Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/15/2020)

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Quarter Final: Mizuki vs. Yuki Aino

Aino delivered another surprisingly compelling performance in this clash of styles. She has quickly become a reliable and consistent performer. Mizuki has shown an aggressive approach lately with her foot stomps and all the ways she finds to hit them. 

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Quarter Final: Shoko Nakajima vs. Natsumi Maki

This was a great high speed-style match. Shoko may be one of the few wrestlers on the roster who can compete with Natsumi in speed and precision. This had excellent ropework, technique and bumps from both.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (8/9/2020)

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Blue Block: Saya Iida vs. Maika

This was a good sprint-style match. They developed a good chemistry and took each other's offense well. The near-falls were very well done. The selling and bumping of Iida was particularly impressive.

***1/2

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Kid

This was a great match. Mayu was the perfect base for Starlight Kid's offense, taking maniacal bumps. Kid isn't an athletic high-flyer, but she has a good sense of balance. Mayu's Gory special counter to the Yoshi Tonic was very cool.

***3/4

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Blue Block: Momo Watanabe vs. AZM

Similar to the one before it, this was a senior vs. junior style match. AZM tried to overwhelm Momo with her ropework and speedy attacks, and Momo picked her spots with counters. Some timing issues aside, this match was very good.

***3/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Konami vs. Tam Nakano

Konami was putting on the pressure with hard strikes and grinding submission work, while Tam fought from underneath with her usual grit. Tam's comeback may have been too brief, but the spin kicks to the head seemed convincing enough.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Giulia vs. Himeka

This was better than expected. Both are only in their second year, but they put on a match suitable for a Korakuen Hall main event. They developed a nice pace and traded heavy blows. The finishing sequence was a bit awkward, but the finish itself was brutal.

***1/2

Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia (Stardom, 8/8/2020)

 Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (8/8/2020)

5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia

A great match between the promotion's top titleholders. They worked a high pace and were bringing out the big moves earlier than usual, which made the match feel special. Giulia's ability to control her opponent on the ground with her legs is super compelling.

***3/4

Ice Ribbon - #1057 ~ Ice Ribbon Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium Final (8/9/2020)

2. Akane Fujita & Asahi vs. Miku Aono & Mio Shirai

Mio has been working as a trainer for Ice Ribbon, so it's no wonder she hasn't lost much of a step. Asahi had a good showing of teamwork with Fujita in her return match. A better match than you would normally see on the undercard. 

***1/2

7. International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto & Tsukushi) (c) vs. Frank Sisters (Hiiragi Kurumi & Mochi Miyagi)

The theme of this match is that Tsukasa Fujimoto wants Tsukushi and Kurumi to solve their personal issues, but you don't need to know the story to enjoy it. It was a tag team match worth watching, with everyone doing their part well. Tsukushi and Kurumi were the core of the match, with Fujimoto and Mochi acting as support.

****1/4

8.  ICExInfinity Championship: Maya Yukihi (c) vs. Suzu Suzuki

This wasn't a major improvement over previous matches in the series. If anything, the previous matches were shorter and perhaps more easy to watch. There were exciting sequences and dramatic kickouts, and an overall sense of scale not seen in previous Yokohama Bunka main events, but there was also a lot of dead space, especially during the mid stages. Overall, it was not as cohesive as it could have been.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/10/2020)

 5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Hikari Noa

Miyu looked massive compared to Hikari. The difference in size was very evident. Miyu showed that she was more than a striker with cool submission counters. Hikari was rough and unconvincing at times, but she showed grit and determination, and her 2.9999 near-fall was tremendous.

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Hyper Misao

This was a great, championship caliber match. Pacing was on point and everything was well-executed. Splendid mixture of comedy and traditional wrestling. Misao was able to give a strong fight while still staying true to her gimmick.

***3/4

Stardom - Cinderella Summer In Tokyo (7/26/2020)

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Syuri)

Mayu's interactions with DDM were fresh and interesting, looking forward to seeing her work singles matches with Syuri and Himeka in the near future. Iida's developing into a Tomohiro Ishii-esque brawler-technician. Those gatling elbow strikes looked cool.

***1/2

5. High Speed Championship: Riho (c) vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

I was a little disappointed Riho wasn't involved in the finish... I know she has to be protected, but I wanted to see at least one successful somato. This was really fun, there was great timing and crisp execution. The true essence of high speed was on display in this match. While these matches never reach a high level, they're always easy to watch.

***1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship (vacant): Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

Kyona & Konami looked awesome, the way they were controlling the ring. Utami & Saya were able to break through the veteran team's stronghold by putting together double team flurries. This was a good match to decide the new champions.

***1/2

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship Tournament - Finals: Tam Nakano vs. Giulia

This match was a classic and one of my favorites of the year. Another emotionally-charged battle from Tam Nakano, who always brings a variety of emotions to big matches. Similar to Giulia's match with Hana, this one had dangerous techniques such as head butts, steep suplexes and avalanche moves. The lack of chanting only accentuated some of the violence on display. The deliberate pacing of the match allowed them to touch on several themes and build up to a great climax. These two have brilliant chemistry in ring and out.

****1/2

Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguch) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho (7/23/2020)

 DDT - Summer Vacation 2020 (7/23/2020)

KO-D Six Man Tag Team Championship: Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguchi) (c) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho

I can do without Antonio Honda interrupting the flow of a match to do his microphone performance shtick every time... This was a great trios match, the action moved fast and there were dynamic pairings. Of course Riho's performance is the one I found most exciting, every time she stepped into the ring things got interesting.

***3/4

Stardom - Cinderella Summer in Nagoya (7/24/2020)

4. Queen's Quest (AZM, Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Himeka, Maika & Syuri)

An excellent 8-man that was loaded with content. The main pairings produced some awesome exchanges, and there was generally good timing and chemistry throughout. The pacing was so good that it was hard to believe the match ran for 30-minutes.

****

5. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

One of the most elusive matchups in Stardom's history finally realized. Mayu continued her run of excellent performances, with incredible offense and defense. Kyona conveyed her struggle well, with strong near-falls and tribute sequences to the fallen TCS leader. The action was kept dynamic enough that a lack of chanting didn't hurt as much.

****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/9/2020)

3. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Mizuki vs. Suzume

Mizuki and Suzume both have a counter-based technical style and they worked well together here. Both wrestlers showed precise execution, with Suzume looking especially sharp, and scoring good near-falls, in what was her strongest showing so far.

***1/2

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Miu Watanabe vs. Mirai Maiumi

Mirai looks like she's squeezed her mid section, but you probably wouldn't notice with the costume she wears. Good focused match, where both had game plans. Miu's tenderization of Mirai's back was brutal. The double wristlock from Mirai looked strong and she landed a gnarly lariat in the corner. I wasn't convinced by Miu's comeback, which felt too brief, but the overall match was good.

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Aino

This wasn't the hottest match on the card even though it was the main event, but they had a good, coherent match. Aino's always showing something new in her matches. Maybe that constant growth is why the promotion evaluates her highly.

***1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/8/2020)

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - First Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Raku

The counter work was great in this match. I was particularly impressed with Raku's adaptability, as she had sharp and creative answers to both Miyu's offense and defense.

***1/4

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - First Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Nodoka Tenma

This was a good main event, the building and placement of the moves was well done. Yuka showed her spectacular 450 once more, which looked even better than the first. I would have liked to have seen more from Nodoka in the main event spot, as I felt she wasn't on Yuka's level, but she gave a solid effort.

***1/2

Arisa Nakajima vs. Yoshiko (SEAdLINNNG, 7/13/2020)

SEAdLINNNG - Close To You (7/13/2020)

SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Championship: Arisa Nakajima (c) vs. Yoshiko

This match felt like all of its 26 minutes. There was a lack of variety in terms of moves and the pacing felt largely the same. The moves were spectacular and well-executed, but I'd like a match with more range. This was moves upon moves, suplex, lariat, elbow, repeat; devoid of meaning or drama. I never thought I would see a swan dive German suplex feel so inconsequential in a match. It was just a move amongst many.

***

Riho & Yuna Mizumori vs. Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga (ChocoPro, 7/5/2020)

 ChocoPro - #29 (7/5/2020)

Riho & Yuna Mizumori vs. Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga

It was nice seeing Riho back in Ichigaya. There were some dull portions, mostly in early stages, but this was generally good, with Gatoh Move's signature innovative tag team wrestling on display in some awesome sequences. Riho has become a world-class wrestler since leaving, but her former peers have grown a lot as well.

***1/2