Notes
- Ami Sohrei will be absent from all cards as she begins the process of recovering from ACL and meniscus tears in her knee.
- Kaori Yoneyama – more commonly known as Fukigen Death in Stardom – has also suffered an ACL tear and will be out of action for a year.
- Saki Kashima will be absent for the next set of Stardom shows as she begins the process of recovering from a ‘nagging’ injury, though she will still be present as a ringside second and at photo signings. There is currently no information regarding a return date.
- 19th World of Stardom Champion Tam Nakano has been champion for 35 days – in her second reign. This will be the second title defence of her reign. Should she lose to Suzu Suzuki today, her reign would be the second shortest in Stardom history.
- This will be Suzu Suzuki’s third attempt at the World of Stardom Championship, previously losing to Giulia in February 2023, and to Maika in a match of the belt Tam vacated at Dream Queendom in December 2023.
- 3rd IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani has been champion for 531 days – in her first reign. This will be the seventh title defence of her reign.
- This will be Toni Storm’s first singles match in a Stardom ring since June 2019, when she defeated Xia Brookside in Osaka.
- Toni Storm and Mayu Iwatani have had four singles matches prior to this one, with Mayu yet to defeat Storm. Their record currently sits at three Toni victories and a draw.
- 23rd Wonder of Stardom Champion Natsupoi has been champion for 70 days – in her first reign. This will be her second title defence of her reign.
- This match will mark the first time Thekla has ever challenged for the Wonder of Stardom Championship, and will be her first match for a singles title in Stardom since 2nd December 2023 (also in Nagoya against Mei Seira for the High-Speed Championship).
- 10th Future of Stardom Champion Rina has been champion for 512 days – in her first reign. This will be her thirteenth title defence of her reign.
- This will be Miyu Amasaki’s third attempt at the Future of Stardom Championship, and her second at Rina during this reign (her first coming in February of 2024 in Rina’s home prefecture of Tochigi).
- The reported attendance of 1,526 is Stardom’s highest ever in the venue, beating out the 1326 of Stardom X Stardom 2022.
Quick Results
- High-Speed Championship #1 Contendership Five-Way Battle Royal: Yuna Mizumori def. Koguma, Momo Kohgo, Hina & Ranna Yagami w/ Supergirl (8:47)
- Future of Stardom Championship Match: Miyu Amasaki def. Rina (c) w/ Tensai (14:03)
- Singles Match: Saya Kamitani def. Sayaka Kurura w/ Star Crusher (12:45)
- 12-Woman Tag Team Match: H.A.T.E (Natsuko Tora, Konami, Ruaka & Momo Watanabe) & Villainous Alliance (Dump Matsumoto & Zap) def. EXV (Maika, Mina Shirakawa, HANAKO, Xena, Waka Tsukiyama & Rian) w/ Death Valley Bomb (9:10)
- Singles Match: Starlight Kid def. Hazuki w/ Momolatch (19:19)
- Four-Way Tag Team Match: God’s Eye (Syuri & Lady C) def. Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura & Saori Anou), NEO-GENESIS (Mei Seira & AZM) & Winggori (Hanan & Saya Iida) w/ Spinning Ryuen (9:55)
- Wonder of Stardom Championship Match: Natsupoi (c) def. Thekla w/ Modified Fairial Gift (19:57)
- IWGP Women’s Championship Match: Mayu Iwatani (c) def. Toni Storm w/ Fubuki Rana (18:37)
- World of Stardom Championship Match: Tam Nakano (c) def. Suzu Suzuki w/ Twilight Dream (23:00)
The Undercard
For someone who wrestled so well in the 5Star Grand Prix for no reward, this is well-earned by Yuna, and an opportunity for all the hard-work she has clearly been putting in over the last year. The match itself is your usual entertaining High-Speed fare, with a mixture of comedy and quick-paced athleticism. The dynamics are very interesting as we have two sets of teams and then Yuna and, though this starts off as an advantage, the teams begin joining in on eliminating each other. Momo joins in the pile-on to eliminate Koguma, and the same for Ranna helping to eliminate Hina. Ultimately, after a spirited performance from Momo Kohgo is brought to an end by a Ranna Paradiddle, Yuna is able to get the win with the Supergirl. (***)
Rina’s reign has been transformative for the Future of Stardom Championship. 12 successful title defences and 512 days since she took the belt from Ami Sourei, Rina has been unstoppable. However, one thing about long title reigns, is the cumulative damage that you end up dealing with, and the heavy tape around Rina’s neck is like a red rag to a bull for Miyu. Every time it looks like the champion is building up a head of steam, Miyu is able to plant her on her head with one of the many DDT variations, including a crushing Future Shock variation. Considering the fact that Amasaki’s offence almost solely focuses around the neck, it’s not surprising to see her repeatedly target that area. Even when Rina kicks out of the Tensai and the Amanohashidate, you still feel like it’s delaying the inevitable. Eventually, Rina can’t keep kicking out, and a second Tensai is enough for Miyu to end the Pink Devil’s reign and begin her own. Amasaki promised prior to the match to show how much she had improved in the match tonight, and I think I speak for everyone when I say that that is exactly what she did! It would be wrong to not acknowledge the incredible run of Rina, and that we may well never see another Future of Stardom reign like it, but it’s also time to look to the future – pun very much intended – and to the era of the Stardom Supernova! (***3/4)
There is such an interesting story being told here between Saya Kamitani and Sayaka Kurura. Kurura debuted in singles action against Saya and has been vocal about wanting to try and bring her back to the light, apparently believing she can still see good in her despite her embracing the dark side. Though Saya allows Kurura to get a lot of offence in – including back-to-back Spears – it almost feels like she is doing it in order to see how much she can draw out of the rookie. There’s a period in the match, as Kurura tries to lay in forearms, that Saya simply does not react. Whether that is to prove how weak Kurura is, or whether. – as Thom Fain on commentary mentioned – she is doing it because she enjoys the pain, or whether it is because Kurura’s fight and determination is softening her otherwise villainous stance is certainly up for debate, but it doesn’t get resolved here. Kamitani reacts angrily to a Spear and plants the rookie with a Pump Kick before hoisting her into the Star Crusher for the victory. Post-match, Kurura clings to Saya’s leg in one last desperate bid to talk some sense into her. Rather than kicking her away, Saya bends down and whispers something into her ear before shoving her down, laughing and leaving. Curious, how very curious… (***1/4)
I’m very much conflicted about the appearance of the Villainous Alliance in this match. On the one hand, Queen of Villains on Netflix is superb and Dump Matsumoto’s life and incredible career need to be celebrated. However, the last time her and Zap were in a Stardom ring culminated in one of the worst matches I’ve ever seen in a Stardom ring, ironically against two opponents they will be facing tonight in Mina Shirakawa and Waka Tsukiyama. For all my reservations, Dump Matsumoto still gets a great reception from the Nagoya crowd, though she is clearly struggling at 63 years of age to both walk to the ring and then get into the ring. This unsurprising given her astonishing 44 year career, which is over twice as long as Rian has been alive. That aside, and the obvious chaos of Dump attacking everything that threatens to move with a kendo stick, there is nothing at all to see in this match; it’s a novelty and doesn’t profess to be anything else. Credit must go to the members of EXV for at least trying to make it serviceable, but in the words of Walker Stewart on commentary ‘of all the matches in Stardom, this is certainly one of them.’ (*1/2)
Goodness gracious me this match is violent. I had no idea the level of animosity between Hazuki and Starlight Kid until their interaction at the press conference, but even if I hadn’t watched that, the pair do a brutally phenomenal job of expressing that during what feels like a very real fight! That’s the thing as well, this is a fight. At no point does this feel like the beautifully choreographed emotion-filled drama we would usually expect from these two, and instead there is palpable venom dripping from every strike, every stomp, every condescending call for the other person to bring more. Not only does the fact that this has been labelled an unofficial number one contendership match for the Wonder of Stardom Championship not feel important in this match, but the winner doesn’t necessarily feel that important either. Such is the ferocity that the pair fight with, that Hazuki begins targeting Starlight Kid’s mask and then revelling in the boos raining down from the Aichi International Center. Eventually, Kid wins with the Momolatch, with a surprise roll-up being the only way to end this furious battle, but then watching Hazuki hit a Brainbuster after the bell and stealing Kid’s mask adds an all-new layer to the already invigorating story surrounding The Wildheart. She knows something needs to change to be in with a shout of finally winning the Wonder of Stardom Championship match down the line, and maybe incorporating the ‘shades of grey’, ‘willing to do whatever it takes’ mantra she learned during her time in Oedo Tai might be the perfect way to go! A sensational match, and one you must absolutely seek out from this show. (****1/2)
This is exactly the type of high-paced enjoyable palette cleanser we need to follow such an emotionally-charged and hateful singles match. As you would expect from a company that does this style of match better than anyone else, every single woman gets their opportunity to shine. Mei Seira and Hanan rekindle their singles rivalry from a handful of months ago, with both demanding a match in their backstage comments, Saori Anou and AZM explode into an all-too-brief-yet blistering sequence, and the moments when all 8 women are in the ring at the same time flow seamlessly in spite of the cluttered nature of the ring. Saya Iida gets her chance to chop everything and everyone that moves, though this does mean she accidentally chops Hanan. Lady C is given two enormous power spots with a Tower of Doom and a towering Chokeslam to Saya as she continues to show rapid and pleasing development in ring. Mei Seira continues to wow every time she is in the ring, possibly looking to bounce back after falling off the ropes during the introductions. As Walker Stewart accurately says on commentary, this is almost an exhibition match, one you would show someone if they are trying to get into Stardom. It’s fast-paced, slick and massively enjoyable. The perfect aftermath to the violence of Starlight Kid and Hazuki, and a great prelude to our three huge title matches coming up. (***3/4)
Main Event Matches
Wonder of Stardom Championship Match: Natsupoi (c) def. Thekla – As soon as Clark Connors ran through Natsupoi with a Spear at Korakuen Hall on Wednesday, I knew I had to temper my expectation for the ‘fair wrestling match’ I’d let myself believe we might be getting here between Natsupoi and Thekla. Though I was certainly right to curb my excitement, there is still a kernel of great match in here and, at it’s core, its the simple story of one of the most endearing babyfaces in Stardom overcoming insurmountable odds. Aside from that though, it’s also a good illustration of the power of grief. Thekla does a great job of showcasing the pain she feels about Natsupoi leaving Donna Del Mondo back in 2022, and at points it does feel like the Toxic Spider cares more about hurting Natsupoi than she actually does about winning the match or indeed the White Belt.
That being said, the match does suffer from the impossibly high amount of interference. Thekla uses everything from her belt, to her spiked gloves, to Momo’s baseball bat to Ruaka’s crate over the course of the near-20 minute match, and though I appreciate the story they are telling, you become numb to it after a while. Couple with that the fact that we as the audience need to suspend our disbelief about how Daichi repeatedly misses these blatant weapon shots, and it all just becomes a bit much.
Don’t get me wrong, the emotion is certainly there, and Natsupoi coming out stoically to a video of her own betrayal and Connors’s aforementioned Spear rather than simply running through her usual entrance is the perfect way to show how hurt she is. As I mentioned, on a very basic level, the good vs. evil storyline works, but the additional extras that are piled on top of this means we witness a serviceable White Belt match rather than the excellent one these two could certainly put on. (***1/4)
IWGP Women’s Championship Match: Mayu Iwatani (c) def. Toni Storm – A really good video package that whips us through the Stardom history of these two prefaces the match, and goes so far as to remind us as the viewer that Toni did in fact beat Mayu clean after the latter returned from her dislocated elbow with back-to-back Storm Zeros.
During the preview on the podcast, I wondered aloud about how the timeless gimmick was going to get over with a Japanese audience, especially as Toni has been leaning into that gimmick more and more in lieu of putting on wrestling clinic in-ring. However, in spite of her being regally monochrome during her entrance, Toni is all business here, and it becomes apparent very quickly that I had nothing to worry about. She dominates the early proceedings, grounding Mayu and using her strength advantage well. However, a lot has been made of Mayu’s injury during their infamous Red Belt match in 2017, and they replay the same spot here, with the champion connecting perfectly with a Dropkick in the ropes before giving a knowing shake of the elbow to the wildly appreciative Nagoya crowd; a beautifully crafted sequence in this match!
It’s not quite the turning point for Mayu though, as Toni halts a Suicide Dive and begins an assault on the outside. Moments later though, Iwatani hits her trademark Evasion Dropkick and uses that momentum to finally clatter into Storm with the Suicide Dive at the second time of asking. Despite her first period of real sustained offence, Mayu can’t make it count, missing a Fubuki Rana and Moonsault, and her and Toni begin trading Suplexes before the challenger crushes her with a Storm Zero. Toni can’t make the cover though out of sheer exhaustion, and the pair eventually stagger to their feet. Strikes flow, but Toni catches a kick and lands three back-to-back Storm Zeros, one more than it took to put away Mayu in their match in 2018. Somehow, Iwatani kicks out, to the absolute disbelief of everyone in the venue, and Walker Stewart and Thom Fain on commentary. Storm breaks and charges into Mayu looking for a Hip Attack, but she eats a Superkick. With Storm weaving unsteadily, Mayu pops to the top rope and hits the Fubuki Rana, covering Toni to win and successfully record her seventh successful title defence of the IWGP Women’s Championship.
I actually feel quite foolish doubting Toni, who approached this match like she had not missed a beat and gave an outstanding account of herself. However, credit has to go here to the video package and the work done in the build regarding their previous matches, ensuring that the otherwise insignificant spots like the Dropkick and the back-to-back Storm Zeros simply would not have hit the same! To emphasise the importance of that Dropkick, the photo of Mayu successfully executing the move made the front page of Weekly Pro Wrestling! (****1/4)
World of Stardom Championship Match: Tam Nakano (c) def. Suzu Suzuki – There is a palpable tension to this match, to the point where the atmosphere feels like it physically changes. It’s certainly no secret that Suzu has harboured resentment towards Tam for the way the end of 2023 ultimately panned out for her, and has allowed that resentment to stew and fester to the point where I actually fear a little bit for the World of Stardom Champion; a braver person than I would have quailed under the unbroken icy stare that Suzu locks Tam with to begin the match!
Unsurprisingly, the match quickly devolves into utter carnage, with Suzu in particular ensuring to cause as much hurt to Tam as humanly possible. Far from shying away from a fight though, Nakano seems to relish the challenge, and a good portion of the opening throes of this match take place on the outside, culminating in Suzu wiping Tam out on the ramp with thumping knee strike. This savagery from the challenger continues as the action gets in the ring, with Suzu opting to put Tam through a ringside table with a Dolphin Buster off the apron. Obviously not content with the damage that caused, she then takes a piece of the broken table and smashes it hard over Tam’s head – Suzuki is clearly keen on living up to the Crazy Girl moniker!
After being hoiked across the ring with an Avalanche German Suplex, and kicking out of the Locomotion German Suplexes, Tam begins to grow into the match, and this leads to a frantic and downright breathless closing stretch. Both women kick out of the others’ big moves at one, with Suzu then barely surviving the Violet Screwdriver. Tam does turn the tide though, and after hurling Suzu into the stratosphere with three back-to-back Back Suplexes, and then crashing into the side of Suzu’s head with a Buzzsaw Kick, Tam is finally able to connect with the Twilight Dream to bring the three count and her second successful title defence. An utter war of attrition between two women who stubbornly refused to stay down, giving us one of the grittiest and real ‘fights’ in recent Red Belt history! Suzu will undoubtedly have her chance with the top title – she is still only 22 years old after all – but for now, we are all still walking the Tam Road! (***1/2)
You can check out the Stardom roster win/loss records for 2024 right here; https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/103h_Y27csTgcS-CcBwswaj-D7hVazTC_Wn0SPn0BZBM/edit
You can check out a comprehensive run down of the Stardom Championship Histories here; https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-Dk6T0ukSXm6R8eOTQU96i4rsfoy34wnz0-rKP5mwmQ/edit
Upcoming Shows
- Friday 11th October – Stardom in Osaka 2024 Oct, EDION Arena Osaka #2, Osaka (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
- Saturday 12th October – Stardom in Komatsu, Ishikawa Suehiro Gymnasium, Komatsu City (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
- Monday 14th October – Stardom in Toyama 2024 Oct, Bolfert Toyama, Toyama (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
- Saturday 19th October – New Blood 16, BelleSalle Shinjuku Grand, Tokyo (LIVE)
- Sunday 20th October – Stardom in Fuji 2024 Oct, Fujisan Messe, Shizuoka (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
- Saturday 27th October – Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2024 ~Opening Round~ in Shinjuku, Shinjuku Sumitomo Hall, Tokyo (LIVE)
- Sunday 28th October – Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2024 in Korakuen, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo (LIVE)
- Thursday 31st October – Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2024 in Takamatsu, Takamatsu Symbol Tower, Kagawa (VIDEO ON DEMAND)
Be the first to comment