[Anna Nakagawa’s FRIDAY Report] A Friend of Five Years! Learning the Secrets of Being Natural from Wolf Aaron

“I ended up getting so relaxed that I just started talking. Plus, I’m barefoot.” (Wolf Aron)
“I’m so glad you let the real Wolf-kun come out.” (Anna Nakagawa)

[Anna Nakagawa’s FRIDAY Report, Episode 3: Part 1] From Judo to Pro-Wrestling! The Current Status of “The Strongest Rookie,” Wolf Aron

The “Looks Naked” Controversy, as Seen by a Friend

Nakagawa: I’ve been on good terms with Wolf-kun for about five years now, but we first met when we co-hosted a sports variety show featuring the comedy duo Chidori—a program I was in charge of during my time at NHK. He appeared on the show holding his gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics.

Wolf: Back then, you were still holding back a bit when it came to showing your true self, weren’t you, Nakagawa? I have this image of you trying not to step outside the boundaries of what an announcer “should” be.

Nakagawa: You probably don’t even remember what I was like back then, do you? Athletes I met on shows during my NHK days often say to me, “Huh? You were there back then?” Apparently, I didn’t have much of a presence.

Wolf: I do remember you. You handled those interactions—like when you were thrown a curveball and had to come up with a funny response—really well, and I remember thinking, “Oh, she can do that too.”

Nakagawa: Later, when we co-hosted another show together, it turned into a situation where we all went out to dinner with Wolf-kun’s judo training partner, didn’t it? That was around the end of 2021.

Wolf: Speaking of the public’s image of you, Nakagawa-san—since we have this opportunity—I’ll mention it: the commotion during the Paris Olympics (Note: The gold outfit Nakagawa, who was serving as a local announcer at the opening ceremony, wore became a hot topic on social media and online news sites, with people saying it “looked like she was naked”).

Since I was there as an athlete, I didn’t find out about it until later, but I did think there was probably some element of intentionality behind it. However, once you get to know Nakagawa-san, you realize he’s not the type to go out of his way to do something like that on purpose.

Nakagawa: Of course not. That outfit was really just a good-luck charm meant to symbolize a gold medal.

Wolf: But isn’t attracting attention like that in every situation a kind of talent in itself? Indifference is the weakest response, more so than liking or disliking something. Pro wrestling is a perfect example of that.

Nakagawa: It’s not easy to take things in a positive light, though. Still, Wolf, you really think about things logically, don’t you? Have you always been like that?

Wolf: Yeah, I guess so. But when it comes to things I’m interested in, I’m either all in or not at all. If it’s a topic related to my core values, I’m the type to just blurt out everything. That’s probably why I tend to rub people of the opposite sex the wrong way (laughs).

A Straightforward Hierarchy

Nakagawa: But he always picks up on what I’m saying. Right after I went freelance, there was a period when I’d appear on variety shows but didn’t know what the “right” answer was, and I’d get kind of sad thinking, “All I can come up with are really boring stories.”

Even then, I was really grateful that he encouraged me, saying something like, “Nakagawa, you’re funny just the way you are, so why not just be yourself?”

Wolf: …I don’t remember that (laughs).

Nakagawa: No way!

Wolf: You know what I mean? You seemed so nervous because you were trying too hard, so I remember telling you that things might go better if you just relaxed a bit.

Nakagawa: The other day, when I was a guest on one of Wolf-kun’s main streaming shows, I was really impressed by how many people—your family, juniors, and others—had gathered backstage.

Wolf: My family gets along really well. Also, I’m generally on good terms with my juniors. As far as seniority goes, there were some seniors I didn’t like back in the day. But even so, I’m not the type to force my views on juniors. I think my juniors probably want to hang out with me, too.

Nakagawa: I’m jealous. I’m the type who overthinks the dynamic with juniors. Even when they say, “Let’s grab a meal!” I just end up replying, “Sure! I’ll find a time,” and that’s it.

Wolf: You don’t really need to force yourself to go out to eat with juniors. I don’t try to change who I am when I’m with them. At the end of the day, that just wears me out, doesn’t it? Anyone who feels uncomfortable around me will naturally drift away.

I just stay true to myself. I don’t think it’s my job to create the atmosphere and entertain everyone. Relationships and social settings won’t last unless they’re natural and enjoyable. Not everyone thinks the same way, so there’s no need to try to accommodate everyone.

Nakagawa: In that sense, the hierarchical structure of the pro-wrestling world might actually be quite healthy.

Wolf: It’s not complicated at all. It’s a gathering of people who want to do this. My path was a little different, but everyone submits their application on their own for the entrance exam, and once they pass, they join as trainees. From there, they progress through the ranks and make their debut. It’s not something you do because someone tells you to—you join because you want to do pro wrestling yourself.

I want people to think, “They’re growing so fast!”

Wolf: Everyone wants to keep growing and improving. Of course, it’s important to think for yourself, but since there are so many seniors around, it’s only natural to ask them for advice. And there are plenty of seniors who are happy to help.

No matter what field you’re in, if you’re starting something new, you have to approach it that way—otherwise, you won’t improve. I think that’s what ambition is all about.

Nakagawa: Even from my perspective as a friend, I can tell you’re even more vibrant now than when we first met. Wolf, do you have any future goals or ambitions?

Wolf: First of all, I want to take my career as a pro wrestler to the next level. I want to grow as a wrestler. As I said at the beginning, I’m still a rookie. There’s a lot I don’t know yet. There’s also a lot I want to do.

To climb to the top of the pro-wrestling world, it all comes down to whether I can keep up this strong start. I think this coming year will be incredibly important, so I want to put on performances that make people think, “Man, this guy’s growing fast.”

《Post-Interview Notes》
Wolf’s demeanor changes depending on whether we’re meeting in private or in work mode. I was looking forward to seeing how he’d be that day, and sure enough, he arrived on set with a slightly more sharp and focused demeanor.I first noticed this change last year, when we worked together for the first time after he went freelance. He seemed a bit more talkative than usual, and his comebacks were faster—giving the impression that he wasn’t leaving any openings.

But when I think about it, this might not be just “work mode”—it might be a change born out of respect for the world of pro wrestling, which is new to him. Since this isn’t judo, which he’s been practicing since childhood and is so familiar with, but a new path he’s started from scratch, he probably feels he has to take it seriously.

That said, even though his vibe has changed, once an interview starts and he opens up about his feelings, he’s still the same old Wolf-kun. He may be big in stature, but he has an incredibly keen sense for picking up on subtle details, and he’s adept at switching between different personas. I think that’s the kind of man he is. Sorry for making assumptions on my own (laughs).

[Anna Nakagawa’s FRIDAY Report, Part 3: Part 1] From Judo to Pro Wrestling! The Current Status of “The Strongest Rookie,” Wolf Aaron

《Wolf Aaron: Born in Tokyo. He has an American father and a Japanese mother. A former judoka, he won the gold medal in the men’s 100kg class at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He is currently active as a pro wrestler with New Japan Pro-Wrestling © New Japan Pro-Wrestling》

《Anna Nakagawa: Born in Tokyo.Spent her childhood in Finland and Puerto Rico. Joined NHK as an announcer in 2016 and worked on “Sunday Sports” and as an on-site announcer for the Paris Olympics. After leaving the network in the spring of 2025, she joined the talent agency Horipro and is now active in a wide range of roles as a freelance announcer and entertainer》

From the July 17 & 24, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*