Ogawa speaks candidly about Iwatani's arrival to Marigold.
Coming up on May 24th, Dream Star Fighting Marigold is going to be celebrating its one-year anniversary since the launch of the promotion. They'll be presenting their 'Shine Forever' show which will be headlined by Nanae Takahashi's retirement match.
Also on the bill is Mayu Iwatani challenging Victoria Yuzuki for the Superfly Championship. Iwatani joined Marigold after departing STARDOM. In an interview with Sports Graphic Number, Ogawa spoke candidly about Iwatani's decision to leave the promotion she had been at since 2013.
"Whatever she does, there will always be people who say something. People may ask if it was decided beforehand, but that's a stupid question. She properly announced her departure. With the current contract system, it's over when the contract expires. It's not the same as using the wrestler forever or looking after them. (Mayu) Iwatani said, 'Marigold is my family, and STARDOM is my company.' STARDOM, which has many wrestlers and only performs their roles, must have run out of things for Iwatani to do. Of course, there were probably attempts to keep her, but there was nothing motivating her anymore. She would have had better conditions at STARDOM. She'd get a salary, there would be less work, it would be easier. But because there are so many of them, it's hard to tell when someone's gone. Even if you're just one of several top wrestlers, you need to always be at the center of attention."
Elsewhere in the interview, he spoke about the current Marigold World Champion Utami Hayashishita. He feels she has a sense of mission for the promotion, but added that he wants to see Hayashishita tone her body out.
“She (Utami Hayashishita) has already bloomed once in STARDOM. I think she has a sense of mission for the organization, but it is difficult for her to bloom a second time. Personally, I want to see her show a toned body as a wrestler. It's not like the Showa era, so I'm not saying that just because she's a pro wrestler, she should drink and eat a lot. But I don't approve of a fat wrestler."
Hayashishita will be the semi-main event of the Shine Forever show. She'll be defending her belt against MIRAI.
