By JCH
Last couple of weeks I have been catching up with everything Stardom from the draft onwards. I have written about some matches and other stuff I think is worth checking out. The order these are watched in are slightly out of canon, so apologies for any comments that seem to reference the future. Also, as always apologies for any incorrect move names.
I was hoping to watch the Utami vs Momo match from NYC but it doesn’t appear to be on the website
.
We start off with the draft match.
Anyway, the set-up is the 4 leaders and Hana Kimura are having a match. If you get a pinfall you get first pick, 2nd pinfall 2nd pick and so on. Whoever is left without a pinfall your stable must disband. Based on my Stardom watching, I am not optimistic for the future of J.A.N
PROMO TIME
Hana - Revolution. That’s it
Kagetsu - She says everyone knows she wants to take AZM with the first pick
Jungle Kyona - Last year no-one picked me, so I started a team and I’m a leader. She can’t let J.A.N die and she’s happy with her current squad.
Momo - First draft as leader. She must pick before Kagetsu to keep AZM
Mayu - She can’t be disbanded, if she wins, she can choose her ideal STARS
Hana is out first; she has dyed her hair since I last saw her. Also had a bit of a revamped outfit.
Then comes Kagetsu. Now sadly banned from dancing
Jungle out third, presumably for the last time as a leader.
Momo next, full champions garb.
Finally, Mayu is out. Hana tries shaking the rope whilst she poses on it. Mayu just looks at her as if she’s an idiot.
Hana Kimura vs Jungle Kyona vs Kagetsu vs Momo Watanabe vs Mays Iwatani
Here we go
5-way test of strength to start. Then a 5-person wrist lock chain. Hana breaks it getting to the ropes so they all try to eliminate her like that. Then a lot of fighting with everyone on the apron. Hana hold Jungle and Momo for a Kagetsu springboard but as she gets up there Mayu runs around and pushes her off. So, I believe this means Mayu Iwatani and STARS have the first pick.
After a bit of fighting JK drops Kagetsu on the apron, before she can follow up though, Momo volleys Kagetsu off sealing second place for herself. Kagetsu has now been eliminated twice.
JK then hits a big splash on Kagetsu but Hana breaks up the pin. Jungle again an opponent tottering on the apron. This time Hana, Kagetsu avoids JK slides outside the ring and pulls Hana out from the outside to land 3rd spot.
Just Hana and JK left now. Hana looks to have it one with the submission that looks bloody great, but JK just gets a foot to the rope. Her arm is in serious pain though. Hana nuts JK off the top to the apron, then boots her in the face but JK holds on. Hana misses with a running boot and both are on the apron. Big strikes exchanged, Hana big boot leaves JK hanging off the bottom rope. She almost gets up, but Hana boots her in the face again and then kicks her off. That is, it.
Jungle Kyona is defeated and J.A.N are no more. Leo is in tears at ringside. Ruaka and Saya also look upset. Natsuko doesn’t seem that fussed.
Next is the Draft.
Hana is on her phone. Either FaceTime or checking her hair.
STARDOM draft
1st Round
STARS. - Mayu’s first pick is Starlight Kid. They have a big hug. Kid is happy she’s been picked first two years in a row. She’ll follow Mayu forever.
Queens Quest - Momo selects AZM. Kagetsu is devastated. AZM is happy
Oedo Tai -Kagetsu can’t pick AZM so she picks Hazuki. Hazuki asks her to at least make it sound good. Kagetsu then does an over the top intro for Hazuki who is happy.
Tokyo Cyber Squad - Hana picks the person she just beat Jungle Kyona. She is very upset about J.A.N but she likes Hana’s way of life and will make the most of this opportunity
2nd Round
STARS - Mayu sects my favorite. Arisa Hoshiki. Master of Kicking people in the head. She is as happy as ever.
QQ - Momo selects the Best Belt Machine Utami Hayashita. Utami is injured now but wants to protect her tag team and QQ
Oedo Tai - Kagetsu selects Andras Miyagi. She says nothing.
TCS - Hana with the first steal. She calls the ‘bit player’ Konami. Over from Queens Quest. Konami accepts it. QQ don’t look too happy.
3rd Round
STARS - Mayu’s fakes out selecting Natsu and takes Tam. Tam does not look happy. She says if I’m not first you don’t really mean it. She sulks.
QQ - Momo is disappointed she can’t pick Konami, so selects Bea Priestly. Who says QQ Ichiban. Good work on the Japanese there.
Oedo Tai - Kagetsu also fakes picking Natsu. Taking Natsuko. Who says she was hoping Kagetsu would choose her and there are a lot of hugs to follow.
TCS - Hana selects her ‘Mexican-mum’ Mary Apache.
4th round
STARS - Mayu again thinks about taking Natsu. Her and Kagetsu have a secret chat about it. She picks Kashima. Who also suggests that Mayu has been cold to her.
QQ - Momo takes Viper
Oedo Tai - Kagetsu selects Jamie Hayter
TCS - Hana selects Natsumi.
5th round
STARS - Mayu selects Hanan, who she says will lead STARS one day
QQ - Chardonnay
Oedo Tai - Session Moth Martina
TCS - Rebel Kel.
6th round
STARS - Xia Brookside
QQ - Leo Onozaki. Leo is shocked, but thanks Momo as she didn’t have a home.
Oedo Tai - Kagetsu takes Natsu and declares that is their final pick. Natsu was worried that she nearly got picked by STARS
TCS - Select Bobbi Tyler
7th round
STARS - Saya Iida. IIda is in tears at being picked. Mayu says she has enough.
QQ - Hina, Momo says you’re not happy. Hina is crying that she’s been broken up from her sisters. Momo says she will love her and QQ are done.
TCS - Hana does Eenie, meenie, mini, mo and selects Ruaka. Who is very happy to be picked for TCS. Rina who is the last to be picked in attendance is crying and Hana picks her as well. She is very grateful. Hana adds Yoneyama who isn’t there. Big Squad for the TCS.
That appears to be it.
Main movers - Konami going to the newly formed TCS which also has the remnants of J.A.N minus Natsuko who looked overjoyed to be a member of Oedo Tai. The sisters all splitting up could be good for them individually.
The next show I checked out was the Cinderella Tournament
Cinderella Tournament
This was a fun tournament with quick matches as it’s a 16-woman tournament in a day. First round stand out was for me the draw between Tam Nakano and Kagetsu. Natsuko took out her former stable leader Jungle Kyona. Arisa beat Kashima in the battle of Mayu’s friends and Konami used the top rope elimination to defeat the Ace, Momo Watanabe
There was also a goober, who has received much notoriety chanting at bad times. He also supported the opposition in every Arisa Hoshiki match. IN YER FACE Dichead.
Konami also beat AZM in the Quarter Finals as she continued her run through Queens Quest. Natsuko continued to embrace Oedo Tai following up her win over JK with a Top rope elimination of JK’s new Tokyo Cyber Squad leader - Hana Kimura and Starlight Kid knocked Hazuki out as she tried coming in for a springboard to set up a title match between the 2.
The final ended up being Arisa Hoshiki vs Konami. They kicked each other a lot. I liked it. Konami kicked out of Arisa’s twisty splash finish she’d used to advance so far, a couple of times and Arisa made the ropes on the 100% triangle lancer before dodging a second lancer attempt with a jumping knee. Then another jumping knee, then the powerslam type move then the twisting splash and Konami kicked out.
Arisa picks her up. Left kick, right kick, Brazilian kick and it’s over. Arisa Hoshiki is the Cinderella tournament champion.
She cuts a moving promo in a dress and calls out Momo for the white belt shot. Momo accepts and offers her hand, before faking out when Arisa goes to shake it. That match should be fun.
Arisa has some more bants with unimpressed Tam as they close the show. I love their relationship and look forward to whatever comes between them down the road.
Cinderella tournament was followed by something called Golden Week, basically every unit produced a show of their own and Toni Storm took on someone from each unit in each show as well. There were also a few title matches and some shenanigans I enjoyed.
First up was the STARS show.
Tam Nakano vs Toni Storm
Tam comes out with a sword to what sounds similar to the Oedo Tai music. Based on the Costume change Battle royal this I think is her singles entrance. She had the handshake with Kagetsu after the Cinderella tournament, she used to be in Oedo Tai, she hates Arisa and also was unhappy where Mayu picked her. Could she be returning to her former faction?
I’m presuming Toni isn’t going to lose on this excursion. Handshake to start. Mat wrestling, standoff, Toni offers hand again. Tam tales it and Toni brings her in to a headlock. Toni in control, patronizing kicks to the head. Tam fires back with a couple of strikes and then Toni absolutely clocks her with a forearm. Then after another attempted Tam fightback she nails her with a headbutt. Tam then with a kick to the head and they’re both down.
Strike exchange from the floor to their feet. Tam catches Toni coming off the ropes with a Superkicks and goes up top. Big Crossbody to the outside from Tam. Nice jumping knee from the top rope to the back of Toni’s head for 2. Tam misses a spin kick and Toni with another headbutt for a nearfall. Rolling Germans from Toni. The third with a bridge. Late, late kickout from Tam.
Toni with a submission that looks like the top half of the Captain’s Hook or whatever Kendrick’s is called and also with the legs of a Texas Cloverleaf. Toni pushes the ropes away with her foot, but the ref kicks them off. Tam with a nice spin kick then suplex with bridge for near fall. Toni off the ropes. Big clothesline. Kick from Tam. Another clothesline. Strong Zero and then the piledriver and Toni Storm wins.
Good match. Tam showed some good fire, but Toni just too good for her. More power in the strikes seemed to be telling.
STARS Costume change battle Royal
So, they all are dressed as other wrestlers and also use their moveset. I have watched this once before on one morning of SSS16 and it was bloody brilliant. Going to rewatch to try and recap as best I can.
Queens Quest music. Its Natsuko as Utami, with the injured Utami playing Big Daddy. I’ll be Honest I don’t actually know who Big Daddy is. Next out is Hanan as Jungle Kyona, I enjoy how they get properly into it, Hanan doing the full run around the ring hi-fiving people. Next in is Konami as Kagetsu. This is so good.
There are a few strikes in ring and a couple of signature moves, but mainly people just waiting for the entrants. Hazuki’s music is next and outcomes Kashima who has nailed that unbothered demeanor Hazuki has and the corner ring pose.
Natsu comes out as apparently Kashima, looks like Martina to me, with the leopard print, wig and bag of cans, anyway Kashima as Hazuki eliminates her immediately. Hana Kimura is out as Andras Miyagi. Again, looking brilliant. Iida is next out as Konami, She flips off Natsuko as Utami.
Tam as Momo is next. Followed by Arisa as Bea Priestly,
Tam still kicks her even though they should be friends today. Leo Onozaki as AZM. The Oedo Tai cosplayers keep beating up Konami (Iida) during these intros. Hina is out as J.A.N Natsuko. Then Rina as Yoneyama. The sister’s reunited as J.A.N.
Hazuki comes out as Ruaka, and smiles. Hazuki showing off some range. Andras Miyagi repays the favor and is out as Hana. Ruaka as Leo Onozaki. Queens Quest keep having to break up fights between Momo (Tam) and Utami (Natsuko).
This is not easy to write about. I recommend watching it.
JK out as Tam, smashing the sword routine out of the park. Gutted the Oedo Tai dance has been banned for this.
Kagetsu comes out as Arisa Hoshiki, It’s fantastic. She is so unimpressed, doing everything half-heartedly, whilst trying not to laugh. Arisa is sat on the floor laughing thinking it’s the best thing ever. JK starts acting coldly to Kagetsu playing the Tam and Arisa relationship. Love it.
Starlight Kid is out as Shiki Shibusawa who I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen. She seems friendly with Tam. Bea out next as Mayu. She does the streamer spin with no streamers and looks sad.
Mayu as Starlight Kid is out next. I love how much fun everyone looks like their having. Except Kagetsu. Last out is Momo as Toni Storm.
Then brawling ensues. Oedo Tai all leave and sit on the ramp. But QQ bring in Hazuki and hit the 5-way dropkick. It’s basically everyone running through the signature spots of the people they’re playing. It is a lot of fun.
The sisters all get eliminated when they go up top for the J.A.N splashes. Then Momo starts hitting some Toni Storm ass-based offence before all of STARS hit a move on her and pin her. Kagetsu hits some Hoshiki kicks before Hoshiki catches her with Bea’s running knee into the ropes. Loved that. Probably the only person with a better knee than Bea.
Tam hits Momo’s brain damage thing on Kagetsu as Hoshiki and pins her before all of STARS pin Tam. A series of role up sees a few eliminations.
Then IIda uses the Triangle lancer on Shika, who is saved. I don’t know who’s left. Utami (Natsuko), JK (Tam) and Kid (Mayu). Hana (Miyagi) comes off the top and takes out some. Looks like we have left. Bea (Arisa), Kid (Mayu), Hazuki (Kashima) and Hana (Miyagi). Everyone is on the apron. Kashima rolls up Arisa, then kicks Miyagi off the apron and its Mayu vs Kashima.
Mayu eliminates Kashima the same way Kid defeated Hazuki in the Cinderella. Catching her as she tried to springboard in. For winning as Starlight Kid, Mayu says Kid will challenge for the High-Speed title.
That was just a load of fun
Next up was the QUEENS QUEST show headlined by a World of Stardom Title match
Kagetsu vs Bea Priestly
Backstage camera for Bea. Not for Kagetsu. Kagetsu got streamers. A lot of streamers. I swear she doesn’t normally get streamers.
This is all very nice at the start, full of mat wrestling and counters until Kagetsu is outside the ring and Bea goes out to the apron and punts her in the chest.
Bea keeps control until she goes up to the ropes and Kagetsu springboards up and kicks her off, then hits a massive tope into the crowd. Then she gets Oedo Tai to move Bea to the next side of the ring and hits another big Tope. Then a third. Lovely stuff.
Kagetsu in control now. Dropkick off the top run into the corner and a suplex. She then lifts Bea up going for some move from a fireman carry position but gets caught in the Guillotine. She fights out of it and turns it into an arm lock. Bea just about makes the ropes. Springboard double stomp to the arm from Kagetsu who seems to have found her body part to target.
She goes for another springboard but gets caught and Bea punts her as she is hanging over the ropes. Bea then hits a violent looking back suplex before getting caught into what I would call a Fireman Carry Driver and both women are down.
Slow strike exchange begins and then picks up the pace. Followed by a rope running exchange, won by Kagetsu who hits another Fireman Carry Driver for a 2. The ropes are run again and this time Bea hits the jumping knee. Yeah!
She’s selling the arm and goes up top and hits a 450 to the outside with one arm not doing as much as the good arm. Nice touch.
She then hits, I have researched and I think is called, a fisherman’s belly to back suplex with a bridge for a very near fall. Great late kick out as I’ve come to expect from the Stardom roster.
Stomp from Bea for another near fall. Then a submission attempt has Kagetsu scrambling for the ropes.
Bea goes for the Ocean Cyclone Suplex. Kagetsu fights out and pushes Bea into the ref. She turns around into the mist. Death Valley Driver and the 450 and its oveNo. Late kick out from Bea. We go on. Kagetsu back up to the top, Bea cuts her off. Lands a stomp on a hanging Kagetsu. Then the cheeky Nando’s. Ocean Cyclone Suplex and its over.
Bea Priestly is the new World of Stardom Champion. Toni Storm rolls in quickly to congratulate her. Definitely a smile from the expressionless man. Bea looks very emotional as she hugs the belt on her knees. She picks Kagetsu up, They bow to each other and embrace. Hazuki helps Kagetsu out of the ring.
Bea on the mic.
She first congratulates Kagetsu. Then tells the crowd despite signing for AEW she is moving to Japan in June and will be a full time Stardom member. She calls QQ into the ring. Momo tells Bea she will be coming for that red belt one day. Utami presents Bea with a tracksuit reserved for official full-time stardom roster members.
Bea closes the show by telling them to ‘bow down to the fucking Queens’ Then they throw autographed juggling balls into the crowd. I wonder if they have all autographed them or is someone getting Momo and someone getting Leo Onozaki. Utami is having a great time.
When is the Best Belt Machine back in action? She’s been announced for Wrestle Queendom along with Kagetsu. Two more Stardom talents to also be announced for that show. Shockingly I’m hoping for Arisa.
Post-match Bea cuts an aggressive promo, saying no-one gave her a chance and she didn’t do it for any of us fans, she did it for herself and Queens Quest, they have nearly all the belts and nobody can stop them……check back later on that one Bea….
This was followed by the OEDO TAI show
Oedo Tai Show open
Kagetsu and Miyagi come out to open the show with what looks like giant thermos’s Kagetsu says they have an important announcement. They want to get married. No, she was joking, Andrew Miyagi has joined the full Stardom roster. Kagetsu gives Miyagi her new sweatshirt. Miyagi takes the mic for a are speaking appearance, calls the crowd Bastards and then calls for a round of applause…for herself. She tells the bastards they’d better listen to every word than runs off.
Kagetsu calls out the days special ring announcer Mayu Iwatani who is dressed as the normal ring announcer. She says she’s embarrassed, it’s the first time she’s ever had her hair braided. She promises 10,000 yen for every mistake she makes.
Tokyo Cyber Squad vs STARS vs Queens Quest
Tam refusing to hi-5 Arisa in the promo continues to be brilliant. This continues into the entrance, where also Hana refuses to let Iida climb on the ropes and just kicks her to the floor.
With so many people in the match and no-one on the outside, poor Utami and her injured hand has to clear the streamers every time.
I have this on subtitles with Natsu and Mayu on commentary.
Just a selection of Natsu gems.
‘According to my sources Hanan uses too much hand cream’
‘Rina is the most fancy, she usually uses too much mascara, Mayu you have mascara on today’
‘Hana Kimura likes to eat cod sperm sacs’
‘Saya Iida is 21, she really admires Natsu Sumire’
There is an ongoing joke about Ruaka being a fan of a boy idol. The actual person is lost on me, but I enjoy the gags.
“Rebel Kel is 183cm tall. Japanese people don’t like her because we are all short’’
“Its said Momo Watanabe’s mum is very young, according to the rumors she used to be a juvenile delinquent’
‘Arisa Hoshiki and Tam Nakano seem to be close friends’
‘Hana Kimura likes Shikaro and she likes older men’
Arisa won the match with the Brazilian kick on Leo Onozaki.
Natsu Sumire vs Saki Kashima
Natsu sings Kashima’s entrance. Kashima tries to attack her but Oedo Tai stop her allowing Natsu to sing the whole song with Mayu dancing along. Then she tries to leave, but Kashima brings her back in. Natsu says she can’t entertain the crowd anymore than the song, but she has got Kashima a birthday present. She sings a Michael Scott like harmony based Happy Birthday before giving Kashima a bag. Kashima did not like this bag and attacked.
Natsu volleys the ref whilst he’s half over the ropes, then gets drop toe holder into his bollocks, then drop toeholds Kashima into his bollocks. Ref taking a lot of shots to the bollocks.
Natsu later throws Kashima’s leg into his bollocks. Kashima goes mad on Natsu with the whip, then Natsu kicks Kashima in the crotch. She tries to retaliate but hits the ref, who this time calls for the bell.
Hazuki vs Starlight Kid - High Speed Title
I think this is the second challenge for the High-Speed Title from Kid, I seem to remember in the first match as well as their brief Cinderella match that she came out of the blocks at ‘High Speed’. Ah, it was meant to be a triple threat but AZM is injured. Hazuki is wearing Champions white.
Quick sequence of reversals and counters at the start until Hazuki punts Kid in the head, then starts face washing her, but Kid catcher her coming off the ropes and does the full facewash repertoire herself. Tilt a whirl head scissors and a 619 from Kid who goes for the standing moonsault but is caught and Hazuki follows up with a codebreaker.
Hazuki lifts Kid and blocks and attempted reversal into a roll up and lifts her again into a big choke slam backbreaker type thing then rolls through the pinball into a crossface. Kid eventually makes it to the ropes.
Kid kicks out of a Michinoku driver type thing at 1, then hits a sort of Cross Rhodes into a pin also for a one and both are down. Frantic pace in this one. Both up at 8 and going for quick pins with reversals and Kid gets caught for the 3.
Match probably went about 5 minutes. Really enjoyable. Post-match Hazuki celebrates with the belt in Kid’s face. Kid pushes her away.
The last show of Golden week was TOKYO CYBER SQUAD'S show.
However, this was proceeded by the 2019 JANKEN TOURNAMENT.
Please read on….
I have no idea what this is. The ring announcer is back and is dressed as a ref. Oedo Tai are out dressed as…. something. Queens Quest are also out dressed as…. something. There is an American announcer. Stars are all out, right they are dressed as Disney princesses. I got that one. Iida is Little Mermaid. Tam is Jasmine.
Hang on Kaze Ni Nare is playing. Toni Storm is out here playing Minoru Suzuki. She is doing a bloody good job. Love half the wrestlers joining in the KAZI NI NARE. She takes Bea’s giant stuffed animal and hits it with a Gotch piledriver.
Tokyo Cyber Squad are out as Toy Story. I have no idea what is happening here. The announcer says Andy is coming and all the TCS play dead. Good character work there.
There is a draw for seedings and a bracket. They are live filling in the brackets int the ring.
Ok so I’m watching a live cosplay Paper, Rock, Scissors tournament.
Best of 3 apparently. How is this a thing? If there is a draw It’s just best of one. STARS have not done well in round 1. Also, Oedo Tai are playing as one person. Rina knocks out Oedo Tai and gets attacked by a sword. She meets Saki Kashima in one semi final. Jungle Kyona will take on Toni Suzuki in the other semi final. Toni has the Suzuki point down to a tee.
Saki Kashima makes the final. Pretty sure she was the only STAR to make it out of round one. JK beats Toni, who kicks her about and JK wins the final. Not entirely sure what I’m doing with my time. Kagetsu stole the prize and Natsu hid it down her shirt as the TCS beat up Kagetsu.
My highlight of this was Toni Storm as Suzuki. Very well played. It ends with Natsu throwing whatever she’d been using to enhance her chest into the crowd.
After Golden week there was the 16/5/19 KORAKEUN HALL show.
Headlined by mt fave Arisa Hoshiki’s challenge for the Wonder of Stardom Title.
However, that was one of three title matches on the show. I watched all of them.
TCS (Hana Kimura, Konami and Jungle Kyona) vs STARS (May Iwatani, Tam Nakano and Saki Kashima) - Artist of Stardom belts.
‘The other team has that injured cripple, it will be no problem. Easy money’ - Hana Kimura.
TCS have an elaborate team entrance featuring many UV weapons. Ruaka and Rina have guns, teen violence these days!
TCS attack Mayu mid streamer throw Hana beats her up in the crowd, wrapping the injured knee around guard rail. Hana brings Mayu back in and TCS take it in turns going after the knee. Tam and Kashima eventually avoid the apron punching and they come to Mayu’s aid and get combo submissions on the TCS. Mayu hits JK with a beautiful drop kick. Tam catches Hana and Konami with a DDT and Reverse DDT at the same time. Followed by a triple dropkick from STARS to their seated opponents.
Tam and JK have a struggle ended when JK clotheslines her head off, she then tags in Hana who running kicks Tam’s head even further off, twice. Big back body drop from Tam, followed by the cartwheel double knee, but the pin is broken up by Konami and JK. Hana ducks a kick, hits a vertical suplex, but then gets caught by Tam’s kick from her knees and both are down.
Konami misses a double drop kick on Mayu and Saki who hit her with a combo kick of their own. Mayu and Konami going at it, Konami catches her with a dragon screw then a nice kick into the ropes before putting on a leg-based submission. Mayu, who I think could be the best seller in the business or just really hurt all the time, then gets suplexed on her head, but Saki breaks up the pin.
Mayu superkick to Konami, Tam with a nice-looking head kick, then the three-woman combo superkick to seated Konami. Then there is a move where Mayu has Konami in like a wheelbarrow type hold, Tam DDT’s Konami and then she bounces back into a suplex from Mayu. It looks pretty good, I feel like I saw someone doing it during the Dusty Classic this year. JK and Hana break up the bridge at 2.9.
Mayu limps to the top rope. Slapping her own injured knee to fire her up but misses the moonsault and Konami goes for the triangle lancer, but Mayu escapes, so she wraps her knees around her neck in some ZSJ type thing. Mayu makes the ropes and catches Konami with a superkick. They are both down. This is bloody good.
Mayu gets to Kashima who clocks Konami and then hits a Tiger suplex with bridge for near fall followed by a…. I’m going to call it a Tiger Facebuster. That’s definitely wrong, but there you go.
TCS in for the save and now they have the numbers advantage on Kashima. Action is too fast, but after a pinfall is broken up Konami picks up Kashima to sitting and then volleys her in the head, she just survives, before rolling up Konami for near fall. Tam and Mayu take out JK and Hana with Germans but Konami catches Kashima in the Triangle Lancer, Hana stops Mayu getting in and Kashima has to tap quickly. It’s over.
There are new Artist of Stardom Champions. Great match, Very enjoyable. Hard to keep track of all the action and watch it so I recommend checking it out if you can.
Hang on the belts are different colors now to suit the TCS colors. Do they have different belts depending on who is champion? Bit more commitment than just changing the plates on the side isn’t it.
Hana asks if anyone wants to challenge them and no one does so she challenges ‘the shit motherfuckers Oedo Tai’ She wants to crush their unit first. Then tells them they don’t look good in Camo. She wants to put the belts and the right to wear camo on the line. Oedo Tai losing everything these days.
Konami says May 26th is her homecoming show and she wants a singles match vs ‘that dog’ Kagetsu. Claiming her triangle lancer winning percentage is 100%. Pretty sure Arisa fell into the ropes out of it mate.
TCS are happy with their color coordinated belts.
Bea Priestly vs Hazuki - World Of Stardom Championship
I’ve been cherry picking a bit through this backlog of shows I made for myself but I have to check out Bea’s first defense. Bea rocking a new ‘Top Gaijin’ Shirt. This was meant to be vs Toni Storm but due to contractual reasons it has had to be changed. Suggests to me Bea is winning here.
Hazuki flies out of the corner with a big boot, followed up by a tope and her springboard dropkick, then a kick to the head, brain buster and that was nearly the end of Bea before it began, Scoop driver and Hazuki goes up for the Splash, but Bea cuts her off, and similar to the Kagetsu match hits the double stomp to her opponent hanging in the corner.
Kagetsu shown watching in the picture in picture. Big strike exchange, followed by the running to ropes and cutting each other off exchange, which once again is ended by Bea and that big jumping knee.
Bea with a senton to the outside takes out Oedo Tai and throws Hazuki back in. Bea dropkick in corner, then big kick to a seated Hazuki, Suplex of sorts and into the rings of Saturn.
Hazuki fights and fights, she is close to the ropes but has no free arms, she inches closer and closer until she finally gets a foot on and breaks the hold. Bea sets her up and hits cheeky Nando’s. Hazuki fights out of the ocean cyclone suplex and is just dragging Bea around by the hair, rag dolling her by the hair. Brutal. Facewashes and the running face wash. Bea avoids a running kick and hits a back suplex.
Both women down. Bea up first and hits the running knee to Hazuki in the middle rope. Vicious. Fisherman’s Belly to back suplex with bridge follows that and it’s a 2.9999. Hazuki close with a roll up. Then gets kicked in the face. Curb stomp from Bea. Ocean Cyclone suplex. 1-2-3. It’s over.
Really enjoyed that. Another Hazuki sprint. I’d say that was around 9 minutes. Very much enjoyed it. Quite a few similarities to the Kagetsu match, which I liked with them being from the same faction. Queens Quest continue to hold the two big belts…
Arisa Hoshiki vs Momo Watanabe
Big Fight backstage cameras. My fave Arisa Hoshiki has a mask and robe for the big challenge for Momo’s belt.
Momo is hanging out backstage with AZM.
The expressionless man is in the ring for the Pre-Match Photo. Hoshiki nails a look at the corner camera. FIRE.
Good streamer hall for Arisa who kicks through them like always.
Probably similar amount for Momo but seems be more Momo chants. Why does Momo get yellow streamers, not blue and black?
Arisa offers the handshake and Momo ignores it.
Going to put my notes down and watch the match. Will come back at the end with some thoughts.
YESSSSSSSS. I only dared to dream
I enjoyed that. Momo had control at the start. She has been dismissive of Arisa since her return and she was on top on the mat, landing a lot of trade mark volleys to the back. Then Arisa got back into it and there were some kick exchanges. Arisa at one point hit a Standing powerslam of sorts outside the ring and then got more in control. There were a lot of near falls. These women are very good at the late kick out. Arisa ran through some of her good kicks, the Cantona and the step off the ropes one. There was a nice double head kick, double knock out in there.
Loved the ending. Momo hit the Peach Sunrise, but on the 3 Arisa’s foot just rolled onto the ropes.
Momo shoved the ref in annoyance, then patronizingly rubbed Arisa’s hair and ran the ropes straight into a big knee from Arisa. She followed that up with a second beautiful jumping knee. Then the Brazilian roundhouse kick, then another and its 1-2-3. Arisa Hoshiki is the new White Belt champion.
The expressionless man almost smiles as he presented the belt. She is in tears. Momo is still down as Arisa has the belt and the trophy. The match finished a good 2 minutes ago. Hoshiki offers the handshake. Momo doesn’t take it but does bow from her knees. Finally acknowledging Arisa’s existence before exiting the ring.
It’s all change at the top for Stardom with Bea Priestly and Arisa Hoshiki taking the top titles and the TCS picking up the trio’s titles. Hazuki still holds the High-Speed title, leaving at least one belt with each faction. Then you have the Best Belt Machine, Utami with pretty much every other belt, tag belts with Momo, SWA title, the Young Title and also the Eve International Title, which she will be defending vs Jamie Hayter and Nina Samuels at Wrestle Queendom 2 at the end of June.
As a lover of the knee strike, I am excited to see Arisa and Bea at the top. Also, none of the faction leaders hold singles titles, but the arguable 2nds – Arisa, Hazuki and Bea/Utami all do. Interesting dynamic at the top of the card. Exciting times going forward. I hope to be more regular with my next review so they aren’t longer than my dissertation.
Who are my current favourites? I think Number 1 is a foregone conclusion but the rest...
JCH Stardom Power Rankings.
1. Arisa Hoshiki
2. Natsu Sumire
3. Momo Watanabe
4. Hazuki
5. Mayu Iwatani
6. Ruaka
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