I am back folks, and I couldn’t think of a better way to get myself going again than taking a look at an Indie Darling that I have had the absolute honor to meet in person.

She’s the 19-year-old graduate from Palmetto Wrestling Academy, The Girl Who Goes Beyond, Airica Demia.

Having 92 matches in her very young career to date, and even making her television debut for Ring of Honor, this young woman has the potential to take not only the US, but the world by storm. While currently traveling the US (mainly East Coast) with her dad, Independent Wrestler The Legend of Solar, Airica has faced off against the likes of “The Spark” Jada Stone, Nyla Rose, Masha Slamovich, Zayda Steel and many more.

One thing that the Young Hero hasn’t had the opportunity to do yet, is travel abroad to Japan. I, for one, would love to see Airica in Japan facing off against opponents from Just Tap Out, Stardom, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and other independent promotions. With a plethora of young talent to test herself on, Japan would offer a unique opportunity for Airica Demia. She would get to hone her craft with some of the most exciting women to lace up the boots and step inside the squared circle. I personally think it would benefit Airica immensely to get to train with women like Mayu Iwatani, Tam Nakano, Giulia, Saori Anou or even the Living Legend Aja Kong.

Today, I am going to pick a handful of opponents from different organizations in Japan that I feel would be exciting matchups, not only for the Young Hero, but for us as Wrestling Fans. It was not easy picking women from Japan for this article, as the number of interesting matches for Airica could easily rise near a hundred or more. That said, I am limiting myself to six women today and none will be in the same promotion as the other. I’ll jump right into it and keep from rambling too much more.

Ranna Yagami – World Wonder Ring Stardom (STARDOM)

First up is a member of Stardom’s newer class of prospects, the hard-hitting All-Rounder, Ranna Yagami. As a member of God’s Eye, Yagami has set herself apart from the newer class of Stardom Rookies. With an arsenal of kicks and grappling holds that impressed even Syuri, Ranna Yagami has proven to be a tough out for anyone getting in the ring with her. I think that her style and no-nonsense approach to her matches is what makes Ranna Yagami a fun opponent choice for Airica Demia.

Another factor for me choosing Ranna as an opponent is that they have about as long a career as each other. The biggest difference between the two, apart from style, is that Ranna Yagami has 70 matches so far in her career to Airica’s 44. I think that we could expect a hard hitting, quick paced match where Airica tried to use her speed to stay one step ahead of Yagami’s strikes and grappling game.

Would she be successful? I don’t know. Yagami is deceptively quick herself so she could probably hang with Airica.

Azusa Inaba – Just Tap Out (JTO)

Another martial artist graces my picks and this time, it’s the 16-year-old Karate expert from Just Tap Out, Azusa Inaba. As the younger sister of Tomoka Inaba (the Queen of JTO), Azusa has some tough shoes to follow, but she is doing exceptionally well. As one of the premier younger talents in the Joshi Queendom, Azusa Inaba has set herself apart from her older sister and made herself someone to keep your eye on. Her Karate Style blends really well with her teenage attitude that she seems to have stolen from a much younger Azumi.

As one half of Stardom’s New Blood Tag Team Champions, alongside Oedo Tai (now known as H. A. T. E) member Rina, Azusa brings an intensity to her matches that few women in Japan can rival. It’s like she is trying to hurt you with every single strike she throws. Combine that with her partner, the Judoka Rina, you’ve got a martial arts tandem that could be an inspiration to future generations of young girls.

Azusa’s intense style and indomitable presence makes her one of the toughest outs in all of Joshi. She would more than be a match for Airica Demia.

Suzume – Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW)

Switching gears here for my next pick folks! We go from Martial Artists to the high-flying sweetheart of TJPW, ‘Vivid Honey Mustard’ herself, Suzume.

Suzume is one of the most fun women to watch in all of TJPW. A true underdog against most of her opponents, she never lets her size deter her from giving it her absolute all inside the ring. She’s got the speed, she can fly, and above all she has the right mentality to make use of her diminutive size and turn it into her advantage. The 25-year-old, 4-year wrestling veteran, has some more experience than Airica Demia and I feel like she would be a fair bit faster than the Young Hero too.

There’s a lot to be said about Suzume. She’s a former TJPW Princess Tag Team Champion (with Arisu Endo), has defeated the likes of Arisu Endo and Wakana Uehara, and has been a mainstay in the Princess Cup tournament. Suzume does have some trouble winning the big one, and some may say that she is relegated to being a mid-card talent. That said, I believe that she is a really fun watch in the Joshi world, and I feel like she would be an exciting opponent for the young Airica Demia. The two of them would give us a quick paced, exciting match that would be really evenly matched.

Victoria Yuzuki – Dream Star Fighting Marigold (Marigold)

“The Super Rookie’ makes her name known next up in my list today. 19-year-old Victoria Yuzuki, formerly of Stardom, is one of the founding members of the Marigold Roster.

She debuted alongside Ranna Tagami in Stardom and quickly set herself apart from all the others as a talent that could be considered a prodigy in the ring. She is an all-rounder with a background in Judo, handball and swimming that adds to her in ring presence. This young woman was once a member of the STARS unit in Stardom, learning alongside Mayu Iwatani and Hazuki. She has had the world thrown at her feet since her debut and she has made the most out of every opportunity given.

Since defecting to Marigold, she has continued to earn praise for her work ethics and has been dubbed a future ACE for the promotion. She’s got the look, the talent and the sheer power of will that it takes to succeed in the cutthroat world that is Joshi Wrestling. Being as close to a prodigy as it gets (without actually being called one), Yuzuki and Airica Demia would absolutely tear the house down together and steal the show on any card they happen to be on. I can’t think of any rookie in all of Japan that would make a more exciting opponent for Airica Demia than this young woman right here.

Takumi Iroha – Marvelous That’s Women Pro Wrestling (Marvelous)

I had to. I absolutely, 100%, had to include ‘All Red Everything’ on this list. Takumi Iroha is a legitimate bad ass in the world of Joshi wrestling. While not as well-known as the likes of Mayu Iwatani or Mina Shirakawa, Takumi Iroha has had a quiet but insanely successful career thus far.

The 11-year veteran has basically done it all. She’s wrestled in the 5 Star Grand Prix, won championships in several different promotions, had a Match of the Decade contender against Mayu Iwatani and yet she still puts a lot of effort into helping the younger generation of Joshi find their footing.

Takumi Iroha is the kind of woman you want to learn from. She has put her body on the line time and again and has the acumen to prove it. So, getting the chance to step into the ring with her would be something that Airica Demia should feel honored to do (if it ever happens).

There’s really only 3 women, currently active, that could teach Arica more than Takumi Iroha. This could be a really one-sided match, not going to lie, but there are times when you grow more in defeat than by winning. This would be one of those times for Airica Demia. She could eat a loss to Takumi Iroha, and it could do wonders for her career.

Arisa Nakajima – SEAdLINNNG

Last up, and certainly not least, today is an 18-year veteran of this great sport. A living legend in the Joshi community and mainstay on the SEAdLINNNG roster, Arisa Nakajima is one of the best women’s wrestlers on the planet. As true a mat technician if I ever saw one, Nakajima has a way of picking her opponents apart that few in the world can rival. Yes, she has a habit of being really stiff with younger and newer talents, but she is from the generation when that was to be expected. With the wealth of experience and information at her fingertips, this would have to be one of the ultimate dream opponents for Airica Demia.

I’m sure that Arisa Nakajima has forgotten more about pro-wrestling than almost any other athlete currently going, with the one massive exception being Aja Kong. Nakajima has been working all over Japan and even taken time to foray into the US for the Sukeban promotion. If their paths were to ever cross, I believe that Airica Demia would be a fool not to pounce on the opportunity step into the ring with this legend. All of that said, the chances of this match happening are slim to none as Arisa Nakajima has announced her pending retirement from wrestling (due to a neck injury).

Never say never, but this match likely will not happen.