Shoko Nakajima Declares Her Intention to Capture the Princess of Princess Championship
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling held a contract signing and press conference at a cultural exchange facility in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on October 22, ahead of ALL RISE ’26, scheduled for November 8 at Korakuen Hall.
Shoko Nakajima, who will challenge Yuki Arai for the Princess of Princess Championship, made it clear that she believes she is ready to reclaim the title.
Nakajima is aiming to become champion for the third time, having last held the championship more than four years ago.
“Since this new version of the belt was introduced, I haven’t even touched it once. Arai became champion in March, and at first, I thought of her as someone with a delicate, graceful image. Now, though, she seems almost flawless.
“There are two main reasons why I wanted to challenge for the championship at this particular moment, and both came from what I experienced at Ota Ward Gymnasium on October 3.
“First, I defended my SETUP All Asia Championship against Zara Zuker, and the match was incredibly exciting. It made me even more ambitious. I want more and more things. I want to go to different places and see different things.
“The second reason was that the main event that day, Suzume versus Yuki Arai, was absolutely incredible. It made me think that Tokyo Joshi might be the greatest promotion of all.
“So when I thought about what I wanted next, I realized I didn’t want to go to America, go to the United Kingdom, win a world championship, or even win a championship in outer space. What I really wanted was the Princess of Princess Championship here in Tokyo Joshi.
“I can hardly contain my excitement about the title match on November 8.”
Yuki Arai: “This Is the Strongest Version of Me Yet”
Arai will be making her sixth defense of the championship. She expressed both respect for Nakajima and determination to overcome her long-standing rival.
“Of all our matches, the one that stands out most was our singles match in this summer’s tournament. We hadn’t wrestled one-on-one in a long time, and I lost.
“I’ve always known that Shoko has been ahead of me, but this was our first singles match since I became champion. I went into it giving everything I had because I really wanted to win, only to get caught in a flash pin.
“I remember thinking, ‘I really can’t beat her,’ and feeling incredibly frustrated. That’s why I’m so happy that Shoko has stepped forward again and told me she wants to challenge for my title.
“I’ve never beaten her in a singles match, so I’m happy just to have the opportunity to face her. But it’s more than that. When I wrestle Shoko, I’m reminded of how much fun professional wrestling is.
“She’s the opponent I want to face most right now, so I’m really looking forward to this match, too.
“Since winning the title at Ryogoku on March 29, I’ve defended it five times and experienced all kinds of emotions. But I’ve never been more confident in myself than I am now.
“I can say without hesitation that this is the strongest version of Yuki Arai, and that I’m the wrestler who suits this championship best right now.
“At Korakuen, I want to show Shoko and everyone watching that the Arai of today is even stronger than the version they saw this summer.
“I want to defeat Shoko, build even more confidence, and shine brighter than ever. On November 8, I will successfully defend this championship!”
Nakajima: “I Knew I Was Strong, So Why Not Go for It Now?”
This will be Nakajima’s first Princess of Princess Championship challenge in approximately two and a half years. Her previous challenge came on May 6, 2024, when she faced then-champion Miu Watanabe at Korakuen Hall.
Nakajima revealed that she had been quietly waiting for the right opportunity.
“I’d been watching for my chance all along. But whenever I’ve been booked in singles matches, I don’t think my record has been particularly impressive.
“Last year, I held the MLW Women’s World Championship for about a year, and I went to Mexico. This year, I went to Thailand, I think. I’m supposed to be strong, right?
“I’ve always wanted this championship. What finally pushed me to act was the show in Ota on October 3. I felt that now was the time, so I jumped at the opportunity.
“I believe I can challenge whenever I want.”
Nakajima previously defeated Arai in the Tokyo Princess Cup, but she remains wary of her opponent’s rapid development.
“We faced each other one-on-one in the summer tournament. I won, but I feel that my experience was what saved me.
“For example, when I was around Arai’s age, would I have been capable of attacking an opponent in the way she does now? I don’t think I could have.
“I was saved by having more hidden tricks in my pocket. That made me realize I can’t afford to underestimate her.
“I also got the impression that she became stronger because of that loss. I didn’t want her to catch up with me at this pace, let alone overtake me.”
Arai Wants to Show How Much Nakajima Has Helped Her Grow
Nakajima holds a perfect 2–0 record against Arai in their singles matches. Nevertheless, Arai believes she can finally turn the tables.
“Shoko is almost the opposite of me. She has so many qualities that I don’t possess.
“But, as she mentioned earlier, there are things she has taught me and ways she has helped me become stronger. That’s not just through our matches, but also through training and many other experiences.
“I do have a psychological hurdle when it comes to facing her. But I want to show everyone just how strong Shoko has helped me become!”
Although Arai has yet to defeat Nakajima in singles competition, they have only faced each other twice in that format. Arai believes a championship match could bring out a different side of her.
“It’s quite rare for me to face Nakajima in a singles match, let alone in a title match. I honestly have no idea how she’ll approach this match or how she’ll carry herself when she comes out to face me.
“But I believe there are strengths I can bring out in myself that only emerge in a championship match. I don’t want to be afraid of the challenge. I want to trust everything I’ve built up and give it my best.”
Who Is More Confident? “One Billion Percent!”
When reporters asked the two wrestlers to put a percentage on their chances of winning, both responded without hesitation.
Arai declared, “200 percent!”
Nakajima countered, “1,000 percent!”
Not to be outdone, Arai raised her estimate to “100 million percent!”
Nakajima immediately fired back with a confident retort: “Then I’ll go beyond 100 million!”
With Arai seeking her sixth successful defense and Nakajima determined to reclaim the championship, their November 8 showdown at Korakuen Hall promises to be a major test for both wrestlers.
Nakajima has the historical advantage, but Arai believes she has evolved into the strongest version of herself. The question now is whether the challenger’s experience will prevail or the champion’s growth will finally earn her a singles victory over one of TJPW’s most accomplished wrestlers.