Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling Beginner's Memo: What to Say at a Meet-and-Greet

I previously wrote an article about what to say if you only have one sentence to speak at a Nao Toyama fist-bump event.

At events where you can only say one thing, you have no choice but to trim your words.
Is it "That was fun"?
Is it "Thank you"?
Is it "I'll come see you again"?

Precisely because the time is short, you end up conveying only the feelings that remain at the very end.

So, conversely, what should you talk about at events where you can speak for a reasonable amount of time?

Recently, I've started attending Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling meet-and-greets, and I've begun to think about that.

Having time to talk is actually a problem

In my experience, Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling meet-and-greets were places where you could exchange words more normally than I had expected.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can talk forever. There are other fans behind you, and there is the staff's schedule to consider. Photo sessions and autograph sessions each have their own rules.

Even so, it didn't feel like it was over in an instant, as if I were being ushered away.

I'm grateful for that.
I'm very grateful.

But, precisely because I'm grateful, it's difficult.

If you can only say one thing, you just have to narrow it down to that one thing.
However, when you have a little time to talk, you then have to choose your words yourself.

What should I talk about?
How much should I say?
What would sound too heavy?
What would sound too shallow?

Because there is time, it suddenly becomes difficult.

Facing a wrestler after a match

Furthermore, at a pro-wrestling meet-and-greet, the person in front of you is a wrestler who was fighting in the ring just a moment ago.

This is another difficult part.

There is no way there is no physical toll. So, I have the urge to say, "Are you okay?"
But the person standing there is a professional, smiling. As a beginner, I still don't know if projecting my own selfish concern onto that figure is a sign of respect or an unwanted intrusion.

That said, it's not that I don't feel anything.

The match was amazing.
They put their body on the line.
I, too, was fired up watching it.

However, I still don't really understand the names of the moves or the meaning behind the intricate exchanges.
The person who should have the most thoughts about the content of the match is the one who was standing in the ring.

I feel like it wouldn't be right for someone like me to lightly comment on 'how that part went'.

So, what should I say?

What I told Haru Kazashiro

For me, the concrete example of this was Haru Kazashiro.

At the Korakuen tournament, I watched with the clear intention of supporting Haru Kazashiro.
The match ended in a victory for her opponent, Suzume.
But the way she faced her opponent left a strong impression on me.

It wasn't just about whether she won or lost,
I thought,
'I want to see this person again.'

That feeling led to my next action.
I bought a ticket for the June tournament.

And at the special event, I participated in Haru Kazashiro's photo session and autograph session.

While getting my autograph, I told her this:

'You were cool. I don't really understand the moves or anything, but I felt your spirit, or rather, your challenger's soul. I just bought a ticket for the June tournament. I'm rooting for you.'

I think my words were quite simple.

What is a 'challenger's soul'?
I feel a bit embarrassed even saying it myself.

But that was all the words I could truly offer at that time.

I don't understand the moves.
I can't talk about the detailed exchanges.
But you were cool.
I wanted to see you again.
That's why I bought the next ticket.
I'm rooting for you.

In the end, those are the only words I can come up with.

What comes after 'I've come again'?

There is another strange worry regarding special events.

If it's your first time, 'Nice to meet you' is fine.
If it's your second time, you can say 'I've come again'.

So, what about the third time and beyond?

I feel like asking 'Do you remember me?' forces the other person to check their memory.
Saying 'It's been a while' feels a bit like I'm acting like a regular.
Saying 'I'm always rooting for you' still makes me a bit shy.

Perhaps, for me right now, something like 'I came to support you again today' is just right.

Instead of asking to be remembered, I offer the fact that I came to watch again.
I return what I saw that day with words from that day.

I want to keep that kind of distance.

In fandom, actions speak louder than words.

I think meet-and-greets are a very quintessential part of being a fan.

Watch the match.
Feel moved.
Buy a portrait at the merchandise table.
Give words directly to the wrestler.
Connect your feelings to the next tournament.

That is not the match itself.
But it cannot be dismissed as just an extra completely detached from the match either.

It's not about preparing grand words.
It's not about being able to give detailed feedback either.
You watch the match, you feel moved, and you want to watch again.
Those feelings lead to the next ticket, the merchandise, and the words you give to the person themselves.

At events where you can only say a few words, time trims your speech for you.
At events where you can talk a bit more, you have to choose your words yourself.

And at pro-wrestling meet-and-greets, those words even reveal 'what I saw and how I want to support them'.

I still can't say it well.

But for now,

You were cool.
I'm rooting for you.
I'll come watch again.

I think that's enough for starters.

Why not leave the eloquent stuff to the seasoned veterans?
Beginners should be like beginners, just as they are.
Even without talking at length, the sentiment is simple.
Thank you for the great experience.

Even so, I hope to be able to speak a little more in my own words next time we meet.
To do that, I want to go to the venue again.