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by Takuya Yoshida, February 7th, 1999 
September 20th 1998. It was on that day that Misae Suzuki defeated
"The Disgrace" Monet Phu for the Japanese National Women's
Championship at the RINGST*RS REBIRTH Card. It is also the last match
Suzuki has wrestled. Suzuki took some time off shortly after winning
the title to care for her ailing mother. A interim champion was crowned
in Erin Solie during this time. Suzuki was to face Solie when she made
her return to the ring. However, current financial problems have caused
RINGST*RS to cancel several events and it appears the organization may go on
hiatus. Where does this leave Misae Suzuki? I recently sat down
with the young star to see what the future holds.Takuya Yoshida: First I would like to thank you for taking the time for this interview. Misae Suzuki: It is my pleasure. I love PNM. I believe it is the best Puroresu magazine in Japan, and I am not saying that so you'll be nice to me for this story. [laughs] TY: Ms. Suzuki.... MS: Please, call me Misae. TY: Very well...Misae, you have not wrestled for nearly four months now? What have you been doing in that time? MS: Well, as you probably know, I took some time off in order to be with my mother. She was having problems with a valve in her heart. It was a difficult time, and I felt I should be with her and my father, especially since Shoji (Suzuki, Misae's brother and G-Pro wrestler) was out of the country on tour in Mexico. TY: I hope she is recovering well. MS: Yes, she feels better than she has in years since she had the surgery. It was almost worth the difficult times to see her now. She is full of energy. She is tiring my poor father out. [laughs] TY: What else have you been up to? I have heard some rumors about a photo book, and possible record deal. MS: Ah...Yes, I do have a photo book coming out. It will be called "Misae Suzuki: Something Wild". [At this point Suzuki blushes a bit, and laughs to herself.] MS: I am sorry. I didn't want to do it at first. Once we started with the photo sessions, it was kind of fun. There are shots of me in my ring attire and casual clothes. TY: Casual? MS: No underwear shots, if that is what your thinking. I couldn't do that. [laughs] TY: Tell about this record you are doing. MS: Well, this is something else that just sort of happened. One day I went with Shoji to a studio so he could visit with his friends in the band Neon Bushido. Well, I got to talking with Pan.... TY: Pan? MS: Blue Panic (Neon Bushido keyboardist/songwriter). Well we started talking and he asked me if I ever wanted to sing. He talked about being a "cross-over" star and I just told him he was silly. But, he kept pestering me and finally I agreed to come into the studio. We are still working on it, but it looks like it will actually be a full album. Pan is writing everything and backing me with synthesizers and keyboards. He is very talented. TY: I get the sense that you and Mr. Panic are good friends? MS: Yes. Just that...For right now anyway. [blushes and laughs] TY: So you have been very busy outside the ring, but are you worried that so much time away will effect you if and when you return to Puroresu? MS: Yes, it does worry me. Puroresu is my first love, and I can't wait to get back in the ring. I am still training, but you can only do so much in the dojo. I really need active competition to stay at my best. TY: It appears you won't find that in RINGST*RS at the moment. Any thoughts of going elsewhere? Say the JIWWA, which already features many women also in RINGST*RS or perhaps HardKore Japan? MS: Well, RINGST*RS is my home, and I do not want to leave it if I can. I am hoping we can keep going and not have to take a break, or even worse shut down. It has been frustrating not to be able to be in front of the fans. That is what I miss the most. Being able to perform in front of an audience and to give my all to provide them with the best show possible. If things don't turn out well for RINGST*RS, then I will make a decision then. I have no plans to leave the sport. TY: Well, that is good to hear. Let me just ask you one last thing. When you return to the ring... Who would you like to face? What are some of your "dream" opponents. MS: Oh, that is not fair! That question is too tough. [laughs] Well, the first person would be Erin Solie. I feel that she deserves to face me for the Japan National title. She is the interim champion and she is truly one of the best wrestlers in RINGST*RS. I was very impressed by April Shimoda. I think she would be a very good opponent for me. Holly Volley as well...You see, it is too hard to narrow it down. Oh, yes and I would really like to face Robin Blaze or Rekka Sakura. I was a rookie in SJPW when they were having their great battles and I was inspired by both of them. It would be very honored to face either of them. Or both! [laughs] TY: I think this proves that you really want and need to be back in the ring and I hope that day comes soon. Thank you Misae. MS: Thank you Mr. Yoshida and thank you to all the PNM readers. In closing, I believe that despite the lay off Misae Suzuki still very much wants to proceed with her wrestling career, and is also looking to reach an whole new audience with her other projects. Fading star? I don't think so. 
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