Mina Shirakawa stepped up to IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani at STARDOM’s recent Sendai show for a future title opportunity.
Following the formation of her new Empress Nexus Venus (EXV) faction alongside Maika, HANAKO, Waka Tsukiyama, and Xena, former Wonder of Stardom Champion Mina Shirakawa challenged Mayu Iwatani for the latter’s IWGP Women’s Championship.
Mina’s claim to the title
As Mina and World of Stardom Champion Maika have been debating over who should have sole leadership of the EXV unit, winning the IWGP title could prove Mina as equally deserving of the position as faction leader. She also says that winning the IWGP belt will allow her to compete overseas and etch her name into international wrestling conversation. “I challenge you [Mayu Iwatani] for the IWGP Women’s Title. I need this belt to spread my wings to the world. I’ll get it. Mayu Iwatani. I want that belt,” says Mina (translation via Google Translate).
Mina previously showed interest in gunning for the IWGP belt during Mercedes Moné‘s reign in early 2023. However. she has never officially issued a challenge for the title until the recent January 27 STARDOM show in Sendai. As of the time of writing, the date and location of Mina and Mayu’s eventual IWGP Women’s Championship match is yet to be announced. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes publicly available.
As for Mayu, she has held the IWGP Women’s Championship for 281 days and counting. Her match with Mina will then be her fourth defense of the title following her victory over Syuri at Stardom Gate 2024. Mayu also holds title defense victories over Utami Hayashishita and CMLL talent Stephanie Vaquer.
Will Mina bring more championship glory to the EXV faction, or will Mayu’s reign as IWGP Women’s Champion continue? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
