Inside the STARDOM Exodus: What Happens Next?

In the past five years, World Wonder Ring Stardom has undergone several changes that have shaped its company identity. Most recently, this involves the exodus of Stardom’s stars such as Mina Shirakawa, Thekla, Giulia, Tam Nakano, and Mayu Iwatani. The loss of Hana Kimura, enduring the pandemic, the excommunication of long-time promoter Rossy Ogawa, and the partnership with AEW all contributed to the metamorphosis of what may be Japan’s biggest joshi wrestling promotion.

So much could come of this migration. Keeping in mind that the professional wrestling industry has undergone an overwhelming amount of updates, the sky is truly the limit here. Stardom is no stranger to this, however, as they’ve been able to rebuild.

Like a starfish, if you cut one appendage, another will grow in its place. Only Stardom’s process isn’t as disgusting. But where do these women go from here?

I’ve been wondering the same thing. Thus, here are my thoughts and predictions for Stardom’s former big names.

Mina Shirakawa

AEW viewers will recognize Mina Shirakawa from the fan-favorite Toni Storm/Mariah May storyline, but back in Stardom, she had far less luck with booking. She was a popular act, for sure. In Stardom, she was equally popular with title wins spaced out enough to give her an underdog story. From Cosmic Angels to Club Venus to Empress Nexus Venus, her road was long, despite being only five years.

Though she enjoyed varying levels of success in Stardom, her short stay in AEW had already meshed well. Her chemistry with the crowds, crew, and camera worked so well. Shirakawa immediately took to Western television like chocolate and peanut butter. The history she shared with Mariah May during the latter’s tenure in Club Venus helped with that, as did the unhinged Toni Storm, but Shirakawa made the most of her onscreen time.

Amid swirling speculation that May could be headed to WWE, Shirakawa might join her. Nevertheless, Shirakawa already stated her intention, and her fate is not tied to May; they are not a package deal. While she could change her mind, I expect Shirakawa will stick with AEW, where she’ll fit like a glove.

Thekla

Thekla is a departure that could be a sleeper hit. Brought into Giulia’s Donna Del Mondo faction, this Austrian-born wrestler set herself apart. Nicknamed the Toxic Spider, she used her gymnastics and ballet backgrounds to display a style that would keep opponents off their guard. 

Most recently, she’d been “fired” from Stardom at All-Star Grand Queendom (ASGQ) following her loss to Sayaya Urara and attacking president Taro Okada and Stardom staff. Thekla is also an artist and musician, which isn’t all too common in the industry, but she’s got a grasp on the fact that pro wrestling is an art. During her time in the former Oedo Tai stable, H.A.T.E., Thekla even pitched creative ideas for the team.

I maintain that she’s got a great voice for wrestling, on the microphone and in the ring. Thekla has only begun to scratch the surface.

Tam Nakano

Currently, Tam Nakano’s wrestling status seems cut and dry. At ASGQ, she faced Saya Kamitani in a retirement match. An emotional last stand, she lost that match outright and is now a former professional wrestler.

Unless she’s playing coy, I think she’s done. Joshi wrestlers, once retired, usually tend to stay inactive. However, there’s every chance she could return.

As it stands, though, as much as I’d love to see her aligned with Willow Nightingale in All Elite Wrestling or resume her burning rivalry with Giulia in WWE, I think Nakano is taking the first steps to the rest of her life. Music, entertainment, or a normal, quiet civilian life—Nakano has certainly deserved what she gets from here on out after all she’s given to wrestling.

Mayu Iwatani

Iwatani is to Stardom what John Cena was to WWE or what Hiroshi Tanahashi was to New Japan Pro Wrestling. She is the ace, the face that runs the place. Until recently, that is.

Losing her IWGP Women’s Champion to Syuri at ASGQ, Iwatani announced her departure from Stardom in a social media post.