In a recent exchange with “Number Web,” Rossy Ogawa spoke candidly about how WWE’s CEO, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, influenced his decision to depart from STARDOM.
Earlier this year, Ogawa ended his association with STARDOM and took on a new challenge by founding his own promotion, Marigold. STARDOM hinted at contract termination due to supposed talent poaching, an allegation Ogawa disputes.
Here are a few notable segments from his talk on the podcast:
Speaking about Triple H’s simulation to part ways with STARDOM, Ogawa said, “Triple H advised me, ‘I’ll support you in whatever endeavour you wish to pursue, whether it’s with STARDOM or as an independent.’ He provided me with the motivation I needed.”
On the topic of his departure from the organization, he mentioned, “I was beginning to feel out of place at STARDOM. The reality wasn’t as it was portrayed, I was unable to fully display my capabilities. I was like a decor piece, instructed to merely be present. People claimed that under the direction of my previous supervisor, I was hampering the AEW incident, and though that’s the wide-held belief, it’s not accurate.”
Addressing critcism from Kenny Omega, he noted, “Kenny Omega has been launching baseless attacks against me, and that’s slanderous. He too wishes to participate in women’s professional wrestling. The issue, however, arises when unknowing individuals hear these things and think, ‘Is that so?’ That kind of behavior isn’t sustainable in this industry. Many individuals offer various opinions, but a number of them are false. I suppose people derive pleasure from wrestling while dreaming up scenarios like this. I consider it the cost of popularity. When WWE invited me to WrestleMania in April, U.S. fans became more aware of me, likely due to the heightened attention post this occurrence.”