The new Japanese women’s promotion DREAM STAR FIGHTING MARIGOLD, or for short Marigold, will officially start on May 20th in front of a sold-out crowd at Korakuen Hall. The show named “Marigold Fields Forever” will be live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE with English and Japanese commentary.
Next to names such as Giulia & Utami Hayashishita, the most recent Rookie of Stardom Winner, Victoria Yuzuki joined the promotion and has major goals as she wants to become the Ace of Marigold.
Ahead of the big debut show of Marigold, WrestlePurists had the chance to interview Victoria Yuzuki as she discussed several topics including why she left STARDOM to join Marigold, her new first name, her match against Mayu Iwatani, and more.
Question: What was your motivation to become a Pro Wrestler in STARDOM?
“I had only watched men’s wrestling before, but when I saw STARDOM for the first time, I was fascinated by the glamorous and unique personalities of the individual wrestlers and the way they sparkled in the ring. From there, I began to watch STARDOM matches more often, and even though I had always enjoyed watching the matches as a fan, I wondered how much fun it would be if I became a pro wrestler myself. I want to inspire, cheer up, and give courage to others. I want to shine in this ring. That’s why I became a pro wrestler.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: When you became a pro wrestler, you had to move by yourself from your family home in Nagoya to Tokyo. How was that?
“Of course, I was worried and anxious about whether I would be okay on my own. I was already homesick just one day after I arrived in Tokyo. But I was determined to make my debut here, so I managed to get over it.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: What are your hobbies outside of wrestling?
“Listening to music! If I have free time, I’m playing music!
-Victoria Yuzuki
Recently, I also enjoy going to look at clothes! I don’t buy anything in particular, but I go to the store to check out clothes that interest me!”
Question: When you were a member of Stardom, you were a member of STARS. What kind of things did you learn from your fellow STARS members?
“The first is to never give up until the end and to have fun. There were many things I learned. But I think this is the most important one for me. I have seen how the seniors are always strong and always try their best to finish the job. On the other hand, I also feel that I have to do the same, that I will not let myself be defeated, and although I don’t have much experience yet, I naturally want to enjoy the matches as much as possible. I will always cherish this learning.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Before you left STARDOM, you were able to have a match with Mayu Iwatani. What did that match mean to you?
“It was a great experience for me to have a match with Mayu-san. Mayu-san is a very, very high wall to climb, and I’m still a newcomer. What was I to do if I didn’t give Mayu-san everything I had in me right now? I had no other choice but to give it my all. That was all I could think about. This match reminded me of Mayu-san’s strength and awesomeness, and I hope that one day, I will be just like her. And I hope to fight Mayu-san again someday when I have grown up and become stronger.“
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Why did you decide to leave STARDOM and join Marigold?
“Because I wanted to shine in women’s professional wrestling created by Rossy Ogawa, whom I respect so much. Also, I wanted to experience the beginning of a new promotion, which is not an easy thing to get to experience.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: How are you using your Judo experience in wrestling?
“I use my signature move, the Uchimata, in various situations, such as when I try to throw an opponent, sometimes in rapid succession, and sometimes as a counter to stop the opponent’s flow.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Why did you change your name from ‘Yuzuki’ to ‘Victoria Yuzuki’?
“My goal is to win as much as possible. Victoria means victory, and that is who I am now. I will make my way to the top!”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Please explain Victoria Yuzuki’s style of wrestling to new fans
“My wrestling style is to draw the opponent into my world with technical moves using my own physical strength, mixed with Judo techniques that I have been practising for 9 years.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Why did you promise to become the Ace of Marigold? How will you become an Ace?
“Because there are people I want to fight as the ace of Marigold. And I want to make the women’s wrestling world more exciting. I will fight many matches to gain experience, grow more and more, and become strong enough to be noticed by everyone.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: At a press conference, you challenged Nanae Takahashi for the Korakuen Hall show. Why do you want to fight Nanae Takahashi?
“I have been watching the Passion Injection matches since STARDOM, and I knew I would eventually do it. I was looking forward to it and happy to be able to start working with Nanae-san at Marigold, even though we didn’t cross paths at Stardom. Then, at the press conference, Nanae-san said that she was going to retire soon! So I asked her to fight me!
-Victoria Yuzuki
Passion, always passion! Passion! You keep saying it, but I’m going to inject some passion into you, Nanae Takahashi!”
Question: Of the Wrestlers who left Actwres Girl’Z and joined Marigold, who would you like to fight?
“Miku Aono.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: Your new nickname is ‘Bridge to the Future’. What does it mean?
“I just recently noticed that I got this nickname. But I think it means that my wrestling is connected to Marigold’s future.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: At Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Ryogoku show, Marigold’s wrestlers will fight freelance wrestlers. Which freelance wrestlers do you want to fight?
“I want to fight Sareee-san.”
-Victoria Yuzuki
Question: There are many wrestling organizations in the world today. Why should fans support Marigold?
“Marigold is a new organization, and already we have a lot of momentum. But it is your support that will make us shine even brighter. Your expectations and support are what make us answer your calls and gives us inspiration, energy, and courage, and we can give that back to you too. We want to show you beautiful new scenery in joshi pro wrestling. New scenery for you, the people who support us here at Marigold. So please follow Marigold! And please support us!”
-Victoria Yuzuki
WrestlePurists would like to thank Victoria Yuzuki and Marigold for taking the time to put together this great interview ahead of their first show at Korakuen Hall. We’d also like to thank Sam, who translated the questions from English to Japanese for us.
You will be able to watch Victoria Yuzuki and the rest of the roster on Marigold’s first show called “Marigold Fields Forever” live on Wrestle Universe on May 20th. In the show’s main event, Sareee teams up with a mystery partner against Giulia and a mystery partner. It is the first meeting of Giulia & Sareee inside a ring since June 2019, when Sareee was able to defeat Giulia in a singles match.
You can follow Marigold through their English (@Marigold_Joshi) and Japanese (@DFS_Marigold) accounts on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on their Website, where you will find the schedule & roster of the promotion.
