Sumie Sakai Wants Match At MSG
The Women of Honor World Champion looks to make history at the G1 Supercard.
At the ROH TV tapings in Philadelphia on Saturday, it was announced that the Women of Honor Championship has been elevated to “world title” status.
It makes sense considering the ongoing women’s revolution in professional wrestling, as well as the vibrant feminist movement spreading throughout all industries in the United States. It also makes sense because Ring of Honor’s women’s division includes talent from all over the world, such as Australia’s Tenille Dashwood and the inaugural (and reigning) champion, Japan’s Sumie Sakai.
“I came to wrestle in this country in 2002, and that’s when Ring of Honor started, too,” Sakai told The Wrestling Estate. “It’s amazing to see how far the company has come. I’m honored to have not only been in the tournament to crown its first Women’s Champion, but also to actually have won the title.”
Despite being affectionately referred to as “Ray of Sunshine,” Sakai is a legit badass. Trained in judo, the petite warrior has competed in several MMA fights, injuring her opponent in her debut. Having never dreamt of a career in pro wrestling, she transitioned to the squared circle thanks to the encouragement of her friend, Megumi Yabushita, who she faced in her debut at Korakuen Hall on April 20, 1997.
Twenty-one years later, Sakai defeated Kelly Klein in the finals of the Women of Honor Championship tournament at Supercard of Honor XII. It wasn’t Sakai’s first time making history in ROH – she defeated Simply Luscious in the promotion’s first women’s match back in 2002.
“The match was not good, but I wrestled Mickie James in ROH in 2003 and saw the progression,” Sakai said. “It gave me more motivation to be in ROH. Girls were more of an attraction back then. Now we’re building up the Women of Honor and I’m so happy that ROH has invited me to be one of the regulars.”
Sakai wants to make history one more time, specifically on April 6, 2019. That’s when ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling present G1 Supercard at the World’s Most Famous Arena – Madison Square Garden. She hopes that the Women of Honor have a spot on the card, and she’s hellbent on defending her title there.
“My idol Lioness Asuka was a huge TV star. She taught me so much about pro wrestling,” Sakai said. “She told me that wrestling in Madison Square Garden for WWE is one of her fondest memories. The Jumping Bomb Angels got to wrestle there, too. It would mean a lot for me to be able to wrestle there. Now that I have this opportunity, it’s going to be so amazing.”
Of course, Sakai would have to hold onto the championship for nearly eight months. It’s not an unfathomable feat, considering she has already made six successful title defenses against a variety of challengers, such as Madison Rayne, Jenny Rose and Karen Q.
“I’ve worked hard to be champion,” Sakai said. “I want to have the best match on the show all the time.”
Her toughest test to date comes September 28 at Death Before Dishonor XVI. That “world title” status will be on display as Sakai defends against Dashwood, formerly Emma in WWE. Sakai holds a victory over Dashwood from the semi-finals of the championship tournament, and that loss has certainly stuck in the latter’s craw.
“I respect you as the foundation of the Women of Honor,” Dashwood told Sakai at the tapings. “But just because I respect you, doesn’t mean I won’t take the title from you.”
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