Stardom - Cinderella Journey in Nagaoka (2/23/2022)

 4. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, MIRAI & Thekla) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka, Maika & Syuri)

This was a short 20 minute trios match that showed the vividness of the new DDM. Each member was given their moments to shine, and Giulia and Syuri previewed their upcoming title match in hard-hitting segments. ****

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

This match exceeded high speed. I never envisioned these two would be capable of such a match. Sharp technical grappling and rope work, and frantic pin scrambles. There were also the necessary slow points that swelled the tension for some great near-falls and a well delivered pay off. ****1/4

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Natsupoi

A fan vote was held to determine the main event of the show and this match won by a wide margin. Both competitors were surely under a lot of pressure to meet the expectations of the fans. And unlike the semi-main event, Kamitani and Natsupoi had no history between them to draw from, but they each had their own motivations. For the champion Kamitani it was to replace the negative memories of this same venue she failed an idol audition in years ago. This was a great main event with a combination of brilliance and rawness, as both showed off some flashy new moves and unleashed some big bombs. From the bell they worked an exhilarating pace for over 20 minutes. ****1/4

Maya Yukihi vs. Ram Kaichow (Ice Ribbon, 8/24/2019)

Ice Ribbon -  #986 ~ Ice In Wonderland 2019 (8/24/2019)

ICExInfinity Title Tournament - Quarter Finals: Maya Yukihi vs. Ram Kaichow

The first big singles match of Ram Kaichow's career. A high stakes quarterfinal in a tournament to decide the next ICE challenger. Maya's expressive range in this match was impressive. Her playfulness when in control early on, and her shock and awe as Kaichow began to pick up steam and string together offense, eventually scoring close near-falls, was well delivered. This was one of her best individual performances. The crowd was hot for everything which gave the match a special aura. ****1/4

Ram Kaichow vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon, 6/30/2019)

Ice Ribbon - #968 In SKIP City (6/30/2019)

Ram Kaichow vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto

This was Ram Kaichow's return to the ring after a long hiatus. The match went probably as you would expect a wrestler returning from a years-long hiatus to go. Simple in format and execution, with Fujimoto doing most of the work and Kaichow getting a few hits in. The crowd was very receptive to this matchup, active throughout the match, creating an aura of excitement for almost every moment. ***1/2

Akane Fujita & Ram Kaichow vs. Asahi & Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon, 7/15/2019)

 Ice Ribbon - #971 ~ Yokohama Ribbon 2019 (7/15/2019)

Akane Fujita & Ram Kaichow vs. Asahi & Suzu Suzuki

This was unexpectedly amazing. Asahi & Suzu were a really fun and energetic team of juniors trying hard to score the win over the veteran team while also trying to not get outshone by the other, which made for a unique dynamic. Crowd was hot and the match was given a lot of time to develop. The momentum shifts were well-timed, and there were surprising kickouts from Asahi. ***3/4

Mizuki, Hikari Noa & Yuki Arai vs. Miu Watanabe, Yuki Aino & Suzume (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 2/19/2022)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - TJPW Tokyo Joshi 2022 Winter (2/19/2022)

Mizuki, Hikari Noa & Yuki Arai vs. Miu Watanabe, Yuki Aino & Suzume

Despite the absence of six wrestlers, they still managed to put together a stellar main event lineup. I don't know what the original main event was going to be, but the absences may have actually allowed some of the younger wrestlers to appear higher on the card than they perhaps would have. Anyway, this was a fun action-y six-man with a final exchange between Miu and Arai to end it. ***1/2

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Makoto (Ice Ribbon, 1/16/2022)

Ice Ribbon - Ice Ribbon - Winter Story 2022~ (1/16/2022)

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Makoto

Every so often Makoto gets to showcase her underrated abilities in "big" singles matches like this and she usually delivers. This match against Fujimoto was an example of that. A great reunion match between Ice Ribbon OGs, well-paced out in terms of moves and dynamic enough that it never grew too repetitive. ****

Donna del Mondo (Maika & Himeka) vs. Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) (Stardom, 1/16/2022)

Stardom (1/16/2022)

Donna del Mondo (Maika & Himeka) vs. Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita)

This was an awesome match to top off a quality event in Toyohashi, that could have easily been a tag title main event if either team had the belts. Himeka and Utami battled each other with heavy lariats, and Maika and Kamitani feuded throughout the match, hopefully building towards a singles in the future. ****

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Riko Kaiju (SEAdLINNNG, 2/11/2022)

SEAdLINNNG Started 2022! (2/11/2022)

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Riko Kaiju

I never paid much attention to Riko Kaiju but when she mentioned Starlight Kid as an opponent she wanted to fight I became interested. This was my first good look at her, and she performed awesomely. Fujimoto matched her opponent's pace, sticking mostly to the basics, but lived up to her reputation as a " rookie killer" with an aggressiveness not often seen from her. This was a rather long match, lasting just under 20 minutes, but the length was a positive as it allowed the match to properly develop. There were many hard exchanges of blows and an overall sense of physicality. ****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Positive Chain '22 (2/11/2022)

3. Suzume vs. Yuki Arai

A solid linear style match with no wasted movements or mistakes, but nothing spectacular. Arai's facial performance is always one of the highlights of her matches, and the set up for the finish was well executed. ***1/4

7. Futari No Princess Max Heart Tournament 2022 - Finals: Hakuchumu (Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi) vs. Bakuretsu Sisters (Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino)

A tournament finale loaded with action. There was little depth or story to the match, just non-stop workrate with no downtime. Daydream's chemistry as a team has improved, and that was evident in this match as they showed new double-team moves, but I still get the impression from them that they are more "business partners" than friends. ***1/2