And we are back with Stardom! This event is their last before the big tournament starts, and features four championship matches. Io Shirai has returned after a brief absence due to a neck issue, and Kagetsu challenges for the World of Stardom Championship! Here is the full card:

• AZM vs. Hanan vs. Ruaka
• FIVE STAR Grand Prix 2017 Qualifying Match: Natsuko Tora vs. Tam Nakano
• Gabby Ortiz and Hiromi Mimura vs. Hana Kimura and Kris Wolf vs. Konami and Yoko Bito vs. Shiki Shibusawa and Starlight Kid
• SWA Undisputed Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. Xia Brookside
• High Speed Championship: Shanna vs. Mari Apache
• Artist Of Stardom Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona, and Kaori Yoneyama vs. HZK, Io Shirai, and Viper
• World Of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Kagetsu

All wrestlers above have profiles on Joshi City, you can click on their name to go straight to it. I start off watching the Stardom World version of this event, but by the end I’ll be reviewing the Samurai TV version, I’ll explain why when I get there.

AZM vs. Hanan vs. Ruaka

Hanan and Ruaka tie-up while AZM watches, elbows by Hanan but Ruaka elbows her back. AZM gets involved, Hanan elbows her in the corner but Ruaka rolls up Hanan for two. AZM tosses Hanan by her hair, AZM grabs Hanan’s arm and applies a wristlock. Hanan kicks AZM but AZM trips her and hits a dropkick. Ruaka kicks AZM from behind but AZM drops Hanan, AZM avoids Ruaka’s big boot the first time but Ruaka connects the second time for a two count. Dropkick by AZM, she throws Ruaka into the corner and delivers another dropkick. Crab hold by AZM but Hanan breaks it up, AZM and Hanan trade elbows until AZM kicks Hanan out of the ring. AZM goes for a crossbody on Ruaka but Ruaka catches her and tosses AZM to the mat, big boot by Ruaka in the corner and she hits a fisherman suplex hold for two. Hanan returns and helps Ruaka on AZM, judo toss by Hanan to Ruaka and she hits a STO. Cover by Hanan, but Ruaka kicks out. Hanan picks up Ruaka and elbows her into the corner, vertical suplex by AZM to Ruaka but Hanan quickly covers AZM for two. STO by Hanan to AZM, Ruaka comes back and they double team AZM. Hanan dropkicks AZM but Ruaka rolls up Hanan for two, she goes off the ropes but Hanan rolls Ruaka to the mat and cradles her for the three count! Hanan wins!

Short and to the point, I will say that there were no issues of miscommunications here which is no small feat when dealing with a fast paced match with three really young wrestlers. I still see Hanan as the best of the bunch, but too early to really tell for any of them. At least AZM is back where she belongs on the card, so that’s one plus.

Natsuko Tora vs. Tam Nakano

Tam and Natsuko run into each other as the match starts but neither wrestler goes down, they trade elbows until Natsuko puts Tam in a headlock. Tam Irish whips out of it and hits a hard shoulderblock, but Natsuko returns the favor. Snapmare by Natsuko and she hits a dropkick, leglock by Natsuko but Tam gets into the ropes for the break. Natsuko charges Tam and dropkicks her into the corner, cover by Natsuko but it gets a two count. Tam comes back with her own dropkick, kick to the back by Tam and she applies a Dragon Sleeper. She lets go after a moment and goes off the ropes, but Natsuko hits a shoulderblock. Jumping elbow by Natsuko but Tam dropkicks her, running shoulder tackle by Natsuko and she levels Tam with a spear. Natsuko applies an armbar with a headscissors, cradle by Natsuko but it gets two. A backslide by Natsuko gets the same result, Natsuko goes off the ropes but Tam ducks the PK and kicks Natsuko in the head. Kicks to the chest by Tam and she kicks Natsuko in the head for a two count. Tam throws Natsuko into the corner and hits the Space Rolling Elbow, she follows with a Stunner and running footstomps. Senton by Tam, but Natsuko gets a shoulder up on the cover. Kick to the chest by Tam, she gets on the second turnbuckle and delivers a diving senton for another two count. Tam goes up top but Natsuko joins her, Natsuko gets Tam on her shoulders and hits a Samoan Drop. Natsuko goes off the ropes and knees Tam in the stomach, running knee by Natsuko but Tam kicks out. Natsuko picks up Tam but Tam blocks the slam and kicks Natsuko in the head. More kicks by Tam but Natsuko mostly blocks them and slaps her, two more kicks by Tam but Natsuko gets a shoulder up. Spinning Back Kick by Tam, and she picks up the three count! Tam Nakano wins and is in the FIVE STAR GP.

For two inexperienced wrestlers, this was a really solid match. Natsuko looks really smooth already in her career and showed some fire, she’s really progressed a lot since joining Team Jungle. Tam for most of the match looked really good as well, a few kicks at the end had too much hesitation but its their first ever match together so I can excuse some minor communications issues. A well done match, excited to see what Tam Nakano can do in the tournament.  Mildly Recommended

So I started this show watching the Stardom World version, which is why those two matches I saw in full, but I’m switching over to the Samurai TV version now because there is something wrong with Stardom’s hard cam. Everything looks tinted and weird, which is distracting. It normally isn’t like that so I’ll assume it was just a one-time issue.

Gabby Ortiz and Hiromi Mimura vs. Hana Kimura and Kris Wolf vs. Konami and Yoko Bito vs. Shiki Shibusawa and Starlight Kid

The match begins with Hana, Hiromi, Bito, and Shiki in the ring so naturally they have a pose off. Which Samurai TV did not clip. After everyone gets a turn they start fighting, with Hana being triple teamed in the corner. Everyone runs in to attack Hana, with them all having success except for Hiromi. Konami stays in the ring and helps Bito attack Shiki, but Starlight Kid re-enters and both deliver dropkicks to Konami and Bito. Gabby and Hiromi enter and both hit DDTs on Starlight Kid and Shiki, but Hana and Kris attack them from behind. We clip ahead to Bito hitting a double lariat on Gabby and Hiromi, Bito drops Hiromi on Gabby and covers her for two. Bito goes off the ropes but Kris trips her from the floor, Konami goes outside the ring and kicks both Hana and Kris while Gabby drops Bito with a Cyclone Neckbreaker. Small package by Gabby, she goes off the ropes but Bito kicks her in the head. Bito picks up Gabby and delivers the B Driver, but Hana boots Bito when she goes for the pin. Kris runs in and quickly covers Gabby, and she picks up the three count! Kris Wolf and Hana Kimura win!

Samurai TV kindly clipped this one quite a bit. The pose off is cute and fine for a midcard thing, and I laughed pretty good when Hana booted Hiromi in the face, but nothing else here was really memorable. I am glad Oedo Tai got the win though, it may not seem like much but every pinfall counts when trying to get a faction over. Quite skippable but harmless.

(c) Toni Storm vs. Xia Brookside
SWA Undisputed Women’s Championship

This match is joined very in progress, as Xia drops Toni with a spinning headscissors. Running knee by Xia and she hits a face crusher, cover by Xia but it gets a two count. Xia goes for a kick but Toni ducks it and hits a release German, running hip attack by Toni in the corner and she hits a snap vertical suplex. Toni goes up to the top turnbuckle but Xia elbows her before she jumps off, Xia tosses Toni to the mat and covers her for two. Crucifix slam by Xia, she picks up Toni and elbows her in the chest, but Toni throws her into the corner. Buckle Bomb by Toni, and she nails the piledriver for the three count! Toni Storm is still the champion.

Since the match was clipped down to under three minutes its hard to give a real opinion on it, but everything they showed was fine. Toni Storm is one of the best, she hits everything so crisp and I love watching her. Obviously too short to really recommend not a bad way to spend a couple minutes.

(c) Shanna vs. Mari Apache
High Speed Championship

Apache quickly armdrags Shanna around to start the match, but Shanna hits a spinning bodyscissors and dumps Apache out of the ring. Apache returns after a moment, Shanna elbows her into the corner before snapmaring Apache and kicking her in the back. Sleeper by Shanna, she lets go after a moment and knocks Apache into the corner. Irish whip by Shanna but Apache kicks her when she charges in, kick to the back by Apache and she puts Shanna in an armlock. She lets go of the hold after a moment, she tosses Shanna towards the corner but Shanna reverses it and hits a running elbow. Elbow smash by Shanna, and she covers Apache for two. Back up they trade elbows, drop toehold by Apache and she puts Shanna in the rolling Mexican Surfboard. Apache ties up Shanna’s legs, she then picks up Shanna and stretches her over her back. Shanna spins out of it and hits a hurricanrana, cover by Shanna but it gets a two count. Superkick by Shanna, Apache rolls out of the ring but Shanna quickly goes to the top turnbuckle and dives down onto her with a plancha suicida. Shanna and Apache return to the ring, elbow by Shanna but Apache blocks the suplex attempt. Enzuigiri by Shanna, she goes up top but Apache avoids her dive and delivers a heel drop. Shanna temporarily regains the advantage but Apache knocks her down with a lariat, sit-down powerbomb by Apache but Shanna barely gets a shoulder up on the cover. Apache picks up Shanna but Shanna reverses the slam attempt into a DDT. Shanna goes up top and hits a diving crossbody, but Apache rolls out of the pin and covers Shanna for two. Tiger Suplex Hold by Shanna, but Apache kicks out at two. Shanna goes off the ropes but Apache catches her with a Michinoku Driver, she goes up top and nails the Swanton Bomb for the three count! Mari Apache is the new champion!

For whatever reason, this match never really clicked. I think part of the reason the match wasn’t gripping is there was just no clear structure to it, I never was sure what either wrestler’s plan to win was as the offense was so random. Apache knows what she is doing but her offense here had no rhyme or reason to it, and Shanna wasn’t very crisp as several moves didn’t connect as she intended. I think I actually liked their match on July 23rd better, something just felt off here. No lack of effort, it just never hooked me and didn’t have that title match feel.

(c) Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona, and Kaori Yoneyama vs. HZK, Io Shirai, and Viper
Artist of Stardom Championship

Io and Kaori begin the match, they quickly get into a fast exchange with Io being Io, as she shows that she hasn’t lost anything in her month off. She tags in Viper while Hiroyo also tags in, Hiroyo works a headlock but Viper takes Hiroyo to the mat. Hiroyo quickly gets out of it, HZK and Kyona tag in next and Kyona hits a body avalanche in the corner. Scoop slam by Kyona but HZK avoids the body press, Viper comes in but Kyona avoids her body press as well. Io kicks Kyona from the apron and comes in the ring, and  Kyona is triple teamed. Kaori and Hiroyo come in to help but they all end up being cannonballed by Viper in the corner, dropkick by HZK to Kyona and she covers her for two. Bootscrapes by HZK in the corner and she hits a running boot, she tags in Io and Io hits a running boot as well. Cover by Io, but it gets a two count. Io kicks Kyona and hits a double knee in the corner, she goes for another one but Kyona meets her with a hard shoulderblock. Kyona tags in Kaori but Io avoids her running senton, HZK comes in but Kaori fights them both off. Kaori picks up Io and hits Mongolian Chops, throat trust by Kaori but Io trips her and hits a slingshot dropkick. Io hits a running knee on Kaori in the corner and tags in Viper, bodyblock by Viper on Kaori but Kaori hops on her back and applies a sleeper. Viper drives Kaori into the corner to get her off, Viper charges Kaori but Kaori moves and goes for a suplex. Viper blocks it, Kaori goes off the ropes and she drops Viper with a DDT. She tags in Hiroyo, Hiroyo throws Viper into the corner and hits a body avalanche. Viper and Hiroyo trade lariats, Hiroyo crushes Viper against the ropes and goes for a suplex, but Io dives in the ring with a sunset flip onto Hiroyo.

Crossbody by Viper and she hits a running senton onto Hiroyo for a two count. Viper picks up Hiroyo but Hiroyo hits a German suplex, sliding lariat by Hiroyo and she covers Viper for two. Hiroyo tags in Kyona but Viper also tags in HZK, Kaori goes up top and hits a missile dropkick onto HZK. Pump Kick by HZK and she applies a rolling cradle, but Kyona kicks out at two. Kyona sneaks in a pin on her own two count, lariat by Kyona and she gets another two count cover. Kyona goes for the powerbomb but Io flies in the ring with a swandive missile dropkick, Io dropkicks Kaori and Hiroyo but Hiroyo fires back with a lariat. Double lariat by Kyona and Hiroyo to HZK, Kyona goes for the cover but Viper comes in to break it up. Viper lands on top of HZK by accident, diving attacks by Kaori and Kyona but Kyona’s cover gets broken up. Kyona picks up HZK for the Hammerthrow Bomb but HZK gets out of it, Viper comes in and hits a jumping crossbody on all three Team Jungle members. Pump Kick by HZK to Kyona, but Kyona barely gets a shoulder up. HZK picks up Kyona but Kyona hits a lariat, Io runs in and kicks Kyona before dives out of the ring onto Hiroyo. In the ring, Viper knocks Kyona into the corner and hits the Michinoku Driver, then Io goes up top and nails a moonsault. Bombs Away by HZK to Kyona, and she covers her for the three count! Queen’s Quest are the new champions!

Trios matches generally aren’t my favorite, but I do enjoy them a lot more if they are just pure chaos like this match. There was always something going on, it wasn’t a match about limb work or submissions, it was about playing the odds game and seeing which team could hit the winning combination of moves first long enough for the pinfall. Which I think they did a great job of, I have no idea how they do what they do so smoothly but everything flowed really well. Kyona got legit knocked hard in the face and started bleeding but it had no impact on the match as she kept on trucking as if nothing was wrong. An exciting match, I’m glad Queen’s Quest upgraded their third member for trios and it really helped here as all six wrestlers looked fantastic. I still prefer a quality singles match, but this was pretty damn entertaining.  Recommended

(c) Mayu Iwatani vs. Kagetsu
World of Stardom Championship

They start in the traditional fashion, with a tie-up, Kagetsu pushes Mayu into the ropes but she surprisingly gives a clean break. Kagetsu gets Mayu to the mat but Mayu springs up, hard shoulderblock by Kagetsu and they run off the ropes until Mayu hits an armdrag. Dropkick by Mayu but Kagetsu hits a back bodydrop, another dropkick by Mayu and both wrestlers kip-up. Snap German by Mayu but Kagetsu moves when Mayu goes for her dropkick and Mayu falls out of the ring. Kris and Hana beat on Mayu at ringside before sliding her back in, Mayu throws Kagetsu into the corner but Kagetsu avoids her charge and dropkicks Mayu in the knee. Kagetsu picks up Mayu and slaps at her, running knee by Kagetsu and she goes for a swandive dropkick, but Mayu dropkicks her mid-air which sends Kagetsu out of the ring. Mayu dives from the top turnbuckle down to the floor but Oedo Tai jumps her, Natsuko and Jungle come over to help though and Mayu gets free and chops Kagetsu into the crowd. Mayu pulls Kagetsu up near the balconies and they trade elbows, vertical suplex on the floor by Mayu and she goes up to the balcony. She goes to do a dive but Kris grabs her leg, Kagetsu joins Mayu up at the top of the balcony and Kagetsu hangs Mayu off the balcony.

She drops her after a moment and Mayu falls down onto the steps below, Kagetsu brings Mayu to the steps and kicks her down them. Literally, Mayu tumbled down the stairs end over end like a bag of potatoes. Kagetsu slides Mayu back into the ring, she picks her up but Mayu slides away. Kagetsu kicks Mayu in the head, she goes up top but Mayu recovers and joins her. Frankensteiner by Mayu, she goes up top and delivers a missile dropkick. Cover by Mayu, but it gets a two count. High kick by Mayu and she delivers a German suplex hold, but Kagetsu kicks out. Mayu goes back up top and hits the diving body press, but that also only gets a two. A dragon suplex hold also doesn’t get a three count. Mayu drags up Mayu but Kagetsu gets away and Hana hits a missile dropkick while Kris has the referee distracted. Chokeslam by Kagetsu, and she covers Mayu for a two count. Ebisu Drop by Kagetsu, she goes up top but Mayu gets her knees up on the Oedo Coaster attempt. Mayu picks up Kagetsu but Kagetsu lands on her feet on the dragon suplex attempt, Sakauchi by Mayu and she drops Kagetsu on her head with a dragon suplex. Mayu nails her version of a dragon suplex hold, and she finally picks up the three count! Mayu Iwatani is still the champion!

The main takeaway from this match is that Mayu Iwatani is insane. Kagetsu isn’t much better but some of the things Mayu did in this match aren’t really things I’d recommend any wrestler doing. I mean it was entertaining and exciting, so I am not complaining, but she is certainly risking her health for my amusement. Them doing crazy bumps was the highlight of the match, whether it was Mayu tumbling down the stairs or Kagetsu landing on her head on a dragon suplex, but there wasn’t a lot connecting those moves. A few minutes was clipped which may explain some of the issues, but at times it was mostly a match about big spots. Certainly no lack of effort, both were going all out, and since they have long time feud they have great chemistry. It felt like it was lacking something to really be a ‘must see’ match but it was still very enjoyable.  Recommended

The post Stardom Midsummer Champions on 8/13/17 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

While normally I don’t review Stardom house shows, Michiko Omukai making a return was enough to get me to watch it. But its actually a pretty big show in general, as there are seven matches which is very unusual for Stardom. We also get a title match between Viper and Mayu Iwatani, and a grudge match between Jungle Kyona and HZK. Lots of potential on this show, here is the full card:

• Hanan and Ruaka vs. Shiki Shibusawa and Starlight Kid
• Gabby Ortiz and Xia Brookside vs. Kaori Yoneyama and Natsuko Tora
• AZM vs. Hiromi Mimura
• Mari Apache vs. Shanna
• HZK vs. Jungle Kyona
• Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, and Kris Wolf vs. Konami, Michiko Omukai, and Yoko Bito
• Wonder Of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Viper

All the wrestlers have profiles on the site, you can click on their name to go straight to it. Since this aired on Stardom World, all matches are shown in full.

Hanan and Ruaka vs. Shiki Shibusawa and Starlight Kid

Hanan and Starlight Kid start off, they go through a sequence off the ropes but they reach a stalemate. Shiki comes in briefly to help Starlight Kid get the advantage, Starlight Kid tags in Shiki and Shiki puts Hanan in a crab hold. Hanan gets to the ropes to force a break, scoop slam by Shiki and she puts Hanan in a sleeper. Hanan slides out of it and they trade front necklocks, Shiki goes off the ropes and she dropkicks Hanan to the mat. Another dropkick by Shiki and she covers Hanan for two. Shiki goes off the ropes but Ruaka grabs her, but Starlight Kid grabs Hanan too. STO by Hanan to Shiki, and she gets a two count cover. Hanan tags in Ruaka, Ruaka goes for the big boot but Shiki moves out of the way. Reverse STO by Ruaka to Shiki and she nails the big boot in the corner, she goes for a fisherman suplex but Shiki blocks it. Hanan and Starlight Kid both come in, Hanan is knocked out of the ring and Starlight Kid hits a standing moonsault onto Ruaka. Missile dropkick by Shiki, but Hanan breaks up the cover. Shiki tags Starlight Kid, Starlight Kid goes for a crossbody but Ruaka catches her and throws Starlight Kid to the mat. Tiger Feint Kick by Starlight Kid but Ruaka mostly blocks it, Ruaka and Starlight Kid trade elbows until Ruaka hits a side Russian leg sweep. Ruaka tags Hanan, dropkicks by Hanan to Starlight Kid and she covers her for two. Hanan and Starlight Kid trade waistlocks, Shiki comes in but she dropkicks Starlight Kid by accident. Ruaka boots Shiki while Hanan throws Starlight Kid to the mat. Fisherman suplex by Ruaka to Starlight Kid, Hanan goes off the ropes and she hits Starlight Kid wit a STO for a two count. Hanan goes off the ropes but Shiki trips her from the floor, Tiger Feint Kick by Starlight Kid to Hanan, and she hits a standing moonsault. Starlight Kid gets on the second turnbuckle and hits a diving crossbody, cover by Starlight Kid and she picks up the three count! Shiki Shibusawa and Starlight Kid win!

Some definite miscommunications but considering their experience levels that is to be expected. Its hard to criticize a bunch of wrestlers with less than a year of experience (some much less than a year), its all a learning process. Some good spots and a few of them show some early promise, but I wouldn’t say it was a good match.

Gabby Ortiz and Xia Brookside vs. Kaori Yoneyama and Natsuko Tora

Team Jungle attacks before the match starts and attack both of their opponents in the corner. Double body block by Team Jungle, scoop slam by Natsuko on Xia and she slams her a couple more times. Xia elbows Natsuko and hits a dropkick, she tags in Gabby and they hit a double face crusher onto Natsuko. Gabby picks up Natsuko and hits a flipping neckbreaker, dropkick by Gabby and she covers Natsuko for two. Stretch hold by Gabby, Kaori comes in to help but Xia puts her in an Octopus Hold. Irish whip by Gabby to Natsuko but Natsuko hits a shoulderblock and tags in Kaori. Kaori boots Gabby in the head, Xia comes in but Kaori hits a crossbody onto both of them followed by a senton. Kaori picks up Gabby and they trade strikes, back elbow by Gabby and she tags in Xia. Xia goes off the ropes and hits a spinning headscissors onto Kaori, jumping knee by Xia and she hits a face crusher for a two count. Northern Lights Suplex by Kaori and she tags Natsuko, shoulderblocks by Natsuko and she covers Xia for two. Gabby comes in but Natsuko hits a spear onto both of them, another spear by Natsuko to Xia and she covers her for two. Kaori comes in and gets on the second turnbuckle, but Xia avoids her diving senton. Xia tosses Natsuko off the top turnbuckle and applies the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch, picking up the three count! Team Jungle wins the match.

Pretty short, just a hair over six minutes, so still not a great look at the wrestlers new to Stardom. I was surprised to see Xia pick up the pinfall, not sure if they have something in mind for her or if they just didn’t put too much thought into a midcard house show match. Solid action, and Kaori looked great as she tends to, but too short to recommend.

AZM vs. Hiromi Mimura

They get right to it as AZM quickly gets Hiromi to the mat and dropkicks her, AZM throws Hiromi into the corner and connects with another dropkick. Footstomps by AZM near the ropes and she puts Hiromi in a camel clutch, she lets Hiromi up but Hiromi delivers a dropkick. AZM tosses Hiromi out to the apron but Hiromi elbows her back, she returns to the ring but AZM hits a satellite cradle for two. AZM and Hiromi trade elbows, sunset flip by AZM but Hiromi rolls through it and hits a crossbody for two. AZM blocks a suplex and hits rolling verticals for two, she jumps on Hiromi’s back but Hiromi shrugs her off and applies La Magistral for a two count. Hiromi goes off the ropes and delivers a DDT, she charges AZM in the corner but AZM moves and cradles her for two. A backslide by AZM gets a two count as well, she goes for the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch but Hiromi blocks it. The two trade flash pins, until Hiromi is able to hold down AZM for the three count! Hiromi Mimura is the winner!

This match was even shorter, but I am not complaining since these are not two of the better in-ring wrestlers in Stardom. I am not sure what the long term plan can be with either, AZM is still a kid but Hiromi hasn’t improved much in the last year and her last singles win in Stardom (which was also against AZM). The flash pins I guess were done well and nothing stuck out as bad, just nothing was particularly memorable. Short and inoffensive.

Mari Apache vs. Shanna

Shanna hits the first big move of the match with a hurricanrana, dropkick by Shanna and Mari rolls out of the ring to re-group. She returns after a moment, Shanna goes for another dropkick but Mari avoids it and hits a backbreaker. Mari puts Shanna in the Mexican Surfboard while rolling her around the ring, modified STF by Mari but Shanna gets a hand on the ropes for the break. Kick by Mari in the corner but Shanna snaps off a hurricanrana for a two count. Mari pushes Shanna against the ropes and boots her in the head, heel drop by Mari and she covers Shanna for two. Camel Clutch by Mari, she lets go of the hold after a moment and puts Shanna in a single leg crab hold. Shanna eventually gets to the ropes, stomps by Mari and she puts Shanna on the top turnbuckle, but Shanna kicks her back and hits a diving hurricanrana. Stunner by Shanna, and she covers Mari for a two count. Shanna puts Mari in a cross armbreaker but Mari gets a foot on the ropes for the break, Shanna picks up Mari but Mari rocks her with a lariat. Sit-down powerbomb by Mari, but Shanna gets a shoulder up on the cover. Elbow by Shanna and she delivers a high kick, sending Mari rolling out of the ring to the floor. Shanna gets a running start and dives out onto Mari with a tope suicida, but Mari grabs her and stomps Shanna in the head. Mari throws Shanna into the chairs at ringside but Shanna returns the favor, Shanna goes to re-enter the ring but Mari grabs her from behind as they take turns trying to get back into the ring. Neither can make it however in time, as the referee reaches a 20 Count with both still on the floor! The match is a Double Count Out.

I was enjoying this until the overly telegraphed ending. Its always suspicious in Stardom when the referee is obviously counting since Stardom wrestlers are known for taking forever on the floor without the referee caring. Plus the spots with both wrestlers pulling each other by the leg to prevent the other from getting back in weren’t very well done. Up to that point it was a pretty fun match, a bit mat-based but Mari has some quality submissions so it was entertaining. Impressed that Shanna managed to squeeze three hurricanrana variations in such a short match, but it was more a Mari match than a Shanna match in structure. Above average overall, the ending was just a bit lame.

HZK vs. Jungle Kyona

HZK asks for a knuckle lock to start, which Kyona accepts, and they go into a Test of Strength. They both end up on the mat while still locked up, they get back on their feet and HZK gives Kyona a hard headbutt. Both are staggered but recover at about the same time, hard shoulderblock by Kyona and she hits a second one. Cover by Kyona, but it gets a two count. Kyona throws HZK into the corner but HZK catches her with a dropkick, HZK tosses Kyona into the corner and gives Kyona some bootscrapes. Running boot by HZK and she kicks Kyona in the back, more strikes by HZK but Kyona keeps fighting back. Kyona gets HZK’s back and puts her in a sleeper before spinning her around, Kyona keeps the hold applied on the mat. HZK manages to get back to her feet and falls backwards to get Kyona off of her, running elbow by HZK in the corner and she covers Kyona for two. Kyona goes for a powerbomb but HZK gets out of it and kicks Kyona in the head before jackknifing her for a two count. Hard lariats by Kyona but HZK ducks one and hits a release German. HZK nails the Pump Kick, she picks up Kyona and hits a backbreaker in front of the corner. HZK goes up top and delivers the diving senton, but Kyona gets a shoulder up on the cover. She goes up top again but Kyona recovers and joins her, they trade elbows until Kyona powerslams HZK off the top down to the mat. Kyona picks up HZK but HZK snaps off a DDT, they trade elbows as they return to their feet until Kyona levels HZK with a lariat for a two count. Kyona goes up top and delivers the diving body press, but she gets another two. Kyona deadlifts HZK up and nails the Hammer Throw Powerbomb, and she picks up the three count! Jungle Kyona wins the match.

A great match, which was expected as they have really solid chemistry. Some complained about the headbutt spot but I have no issue with it, I’m not their mother and adding an occasional bit of realism to wrestling is welcome in my book. A very back and forth match, both came out of it looking strong as the dominating wrestler constantly changed as they ramped up the violence. Plus they protected HZK’s finisher which they can use down the road when they inevitably have a rematch. This one will fly below the radar since it was a shorter midcard match on a smaller show, but they both delivered.  Recommended

Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, and Kris Wolf vs. Konami, Michiko Omukai, and Yoko Bito

Oedo Tai attacks before the bell and knocks all of their opponents out to the floor, they quickly join them as the brawl spills to ringside. Kris pairs up with Omukai but it doesn’t go well for her for long as Omukai quickly gets the advantage. Konami and Kagetsu eventually return to the ring as the legal wrestlers, and all the members of Oedo Tai attack Konami near the apron. Dropkick by Kagetsu to Konami, she tags in Hana and Hana chops Konami in the corner. Kris is in next, she sets up Konami in the corner and dropkicks her in the midsection. Kagetsu returns and spits water (I assume) into Konami’s face, kicks by Kagetsu but Konami delivers a kick of her own and makes the tag to Omukai. Omukai boots Kagetsu and knocks Kris out of the ring, she goes back to Kagetsu and throws her down by the hair. Bito comes in and they double team Kagetsu, Konami comes in too and all three pose on their opponent. Konami stays in and kicks Kagetsu, dropkick by Konami and she goes for Kagetsu’s arm, but Kagetsu slams her into the corner. Konami applies a hanging armbar and dropkicks Kagetsu, she goes for a suplex but Kagetsu reverses it with a suplex of her own and tags in Hana. Hana hits a jumping knee on Konami before delivering a dropkick, running boot by Hana and she covers Konami for two.

Hana picks up Konami but Konami sneaks in an inside cradle for two. Konami tags in Omukai, Hana elbows her but Omukai elbows her back and they trade shots. Omukai wins the battle, she kicks Hana in the back but Hana boots her and both wrestlers end up down on the mat. Omukai tags in Bito while Kris is also tagged in, vertical suplex by Bito and she covers Kris for two. Bito goes off the ropes but Kagetsu trips her from the floor, she comes in the ring and Bito is triple teamed in the corner. Bito fights off all three of them but eventually eats a triple dropkick, spear by Kagetsu and Hana dropkicks Bito against the ropes. Suplex by Kris, and she covers Bito for two. All six wrestlers end up in the ring, Bito eventually regains the advantage and hits a missile dropkick onto Kris. Cover by Bito, but Kris gets a shoulder up. Kris and Bito trade elbows, Bito knocks Kris to the mat and she hits a dropkick. Hana comes in and boots Bito in the face, quick cover by Kris but it gets a two. Kris goes for a footstomp but Bito moves, Omukai comes in to kick Kris and Bito delivers the B Driver for a two count. Omukai and Bito both kick Kris, buzzsaw kick by Konami and Omukai nails a Shining Wizard. Bito picks up Kris and nails the BT Bomb, picking up the three count pinfall! Konami, Michiko Omukai, and Yoko Bito win.

While not a ‘high end’ match, it sure was fun to see Omukai again. Omukai still looks great, its been a long time since she was a regular wrestler but they were able to protect her a bit from any ring rust in a six woman tag. A few minor miscommunications, oddly not with Omukai but with some of the regulars, and as one would expect there wasn’t much of a structure as it was mostly just random violence. Still, I couldn’t help but enjoy it just seeing Omukai mix it up again. A solid match overall, nothing to get excited about but a fun watch nonetheless.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Mayu Iwatani vs. Viper
Wonder of Stardom Championship

Mayu tries avoiding Viper to start the match, with limited success, Mayu goes for a scoop slam but Viper easily blocks it. Viper picks up Mayu but Mayu wiggles away, she goes for a crossbody but bounces off of Viper. Running senton by Viper and she throws Mayu out of the ring, where she is beaten down by Oedo Tai. They roll Mayu back in and she is attacked more by all the members of Oedo Tai while the referee is distracted, cover by Viper but she gets a two count. Viper twists on Mayu’s arm and puts her in a cobra clutch, short range lariat by Viper and she covers Mayu for two. Snapmare by Viper and she hits a running crossbody, but Mayu bridges out of the cover. Viper throws Mayu hard in the corner and hits a body avalanche, she goes for a second one but Mayu moves and hits an enzuigiri. Viper doesn’t go down so Mayu goes for a hurricanrana, but Viper catches her and nails a powerbomb. Viper picks up Mayu and throws her head-first into the corner, cannonball by Viper and she goes up for a reverse splash, but Mayu recovers and elbows her back to the mat. Mayu goes up top but Viper joins her, Mayu slides away and she delivers a superkick. Dropkick by Mayu, she goes up to the second turnbuckle and hits a diving footstomp. Cover by Mayu, but it gets two. Mayu picks up Viper but Viper blocks her dragon suplex attempt and hits a Michinoku Driver. Viper gets on the second turnbuckle but Mayu rolls out of the way of the reverse splash, kick combination by Mayu but Viper lariats her when Mayu goes off the ropes. Viper positions Mayu and gets on the turnbuckles again, but Mayu grabs her from behind and delivers a release dragon suplex. Mayu goes up top and nails the Frog Splash, but Viper kicks out of the cover. Mayu picks up Viper but Viper blocks the dragon suplex, superkick by Mayu and she delivers a Reverse Hurricanrana for the three count! Mayu Iwatani retains the championship!

A good match, but its a bit hard to take Viper seriously at this point as a title challenger, with her historical levels of failure in them. They really need to get her a title in Stardom, even if its just the Trios title, to give her a bit of legitimacy. Viper as one would assume dominated the match, Mayu is an A+ seller and a few times you’d have been convinced she was genuinely hurt. They stayed away from doing the “dumb gaijin” stuff they sometimes do with Viper, which was much appreciated, and while Mayu’s win seemed sudden that was the only way she was realistically beating Viper anyway. It was also a bit short for a main event title match, one of the downsides of having a seven match card is the matches get less time. Pretty fun, but it definitely felt like a ‘house show’ main event with its telegraphed ending and match time.  Mildly Recommended

The post Stardom “Stardom X Stardom in Osaka” on 7/23/17 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Welcome to the first big event in the post Kairi and Io Era. Io may be back, we aren’t sure of her long term situation, however Kairi has left Stardom for the greener pastures of WWE. Mayu Iwatani defeated both of them in the last few months, and currently holds the top two singles titles in Stardom as she looks to assert herself as the Ace. She is challenged by Yoko Bito for the World of Stardom Championship, Yoko Bito was considered the Ace Candidate before she took a four year break from wrestling. Also on the card, both the tag titles and High Speed Championship are defended as well, plus we get a look at a new rookie and new Gaijin. Here is the full card:

• AZM vs. Hanan vs. Ruaka
• Natsuko Tora vs. Shiki Shibusawa
• Gabby Ortiz, Mari Apache, and Xia Brookside vs. Hiromi Mimura, Konami, and Starlight Kid
• High Speed Championship: Kris Wolf vs. Shanna
• Goddesses Of Stardom Championship: Hana Kimura and Kagetsu vs. HZK and Jungle Kyona
• World Of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Yoko Bito

I am watching the show on Samurai TV this week, so hopefully the clipping won’t impact my enjoyment. All wrestlers above have profiles on Joshi City, you can click on their names to go straight to it.

AZM vs. Hanan vs. Ruaka

Ruaka and Hanan both attack AZM off the start but she stacks them in the corner and delivers a dropkick. AZM kicks both in the back as the 14 year old dominates her juniors, but Hanan and Ruaka soon recover and Hanan ends up double teamed by her opponents. Hanan kips up and knocks down AZM but she kips up too. AZM rolls up Ruaka when she goes to do her own kip up and they all trade roll-up with no one getting the three count. AZM ends up alone with Hanan, armdrag by Hanan but AZM hits a dropkick. Ruaka returns and puts Hanan in a crab hold, but AZM puts Ruaka in a sleeper from behind. Hanan recovers and puts AZM in a sleeper as well, AZM gets out of it and hits a double DDT on both her opponents before hitting rolling verticals on Hanan. AZM charges Hanan but Hanan blocks the Rolling Clutch, Ruaka runs in and boots AZM in the corner. Judo toss by Hanan to AZM, but Ruaka drops Hanan with a side Russian leg sweep. Fisherman suplex hold by Ruaka to AZM, but Hanan breaks it up. Hanan and Ruaka trade elbows until Hanan hits a running STO, she picks up AZM but AZM sneaks in an inside cradle for two. Hanan tosses AZM to the mat again, Ruaka boots Hanan and rolls up AZM for a two count. Japanese Rolling Clutch by AZM to Ruaka, and she picks up the three count! AZM wins.

This is probably exactly what you’d expect – a few miscommunications, some cool moves from Hanan, and then a quick ending. Hanan continues to impress me the most of the rookies, the judo background really comes in handy, but nothing else really stood out. A typical start to a Stardom card, nothing offensive but nothing really worth noting.

Natsuko Tora vs. Shiki Shibusawa

Natsuko has now cut her hair short, which I assume means she is stepping up her game. Natsuko starts with a wristlock and they trade holds, Natsuko stretches out Shiki before Shiki goes for a dropkick, but Natsuko avoids it and hits a hard shoulderblock. Sleeper by Natsuko but Shiki gets out of it, dropkicks by Shiki and she covers Natsuko for two. Shiki goes for a scoop slam but Natsuko reverses it into a slam of her own, she puts Shiki back in the sleeper but she releases her after a moment for two count cover. Natsuko tries to go up the turnbuckle but Shiki keeps grabbing her, Shiki dropkicks Natsuko to get her off the turnbuckle before dropkicking her into the corner. A final dropkick by Shiki, but Natsuko kicks out of the cover. Shiki gets on the second turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick, but another pin fails as Natsuko gets a shoulder up. Shiki elbows Natsuko but Natsuko elbows her back, slap by Shiki and she rolls up Natsuko for two. Dropkick by Natsuko, she picks up Shiki and the two trade elbows. Natsuko drops Shiki with a series of running knees, she picks up Shiki and nails the F Crash for the three count! Natsuko Tora wins the match.

Obviously, you can’t really judge a wrestler based off their first match. I will say that she faces an uphill battle, as she doesn’t have the background that generally leads to a successful career. She seemed a bit awkward at times with her movements, so while she may go on to have a long and successful career, there isn’t anything here that I can pinpoint as a sign of potential. Natsuko looked fine as the one ‘leading’ the match and I am sure they practiced this quite a bit, it wasn’t a bad match but a pretty typical debut match.

Gabby Ortiz, Mari Apache, and Xia Brookside vs. Mimura, Konami, and Starlight Kid

Apache and Hiromi start the match for their teams, Apache pushes Hiromi against the ropes and she gives a clean break. She does it a second time as well, Hiromi finally learns not to try to lock up with Apache and go through a fast sequence before squaring off again. Starlight Kid and Xia are tagged in, they trade armdrags but then tag out themselves as the last pairing comes in. Gabby goes for a few flash pins on Konami with no luck, Starlight Kid and Hiromi run in the ring and all three triple team Gabby in the corner. We clip ahead a bit with Starlight Kid now being the legal wrestler, Gabby and Xia double team Starlight Kid before Gabby covers her for two. Dropkick by Gabby, she picks up Starlight Kid but Starlight Kid elbows her away. DDT by Gabby, but the cover is broken up. Gabby tags in Apache, Apache puts Starlight Kid in a rolling Mexican Surfboard before knocking her back into the mat. Modified STF by Apache but it gets broken up as well, Irish whip by Apache but Starlight Kid hits a spinning headscissors.

Dropkick by Starlight Kid, she goes off the ropes but Apache levels her with a lariat. Apache picks up Starlight Kid but Hiromi and Konami run in to stomp her down, double dropkick to Apache and Starlight Kid hits her with a Tiger Feint Kick. Hiromi follows with a crossbody, standing moonsault by Starlight Kid but Apache kicks out of the cover. Starlight Kid tags in Hiromi, Hiromi goes up top and hits a diving crossbody for another two count. A La Magistral gets the same result, Hiromi picks up Apache but Apache hits a lariat. Heel drop by Apache, but Hiromi barely gets a shoulder up. Apache puts Hiromi in a modified Argentine Backbreaker, she drops her to the mat but Hiromi reverses the Michinoku Driver with a DDT. Konami runs in and kicks Gabby, but Xia hits her with a Codebreaker. Starlight Kid dropkicks Xia out of the ring but Apache levels both her and Konami with a lariat. Hiromi goes off the ropes but Apache rocks her with a lariat, Michinoku Driver by Apache and she gets the three count! Gabby Ortiz, Mari Apache, and Xia Brookside win!

Most of this was pretty useless, but the one aspect I did love was that Mari Apache was working really snug which stood out since no one else was. Gabby, Xia, and Hiromi are all young and/or somewhat new to wrestling, so they are barely hitting each other, while Apache was happy to knock people’s heads off their shoulders. Besides that, the match was disappointing as I got to see very little of the young Gaijin do anything at all, and I’d like to see Konami doing something a bit more important. A forgettable match, aside from Apache destroying people.

(c) Kris Wolf vs. Shanna
High Speed Championship

Kris and Shanna quickly get into it, and living up to the titles name they have a high speed exchange which ends with a string of flash pins with neither getting the three count. They go into a Test of Strength, which Kris gets the better of, but Shanna hits a monkey flip before spinning Kris to the mat. Another monkey flip by Shanna and she hits a hurricanrana, cradle by Shanna but it gets two. Sliced Bread #2 by Shanna, she hits a trio of running elbow in the corner before applying a sunset flip for two. Double underhook backbreaker by Shanna, she goes up top but Kris rolls out to the apron before she can jump off. Shanna returns to the ring but Kris snaps her neck over the top rope, Kris stays on the apron too long however and Shanna boots her down to the floor. Kris trips Shanna and pulls her out with her before throwing her into the chairs at ringside. Chops by Kris but Shanna reverses an Irish whip and throws Kris into the ring post. Now it is Shanna that throws Kris into the chairs, she gets up onto the stage and jumps off of it with a crossbody onto Kris. Back in the ring they trade slaps to the chest, eye rake by Kris but Shanna applies a rolling cradle and holds down Kris for a two count. Release Tiger Suplex by Shanna but Kris gets back up and suplexes Shanna twice to the mat. Shining Wizard by Kris, but Shanna gets a shoulder up on the cover. Kris picks up Shanna and delivers a strike combination, release German by Kris and she hits a diving double knee from the second turnbuckle for another two. Kris gets on the second turnbuckle but Shanna clips her from behind with a crossbody, she goes up top but Kris climbs up with her. Shanna elbows Kris into the Tree of Woe but Kris avoids the diving footstomp, Kris pushes Shanna against the ropes but Shanna connects with a roaring elbow. Dragon Slayer by Shanna, she picks up Kris and nails the tiger suplex hold, but Kris barely gets a shoulder up. Shanna drags Kris back up and hits a second tiger suplex hold, and this time she gets the three count! Shanna is the new champion!

Several minutes of this was clipped, which is never ideal for a title match. This was really oddly laid out, and I am not certain if that was due to the clipping or how they planned it. Kris no-selling the first tiger suplex seemed off, Shanna never have a receipt for it so it came across as a lazy transition. On the plus side, I loved Kris’ new offense and she was deadly serious here, showing that she isn’t all fun and games. This probably is the best singles match of Kris’ career, as usually she is in tag or triple threat matches, and I think she showed a lot of ability while Shanna looked good too. The structure and/or clipping hurt the match a bit, but still a fun watch overall.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Hana Kimura and Kagetsu vs. HZK and Jungle Kyona
Goddesses of Stardom Championship

Kyona forces HZK to shake her hand before the match starts, but while they do so they are jumped by Hana and Kagetsu. Double dropkicks by Oedo Tai but HZK and Kyona roar back with strikes in the corner. HZK and Kyona accidentally collide with each other, and Oedo Tai takes the action out to the floor. HZK and Kyona are both thrown into the chairs at ringside. Hana eventually rolls HZK back into the ring and double teams her with Kagetsu, Kyona tries to help but gets choked by Kagetsu for her trouble. Hana picks up HZK but HZK fires back with elbows, Kyona comes in to help but HZK kicks her away. Elbows by Hana to HZK and she clubs her to the mat, Hana goes off the ropes but HZK catches her with a dropkick. HZK rolls to her corner and tags Kyona, shoulderblock by Kyona to Hana as Kagetsu comes in, but Kyona fights them both off. Kyona sets up both Hana and Kagetsu in the corner, she invites HZK back into the ring and suplexes HZK onto Hana and Kagetsu. Cover by Kyona to Hana, but it gets two. Kyona goes for a lariat but Hana ducks it, Hana goes for a high kick but Kyona blocks it and goes for a powerbomb. Hana punches out of the hold and boots Kyona in the face, dropkick by Hana but Kyona falls back into her corner and HZK tags in. HZK puts Hana in the crossface while Kyona keeps Kagetsu at bay, but Hana makes it to the ropes for the break. HZK facewashes Hana against the ropes, cover by HZK but Hana gets a shoulder up.

HZK goes for the pump kick but Hana avoids it and hits a series of mounted punches. HZK returns the favor as they go back and forth, dropkick by Hana and she nails HZK with a running boot to the face. Hana goes for a sleeper but HZK spins out of it and hits a Codebreaker, giving her time to get to the corner to tag Kyona. Kagetsu is tagged in too and she dropkicks Kyona in the face, high kick by Kagetsu and she deliver the Ebisu Drop for a two count. Kagetsu tries to go up top but Kyona grabs her from behind, elbows by Kagetsu and she elbows Kyona until HZK comes in to help. Hana comes in too but HZK dispatches her, HZK slaps Kyona I guess to motivate her and they both toss Kagetsu into the air before hitting a double shoulderblock. Lariat by Kyona, but Kagetsu kicks out at two. HZK slams Kagetsu in front of the corner and Kyona hits a diving body press, but Hana breaks up the cover. Kyona picks up Kagetsu but Hana goes up top and drops her with a missile dropkick, HZK runs in and hits a Pump Kick onto Hana, but Kagetsu kicks HZK in the head and all four wrestlers are down. Kyona lariats Hana while Kagetsu takes care of HZK, Kagetsu and Kyona trade elbows until Kyona hits a pair of lariats for a two count cover. Kyona goes for the Hammer Throw Powerbomb but Hana comes in and boots her, chokeslam by Kagetsu to Kyona but Kyona gets a shoulder up on the cover. Hana and Kagetsu both boot Kyona, Ebisu Drop by Kagetsu in front of the corner and she nails the Oedo Coaster for the three count! Kagetsu and Hana Kimura are still the champions.

The action itself in this match was good, bordering on great, but I still can’t say that I love the decision to have the match in the first place. Two enemies suddenly being on the same page to challenge for the tag team titles, just to go back to being enemies again, is not my ideal way for a match to be constructed. Still though, all four looked great and everything was hit smoothly, HZK and Hana are really coming along and Kagetsu has just been on a tear since returning. Despite my opinion of the way the match came together, I can’t fault anything that happened between the bells, as they kept the HZK/Kyona oddness to a minimum and concentrated on the fight. Definitely a fun match, and probably even better for those that don’t follow the storylines since at least then you wouldn’t know it wasn’t a particularly logical match to happen.  Recommended

(c) Mayu Iwatani vs. Yoko Bito
World of Stardom Championship

Bito kicks Mayu as the match starts, they get into a fast exchange but end up squaring off on their feet again. They tie-up and struggle for position, Bito pushes Mayu into the ropes but Mayu hits a running elbow and kicks Bito against the ropes. Mayu picks up Bito and kicks her in the back, she puts Bito in an armbar before pushing her into the ropes and chopping Bito in the chest. Mayu dropkicks Bito in the corner, another dropkick by Mayu and she covers her for two. Bito pushes Mayu back and goes for a kick, but Mayu catches it and hits a dragon screw. Mayu works over Bito’s leg, she grabs Bito’s arm and hits a split-legged springboard armdrag. Bito lands against the ropes, dropkick by Mayu and Bito falls out of the ring. Mayu quickly goes up top and dives out onto Bito with a plancha suicida, she picks up Bito but Bito nails her with a kick to the head. Bito rolls back into the ring with Mayu slowly following, high kick by Mayu but Bito hits a release dragon suplex. Mayu and Bito trade elbows as they slowly get up, kick to the chest by Bito and she covers Mayu for two. Bito goes off the ropes but Mayu catches her with a superkick, Northern Lights Suplex by Mayu but it gets a two count. Mayu goes to the second turnbuckle and hits a diving footstomp, she then goes all the way up but Bito recovers and joins her. Mayu knocks Bito into the Tree of Woe and hits a footstomp down onto Bito, she goes back up top but again Bito recovers and brings Mayu back into the ring with a superplex. Now it is Bito that goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick, cover by Bito but it gets two. Bito goes for the B Driver but Mayu reverses it with a sunset flip, high kick by Bito and this time she delivers the B Driver. A second B Driver by Bito, she picks up Mayu but Mayu ducks the high kick and drops Bito with a release German. Kick to the head by Mayu, she goes up top and nails the Frog Splash for a two count cover. Mayu picks up Bito but Bito nails a spinning head kick, push kick by Bito but Mayu comes back with a superkick. Dragon Suplex Hold by Mayu, and she picks up the three count! Mayu Iwatani is still the champion.

So about four minutes of this match was chopped, as Samurai TV opted for this show to knock a few minutes off of each match instead of just heavily clipping a couple matches. I wanted to love this match, but either because of the structure or the clipping they didn’t make it easy. Bito continues to improve since returning but still is a bit clunky at times, the double B Drivers in particular looked a bit off. Some moves got blown off quickly and I was surprised how much Mayu dominated the first half of the match. The ending stretch was really good but ended suddenly, as Bito connected with a few kicks but Mayu shrugged them off with little reasoning to quickly win. Mayu is so much fun to watch and they were trying to make it memorable with big moves and suspense, it was just lacking in execution, which may partly be blamed on a chunk of the match missing. Worth a watch but far from the best World of Stardom match this year.  Mildly Recommended

The post Stardom “Stardom X Stardom” on 7/16/17 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Even though this was a mid-week Korakuen Hall event for Stardom, it still has one of the biggest matches they’ve had this year. While the first half of the card is the usual Stardom fare, things pick up quite a bit after that as Yoko Bito makes her return after being out due to a wrist injury. Just in time too, since Stardom will soon be down a couple big stars. The Goddesses of Stardom Championship doesn’t have much of a storyline between the teams, however it is the in-ring return of Kagetsu (she was out of action about six weeks) as she comes back with a new look and determination to elevate Oedo Tai. And in the main event, Mayu Iwatani tries for the third time to win the World of Stardom Championship from the undisputed Ace of Stardom – Io Shirai. Here is the full card:

• Hanan and Hina vs. Ruaka and Rina
• Hetzza vs. Starlight Kid
• HZK and AZM vs. Shanna and Gabby Ortiz
• Kaori Yoneyama, Natsuko Tora, and Rebel vs. Yoko Bito, Konami, and Hiromi Mimura
• Goddess of Stardom Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto and Jungle Kyona vs. Kagetsu and Hana Kimura
• World of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai vs. Mayu Iwatani

This was uploaded very quickly over at Stardom World, and all matches are shown in full. Except for the children in the exhibition match and Gabby, all other wrestlers have a profile here on Joshi City, you can click on their name above to go straight to it.

Hanan and Hina vs. Ruaka and Rina
Exhibition Match

Hanan and Rina start the match, they trade wristlocks until Hanan gets Rina to the mat, but Rina reverses the hold and both return to their feet. Kick by Rina and she tags Ruaka, stomps by Ruaka but Hanan elbows her and they trade blows. Hanan dropkicks Ruaka, Hina comes in to help but so does Rina as things break down. Ruaka and Rina get the better of it and both apply inside cradles to their opponents, but they only get a two count. Ruaka tags Rina back in but Hana hits a judo throw and covers Rina for the three count! Team Hanan is up 1-0. Hanan tags in Hina, Hina and Rina trade holds on the mat until Ruaka runs in and boots Hina. Rina tags in Ruaka while Hanan is also tagged in, dropkick by Hanan in the corner but Ruaka hits the reverse STO. She goes for a boot but Hanan ducks it, Ruaka goes off the ropes but Hanan hits a judo throw for a two count. An STO by Hanan also gets two, she tags in Hina and Hina hits a running STO of her own. Gedo Clutch by Hina, she picks up Ruaka and goes for a vertical suplex, but Ruaka blocks it and hits a scoop slam. Crab hold by Ruaka, but Hanan runs in so she lets go of the hold. Fisherman suplex hold by Ruaka, and she picks up the three count! It is now tied 1-1. Hanan and Rina come in as the legal wrestlers but the bell rings as time has expired. The match is a Draw.

This was rough. I mean I wouldn’t really ‘rate’ an exhibition match with two non-wrestler children in it but either way it was pretty awkward and disjointed. Practice is always good but I don’t know if it really needs to be televised, it can just be something fun for the live crowd while they file into the building.

Hetzza vs. Starlight Kid

Starlight Kid and Hetzza trade wristlocks until Starlight Kid gets Hetzza to the mat, Hetzza gets out of it and they bounce off the ropes until Hetzza hits a springboard armdrag in a particularly awkward exchange. Waistlock by Starlight Kid, reversed by Hetzza but Starlight Kid gets back on the advantage and throws Hetzza into the corner. Dropkick by Starlight Kid but Hetzza comes back with a shoulder tackle, another dropkick by Starlight Kid and she applies a crab hold. Hetzza gets to the ropes for a break, she puts Starlight Kid in a dragon sleeper but letting the hold go and applying a crab hold. Starlight Kid gets to the ropes, short range lariats by Hetzza and she hits a jumping lariat for a two count cover. Hetzza picks up Starlight Kid and goes for a sunset flip, but Starlight Kid blocks it and hits a standing moonsault for the three count! Starlight Kid wins.

An actively not good match, even a step down from the first match. Starlight Kid has some nifty moves but really needs a veteran in there, plus after a long layoff she is probably rusty. Hetzza needs to be carried also so what we ended up with what just really rough. They kept it short though, so it seems they knew the situation at least.

HZK and AZM vs. Shanna and Gabby Ortiz

HZK and Gabby begin for their teams, they trade holds until Gabby hits an armdrag. AZM comes in to help, HZK scoop slams Gabby and holds her so that AZM can kick Gabby in the chest. HZK sits down Gabby in the corner and gives her face washes, she goes off the ropes and boots Gabby in the face. She tags in AZM, dropkick by AZM in the corner and she stomps down on Gabby’s stomach. Scoop slam by AZM and she tags in HZK, HZK hits a scoop slam also before AZM returns to continue the scoop slam spree. Gabby finally fights back with elbows and they trade blows, front flip neckbreaker by Gabby and she tags in Shanna. Shanna lariats AZM before hitting the Stop Enzuigiri, double underhook backbreaker by Shanna but AZM reverses the full nelson slam into a roll-up. Dropkick by AZM and she tags HZK, dropkick by HZK and she clubs Shanna in the chest for two. Armtrap Crossface by HZK but Shanna gets into the ropes, Codebreaker by HZK and she applies a rolling cradle for a two count. Shanna avoids HZK’s Pump Kick and hits a Stunner, she tags in Gabby and and they double team HZK. HZK and Gabby trade elbows until HZK catches Gabby with a Full Nelson Slam. Running elbow by HZK in the corner, AZM comes in and both hit diving strikes off the top turnbuckle, but Shanna breaks up the cover. Gabby catches HZK in a backslide, she goes off the ropes and hits a sliding kick, but HZK fires back with an elbow. Another elbow by HZK, both wrestlers roll to their corners and tag in their respective teammates. Hurricanrana by AZM to Shanna and she applies a tilt-a-whirl schoolboy for two. AZM dropkicks Shanna but Shanna catches her with a Falcon Arrow, but HZK breaks up the pin. Dragon Slayer by Shanna, and she picks up the three count! Shanna and Gabby Ortiz are the winners!

This was actually better than I was expecting, I guess the last two matches lowered my expectations for rookies. Gabby did the bulk of the work, so I was wrong about that, and while she obviously isn’t polished yet she actually looked pretty good for someone with just a few matches under her belt. Shanna played “veteran” here well which may have helped keep the match together, her sections were always tightly structured and there wasn’t any wasted time. Queen’s Quest needs to step it up if they want to be a force once Io leaves, as not being able to beat Shanna and Gabby isn’t a great sign for them. Overall an above average match, which is about all one can hope for under the circumstances.

Kaori Yoneyama, Natsuko Tora, and Rebel vs. Yoko Bito, Konami, and Hiromi Mimura

Team Jungle + Rebel attack before the match officially starts and triple team Bito, Konami kicks Rebel from the apron to help even the odds and all three of them attack Natsuko. Bito kicks Natsuko repeatedly in the back before tagging in Hiromi, Hiromi applies her rolling leglock and tags in Konami while keeping the hold on. Konami kicks Natsuko in the leg and covers her for two, Konami picks up Natsuko and the two trade elbows. Konami goes off the ropes but Natsuko hits a spear and makes the tag to Kaori. Kaori goes for a senton but Konami avoids it, Hiromi comes in but Kaori throws them into each other and knocks out both of them by herself. Northern Lights Suplex by Kaori to Konami, and she tags in Rebel. High kick by Konami to Rebel and she dropkicks her, giving her time to tag in Hiromi. Rebel catches a Hiromi crossbody and flings her to the mat, Rebel does the splits over Hiromi before hitting a scoop slam. Rebel gets on the second turnbuckle but Hiromi avoids the moonsault, but Rebel lands on her feet and puts Hiromi in a Torture Rack. Cover by Rebel, but it gets a two count.

Rebel tags in Kaori, Hiromi DDTs Kaori and hits a low crossbody for a two count cover. Hiromi tags in Bito, jumping elbow by Bito in the corner and she chops Kaori in the chest. Kaori bridges out of the pin and knees Bito in the chest, missile dropkick by Kaori and she covers Bito for two. She tags in Natsuko, Natsuko tries to shoulderblock Bito over and finally she succeeds. Natsuko goes for the leg sweep, Bito blocks it until Rebel kicks Bito in the chest, allowing Natsuko to finish the move. Kaori comes in and hits a diving senton onto Bito, Natsuko does a diving senton as well but Hiromi breaks up the cover. Natsuko goes up top again but Hiromi grabs her from the apron, Konami kicks Natsuko in the head before Bito joins Natsuko and his a superplex. Bito picks up Natsuko but Natsuko quickly applies a few flash pins, each one getting a two count. Bito hits a jumping neck drop on both of them, Konami comes in and they both kick Natsuko before Hiromi hits Natsuko with a crossbody. Bito picks up Natsuko and delivers a brainbuster, but Natsuko barely gets a shoulder up. Bito picks up Natsuko but Natsuko sneaks in a sunset flip, getting a two. Natsuko goes off the rope but Bito kicks her in the head, B Driller by Bito and she gets the three count! Yoko Bito, Konami, and Hiromi Mimura win.

It is good to see Bito back, but nothing else from this match really stood out. The work itself was fine, but with a short-ish match with six wrestlers there is only so much that they can do since there isn’t a ton of time to get a story going. Kaori was great here as she seems to be stepping it up a bit now that she isn’t the full-time Stardom Babysitter, and Natsuko looks solid for a rookie. Not a bad match and a fine casual watch, just nothing really memorable or special about it.

(c) Hiroyo Matsumoto and Jungle Kyona vs. Kagetsu and Hana Kimura
Goddesses of Stardom Championship

Kagetsu and Jungle begin the match, but Kagetsu won’t engage and tags in Hana. Hana dances and poses for the crowd, she challenges Jungle but Jungle pulls her by the hair instead. They trade elbows until Kagetsu attacks Jungle from behind, Jungle hits a jumping crossbody on both of them and Hiroyo comes in to help double team Hana. Double shoulderblock to Hana but Kagetsu grabs both Jungle and Hiroyo from the apron which gives Hana a chance to dropkick them out of the ring. Kagetsu goes to the ropes and sails out onto both of her opponents with a springboard plancha, Kagetsu ties up Hiroyo’s hands while Hana does the same to Jungle. They then attack both of them on the apron before Hana pulls Jungle back into the ring, Hana tosses and drags Jungle around the ring but Jungle fights back with clubbing blows. Hana takes off her belt and chokes Jungle with it until the referee takes it away, Hana tags in Kagetsu and Kagetsu spits water in Jungle’s face. Kagetsu chokes Jungle and kicks her in the back, she tags Hana back in but Jungle catches her with a lariat and tags in Hiroyo. Kagetsu is tagged in too, she kicks Hiroyo in the corner, slap by Kagetsu but Hiroyo rocks her with an elbow.

High kick by Kagetsu but Hiroyo catches her with a backdrop suplex, eye rake by Kagetsu and she stealth tags in Hana. Hiroyo doesn’t see it, Hana schoolboys Hiroyo from behind but it gets a two count. Hana tags Kagetsu back in who comes in with a diving leg drop, but Jungle breaks up the cover. Hiroyo hits a double backdrop suplex on both of them, Kagetsu goes off the ropes but Hiroyo slides out to the apron. Kagetsu puts Hiroyo in a sleeper but Jungle attacks her from behind, Hiroyo goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick onto Kagetsu. Kyona puts Kagetsu in a sleeper and swings her around, Hana breaks it up but Hiroyo tosses her out of the ring. Kagetsu hits a Samoan Drop on Jungle, she goes up top but Hiroyo grabs her from the apron. Jungle joins Kagetsu but Kagetsu knocks her down into a Tree of Woe, Hiroyo comes in and then joins Kagetsu while Jungle is still hanging there, suplexes Kagetsu to the mat. Jungle pulls herself back up top and delivers the diving body press, but Hana breaks it up. Jungle goes for a powerbomb but Kagetsu slides away from her, rolling up Jungle for two. Hiroyo comes in but she lariats Jungle by accident, Kagetsu and Hana hit an assisted facebuster onto Jungle before Kagetsu hits a chokeslam for a two count. Jungle goes for a quick pin but Hana boots her in the head, Hiroyo comes in but Kagetsu hits a swandive missile dropkick on her. Hana hits a running boot onto Hiroyo, she and Kagetsu then hit running big boots onto Kyona. Ebisu Drop by Kagetsu to Jungle, she goes up and she nails the Oedo Coaster (450 Splash) for the three count! Oedo Tai are the new champions!

This match was pure chaos but in a good way, it certainly was never boring. For a match that went 100 MPH for most of it and constantly had both teams in the ring, it went pretty smooth with only a couple smaller spots not looking exactly as designed. Kagetsu was only gone for a few weeks but has made some changes, not only with her look but she has a new finisher as well. Jungle and Hiroyo looked good as always, they still hold the Trios title so don’t feel too bad for them losing here. Fast paced and with creative spots throughout, an entertaining match and I am interested to see where Oedo Tai goes from here.  Recommended

(c) Io Shirai vs. Mayu Iwatani
World of Stardom Championship

Io works a headlock to begin the match, she shoulderblocks Mayu and both go off the ropes which ends with Io dropkicking Mayu to the mat. Io pushes Mayu into the ropes but Mayu tosses her down, snapmare by Mayu and she kicks Io in the back for a quick cover. Mayu puts Io in the ropes and dropkicks her in the back, which sends Io out of the ring. Mayu goes out after her and throws Io into some chairs, she goes for a dragon suplex on the floor but Io blocks it and hits a German suplex. Io slides Mayu into the ring and hits a slingshot footstomp to her back, scoop slam by Io and she hits a kneedrop onto Mayu’s back. Io drags Mayu up but Mayu hits an enzuigiri, she goes off the ropes but Io slides under the ropes and trips her. Slingshot dropkick by Io, she goes to the second turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick, sending Mayu out of the ring. Io goes off the ropes and sails out of the ring with a plancha suicida, she picks up Mayu and pulls her up the aisle to the balcony. Mayu kicks Io away from her and hits a swinging headscissors on the narrow aisle, she then goes up to the top of the balcony and dives down onto Io with a crossbody. Mayu gets some water and gets into the ring while she waits for Io to return, Io makes the count and Mayu immediately starts stomping on her. Mayu dropkicks Io while she is against the ropes, she goes up top and delivers a missile dropkick before hitting a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Mayu goes for a crucifix but Io elbows her off, Mayu goes up top and she hits an avalanche DDT of sorts, with Io landing on the top of her head. Mayu goes for a suplex but Io lands on her feet, double underhook facebuster by Io and she covers Mayu for two. Armtrap crossface by Io but Mayu gets out of it and kicks Io in the face.

Mayu gets on the second turnbuckle but Io hits her from behind and hits a German suplex hold for a two count. Io gets on the top turnbuckle but Mayu joins her before she can jump off, she goes for an avalanche dragon suplex but Io blocks it. Mayu jumps down to the apron while ramming Io’s head into the ring post, she knocks Io down into the Tree of Woe and hits a diving footstomp to her chest. Io flops out of the ring to the floor, she slowly returns and Mayu drags her up, but Io grabs the ropes to block the dragon suplex attempt. Mayu charges Io but Io holds down the ropes, landing Mayu on the apron, but Io is too hurt to do anything as she continues holding her neck. Io eventually charges Mayu but Mayu drags her out onto the apron, Io blocks the dragon suplex at first but Mayu eventually is able to hit it and Io flops to the floor again. Io eventually gets back into the ring, Mayu goes up top but Io avoids the diving body press. Running knee to the back of the head by Io, back up they trade elbows, palm strike by Io and she hits a German suplex hold. Mayu quickly kicks out and hits a German suplex of her own, Mayu also recovers quickly and strikes Io to the mat. Superkick by Mayu and she goes for a hurricanrana, but Io blocks it and puts Mayu in a crab hold. Mayu gets to the ropes, Io positions Mayu and goes up top, hitting a Kairi Hojo-style elbow drop to Mayu’s back. Texas Cloverleaf by Io, but Mayu won’t tap so Io eventually lets go. Trapped German by Io, but Mayu gets a shoulder up. Io goes towards the turnbuckles but Mayu grabs her leg, Io hits a dragon suplex hold but it only gets two. Io goes up top and nails the moonsault, but Mayu barely kicks out. Io picks up Mayu and goes for a tombstone, but Mayu reverses it and hits a tombstone of her own. She quickly picks up Io and hits rolling dragon suplexes, but Io kicks out at 2.9. Mayu gets Io up again and nails her super version of a dragon suplex hold, and she picks up the three count! Mayu Iwatani is the new champion!

Some (incorrectly in my opinion) criticize Io Shirai for having the same type of match over and over, well this certainly went outside of her norm. It came out the next day that Io was working with an injured neck, I don’t know if she made it worse during this match but it certainly was a big part of the story as Mayu targeted it and Io was constantly holding it. A few times that Io normally would have start her comeback, she couldn’t make it due to her neck, allowing Mayu to stay on the advantage. The move they have protected for Mayu all this time, her version of the dragon suplex, delivered the final blow and it played in perfectly after the damage she had done to Io’s head and neck throughout the match. Mayu refusing to tap and just in general showing a new level of offense (both the balcony dive and headscissors on the aisle, among other things) show that she is ready to lead Stardom. A slow pace at times but a more emotional match then we expect to see in Stardom, both did a fantastic job and I am looking forward to the new Mayu Iwatani led version of Stardom.  Highly Recommended

The post Stardom “Galaxy Stars 2017” on 6/21/17 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Championships Held: ABC Women’s Championship, GSW Ladies Championship, SCW Ladies Championship, and the WWP World Ladies Championship
Tournaments Won: None
Awards Won: None

Notable Matches in Japan:

• June 4th, 2016 vs. Io Shirai
• July 24th, 2016 vs. Mayu Iwatani
• August 5th, 2016 vs. Toni Storm

Signature Moves:

• Perfect Injection
• Perfect Press

In Action:

Coming Soon 

Back to Gaijin Invaders

The post Shanna appeared first on Joshi City.

Its been a week since I looked at an event from 2017, so I figured I’d see what Stardom is up to in their post-Kairi era. This is a ‘house show’ but there are still some matches with potential, as we get a title match as well as a singles match between friends Io Shirai and HZK. Here is the full card:

• Exhibition Match: Hanan vs. Hina and Rina
• AZM and Ruaka vs. Hetzza and Starlight Kid
• Hiromi Mimura and Konami vs. Rebel and Shanna
• Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kaori Yoneyama vs. Jungle Kyona and Natsuko Tora
• Wonder Of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Hana Kimura
• Io Shirai vs. HZK

I don’t have profiles for Hina and Rina since their match is just an exhibition, but everyone else on the card has a profile which you can go straight to by clicking on their name. As this aired on Stardom World, it is unclipped.

Hanan vs. Hina and Rina

Rina starts the match with Hanan, wristlock by Rina but Hanan quickly reverses it. Hanan takes Rina to the mat, they return to their feet and trade wristlocks until Rina tags in Hina. Hina comes in the ring with an ax handle to Hanan’s arm, they both club each other in the chest but both kip back up. Inside cradle by Hina, and she tags in Rina. Hina and Rina both kick Hanan into the corner before hitting dropkicks, Rina goes for an STO but Hanan blocks it and tries to put Rina in a crab hold, but Rina keeps rolling out of it. Hanan slams Rina into the corner but Rina reverses the scoop slam into an inside cradle. Dropkick by Rina, Hanan does go down but Hina comes in and together they hit a double STO for a two count. Hina stays in the ring and they go for another one, but Hanan blocks it and flings both to the mat. Hanan puts Rina in a crab hold but Rina crawls to the ropes to force the break. Rina tags in Hina, judo toss by Hanan but Hina hits one of her own and puts Hanan in a Gedo Clutch for two. Back up, Hina goes for a scoop slam but Hanan blocks it and hits one of her own. She slams Rina as well before putting Hina in a crab hold, but the bell rings before Hanan can get the submission. The match is a Draw.

Better than it had any right to be, but I am sure it helped that since all are sisters not only have they probably “rough housed” before but had time to discuss the match layout. Hina and Rina clearly also train in sports, looks like judo just like their sister, as they are fairly agile for kids their age. Just a fun little exhibition match, but I do think if Hanan sticks around that she has a lot of promise.

AZM and Ruaka vs. Hetzza and Starlight Kid

Ruaka and Hetzza kick things off, they trade wristlocks until Hetzza armdrags Ruaka to the mat. They both tag out, AZM and Starlight Kid trade elbows back and forth until AZM trips Starlight Kid and dropkicks her. Starlight Kid flips back to her feet and goes to tag out, but AZM cuts her off and throws Starlight Kid into her own corner. AZM tags Ruaka, Ruaka boots Starlight Kid in the chest before AZM stomps down onto her back. Crab hold by Ruaka, but Starlight Kid crawls to the ropes and forces the break. Ruaka charge Starlight Kid but Starlight Kid drops her onto the second rope, she goes for a Tiger Feint Kick but Ruaka ducks it and hits a reverse STO. Ruaka goes for a big boot but Starlight Kid ducks it and rolls her up, standing moonsault by Starlight Kid but the cover gets two. Starlight Kid gets to her corner and tags Hetzza, jumping lariats by Starlight Kid and she covers Ruaka for two. Cradle by Hetzza, AZM breaks it up and Ruaka hits Hetzza with the reverse STO. She tags in AZM while Starlight Kid is also tagged in, dropkick by AZM and she hits rolling vertical suplexes for a two count. AZM jumps on Starlight Kid’s back but Hetzza runs in and drops AZM with a lariat, Tiger Feint Kick by Starlight Kid to AZM and she gets on the second turnbuckle, hitting a diving body press for a two count. Starlight Kid goes to the second turnbuckle again but Ruaka boots her off, kick by AZM to Starlight Kid and they trade flash pins. Starlight Kid goes for the standing moonsault but AZM avoids it, Japanese Rolling Clutch by AZM and she picks up the three count! AZM and Ruaka are the winners.

Inoffensive, although too short to be meaningful. This mostly just re-establishes that AZM is above Starlight Kid in the pecking order, which we kinda assumed anyway. Plus it gives young wrestlers experience which is never a bad thing. Skippable, but not unwatchable.

Hiromi Mimura and Konami vs. Rebel and Shanna

Rebel and Shanna won’t shake hands before the match, so Hiromi and Konami stomp on their feet. Elbows by Rebel and Shanna but both eat dropkicks, more strikes by Konami and Hiromi and they toss Rebel and Shanna out of the ring. Konami slides Shanna back in for Hiromi, dropkick by Hiromi but Shanna boots her in the face. She tags in Rebel, Rebel swings Hiromi around by her hair before Shanna comes in to help double team her. Rebel and Shanna pose on Hiromi near the ropes, Hiromi fights back with elbows however and hits a quick DDT. This gives her time to tag in Konami, Konami comes in the ring with a missile dropkick and dropkicks both Rebel and Shanna into the corner. More kicks by Konami to Rebel and she delivers a dropkick for a two count. Sleeper by Konami but Rebel manages to fling her off, Konami goes off the ropes and hits a sliding kick for a two count. Rebel catches Konami with a front suplex, Rebel picks up Konami and hits a shoulder breaker for a two count. Rebel tags in Shanna, Shanna goes up top and hits an ax handle onto Konami’s back. Running elbows by Shanna in the corner and she hits a crossbody, Shanna goes up top but Konami recovers and joins her. Shanna headbutts Konami into the Tree of Woe and hits a footstomp onto her chest, cover by Shanna but it gets a two. Shanna goes for the dragon suplex but Konami blocks it and kicks Shanna in the head.

Konami makes the hot tag to Hiromi, dropkick by Hiromi and she puts Shanna in a headlock. Shanna gets out of it but Hiromi hits a jumping crossbody for another two count cover. Hiromi charges Shanna but Shanna catches her and slams Hiromi to the mat. Superkick by Shanna, she picks up Hiromi as Rebel goes for a dive on them, but Hiromi moves and Rebel hits Shanna by accident. Konami comes in and they both attack the Gaijin in different corners, Hiromi covers Shanna but it gets two. Hiromi and Konami both hit running strikes on Shanna, Hiromi goes up top and she hits a diving crossbody, but Rebel breaks it up. Konami kicks Rebel out of the ring, Shanna goes for a dragon suplex onto Hiromi but Hiromi reverses it into a roll-up for two. The La Magistral gets the same result for Hiromi, enzuigiri by Shanna to Hiromi but Konami breaks up the cover. Rebel comes in and hits a flapjack on both Hiromi and Konami, Shanna picks up Hiromi and delivers a lifted double underhook DDT for the three count cover! Shanna and Rebel are your winners.

Well this wasn’t good. I didn’t think that Shanna clicked the last time she was in Stardom and I continue to think that, she had a good match against Io but against younger or less experienced wrestlers the chemistry just isn’t there. Rebel is Rebel, and a lot of offense on both sides just looked rough. Konami is great and continues to be great, but she couldn’t save this one.

Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kaori Yoneyama vs. Jungle Kyona and Natsuko Tora

Jungle and Natsuko both attack Hiroyo as the match starts, since there are no rules in the jungle, Kaori comes in to help but Jungle tosses her out of the ring. Natsuko and Jungle both shoulderblock Hiroyo to the mat, Kaori returns but Jungle suplexes her next to Hiroyo. Natsuko hits a running senton on both of them, Jungle goes for a body press but Hiroyo moves so she only hits Kaori. Jungle is knocked out of the ring, leaving just Hiroyo and Natsuko as the legal wrestlers. Hiroyo shoulderblocks Natsuko and catapults her into the mat, Kaori runs in and hits a senton before Hiroyo connects with a dropkick. Hiroyo tags in Kaori as they take turns beating down the rookie, but Natsuko plants Kaori with a spear and makes the tag to Jungle. Jungle shoulderblocks Kaori but Jungle snaps her neck over the top rope, she gets in the ring but Jungle hits a jumping crossbody onto both of them. Jungle picks up Kaori and slams her upside down in the corner, Natsuko comes in and both connect with running strikes. Jungle covers Kaori, but it gets a two count. Jungle picks up Kaori but Kaori quickly hits a DDT and knees Jungle in the back of the head. She tags Hiroyo, Hiroyo goes up top and delivers a missile dropkick for two. Hiroyo gets Jungle on her shoulders, Natsuko runs in but Hiroyo throws Jungle at her.

Hiroyo slams Jungle in front of the corner and gets on the second turnbuckle, but Jungle recovers and suplexes Hiroyo back down to the mat. Jungle goes for a deadlift but Hiroyo gets out of it, both wrestlers go for lariats but Hiroyo wins the battle. Hiroyo gets Jungle on her shoulders and hits a gutbuster, cover by Hiroyo but it gets two. She tags in Kaori, running senton by Kaori but Jungle blocks the suplex attempt and hits a short-range lariat. This gives her time to tag in Natsuko, shoulderblocks on Natsuko and she covers Kaori for two. Kaori elbows Natsuko away from her and hits a knee, she goes off the ropes but Natsuko knocks her over with a shoulderblock. Kaori comes back with a running knee, Northern Lights Suplex by Kaori but Natsuko gets a shoulder up. She goes for another one but Natsuko blocks it, Natsuko goes for a few flash pins but has no luck. Side Russian Leg Sweep by Natsuko and she puts Kaori in a submission, roll-up by Natsuko but it gets two. Natsuko hits a diving senton but Hiroyo breaks up the cover, clubs by Jungle but Hiroyo hits a backdrop suplex on both of her opponents. She puts Jungle on her shoulders, Kaori then jumps on too before Hiroyo hits a double kneedrop onto Natsuko. Kaori goes up top and nails the diving senton, cover by Kaori and she gets the three count! Hiroyo Matsumoto and Kaori Yoneyama win!

I wanted to love this match, and while it was still good, some early miscues put a damper on things a bit. Both teams looked a bit off early on, with some badly missed moves, but the last half of the match was top notch. Even with a rookie in the match, the ending stretch was well done and all four clicked really well. If you can get past the bumpy and lackadaisical start, the match did get good and stayed that way until the end.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Mayu Iwatani vs. Hana Kimura
Wonder of Stardom Championship

Hana poses to start the match, she challenges Mayu to do the same but then dumps Mayu out of the ring when she finally does so. Hana tosses Mayu around the ring before choking her with a chair, she gets a parking cone and hits Mayu repeatedly with it. Hana rolls Mayu back into the ring and stomps down on her leg, she puts Mayu’s leg on the second rope and dropkicks her in the knee. Hana keeps on Mayu’s leg and stomps on her head a bit, she goes off the ropes but Mayu catches her with a back elbow. Hana comes back with a knee, she goes for a vertical suplex but Mayu blocks it and puts Hana in a guillotine. Back kick by Mayu, she goes off the ropes and dropkicks Hana in the chest for a two count cover. Mayu goes for a superkick but Hana catches her leg and puts Mayu in an ankle hold. Mayu eventually gets into the ropes for the break, Hana stomps on Mayu and hits a pair of running boots. Cover by Hana, but Mayu gets a shoulder up. Hana puts Mayu on the top turnbuckle and joins her, superplex by Hana and she covers Mayu for another two count. Hana goes up top and hits the missile dropkick, but Mayu barely kicks out in time. Sleeper by Hana but Mayu gets into the ropes, she goes up top again but Mayu kicks her before she can jump off and suplexes Hana to the mat. Mayu gets on the second turnbuckle and hits a diving footstomp, Mayu goes for the dragon suplex but Hana blocks it and slaps Mayu in the face. Dropkick by Mayu, she goes for a superkick but Hana schoolboys her for two. Mayu goes up top and nails the Frog Splash, she drags up Hana and goes for the dragon suplex, but suddenly Kagetsu appears and hits a swandive dropkick from the apron! She dropkicks the referee too, and at some point in his Hana Kimura is DQed. Your winner is Mayu Iwatani!

Kagetsu and Hana beat up Mayu for a few minutes, Kagetsu then gets on the microphone and says that Oedo Tai isn’t ending, but only getting stronger.

This ended up being more of a storyline match, and while Kagetsu wasn’t gone for long I sure am glad to see her back (and still in a major feud). Kagetsu is awesome and needs more love. Anyway, the match itself was good, although I didn’t like that Hana basically did all her finishers and couldn’t beat Mayu. Hana needs to find her a super finisher as her normal moves apparently aren’t going to win her any titles in Stardom. It was a bit slow in parts but Mayu plays such a good rag doll that it still stayed interesting. I generally don’t like non-endings in title matches but within the storyline it worked here, and since it wasn’t the main event it won’t leave those in attendance with a bad taste in their mouth on the way home. Good match, but nothing really more than that, I think they have a better match in them down the road.  Mildly Recommended

Io Shirai vs. HZK

They shake hands before going into a tie-up, they trade holds but they end up in a stalemate. Irish whip by Io but HZK kicks her in the stomach, double front flip by Io and she delivers a dropkick. Io charges HZK in the corner but HZK moves, HZK goes for some kicks but Io catches one and elbows HZK in the face. HZK boots her back but Io connects with a dropkick, missile dropkick by Io and HZK rolls out of the ring. Io gets a running start in the ring and dives out onto HZK with a plancha suicida, she rolls HZK back in and stomps her repeatedly. Io picks up HZK and hits a scoop slam, handstand kneedrop by Io and she covers HZK for two. More stomps by Io, she goes off the ropes but HZK catches her with a double chop to the chest. Scoop slam by HZK in front of the corner, she goes up to the second turnbuckle but Io joins her, Io goes to do a Frankensteiner but HZK slides between her legs and knocks Io out of the ring. HZK goes up top and dives down onto Io with a plancha suicida, she slides Io back into the ring and bootscrapes her against the ropes. Running boot by HZK and she puts Io in the armtrap crossface, but Io makes it to the ropes to force a break. HZK pulls Io out onto the apron and goes for a slam, but Io blocks it and the two trade elbows. Big boot by HZK out on the apron, she picks up Io and hits a Michinoku Driver onto the apron as well.  HZK quickly rolls Io back into the ring, she goes up top and nails a diving senton, but Io kicks out of  the cover. HZK goes off the ropes but Io rolls her up and hits a footstomp, dropkick by Io and she covers HZK for two. Running double knee by Io in the corner, she goes for a suplex but HZK rolls her to the mat and hits her own footstomp. Scissors kick by HZK and she applies a rolling cradle, but it only gets a two count. HZK goes up top and goes for the Bombs Away, but Io rolls out of the way and delivers a German suplex hold for two. Io goes to jump to the top turnbuckle but HZK pulls her back down, HZK goes up top instead and she hits a diving elbow drop, but Io gets a foot on the ropes. HZK picks up Io but Io reverses the Michinoku Driver into a tombstone piledriver. Io quickly goes up top and she nails the moonsault, cover by Io and she gets the three count! Io Shirai is the winner.

Another solid match, probably the best singles match in young HZK’s career. Wrestling Io Shirai will do that. They played up that Io trained HZK well as HZK did several of Io’s spots, and even though she never hit the Bombs Away (though she had the chance) it felt like she was hanging in there pretty well. It wasn’t long enough to be a classic, but at least they tried to step up the spots to make up for the lack of time. Not high end but still entertaining, hopefully HZK can continue to improve and help lead Stardom into the future.  Recommended

The post Stardom “Shining Stars 2017” on 6/11/17 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

Keep in mind of course this ranking is purely subjective because it is based 95% on the quality of their matches, not accomplishments won or how many tours they were on. Please note this is based solely on the wrestler’s matches in Stardom and is not a ranking of the wrestler considering their career as a whole. The following wrestlers are excluded from the list: Cat Power (only had one match), Kris Wolf (contracted Stardom wrestler), and Alex Lee (Freelancer used by many Joshi promotions). Without any further ado, here is my Official List of Best Gaijins in Stardom, 2016 Edition:

1. Kay Lee Ray Stardom Matches in 2016: 15 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Matches in Stardom: vs. Iwatani on 1/17 and vs. Shirai on 9/22	2. Toni Storm Stardom Matches in 2016: 17 Titles Won in Stardom: SWA Undisputed World Women’s Championship Best Match in Stardom: vs. Shirai on 7/24	3. Evie Stardom Matches in 2016: 9 Titles Won in Stardom: Artist of Stardom Best Match in Stardom: vs. Iwatani on 2/21
4. Kellie Skater Stardom Matches in 2016: 9 Titles Won in Stardom: Artist of Stardom Best Match in Stardom: Hyper Destroyers vs. Three Daughters on 2/28	5. Alpha Female Stardom Matches in 2016: 12 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Shirai on 3/26	6. Leah Vaughan Stardom Matches in 2016: 12 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: with Wolf vs. Oedo Tai on 8/5
7. Viper Stardom Matches in 2016: 17 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Shirai on 2/21	8. Santana Garrett Stardom Matches in 2016: 8 Titles Won in Stardom: Wonder of Stardom Best Match in Stardom: vs. Hojo on 5/15	9. Chelsea Stardom Matches in 2016: 12 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Hojo on 8/5
10. Tessa Blanchard Stardom Matches in 2016: 9 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Shirai on 9/4	11. Diosa Atenea Stardom Matches in 2016: 14 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: Oedo Tai vs. Three Daughters on 6/11	12. Kaitlin Diemond Stardom Matches in 2016: 13 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: Oedo Tai vs. Thunder Rock on 2/21
13. Shanna Stardom Matches in 2016: 12 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Storm on 8/5	14. Blue Nikita Stardom Matches in 2016: 9 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. KLR on 8/28	15. Courtney Stewart Stardom Matches in 2016: 5 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Hojo on 8/28
16. Chelsea Green Stardom Matches in 2016: 5 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: Elimination Tag on 2/7	17. Queen Maya Stardom Matches in 2016: 6 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: vs. Iwatani on 4/29	18. Lizzy Styles Stardom Matches in 2016: 3 Titles Won in Stardom: None Best Match in Stardom: n/a

And there we have it! I’ll have a more complete list with more details after the year has ended. By then, Stardom will have used over 20 different gaijin wrestlers, which is a lot of foreign talent for any promotion in the world, let alone a Joshi promotion. Some have worked out well, some have not, but either way it certainly adds something different to their cards. Hopefully in 2017 they will focus on the gaijins that performed well in the promotion as quality is better than quantity, but with new native wrestlers debuting soon they may not need to use as many gaijin talent in the future. I’ll check back in January to update a final list, since Chelsea Green has another tour coming up she in particular has an opportunity to move up the rankings if she has some bigger matches.

The post Stardom Gaijins in 2016 – A Complete Ranking appeared first on Joshi City.

It has been a few weeks since I last reviewed a Stardom show, so lets see what they are up to. Io Shirai is out due to an injury, which gives their cards a different dynamic as with Io around you always knew there would be at least one great match. Now we have no such guarantee. There are three title matches on this show however so there are several opportunities to impress, here is the full card:

• Arisu Nanase vs. Eimi Nishina
• Hiroyo Matsumoto and Hiromi Mimura vs. Kaori Yoneyama and Natsumi Maki
• Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura vs. Kris Wolf and Leah Vaughan
• Jungle Kyouna and Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe and Yoko Bito
• SWA Undisputed Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. Shanna
• Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kairi Hojo vs. Chelsea

Please note that I am reviewing the Samurai TV version and not the Stardom World version of the event, so it will be clipped but pro-shot. You can click on the names above to go to their profile if I have one on the site.

Arisu Nanase vs. Eimi Nishina

The match is joined in progress as Eimi hits a backbreaker followed by the Somato for a two count. Eimi goes for a slam but Arisu gets out of it, backslide by Eimi and she gets the three count! Eimi Nishina wins!

Ok that was clipped even more than I was expecting, nothing much to really see here. Nice backslide I guess?

Hiroyo Matsumoto and Hiromi Mimura vs. Kaori Yoneyama and Natsumi Maki

Natsumi and Matsumoto start the match together, Natsumi dances around the ring which Matsumoto doesn’t like so she puts her in a backbreaker. Yoneyama comes in to break it up and they pose on her, Hiromi feels left out and comes in the ring to pose too which Matsumoto does not appreciate. Natsumi elbows Matsumoto but Matsumoto chops her back, Natsumi goes for a crossbody but Matsumoto doesn’t budge. Matsumoto tags in Hiromi, Hiromi goes for La Magistral but Natsumi blocks it and hits a bridging leg hook neckbreaker but Matsumoto breaks it up. Yoneyama comes in but Matsumoto lariats both Natsumi and Yoneyama, Hiromi puts Natsumi in La Magistral and she picks up the three count! Matsumoto and Hiromi are the winners!

This was too clipped but the spots they showed were fine, a few cute spots with Hiromi posing instead of helping Matsumoto and I like Natsumi’s bridging moves. But not enough shown to get excited about.

(c) Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura vs. Kris Wolf and Leah Vaughan

Kagetsu and Wolf begin the match, Kagetsu gets the early advantage but Wolf tricks her with a fake handshake and stomps on Kagetsu’s foot. Springboard crossbody off the ropes by Wolf, but she only gets a quick two. Kagetsu throws Wolf to the mat and takes her outside of the ring while Kimura throws chairs at Leah. Kagetsu hits Wolf with chairs too, Kimura gets into the ring and sets a chair up before putting Wolf on it and hitting her with another chair. Kimura goes off the ropes but Wolf avoids the big boot and gets a metal stick. Leah comes in with magic feel good spray but Kimura blocks her attempt to use it with a sign. Wolf takes the sign from Kimura and hits her repeatedly with it, Leah comes in and hits a lariat on Kimura. Assisted body press by Wolf to Kimura, and she covers her for a two count. Wolf gets on the top turnbuckle and hits a diving double kneedrop, but Kagetsu breaks up the cover. Kagetsu is thrown into the corner but she hits a double missile dropkick, Kagetsu picks up Wolf and she hits the Samoan Drop. Kagetsu and Kimura both boot Wolf, Kagetsu gets up top while Kimura grabs Wolf and they hit an assisted Gory Bomb. Leah runs in but she lariats Wolf by accident, Kagetsu gets a parking sign but she accidentally hits Kimura with it. Wolf goes off the ropes but Kimura nails her with a big boot, and she picks up the three count! Kagetsu and Kimura are still the champions.

The clipping of the match made it a big disjointed, hard to really get into a match when it jumps around so much. But from what I could make of it, it was a fun match, Oedo Tai is a great faction and I like all four of them quite a bit. Leah is my favorite gaijin wrestler in Stardom of the last few months and Kagetsu is extremely under-rated, although she has slowly started getting some much deserved buzz. Too clipped to recommend but what they showed was good.

Jungle Kyouna and Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe and Yoko Bito

Momo and Iwatani kick things off, they trade armdrags and takedowns but neither can get a clear advantage so they tag out. Bito and Kyouna lock up, hard shoulderblock by Kyouna but Bito kicks her when she goes for another one and kicks the rookie repeatedly in the back. She tags Momo back in, dropkick by Momo but Kyouna fires back with a shoulderblock. She tags Iwatani, snapmare by Iwatani and she kicks Momo in the back. Mom gets away and tags in Bito, Bito kicks Iwatani and then hits a double vertical suplex on her and Kyouna. Iwatani and Bio trade kick attempts, high kick by Bito and she gets a two count cover. Iwatani goes for a dragon suplex by Bito blocks it, superkick by Iwatani but Bito makes it to her corner first and tags in Momo. Kicks by Momo and she dropkicks Iwatani into the corner, another dropkick by Momo and she follows up with a missile dropkick. Momo picks up Iwatani but Iwatani hits a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count pinfall. Iwatani goes for the dragon suplex but Momo blocks it and rolls up Iwatani for two. Iwatani returns the favor with her own roll-up, kick to the head by Iwatani and she tags Kyouna. Kyouna waits for Momo to get up and hits a lariat, Iwatani rolls in and she superkicks Momo. Diving body press by Kyouna, but Bito breaks up the cover. Iwatani takes care of Bito, Kyouna picks up Momo but Momo wiggles away and hits a snap vertical suplex. Kyouna and Momo trade elbows, kick to the chest by Momo and she hits the Somato, but Iwatani breaks up the pin. Momo picks up Kyouna as Bito returns, and they both kick Kyouna in the chest. Double PK to Kyouna, but she kicks out of the cover. Iwatani goes up top but Bito shakes the rope and then kicks her off the top turnbuckle to the floor. Missile dropkick by Bito to Kyouna, Momo goes up top and she nails a diving Somato for the three count! Momo Watanabe and Yoko Bito win the match.

Finally a match we get to see enough of to enjoy. I liked this match a lot, all four are quality wrestlers and they have great chemistry together. This was a bit of a ‘coming out’ party for Momo, as she showed off a new finisher to go with her new outfit and pinned Kyouna, who is a rookie but due to her age had been placed on the same level as Momo. Bito continues to shake off the rust and looked solid here, and everyone got a bit of a chance to shine. Really good midcard match.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Toni Storm vs. Shanna

Storm gets Shanna on the mat early in the match but Shanna quickly switches positions with her and they jockey for control on the mat. Back up they trade wristlocks, armdrag by Storm but Shanna rolls her up for a quick two. Storm kicks at Shanna but Shanna comes back with elbows and they trade blows until Shanna connects with a big kick to the face. Storm retorts with a release German, Shanna crawls to the corner but Storm hits a running hip attack followed by a fisherman suplex hold for a two count. Enzuigiri by Shanna and she applies a trap submission on the mat, but Storm gets into the ropes to force a break. Leg drop by Shanna and she hits an elbow drop for a two count cover. Storm goes for a Backstabber from the ropes but Shanna blocks it, Shanna goes up top but Storm grabs her and suplexes Shanna back into the ring.

Storm goes to the second turnbuckle but Shanna recovers and joins her, hitting an Avalanche Frankensteiner. Tilt-a-whirl slam of sorts by Shanna, but it gets a two count. Rolling dragon suplexes by Shanna, but Storm rolls out of the ring before Shanna can cover her. Shanna goes up top and dives out onto Storm with a plancha suicida, she slides Storm back in but Storm goes off the ropes and sails out of the ring with a tope suicida. Back in the ring, Storm hits the Backstabber off the ropes and tosses Shanna with a capture suplex. Another Backstabber by Storm, but Shanna grabs the ropes to break up the pin. Storm picks up Shanna but Shanna sneaks in a sunset flip, Storm goes for a double underhook but Shanna gets out of it and hits a Stunner. Double underhook slam by Shanna, but the pin gets a two count. Shanna goes up to the top turnbuckle but Storm avoids the diving crossbody attempt and plants Shanna with a piledriver. Storm positions Shanna and goes up to the top turnbuckle, diving leg drop by Storm and she gets the three count! Storm retains the championship.

Talk about a mixed bag. I could write an essay on ‘no selling as fighting spirit’ vs. ‘no selling due to being lazy at transitions’ but it would be boring to read (and everyone would call me a nerd). But this match was the latter, they did some really shady selling such as on the Avalanche Frankensteiner but it wasn’t for Fighting Spirit purposes, they were just doing what they had to do to get to their next spot in the match. Which is annoying on bigger moves that should get a bit more respect. Also the early strike exchange was really weak (until Shanna kicked Storm’s head off) as strikes don’t appear to be their strong suit. On the flip side, they did a good job of making the match feel important, like it was a title match, as both were pulling out every move they had to try to win. It was pretty exciting in slightly clipped form, it just had a few bad moments that took me out of it a bit. Overall more good than bad but with some noticeable flaws.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Kairi Hojo vs. Chelsea

The friends tie-up to start, they trade holds and end up on the mat where Chelsea gets a headscissors applied. Hojo gets out of it with a bridge and they return to their feet, they lock knuckles until Hojo gets away and dropkicks Chelsea. Chelsea boots Hojo in the face but Hojo ducks the high kick and armdrags Chelsea. Springboard ax handle by Chelsea, she chops Hojo and dropkicks her out of the ring. Chelsea goes up to the top turnbuckle and she literally falls out of the ring back-first and onto Hojo and other minions at ringside. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a ‘dive’ quite like that before. Chelsea then gets on the apron and hits a heel drop onto Hojo’s head before rolling her back into the ring, working over Hojo’s arm in the process. Back in the ring, Chelsea continues focusing on Hojo’s left arm before hitting a jumping knee in the corner, but Hojo spears her when she goes for another one. Hojo slams Chelsea into the corner and elbows her repeatedly in the back, Sliding D in the corner to Chelsea’s back by Hojo and she hits an avalanche diving elbow strike. Crab hold by Hojo but Chelsea gets into the ropes, Hojo jumps down on Chelsea’s back and charges Chelsea, but Chelsea moves and Hojo ends up on the apron.

Chelsea drapes Hojo over the second rope and hits a leg drop, Hojo fights back with elbows and she chops Chelsea to the mat. More chops by Hojo, she goes off the ropes but Chelsea catches her with a high kick. Another kick by Chelsea, and she covers Hojo for a two count. Chelsea quickly applies a reverse armbreaker, she reverts it into a regular armbreaker but Hojo gets a foot on the ropes. Chelsea goes up top but Hojo elbows her, Chelsea catches Hojo’s arm and she applies a hanging armbar over the top rope. Chelsea releases the hold and hits a diving crossbody, cover by Chelsea but it gets a two count. Chelsea picks up Hojo and goes for a kick, but Hojo ducks it and hits a Final Cut Elbow. Hojo goes off the ropes and elbows Chelsea in the back, cover by Hojo but it gets a two. Hojo smacks Chelsea in the ass and goes for the Ikari, but Chelsea quickly gets to the ropes. Hojo goes up top but Chelsea recovers and hits her before she jumps off. Chelsea joins her but Hojo headbutts her into the Tree of Woe, diving footstomp by Hojo and she covers Chelsea for two. Hojo picks up Chelsea but Chelsea wiggles away and applies a sunset flip for two. Chelsea applies the figure four necklock, but Hojo gets out of it and puts her in the Ikari. Hojo releases the hold, she goes up top and she nails the Diving Elbow Drop to Chelsea’s back for the three count pinfall! Kairi Hojo retains the championship!

I can say with full confidence that this is the best match of Chelsea’s career. That isn’t to say it was perfect, but it told several stories very well and it stayed fun throughout. Both wrestlers targeted a body part and stayed on that body part all match, including going for their finishers that targeted that area. I wouldn’t have minded if they sold the part a bit more between segments, but that both kept going back to it was a big plus. Chelsea never gets a ton of height on her kicks but she connected with them forcefully and the Trust Fall Dive as I am calling it has to be seen as that is a new one to me. They also had solid chemistry, with no noticeable miscommunications which happens in Chelsea’s matches sometimes. It started a little slow, but overall a really good match and the best one we saw tonight.  Recommended

The post Stardom “Shining Stars #9” on 8/5/16 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

After a bit of a break, we are back with Stardom. Not a whole lot has changed since last time we checked in, no title changes or anything like that as all that we missed were house shows. This is a pretty big event for Stardom as the gaijin have three title challenges on the card against the Three Daughters of Stardom. Yoko Bito has a singles match as well as she continues to work off any ring rust to hopefully go for a title herself by the fall. Here is the full card:

• Alex Lee, Azumi, and Momo Watanabe vs. Arisu Nanase, Hiromi Mimura, and Natsumi Maki
• Chelsea, Hiroyo Matsumoto, and Jungle Kyouna vs. Kagetsu, Kris Wolf, and Leah Vaughan
• Saori Anou vs. Yoko Bito
• Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kairi Hojo vs. Viper
• High Speed Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Shanna
• SWA Women’s Championship: Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm

Per usual, you can click on the names above if I have a profile for them on Joshi City.

Alex Lee, Azumi, and Momo vs. Arisu Nanase, Mimura, and Natsumi Maki

Momo and Natsumi start the match off, armdrag by Natsumi but Momo dropkicks her into the corner. Natsumi comes back with a jumping crossbody and both wrestlers tag out as Azumi and Arisu. They tussle for a moment before Lee and Hiromi come in, and young Hiromi is triple teamed. She fights back against Azumi, Natsumi then runs in and hits a cartwheel bomb on Azumi before Hiromi applies La Magistral. Lee breaks it up and hits a backbreaker, Natsumi goes for a crossbody on Lee but Lee catches her. General carnage ensues as it tends to in opening matches with way too many wrestlers but things settle back down with Azumi and Hiromi still as the legal wrestlers. Azumi goes off the ropes but Hiromi catches her with a small package, and she picks up the three count! Arisu, Hiromi, and Natsumi win!

If you have seen one Stardom opener you’ve seen them all, but I thought that they did a good job here of picking up the pace and making it more interesting than it sometimes can be. Hiromi, Natsumi, and Arisu are a great “young” team with a lot of fire, so its hard to be bored with any match with them, and it was slightly clipped (I think, I didn’t time it) so any slower moments may have been taken out. Not a ton of substance but some cute moves and some valuable experience for the rookies.

Chelsea, Matsumoto, and Jungle Kyouna vs. Kagetsu, Kris Wolf, and Vaughan

Oedo Tai attacks before the bell rings as one would expect, but Team Matsumoto quickly takes over as she picks up Wolf and chucks her out of the ring onto her teammates. We clip ahead to Kagetsu in the ring with Chelsea and she is triple teamed, elbows by Kagetsu in the corner but Chelsea kicks her back and delivers a heel kick. Heel Drop by Chelsea and she makes the hot tag to Matsumoto, Matsumoto gets Kagetsu up in a backbreaker but Leah and Wolf come in to break it up. Matsumoto stacks them in the corner and hits a running body avalanche, she goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick for a two count cover. Big elbow by Kagetsu but Matsumoto elbows her back and they trade shots until Matsumoto sends Kagetsu to the mat. Kagetsu comes back with a dropkick however and she makes the tag to Leah, Leah goes off the ropes but Matsumoto catches her with a back elbow.

She tags in Kyouna, she goes for a powerbomb but Leah slides away and hits a knee followed by lariat. Leah tags in Wolf, Wolf goes up top and hits a diving double kneedrop on Kyouna for a two count cover. Wolf picks up Kyouna but Kyouna hits a back bodydrop, lariat by Kyouna and she goes up to the top turnbuckle, but Kagetsu comes in with a Yield Sign and hits Kyouna with it. Big spear by Leah to Kyouna and Wolf follows with a Shining Wizard, but Chelsea breaks up the cover. Full Nelson Slam by Chelsea to Leah but Kagetsu dropkicks her out of the ring, Matsumoto comes in and she hits backdrop suplexes on both Kagetsu and Wolf. Kyouna and Matsumoto wait for Wolf to get up and hit double body blocks, Kyouna goes up top and nails the diving body press for the three count! Your winners are Chelsea, Matsumoto, and Kyouna!

I really really like this combination of Oedo Tai, not to dis any past versions but I think Kagetsu, Wolf, and Leah are all entertaining as hell to watch. This was a bit clipped too but nothing overly excessive, Chelsea is still silly sometimes with her offense but everyone else in the match was really on point. Fast paced and entertaining, about all you can ask for from an undercard match, worth a casual watch for sure.  Mildly Recommended

Saori Anou vs. Yoko Bito

They politely shake hands before the match, so our first match of the night that doesn’t start with an ambush, but the pleasantries quickly stop as the duo trade strikes. Dropkick by Bito and she kicks Saori in the chest, but Saori sneaks in a backslide for a two count. Leg sweep by Bito and she kicks Saori in the back, more kicks by Bito and she dropkicks Saori to the mat. Saori avoids the next dropkick attempt and puts Bito into the Figure Four, but Bito gets a hand on the ropes to break it up. Elbows by Saori while Bito is against the ropes but Bito fights back, she puts Saori in a headlock before applying a single leg crab hold, but Saori makes it to the ropes. Bito gets on the second turnbuckle but Saori hits her and brings her back down with rolling fisherman suplexes. Bito blocks the last suplex attempt and reverses it with a vertical suplex, Bito gets up on the top turnbuckle and she hits the missile dropkick for a two count. Bito picks up Saori and hits a high kick, B-Driller by Bito and she picks up the three count! Yoko Bito is the winner.

This is probably a good way to ease Bito back in, she needs these midcard matches to shake some ring rust but she certainly doesn’t need to be losing either to establish herself as a solid upper midcarder. Bito looked a little stiff at times but she always has, even back in 2011 she was never as natural as the Three Daughters are now, she is more reliant on crisp kicks than sheer athleticism. I wouldn’t say it was a great match but it was solid, Bito continues to get her legs back under her and Saori put up a good fight against her senior.

(c) Kairi Hojo vs. Viper

Unlike the last match, these two don’t start as nicely as they don’t particularly like each other, Hojo goes for a spear but Viper easily catches her and tosses her away. Hojo tries to elbow Viper with no luck, Viper throws Hojo into the corner but Hojo avoids her charges and gets Viper into the corner herself. Punches and chops by Hojo and she throws her to the opposite corner, Viper tosses Hojo out onto the apron but Hojo lands on her feet. Hojo goes for a sunset flip but Viper sits on her for her trouble, stomps by Viper and she starts working on Hojo’s elbow. Which is logical. Viper lariats Hojo and tosses her over the top rope, where Oedo Tai stomps on her while the referee watches on confused. Viper gets on the apron and dives out onto Hojo, crushing several other people in the process. Viper brings Hojo back into the ring, Hojo tries to fight back with elbows but Viper just shrugs them off. Viper slams Hojo to the mat before going up to the second turnbuckle and calling for the elbow drop, but Hojo rolls out of the way. Chops by Hojo and she palm thrusts Viper into the corner, Hojo goes off the ropes and hits a tilt-a-whirl schoolboy for a two count. Hojo applies something resembling a Stretch Muffler before changing it into the cross leg crab hold, but Viper muscles out of it.

Sliding D by Hojo, but Viper gets a shoulder up. Hojo goes up top but Viper recovers and hits a chokebomb, picking up a two count. Viper positions Hojo near the corner and hits the Reverse Splash, but Hojo gets a hand on the ropes. Viper sits down on Hojo’s arm and applies an armbreaker, but Hojo quickly wiggles to the ropes to force the break. Viper puts Hojo on the top turnbuckle and joins her, but Hojo punches her down into the Tree of Woe and hits the diving footstomp. Diving Elbow Drop by Hojo, but she is too hurt to make a quick cover and by the time she does so, Viper is able to kick out. Hojo goes up top again but this time Viper recovers and joins her, hitting a superplex. Viper goes up top herself  but Hojo chops her and elbows Viper off the top turnbuckle and down to the floor. Hojo then gets on the top turnbuckle and dives out onto the standing Viper with a diving elbow drop. The referee starts a ten count for the first time in Stardom history, Hojo barely makes it back into the ring but Viper does not and the referee calls for the bell. Kairi Hojo wins the match by Countout and retains her title.

I have some mixed feelings about that one. I thought the structure/story was solid, with Viper working over the arm and thinking outside the box a bit by also trying to win by submission. Kairi sold the arm well when it was being worked on but otherwise was still throwing elbows, which is a little annoying but not a big deal. My main issue with the match was the ending, Stardom wrestlers battle in the crowd and up to the balcony on a regular basis and no one ever gets counted out, so it seemed like an obvious cop-out that the referee would immediately start the count after a dive. I’d rather they brawled around for way too long and both got counted out, or have Hojo win normally with something other than an elbow move to expand her capabilities. So I liked a good bit of it and thought they both worked their style well, I just wish the ending was more satisfying and logical.  Mildly Recommended

(c) Mayu Iwatani vs. Shanna

The start with a bang, as while Iwatani is spinning around in her streamers, Shanna runs up and plants her with a dragon suplex! Iwatani rolls out of the ring as her friends try to unwrap her (the match hadn’t officially started yet), Shanna goes out after Iwatani and stomps her down on the floor. I guess the match started at some point as the referee is counting while Shanna beats Iwatani around the ring. They finally get into the ring and Shanna hits a leg drop followed by an elbow drop for a two count cover. Iwatani comes back with an enzuigiri and a superkick, Iwatani applies a stretch hold on the mat before putting Shanna in a sleeper. Iwatani knees Shanna and goes off the ropes, but Shanna catches her with an elbow. They both run off the ropes with Shanna hitting a roaring lariat, cover by Shanna but it gets two. Shanna goes for a double underhook facebuster but Iwatani gets out of it and knocks down Shanna with a pair of kicks. Dropkick by Iwatani and she hits the Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Iwatani goes to the second turnbuckle and hits a diving footstomp, she then goes all the way up and hits another one for a two count cover. Iwatani goes for the dragon suplex but Shanna shoves her off, quick roll-up by Shanna but it gets a two count as does the hurricanrana. Shanna goes for the dragon suplex but Iwatani blocks it, Shiranui by Shanna but it only gets two. Iwatani elbows out of the dragon suplex attempt but Shanna gets it re-applied and drops her with it anyway. Iwatani comes back with a Stunner, high kick by Iwatani and she nails the dragon suplex hold for the three count! Iwatani wins the match and retains the High Speed Championship.

I guess this show is going to just be chock full of decent but flawed matches. The main flaw here is simply that Shanna hasn’t shown much during her stay in Stardom… I haven’t seen her outside of Stardom so I don’t know if it is just a chemistry issue but her matches just aren’t very smooth and some moves don’t work right. I did love the hot start but both wrestlers being so focused on hitting a dragon suplex instead of just winning however they could got a bit old and the ending was very sudden. Not bad but a step down from the previous match and overall one of the worst Iwatani singles matches of 2016.

(c) Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm

Shirai won’t shake Storm’s hand before the match since she is in Cocky Io mode, they begin things working holds and get into a knuckle lock battle which neither really wins. Irish whip by Storm, she charges Shirai but Shirai flips her onto the apron before knocking her out of the ring. Shirai jumps out to the apron but Storm pulls her out of the ring and they trade elbows on the floor. Shirai throws Storm into the ring post (referee isn’t counting, imagine that?), Shirai gets onto the top turnbuckle but Storm hits her before she can dive off and knocks her back down to the floor. They finally get back into the ring as Storm twists Shirai’s leg in the ropes, she keeps working on Shirai’s leg and goes for a big boot, but Shirai avoids it and dropkicks Storm in the ropes. Storm pushes her off but Shirai hits the cartwheel into a dropkick, sending Storm out of the ring. Shirai jumps up to the top turnbuckle and sails out onto Storm with a moonsault, she slides Shanna back in and hits a swandive missile dropkick. Tiger Feint Kick by Shirai and she hits the swandive sunset flip for a two count cover. Armtrap Crossface by Shirai, but Storm wiggles to the ropes and forces the break. Shirai goes for the running double knees in the corner but Storm avoids it, Backstabber by Storm and she puts Shirai in the Kondo Clutch.

Shirai eventually makes it into the ropes, Shirai jumps up onto the turnbuckle but Storm grabs her and hits a bridging muscle buster for a two count. Storm gets on the second turnbuckle but Shirai elbows her and and hits a Frankensteiner. Running double knee by Shirai in the corner and she dropkicks Storm in the head for a two count. Storm and Shirai trade elbows as they return to their feet, they then trade boots and palm thrusts until Storm hits a release German suplex. Shirai is back up and hits a German suplex hold of her own, but it gets a two count. Shirai picks up Storm but Storm blocks the double underhook facebuster and knees her in the face. Storm then hits a double underhook facebuster of her own, picking up a two count. Storm gets on the top turnbuckle but Shirai avoids the diving leg drop and kicks Storm in the face repeatedly. Shirai goes up top but Storm avoids the moonsault, kick to the face by Storm and she hits the Air Raid Crash for a two count. Back up they struggle for position, Shirai gets Storm with the Package German but it only gets two. Shirai picks up Storm but Storm hits an uppercut, dropkick to the knee by Storm and she plants her with a piledriver. Storm goes up to the top turnbuckle and she nails the Diving Leg Drop, picking up the three count cover! Toni Storm is the new SWA Women’s Champion!

The best match on the card, although I wouldn’t put it on the level of other Shirai big matches this year. They had better chemistry than most the other pairings today, as they had a lot of smooth transitions throughout the match. This is my first time seeing Storm and I was pretty impressed, for someone so young she has a lot going for her. The one issue with Big Match Io is that it is almost not believable when she gets pinned, the diving leg drop was fine but it didn’t look uber-killer and I think it caught everyone off guard when it actually worked. Still, a fun match with the dives and fast exchanges you’d expect from Io, really good showing by both wrestlers.  Recommended

The post Stardom X Stardom on 7/24/16 Review appeared first on Joshi City.

I am doing something different this week. Since Stardom World launched in the spring, I have been watching and reviewing their version of the shows, which is shown in full and not professionally shot (multiple angles, replays, video recaps, etc.). A lot of times that wasn’t by choice as it was the only way to watch the events, but their Korakuen Hall shows are also shown on Samurai TV, which is how I decided to watch this event. The downside is that matches are clipped (particularly the early matches), but the upside is a crisper presentation. I figured I was overdue for a break from watching every minute of every opening-style match, this way I will get the highlights of them while still getting to enjoy the show. A big card from Stardom, with the return of Yoko Bito and a Goddesses of Stardom Championship defense! Here is the full card:

• Alex Lee, Azumi, and Kaori Yoneyama vs.  Arisu Nanase, Natsumi Maki, and Starlight Kid
• Diosa Atenea, Kris Wolf, and Leah Vaughan vs. Hiromi Mimura, Momo Watanabe, and Jungle Kyouna
• Chelsea vs. Shanna
• Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Saori Anou
• Kairi Hojo vs. Yoko Bito
• Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani vs. Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura

Let’s hop right to it.

Alex Lee, Azumi, and Kaori Yoneyama vs.  Nanase, Natsumi Maki, and Starlight Kid

Yoneyama and Starlight Kid kick things off, Yoneyama gets the advantage over the much smaller rookie but they trade quick trips before returning tot heir feet. Nanase and Natsumi jump Yoneyama from behind and all three attack her in the corner before connecting with a triple dropkick. Starlight Kid tags Natsumi but Yoneyama avoids her dropkick and she poses with her teammates on Natsumi in the corner. We clip ahead to Azumi and Nanase in the ring, suplex by Azumi but Lee kicks Azumi by accident when she tries to kick Nanase. Azumi is double teamed by Natsumi and Starlight Kid, but Yoneyama breaks up Nanase’s cover. Blockbuster by Nanase to Azumi, but Yoneyama breaks it up again and then hits a crossbody on both Natsumi and Starlight Kid. Yoneyama tags herself in but Nanase avoids her running senton and she is attacked by Starlight Kid and Natsumi. Nanase applies a submission to Yoneyama but Lee breaks it up, running senton by Yoneyama to Nanase and she gets the three count! Azumi Army wins!

A bit clipped and a run of the mill Stardom opener, but not a bad match. Yoneyama gave the youngsters some offense which is always nice to see, and of the little bit we saw there weren’t any issues. Decent way to start, even though I feel like I’ve seen this match 20 times already in 2016.

Diosa Atenea, Kris Wolf, and Leah Vaughan vs. Hiromi Mimura, Watanabe, and Kyouna

They start the match with a brawl, as it normal in Oedo Tai matches, but things settle down with Wolf and Momo in the ring. Atenea tries to help but Wolf dropkicks her by accident, and the rookies all attack Wolf while she is in the ropes. Everyone runs into the ring as Oedo Tai takes back over, suplex by Wolf to Momo and they stack all three rookies on top of each other. Wolf keeps the attack up on Momo as she hits a strike in the corner, then we clip ahead to Atenea in the ring with Kyouna. Atenea clubs Kyouna in the back of the head but Kyouna hits a powerslam for two. Leah and Mimura are tagged in and they trade elbows, Leah gets Mimura to the match and she hits the Lionsault for a two count. Mimura avoids Leah’s boot in the corner and rolls her up for two, she goes for a crossbody but Leah catches her. Momo dropkicks them over as she and Kyouna come into the ring, and Leah is double teamed. Kyouna then picks up Mimura and powerbombs her somewhat onto Leah, and Mimura covers Leah for two. Atenea and Wolf come in the ring, Momo tries to hit a missile dropkick on them but she accidentally hits Kyouna. Leah gets Mimura on her shoulders but Momo and Kyouna block Atenea and Wolf from doing whatever they had planned to do to her. Mimura sneaks in a quick pin on Leah for two, elbows by Mimura but Leah decks her with a spear for the three count! Oedo Tai win the match.

I like these types of opening-style matches, as it mixes a few different elements together. Leah continues to impress me, I hope that she comes back to Stardom one day as she really has her character down pat and works well in Oedo Tai. The rookies here are above what I’d consider your typical rookie tier, and wrestle as if they are on the same level as wrestlers much their senior which makes for a better match. A bit too clipped to get super excited about but a solid match and a good showcase for all six wrestlers.

Chelsea vs. Shanna

The match begins pretty politely with tie-ups and limb work (they have a lot of time to kill), some of the exchanges are a bit rough but they are trying. Shanna gets Chelsea to the mat but Chelsea hits a monkey flip and hits a running elbow in the corner. Shoulder tackles by Chelsea but Shanna returns fire and and downs Chelsea with a flipping neckbreaker for two. Shanna goes for a suplex but Chelsea mostly reverses it, kick by Chelsea but Shanna superkicks her back. Leg trip by Shanna and she punts Chelsea in the face for a two count. Shanna goes up top but Chelsea grabs her and hits a modified atomic drop followed by a bridging vertical suplex for two. They get back up and lariat each other, they both go for crossbodies and collide before flopping to the mat. Chelsea goes up top but Shanna recovers and joins her and pushes Chelsea to the mat. Diving footstomp to the back by Shanna but the bell rings, signifying time has expired. The match is a Draw.

Sadly, they did not surprise me. Half of this match was cut out of the Samurai TV broadcast and it still wasn’t a good match. Just lots of awkwardness… things ranging from armdrags to reversals just were not crisp at all and there were multiple times that the moves looked stiff and not smooth. Both were trying hard so I will give them that, but there wasn’t a lot to like here as they just didn’t have any chemistry to speak of. Not sure why they made people sit through 15 minutes of this, a cruel joke by someone for sure. Best to just skip this one.

Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Saori Anou

Anou tries to attack Matsumoto before the match starts but it quickly backfires as Matsumoto takes over and works the headlock. Anou gets out of it and hits a few elbows but Matsumoto sends her to the mat with a shoulderblock. Back up they trade strikes again until Matsumoto hits a DDT, running boot by Matsumoto and she covers Anou for two. Matsumoto goes for a lariat but Anou bridges down to avoid it and rolls up Matsumoto for two. Backslide with a bridge by Anou, but that gets a two count as well. Figure four by Anou but Matsumoto gets out of it and reverses it into her own figure four. Anou eventually gets to the ropes to force a break, Anou avoids Matsumoto’s charge in the corner but Matsumoto boots her to the mat anyway. Matsumoto gets on the second turnbuckle but Anou recovers and hits a fisherman suplex hold. Anou rolls Matsumoto up to go for another one but Matsumoto reverses it into a vertical suplex. Hard elbow by Matsumoto and she drops Anou with a backbreaker from her shoulders for a two. Matsumoto gets up on the second turnbuckle and nails the reverse diving double kneedrop, and she picks up the three count! Matsumoto is your winner.

I liked this match quite a bit, it was a lot of fun. Matsumoto gave Anou a lot of offense as it was far from a squash, but she still established herself as the veteran and constantly was cutting off Anou’s comebacks when the rookie looked like she may be turning the corner. Course then Matsumoto killed her with two moves to win the match in emphatic fashion. A predictable match but an entertaining one nonetheless.  Mildly Recommended

Kairi Hojo vs. Yoko Bito

After some armlocks as Bito works off some of the rust, things get serious as Bito shoves Hojo hard to the mat after a knuckle lockup. Kicks to the back and chest by Bito, Hojo goes off the ropes but Bito catches her with a high kick which sends Hojo out of the ring. She returns after a moment but Bito quickly puts her in a stretch hold before letting her go so she can kick Hojo hard in the back. Crab hold by Bito, but Hojo gets to the ropes to force a break. Back up they trade elbows until Hojo levels Bito with a spear for a two count. Chops by Hojo in the corner and she hits her jumping neckbreaker for another two. Leglock by Hojo, but Bito crawls to the ropes to get the break. Hojo goes off the ropes but Bito catches her with a lariat, she goes up top and she hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Suplex by Bito, she goes for a high kick but Hojo blocks it and delivers a backfist for two. She goes for the Sliding D but Bito catches her with a heel kick and the duo trade elbows as they return to their feet. Hojo wins the battle and hits the Sliding D, she goes up top but Bito gets her feet up when she goes for the diving elbow drop. Heel drop by Bito and she nails a high kick on Hojo for a nearfall. Bito gets Hojo on her back to go for a reverse piledriver, but Hojo gets out of it and goes for a Stretch Muffler. Bito kicks out of that and kicks Hojo some more, but Hojo catches her with a spear for a two count. Spinning chop by Hojo, she goes up to the top turnbuckle but Bito recovers and hits a high kick. Bito joins Hojo up top but Hojo knocks her into the Tree of Woe and nails a diving footstomp. Hojo then goes back up top, she delivers her diving elbow drop but Bito barely gets a shoulder up. Hojo goes right back up top and hits a second diving elbow drop, and this time she gets the three count! Kairi Hojo is the winner.

I loved this one a lot, it really exceeded my expectations. I was worried that Bito may be rusty but her time in the dojo the last few months has done her a lot of good as she looked about the same as her last few matches in the summer of 2012. This was a pretty even match, Bito was on the defense quite a bit but did hit her big kicks that she used to win with so there was always that feeling that she could pull off the upset. Bito also kicked out of the first diving elbow drop, which is unheard of, further putting over Bito as a wrestler that is instantly being elevated back to where she used to be. Which is very exciting since Stardom needs more upper midcarders. A really entertaining match and one that showed that Bito really is back.  Recommended

(c) Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani vs. Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura

Iwatani and Kagetsu start the match for their respective teams, armdrags by Iwatani but neither gets a clear advantage as they are very familar with each other. They tag out, Kimura blows on Shirai so Iwatani tags herself back in. Kimura and Kagetsu take turns kicking Iwatani but Iwatani avoids one of their charges and hits a double split-legged armdrag which sends both her opponents out of the ring. Shirai goes to do a dive but Kimura hits her in the head with a pan while Wolf pulls Iwatani off the top turnbuckle to the floor. They battle around the ring but after they return, Shirai takes back over with a double crossbody. Kagetsu and Kimura fall out of the ring again, and this time Shirai jumps out onto them with an Asai Moonsault. She tags in Iwatani, Iwatani goes up top and hits a missile dropkick on Kimura. Northern Lights Suplex by Iwatani, but Kimura reverses it into a grounded front facelock. Kagetsu keeps Shirai busy but Iwatani rolls to the ropes and forces a break. Kagetsu comes in with a parking sign and hits Iwatani in the head with it repeatedly, Shirai comes in but the referee has come to his senses and stops Kagetsu from hitting Shirai with it. Kimura hits the referee in the back with a chair, but Iwatani has the chair in her hands when he recovers so he thinks that Iwatani hit him. Kagetsu then hits the referee from behind with another sign, she then hits Shirai with the parking sign.

All of Oedo Tai come into the ring and attack Iwatani in the corner, big spear by Leah Vaughan and Oedo Tai celebrates while the referee is tended to outside the ring. Iwatani continues being assaulted by five wrestlers while Shirai and the referee are hurt outside the ring, Oedo Tai retrieve Shirai as a new referee comes down, he gets in the ring and restores order, kicking all the weapons out of the ring. Iwatani and Kagetsu trade strikes until Iwatani levels Kagetsu with a superkick, more kicks by Iwatani but Kimura kicks Iwatani from the apron. She gets in the ring and Kagetsu hits a swandive missile dropkick. Shirai comes into the ring with a swandive missile dropkick of her own before she sails out of the ring onto Kimura with a tope suicida. Kagetsu throws Iwatani into the corner but she springs up to the top turnbuckle and jumps down to the floor onto Kimura with a plancha. Shirai gets in the ring with Kagetsu while Iwatani goes up top and they hit the assisted piledriver, dragon suplex hold by Iwatani but Kimura hits the referee to break up the cover. Iwatani picks up Kagetsu and goes for the super dragon suplex, but Kagetsu blocks it and hits an Ebisu Drop for a two count. Shirai palm strikes everyone, she picks up Kimura to go for the assisted piledriver but Kimura reverses it while Kagetsu hits Iwatani with a parking sign. Kagetsu joins Iwatani up top and nails an avalanche Ebisu Drop, cover by Kagetsu and she gets the three count! Kagetsu and Kimura win the Goddesses of Stardom Championship!

This was the result I wanted but not necessarily the way I’d preferred it happen. I have no issue with Oedo Tai cheating occasionally in matches, they are the heel faction and that is what heel factions do. But it was just a bit overdone in this match, the wrestlers really never got into a flow as there was constantly something nefarious going on. Even in Stardom, the referee getting hit by weapons is generally a DQ, and they just really ramped it up to higher degree than I’d want to see in a title match. I can understand it storyline wise, after going 0-2, Oedo Tai was doing all they could to finally win a title. But I still would have enjoyed it better if it just had the normal level of Oedo Tai cheating, not it ramped up to ten. When it was just a straight match it was great as all four wrestlers have great chemistry together, and I loved that Kagetsu got the pin as she is one of my favorite wrestlers in Stardom. Overall it was good, but disappointing for a title match main event.  Mildly Recommended

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