Ice Ribbon holds its second biggest event of the year Saturday in what will be its final show of the year -- Ribbon Mania. The show features Saori Anou defending her ICExInfinity Championship against Asahi in the main event, AEW's Hikaru Shida teaming up with Ibuki Hoshi to defend the International Ribbon Tag Team Championship in the semi-main event, and finally Yuuki Mashiro's retirement match as she goes one-on-one with Suzu Suzuki.
Mashiro announced her retirement from pro wrestling on September 29 in a press conference. The 21-year-old currently holds the Triangle Ribbon Championship and will end her career as champion as she held the championship for almost a year.
Prior to her retirement match, Fightful's Scott Edwards had the opportunity to interview Mashiro and ask her a few questions regarding her retirement, what's next, Ice Ribbon, and more!
Here's what Yuuki Mashiro had to say!
Can you tell us what went into your decision to retire from pro wrestling and what you're planning to do in the future?
昔から夢だった看護師になりたくて引退をすることに決めました。
It’s always been my dream to become a nurse, which is why I decided to retire.
You wrestle an unconventional style. What was it like developing that style? Did you start out wanting to compete in a more traditional way or was this always your plan?
皆んなと違うことがしたくてガチャ王というものを作りました！！
I wanted to do something different from everyone else, which is why I came up with the whole “Gacha King” bit!
You inherited the Venus Clutch from Tsukasa Fujimoto and used it to great success. Will you pass it on even further, or leave it to Tsukasa?
今のところ誰かに技をあげるのは考えてないです！
For the moment I’m not really thinking of passing on the move to anyone!
What was it like coming so close to the ICExInfinity Championship against Saori Anou?
初めての後楽園ホール大会でシングルのメインとても緊張しました。
絶対に勝ちたいという気持ちだったのと、相手が安納さんだったから全力で挑めたのもありますし、取れなかったのは悔しいけどとてもいい思い出の試合です。
It was my first time fighting a singles match in the main event at Korakuen Hall, so I was really nervous.
I really wanted to win no matter what, and since my opponent was Anou-san I was able to fight with everything I had. I didn’t win, which is regrettable, but it was a really memorable match.
Who do you think should lead Ice Ribbon moving forward?
今度誰かが引っ張って行くのを私は外から見守りたいなと思ってます！！
Whoever leads Ice Ribbon next, I just want to watch from the outside!
Who in Ice Ribbon will you be watching closely after you retire?
機会があれば試合とかみに行きたいですね！
I wish I could watch matches if I get a chance!
What, in your opinion, makes Ice Ribbon so special?
下ばっかり向いてた自分を変えてくれた場所！
とてもいい経験をしたところ！
It’s a place that changed me from someone who had her head down all the time!
It’s a place where I had great experiences!
Are there any matches that stand out to you from your career that mean a lot?
安納さんと後楽園ホール大会でシングルのベルトかけてトーナメントした試合！
石川奈青とシングルした試合！
The singles match for the singles belt against Anou-san at Korakuen Hall!
My singles match against Nao Ishikawa!
For those who may not know -- what are your plans following retirement?
とりあえず旅したい！！
For now, I want to travel!
Outside of pro wrestling, what are your hobbies?
Watching movies!
Who was your favorite opponent during your wrestling career?
誰だろ〜！みんな！
Who indeed~! Everyone!
What are you hoping to accomplish in your final month(s) as a wrestler?
1試合1試合全力で試合に望むこと！
To each match one by one with all my might!
The Triangle Ribbon Championship has been yours for nearly a year. You have the second-longest reign with the championship. Did you take pride in defending the title and continuing the belt's history?
とても誇りに思ってます！ベルト持って引退するぞー！
I’m very proud! I’m going to retire holding that belt!
As you near your retirement from pro-wrestling, is there anything you'd like to tell your fans?
皆んなと会えなくなるのはとても悲しいけど、
私がデビューして、応援してくれたからこそ今の私がいます！！
本当にありがとう
引退してもみんなのこと忘れないよ！！
最後まで真白優希をお願いします
I feel sad that I wasn’t able to meet you all.
I am here today because of all the support you gave me after I debuted.
I’m really grateful
I won’t forget everyone even after I retire!
Please keep watching Yuuki Mashiro until the very end :)
We'd like to thank Yuuki Mashiro for taking the time out of her schedule to do this interview and wish her the best in her retirement. A big thank you to Ice Ribbon and Yappy as well for helping us put this together.
You can order Ice Ribbon's Ribbon Mania show now. The pay-per-view airs live Friday night at 9:30 p.m. EST.
Here's the lineup for the show:
- Maya Yukihi, Rina Yamashita, Ram Kaichow, Saran & Kiku vs. Momo Tani, Sumika Yanagawa, Yura Suzuki, Tsukina Umino & Yuko Sakurai
- Hamuko Hoshi & Makoto vs. Hikari Shimizu & Kaho Matsushita
- Tae Honma, Kyuuri & Maika Ozaki vs. A~Min, Nao Ishikawa & Misa Kagura
- Yuuki Mashiro vs. Suzu Suzuki
- International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Hikaru Shida & Ibuki Hoshi (c) vs. Yuna Manase & Totoro Satsuki
- ICExInfinity Championship: Saori Anou (c) vs. Asahi
Check out our most recent Ice Ribbon interview with Asahi here.
And you can follow both @ICERIBBON_jp and @IceRibbon_eng on Twitter to keep track of all of their happenings and upcoming shows.
