Various: Stardom President Taro Okada on Plans for Stardom’s Future & More Cross-Overs with Other Promotions, NJPW Departure from AXS TV Update, Card for 1/2 ROH TV Show

Stardom President Taro Okada on His Plans for Stardom’s Future & More Cross-Overs with Other Promotions

Tokyo Sports held a recent interview with Stardom President Taro Okada. One of the topics discussed included Okada’s thoughts about his plans for Stardom’s future and other promotions reaching out to them for cross-overs following Rossy Ogawa’s departure from the company in 2024.

“After we made those big internal changes, other promotions started reaching out. And I thought – why not? Let’s make it happen. Getting a feel for what’s happening across the women’s wrestling scene and seeing how other companies operate has been a huge win. I haven’t seen it all yet, but I feel like I’ve got a solid grasp of the big picture now.”

Okada also gave his thoughts about Mina Shirakwa’s time in AEW and hoping to see more talent cross-overs between Stardom and other promotions in 2025.

“It all started when Shirakawa Mina joined ROH in March. I also met Tony Khan at that time. From there, Shirakawa’s participation in ROH and AEW was decided one after another, and as she continued to go there, the talent of “Mina Shirakawa” blossomed in the United States, and I think she created quite a buzz among Japanese female wrestlers. I thought it was the ideal situation to be involved in the main story of AEW while also being active in Stardom.

Some people say that promising professional baseball players, including pitcher Shohei Otani, are going to major leagues, which have a larger economic scale, and that this is the decline of Japanese professional baseball. The same goes for professional wrestling, where very negative opinions are spread when wrestlers go overseas in search of more status and honor. I understand how they feel. But there will be no growth if we maintain the status quo. I believe that the exchange of talent and the desire to grow will revitalize the Japanese market and be a catalyst for moving up to the next step. I think Mina Shirakawa embodies that catalyst and opportunity.

Shirakawa has been scheduled to challenge Mercedes Monet for the STRONG Women’s Championship at Wrestle Dynasty (Tokyo Dome) on January 5th next year, and it would be great if we could continue to see more wrestlers who perform well like this in the future, and conversely, have a relationship where wrestlers from the other side can perform well in Stardom and rise to the top.”

---

NJPW Departure from AXS TV Update – AXS TV Releases Official Statement

As noted before, New Japan Pro Wrestling recently left AXS TV following the expiration of their television contract and NJPW not wanting to extend their deal.

Post Wrestling’s John Pollock reported that a representative from AXS TV gave an official statement to him regarding NJPW’s departure from their network.

“We will not be airing New Japan Pro Wrestling for the foreseeable future.  Our agreement expired at the end of 2024.  And we do not comment on the state of current or future agreements.”

---

Current Card for Thursday’s ROH TV Show

Ring of Honor recently announced the card for tonight’s ROH TV show on HonorClub.

Current card for January 2nd ROH TV show:

• ROH Women’s World Television Championship – Hanako vs. Red Velvet (c)
• ROH World Television Championship Proving Ground match – QT Marshall vs. Komander (c)
• Eight-Man Tag Team match – Shane Taylor Promotions (Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo, Shane Taylor, & Lee Moriarty) vs. Iron Savages (Bulk Bronson & Beefcake Boulder) & Dark Order (Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds)
• The Rottweilers (Homicide & Rocky Romero) vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti
• Harley Cameron vs. mystery opponent