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by Riki Fudo, October 22nd, 1998 CORRECTION - In the initial draft of this article, SJPW Executive Kenshiro Matsumoto was mis-identified as Masami Matsumoto. PN Magazine apologizes for the mistake and has made the requisite correction below. "I miss Japan," sighs Rekka Sakura, "I miss it more than I ever dreamed I would." 
Two years in the business and Rekka Sakura has already established herself
as one of the hardest working grapplers in the world. She has already
engaged in two of the highest rated matches of the year. First was the
forty-five plus minute classic with Sierra Browne. Sakura and Browne
wrestled non-stop for close to an hour, trading punches, chops, suplexes and
piledrivers. In the end Browne beat the rising star but at the same
time Rekka earned Sierra Browne's respect."Sierra was so tough to train for, " Rekka's eyes glaze over as she recalls the preparation, "She was playing on my emotions by insulting my father. I let her taunting get the better of me. I'm not ashamed of my performance in that match though." Her second "Match of The Year" candidate came only 2 weeks ago (Oct. 16, 1998). It was the third week of the NPWA's Women's #1 contender series. Each competitor had to wrestle three matches to score on the point board. Rekka had wrestled to a DQ win over "Heartbreaker" Robin Blaze in week one. In week two, Rekka stormed over Gayle Ashton. Going into week three, Rekka was down by one point behind "Sweet'n'Sexy" Nikki Meyers. Ironically, Rekka and Nikki met in week three. After thirty-nine minutes, Rekka wrestled Meyers into a "Tequila Sunrise" submission and the victory. "Now that was a great match," Rekka quips in, "Nikki is a great grappler with tons of potential. I'll gladly wrestle her any day of the week." So why talk up a wrestler that doesn't even compete in Japan these days? "Technically I'm still the All-Asian Women's champion" Rekka reminds me, "I want to use that to freelance for the major leagues back in Japan." Fact is, Rekka has been All-Asian Women's champion since December of last year when she won the title in a triangle match with Baby Hotta and her old enemy Robin Blaze. Sakura wants to take that title and defend it as an independent. The question is will any league let her? When asked about Rekka and her desire to defend her title, SJPW Media Director Kenshiro Matsumoto (who also just happens to be Rekka's Uncle) stated, "The SJPW has no interest in promoting women's matches at this time. Rekka can defend the title against whoever she wants, but I don't think anyone will be willing to book her." As of this writing, G-Pro and R*NGSTARS have expressed no interest in Rekka or her claims to the All-Asian title. R*NGSTARS even has Rekka's sister, Keiko, wrestling for them but even that won't convince them to let an independent champion wrestle in their territory. "One way or another, I will defend this title," Rekka states defiantly, "I have an obligation to the fans and myself to be a fighting champion. I just hope they want me." Don't worry Rekka, this reporter is backing you. For all its worth... 
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