Mio Momono, Ai Houzan, and Finding Hope in Failure
- Mio Momono, Ai Houzan, and Finding Hope in Failure - February 23, 2026
- Recommended Matches Roundup #64: 2025’s Essential Matches Edition - January 5, 2026
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Special thanks to Snazzy of the Social Suplex / Joshi’ing Around Podcast for the context and promo translations.
The story of Ai Houzan is a tragic one, yet it also conveys hope. Thus far in her career, Houzan has been unable to gain much momentum. In Momono’s own words, she hasn’t been working hard enough. Houzan has been surpassed by younger rookies such as Sora Ayame and Senka Akatsuki. Still, there remains a twinkle in her eye, a glimmer of hope. Houzan possesses an unwavering optimism in the face of adversity. She may go down, but she’s going down swinging.
Momono is the polar opposite of her usual plucky underdog babyface persona. She’s the immovable object, a towering force for Houzan to overcome. The experience in this match, like so many in Houzan’s recent past, is a frustrating one. She gives Momono everything she has, recklessly throwing hands and headbutts for the better part of five minutes, even paintbrushing her in the face, but Mio doesn’t give her an inch. She absorbs every blow, steamrolling Houzan and making short work of her junior with a German suplex.
Hierarchy is paramount to a contest like this. The story wouldn’t have carried the same weight and gravitas if Momono treated Houzan like any other opponent. Equally important is selling, which is the framework upon which pro wrestling is built. That’s not to say there aren’t exceptions to the rule, but generally, the entire illusion starts to crumble in its absence. Understanding the importance of and employing both is the mark of a great wrestler. Here, both conveyed the fervor of Houzan’s perceived failures expertly.
As she stormed the ring after the show to join Akatsuki and Ayame in a closing promo, Houzan appeared to have taken Momono’s words to heart, shouting, “I love Houzan!” Houzan’s confidence took a huge leap forward, and I’m excited to see where she goes from here. This match is one of redemption, and a genuinely heartfelt story in an industry that’s increasingly devoid of tangible human emotion.
