Even though I am a big fan of tournaments and enjoy most of the wrestlers, this year I opted not to try to watch the entire 5 STAR GP as I simply didn’t have the time. But I didn’t want to skip out on the finals, so here we are, playing quick catch-up. All 16 wrestlers in the tournament will have a match on this show, with the winners of each group meeting in the main event. Going into the show, here were the standings:

• 5 STAR Grand Prix Blue Stars Block: Jamie Hayter vs. Saki Kashima
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Blue Stars Block: Kelly Klein vs. Nicole Savoy
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Blue Stars Block: Hazuki vs. Natsu Sumire
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Blue Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Red Stars Block: Kimber Lee vs. Rachael Ellering
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Red Stars Block: Konami vs. Utami Hayashishita
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Red Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Natsuko Tora
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Red Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano
• 5 STAR Grand Prix Finals: Winner of Blue Stars vs. Winner of Red Stars

As I mentioned above, I am watching the show on Samurai TV which is a two hour program, so some (if not most) of the matches will be clipped. All the wrestlers have a profile on Joshi City, you can click on their names above to go straight to it. Let’s get started.

Jamie Hayter vs. Saki Kashima

Jamie acts like she wants to shake Saki’s hand but slaps her instead, Saki fires back at her with kicks and goes up top, hitting a diving footstomp for a two count. Saki picks up Jamie and applies a satellite armbar, but Jamie gets out of it by slamming Saki to the mat. Knees by Jamie and she delivers a running knee, but Saki reverses the cover into one of her own for two. Stunner by Saki and she hits a double underhook facebuster followed by a bridging butterfly suplex for two. Saki goes off the ropes but Jamie catches her with a side slam onto her knee, she then hits a vertical suplex onto her knees for the three count pinfall! Jamie Hayter wins and gets two points in the tournament.

They clipped a really short match even shorter. This is the first time I’ve seen Jamie wrestle, she seems fine, lots of quality knees. Saki looked fired up as well, since it was a sprint they were going all out. Obviously too short to recommend but a solid two minutes of wrestling.

Kelly Klein vs. Nicole Savoy

This one is joined in progress with Kelly cranking Nicole’s neck, knees by Kelly and she knees Nicole in the back of the head for a two count. Kelly picks up Nicole but Nicole elbows her back, Nicole charges Kelly but Kelly moves and chokes Nicole in the corner. She chokes her some more as the referee tries to get her to stop, Nicole gets free and knocks Kelly off the turnbuckle so she is hanging by her leg. Kelly gets herself free but is holding her knee, leg kicks by Nicole and when Kelly picks up Nicole she collapses due to her bad knee. Cross kneelock by Nicole into a single leg crab hold, and Kelly has no choice but to submit! Nicole Savoy wins and ends the tournament with 8 points, which likely also eliminates Kelly from winning her block.

I am not going to lie, these rapid fire matches are fun to watch. Don’t get me wrong, you aren’t going to get any real substance when three minutes of a match is shown (it was only a six minute match anyway), but Nicole Savoy is fantastic and Kelly Klein played her part very well here. I enjoyed this, I won’t be able to really recommend these sub-five minute matches but its making me wish I had watched more of the tournament if this is the type of action I missed.

Hazuki vs. Natsu Sumire

To prove that point, Natsu chokes Hazuki while they are still doing the Oedo Tai dance before tossing her out of the ring to the floor. So the match starts with Natsu attacking Hazuki on the floor as she throws Hazuki hard into the chairs at ringside, she slides Hazuki back into the ring and boots her in the back of the head while she is tied up in the ropes. Stomps by Natsu, she picks up Hazuki but Hazuki hits a running elbow in the corner. Swandive dropkick by Hazuki and she gives Natsu some bootscrapes in the corner before delivering a running boot. Full Nelson Slam by Hazuki and she puts Natsu in the armtrap crossface, but Natsu gets a foot on the ropes for the break. Hazuki charges Natsu and nails a Pump Kick, Natsu tries to come back with a boot of her own but Hazuki slides under it and schoolboys Natsu for two. Hazuki charges Natsu but Natsu moves and whips her, she sets up Hazuki in the corner and hits her thrusting bronco buster. Hard elbows by Natsu and she delivers a running boot, bridging scoop slam by Natsu but it gets a two count. Natsu grabs Hazuki but Hazuki pushes her off and the two trade elbows, inside cradle attempt by Natsu but Hazuki reverses it into La Magistral for the three count! Hazuki wins and has nine points in the tournament.

This match wasn’t clipped as Oedo Tai is one of the main focuses of the promotion so we got their full presentation. I enjoyed this as well, I loved Natsu choking out Hazuki during the dance to get the upper hand and there was certainly no indication that either was going easy on the other. Natsu is 90% character work but its a quality character, and Hazuki continues to get better. For a short match they delivered something memorable, which is all you can ask for.  Mildly Recommended

Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe

They start fast as they charge each other and trade suplex attempts, kick by Mayu and they trade armdrags until they reach a stalemate. Momo goes for a dropkick but Mayu moves, dropkick by Mayu and she dropkicks Momo again while she is against the ropes. Momo falls out of the ring, Mayu goes up top but Momo quickly rolls back in. Mayu jumps off the turnbuckle but eats a dropkick, kicks by Momo and she twists Mayu’s arm in the bottom rope. Mayu rolls out as she holds her arm but returns after a moment, more kicks to the arm by Momo and she knocks her into the corner. Momo goes off the ropes but Mayu catches her with the Sling Blade, Momo fires back with an elbow and two trade shots. Spinning headscissors by Mayu but Momo avoids her charge in the corner, Mayu rolls Momo to the mat and delivers a dropkick for a two count. Mayu picks up Momo but Momo slides away and kicks Mayu in the chest, more kicks by Momo but Mayu finally catches one and hits a dragon screw. Momo recovers and puts Mayu in a modified armbar, she releases Mayu after a moment and kicks her out of the ring. Momo goes for the Somato off the apron but Mayu moves, they both go for suplexes on the floor but they are blocked. Momo eventually gets Mayu up and drops her with a B Driver on the floor, she then gets on the apron and hits the Somato. Momo slides Mayu back in the ring and delivers the traditional Tequila Sunrise, but Mayu kicks out. Momo goes for the Peach Sunrise but Mayu blocks it and rolls up Momo for two. High kick by Mayu and she nails the dragon suplex hold, but the bell rings as the time limit has expired. Mayu and Momo both get one point, and Mayu Iwatani advances to the Finals with nine points!

I really need to go watch the Stardom World version of this match as they cut out about six minutes on Samurai TV which is a shame. That being said I did enjoy everything that they showed us here, Momo has really turned into an ass kicker and its really putting Stardom in an interesting spot as they currently have several wrestlers with a legitimate claim to being the “Future Ace” of the company. Mayu continues to be a bump machine and makes everything look deadly, she was dominated here (or at least with what made TV) but never felt out of it as being a rag doll is her style. Really entertaining but I think the full version needs to be seen to really get a feel for the match.  Recommended

Kimber Lee vs. Rachael Ellering

We join this one in progress as Rachael picks up Kimber, Kimber pushes her off and hits a series of kicks before covering Rachael for two. Kimber picks up Rachael but Rachael throws her into the ropes and delivers a swinging side slam. Rachael picks up Kimber and puts her on the top turnbuckle, she then joins her but Kimber headbutts Rachael back to the mat. Kimber goes for a senton bomb but Rachael moves out of the way, Rachael grabs Kimber and gets her on her shoulders but Kimber applies a sunset flip with extra gusto and she picks up the three count! Kimber Lee wins and knocks Ellering out of the finals.

This probably is the first match I would say wasn’t entertaining to watch. Part of it was just the sheer shortness of it but even with what they showed it didn’t really feel fluid. Too short to be offensive but nothing to see here.

Konami vs. Utami Hayashishita

Konami and Utami tie-up and trade standing submissions until Konami takes Utami to the mat with an armbar. Konami rolls Utami out of the hold and kicks her twice, snapmare by Konami and she kicks Utami in the back for a two count. Konami picks up Utami but Utami elbows her off, back kick by Konami but Utami hits a hard shoulderblock. Utami goes for a slam but Konami blocks it, Irish whip by Konami but Utami reverses it and hits a dropkick in the corner. Scoop slam by Utami and she hits another shoulderblock, she goes for a sleeper but Konami slides away and applies an armbar. Buzzsaw Kick by Konami and she delivers a sliding kick to Utami’s midsection, fisherman suplex hold by Konami but it gets a two count. Konami goes off the ropes but Utami hits a judo toss, she gets Konami up but Konami puts her in a sleeper hold. Utami throws Konami off of her and applies a Camel Clutch, but Konami rolls out of it and applies the cross armbreaker. Utami gets a foot on the ropes to force the break, Konami picks her up but Utami delivers a trio of STOs for a two count. Utami goes up top but Konami avoids the missile dropkick, she goes for a submission but Utami blocks it so Konami applies a sunset flip for two. Seated armbar by Konami but Utami gets out of it and applies a sleeper hold into a takedown. She keeps the sleeper applied but Konami gets close to the ropes so Utami releases it and puts Konami in the Argentine Backbreaker before slamming her to the mat. Utami picks Konami back up and puts her in the Argentine Backbreaker again, and this time Konami submits! Utami Hayashishita wins and now has 10 points as well as the lead of the Red Stars block.

Sometimes a wrestler can be labeled as a super rookie of sorts and the hype train is excessive, but in Utami’s case it is completely justified. For someone that just officially debuted two months ago, she is so smooth on the mat and she looked completely at home exchanging holds and positions with Konami. Between her submissions and power moves she is the total package, and she is a great seller as well. This was a shorter match but was a good small sample of what she brings to the table, and while it may annoy some that she is picking up wins over wrestlers years her senior, sometimes when you have a hot act you just have to run with it. A really tight and well-worked match, no complaints whatsoever outside of the length.  Recommended

Jungle Kyona vs. Natsuko Tora

Natsuko immediately starts the match with a spear, she goes for a second one but Kyona catches her and they get into a shoulderblock battle. Kyona wins the exchange, she picks up Natsuko and hits a scoop slam followed by a running body press for a two count. Back up they trade strikes, Kyona chops Natsuko in the corner and hits a body avalanche, but Natsuko fires back with a hard shoulderblock. Elbows by Natsuko, she goes off the ropes but Kyona catches her with a lariat. Sliding lariat to the back by Kyona, she picks up Natsuko and puts her on her shoulder before spinning her down onto her knee for a two count. Crab hold by Kyona but she lets go after a moment and stomps on Natsuko’s back, Scorpion Deathlock by Kyona but Natsuko gets to the ropes for the break. Kyona goes up top but Natsuko hits her before she can jump off and flings Kyona to the mat. Running knee by Natsuko, she gets Kyona on her shoulders and hits a rolling fireman’s carry slam. Natsuko goes up top but Kyona smacks her and goes up top as well, she goes for a powerslam but Natsuko slides down and hits a powerbomb for a two count. Natsuko picks up Kyona but Kyona gets away and clubs her in the head. Spear by Natsuko, she picks up Kyona and hits a side slam for a two count. Natsuko goes up top and she nails a diving body press, she goes up top and immediately delivers a second one before following up with a third diving body press for the three count cover! Natsuko Tora wins and knocks Jungle Kyona out of the tournament.

The most interesting thing here is not that Natsuko won, but how she won. Since Natsuko is basically the #2 wrestler in Jungle Assault Nation while Kyona is the leader, any win would have been worth noticing but if it was a fluke win it wouldn’t mean much big picture. But Natsuko didn’t just win the match, she literally crushed Kyona at the end to win it emphatically. Up to that point the match was fine, your typical strength-based battle, but its the ending that left an impression. Maybe it meant nothing and will be forgotten, but in the moment it felt like a big deal and a big win for the less experienced wrestler. A fun match overall, a few parts weren’t completely smooth but still a solid match with an unexpected ending.  Mildly Recommended

Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano

Tam immediately goes for a head kick but Kagetsu ducks, she goes for one as well with no luck as they both trade kick attempts back and forth. Tam elbows Kagetsu but Kagetsu elbows her back as they trade blows, Tam jumps on the second turnbuckle and applies a dragon sleeper while in the ropes. The referee gets her to stop, cutter by Tam and she hits a cartwheel kneedrop for two. Kagetsu elbows Tam off of her and goes off the ropes, but Tam catches her with a head kick followed by a German suplex hold for two. Tam goes up top and nails the Takako Panic, she picks up Kagetsu and goes off the ropes, but Kagetsu connects with a head kick. Tam is up first but Kagetsu delivers a kick combination, Kagetsu gets Tam on her shoulders and hits a Samoan Drop, but the cover gets two. Kagetsu quickly picks up Tam and hits a vertical suplex, crab hold by Kagetsu but Tam gets into the ropes for the break. Stomps by Kagetsu, she picks up Tam and delivers a pair of Ebisu Drops. A third Ebisu Drop by Kagetsu, but Tam barely kicks out of the cover. She slams Tam in front of the corner before going up top, but Tam joins her and hits a superplex. Sliding Knee by Kagetsu, but Tam gets her hands on the rope when she goes for the cover. Kagetsu picks up Tam and slaps her, she goes off the ropes but Hana Kimura hits her from the floor with a chair. This gives Tam a chance to cradle Kagetsu and she picks up the three count! Tam Nakano wins and Kagetsu is eliminated!

Post match, Hana fights Oedo Tai and is officially leaving the faction, after teasing it for most of the tournament.

There are a few ways to look at a match like this. On one hand, Hana breaking away from Oedo Tai is an important story, and long term maybe more important than winning the GP, so it overshadowing the final match (and leading directly to who is in the Finals) isn’t a big deal. On the other hand, if you were looking for a clean back and forth (well as clean as Oedo Tai gets) with a conclusive ending, this probably wasn’t it, so your opinion of this match will be based on if you enjoy Hana turning on her group since that was the focus. I am neutral on it, and at least leading up to that ending the match was entertaining. Tam and Kagetsu have solid chemistry and both of their strikes were on point, and Tam was extra fired up which got the crowd engaged. So while it ended up being a storyline match, which is a bit of a shame, it still had good action as well so no complaints.  Mildly Recommended

Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita
Stardom 5☆STAR GP Final

Tie-up to begin, Utami quickly takes Mayu to the mat but Mayu kicks her in the head and stomps her against the ropes. Mayu starts on Utami’s arm, continuing the work that Konami began earlier, she hiptosses Utami to the mat and twists her arm while covering her for two. Mayu keeps on the arm but Utami finally gets away and applies a sleeper, but Mayu slides out of it and applies a seated armbar. She lets go and stomps on Utami, she sets up Utami near the ropes and dropkicks her out of the ring. Mayu goes up top but Utami jumps on the apron and gets Mayu on her shoulders before tossing her down to the floor. Utami slides Mayu back into the ring and puts her in a modified Camel Clutch, but Mayu inches to the ropes to force a break. Utami picks up Mayu and starts on her arm, she tosses Mayu into the corner but Mayu rebounds out of it with a triple jump dropkick. Stomps by Mayu and she dropkicks Utami twice while she is against the ropes, cover by Mayu but Utami kicks out. Diving footstomp by Mayu and she goes for the dragon suplex, but Utami grabs the top rope to block it.

Mayu goes off the ropes but Utami catches her with a judo toss and puts her in a sleeper, but Mayu gets a toe on the ropes. Utami gets Mayu on her shoulders but Mayu quickly slides off and hits a high kick, lariat by Mayu but Utami rocks her back with a lariat of her own. Mayu recovers first and nails the standing crucifix bomb, she picks up Utami and delivers a strike combination followed by a release German. Mayu goes up top but Utami gets up and knocks her down to the apron, Utami chokes Mayu over the top rope and drags her back into the ring, keeping the hold applied until Mayu makes it to the ropes to get the break. Utami gets Mayu in the Argentine Backbreaker and slams her backwards into the mat, cover by Utami but Mayu gets a shoulder up. Utami goes up top and hits a missile dropkick, she goes up again but this time Mayu hits her before she can jump off and climbs up as well. Frankensteiner by Mayu and she kicks Utami in the chest, high kick by Mayu and she delivers a thrust kick to the head. Cover by Mayu, but it gets two. Mayu goes up top and nails the Frog Splash, but Utami kicks out of the pin attempt. Mayu picks up Utami but Utami blocks the dragon suplex, Utami goes for an elbow but Mayu ducks it and nails her version of the dragon suplex hold for the three count! Mayu Iwatani wins the match and the 5☆STAR GP!

Another great match for both tonight, if there were still any doubts about Stardom’s future they can be put to rest. The action was very fluid and fast paced, and completely captivating as Mayu is not only a master at selling but really laid in with the strikes here and asserted herself as the dominate wrestler at times which she doesn’t always do. I liked the callback on Utami’s arm but it was very quickly forgotten, its like both wrestlers felt obligated to tip their cap to the wounds from the prior matches but were not dedicated at all to following through. The fact Utami had two matches of this caliber on the same card just a few months into her career is scary, she is definitely one that is going to make an impact sooner than later. Overall a high end match with all the drama and ‘moments’ one could hope for, it didn’t feel like a MOTYC for various small reasons but still a great display by both wrestlers.  Highly Recommended

The post Stardom 5☆STAR GP Finale on 9/24/18 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Championships Held: AAW Women’s Championship, JAPW Women’s Championship, SHIMMER Tag Team Championship, an the CHIKARA Grand Champion
Tournaments Won: CHIKARA Challenge of the Immortals (2015)
Awards Won: None

Notable Matches in Japan:

• September 15th, 2018 vs. Kagetsu
• September 24th, 2018 vs. Rachael Ellering

Signature Moves:

• Alligator Clutch
• Alligator Mutilation
• Germ
• Yoshi Tonic

In Action:

Coming Soon

Back to Gaijin Invaders

The post Kimber Lee appeared first on Joshi City.

I am willing to go far and wide to watch any recent shows with Joshi wrestlers on it, and this review is proof of that. The English-based Marvelous Puroresu USA website no longer exists, which was the easiest place to buy their DVDs. So when this one came out on the Japanese website, I jumped through the appropriate hoops and now it is in my possession. This was a pretty long joint show (ten matches), to make my life more fun I am only going to review the matches where at least half the wrestlers are women (four matches total). It fits the theme of the site better anyway. Here are the matches I will be reviewing:

• Ashley Vox and Sonya Strong vs. Jessika Black and Nyla Rose
• Davienne and Kyoko Kimura vs. Mio Momono and Renee Michelle
• Brian Fury and Kyoko Kimura vs. Cheeseburger and Takumi Iroha
• Heidi Lovelace and Sumie Sakai vs. Kimber Lee and Takumi Iroha

A unique blend of Joshi wrestlers, male wrestlers, and American women wrestlers. Let’s get to the fun.

 
Ashley Vox and Sonya Strong vs. Jessika Black and Nyla Rose

Jessika and Sonya start the match for their teams and trade wristlocks, they then trade schoolboys but neither can get the quick win. Jessika tags in Nyla while Ashley is also tagged in, Lou Thesz Press by Ashley but Nyla pushes her off and hits a big boot. Nyla picks up Ashley and drives her into the corner before tagging in Jessika, shoulder tackles by Jessika and she tags Nyla back in. The beatdown of the smaller Ashley continues for a few minutes, Ashley fires off a few dropkicks to Nyla and finally knocks her off her feet. Ashley tags in Sonya while Jessika tagged in as well, Sonya kicks around both of them before covering Jessika for two. Ashley returns and they both hit crossbodies on Jessika and Nyla, sending them out of the ring. Nyla returns to face off with Sonya, but Jessika attacks Sonya from behind and hits a shoulderblock. Jessika elbows Sonya in the head and applies a headscissors, she releases it after a moment and Sonya kicks Jessika into the corner. Body Avalanche by Jessika in the other corner, she picks up Sonya and hits a DDT for a two count. Jessika tags Nyla, Nyla twists at Sonya’s knee but Sonya gets away and tags in Ashley. DDT by Ashley to Nyla, she tags Sonya back in and Sonya gets Nyla’s back. Sonya goes for a sunset flip but Nyla blocks it and sits on her, Nyla grabs the ropes for leverage and she gets the three count! Ashley and Sonya are the winners.

This match was somewhat decent until the ending, I have absolutely no idea what happened but the last 45 seconds was one of the most awkward and unusual endings I’ve seen in my life. Up to that point it wasn’t anything special, mostly basic offense and lots of tagging in and out with little story. None of them came out of the match looking particularly good, this is an example of why matches should have at least one veteran to lead things along if possible. They may turn out to the great down the road, but nothing worth watching here.

Davienne and Kyoko Kimura vs. Mio Momono and Renee Michelle

Young Mio and Kyoko kick things off for their teams, Kyoko gets Mio to the mat and gets her in a headlock, wristlock by Kyoko but Mio armdrags out of it and the pair trade quick trips. Renee and Davienne tag in, Renee kicks Davienne in the face and armdrags her to the mat. Dropkick by Renee, and she covers Davienne for two. Davienne wants to tag out and Kyoko eventually agrees while Mio also tags back in, Kyoko twists Mio’s hair and tosses her down by it a few times. Kyoko and Davienne take turns attacking the rookie in her debut, after several minutes Mio gets away and finally makes the hot tag to Renee. Kyoko spits at Renee but Renee hits a headscissors and kicks Kyoko in the ropes. Renee hits a second turnbuckle moonsault, but it only gets a two count. Renee picks up Kyoko but Kyoko swings her down and applies a Fujiwara Armbar. Kyoko tags in Davienne, Samoan Drop by Davienne and she covers Renee, but Renee bridges out of it. Renee dropkicks Davienne and tags in Mio, dropkick by Mio to Davienne and she hits another one, but Davienne knocks her to the mat with a bodyblock.

Sidewalk Slam by Davienne, and she covers Mio for two. Davienne tags in Kyoko and Kyoko kicks at Mio, but Mio ducks the boot and hits a headscissors. Dropkicks by Mio, she finally knocks Kyoko to the mat and covers her for a two count. Mio picks up Kyoko and hits a series of elbows, but Kyoko slams her to the mat. Kyoko puts Mio in a stretch hold while taunting Iroha at ringside, she lets go of her but Mio sneaks in an inside cradle for two. Mio goes for a crossbody on Kyoko and Davienne but gets caught, Renee goes up top and hits a missile dropkick to knock over all three of them. Mio and Renee take turns on Kyoko, Mio goes up top and hits a diving crossbody for a two. Mio picks up Kyoko but Kyoko puts Mio in a STF, which is quickly broken up by Renee. Kyoko puts Mio in a choke but Mio gets a foot in the ropes, cover by Kyoko but it gets a two count. Davienne comes in and destroys little Mio with a lariat, vertical suplex by Kyoko but Mio barely kicks out of the pin. Kyoko picks up Mio but Mio avoids the sleeper and applies a backslide for two. Mio goes off the ropes but Kyoko takes off her head with a big boot, and she picks up the three count! Davienne and Kyoko win the match.

For a match as long as this one, it had very few memorable moments. Davienne’s lariat on Mio was really the only move that left an impression, as most of the rest of the match was pretty basic. Which was likely necessary, between having a debuting wrestler and any possible language barriers, but normally you wouldn’t expect a match with those obstacles to be so long either. There weren’t any signs of miscommunication or awkwardness, which is a big plus, but it lacked that something special that would make me recommend anyone watch the match. Not bad, just thoroughly average.

Brian Fury and Kyoko Kimura vs. Cheeseburger and Takumi Iroha

Kyoko and Cheeseburger are the first two in, Cheeseburger rolls around the ring while Kyoko mostly just looks confused about what is going on. Cheeseburger goes for shoulderblocks but Kyoko doesn’t budge, they both go for hiptosses but Cheeseburger distracts Kyoko with a dance before rolling her up for two. Hard shoulderblock by Kyoko, they trade quick pins and both wrestlers return to their feet. Takumi and Fury tag in, Fury pushes Takumi against the ropes but he gives a clean break. Side headlock by Fury and he hits a shoulderblock, armdrag by Takumi and she dropkicks Fury to the mat. She tags in Cheeseburger and they both elbow Fury, cover by Cheeseburger but it gets two. Jawbreaker by Fury but he accidentally knocks Kyoko off the apron, Cheeseburger goes off the ropes but Kyoko pulls him out of the ring with her and she beats him around the floor. She rolls Cheeseburger back in, scoop slam by Fury and he tags in Kyoko. Kyoko pulls at Cheeseburger’s hair and stomps him down in the corner, Fury returns and drops Cheeseburger with a backdrop suplex. Kyoko is tagged back in and she literally spanks Cheeseburger repeatedly, she grabs Cheeseburgers arm and starts biting his fingers.

She hides it from the referee for a bit as she keeps biting him until he finally catches on, Fury comes in but Cheeseburger fights them both off and tags in Takumi. Superkick by Takumi to Kyoko, she drives her into the corner but Kyoko kicks her when she charges in. Powerslam by Takumi, and she covers Kyoko for two. Takumi picks up Cheeseburger and drops him onto Kyoko, she then picks Kyoko up but Kyoko blocks the suplex. Guillotine Choke by Takumi but Kyoko muscles out of it and hits a vertical suplex. Kyoko and Takumi both slowly get up and trade elbows, spinning heel kick by Takumi but Fury runs in to knock Cheeseburger off the apron so that Takumi can’t tag in. Kyoko does tag in Fury however, Michinoku Driver by Fury but Takumi kicks out of the pin. He goes for a backdrop suplex but Takumi lands on her feet, Cheeseburger comes in and helps Takumi get Fury over for a German suplex. This gives her time to tag in Cheeseburger, they both pick up Fury but Kyoko comes in and kicks Takumi and Cheeseburger from behind. Kyoko and Takumi leave the ring while Fury kicks Cheeseburger in the ring, tornado DDT by Cheeseburger but Fury blocks the palm strike. Pop-up sit-down powerbomb by Fury, and he picks up the three count! Kyoko Kimura and Brian Fury are your winners.

This was a fun match, it just felt like it needed a few more minutes. With Kyoko and Takumi both having two matches on the show that may have restricted it a bit, as the ending was a bit sudden. I liked Kyoko and Cheeseburger’s interactions, sometimes comedy-like spots can seem forced but Kyoko felt right at home. She is better than she is given credit for as she thrives in many different styles of matches. Takumi hitting a nice looking German Suplex on Fury was the most memorable part of the match however, she is a great young wrestler that just needs more exposure. Solid action throughout and entertaining, I just wish there was more of it.  Mildly Recommended

Heidi Lovelace and Sumie Sakai vs. Kimber Lee and Takumi Iroha

Heidi and Sumie attack before the match starts but Kimber and Takumi quickly take over and isolate Sumie. Kimber stays in with Sumie and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, she tags in Takumi but Sumie avoids Takumi’s charge in the corner. Sumie slides to the apron but Takumi suplexes her back in, she goes off the ropes but Heidi knees her from the apron, allowing Sumie to hit a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Sumie tags in Heidi, Heidi grabs Takumi with her legs and delivers the Deadly Night Shade. Heidi and Sumie take turns attacking Takumi, Sumie puts Takumi in a the Figure Four Leglock, Heidi goes up top and hits a diving body press while Takumi is still in the hold. The referee stops her when she goes to do it again, Takumi manages to reverse the move but Kyoko comes in and rolls them back over. Kimber then goes up top and hits a diving body press on Sumie which breaks up the hold, but Takumi can’t make the tag. Takumi is triple teamed in the ropes with the assistance of Kyoko before Sumie tags in Heidi, kicks by Heidi but Takumi fights back with elbows.

Sumie is tagged back in and she applies a rolling grounded necklock, Cobra Clutch by Sumie and Heidi comes in to kick Takumi in the chest. Sumie tags Heidi but Takumi catches Heidi with a German Suplex which gives her time to tag in Kimber. Lariats by Kimber and she boots Sumie in the chest, she picks up Sumie in a vertical suplex but transfers her to Takumi so that Takumi can finish the move. Swanton Bomb by Kimber, Takumi follows with a diving body press but the cover is broken up. Takumi picks up Sumie and goes for a powerbomb, but Sumie reverses it with a hurricanrana. Takumi suplexes Sumie while Kimber also suplexes Heidi, Takumi goes up top but Heidi grabs her from the floor. Sumie joins Takumi and hits a Frankensteiner, but Takumi kicks out of the pin attempt. Sumie tags in Heidi, missile dropkick by Sumie but Kimber runs in and kicks Sumie. Backdrop suplex by Heidi to Kimber and all four wrestlers are down on the mat, Heidi and Takumi are up first and they trade elbows. Heidi goes off the ropes but Takumi blocks the Heidi-Can-Rana and nails a sit-down powerbomb, picking up the three count! Kimber Lee and Takumi Iroha win the match!

This was a great match, with my only complaint being the same one I had with the last match as it ended very suddenly. All four wrestlers worked really well together and there was no wasted time, everything they did had impact and a purpose. None were holding back and the spot in the middle with the Figure Four was well-done and fairly original. Heidi and Takumi were the stars of the match as both came out of it looking strong, but the whole match flowed well and no one seemed out of place. Really fun way to end the show, even if I wouldn’t have minded if the match went another ten minutes.  Recommended

The post Marvelous Puroresu USA Furinkazan III on 2/13/16 Review appeared first on Joshi City.