion, have you noticed yourself taking a sort of leadership role amongst the TJPW roster?
Being the champion has given me more time to face TJPW.
Over the past two years, you’ve competed in America outside of TJPW via DEADLOCK Pro and AEW. What were those experiences like for you? Would you like to compete there again? Is there anyone from either promotion you’d like to face next time?
The fans were very warm and I had a great time! I would like to compete there again!
I haven't beaten Emi Sakura at all, so I want to fight her!
You’ve had many great matches in TJPW. Who do you believe is your best opponent?
It is difficult to say who is the best opponent for me because I have feelings for each and every one of them!
But...Maki Itoh, I think.
Would you ever want to form a tag team with someone other than Yuka Sakazaki to win the Princess Tag Team Championships?
Right now I would like to stay with Yukacchi!
For the fans who support you around the world as we head into Wrestle Princess IV, what is one thing you’d like to tell them?
I believe that no matter where you are in the world, your heart is always with me, and I will fight, so please fight together!
A huge thank you goes to both Mizuki and TJPW for helping get this interview done ahead of Wrestle Princess IV.
Make sure to follow Mizuki on X: @mizupyon3
You can sign up for WRESTLE UNIVERSE to check out TJPW's Wrestle Princess IV live with English commentary. The service also includes Pro Wrestling NOAH, DDT Pro, and Ganbare Pro.
Here's the full card for the show:
Wrestle Princess IV Card:
- Haru Kazashiro vs. Runa Okubo
- Arisu Endo, Kaya Toribami & HIMAWARI vs. Yoshiko Hasegawa, HARUKAZE & Riara
- Moka Miyamoto vs. Juria Nagano
- Aja Kong, Raku & Shino Suzuki vs. Hyper Misao, Wakane Uehara & Toga
- Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino vs. Miu Watanabe & Yuki Arai
- Sakisama, Mei Saint-Michel, Martha & Yukio Saint Laurent vs. Shoko Nakajima, Suzume, Pom Harajuku & Antonio Honda
- Nyla Rose vs. Maki Itoh
- Princess Tag Team Championship: Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu vs. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta
- International Princess Championship & NWA World Women’s Television Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c) Vs Max The Impaler (c)
- Princess of Princess Championship: Mizuki (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
You can follow TJPW on Twitter (@tjpw2013) to keep up-to-date with the Joshi promotion.
You can check out our other TJPW interviews with Rika Tatsumi, Miyu Yamashita, and Maki Itoh now!
