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00:00:01,131 --> 00:00:04,661
Crowd: [Indistinct shouting
& chatter]
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00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:08,310
♪ [Crowd chatter]
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00:00:55,403 --> 00:00:57,803
I feel like there are a couple
of top companies in Japan
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00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:59,280
when it comes to
women's pro wrestling,
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00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:01,100
and Stardom is the pinnacle.
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00:01:01,148 --> 00:01:03,498
[Wrestlers shouting]
[Applause]
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00:01:03,541 --> 00:01:06,111
In the States, female wrestling
kind of piggybacked as
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00:01:06,153 --> 00:01:09,163
side story to accompany
the main male characters.
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00:01:09,199 --> 00:01:11,419
Here, it's been
looked at more as a sport.
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00:01:21,168 --> 00:01:27,648
♪
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00:01:30,307 --> 00:01:37,787
♪
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00:01:37,836 --> 00:01:39,576
[Indistinct speaking]
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[Grunts]
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00:01:50,153 --> 00:02:02,563
[Grunts]
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00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:03,820
[Laughs]
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00:02:03,862 --> 00:02:05,212
You gotta watch your hand
placement 'cause
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00:02:05,255 --> 00:02:06,465
you're gonna hit yourself in
the face like that.
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00:02:06,517 --> 00:02:07,907
- Yeah, oh, sorry.
- No, no, no, it's not.
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00:02:07,953 --> 00:02:10,833
[Banging]
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00:02:10,869 --> 00:02:13,049
I did have a little notion
of what wrestling was like
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00:02:13,089 --> 00:02:15,089
in the States
because in my head,
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I thought wrestling was
just tall, busty women
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00:02:18,312 --> 00:02:20,792
coming at each other and then
grappling on the ground
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00:02:20,836 --> 00:02:22,136
and then, I don't know,
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00:02:22,185 --> 00:02:24,575
sometimes mud
is thrown on them.
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00:02:24,622 --> 00:02:26,672
Women's pro wrestling has a
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00:02:26,711 --> 00:02:29,191
complicated and
challenging history.
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00:02:29,236 --> 00:02:31,056
While there's always been
incredibly talented
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00:02:31,107 --> 00:02:34,457
female wrestlers, their in-ring
skills were often
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valued less than
their sex appeal.
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In North America,
many promoters look to
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00:02:38,854 --> 00:02:41,254
modeling agencies and
swimsuit calendars
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00:02:41,291 --> 00:02:43,291
for their female talent.
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00:02:43,337 --> 00:02:45,297
Japan had a very similar system,
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00:02:45,339 --> 00:02:47,339
yet achieved a very
different result.
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00:02:47,384 --> 00:02:49,214
While many of the country's
biggest female stars,
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00:02:49,256 --> 00:02:51,996
as far back as the 1970s,
started out as models,
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00:02:52,041 --> 00:02:54,221
actors, or pop stars,
Japan's intensive
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00:02:54,261 --> 00:02:57,001
Joshi Puroresu
dojo-style training system,
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transformed them
into some of the
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00:02:58,613 --> 00:03:01,013
world's best wrestlers.
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00:03:01,050 --> 00:03:03,400
In my humble opinion,
it's amongst the
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00:03:03,444 --> 00:03:06,754
greatest wrestling ever, period.
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00:03:06,795 --> 00:03:11,055
Japanese women's wrestling is
still amongst the world's best.
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[Grunts & Shouts]
[Applause]
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00:03:13,628 --> 00:03:15,238
Leading the charge is the
relatively new
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00:03:15,282 --> 00:03:17,982
independent promotion,
Stardom.
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I'm in Tokyo to learn
firsthand why young and
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00:03:20,591 --> 00:03:24,601
ambitious female wrestlers
the world over see Stardom
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00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:26,729
as the launching pad to
the main stages
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of women's wrestling.
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[Footsteps]
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For years, fans that have
come to Korakuen Hall have
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00:03:35,606 --> 00:03:37,906
lined up on the staircase
in anticipation of the
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show they're about to see.
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00:03:39,219 --> 00:03:40,389
And while they
were doing it,
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they've sat here and
written on the wall:
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00:03:42,047 --> 00:03:44,007
wrestlers that they're
excited to see,
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00:03:44,049 --> 00:03:45,959
events they're excited for.
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00:03:46,008 --> 00:03:49,268
And it's incredible to
think of the unbelievable
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00:03:49,316 --> 00:03:53,446
historical matches
these people got to see.
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It's a lot of stairs.
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[Indistinct chatter]
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What is it about the women
in Stardom that is more
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00:04:05,462 --> 00:04:07,862
appealing than the women's
wrestling that's going on
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00:04:07,899 --> 00:04:09,119
in America right now?
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00:04:23,045 --> 00:04:24,995
And so, do you-- you go and
see other wrestling as well?
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00:04:26,353 --> 00:04:28,573
Only Stardom?
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00:04:43,674 --> 00:04:50,864
[Chanting & Clapping]
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00:04:50,899 --> 00:04:53,509
Oh! [Claps]
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♪
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Are all you big Stardom fans?
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[Thud]
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00:05:09,309 --> 00:05:11,399
- [Cheering & Applause]
- Whoa!
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Oh! A title change!
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[Applause]
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♪
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♪ [Drum beat]
[Crowd clapping] ♪
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[Camera clicking]
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[Indistinct speaking]
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[Laughs]
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[Laughs]
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00:06:09,194 --> 00:06:11,984
♪
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Crowd:
[Indistinct speaking]
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I don't think he necessarily
cares too much or
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too little about anyone, really.
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00:06:38,049 --> 00:06:41,359
I think he's mostly
just a business man.
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00:06:41,401 --> 00:06:43,621
I don't think
he dislikes me.
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I don't think he necessarily
cares for me either;
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that's how he feels
about most people,
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00:06:48,843 --> 00:06:50,933
except that he can see
who makes him
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more money or profit.
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00:07:03,988 --> 00:07:05,558
He's okay with
whatever you do
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00:07:05,599 --> 00:07:07,379
as long as you show
up to practice.
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00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:10,467
As long as you work,
he doesn't really care.
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00:07:10,517 --> 00:07:12,947
I've yet to see any other
wrestlers train with the
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intensity and consistency
shown by the Stardom squad.
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00:07:16,784 --> 00:07:19,314
On top of their own
individual workout regimes,
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00:07:19,351 --> 00:07:21,791
they train together five
days a week for at least
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00:07:21,832 --> 00:07:23,972
two-and-a-half
hours each day.
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00:07:26,489 --> 00:07:27,929
You have to be
incredibly disciplined,
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I would imagine.
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00:07:29,274 --> 00:07:31,284
Have you seen women that
have come through and
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00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:33,760
not be able to cut it
and have left?
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00:07:33,801 --> 00:07:34,891
Yeah.
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00:07:39,241 --> 00:07:41,851
Mentally,
physically, emotionally,
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00:07:41,896 --> 00:07:44,636
they weren't prepared for
the amount of sweat and work.
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00:07:57,433 --> 00:08:01,263
[Indistinct speaking]
[Laughs]
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00:08:01,306 --> 00:08:03,126
Fuka is the General Manager
of Stardom,
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00:08:03,178 --> 00:08:05,698
but she also trains
all the new girls.
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00:08:05,746 --> 00:08:08,006
Fuka Kakimoto is a former
professional wrestler,
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00:08:08,052 --> 00:08:09,922
mixed martial artist,
and model.
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Known to her many
adoring fans simply as Fuka,
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she is one of the company's
most beloved idols.
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[Ringing bell]
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00:08:16,757 --> 00:08:19,407
Given that you're a lot
of these women's teacher,
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00:08:19,455 --> 00:08:20,625
does it ever make you
nervous before they
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00:08:20,674 --> 00:08:21,724
go out and wrestle?
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00:08:36,516 --> 00:08:39,426
She drills really hard;
she has high expectations.
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00:08:39,475 --> 00:08:41,125
In a sense, she is like a
Ogawa because it is
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00:08:41,172 --> 00:08:44,522
about the money, but she
does take care of the girls.
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00:09:09,810 --> 00:09:15,120
♪
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[Clapping]
Ah!
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♪
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00:09:28,959 --> 00:09:34,179
[Shouts & Grunts]
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♪
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00:09:37,707 --> 00:09:40,617
After having lived in Japan
and seeing the limited roles
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00:09:40,667 --> 00:09:44,237
that women get to play,
seeing strong women
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perform in the ring...
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00:09:46,281 --> 00:09:47,981
Oh!
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00:09:48,022 --> 00:09:50,762
And showcase
such raw emotion...
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Crowd:
[Rhythmic clapping]
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00:09:52,766 --> 00:09:53,976
[Screeches]
134
00:09:54,028 --> 00:09:56,028
[Shouting]
[Thud]
135
00:09:56,073 --> 00:09:57,513
...That really moved me.
136
00:09:57,553 --> 00:10:03,653
[Banging]
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00:10:03,690 --> 00:10:16,350
♪
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00:10:21,708 --> 00:10:25,228
♪
139
00:10:35,069 --> 00:10:37,199
So, looking back
four years ago,
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00:10:37,245 --> 00:10:40,285
what was it about Mayu that
first attracted you to her,
141
00:10:40,335 --> 00:10:42,115
made you a fan of hers?
142
00:10:51,215 --> 00:10:52,475
Look at that!
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00:10:56,133 --> 00:10:58,443
Did you make this?
144
00:10:58,483 --> 00:11:00,493
- Beautiful work.
- [Laughs]
145
00:11:00,529 --> 00:11:05,319
♪
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00:11:08,145 --> 00:11:11,275
Mayu Iwatani is one of
Stardom's top babyfaces and
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00:11:11,322 --> 00:11:14,722
the only remaining wrestler from
the company's original roster.
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00:11:14,761 --> 00:11:17,331
Just last year, the highly
regarded Wrestling Observer
149
00:11:17,372 --> 00:11:19,722
newsletter touted Mayu
alongside her fellow
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00:11:19,766 --> 00:11:22,856
Stardom workers of
Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo
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00:11:22,899 --> 00:11:25,859
as three of the best
wrestlers in the world.
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00:11:25,902 --> 00:11:28,732
Soon after, Io and Kairi
left Stardom to pursue
153
00:11:28,775 --> 00:11:32,125
offers from the WWE,
briefly leaving Mayu
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00:11:32,169 --> 00:11:33,999
as Stardom's only ace.
155
00:11:34,041 --> 00:11:38,351
♪
156
00:11:38,393 --> 00:11:41,053
Last year there was a major
shift in the Stardom roster
157
00:11:41,091 --> 00:11:42,751
and you were suddenly thrust
into a position where
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00:11:42,789 --> 00:11:45,269
you had to carry the
company on your back.
159
00:11:45,313 --> 00:11:46,843
What's it like...
160
00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:48,580
being the ace of a company?
161
00:11:48,620 --> 00:11:50,450
And what kind of pressure
does that bring with it?
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00:12:01,198 --> 00:12:05,768
♪
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00:12:15,169 --> 00:12:17,039
♪
164
00:12:17,084 --> 00:12:21,134
[Cheering & Applause]
165
00:12:21,175 --> 00:12:23,045
[Stomping]
166
00:12:23,090 --> 00:12:25,010
Top rope.
167
00:12:25,048 --> 00:12:26,048
[Grunts]
168
00:12:26,093 --> 00:12:27,533
What's she gonna do?
169
00:12:27,572 --> 00:12:30,012
Ah! [Laughs]
170
00:12:30,053 --> 00:12:33,843
[Grunts]
171
00:12:33,883 --> 00:12:35,543
- Crowd: [Cheering]
- Damian: Oh!
172
00:12:35,580 --> 00:12:37,580
[Shouting & Cheering]
173
00:12:37,626 --> 00:12:39,316
Oh, whoa!
174
00:12:39,367 --> 00:12:40,717
[Match bell ringing]
175
00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:45,290
[Applauding]
176
00:13:10,702 --> 00:13:12,662
You're not originally
from Tokyo, are you?
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00:13:19,886 --> 00:13:21,796
What was it like, then,
moving from like a place
178
00:13:21,844 --> 00:13:24,594
that small to one of the
biggest cities in the world?
179
00:13:36,903 --> 00:13:39,993
♪
180
00:14:39,791 --> 00:14:43,101
Crowd:
[Shouting & Cheering]
181
00:14:43,143 --> 00:14:50,633
[Grunting]
182
00:15:51,167 --> 00:15:53,427
[Indistinct speaking]
183
00:16:29,901 --> 00:16:31,561
♪
184
00:17:09,028 --> 00:17:10,118
[Indistinct speaking]
185
00:17:14,424 --> 00:17:16,214
[Cheering & Applause]
186
00:17:31,137 --> 00:17:33,047
Crowd:
[Shouting & Cheering]
187
00:17:36,446 --> 00:17:43,016
Crowd:
[Shouting & Cheering]
188
00:17:43,062 --> 00:17:45,192
So how long have you lived
in Japan now?
189
00:17:45,238 --> 00:17:48,848
Ah, in October
it'll be five years.
190
00:17:48,893 --> 00:17:51,643
It seems like a
place that would be...
191
00:17:51,679 --> 00:17:54,159
almost seemingly
impenetrable for an outsider.
192
00:17:54,203 --> 00:17:59,433
There's no real permanent place
that's crafted for foreigners.
193
00:17:59,469 --> 00:18:00,989
Everyone kind of
expects you to leave
194
00:18:01,036 --> 00:18:02,596
after a certain amount of time.
195
00:18:17,574 --> 00:18:20,014
Kris Wolf is an American-born
graphic designer and
196
00:18:20,055 --> 00:18:22,665
photographer, who came to
Japan on a whim.
197
00:18:22,710 --> 00:18:24,630
Unlike almost every
other wrestler I've met,
198
00:18:24,668 --> 00:18:25,928
she wasn't a fan of
wrestling and
199
00:18:25,974 --> 00:18:28,464
only started training
in her late 20s.
200
00:18:28,498 --> 00:18:30,718
Three years later, she's
become an integral part of
201
00:18:30,761 --> 00:18:33,111
the company, helping her
fellow foreign wrestlers
202
00:18:33,155 --> 00:18:36,285
adjust to life in Japan
and the Stardom system.
203
00:18:36,332 --> 00:18:38,252
I wore makeup because I
wanted to try it out 'cause
204
00:18:38,291 --> 00:18:39,681
all the foreign wrestlers
were wearing makeup,
205
00:18:39,727 --> 00:18:41,687
and then everyone was
like, "Kris, what the fuck?
206
00:18:41,729 --> 00:18:43,299
Why don't you wear
makeup all the time?"
207
00:18:43,339 --> 00:18:45,949
And I said, 'cause I'm lazy.
208
00:18:45,994 --> 00:18:47,954
And that's the
story of makeup.
209
00:18:47,996 --> 00:18:50,386
Right, Fuka-san?
210
00:18:50,433 --> 00:18:53,443
Yep, yep.
211
00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,130
[Laughs] I try.
212
00:19:10,279 --> 00:19:11,629
[Cheering & Applause]
213
00:19:11,672 --> 00:19:14,892
My character is hungry,
angry, and energetic.
214
00:19:14,936 --> 00:19:16,886
And, for a little bit,
215
00:19:16,938 --> 00:19:19,588
I get to be myself and
let it all out.
216
00:19:19,636 --> 00:19:24,116
♪
217
00:19:24,163 --> 00:19:29,563
[Crowd chatter]
218
00:19:29,603 --> 00:19:30,823
[Laughs]
219
00:19:30,865 --> 00:19:32,555
This is quite nice,
actually. Thank you.
220
00:19:32,606 --> 00:19:33,866
- [Laughs]
- Ah!
221
00:19:33,911 --> 00:19:36,091
Oh god.
I spoke too soon.
222
00:19:36,131 --> 00:19:37,611
Yes!
223
00:19:37,654 --> 00:19:40,094
Toni Storm and Xia Brookside
are two young wrestlers
224
00:19:40,135 --> 00:19:42,915
from outside Japan who have
been marked for success.
225
00:19:42,964 --> 00:19:45,314
Toni, just 21 years old,
is widely considered
226
00:19:45,358 --> 00:19:47,228
one of the top talents
in the world.
227
00:19:47,273 --> 00:19:48,933
As the daughter of
Robbie Brookside,
228
00:19:48,970 --> 00:19:51,190
a highly successful wrestler
and talent developer,
229
00:19:51,233 --> 00:19:54,583
Xia comes from wrestling
royalty.
230
00:19:54,628 --> 00:19:57,148
[Train screeching]
231
00:20:00,721 --> 00:20:02,551
It would seem to me this
would be the
232
00:20:02,592 --> 00:20:04,162
best place on earth to wrestle.
233
00:20:04,203 --> 00:20:06,943
Being in Tokyo is like
being in a wrestling bubble,
234
00:20:06,988 --> 00:20:08,768
like a little
wrestling dreamland.
235
00:20:08,816 --> 00:20:11,816
If you're a wrestling fan
it's not as accepted as it here.
236
00:20:11,862 --> 00:20:14,562
Over here, it's just
like any other sport.
237
00:20:14,604 --> 00:20:15,784
Being a fan of wrestling
everywhere and
238
00:20:15,823 --> 00:20:17,303
watching it everywhere,
the thing about
239
00:20:17,346 --> 00:20:20,256
Japanese wrestling is it just
seems like it's a...
240
00:20:20,306 --> 00:20:22,826
a different kind of
training approach.
241
00:20:22,873 --> 00:20:24,443
I feel like it's so
much more intense,
242
00:20:24,484 --> 00:20:26,624
like, especially, like--
as well,
243
00:20:26,660 --> 00:20:30,790
not exactly knowing
what they're even saying.
244
00:20:30,838 --> 00:20:33,188
The hardest part is the
language barrier, definitely.
245
00:20:33,232 --> 00:20:36,712
[Shouting & Grunting]
246
00:20:48,464 --> 00:20:51,164
[Laughing & Shouting]
247
00:20:54,296 --> 00:20:57,866
[Shouting]
248
00:20:57,908 --> 00:20:59,428
So that's what I
meant about...
249
00:20:59,475 --> 00:21:01,475
the ah, communication issue.
250
00:21:01,521 --> 00:21:02,831
[Laughs]
251
00:21:04,437 --> 00:21:07,307
I'm in, like, the group chat for
the Japanese girls and stuff,
252
00:21:07,353 --> 00:21:09,963
but I still do
feel kind of outside of it.
253
00:21:10,007 --> 00:21:12,397
But, I think that's just
kind of the nature of
254
00:21:12,445 --> 00:21:14,055
being a foreigner in Japan.
255
00:21:14,098 --> 00:21:16,798
♪
256
00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:19,100
It's really hard for a
foreigner to
257
00:21:19,147 --> 00:21:23,757
live here and feel accepted.
258
00:21:23,804 --> 00:21:25,554
I don't feel like I
have a place here,
259
00:21:25,588 --> 00:21:30,458
and I don't think it's because
it's malicious or anything.
260
00:21:30,506 --> 00:21:35,766
♪ [Train whirring]
261
00:21:35,816 --> 00:21:38,166
They don't have a place
for foreigners because
262
00:21:38,209 --> 00:21:44,389
they don't normally have
foreigners in the system.
263
00:21:44,433 --> 00:21:46,573
Dealing with the other
way that people kind of get
264
00:21:46,609 --> 00:21:48,349
started at Stardom is that
kampai system
265
00:21:48,394 --> 00:21:49,534
that you mentioned.
266
00:21:49,569 --> 00:21:50,609
- Ah, the...?
- Kam, kam...
267
00:21:50,657 --> 00:21:51,917
Kanpai is when you drink.
[Laughs]
268
00:21:51,962 --> 00:21:53,702
Oh, sorry. What's it called?
What's the, ah...
269
00:21:53,747 --> 00:21:56,707
- Senpai-kohai system.
- Senpai-kohai system
270
00:21:56,750 --> 00:21:59,100
- [Greetings]
- Hello.
271
00:22:03,191 --> 00:22:05,241
The senpai kohai system
has existed since
272
00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:07,760
the beginning of
Japanese history.
273
00:22:07,804 --> 00:22:09,944
At its core, it's a
philosophy that aims to
274
00:22:09,980 --> 00:22:11,810
create an educational
relationship,
275
00:22:11,852 --> 00:22:13,812
not unlike that of a
western-style
276
00:22:13,854 --> 00:22:15,294
master and apprentice.
277
00:22:18,380 --> 00:22:21,120
The system strives to eliminate
internal competition,
278
00:22:21,165 --> 00:22:23,555
and to reinforce the
unity of the organization
279
00:22:23,603 --> 00:22:26,433
as a whole,
in this case, Stardom.
280
00:22:26,475 --> 00:22:27,955
Some of these
kids are, obviously,
281
00:22:27,998 --> 00:22:30,438
already in the ring,
very advanced,
282
00:22:30,479 --> 00:22:33,399
and there are a few kids
here that look newer to
283
00:22:33,439 --> 00:22:35,879
the process of starting becoming
a professional wrestler.
284
00:22:38,095 --> 00:22:41,005
You get pushed up as
new girls come in...
285
00:22:46,190 --> 00:22:48,980
You can become a senpai
regardless of your skill,
286
00:22:49,019 --> 00:22:50,369
it's just time.
287
00:22:50,412 --> 00:22:52,812
And that's basically
universal throughout
288
00:22:52,849 --> 00:22:55,499
Japanese culture, like,
in all sports systems,
289
00:22:55,548 --> 00:22:57,158
in all businesses.
290
00:22:57,201 --> 00:22:59,161
In some cases, the
senpai-kohai relationship
291
00:22:59,203 --> 00:23:01,383
can lead to a very
rigid hierarchy,
292
00:23:01,423 --> 00:23:03,903
resulting in bullying,
hazing, and violence.
293
00:23:03,947 --> 00:23:07,167
In 2015, this manifested itself
between Stardom wrestlers,
294
00:23:07,211 --> 00:23:10,211
Act Yasukwa and
Yoshiko Hirano,
295
00:23:10,258 --> 00:23:12,388
when their World of Stardom
championship match
296
00:23:12,434 --> 00:23:14,224
turned into a horrific shoot.
297
00:23:36,415 --> 00:23:38,025
In the end, it has been
said that Act was
298
00:23:38,068 --> 00:23:39,898
conducting herself too
far outside of
299
00:23:39,940 --> 00:23:41,460
the senpai-kohai system for
300
00:23:41,507 --> 00:23:44,157
the tastes of some of
her senior wrestlers.
301
00:23:44,205 --> 00:23:46,025
The brutality and raw
emotion of the match was a
302
00:23:46,076 --> 00:23:48,426
clear indicator to Stardom
that the hierarchy
303
00:23:48,470 --> 00:23:50,560
had been taken too far.
304
00:23:51,691 --> 00:23:53,611
The culture itself is...
305
00:23:53,649 --> 00:23:56,129
effective, clean, strong,
306
00:23:56,173 --> 00:23:58,313
but inside the
individual is the one that
307
00:23:58,349 --> 00:23:59,699
suffers because
they're constantly
308
00:23:59,742 --> 00:24:02,482
thinking about the
wellbeing of the group...
309
00:24:02,528 --> 00:24:05,228
and the performance.
310
00:24:05,269 --> 00:24:09,839
It's also, like, what
about the person's soul?
311
00:24:09,883 --> 00:24:11,933
Fuck, no wonder
people go mad.
312
00:24:11,972 --> 00:24:16,982
♪ [Counting in Japanese]
313
00:24:17,020 --> 00:24:19,810
[Banging mat]
314
00:24:19,849 --> 00:24:21,459
[Bell ringing]
315
00:24:21,503 --> 00:24:23,293
[Cheering & Applause]
316
00:24:23,331 --> 00:24:25,251
♪
317
00:24:25,289 --> 00:24:31,639
♪ [Crowd Chatter]
318
00:24:31,687 --> 00:24:33,987
[Laughs]
Thank you.
319
00:24:34,037 --> 00:24:35,737
We're in the Stardom
merchandise room
320
00:24:35,778 --> 00:24:38,868
where all the wrestlers are
signing autographs.
321
00:24:38,912 --> 00:24:41,922
Every single dude that
was in that hall is
322
00:24:41,958 --> 00:24:44,178
in this room right now.
323
00:24:44,221 --> 00:24:46,881
[Indistinct speaking]
324
00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:48,270
Another thing you can't help
but notice in this room is
325
00:24:48,312 --> 00:24:51,362
the amount of men here
lined up with gift bags
326
00:24:51,402 --> 00:24:53,452
to give these wrestlers.
327
00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:58,022
The flip side of these
wrestlers being given gifts
328
00:24:58,061 --> 00:25:01,541
is the fact that the young
wrestlers here are also
329
00:25:01,587 --> 00:25:04,367
getting given
gifts by the same men.
330
00:25:04,415 --> 00:25:06,105
And these are older
men giving them gifts.
331
00:25:10,509 --> 00:25:12,249
Watching Azumi,
a 14-year-old wrestler,
332
00:25:12,293 --> 00:25:14,563
receive gifts from middle
aged men and sell them
333
00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:16,690
photos of herself in
revealing outfits,
334
00:25:16,732 --> 00:25:19,082
it's hard not
to feel weird...
335
00:25:19,126 --> 00:25:22,036
But at Stardom,
it's business as usual.
336
00:25:22,085 --> 00:25:24,125
While I've been told there's
nothing inherently sexual
337
00:25:24,174 --> 00:25:26,354
about the fans'
interest in the wrestlers,
338
00:25:26,394 --> 00:25:29,354
there's an element of
objectification that worries me.
339
00:25:29,397 --> 00:25:30,957
[Rhythmic clapping]
340
00:25:31,007 --> 00:25:32,267
AZM, or Azumi,
341
00:25:32,313 --> 00:25:34,363
is one of Stardom's
youngest wrestlers.
342
00:25:34,402 --> 00:25:36,622
She began training
at 12 years old.
343
00:25:36,665 --> 00:25:39,575
Now 14, she's a constant
presence at their shows,
344
00:25:39,625 --> 00:25:40,965
both as a
wrestler in the ring,
345
00:25:41,017 --> 00:25:43,887
and a member of the
Hail the Queens faction.
346
00:25:48,242 --> 00:25:49,982
- Ah!
- [Applause]
347
00:25:50,026 --> 00:25:51,586
[Breathing heavily]
348
00:25:57,947 --> 00:26:01,777
What do your teachers think
about this other profession
349
00:26:01,821 --> 00:26:04,211
and the fact that you have
chosen profession so young?
350
00:26:11,308 --> 00:26:12,788
[Grunts]
351
00:26:12,832 --> 00:26:14,622
Oh!
352
00:26:14,660 --> 00:26:18,970
[Rhythmic clapping]
353
00:26:19,012 --> 00:26:20,272
[Thud]
354
00:26:20,317 --> 00:26:22,967
[Banging]
355
00:26:23,016 --> 00:26:27,016
♪
356
00:26:27,063 --> 00:26:32,423
I'd say in Japan the average
fan is 30 to late 40s.
357
00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:36,860
Maybe 90% male.
95% male.
358
00:26:36,899 --> 00:26:38,249
[Laughs]
359
00:26:48,345 --> 00:26:50,215
Spend any time in Japan,
especially at women's
360
00:26:50,260 --> 00:26:53,390
wrestling events, and you'll
be surrounded by kawaii.
361
00:26:53,437 --> 00:26:56,347
In its simplest sense,
the word means 'cuteness'.
362
00:26:56,397 --> 00:26:57,877
But kawaii is much
more than just
363
00:26:57,920 --> 00:26:59,790
lovable cartoon characters:
364
00:26:59,835 --> 00:27:03,055
it's a deeply
complex cultural phenomenon.
365
00:27:03,099 --> 00:27:06,319
Kawaii's origins
date back to the 1970s.
366
00:27:06,363 --> 00:27:08,713
It started as a style of
intentionally childlike
367
00:27:08,757 --> 00:27:11,847
handwriting, but quickly
evolved into a multi-faceted
368
00:27:11,891 --> 00:27:13,981
youth movement opposing the
strict and depersonalized
369
00:27:14,023 --> 00:27:16,373
culture of post war Japan.
370
00:27:16,417 --> 00:27:18,197
Realizing there was
a profit to be made,
371
00:27:18,245 --> 00:27:20,285
entertainment companies
began manufacturing kawaii
372
00:27:20,334 --> 00:27:23,474
for mass consumption.
373
00:27:23,511 --> 00:27:26,511
This gave birth to the idol,
essentially a manufactured
374
00:27:26,557 --> 00:27:28,687
avatar of all things cute.
375
00:27:28,734 --> 00:27:32,174
♪
376
00:27:32,215 --> 00:27:35,565
It's that pure love where
they can really worship that
377
00:27:35,610 --> 00:27:40,180
person and never feel
expected to do anything or
378
00:27:40,223 --> 00:27:43,233
feel rejected, so
it's kind of safe.
379
00:27:43,270 --> 00:27:45,710
The popularity of idols
ties into the low rate of
380
00:27:45,751 --> 00:27:48,231
romantic relationships
in Japan.
381
00:27:48,275 --> 00:27:51,575
Idols are a way for some men
to feel love and devotion
382
00:27:51,626 --> 00:27:53,756
without any
chance of rejection.
383
00:27:53,802 --> 00:27:56,812
This devotion ensures
the survival of the idols.
384
00:28:13,169 --> 00:28:14,689
To be perfectly kawaii
is to possess
385
00:28:14,736 --> 00:28:16,736
no negative traits at all.
386
00:28:16,782 --> 00:28:18,912
This place's incredible
pressure on the young,
387
00:28:18,958 --> 00:28:21,868
often under-aged wrestlers
of Stardom to live up to the
388
00:28:21,917 --> 00:28:25,397
impossible demands of
their most devoted fans.
389
00:28:25,442 --> 00:28:26,792
Is there ever pressure?
390
00:28:26,835 --> 00:28:28,225
Do you feel that
pressure ever?
391
00:28:51,947 --> 00:28:53,817
When you see these streamers
being thrown in the ring,
392
00:28:53,862 --> 00:28:57,472
and you see the lineups for
given wrestlers after the show,
393
00:28:57,518 --> 00:29:00,348
how do you think these
kinds of pressures
394
00:29:00,390 --> 00:29:01,780
affect your daughter?
395
00:29:18,974 --> 00:29:21,764
[Grunts]
Ah!
396
00:29:21,803 --> 00:29:22,853
[Applause]
397
00:29:35,861 --> 00:29:37,251
[Rhythmic Clapping]
398
00:30:53,721 --> 00:31:01,161
♪
399
00:31:01,207 --> 00:31:03,637
Jungle Kyona spent two years
in Senegal volunteering for
400
00:31:03,687 --> 00:31:06,387
an NGO before deciding
to become a wrestler.
401
00:31:06,429 --> 00:31:08,609
[Panting]
402
00:31:10,956 --> 00:31:13,386
Unlike most of her peers, she
had a career before wrestling
403
00:31:13,436 --> 00:31:16,216
that she sacrificed
start training with Stardom.
404
00:31:16,265 --> 00:31:19,135
She's developed an almost
motherly role at the dojo,
405
00:31:19,181 --> 00:31:21,051
helping to train
the younger wrestlers.
406
00:31:32,891 --> 00:31:36,551
[Breathing heavily]
407
00:31:36,590 --> 00:31:39,070
[Growling]
408
00:31:39,114 --> 00:31:40,334
[Laughs]
409
00:31:41,943 --> 00:31:44,823
Ah! [Laughs]
410
00:31:44,859 --> 00:31:47,509
[Laughs]
Yay!
411
00:31:47,557 --> 00:31:49,337
[Laughs]
Sorry.
412
00:31:49,385 --> 00:32:00,305
♪ [Stringed instrument]
413
00:33:21,564 --> 00:33:25,354
[Stomping &
rhythmic clapping]
414
00:33:25,394 --> 00:33:29,664
[Shouting & screeching]
415
00:33:56,556 --> 00:33:58,296
Who are you rooting for?
Who's your number one?
416
00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:01,468
Jungle.
417
00:34:01,517 --> 00:34:03,557
Tough loss for
Jungle today though.
418
00:34:03,606 --> 00:34:05,296
[Applause]
419
00:34:28,631 --> 00:34:30,941
[Shouting & Cheering]
420
00:34:30,981 --> 00:34:32,071
Whoa!
421
00:34:37,553 --> 00:34:39,563
♪
422
00:34:43,951 --> 00:34:45,561
[Rhythmic clapping]
423
00:34:45,605 --> 00:34:47,295
[Thud]
424
00:34:47,346 --> 00:34:53,266
[Shouting & Cheering]
425
00:34:53,308 --> 00:34:55,088
[Thud]
426
00:34:55,136 --> 00:34:58,266
[Referee banging mat]
[Cheering]
427
00:35:23,208 --> 00:35:26,298
What did you think the first
time you were hit in that ring?
428
00:35:26,341 --> 00:35:28,821
Oh... fuck.
429
00:35:28,865 --> 00:35:30,815
[Laughs]
430
00:35:30,867 --> 00:35:32,427
One hit, you go a bit numb.
431
00:35:32,478 --> 00:35:34,038
Second hit,
you're already numb.
432
00:35:34,088 --> 00:35:35,958
And then it's just
like, from then on,
433
00:35:36,003 --> 00:35:38,483
you feel it, but it's like
your body's already
434
00:35:38,527 --> 00:35:41,787
kind of like blocked it, like
mentally blocked it.
435
00:35:55,631 --> 00:35:57,421
[Cheering]
436
00:35:57,459 --> 00:35:59,509
At the end of the day,
wrestling is a combat sport.
437
00:35:59,548 --> 00:36:02,248
And, coming
along with that are
438
00:36:02,290 --> 00:36:03,900
the risks of injury.
439
00:36:03,944 --> 00:36:06,034
Was that something you
kind of were aware of,
440
00:36:06,076 --> 00:36:07,246
coming in here?
441
00:36:37,586 --> 00:36:58,646
♪
442
00:36:58,694 --> 00:37:02,094
This is Mil Mascaras'
ring cloak.
443
00:37:02,132 --> 00:37:04,272
He would have worn
this to the ring.
444
00:37:04,309 --> 00:37:08,309
Mister Ogawa, obviously, has
a huge passion for lucha,
445
00:37:08,356 --> 00:37:12,396
and has collected one of
the finest collections
446
00:37:12,447 --> 00:37:15,537
I've gotten to see since we've
been out here doing this.
447
00:37:15,581 --> 00:37:17,241
I recognize that
face immediately.
448
00:37:19,498 --> 00:37:21,538
That's the thing, is like,
not only do you collect
449
00:37:21,587 --> 00:37:24,627
wrestling history, you
produce wrestling history.
450
00:38:28,175 --> 00:38:30,695
♪
451
00:38:37,140 --> 00:38:39,840
You've seen a lot of changes
in wrestling in your time.
452
00:38:46,933 --> 00:38:49,243
♪
453
00:38:54,244 --> 00:38:59,514
♪
454
00:38:59,554 --> 00:39:01,774
You've been in this for
long enough that
455
00:39:01,817 --> 00:39:03,517
you're no longer starting out.
456
00:39:03,558 --> 00:39:07,738
You're now one of the
top women in this company.
457
00:39:07,780 --> 00:39:11,000
Is it something that
you want to stick with?
458
00:39:11,044 --> 00:39:12,874
I don't know. I...
459
00:39:12,915 --> 00:39:15,785
It's always been really hard
for me to see the future.
460
00:39:15,831 --> 00:39:18,881
Agh!
461
00:39:18,921 --> 00:39:20,661
I really admire people who
know what they want to do
462
00:39:20,706 --> 00:39:24,406
with their life, but I feel
like I want to do everything,
463
00:39:24,449 --> 00:39:27,539
so it's hard for me to say if
wrestling is my call.
464
00:39:27,582 --> 00:39:30,192
But I know I
worked so hard for it,
465
00:39:30,237 --> 00:39:32,147
to get to where
I am right now.
466
00:39:32,195 --> 00:39:34,755
I know I don't really have
the passion for just wrestling,
467
00:39:34,807 --> 00:39:36,897
but there is something
about wrestling
468
00:39:36,939 --> 00:39:39,249
that I am addicted to.
469
00:39:39,289 --> 00:39:41,809
♪
470
00:39:41,857 --> 00:39:44,157
- [Slap]
- [Laughs]
471
00:39:44,207 --> 00:39:50,817
♪
472
00:40:00,093 --> 00:40:04,143
Announcer:
[Introducing Mayu]
473
00:40:04,184 --> 00:40:08,674
[Cheering & Applause]
474
00:40:08,710 --> 00:40:10,190
[Bell chimes]
475
00:40:10,233 --> 00:40:17,553
[Cheering]
476
00:40:23,769 --> 00:40:27,119
♪ [Suspenseful]
477
00:40:27,163 --> 00:40:29,043
[Cheering]
478
00:40:34,780 --> 00:40:36,220
[Cheering]
479
00:40:53,102 --> 00:40:54,452
Oh!
480
00:41:16,996 --> 00:41:26,566
♪ [Shouting & Cheering]
481
00:41:26,614 --> 00:41:27,794
[Screams]
482
00:41:36,885 --> 00:41:44,805
♪
483
00:41:53,598 --> 00:41:55,558
[Applause]
484
00:41:55,600 --> 00:41:56,990
[Shouting]
485
00:42:04,957 --> 00:42:08,477
[Banging]
486
00:42:08,526 --> 00:42:10,476
[Thud]
487
00:42:10,528 --> 00:42:14,658
♪
488
00:42:14,706 --> 00:42:16,186
[Thud]
489
00:42:16,229 --> 00:42:19,059
[Banging]
490
00:42:19,101 --> 00:42:20,801
[Bell chimes]
491
00:42:20,842 --> 00:42:23,062
[Cheering & Applause]
492
00:42:23,105 --> 00:42:24,315
What a match!
493
00:42:24,367 --> 00:42:32,327
[Applause]
494
00:42:50,089 --> 00:42:53,609
Crowd: [Chanting]
Mayu! Mayu!
495
00:43:00,534 --> 00:43:03,974
[Cheering]
496
00:43:15,244 --> 00:43:16,424
[Shouting]
497
00:43:21,860 --> 00:43:31,870
♪