Stardom - New Years Stars 2018 (1/3/2018)

2. Hiromi Mimura vs. Kaori Yoneyama

This was boring during Yoneyama's control segment, per usual with Yoneyama matches, but once they start getting into the shouto stuff it gets really good.

**1/4

5. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, Kris Wolf & Sumire Natsu) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe)

This was enjoyable, a lot of fun. Nothing in joshi puroresu comes close to the intimacy of Stardom's 1stRING shows.

***

Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf) vs. Queen’s Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & Momo Watanabe) (Stardom , 12/13/2017)

Stardom - Momoiro Christmas (12/13/2017)

Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf) vs. Queen’s Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & Momo Watanabe)

This was an enjoyable match, they kept a good energy going and the crowd was engaged. Tam assists her teammates by spanking QQ with a giant fan. Hana and HZK once again had a great exchange, and Momo looked great.

***

Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, Kris Wolf & Natsu Sumire) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe) (Stardom, 11/25/2017)

Stardom - Best of the Goddesses (11/25/2017)

Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu, Kris Wolf & Sumire Natsu) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe)

The Oedo Tai in-fighting is super fun and has added an interesting dynamic to their matches. All of the pairings here were great and everyone did their thing -- there's a hard-hitting segment between Hana and HZK that I was especially into. Great main event for an otherwise weak show.

***1/4

Stardom - Best of the Goddesses (11/19/2017)

2. Konami, Shiki Shibusawa & Starlight Kid vs. Team Jungle (Jungle Kyona, Kaori Yoneyama & Natsuko Tora)

***

3. Kris Wolf vs. Momo Watanabe

**

4. Chardonnay & Scarlett vs. Queen's Quest (AZM & HZK)

**1/4

5. Hiromi Mimura vs. Sumire Natsu

**

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura & Kagetsu) (c) vs. Bea Priestley & Kelly Klein

I like the image of Hana & Kagetsu holding the gold, but I haven't been impressed by their reign so far. This match was a step in the right direction. Klein & Bea's workover session was good, and the crowd was strongly behind Oedo Tai (even though they were cheating!). Good match.

***

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Yoko Bito (c) vs. Io Shirai

Bito announced her retirement shortly after this match and you could see that she was very emotional, but I still felt her performance was lacking. Her strikes were great, Io sold them like crazy, but I didn't find her compelling. Io on the other hand was incredible, her counter to the B Driver was brilliant. I'm interested in her as White Belt champ again. Solid main event; nothing outstanding.

***

Stardom - TRUE FIGHT 2017 (10/17/2017)

2. Elimination: Kelly Klein & Bea Priestley vs. Chardonnay & Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Hiromi Mimura & Konami vs. Jungle Kyona & Tora Natsuko

***

5. Queen's Quest vs. Oedo Tai Challenge Series: HZK vs. Kagetsu

HZK was going all out to put down the big bad wolf of Oedo Tai. This was great. HZK delivered one of the best singles performances I've ever seen from her. Hope she's able to maintain this momentum.

***1/2

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Yoko Bito (c) vs. Takumi Iroha

It was refreshing to see Iroha work a 'high drama' style match, and it felt like a return to form for her. The action was great for the most part; they managed to keep things fresh for the 30-minute draw. I didn't think the B Driver near-falls were as effective as they could have been, Bito doesn't put that certain 'finality' into the move. Iroha on the other hand was doing a fine job of that. A good match, but there were a couple of things that prevented it from being great.

***1/2

Stardom - Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2017 (10/14/2017)

5. Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2017: Oedo Tai (Kagetsu & Hana Kimura) vs. Chibis (Konami & Hiromi Mimura)

Chibis got a lot of shine, and they did some double team stuff. Hiromi's charge-up dropkick is a fun spot. Hana's selling during the closer was good and her submission finisher always looks vicious.

**3/4

6. Goddesses of Stardom Tag League 2017: Queen's Quest (Io Shirai & HZK) vs. Yoko Bito & Jungle Kyona

Solid main event. Proper cohesion, double maneuvers, etc. It goes without saying that Io is a genius of the ring, she worked hard to make this feel special. The heated interactions between HZK and Jungle were also very good.

***1/4

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 x Champions (9/24/2017)

3. High Speed Championship: Mari Apache (c) vs. Hiromi Mimura

This was solid, probably one of the better HS matches I've seen recently. Mari's offense looked deadly, and Hiromi did good too.

***

4. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Yoko Bito (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

Good. There's continuity to this match (that neither competitor mentions) since Kyona won the tag belt from Bito the last time they were in Nagoya. They put on an engaging performance, and it's Kyona's hometown so the crowd was hot.

***1/2

5. Artist of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (HZK, Io Shirai & Viper) (c) vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Kris Wolf & Tam Nakano)

There were some timing issues/awkwardness here, but nothing too bad. I love this feud between HZK and Nakano, they had a good segment here.

**3/4

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (9/18/2017)

4. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Kris Wolf

Hana used a variety of meats to distract Kris, and things got heated between them. Fun little match, loved the aggression Hana-chan showed.

**3/4

5. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Tam Nakano

The crowd was lively for this one. Tam is green, but she makes up for that with her charisma. Kyona's leg gives out when she lifts Tam for her powerbomb finisher and the move falls apart. She doesn't know how to lift. She needs to work on lifting!

***

7. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: HZK vs. Io Shirai

Good! The best of HZK's tournament (for what that is worth). She went toe-to-toe with Io in counters and kicked out of the moonsault.

***

8. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Viper vs. Yoko Bito

Viper ambushes Bito, and they're just going back and forth with big moves. Viper's offense could have looked better... I wasn't really into this until Bito's comeback.

**1/4

9. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Mayu Iwatani

Kagetsu tries to murder Mayu by pushing the entrance gate on top of her. Mayu's neck ends up sandwiched between the structure and a guardrail, it looked horrific. This was good, these two obviously have amazing chemistry and they put on a fresh installment to their feud.

***3/4

10. 5★STAR GP - Finals: Toni Storm vs. Yoko Bito

bad

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (9/16/2017)

1. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Konami

This started off strong with Konami hacking away at Kyona with kicks, and they kept an exciting pace, but it becomes pretty conventional as it unfolds. Still solid.

***

2. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Mandy Leon vs. Tam Nakano

*

3. Toni Storm, Kay Lee Ray & Xia Brookside vs. Mari Apache, Tora Natsuko & Shiki Shibusawa

**

4. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Kris Wolf

**

5. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Viper

I enjoyed how Hana approached this, trying to knock the bigger wrestler off of her feet with big boots and dropkicks, and she manages to brainbuster Viper. Sugoi stuff.

**1/2

6. Queen's Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & AZM) vs. Mayu Iwatani, Yoko Bito & Hiromi Mimura

**1/4

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (9/10/2017)

4. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kris Wolf vs. Yoko Bito

***

5. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Xia Brookside

**1/2

6. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Io Shirai vs. Tam Nakano

Tam looked strong with her dragon sleeper and near-fall. Love the somato Io has been using lately. Good match, the crowd reaction was strong.

***1/2

7. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: HZK vs. Jungle Kyona

This was easily HZK's best match of the tournament so far. Loved the callbacks.

***

8. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Kagetsu

This was a strong performance for Kagetsu, she gets the crowd into the match with her shenanigans. 1stRING was eating this up. The in-ring was solid and the story was very compelling.

***3/4

Stardom - 5★STAR GP 2017 (9/3/2017)

1. Queen's Quest (AZM & Viper) & Tora Natsuko vs. Mari Apache, Hiromi Mimura & Shiki Shibusawa

**1/4

2. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Kay Lee Ray

**

3. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: HZK vs. Mandy Leon

*

4. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Tam Nakano vs. Toni Storm

*1/2

5. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Xia Brookside vs. Yoko Bito

**1/4

6. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Io Shirai vs. Konami

Another awesome match between these two -- they've got good chemistry. Konami stepped it up here.

***3/4

7. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kris Wolf vs. Mayu Iwatani

**1/2

Arisu Nanase vs. Kris Wolf (Stardom, 6/11/2016)

Stardom - Shining Stars 2016 (6/11/2016)

Arisu Nanase vs. Kris Wolf

Kris Wolf puts the heat on, Arisu showed guts and rookie fire, the crowd was into it and really rallied behind her comebacks. I liked the way Arisu took Wolf's knees, fourth match in and she has a distinct selling style. Good amount of drama in this a six minute match.

***

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (8/26/2017)

1. Konami & AZM vs. Shiki☆d (Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibusawa)

**1/2

2. Mandy Leon & Kay Lee Ray vs. Mari Apache & Tora Natsuko

*1/4

3. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: HZK vs. Toni Storm

**

4. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kris Wolf vs. Viper

**3/4

5. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Hiromi Mimura

I enjoyed Hana's control segment in this. The heel work was amazing, and she was very aggressive throughout, really laying in those strikes. Hiromi's the perfect target for bullying.

***

6. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Xia Brookside

The middle part of this could have been better, but I thought it otherwise flowed well and they were throwing awesome strikes. Best match of Xia's career.

**3/4

7. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Io Shirai vs. Jungle Kyona

Io's injured neck is the MVP of this tournament! I'm liking the matches being built around it so far. Kyona brought her wild energy as the aggressor. Io was bumping hard, and there were nifty spots, like the tombstone counters and Io's springboard dropkick sequence. 

***3/4

8. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Yoko Bito

***1/2

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (8/20/2017)

1. Queen's Quest (Viper and AZM) vs. Mari Apache & Tora Natsuko vs. Xia Brookside & Ruaka vs. Shiki☆d (Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibusawa)

**1/2

2. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hiromi Mimura vs. Kris Wolf

**3/4

3. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Kay Lee Ray vs. Tam Nakano

**

4. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: HZK vs. Konami

I've been waiting for this match all year, and when it's finally booked it's only 4 minutes! I got some enjoyment out of this. I always enjoy HZK, and Konami too, but I wish they had worked quicker.

**

5. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Mandy Leon

**1/4

6. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Mayu Iwatani

Mayu has been wearing a more revealing attire lately, so this became something of a sexy battle, and Hana nailed it with her character work. The boob-targeting is classic Stardom.

***

7. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Yoko Bito

This is easily the best Beatrice has looked since returning from injury. She messes Kagetsu up with those deadly kicks. They worked a fast paced. Very good sprint.

***1/2

8. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm

Toni is the unbeatable superwoman, and Io is in a vulnerable state due to her neck injury. They play up the danger of the Strong Zero piledriver that caused the injury and it led to intense moments. Io does this counter to the piledriver that was stunning.

***1/4

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2017 (8/19/2017)

7. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Yoko Bito

This was hurt by timing issues/awkwardness, but there are still things to be enjoyed here, like Hana's octopus hold, and the impact of Bito's kicks. The closing segment where Hana destroys Bito with relentless boots was awesome.

**3/4

8. 5★STAR GP Blue Stars Block: Io Shirai vs. Mandy Leon

***

9. 5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Viper

Viper's offense works well with Mayu's ragdoll selling; her body attacks and slams looked destructive, especially that finish (!).

***

Stardom - Stardom X Stardom in Osaka (7/23/2017)

1. Hanan & Ruaka vs. Shiki Shibusawa & Starlight Kid

**

2. Gabby Ortiz & Xia Brookside vs. Team Jungle (Kaori Yoneyama & Natsuko Tora)

**

3. AZM vs. Hiromi Mimura

**1/4

4. Mari Apache vs. Shanna

**1/2

5. HZK vs. Jungle Kyona

This match has a vile-sounding headbutt in just the opening sequence! It's amazing that they were able to keep up the pace, because that looked like it hurt bad. HZK's bully-esque offense was great, and Kyona brings an emotion to her performances that draws you in. Great, hard-hitting match.

***3/4

6. Konami, Michiko Ohmukai & Yoko Bito vs. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu & Kris Wolf)

Oedo Tai are breakdancing ninjas now. Alright. At least they've gotten a new and better entrance theme. Bito breaks out a Splash Mountain for the victory. This was a fun match.

***3/4

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Viper

This was good. An obvious filler match, from the moment it was announced, but good. Mayu puts on a great performance as she fights hard for her big comeback; she's getting cut off and ragdolled before she rallies for her second wind, and Viper bumps like crazy.

***3/4

Stardom - Golden Week Stars 2017 (5/6/2017)

3. The Craft (Jessicka Havok & Tessa Blanchard) vs. Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora

***1/4

4. Mayu Iwatani & Toni Storm vs. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf)

***

5. Artist of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK & Io Shirai) (c) vs. Hiromi Mimura, Kairi Hojo & Konami

***3/4

Stardom - Kairi Hojo’s Homecoming (4/22/2017)

1. Hetzza vs. Kris Wolf vs. Natsuko Tora

BAD

2. Hiromi Mimura & Kaori Yoneyama vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu & La Rosa Negra)

***3/4

3. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona vs. The Craft (Jessicka Havok & Tessa Blanchard)

***

4. Konami, Mayu Iwatani & Toni Storm vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK & Io Shirai)

****

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kairi Hojo (c) vs. Hana Kimura

***

Stardom - Grow Up Stars 2017 (4/16/2017)

1. AZM vs. La Rosa Negra

**1/2

2. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona vs. Konami & Tora Natsuko

**3/4

3. High Speed Championship: Kris Wolf (c) vs. Hetzza vs. Kaori Yoneyama

***

4. Mayu Iwatani & Arisu Nanase vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu & Hana Kimura)

***1/2

5. Queen's Quest (Io Shirai & HZK) vs. Kairi Hojo & Hiromi Mimura vs. The Craft (Jessicka Havok & Tessa Blanchard)

***3/4

Queen's Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & AZM) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona & Tora Natsuko (Stardom, 4/15/2017)

2. Kaori Yoneyama vs. Kris Wolf

Hey, a rematch from the 5★STAR GP2016 FINALS, and there's some callbacks to that match here too. Wolf gets overly ambitious and does an extremely sloppy springboard headscissors takedown sequence that ruined the flow until the finish. She finds a counter to Yoneyama's rolling German that I liked.

**

3. Artist of Stardom Championship Tournament, Semi Final: Queen's Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & AZM) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona & Tora Natsuko

This was another really good Queen's Quest trio in a line of really good Queen's Quest trios. Jungle Friends were a very energetic team, and I thought Tora was fun. HZK's feud with Kyona is starting to heat up. Io is the ace, but she kind of let's her teammates get the spotlight.

***3/4

4. Artist of Stardom Championship Tournament, Semi Final: Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura & La Rosa Negra) vs. Kairi Hojo, Hiromi Mimura & Konami

La Rosa Negra is wearing pink, which is not part of Oedo Tai's palette. But none of that even matters because Hana-chan gets a big win over Hojo.

**3/4

5. Mayu Iwatani & Hetzza vs. Jessicka Havok & Tessa Blanchard

**1/2

6. Artist of Stardom Championship Tournament, Final: Queen's Quest (Io Shirai, HZK & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura & La Rosa Negra)

This felt all over the place.

**1/2