What are Miyu Yamashita's best matches?
These are my personal favorites.
I tried my best to provide a short context for each match before explaining what I enjoyed about them.
(Please note that some text may be borrowed or paraphrased from previous reviews)
Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuu (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9.22.2016 Shinjuku) Rating ★ 4.5
The toughest defense of Miyu Yamashita’s first reign. The undefeated Yuu had bulldozed her way through the Tokyo Princess Cup to earn her opportunity. Both competitors have great chemistry with each other, as they are both strikers with judo experience. The match gradually develops from mat exchanges to fast-paced standing techniques.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Saki-sama (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 1.4.2017 Korakuen) Rating ★ 4.5
Miyu had lost her belt, but that didn’t stop her from facing high-level competition. This was a wonderful kicking showdown against Saki-sama. Miyu exuded an intense atmosphere and brought out the serious side of the overconfident heel.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuka Sakazaki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7.2.2017 Shinjuku) Rating ★ 4.5
This was a first round match in the 4th TPC. Miyu gave a coherent and detailed performance, selling the damage done to her leg by Yuka throughout the match. It was a back and forth match that felt like it could have gone either way.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Meiko Satomura (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8.26.2017 Korakuen) Rating ★ 4
In my opinion, this is the match that legitimized TJPW, to have the ace standing diagonal from the “Yokozuna of joshi pro-wrestling" Meiko Satomura felt like a big deal. Miyu showed strong counterattacks and took more of the match than you’d expect.
This was a first round match in the tournament to decide the promotion's first tag team champions. Miyu teamed up with Reika for the first time to form a powerful tag team against the Itoh Respect Army. An amazing underdog story where both teams played their roles to perfection and the Shinkiba crowd hinged on their every move.
This match was for Yuu’s Iron Heavymetalweight Championship as well as challenge rights to the Princess of Princess Championship on 1.4. It had been over a year since these two had last fought in singles and the stakes were high. This was brutal and hard-fought; Miyu's chest turned dark red from Yuu’s continued chops.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Reika Saiki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 1.4.2018 Korakuen) Rating ★ 3.75
Miyu, who returned to the singles title front after a year away, faced off against her rival Reika Saiki. Both fighters have powerful kicks in their arsenal, and the match developed as you would expect. It was a spirited match with a beautiful exchange of kicks.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Rika Tatsumi (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 5.3.2018 Korakuen) Rating ★ 4
“The most fun match I've ever had,” Miyu said about the fourth defense of her second POP reign. Rika had proven herself to be a worthy challenger when she submitted Miyu in a preliminary tag and showed how determined she was by cutting her own hair. A spirit-stirring main event with both competitors giving strong performances.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuu (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8.25.2018) Rating ★ 4.75
This was the height of Tokyo Joshi Pro’s “strong style”, which mostly centered around martial arts-based wrestlers Miyu Yamashita, Yuu and Reika Saiki. This third and final match between these two was a brutal unfolding of violence. A rugged back and forth where the hits grew harder and the beatdowns more vicious as the match progressed.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Tenma Nodoka (Tokyo Joshi, 2.23.2019 Shinjuku) Rating ★ 4.5
Tenma Nodoka was overdue for a title shot dating back to when she scored an upset win over Miyu during last summer’s Tokyo Princess Cup. Taking nothing away from Nodoka, who gave an emotional performance, Yamashita carried the match with her charisma and showed her ability to create an atmosphere and bring out the best in the challenger.
Miyu Yamashita vs. Mirai Maiumi (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9.15.2019 Ryogoku KFC) Rating ★ 3.75
With the loss of Yuu and Reika Saiki from Tokyo Joshi Pro, Miyu no longer has a stylistic rival on the roster. In this match, it felt like Mirai filled that role. Both competitors used their judo experience on the ground and traded fun transitions and submission attempts. This pairing has potential and I look forward to future matches between them.
Miyu Yamashita & Antonio Honda vs. Riho & Kenny Omega (DDT, 11.3.2019 Ryogoku) Rating ★ 4.25
Arguably the biggest match of Miyu Yamashita’s career. Once Kenny Omega made his entrance, it felt like Sumo Hall had entered a different stratosphere. This match had that tangible feeling of specialness, and Miyu was able to show her abilities at a high level, which included debuting her triangle-jump enzugiri, “Return Crush” on Omega.
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