Welcome to Rising Destiny Digest In this recurring column, Ryan Dilbert takes you on a journey through the joshi scene, spotlighting the wrestlers and stories that have caught his eye. Complete with a one-question mailbag and a bold prediction.
Aino We Need More Yuki
Every time TJPW puts Yuki Aino in the spotlight lately, it’s more and more clear that’s where she belongs.
Last year, she was the heart of the Princess Cup, making an impressive run to the tournament finals. Fast forward to June 2025, and the powerhouse served as the centerpiece for Hyper Misao’s HYPE 3 show. In Misao’s wacky theatrical adventure, Aino was the leading woman, the rock that helped ground the absurdity around her.
She showed off her charisma here. I was invested in the story playing out despite not understanding the language. My eyes stayed glued on Aino.
The same thing happened when she wrestled as YUKIDEVIL at Sayuri Namba’s Dream Come True. She and Rika Tatsumi teamed up, donning proverbial black hats and beating on Mizuki and Suzume.
This was so fun to see. Like watching a glimpse into alternative universe where Aino was a part of STARDOM’s H.A.T.E. faction.
Aino’s power help set her apart from the rest of the TJPW roster. She’s one of the more reliable talents the company has from an in-ring perspective. And it seems like she’s on an upward trajectory.
So TJPW, let’s get her more opportunities!
She’s wrestled in just five singles matches this year. At the January 4 show, she was in a six-woman tag with Aja Kong on the opposite squad. Same thing for Grand Princess.
That’s an okay spot for her, I guess, but I think Aino would thrive as the lead in a story, rather than the solid hand/side character she often is relegated to.
The glimpse of her as YUKIDEVIL makes me think perhaps the best route for her would be as an agent of chaos, a weapon-wielding wild woman. It’s been a long time since TJPW has had a true no. 1 villain (Sakisama, how we miss you), and we’re due for someone to take up that spot.
Why not Aino? Why not lean into Aino’s brawling skills and add some edge to her character? In the way, Magenta is flourishing with a new look and a bad attitude with Marvelous, Aino could thrive by tapping into her dark side.
Put the Word Out We Back Up
Takumi Iroha is back in domination mode.
The hard-kicking Fukuoka native started the month by knocking off Kouki Amarei to win the GHC Women’s Championship. Now she’s walking around with four championship belts.
She and Sareee won the AAAW Tag Team Championship in May. She’s been AAAW champ for over 300 days and has held the RCW Women’s Championship for well over a year. In 2021, she had zero gold to her name. Iroha had some key title win in the years to follow, but now she’s getting treated like a gold collector, a flashback to that famous Ultimo Dragon photo.
It’s not just that she’s winning and defending titles, companies are booking her to be a beast. Iroha defeated both members of Magenta in a handicap match on June 21 even though they used a moving van as a weapon. She’s undefeated in singles action (as of this writing) with wins over Mika Iwata, Chi Chi, and the legendary Meiko Satomura.
Her 10 singles wins in 2025 has her on pace to blow past her 2023 and 2024 totals. She won 11 and 12 times in one-on-one bouts in those years respectively. And she’s one win away from the win total in tag matches from last year at 13. With six months of wrestling left to go.
We are watching a banner year statistically for Iroha, and it’s been a blast watching it happen.
5-Count: Miyu Yamashita Dream Matches
With The Pink Striker voyaging across the US and UK scene, we are getting a slew of intriguing matches. Yamashita has clashed with Masha Slamovich many times over, she faced Kidd Bandi at Kitsune 8888, and took on Natalya at WrestleMania Weekend
Who’s next? If Yamashita could go anywhere and take on anyone, who are we booking here against? I have some ideas below that have her facing an Aussie and an icon.
5. Rhea Ripley
It’s always interesting to see Yamashita against a bigger foe, where she’s not the apex predator like she so often is in TJPW. Seeing her try to kick out the bigger Ripley’s legs and avoid the Nightmare Lock would be first-class entertainment.
4. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu
We had to get one 1210000 tag match in there, and before Yuu retires in December, this is the match to go with. Yamashita and Yuu have a history from early TJPW where they had one of Miyu’s early great matches. You also get some slobberknocker action between Yamashita and Big Hash.
3. Syuri
Ass kicker versus ass kicker. Easy match to sell.
2. Mercedes Mone
Yamashita has traveled all over and competed against top indie talent, but yet to face Mone who many consider the best female wrestler in North America. It’s a no-brainer of a big showdown. Mone’s selling accentuate Yamashita’s offense. They’d elevate each other. They’d bring the house down. Reserve my tickets now.
1. Mayu Iwatani
The longtime Ace of STARDOM against the longtime ace of TJPW. Two worlds colliding. This has been one of my go-to answers for dream matches you want to see, and that remains true even as Mayu and Miyu’s aren’t still the leaders of those aforementioned promotions.
Mini Mailbag:
Who do you think will win the joshi singles tournaments (5STAR Grand Prix, Dream Star Grand Prix, Catch the WAVE, TJPW Princess Cup) this year?
Great question. Tournament season is upon us and I’m pumped. Who will be the big winners in all these events? Let’s go one by one.
5 Star: Natuspoi
I had been saying Hanan would win the 5 Star this year, but she’s so settled in her position in the tag scene that I don’t think that’s the direction STARDOM will go. Let me take Natsupoi instead who has plenty of history with red belt champ Saya Kamitani.
It feels STARDOM is ready to take that next step with Poi. She has a title shot against Kamitani at STARDOM SAPPORO RENDEZVOUS. Perhaps she gets painfully close to victory on that night and uses the 5 Star to get back to that spot for try no. 2.
Poi has a realistic shot with a field that doesn’t have big hitters from the past like Syuri and Mayu.
Dream Star: Miku Aono
Aono is currently second in total wins in Marigold this year behind Mai Sakurai. She’s already told the United National Championship story, and looks plenty ready to be in the main event scene.
The former AWG champ has proven herself to be one of Marigold’s top performers. It’s not just my Aono fandom that foresees her taking home the Dream Star trophy.
Catch the WAVE: Yumi Ohka
I have the least amount of feel for this one. This is the promotion I watch the least of among these four. When I do watch, Ohka is usually winning.
I’d normally say her age (46) makes her less likely to win but WAVE doesn’t exactly have a young roster.
Princess Cup: Yuki Arai
I’m all in on Arai. and I think TJPW is, too. Not that she’s a full-time wrestler, I think we’re going to see her get all kinds of massive opportunities.
She’s has star power that stretches beyond the wrestling bubble. She fits the promotion’s vibes perfectly. And it feels like we’re a good ways before folks like Arisu Endo and Wakana Uehara get pushed into the top tier.
Someone is getting a Finally to the top of the head in the Princess Cup finals. Sorry, haters.
The Prediction Plex:
Well damn, I was so very wrong.
I predicted back in May that Syuri would successfully defend the IWGP Women’s Championship more than five times. Sareee charged in and made sure I was not even close on that. The Sun God bested Syuri at STARDOM The Conversion to end that title run far earlier than what I saw in my crystal ball. Just one successful defense.
As for this go-round, let’s head to the tag team scene. Mio Monono is returning in July after spending much of the year on the injured list. That means Bob Bob Momo Banana can march on.
I think the dynamic team of Momono and Yurika Oka are going to go right back to the top of the tag ranks. Bob Bob Momo Banana will win championship gold before 2025 closes. Mika Iwata and Miyuki Takase, watch your backs.
Send any questions for the mini mailbag to @resuramag on Twitter via post or DM.
RESURA 