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Part 2:
This part focuses on the present, Rika sounds very relaxed. In fact, the way that she talks about her career right now, it sounds like she knows she finished the game when she became a Grand Slam Champion, but sounds very excited about the side quests. Rika won it all, even though she stated that she didn't see herself as a champion when they introduced the TPOP title in 2016.
She doesnt mention wanting to retain the IPC or win the POP title again. She just says she felt something really special when she faced the MSG for the tag belts and Shoko for the POP title, both matches from 2022. Surpassing what she felt during those matches is her main wrestling goal.
"I lost both matches, but I felt like I was in the zone. They were title matches at a big venue, a situation where you can't fail. There are expectations, there is pressure, I was in an extreme state and my nerves were sharpened. Now I feel like I'm wrestling to surpass those two fights."
She felt very depressed after the Tokyo Dome exhibition, because she, individually, didn't get to earn the cheers of that massive crowd, something that Miu Watanabe achieved, making her really jealous, leading to her asking Miu for a singles match.
She was burnt out in September of 2021, when she took a break, even considered retirement. But the will to keep going ended up winning. She can't imagine life without pro wrestling, she's very glad she came across wrestling, it makes her feel free.
Part of being burnt out was due to what happened during her princess of princess title reign, she was too tense. She was a champion, and her mentality changed, she realized how big that was, she had to live up to the role. She carried the belt everywhere, took pictures, did interviews and represented TJPW as the leader and face of the company, always anxious trying to maintain an inspiring and respectable image, that took its toll.