Stardom Dream Still Burns for MLW Champ Shotzi: Japan, Horror, and Untamed Creativity

MLW Women's Champion Shotzi isn't just defending titles; she's chasing a long-held dream: wrestling in Japan's premier joshi promotion, Stardom. For a journalist at a manga and anime site, this is huge news. The genre-defying wrestler, known for her chaotic, horror-infused persona, reveals a history with Stardom that almost was, fueling her ambition to finally make it to the ring there.

Shotzi, a veteran who's graced Shimmer, Evolve, NXT, and WWE, found her true creative home at Major League Wrestling (MLW). She signed in 2026, and MLW immediately embraced her unique brand of terror. “MLW just gets Shotzi Blackheart,” she enthuses. The company’s focus on storytelling and character development resonates with her deep background in theater and independent wrestling. It’s a creative haven, a breath of fresh air that feels nostalgic yet cutting-edge.

Her horror influences are more than just a gimmick. Shotzi is a bona fide horror fanatic, with a dedicated room in her home filled with collectibles spanning 15 years. Her top three horror films are classics: John Carpenter's The Thing (with Kurt Russell as “daddy”), Evil Dead 2, and Hellraiser. This isn't just fandom; it's a lifestyle. She co-hosts a ghost hunting show on YouTube with Scarlett and recently wrapped filming on her own slasher movie, Executioner, set for the film festival circuit this October.

But the gravitational pull towards Japan remains strong. Shotzi already fulfilled a dream by representing MLW in Mexico with CMLL, immersing herself in Lucha culture. Stardom, however, is the ultimate goal. She was slated for a Stardom tour back in 2017 or 2018 but tragically broke her ankle just two days before her flight. A crushing blow. Now, with MLW's international connections, she hopes that bridge to Stardom can finally be built.

Shotzi raves about the Stardom talent who recently visited MLW. “They hit harder, they throw you on your head, it’s just a good time,” she says, clearly relishing the challenge. Her desire to face