5 Questions With... Tam Nakano

This week we sat down with the current EWA Women's Champion, Tam Nakano. We asked the "Twilight Dream" about her rivalries, highlights and upcoming battle with Nia Jax this weekend on Sunday Night SLAM.

1. You've been with the EWA a little over a year. What has been the highlight and the lowest point of your run here?

I've overcome many obstacles this past year, but the lowest point of my run was perhaps during my rivalry with Asuka. Each and every week Asuka went purposefully out of her way to torture me. Whether it was blindsiding me with some sort of attack or the kidnapping of P-Chan, her cruelty was specifically designed to destroy me. For a while I started to doubt myself and wondered if EWA was the place for me. I'm glad I persevered however, because overcoming those dark few months is what lead to the highlight of my career: winning the EWA Women's Championship!

2. Can you explain your relationship with P-Chan and what having him by your side means to you personally and professionally?

Where do I begin with P-Chan? P-Chan likes to label himself as my manager, but he tends to cause more problems than he does solve them. He can be very chaotic, but even despite his knack for getting himself into trouble, his unwavering loyalty to me is something I deeply appreciate, especially in a business such as this. Professionally he is always pushing me to be my best self, and his unique insight definitely keeps things interesting, even if that means we end up in some... unusual situations. Personally? Having P-Chan by my side means that, no matter what happens, I'll always have a friend I can count on and I'll never have to face my challenges alone... unless he ends up getting himself kidnapped again. It's funny, because the most common question people ask me about P-Chan is: "is he really alive?" and to answer that question truthfully, he [REDACTED].

3. 2023 was a year of highs and lows for you. At the 2023 Queen of the Ring tournament, it seemed as though you were primed to take the crown, only to have Asuka attack you and force you to leave the tournament. Although you eventually got your revenge on Asuka, do you see the Queen of the Ring as sort of unfinished business or have you moved on since you now hold the EWA Women's Championship?

Funnily enough, the crown was the last thing on my mind when I originally declared myself as a participant in the Queen of the Ring tournament. At that point, Asuka had maintained that she had nothing to do with P-Chan's sudden disappearance, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all just another one of her twisted mind games. So, after watching Asuka stake her claim as the Queen of the Ring, I knew I had to put my name forward. I was determined to get answers out of her, even if that meant beating them out of her.

As fate would have it, Asuka was eliminated early on in the tournament, so our big showdown wouldn't happen until a while later. I guess you could say it's still unfinished business somewhat, but my priorities changed once I became the EWA Women's Champion. Still, I'm excited to see what happens with the Queen of the Ring tournament this year, and no matter who takes the crown in the end? I'll be waiting to lay it all down on the line when we meet in battle.

4. Very early on you teamed with Stephy Slays and ended up in a long rivalry with Insurrexxxtion. Fast forward to today and once again Insurrexxxtion are a thorn in your side. Do you feel that Saraya and her minions are your biggest threat in the EWA or do you feel you're ready to close that chapter in your career?

Insurrexxxtion is absolutely my biggest threat in the EWA. Some would say that title belongs to Asuka, but Asuka's main tools of destruction were bruce force and sadism. She failed to see beyond her desire to destroy me, so much so that she failed to see that she was alienating her own allies too. Saraya on the other hand? There's a method to her madness. Each move she makes is calculated and strategically planned right down to the last detail. She knows how to exploit people's weaknesses and manipulate just about any situation to her advantage, including the people in her immediate orbit. She's equal parts cunning and vicious, and that makes her a very dangerous player in the EWA.

Still, she can't hide from me forever. There will come a time where she has to face me in the ring, woman to woman, and when she does? She'll find out that I'm not so easily defeated.

5. Nia Jax. She challenges you this Sunday on SLAM for the EWA Women's Championship. You're giving up nearly a foot in height and over 175 pounds. This may be the biggest challenge you ever face and certainly is the most imposing in your Women's Championship reign to date. What is going through your mind heading into SLAM?

A little bit of nervousness. A little bit of fear. A whole lot of conviction. Nia Jax is undoubtedly a formidable woman. The sheer power and presence she brings to EWA's women's division is unmatched, but I've always been a believer that true strength comes from within. I'm not looking to dwell on any disadvantages walking into this match. My focus is solely on leveraging the strengths I do have and tailoring them to bring down The Irresistable Force. Speed. Agility. Ring awareness. Technical skill. I'll use everything within my arsenal to outlast and outmaneuver her, and when the opportunity arises to put her away? I'll level her with the Violet Shoot and send her back to Saraya hanging her head in shame. This match isn't just about defending the EWA Women's Championship. It's about proving that I can rise to the challenge no matter how high the odds are stacked against me. That no matter how many times they beat me down, I will always rise to my feet and continue the fight. That true champions are defined not by the size of their opponent, but by the size of their heart.

This Sunday, not only am I ready to take on Nia Jax. I'm ready to beat Nia Jax, and when I do? Saraya will have no more minions to hide behind. She'll come to the realization that there's no more running away, and then she'll have to face me one-on-one with no distractions or pawns left to protect her.

To the EWA Universe: You've stood by me through every setback and every triumph in my career so far, and now I'm asking for your support once more as I head into battle this weekend to take on a living monster. It means the world to be your champion, and I will keep on fighting to be that champion until the very end. Let's make this victory ours!