In Japan, April is the month when companies start their new business years and when many new graduates start to work. It's also the month when the new school year starts for children (not in September like in the United States and other countries). This season is the time when the flowering cherry trees (which we call "sakura") come into full bloom in much of Japan. So, when we think about entrance to new offices or schools and the start of a career, we often conjure up images of these beautiful blossoms. So, the cherry blossoms make us think of new beginnings.
Stan Hansen had his retirement ceremony at All Japan Pro Wrestling's Tokyo Dome show on January 28, 2001 and became the president of PWF (Pacific Wrestling Federation). He returned to Japan to make a proclamation at the beginning of All Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival (singles round robin tournament) opening ceremony on March 23.
Now, Hansen lives with his wife and two sons in a small town in Colorado. The town is a pastoral valley brimming with bountiful orchards, antique shops, and sweeping vistas. It's an old country community filled with history, local lore, and friendly folks. He has enjoyed coaching baseball and football for school kids, and he is going to become a teacher of geography. One of the biggest beer companies in Japan is planning to make their television commercial featuring him in the near future, because he is not only one of the most popular wrestlers but also a celebrity. He doesn't watch pro wrestling television programs anymore, but he is going to support Mrs. Baba and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Yumi Fukawa had her retirement match against Mariko Yoshida at ARSION's Korakuen Hall show in Tokyo on March 20, 2001. She spent three weeks in the hospital after taking a face first powerbomb off of the second rope last July. She had 817 matches, including 328 singles and 326 tag team matches (275 wins, 503 loses, 39 draws) in eight years. She wasn't one of the best woman wrestlers, but we always loved her because we loved that she (153cm [5'1"] 55kg [121 lbs.]) was really intent on her work.
Fukawa will start her new work as a trainer at Rings' Kiyoshi Tamura's U-File Camp Gym in Tokyo and will also be doing TV work, beginning in April. She doesn't feel regret that she had to retire as a professional wrestler. She takes up a positive attitude for her new life now.
In Japan, most people think spring---when life begins anew---is the perfect time to start new things. Not everybody succeeds, but I feel as if it would be possible when I walk under those cherry blossoms.
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