Mina Shirakawa took the wrestling world by storm this past year. Beyond her work in her home promotion of STARDOM, she has also gained international recognition upon her wrestling excursions in the United States and United Kingdom throughout 2024.
She competed against former AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm for the title at AEW and NJPW‘s co-promoted Forbidden Door II event this past June, and she has appeared on AEW television on multiple occasions following this marquee match. Mina Shirakawa also made waves in the U.K. wrestling scene by defeating Dani Luna at RevPro’s 12-Year Anniversary show to become the new Undisputed British Women’s Champion. Her well-rounded experience in global competition then earned her the Number 16 spot on this year’s PWI Women’s 250 list.
Mina Shirakawa spoke with Troy Gonzales of WrestleZone following her match at NJPW Royal Quest IV to discuss her ranking on this year’s PWI Women’s 250, her U.K. wrestling excursions, and her former Rose Gold tag partner Mariah May‘s new demeanor as champion.
Mina Shirakawa on being recognized for the PWI Women’s 250
Troy Gonzales: What was your initial reaction when you saw that you were ranked as one of the top wrestlers in the world?
Mina Shirakawa: “I have been traveling around the world this year, almost never staying at home. I was very happy to see one of the results of that. But next year I want to be in the Top 10. And someday I hope to be No. 1!”
Your fellow EXV member, Maika, ranked 4th. What does it mean to you that PWI recognized you and your fellow STARDOM wrestlers as some of the best athletes of 2024?
“She [Maika] has been great in Japan for a long time, and she made it to 4th place. I think it’s awesome. It means that STARDOM’s athleticism and events are appreciated by people all over the world, beyond the sea. I believe that the wrestling skills of the wrestlers of STARDOM are amazing. It makes me happy to know that what we’re doing is being noticed.”
Mina Shirakawa discusses wrestling in the U.K. and potential title challengers
You and Kanji teamed up against AZM and Dani Luna for New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Royal Quest IV in London. What were your first impressions of Kanji as a wrestler?
“Her kicks were sharp and on point. I was really looking forward to teaming with her and trying some tandem kick combos together. I also think she is a character that new fans will love. I’ve seen some of her matches, and she’s definitely a wrestler that makes me want to cheer her on.”
You are RevPro’s Undisputed British Women’s Champion. Are there any women’s wrestlers in the U.K. who you would like to defend your title against?
“Rhio [and] Alex Windsor have each appealed to me to get into a title fight over there. So, I would like to make it happen. I like people who come to me with gusto. Then there is Millie McKenzie, who I have been interested in since she was wrestling in Japan. And NightShade, she and I have one win and one loss. The last time we fought was when I was a member of Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling. Many years have passed since then, and I would like to have another match with us having grown up.”
Mina Shirakawa on working with AEW talent
You have worked with “Timeless” Toni Storm in STARDOM and AEW. How was it working with her both as a tag team partner and as an opponent?
“The character of ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm is perfect. Character is very important for a professional wrestler, and she’s one of my favorite wrestlers and ideal for our sport. When I fought against her, I was careful not to get sucked in too far into her world. As tag-team partners, we worked so well together that I couldn’t believe it was our first time working together! It was a lot of fun!”
As a STARDOM wrestler, what has your experience been like working with AEW so far?
“There are many things that make AEW wrestling different from Stardom wrestling. The way we attack is different, the points at which fans get excited about a match are different, and the way the storyline develops into a title match is different. I mixed the AEW style of wrestling with my own wrestling. That style has become my own personality because I don’t share it with the other fighters in Stardom in a good way.”
Mina Shirakawa believes she can bring back the “old” Mariah May
Your former tag team partner Mariah May is the AEW Women’s World Champion, but she is a completely different person from her STARDOM days! Do you plan to return to AEW and work with Mariah?
“I was really happy when Mariah became the AEW Women’s World Champion. As a former partner of Mariah’s, I was so proud to see how her hard work in Japan led her to emerging to the top so soon after arriving in AEW. But the sparkling, fungoing Mariah is gone.
“I believe I am the only one who can bring Mariah back. I want the old Mariah back. And I want the two of us to team up again and become the strongest women’s tag team in AEW. I can’t wait to go back to see Mariah.”
Mina Shirakawa on her plans for the new year
2024 was a great year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in your wrestling career in 2025?
“I have won Japanese belts and the British belt, but not yet an American belt. In 2025, I want to be a champion in the United States.”
WrestleZone would like to thank Mina Shirakawa and STARDOM for their time and help in organizing this interview.
