Victoria Yuzuki Talks Marigold, Mayu Iwatani, DREAM STAR GP | Interview
Victoria Yuzuki is one of the brightest young stars in professional wrestling, and she’s ready to put Marigold on her back as she grows in her own career.
Yuzuki debuted on November 11, 2023, in STARDOM, winning the company’s Rookie of the Year tournament at the start of 2024. It was only months later that the up-and-coming star made the decision to leave STARDOM, becoming a founding member of Marigold. She’d compete in the company’s first-ever match against Nanae Takahashi at Marigold Fields Forever in May 2025, telling the world she will strive to be the company’s future ace.
Since then, Yuzuki has only improved and managed to win her first career championship at First Dream earlier this year — defeating Natsumi Showzuki to win the Superfly Championship. She managed to defend the title successfully three times before losing the belt to her idol and mentor, Mayu Iwatani, at Marigold Shine Forever in May.
Now, Victoria Yuzuki is determined to help lead Marigold in the feud against Marvelous as well as win the DREAM STAR GP, which officially kicks off on August 2nd. Before her tournament kicks off, Fightful’s Scott Edwards had the opportunity to interview Yuzuki. Marigold’s future ace discussed a number of topics, including the upcoming tournament, the Marigold vs. Marvelous feud, her mentor Mayu Iwatani joining Marigold, and so much more.
Here’s what Yuzuki had to say!
Edwards: Later this year, you’ll celebrate your second anniversary in pro wrestling. It goes without saying that the first two years of your career have been unlike any other — debuting in STARDOM, winning the Rookie of the Year tournament, joining Marigold, winning the Superfly Championship, and so much more. You’ve already shown that you’re just getting started and the future is bright. What has these first two years felt like from your perspective? How do you take everything you’ve experienced and turn it into continued success?
Yuzuki: “It was very intense. I believe that I am who I am today because of all the experiences I have had in my career. I will continue to work hard to reach the top by making the most of these experiences.”
Edwards: Since day one, you have told the world that you will become Marigold’s ace. And that’s been a topic of discussion for so much of the promotion’s existence of who is truly the ace of Marigold. What do you believe it takes to be seen as the ace of Marigold? If you don’t believe you’ve reached that point yourself, who do you believe is the ace right now?
Yuzuki: “I think it’s about being prepared to take on the responsibility of your achievements and carry the organization on your shoulders. I think the current ace of Marigold is Utami (Hayashishita), the Red champion.”
Edwards: As a founding member of Marigold, you have helped set the stage for what the promotion is and going to be moving forward. What does Marigold mean to you as someone who wants to be the one who leads the company forward?
Yuzuki: “I came to Marigold with determination, and now I feel like I’ve found a new version of myself that is ready for the next level, so Marigold is a very important place for me.”
Edwards: Your two singles matches with Nanae Takahashi – in the first match in Marigold history at Marigold Fields Forever and again in one of Takahashi’s last ever singles matches – displayed your incredible growth over the past year. Did you view your second bout with Nanae as an important moment for you, cementing yourself as the future ace of Marigold? And what did Nanae Takahashi teach you in the time you spent with her in and out of the ring?
Yuzuki: “I wanted Nanae to see that I have grown since the inaugural match, so the second time was an important match for me to prove that I am the future of Marigold. The biggest thing I learned from her were the emotional aspects of pro wrestling.”
Edwards: With that in mind, several of your seniors, notably Utami, MIRAI and Mai Sakurai, have all stated that they were impressed with your rapid growth in training since joining Marigold. What do you think has played the biggest part in you becoming the wrestler you are today?
Yuzuki: “I think it’s been my determination to succeed and realize my goals.”
Edwards: When you first debuted, you utilized a lot of your judo techniques and quickly started adding fast-paced, high-flying maneuvers to your moveset as well. More recently, you’ve also used more technical maneuvers to deal with opponents like Rea Seto — showing you’ve become a real student of the game. As someone who’s becoming an all-rounder, do you have a certain style that you actively like the most, and why?
Yuzuki: “I like the style of lucha libre, with all the jumping and flying.
I am fascinated by the movements and the worldview of jumping and flying.”
Edwards: Mayu Iwatani officially joined Marigold in May. She is someone you’ve said many times in the past is who you looked up to in pro wrestling, and she served as a mentor during your time in STARDOM. While you have both faced and teamed with her since then, how were you feeling when she officially joined the promotion after being separated for a year? What does Iwatani bring to Marigold that may not have been there before her arrival?
Yuzuki: “I was honestly very happy. I think she’s come in like a gust of wind that makes Marigold shine even more.”
Edwards: After Iwatani’s first match in Marigold, you confidently stepped up to her and told her that you wanted to face her with the Superfly Championship on the line at Shine Forever. In that match, you ultimately came up short in defeat as Iwatani copied your three Moonsaults to pin you, but it was clear after the loss that the match and reconnecting with “The Icon” meant a lot to you. Now that we are over a month past that match, what did sharing the ring with her at Marigold’s first anniversary mean to you? And overall, what does Mayu Iwatani mean to you as a pro wrestler?
Yuzuki: “I fought with the desire to surpass my idol, Mayu.
She is my idol and a senior whom I truly respect.
But someday, I will definitely surpass my idol.”
Edwards: You’ve found yourself with several tag team partners as it stands, in Selene Flora with Kizuna Tanaka, ShimaiTag with Utami Hayashishita, and now with your mentor, Mayu Iwatani. Can you tell us how each of those teams differs for you as far as your outlook and preparation for each match?
Yuzuki: “I think each team has its own flavor because of the difference in our careers and relationships. So I approach each team from that perspective.”
Edwards: At Wrestle Magic 2025, you stepped up to Takumi Iroha and challenged for the GHC Women’s Championship. This was not only the continuation of the rivalry between Marigold and Marvelous, but also your climb to the top of the pro wrestling world. In the end, Iroha managed to defeat you, but you proved that you were a great opponent for her. Why was challenging for the GHC Women’s Title so important to you right now? What was your takeaway from your first time facing Iroha?
Yuzuki: “It was important to me because I am aiming for the Grand Slam.
Through my battle with Takumi, I learned what I was lacking in terms of the accuracy of each technique, the weight of each technique, and my strength.”
Edwards: Speaking of Iroha, Marigold vs. Marvelous has really defined the first half of the year. You’ve had the chance to take part in it, but neither of your chances came in a Marigold ring. How do you feel about the rivalry between each promotion, as Marvelous now has a chance to take two more belts at the upcoming Korakuen Hall show? Do you feel it’s helped Marigold grow through these battles — win or lose?
Yuzuki: “I think Marigold has grown even more since the rivalry started.
The rivalry is exciting because both sides are fighting with the weight of our organizations on our shoulders. I think the rivalry will continue, so I want Marigold to keep winning.”
Edwards: Do you have an interest in bringing back the TwinStar Championships, and if so, who would you like to be your partner for that match against Magenta?
Yuzuki: “I don’t know who my partner will be right now, but I’m interested.”
Edwards: Seri Yamaoka has stormed onto the scene in Marigold and has quickly established herself as a rival to you based on your matches for the TwinStar Championship as well as the singles match draw you had against each other at Shinjuku FACE. You’ve also had the opportunity to team with her. What are your feelings regarding Yamaoka? Do you view her as a rival?
Yuzuki: “I lost in the Twin Star title match at Korakuen Hall, and the singles match at Shinjuku FACE was a draw, so I’m conscious of her. I haven’t beat her yet, so the next time we fight, I’ll take a three count from Seri and get my hand raised.”
Edwards: The 2025 DREAM STAR Grand Prix is right around the corner! The field of 16 has been set, and you’ll enter the tournament for a second time this year. What’s your mindset heading into your second DREAM STAR tournament? Who is one person you’d like to face in block action? Is there anyone in your mind that’d be an ideal opponent if you made it to the finals?
Yuzuki: “I will win this year’s DREAM STAR GP and create my own future.
I want to fight Rea Seto. I also want to fight Sakurai-san, the United Naional champion.
If I can make it to the Finals, I hope I can face someone from my generation.”
Edwards: Back at First Dream, you won your first championship when you defeated Natsumi Showzuki to become the Superfly Champion. Now that your first championship reign has come and gone, how do you feel it went? Is there anything you would have done differently? And what’s the next championship you want to hold as you pursue the Marigold Grand Slam, much like Mayu Iwatani?
Edwards: “Becoming a champion helped me grow as a person. Winning the title meant a lot to me.
But because I lost, I want to win another one. My next goal is the United National belt.”
Edwards: Recently, you had the opportunity to travel to America for the first time in your career! How’d you enjoy your first trip to America and getting to compete in front of a new crowd? How was the overall experience as part of Sukeban? What do you hope to do in the future when you get to visit again?
Yuzuki: “It was my first time overseas, so I was nervous, but I enjoyed the match by trying to be myself as usual. I also competed with the mindset of wanting people who were seeing me for the first time to get to know me. If I have the opportunity to visit the US again, I’d love to go back and wrestle.”
Edwards: You’ve had the chance to face so many incredible wrestlers in singles matches over your first two years as a wrestler. Nanae Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani, Utami Hayashishita, and many others. So with that being said, who would be your dream opponent that you’ve never had the chance to face and hope to someday?
Yuzuki: “I don’t have a name in mind, but I want to compete against strong opponents.”
Edwards: Throughout this interview, we’ve talked about Seri Yamaoka and Kizuna Tanaka. But it’s only right to bring up the remainder Young Marigold with Komomo Minami, Shinno, Yuuka Yamazaki, and Rea Seto. It feels as though you all push each other to become better — whether you’re teaming or facing off. As the longest tenured wrestler of Young Marigold, you feel like you’re the best person to answer this. Does having so many impressive, young, talented wrestlers make you more competitive to be the best of the group? Or do you feel it is more important to all grow together, whether it’s teaming up or facing one another, to make Marigold as exciting as it can be both right now and in the future?
Yuzuki: “Because Marigold has a large number of young members, we want to work hard together to boost the group and prove that Marigold has the brightest future!”
Scott and Fightful would like to thank Yuzuki and Marigold for their time in taking part in this interview!
We also want to thank Chiyoko for once again providing massive help in this interview. Chiyoko helped translate the questions from English to Japanese for Yuzuki to answer.
You can follow Chiyoko on Twitter here: @chiyoko_asakura
For fans who want to check out Yuzuki in action, she will compete this Wednesday as part of Marigold’s major Korakuen Hall show. She’ll team up with fellow Young Marigold member Seri Yamaoka to take on Marvelous’ rookie duo of Senka Akatsuki and Sora Ayame. The show will air on WRESTLE UNIVERSE and also features a massive double championship match main event between Utami Hayashishita and Takumi Iroha.
Here’s a look at the full card:
– Marigold World Championship & GHC Women’s Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Takumi Iroha (c)
– United National Championship: Mai Sakurai (c) vs. Riko Kawahata
– Mayu Iwatani & Komomo Minami vs. Mio Momono & Ai Houzan
– Victoria Yuzuki & Seri Yamaoka vs. Sora Ayame & Senka Akatsuki
– MIRAI, Chanyota, Megaton & Yuuka Yamazaki vs. Nagisa Nozaki, Misa Matsui, CHIAKI & Rea Seto
– Miku Aono, Kouki Amarei, Kizuna Tanaka & Erina Yamanaka vs. Chika Goto, Yuuki Minami, Nao Ishikawa & Hummingbird
Interested in more from the world of Joshi? Check out the latest Fightful interviews with Marigold’s Shinno as well as Sareee.
You can follow Marigold on X through their Japanese (@DFS_Marigold) and English (@Marigold_Joshi) accounts.
Stay tuned to Fightful for more information on Marigold and other Joshi news.
