Sareee continues to be the talk of the wrestling world.
The Joshi freelancer has made waves time and time again throughout 2024, making everyone take notice of her incredible matches and moments. Sareee's biggest accolade this year was winning the Marigold World Championship in the main event of Summer Destiny 2024 against Giulia. Recently, she made her first defense of the championship against Bozilla -- a match that Sareee was very much looking forward to and studying. It ended up being a bloody affair, but one she managed to successfully defend her gold.
As 2024 closes out, Sareee has two more major matches as she will defend the Marigold World Championship against Nanae Takahashi on December 13th and the Beyond The Sea Championship against Nagisa Nozaki on December 27th.
The former WWE superstar will also hold her next produce event, Sareee-ISM Chapter VI, on January 23rd to kick off her year.
Fightful's Scott Edwards had the chance to once again interview "The Sun Goddess" to discuss a variety of topics including her match with Bozilla, upcoming championship matches, wanting to compete in CMLL, the future of Joshi, and so much more.
Here's what Sareee had to say.
Edwards: At Korakuen Hall, you and Bozilla had a bloody fight over the Marigold World Championship. Not only is the match viewed as one of the most violent matches of the year, but it’s also one of the best world title matches in wrestling as well. This is a match that you have been looking forward to. Was Bozilla the opponent you hoped she’d be in the match? Are you proud of your performance, which was reminiscent of some classic matches throughout history?
Sareee: "Bozilla is very special. She is so big and powerful and still very young. She has only done it for a few years. She just started wrestling in Japan, but she is getting better very quickly. She is very good. She made me have my only loss in Marigold and that was a big wake-up call for me. I have not felt that way in a long time. The frustration of that loss and the pressure of I have to win my rematch and defend the title. That made me think of strategies and study. In that short amount of time between the first match and the rematch, Bozilla improved even more. I just happened to be more prepared this time and more experienced. I was able to win against and have my first title defense like her and beat her, I am very happy.
"Definitely, Andre the Giant vs Mr. Antonio Inoki match. I was honored to be invited to some of Mr. Inoki's store events and museum. I was able to see some of the photos of the match and that made me have interest in watching and studying that match. How to wrestle against people with such a size difference. It had many great hints and movements which I was able to use in the match vs Bozilla."
Edwards: What was going through your head when you saw the blood on the mat during the match? Did you feel a sort of adrenaline to keep pushing forward and to defend your championship?
Sareee: "That chair shot to the head outside the ring and to the outside corner post out made it even worse. When I saw the blood, it just made me fire up. As the match continued I think my fighting spirit inside me just bursted. Like a volcano eruption. Yes, definitely. I didn't feel any pain during the match but after when it all ended, not just my head but there was so much pain and bruises throughout my body."
Edwards: You’ve been making a lot of new rivals throughout this year, and you said as much following your match with Bozilla. Do challenges like Bozilla excite you as a wrestler? And as rivals, do you believe you’ll face her in another big singles match somewhere down the line?
Sareee: "Yes, the challenges excite me a lot. I want to wrestle against many foreign pro wrestlers. If there are any chances, I would like to wrestle against Bozilla occasionally because I know she will be improving even more in a short period of time. That makes me want to train harder and be prepared which makes me become a better pro wrestler also. I must train and be prepared to always be above her so that I can win all the time."
Edwards: You continuously appear on Jaguar Yokota’s radio show, getting to speak with the legend. You’ve said before she’s played an important role in your career. What does she mean to you as a mentor, especially with how much she’s accomplished in her career?
Sareee: "She is a legend and has taught so many other pro wrestlers that have become leading stars of the industry. It's a great honor to hear her advice and I really appreciate it. To be on the same weekly radio show is a great honor also."
Edwards: We’ve talked about it in the past, but facing Meiko Satomura is something you’ve said you hope to do. You will have the chance to face her in Sendai Girls on November 17th in a tag team match. Now that her retirement road has begun, have you followed what she’s been doing? How are you feeling now that an official match is set with you getting the chance to face her? Do you want to face her in a singles match as well before she retires in April?
Sareee: "I have always been following her regardless of her retirement announcement. I feel very excited. She was my debut opponent before I left for WWE, and even during WWE for NXT UK but that never happened. So I definitely want to face her in a singles match for sure. I will try my best to make this happen before she retires. That NXT UK title match which never happened has always been in the back of my head since and I just need to make this singles match happen before she retires."
Sareee announced that she will be facing Meiko Satomura at her next produce event Sareee-ISM Chapter VI on January 23rd.
Edwards: On November 14th, you’ll face Nanae Takahashi in your second defense of the Marigold World Championship. You and Nanae collided in a competitive, physical battle in the DREAM STAR GP, going to a 15-minute time limit in what may have been the best match of the tournament. You have stood across the ring from her many times, and you’ve actually never defeated her in a singles match as far as records show. What about facing Takahashi is so intriguing to you? How do you view this challenge by Takahashi different from other championship matches you’ve had this year?
Sareee: "Nanae was the real last red belt champion of All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling. She has been there throughout my career and has always been a tough opponent. Last time it was a draw, this time I know I can defeat her and defend my title. I actually I had a singles match with her in Shanghai, China last year and won.
"She gets me fired up in the ring and I think I do the same to her as well."
Edwards: Throughout this year, you’ve talked about Utami Hayashishita. She’s someone who has had her eyes on you, as you both call yourselves the ace of Marigold. You have said in past interviews with me and Tokyo Sports that you’ve been looking for more out of her, and she recently stepped up in a big way — winning the DREAM STAR GP and earning a chance to challenge for the Marigold World Championship at First Dream on January 3rd. You were aiming to face her in the finals of that tournament, but with that not happening, a potential matchup between you two is on the horizon. Assuming that you’re able to retain your championship against Takahashi, you’ll be finally facing her at First Dream. What have you seen from Hayashishita these last few months that has stood out to you? You had the chance to face her in a tag team match in Hokkaido — was there anything different than from the last time you two shared the ring?
Sareee: "I wanted to face her in the finals of the League but couldn't. I will be sure to keep defending my title and also be there for Jan. 3rd to defend my title against her. Hayashita I know is good in the ring but don't feel her energy yet and hasn't left me with an impression yet. But I know she is like a volcano ready to erupt. I am going to make sure she can erupt."
Edwards: Do you think Hayashishita will be your toughest challenge when it comes to the Marigold World Championship?
Sareee: "Yes, once she explodes I know she can be one of the toughest wrestlers."
Edwards: Nagisa Nozaki will challenge you for the Beyond The Sea Championship at SEAdLINNNG’s December event. You’ve faced her once in 2011 and once in 2020 while also being involved in a number of tag matches against her this year. What’s your mindset heading into the big championship defense against Nozaki on December 27th?
Sareee: "For Nozaki, she has been my senpai (upper classman) in pro wrestling. Has been there at Diana before she got fired and went her own path. Years later, we are both freelance pro wrestlers and therefore have been meeting each other both at Seadllinng and Marigold. Having to face her in both two different organizations is pretty strange but great. I hope to defend my title against her for sure on Dec. 27th and defeat her all the time in both Marigold and SEAdLINNNG."
Edwards: This year, you ranked sixth on Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Women’s 250 List — an incredible ranking. And you did so while being a freelance wrestler. Congratulations on the ranking. How do you feel about such an impressive accomplishment after your past year of work?
Sareee: "It's such a great honor and I was so happy to hear that. I couldn't believe it. Thank you to everyone. I know it's hard to see my matches since I am in Japan but thank you so much to all of my international fans who watch my match."
Edwards: Do you have any updates you can give on what to expect from Sareee-ISM Chapter VI in January?
Sareee: "Very very soon."
Edwards: Who do you want to get on an upcoming Sareee-ISM event that you haven’t had the chance to book yet
Sareee: "The answer will be given very soon. I promise."
Sareee announced the full card for Sareee-ISM Chapter VI on Monday, November 18th. The card will see her main event the show against Satomura, as mentioned above. The full card will be listed below, as well as where you can purchase the show.
Edwards: Recently, you had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Bull Nakano. She’s accomplished so much in her career, and you noted that she invited you to take part in Sukeban. What do those conversations with Nakano mean to you? Has she taught you anything through these conversations that you use in your own career?
Sareee: "Her congratulating me means a lot to me. She is a legend not only in Japan but internationally as well. I wanted to do Sukeban because it was a great opportunity to work with her. Her advice and all means a lot to me. It's a great honor. Yes, I can't say it but she has taught me a lot and has given me many great advice both in the ring and off the ring."
Edwards: You’ve been studying a lot of Antonio Inoki’s work recently. Are there any other wrestlers you’ve been studying from as your work as a wrestler continues to evolve?
Sareee: "I have been studying lots of Mr. Inoki's works recently. I think I will do more when I have more time, especially with many great wrestlers that he has faced as well."
Edwards: La Catalina, whom you wrestled in WWE when she went by the name Katrina Cortez, alluded to wanting to face you again in the future. Does a match against La Catalina interest you? Would you like to face her in Mexico/CMLL or in your home country of Japan?
Sareee: "Yes, for sure. I hope that I can go to CMLL and wrestle against her one day and if she can come to Japan as well. Even if possible any other country as well. That would be great."
Edwards: Following La Catalina, is there anyone else outside of Japan that has got your attention that you’d like to face potentially in 2025?
Sareee: "Definitely Toni Storm and Athena in AEW for sure. I was planned to have matches at NXT but both got changed and never was able to do so. I know WWE is difficult but if anything was possible then IYO SKY and Tiffany Stratton for sure."
Edwards: Since leaving WWE and returning to Japan, you’ve established yourself as a one-of-a-kind wrestler in an era where some consider it hard to stand out. Now that you’ve been back in Japan for as long as you have, can you provide some insight into your current mindset as a wrestler and why you believe you stand out as much as you do while being a freelancer?
Sareee: "I just do what I want to do and do what I think the fans might like to watch. Also, believing in yourself and to become that image that you want to become."
Edwards: To follow that, as you look at the scene around you in Joshi, who would you like to see make strides forward? Is there anything different you’d like to see from the Joshi scene moving forward?
Sareee: "I want to make Joshi pro wrestling more major and more well-known not only in Japan but to the world as well. I also would like to help revive the golden era and the fighting spirit style of pro wrestling like the 'Queen of Villains' again."
I'd like to take this time to thank Sareee and her amazing team for helping make the latest interview happen. This is the sixth exclusive interview with Sareee as she continues to provide insight into her thought process, wrestling mind, and her overall career.
If you'd like to check out more of what Sareee is up to, make sure to follow her YouTube channel "Sareee Channel." She also shares a YouTube channel with her best friend Natsupoi, which you can check out here. Make sure to also follow Sareee's X account to never miss anything going on in her career.
You can see Sareee's Marigold World Championship defense against Nanae Takahashi on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.
Sareee announced the full card for the Sareee-ISM Chapter VI at a press conference on Monday. Here's a look at the full card, featuring legends like Jaguar Yokota and Yumiko Hotta as well as Marigold competitors Bozilla, Victoria Yuzuki, and Kizuna Tanaka:
- Sareee vs. Meiko Satomura
- Kaoru Ito & Yurika Oka vs. Bozilla & Mio Momono
- Takumi Iroha vs. Chi Chi
- Jaguar Yokota & Kizuna Tanaka vs. Yumiko Hotta & Miku Kanae
- Shaa vs. Victoria Yuzuki
The show will eventually be available to purchase on sareeelive.com. You won't want to miss it.
For more from Sareee, you can check out her store at sareee-mania.com
For more exclusives from Fightful, check them out here.
