It’s been an eventful year for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling already, and we’re just halfway through it.
Every championship has changed hands twice in 2026. Suzume has fended off the likes of Sakura Hattori and Mahiro Kiryu to remain international champ. Yuki Arai rose to the top of the company by besting Miu Watanabe in March. And we’ve seen familiar duos like Hakuchumu as well as a variety of fresh combos compete in the tag division.
With what’s ahead on the TJPW calendar, there’s sure to be some major moments born in the spotlight. The Princess Cup, Summer Sun Princess, and Wrestle Princess await.
As we head in that direction, what stories are we set to see unfold? What will become of the company’s top prizes? These are among the biggest questions swirling in the air as the second half of 2026 arrives.
Who Wins the Princess Cup?
Miu Watanabe got her big moment last year when she outlasted the Cup field and last eliminated Arisu Endo. A new tourney is on the way and one has to wonder who will follow Miu’s lead.
Could Watanabe repeat? Only two women have ever won the tournament twice and only Mizuki has won it in consecutive years. TJPW would be making a hell of a statement to have Miu do that and then go after her third Princess of Princess Championship.
She remains a top star, though, and it’s only a matter of time before she storms back into the PoP title picture.
I think it’s more likely that Endo gets to redeem herself. After falling one match short in the Cup last year, Endo remains just outside TJPW’s top tier. She’s got the talent to take that next step up the company hierarchy as we saw in that stirring final.
While she doesn’t have enough singles bouts this year to really analyze the data, last year’s stats show that TJPW is pushing her. Endo had a .778 winning percentage in one-on-one action in 2025.
Keep an eye on how she does against Aja Kong at Summer Sun Princess. A win against the legend would be a clear sign TJPW has big plans for the colorful star.
When is Shino Coming Back?
Shino Suzuki hasn’t wrestled since mid-May. TJPW announced that month that Shino will be “suspending all activities” and taking a break.
That’s left HIMAWARI without a partner and the roster without a talent who has been a breakout star of late. Obviously her health is most important, but fans have to be curious when they will see the green-clad warrior back in action.
The Princess Cup would be a prime place to showcase her growth. If she’s ready by then, it’d be great to see her make a run in the tourney.
What’s the ‘Becoming’ Tourney Going to Look Like?
Tournament fans rejoice! TJPW has another tourney on the way. The company announced an event featuring up-and-comers for August.
We don’t yet have the full field of competitors, but we know Toga, Wakana Uehara, and Kira Summer will be among those involved. We don’t know if this will be a single-elimination or condensed round-robin contest. And how important is TJPW going to make this? Does it net the winner a title shot?
The promotion’s had plenty of small-time tourneys and one-offs. It’d be a shame if this gets relegated to that status.
With so much young talent, this is a prime chance to showcase a lot of folks at once. Hopefully, this is presented as a big deal and the wrestlers get the match time to show what they can really do.
How Does TJPW Spotlight Sakura Hattori?
The transformation we saw Kaya Toribami undertake to become Sakura Hattori has been eye-opening. She arrived on the scene with her new gear and persona during the TJPW Texas tour with a wholly fresh energy.
Hattori then won six straight singles bouts and challenged Suzume for the International Princess Championship. It looked like the masked competitor’s push was in full swing.
She’s since cooled off quite a bit. At Stand Alone, she was relegated to a filler six-woman tag match. And she wasn’t a part of the first batch of match announcements for Summer Sun Princess.
Does TJPW have a plan for her for the summer and beyond? Does it have intentions of continuing to spotlight her? It certainly should. She showed big promise since the gimmick change. Hattori has earned the right to nab some significant opportunities.
Teaming with Miyu Yamashita more often is an option. As is her working her way back to a shot for the International Princess Championship.
It will be interesting to see if any of that comes to fruition in the coming months.
Is Uta Takami and Mizuki a Long-Term Team?
Uta and The Popping Sugar Rabbit have teamed up as far back as 2024, but it’s been this year that we’ve seen them fight alongside each other more consistently. They battled in the Max Heart tourney and challenged for the tag titles in at TJPW Stand Alone.
Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come. This duo has been one of the most entertaining teams of 2026.
Takami’s fighting spirit is infectious. Her style pairs beautifully with Mizuki’s. And there’s always a bit of in-team tension as Mizuki tries to use the smaller wrestler as a weapon and Uta isn’t exactly hyped about that prospect.
The tag division needs more consistency. Takami needs a mentor and a clear direction. This partnership nets both of those things.
With so many other wrestlers vying for the Princess of Princess title, maybe this is the smartest place to house Mizuki for now. She’s clearly talented enough to be in a marquee position, but having her fight at Takami’s side is so much fun.
How Long Will Miu Watanabe Focus on Tag Wrestling?
A similar questions looms for Miu Watanabe. Is she firmly planted in the tag team division or are we going to see her return to PoP title contention?
Miu and Rika Tatsumi won the tag belts (for the second time) in May when they took down the invading IInspiration.
They will soon defend against Hyper Misao and Shoko Nakajima at Summer Sun Princess. That’s an easy place to have Miu give up the gold and allow her to focus on singles action again.
Eventually, you know Watanabe is coming after that crown again. Since Arai’s the one who dethroned her, there’s a good chance she gets a shot to reclaim her title from her at some point.
But she likely has to wait. The Princess Cup winner will get a crack at Arai (or Yamashita?) first. Wrestle Princess feels a bit early to go with Watanabe vs. Arai II. Plus, she’s still tag champ and historically those reigns are at least a few months long.
How Long will Yuki Arai Reign?
The Arai-as-champ experiment has gone well. While she still has her doubters and Yuki isn’t the top-rate in-ring performer that Miu Watanabe or Mizuki is, she’s had a good reign so far.
In her 85-plus day run as champ, Arai has defeated Arisu Endo, J-Rod, and Yuki Kamifuku. The J-Rod defense was underwhelming, but The Genius Girl looked good in the other bouts.
Arai looks and feels like she belongs in that spot. TJPW is likely happy with how things are. This doesn’t feel like a transitional reign which Arai haters aren’t going to want to hear.
History points to her being champ until at least the fall. In the past six years, the shortest PoP reign was Rika Tatsumi’s 120-day tenure.
The big test of TJPW’s confidence in Arai is coming at Summer Sun Princess when Miyu Yamashita is set to challenge her. Does the company really go back to The Pink Striker well and crown her for a fifth time? It’s a safe, steady option.
The current champ fending off the longtime Ace, however, would be a clear sign that the Arai Era is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Can TJPW Maintain Its Momentum?
The short answer is yes.
The longer answer is: TJPW is in a great position, both short-term and long-term. Its roster is as deep as it’s ever been. Suzume has been so good this year. Endo looks poised to be a true headliner. Watanabe remains one of the better babyfaces in the world.
And all the company’s prospects keep showing flashes of excellence, from Haru Kazashiro to Shion Kanzaki.
There’s every reason to be believe this will be a first-rate Princess Cup. The Becoming tournament should be fun. TJPW’s stars are shining.
All the pieces in place for teej to do big things.
RESURA 