Mayu Iwatani: When I Left STARDOM, I Never Considered Going To America

Iwatani never considered making her way overseas.

It is coming up on a full year since Mayu Iwatani decided to depart World Wonder Ring STARDOM and join Dream Star Fighting Marigold.

Looking back at her departure from STARDOM, Iwatani told ENCOUNT that she never considered the idea of going to America. She mentioned that while reflecting on the match she had in Marigold against WWE’s IYO SKY in 2025.

“The atmosphere was incredible. It was quite frustrating that IYO (SKY) took over the atmosphere. Even though this was my home turf, the ‘IYO’ chants were massive… The difference from seven and a half years ago is her aura. I could feel how much her brand power has grown. (When I left STARDOM), I never considered going to America. I wouldn’t live apart from my dog and cat (laughs), and I love Japan. My goal is to expand as much as I can from Japan to the world – that hasn’t changed.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Iwatani dove into her exit from STARDOM. For more on that, head over to this link.