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Rika Tatsumi Talks Summer Sun Princess '23, TJPW, America, And More | Interview

Wrestling
Scott Edwards Jul 7, 2023 7:00AM

This upcoming Saturday, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW) will hold their signature summer event Summer Sun Princess '23 live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

The show will feature the return of Miyu Yamashita to singles action in TJPW, AEW's Nyla Rose competing, and a main event that will see Mizuki defend the Princess of Princess Championship against Maki Itoh.

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In the semi-main event, Rika Tatsumi is set to defend the International Princess Championship against Yuki Aino. Tatsumi is the first-ever Triple Crown winner in TJPW history, being the first to hold the Princess of Princess Championship, Princess Tag Team Championship, and now the International Princess Championship.

Earlier this year, she even made her first defense of the title in America against Billie Starkz.

Fightful's Scott Edwards had the chance to interview Rika Tatsumi ahead of her big match on Saturday. Among the topics she discussed was her defense against Yuki Aino, who her wrestling style is inspired by, a possible excursion to the U.S., and so much more.

Here's what Tatsumi had to say!

You’re set to defend the International Princess Championship against Yuki Aino at Summer Sun Princess. This will be one of the biggest matches in her career. Are you prepared for the match and what are your thoughts on Aino?

Yuki is not only a passionate wrestler, but also a serious and solid. My belt is targeted, but I will play them all back. I think this will be a match of true value for Yuki too.

Miu Watanabe is your tag team partner but in many ways a rival after beating her for the International Princess Championship. What is your relationship like with her and do you believe that you make each other better?

I usually treat her like if I had a sister in real life, this is how I would treat her. It is hard to fight against her, but when we fight as a tag team, she is as reassuring as a fighter plane. I enjoy piloting her, and when I see Miu doing her best, it makes me want to do my best, too.

You’re nickname is the “White Dragon.” Where does the name originate from?

I definitely wanted to use white as the image color, as it was originally my favorite color. When I first debuted, my catchphrase was White Angel, but I felt uncomfortable.
At the time I changed my name to Rika Tatsumi, I decided to be strong and holy like a white dragon, so I also changed my catchphrase to White Dragon.

Are there any dragons, whether in wrestling or through different forms of media that you really love?

I have unceasing respect for Tatsumi Fujinami , the original dragon, but the dragon I really like may be myself, Rika Tatsumi. I would also like to meet Dragon Ball's Shenlong.

Rika Tatsumi has a very unique wrestling style! Is there anyone or anything that inspired your style or did you intend to create such a interesting style on your own?

There are wrestlers that I respect and admire, but I think my style of wrestling is more influenced by my admiration for my favorite artists and rock stars. Famous ones include Sid Vicious, Avril Lavigne, Kiyoshiro Imawano, Hiroto Komoto, and many more.

Are there any new moves or styles you’d be been interested in learning and adding to your own style?

Basically, I want to master my moves I currently use with great care, but I am always thinking of new moves I would like to try. I want to use them when I have the chance.

What do you believe makes TJPW so unique?

When TJPW was launched 10 years ago, it was built from the ground up by members who knew nothing about pro wrestling, so I feel that many of the matches are different from traditional women's pro wrestling.
We all have different types of characters, so it's easy to remember us even if you see us for the first time.

Earlier this year, TJPW got a chance to wrestle in America. How much did you enjoy that opportunity?

I spent about a week in America for the first time, and I enjoyed it to the fullest, going to Universal Studios and the beach in private with my IP belt, not to mention the matches! The free country style matched my freedom and made me feel comfortable.

Where else would you like to compete outside of Japan?

I would like to go back to the U.S., and personally, I would like to visit England and also Korea.

How were you feeling facing Miu Watanabe for her International Princess Championship?

I suffered from her moves that my mind can't keep up with understanding, which made me respect Miu even more and reaffirmed that she is a wonderful monster wrestler. Although we were fighting for a single belt, our "Hakuchumu(DayDream)" tag team bond grew stronger through the fight.

When you lost the Princess of Princess Championship, it was inside an empty Korakuen Hall to Miyu Yamashita. Is there a part of you that wants to win the championship back so that you can have a reign in front of fans or do you feel your first reign was special as it was?

My first reign will always be special, but I have my mind set on returning to the POP belt for a long time. I think the phrase "crazy blooming" would suit me if I were to win it back, so I am aiming for a crazy blooming! Also, I have never been able to beat Yamashita, so I definitely want to leave her in the dust of the universe someday.

If you successfully defend your International Princess Title successfully, what are your plans for the championship moving forward?

I will get the two remaining belts in TJPW, become Triple Crown Champion, and retire in style. This means that the IP will end in my generation.

Is there a wrestler outside of TJPW that you’ve never had the chance to face before that you’d like to in the future — either in Joshi or America like AEW?

I want to hunt panda (Andreza the Giant Panda)!
I also dream of fight against the Brahman Brothers someday.

You've wrestled in TJPW's sibling promotion DDT in the past, but never in an intergender setting. Does wrestling the male members of DDT's roster in the future interest you like Saki Akai has in the past?

I'm sure I'll discover something new, and if offered, I'll consider it, but I'm not too keen on it because I feel like my fans aren't looking for it. if I had to say something, Anton-san(Antonio Honda) is like a master for me, so I would like to team up with him anytime.

Is there anyone you’d love to tag team with outside of TJPW in the future?

I don't have anyone at the moment.

Many fellow TJPW wrestlers are taking excursions to America! How do you feel about that? Are interested in doing the same in the future?

I think it is wonderful! But I hear about the tough episodes and I don't think it will be easy, so just because many fellow TJPW wrestlers are taking excursions, I don't think I want to do the same. Right now I have a strong desire to do my best in Japan.

The TJPW roster continues to grow and evolve year after year. In relation Yuka Sakazaki's announced graduation later this year, how do you feel about the roster changes and manage to evolve alongside the company you love?

I think TJPW will look a little different when my colleague Yuka-chan (Yuka Sakazaki) graduates. I would like to be big enough both as a group and as an individual to be able to scare Yuka-chan when she comes back from time to time.

You’ve had many great matches in TJPW. Who do you believe is your best opponent?

It's hard to choose, but if I had to choose, I would say Miu as an individual, and MagiRabi as a tag team.
However, I am aiming for a fight that will be considered a great match no matter who the opponent is.

What’re some of your favorite things to do when you’re not wrestling?

I like music, Japanese comedy, idols, fashion and fluffy little animals.

You recently pinned Mizuki, would you like to try and become the first double singles champ in TJPW history?

It was a handicap match, so I don't think it was a perfect win for me. I have never fought Mizupon (Mizuki) in a singles match, and it would be great if we could fight for the belt, so I would like to fight after we have both defended our belts many times.

For the fans who support you around the world as we head into Summer Sun Princess, what is one thing you’d like to tell them?

Thank you for always supporting me! Whether you will watch live or streaming, let's all feel the summer together! I am looking forward to bringing you an exciting day!

We want to thank Rika Tatsumi for taking the time in her busy week to answer these questions ahead of the major show. A thank you to TJPW as well for helping make this happen.

Make sure to follow Rika Tatsumi on Twitter: @doratles

Here are the start times:

Here is the full card for Summer Sun Princess '23:

  • Suzume & Arisu Endo vs. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano
  • Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko, HIMAWARI & Shino Suzuki vs. Kaya Toribami, Toga, Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo
  • Ryo Mizunami & Nao Kakuta vs. ASUKA & Yuki Kamifuku
  • DEFY Women's Championship: VertVixen (c) vs. Hikari Noa
  • Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Aja Kong & Raku vs. Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
  • Nyla Rose vs. Miu Watanabe
  • EVE Championship: Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Sawyer Wreck
  • Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel vs. Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara
  • International Princess Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c) vs. Yuki Aino
  • Princess of Princess Championship: Mizuki (c) vs. Maki Itoh

You can tune into Summer Sun Princess '23 on WRESTLE UNIVERSE

You can check out our other TJPW interviews with Miyu Yamashita, Yuka Sakazaki, and Maki Itoh now!

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