Chi Chi Talks Going Freelance, Future Goals, Marigold, Learning From Sareee, More | Interview

Chi Chi has entered her freelance era, and she’s ready to take over any promotion she competes in.

Joshi’s Barbie has become one of the most exciting wrestlers in the Joshi scene over the first three years of her career. Recently, she decided to become a freelancer, leaving Pro Wrestling Evolution to take on new challenges and chase new goals. That’s only created a bigger buzz around her, and one that wrestling fans are going to want to pay attention to. Many may know Chi Chi due to her connection to Sareee, having become a constant on Sareee’s produce shows over the years. But there’s no doubt that Chi Chi is creating an undeniable claim to be at the top of Joshi wrestling for years to come.

And while she did leave Evolution, she’s still currently reigning as the Evolution Strong Women’s Champion, and doing so in convincing fashion. She won the championship back in January, earning her first top prize, and it’s only left her wanting more. Back on May 11, she successfully defended her belt against Sumika Yanagawa. She looks to continue her reign atop Evolution when she next takes on Ayame Sasamura.

Chi Chi’s most recent buzzworthy move has been heading to Marigold, where she has her eyes on Victoria Yuzuki and her United National Championship. She will have her chance this weekend to move closer to her goal when she competes at Marigold’s 2nd Anniversary show, Shine Forever 2026, against Rea Seto.

But before that, Chi Chi took the time to chat with Scott E. to discuss several different topics, including her decision to leave Evolution, future goals, learning from Sareee, her Marigold takeover, and so much more.

Here’s what Chi Chi had to say!

Edwards: The decision was made to officially exit Pro Wrestling Evolution at the end of March to become a freelancer, marking the end of an important part of your career. Why did you feel now was the right time to exit the promotion and become a freelancer?

Chi Chi: “There’s a saying in Japan, ‘Three years on a stone,’ and I spent exactly three years with Evolution. My desire to challenge myself overseas kept growing, and at the same time, the company was going through major changes. Those two things lined up, and that’s why I decided to leave.”

Edwards: While you leave Evolution, it’s undeniable how important the promotion was to your career as your first home and where you learned. How important was Evolution to you, and how grateful are you for that experience these last few years?

Chi Chi: “Evolution is my home, it’s the place that gave birth to me as a professional wrestler, and that will never change.

“I debuted as part of the founding roster, and even as a rookie, I learned the responsibility, determination, and mindset needed to help carry a promotion.

“I’ll always want to give back in any way I can.”

Edwards: You’ll continue to compete in the promotion as you currently reign as the Evolution Strong Women’s Champion! It wasn’t your first-ever title win, but it was a victory that felt important to you, and you worked your way towards it. What were your feelings when you first won the championship after having come up short last year? What should fans expect from you as you continue to reign as champion?

Chi Chi: “It was my first time winning the top championship in the promotion, so it meant everything to me. Last year, I lost to ZONES and couldn’t win the belt, and that frustration helped me grow.

“I’m still a developing champion; I’m not perfect. But I want to show fans that if you never give up, you can win.”

Edwards: Ayame Sasamura is your next challenger. She’s currently the Beyond The Sea Champion, making for an incredibly exciting face-off between you two. Does this matchup excite you, considering your styles? Do you like the idea of defending against someone who is also a champion?

Chi Chi: “Everyone knows that both Ayame Sasamura and I hate losing, so the hype will build naturally. I have to prove that the Evolution Championship is stronger than the belt she holds. I’ll be fully prepared by June 10th.”

Edwards: Now that you’re a freelancer, what do you hope to achieve with such freedom? You said you wanted to travel the world. Is there any specific place you’d like to go?

Chi Chi: “Now that I’m a freelancer, I want to go to the United States for an overseas training excursion.”

Edwards: In your interview with Tokyo Sports, you explained that while you did make this decision yourself, seeing what Sareee has accomplished as a freelancer helped you feel confident in your decision. And as many know, you’ve been close with Sareee over the last few years. How has she helped you to this point in your career? Did she give you any advice once you made the decision?

Chi Chi: “Sareee always steps into major promotions on her own, creates buzz, dominates her matches, and delivers results.

“I’ve been heavily influenced by the way she carries herself.

“When I told her I was going freelance, she said, ‘You can do it! I’ll support you in any way I can.’ She’s an incredibly reassuring and important senior to me.”

Edwards: Speaking of Sareee, you’ve had the chance to team up a lot more with her since we last talked. Standing by her side as she battled in STARDOM, even when you weren’t competing. You also have seconded her recently, including for her match against Takumi Iroha. What have those experiences teaming with Sareee meant to you thus far in your career? Do you feel it’s been a big part of helping you learn?

Chi Chi: “Sareee is always thinking about pro wrestling, even outside the ring.

“That professional mindset has had a huge impact on me. I’m not the same as her, and I can’t become her, but I want to find my own strength and style, and become a one-of-a-kind wrestler.”

Edwards: At Sareee-ISM Chapter X, you teamed with Miku Kanae to take on Amu Fujiwara and Rina. There seems to be a rivalry brewing between you and Rina, as the match felt very personal and really lived up to the expectations that many seemingly had for such a match. First, what did it mean to take part in that show after being part of so many of these events? And second, what about Rina brought that side of you out? How’d it feel to get what felt like an important win?

Chi Chi: “Sareee-ISM is a show where only those who seek strength can compete.

“Miku and I have been given opportunities by Sareee, so proving our strength there is also our way of giving back. That win was proof of our daily effort and our gratitude to her.”

“Rina comes from a martial arts background, and her kicks are so painful they make your spine go numb.
If someone hits me like that, I have no choice but to hit back. Next time, I’ll deliver kicks that hurt even more than hers.”

Edwards: You and Miku Kanae have become an awesome team in the few times you’ve been able to team up. Can you tell us a bit about your relationship as you two continue to grow as a duo?

Chi Chi: “Miku and I are very different as wrestlers, but we share the same fighting spirit. We train together in the gym and at the dojo, and often go out to eat afterward. I usually travel by car, so I often drive her home too.

“Spending time together outside the ring and building communication is the key to strengthening our team.”

Edwards: Marigold’s Victoria Yuzuki has named you as someone she wants to face, and soon. Of course, her injury has resulted in your battle being delayed for the time being. What about Yuzuki interested you in a match? Do you hope to face her when she’s able to return from injury? Do you have eyes on her belt?

Chi Chi: “Just hours before I announced I was leaving Evolution, Victoria Yuzuki suddenly said she wanted to face me. I felt it was fate.

“I saw that she has the power to change her own destiny instead of leaving it up to the company, and that’s what attracted me. Because of that one statement, I’m now able to make a huge impact in Marigold. Until she comes back, Marigold belongs to me.”

“And of course, I’m going after her title.”

Edwards: You’ve since started to compete in Marigold, and you’ve certainly caused a ton of noise since doing so. You’ll be facing Rea Seto at Shine Forever, but she’s far from the only one who is ready to fight you. Shinno and Seri Yamaoka, both of whom you teamed with, want to fight you, too. You’ve also been very vocal on social media, and it seems it’s all leading to continued battles for you in the future. How has your experience been as you take over, and what are your plans now that you’ve arrived and seemingly pushed a few of the wrestlers to want to fight you? Does anyone specifically catch your attention as you hope to fight as you wait for Yuzuki?

Chi Chi: “Right now, Marigold is facing a crisis with many departures and injuries. For me, it’s the perfect opportunity to take over.

“A lot of people are lacking fighting spirit, so I want to bring tension back into the matches and make things exciting.

“As for opponents, Natsumi Shouzuki is someone I’m very interested in. I think we could have a very intense fight.”

Edwards: You’ve stepped up to Chihiro Hashimoto for a singles match. That’s as tall a task as any, yet it clearly shows your confidence and determination to compete against the best of the best. How did that match with Hashimoto test you? Why did you feel this was the time to face her?

Chi Chi: “My last match with Chihiro Hashimoto was frustrating and disappointing for me. A year later, now that I’m a freelancer, I wanted to prove how much determination I truly have. I want to defeat Hashimoto, who is also Sareee’s rival, and rise straight to the top.”

Edwards: Now that you’re freelance, you have real freedom to face some new wrestlers. Is there anyone who jumps out to you that you’d like to face soon? And if so, who and why?

Chi Chi: “Rina from STARDOM. I believe I’m the only one who can beat her in trash talk, and I want to become her rival.

“Miyu Yamashita from Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. I was captivated by her spinning back kick, and I started training and using the same move myself.”

Edwards: To close out the interview, we should continue to look towards the future. What are your top goals moving forward this year now that you’re a freelancer? How about in the long term?

Chi Chi: “Right now, my goal is to take over Marigold and win Yuzuki’s championship. After that, I want to go overseas for further training.

“My ultimate goal is to become the strongest wrestler by combining overseas entertainment with the refined technical skill of Japan.”

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We’d like to thank Chi Chi for taking the time out of her busy schedule to provide such thoughtful and insightful answers for this exclusive interview!

If you’d like to keep up with everything Chi Chi has going on, make sure to follow her on X and Instagram: @chichi_fbd

Chi Chi has some major matches ahead that fans will want to check out. On Friday (May 22), she will go one-on-one with Chihiro Hashimoto at the Sendai Girls show. Then on Saturday (May 23), she will look to continue her goal of taking over Marigold when she goes head-to-head with Rea Seto in singles action. Both of those matches will be available on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

Chi Chi’s next defense of the Evolution Strong Women’s Championship against Ayame Sasamura will take place on June 10, so keep an eye out for that one as well!

Check out Scott’s other past interviews with STARDOM’s Rina and Hazuki here, as well as Sareee and TJPW’s Miu Watanabe!