There’s one wrestler that Sakai is waiting on.
At the age of 52, Sumie Sakai has tallied up 27 years as a wrestler. She remains active in the ring and helps out foreign talent when they are looking to navigate their way around the USA.
There’s a lengthy interview with Sakai on the Proresu-TODAY site. The topic of her retiring came up and she stated that she’d like to share the ring with Hiromu Takahashi again before she officially hangs it up. It’s been pinned on Sakai’s X account since 2022 that she wants her retirement match to be a mixed tag with Takahashi.
She stated in the interview that there’s one male wrestler she’s waiting on to get cleared so he can be part of her retirement match.
Hiromu (Takahashi) is really great. He is very professional, and the promoter was very pleased (when we worked together at an indie show). His mixed tag team match was so great… Because of that experience, he said, ‘Let’s do it. When Sumie retires, let’s have a mixed match,’ and I would like to stand in the ring with Hiromu one more time.
Hiromu and I are in agreement that there is a male wrestler whom we would like to have in the ring as an opponent. He hasn’t received permission from the doctor yet, so he can’t fight, and I’ve been standing there for two years waiting. That’s why I haven’t retired yet… I am not going to tell you (who it is) yet. I will let you know when I can.
Sakai helps out New Japan Pro-Wrestling behind the scenes when they are in the USA for STRONG shows. The brand is running their Capital Collision event on August 30th in Washington, DC.
