KAIRI and Mayu Iwatani are set to battle for the IWGP Women's Championship at NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over on November 20.
The historic event will not only seeing the first-ever IWGP Women's Champion crowned, but will featured mixed tag team bouts with NJPW and STARDOM talent.
Speaking at the NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over press event, KAIRI (formerly Kairi Sane in WWE) and Iwatani discussed being in the headlining spot.
"There’s probably a lot of fans who haven’t seen us before. But when we have had showcase matches on NJPW cards before, there have always been a lot of fans who got involved and started coming to our events afterward. I’m certain that if they see these matches, they’ll be hooked on women’s wrestling and on STARDOM. We’ve put a lot into what we’ve done so far, and we’ll make ourselves proud on the night. Everyone that hasn’t seen women’s wrestling, or doesn’t think they’re interested should come and check it out, see how great STARDOM is and get hooked. That’s what I plan to do with our match," said Iwatani.
KAIRI stated, "I feel the same as Iwatani. When I was with WWE, that was always a mixed environment. On a card full of men, there might be one or two women’s matches. But us women were determined to not lose out to the men. We were working to have the best matches we could. We were in the ring training on off days and doing all we could until we were in that main event spot. I think that STARDOM has the same mentality. It isn’t about mixed wrestling, women’s wrestling, men’s wrestling. It’s about pro-wrestling. That’s what we love, and that’s what we’ll present. I don’t want anyone leaving after the semi-main! Make sure you stay through the main event!"
KAIRI received a first-round bye before besting Jazzy Gabert in the semifinals. Iwatani defeated Momo Watanabe in the first round before getting by Utami Hayashishita in the semifinals.
Fans can check out the full lineup for NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over by clicking here.
