Natsupoi, one of the most prominent wrestlers of World Wonder Ring Stardom, has announced her retirement as a professional wrestler. The former Wonder of STARDOM champion will have her final match on January 3, 2027, as confirmed during a press conference held this morning to make the announcement.
I have dedicated 12 years of my life to professional wrestling, but during this time, I have also had the opportunity to face new challenges and live incredible experiences. This year, I also announced my marriage, which made me reflect on the next stage of my life. It was then that I decided I wanted to embark on a new path beyond my career as a wrestler.
Natsupoi faced Syuri for the IWGP Women's Championship on the first day of the 5STAR GP tournament. After losing the match, Natsupoi left a knee pad with the letter "P" backstage, which drew a lot of attention. Now we know that could have been the final title match of her career.
"I entered this challenge for this belt with the desire to have my final moment as an individual wrestler. Whether I won the belt or not, I had already made the decision to retire. If I had won, I was determined to keep it and fight to the end, so now I regret it, but my decision to retire has not changed," said Natsupoi.
President Taro Okada, also present at the press conference, stated that he was already aware of her intention to retire even before the IWGP Women's Championship match. However, he wished she would remain active in the sport and, hoping that "if she fights for the title and wins, that will motivate her even more," he organized this championship match.
"It's very typical of her, she's always straightforward. That's how she was when she told us about her marriage, and Natsupoi is a wrestler who has always given her all in every situation, so I thought her feelings about retirement wouldn't change so easily, but deep down, I also had hopes," President Okada said.
Before hanging up her boots, the wrestler expressed her desire to team up with her husband, Shingo Takagi, in a mixed tag team match. Additionally, it was hinted that she may continue to participate in other STARDOM events, as well as in media-related projects or other roles within the company.
Natsupoi made her professional wrestling debut in 2015. Thanks to her agility, charisma, and aerial style, she quickly became one of the most prominent wrestlers in the Japanese women's scene, which promptly led her to join the ranks of STARDOM, a promotion where she would gain great popularity.
Throughout her career, Natsupoi has been part of prominent factions such as Donna del Mondo and COSMIC ANGELS, in addition to winning eight championships, seven of them as a STARDOM talent (including the Wonder of STARDOM Championship) and starring in some of the most memorable rivalries and matches in the company alongside wrestlers like Tam Nakano, Saori Anou, or Giulia.
With a twelve-year career, Natsupoi will leave a legacy marked by her spectacular in-ring style, her ability to connect with the audience, and her role as one of the most beloved and representative wrestlers of STARDOM over the past decade.
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