September 21, 2026
Freelance wrestler Makoto will hold her 20th-anniversary event on Sunday, September 27 at 5:30 PM at Akiba Square inside Tokyo’s Akihabara UDX. The guest of honor, Makoto, will form a trio with VENY & Kaho Kobayashi to face the team of Syuri, Konami, & Kaho Matsushita. We spoke with Makoto and her manager, the pension-collecting wrestler Matsuzawa-san, about why she wanted to wrestle the Stardom talents she used to share a promotion with, how she ended up holding a commemorative show in Akihabara even though it’s projecting to be “in the red,” and her grand ambitions for her 21st year.
――Your 20th-anniversary show at Akiba Square inside Akihabara UDX on September 27th is fast approaching!
Makoto: “I felt this way during my 15th anniversary too, but I figured I’d like to be the main character at least once every five years. That’s why I decided to put on a 20th-anniversary show. However, for my 15th, I had sponsors supporting me, but this time it really is just Matsuzawa-san and me (laughs).”
――Just the two of you…!
Makoto: “To be honest, I was hesitating on whether or not to actually hold the event, but the half-naked grandma sitting next to me pushed me to ‘just do it,’ which finally gave me the resolve.”
――The event is only a few days away. How are ticket sales and preparations coming along?
Makoto: “Umm, I wonder… The venue holds about 600 people. Since we’re handling the ticket shipping ourselves, I know we aren’t quite at that number yet. Still, a lot of people are coming from all over the place. But with Silver Week happening, I’m booked for something like seven consecutive matches, so I’m a bit anxious, thinking, ‘Are the preparations going to be okay?’ It’s pretty rough (laughs).”
――When you produce your own show, you have to handle chores like ticket distribution that you wouldn’t normally do. Do you find that aspect rewarding?
Makoto: “No, honestly, I don’t want to do it (wry smile). I’d be grateful if there was someone else to handle it, but it’s just Matsuzawa-san and me. We’re always fighting, but for this one time, I’m hoping we can put our differences aside and join forces.”
Matsuzawa-san: (Makes a complicated expression)
――Matsuzawa-san, you’re making quite the look right now. (laughs)
Makoto: “We just have to do it!”
Matsuzawa-san: “In putting this event together, we’ve been communicating with various vendors and such, and everyone has their own set of rules. Naturally, every single time it’s ‘please submit an application for this,’ or ‘you can’t do that,’ or ‘if you do this, it will cost an extra fee.’ The venue fee alone is more expensive than Korakuen Hall…! Dealing with all of that has started to give me a headache (wry smile).”
――Even so, what made you want to hold the show at Akiba Square inside Akihabara UDX?
Makoto: “I’ve been an Akiba-kei nerd for a long time, and at my peak, there was a period where I was hanging out in Akihabara three or four times a week.”
――When was this?
Makoto: “It was before I debuted in pro wrestling, so I was around 16. I loved Akihabara so much that I even worked part-time at the McDonald’s there for a while. I’m still an otaku today, so going to Akihabara just gives me energy. Because of that, I’ve always wanted to wrestle a match in Akihabara someday. But I was never booked by Akiba Pro Wrestling, so that dream never came true. Since it’s my 20th anniversary, I figured, ‘If it’s come to this, I’ll just do it myself!'”
――So wrestling in Akihabara has been a long-standing dream of yours.
Makoto: “Yes! And that’s exactly why I don’t want the fans who come to regret it.”
――Your main event match has been set as Makoto, VENY, & Kaho Kobayashi vs. Syuri, Konami, & Kaho Matsushita.
Makoto: “Even though my opponents Syuri and Konami were in the same promotion as me back in the day, they’ve now become the kind of figures I can’t even wrestle unless I personally offer them a booking like this. When I decided to do a 20th-anniversary show, I thought it was an incredible opportunity.”
――So Syuri and Konami were the first names that came to mind?
Makoto: “That’s right. I felt like they would fiercely celebrate my 20th anniversary. Even though Syuri and Konami are technically two people who shouldn’t be teaming together.”
――In Stardom, Syuri belongs to God’s Eye and Konami is in HATE. Under normal circumstances, they’d never stand in the same corner.
Makoto: “Right, so I’m incredibly grateful, but also wondering, ‘Is this going to be okay?’ (laughs). And then there’s Kaho Matsushita from Ice Ribbon. I have high expectations for Kaho, both as a wrestler and as a person. I’m expecting her to show a presence that rivals both Syuri and Konami!”
――The last time you and Syuri stood in the same ring was at SEAdLINNNG’s Shin-Kiba show on June 12, 2024. As for Konami, it’s been five years since the December 23, 2021 YMZ show in Shin-Kiba. I’m sure the fans are expecting to see you pick up the victory.
Makoto: “Yes, and on my side, I’ve assembled a formidable lineup with VENY and Kaho Kobayashi.”
――What was your reasoning for choosing VENY and Kaho Kobayashi as your partners?
Makoto: “I think anyone who has been watching me recently would name VENY as my number-one partner. As for Kaho Kobayashi, it goes without saying—I’ve known her since she was a trainee. They are the two people I wanted standing next to me in the main event.”
――Matsuzawa-san, what kind of fight are you expecting from Makoto?
Matsuzawa-san: “Makoto will work hard even without me telling her to, but as for me—I looked after Konami, and Syuri and I ran REINA side-by-side!”
――Where did this suddenly come from…?
Matsuzawa-san: (Ignoring the question) “When I joined REINA, I was just an office clerk who knew absolutely nothing about pro wrestling. But I’d stay up late talking with Syuri, debating this and that, calling other promotions to offer bookings. And Konami—she was truly just a kid back then. I’d go to her apartment to clean it for her and feed her meals. I really took care of her! It’s wonderful that she’s grown into such a fine pro wrestler, but I haven’t gotten a single ounce of gratitude from her!”
Makoto: “…To summarize Matsuzawa-san’s words, I think she means she’s looking forward to seeing them on the 27th.”
Matsuzawa-san: “I really am looking forward to it. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Makoto wrestle Syuri and Konami, and I know she’ll deliver.”
Makoto: “I’ll do my best, so hype me up!”
Matsuzawa-san: “Makoto, you’ve been wrestling for 20 years! You have more seniority than those two! Let out everything you’ve learned up until now! If you do that, you’ll absolutely be fine! Do your best!”
――Did that get you hyped up?
Makoto: “…It actually depressed me a bit, so I’ll just hype myself up by the day of the show.”
――Matsuzawa-san, a match titled ‘Matsuzawa-san Pension Receipt Commemoration Match ~ Akiba Hyakki Yagyo Incident’ has been booked, featuring Makoto’s Master? ♀ & Makoto’s Master? ♂ & Matsuzawa-san vs. Isami Kodaka & Kaori Yoneyama.
Matsuzawa-san: “My opponents are Isami-san and Yoneyama-san. Those two have put me through the wringer for years, so in this match, I’m going to make them eat dirt!”
――Both of them are top-tier competitors.
Matsuzawa-san: “Isami-san was the opponent for my debut match, and I fought him at Makoto’s 15th anniversary too, but I’ve been on the losing end the entire time.”
Makoto: “There was even a time you lost a 4-on-1 handicap match, right?”
Matsuzawa-san: “I did. So this time, I have to beat him down somehow.”
――If you lose, will you hand over your pension?
Matsuzawa-san: “What kind of thing is that to say!? The national rules strictly forbid transferring your pension rights to someone else! I’ve lived for 65 years and paid into my pension properly, so please let me collect it! I’m not giving it to anyone!!”
――P-please calm down.
Matsuzawa-san: “As for Yoneyama-san, I have nothing but gratitude for her personally. After this match is over, it seems Yoneyama-san will be taking a hiatus. I want to show her, ‘The pro wrestling world will be just fine if you leave it to me!’ so she can enter her hiatus with peace of mind.”
――Is it really okay to leave it to her?
Makoto: “……I’ll leave it to you. Do whatever you want.”
――Makoto, do you have any goals for your 21st year?
Makoto: “As long as Matsuzawa-san is alive, I’d like for us to keep working hard side-by-side.”
Matsuzawa-san: “…… (scowls) “
Makoto: “What’s with that look? Does that mean you want to dissolve our partnership?”
Matsuzawa-san: “I’m 65 years old now, you know? I’m acting as Makoto’s manager, I’m wrestling matches, and I’m a grandmother to three grandkids. Plus, I even have to look after Makoto’s private life.”
――You look after her private life?
Makoto: “She holds onto my bankbook, after all.”
――Wasn’t there a recent incident where a super famous manga artist had hundreds of millions of yen embezzled from them?
Matsuzawa-san: “It’s fine, she doesn’t earn nearly that much! Ahaha!”
Makoto: “Shut up! Besides, if I hold onto it, I end up spending it all. On cosmetics, otaku hobbies, and stuff.”
――So you’re going to earn back what you spend with this self-produced show?
Makoto: “I’d like to make a profit, but even if the tickets completely sell out, we’re still going to be in the red.”
――Wait, really?
Matsuzawa-san: “The venue cost is just too high. So honestly, running a show here is nothing but a risk. I asked Makoto so many times, ‘Do you want to cancel?’ and ‘Should we change venues?’, but she insisted she wanted to wrestle in Akihabara.”
Makoto: “It’s my 20th anniversary, so I decided I was going to make my dream come true.”
――Do you have a dream for your 21st year?
Makoto: “I’ve been saying this since I was a rookie, but my dream is to build a pro wrestling venue. I want to build the Makoto Arena in Akihabara.”
――The Makoto Arena in Akihabara!
Makoto: “I’m currently just at the level of walking around Akihabara looking to see if there are any vacant properties, but Shinjuku FACE is closing down in September. If I open the Makoto Arena, I’m absolutely certain everyone will rent it!”
――Using Matsuzawa-san’s pension as the initial capital…
Matsuzawa-san: “How much do you think that costs!? We’re talking hundreds of millions of yen!”
Makoto: “But that’s my ultimate dream. So I’m waiting for a sponsor. To quote Attack on Titan, ‘Just shut up and invest in me!’ (smiles brightly)“
――Why Attack on Titan…? Putting that aside, do you have a message for the fans coming to the 20th-anniversary show, or for those who are still on the fence?
Makoto: “My goal for this event is to make sure every participating wrestler, every fan in attendance, and every staff member goes home with a smile on their face.”
Matsuzawa-san: “I don’t know if I’ll be able to go home smiling, and I certainly never thought my life would turn out like this. People might tease me for it, but I started in pro wrestling just before I turned 60 knowing absolutely nothing, and here I am at 65 putting my life on the line for it. So on September 27th, I want to whittle my life down to celebrate Makoto’s 20th anniversary. I’m going to give it my all, so please support us! I absolutely love having fun. Please look at me and let me give you some energy!”
Makoto: “Are you sure you don’t want to mention your savings?”
Matsuzawa-san: “I don’t need to say anything about that!”
Makoto: “But weren’t you just saying that at this rate you’re going to have to sell your Lions Mansion apartment?”
Matsuzawa-san: “……If everyone doesn’t come, I’m going to lose my place to live! I’ll be forced to sell my condo, so please, you absolutely have to come!”
Makoto: “Matsuzawa-san’s condo is on the line. And unless the Makoto Arena actually gets built, I probably won’t ever self-produce another show again after this. I think getting to see this many wrestlers starting at the cheap price of 3,500 yen is a great deal. We’re doing it in Akihabara on a Sunday evening, so I’d love for people to just drop by casually. It will absolutely be fun! I believe you’ll be able to go home filled with euphoria. Pro wrestling makes you happy.”
――That takes us right back to your roots, doesn’t it?
Makoto: “Yes, because that’s where I started. We’re going to have everyone watch pro wrestling and send them home happy!”
Translation Notes:
- Silver Week: A Japanese holiday season that occurs in late September when several public holidays line up in close succession, creating a busy period for tourism and wrestling events.
- Akiba-kei / Akihabara: Akiba-kei translates to “Akihabara-style” and refers to otaku culture (anime, gaming, idol fandoms) historically centered around the Akihabara district in Tokyo, which Makoto heavily identifies with.
- Hyakki Yagyo: Translated literally, this means “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons,” a famous concept in Japanese folklore where supernatural creatures parade through the streets at night.
- Shinjuku FACE closure: Shinjuku FACE is a legendary, heavily relied-upon mid-sized venue for independent wrestling in Tokyo. Its closure in September creates a massive real estate vacuum for indie promotions looking to run shows.
- Attack on Titan Quote: Makoto quotes the character Levi Ackerman (黙って俺に投資しろ – “Shut up and invest all your money in me”).
- Lions Mansion: A highly recognizable brand of condominiums in Japan managed by the Daikyo Group, often featuring a statue of a lion near the entrance.
- “Pro Wrestling with a Happy”: The interviewer noting that Makoto is returning to her “roots” is a nod to her original home promotion, Ice Ribbon, whose long-standing company catchphrase is “Pro Wrestling with a Happy!”