The Closing of Shinjuku FACE
Servant No. 38 (hereafter Servant): Shinjuku FACE closed its doors on a 21-year history at the end of September.
Saya-sama: It was a massive topic in the pro wrestling world. Shinjuku FACE was a venue where every promotion ran shows, and every pro wrestler owed it a debt of gratitude. Even looking on social media, there were so many wrestlers sad to see it go.
Servant: The reason for closing seems to be the expiration of the building’s lease.
Saya-sama: Where there are encounters, there are also partings… It’s sad. Having a venue right smack in the middle of Kabukicho was pretty groundbreaking, wasn’t it? It would be interesting if a new venue opened up in Tokyo in the future. Just like how idols have their own dedicated theaters, I sometimes fantasize on my own about having a venue exclusively for Stardom (laughs). There are a lot of foreign tourists nowadays, so just like people go to Ryogoku Kokugikan to watch sumo, I think if we made Stardom a sightseeing hotspot, it would become incredibly popular. We could have the rookies hand out flyers to draw people in! Though I have no idea how much money it would cost to build a venue (laughs).
Servant: It sounds like it would cost an astronomical amount of money. Did you have much of a connection to Shinjuku FACE, Saya-sama?
Saya-sama: Yeah! Of course I do. But maybe less so than freelancers or wrestlers from other promotions. When I first debuted in Stardom, we were having matches almost every month at Shin-Kiba 1st RING, so originally I hadn’t wrestled at Shinjuku FACE at all. It was around my second year, I think? Stardom started occasionally using Shinjuku FACE, and that’s when I had my first match there. Otherwise, I wrestled there when I made guest appearances for other promotions. In total, I’ve probably only stood in that ring about 10 times?
Servant: Please tell us about the characteristics of Shinjuku FACE.
Saya-sama: The advantage is that there’s a permanent ring set up and staff on hand, so you don’t have to build the ring yourself. However, the mat is harder than the Stardom ring we usually use, so taking bumps could hurt (laughs). The ropes are also higher, and it feels slightly wider. Additionally, because there’s a drink system and a lot of fans are drinking alcohol, my impression is that the energy is high and the cheers during matches are loud. That space gets tightly packed with fans, so it’s a thrilling and fun environment to wrestle in.
Servant: Do you have any other favorite venues, Saya-sama?
Saya-sama: The one I’ve consistently loved since my debut is Shin-Kiba 1st RING. It’s like a warehouse, but the capacity is around 300, so you’re close to the fans. It has this live concert feel, and the fact that the crowd gets super hyped every time is part of its charm. I’ve been helping out at the merchandise tables there since I was a trainee, and I’ve wrestled there a ton, so I have a huge emotional attachment to it. More recently, I’d say Korakuen Hall. It’s the place where I debuted, and since the fans come highly motivated to watch the matches, it fires me up to give it my all! A sold-out Korakuen makes you feel like every single fan in the building is on your side. Besides that, I also have fun memories of the Ueno Park Outdoor Stage because it’s outdoors and feels so open.
Servant: Conversely, are there any venues you don’t like?
Saya-sama: Venues without air conditioning are brutal in the middle of summer (laughs). Heatstroke is dangerous, after all. Also, it was a long time ago, but it was really rough when there wasn’t a dressing room and we had to use a bus instead (laughs). Without electrical outlets, we couldn’t style our hair…!
Servant: There really are all sorts of venues, huh.
Saya-sama: Every weekend when I go to a venue, I vividly remember, “Ah, I had this match here.” Pro wrestling venues where memories are etched like that are special places for pro wrestlers. Touring various venues all over the country is incredibly exciting, and being able to see the smiles of my Servants who I don’t usually get to meet is a time of happiness for me, Saya-sama. I will continue to spread my jet-black wings and go out to meet my Servants, so wait for me! And to Shinjuku FACE… thank you so much for everything up until now!
Stardom’s final Shinjuku FACE event was the day-and-night double-header on January 3rd. Saya-sama appeared at a contract signing for her double title match against Syuri the following day.
Translation Notes:
- Servant: The Japanese term used in the text is a word that translates directly to “Servant” or “Minion.” This is the official faction-aligned name for Saya Kamitani’s fanbase, fitting her arrogant heel persona where she refers to herself respectfully as “Saya-sama” (Lady Saya).
- Taking bumps: The original text uses a traditional Japanese martial arts term for the art of falling safely. In English professional wrestling journalism, this is universally localized as “taking bumps.”
- Drink system: Many smaller Japanese event halls like Shinjuku FACE and Shin-Kiba 1st RING operate on a mandatory drink ticket system at the door. This fosters a livelier, bar-like atmosphere compared to traditional sports arenas.
- Ueno Park Outdoor Stage: An open-air amphitheater in Tokyo that occasionally hosts independent professional wrestling shows.