Monday, August 19, 2019

Stardom - Stardom X Stardom 2019 (8/10/2019)

2. STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Saya Iida & Tam Nakano) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Bobbi Tyler, Hana Kimura & Konami)

Straightforward trios action with some clever spots.

***1/2

3. High Speed Championship: Death Yama-san (c) vs. Riho vs. Starlight Kid

Impressive debut performance from Riho. She showed her technique to a new audience without giving away too much. The match was short, but it was exciting. A burst of high speed action, with several great mixups and sequences.

***

4. Artist of Stardom Championship: Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi, Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire) vs. Oedo Tai (Jamie Hayter, Natsuko Tora & Hazuki)

An awesome trios. There was a brilliant sequence that resembled something out of Dragon Gate, not only the composition but the speed of the movement. Jamie looked impressive in her portion with some explosive offense.

***3/4

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

This was pure "Arisa Theatre". There's emotion and struggle in each big sequence which made them feel meaningful and earned. And there's an explosive power behind the big time moves. Two of the best Stardom has to offer having a thrilling spectacle. Arisa is operating in another plane of existence. She's doing something that no one else is doing in jyo at the moment. My new favorite Stardom bout, one of my favorite joshi puroresu bouts of all time.

****3/4

6. World of Stardom Championship: Bea Priestley (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

I liked Bea's joint manipulation and physicality, she makes a schoolboy look like a powerful hold in the early goings. Utami's growth was on display, as she held her own, making strong comebacks. A great main event to close Utami's first year.

****1/4