Kairi Hojo vs. Io Shirai (Stardom, 9/3/2016)

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2016 (9/3/2016)

5★STAR GP Red Stars Block: Kairi Hojo vs. Io Shirai

This is the match where the infamous Ganso Bomb from the apron happens. There’s also solid grappling that takes place. This outing was a major improvement over their January match; more refined and better paced. Then, we get to the spot: dangerous and stupid and it just didn’t come off looking good. Great stuff happening around it, though.

***3/4

Arisa Nakajima vs. Kyoko Kimura (JWP, 10/9/2016)

JWP - Fly High In The 25th Anniversary (10/9/2016)

JWP Openweight Championship: Arisa Nakajima (c) vs. Kyoko Kimura 

This was alright match, never quite reached the level of what I would hope from Arisa and Kyoko. They're definitely capable of better, but we didn't see that from either of them in the two clashes they had during Kimura's retirement run, unfortunately. The limbwork wasn't sold all that well by Nakajima, but at least it played into the finish. Good strikes here too.

**3/4

Hiroyo Matsumoto 10th Anniversary Produce ~ Hiroyo No Dai Ketto (7/31/2016)

2. Hikaru Shida vs.「Kotori」vs. Mayu Iwatani

It's not often that Stardom joshi wrestlers take outside bookings so just seeing Shida hit an enzugiri on Mayu is a once in a lifetime kind of moment. Fun, well-flowing match.

**1/2

5. Aja Kong vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto

This was pure destruction,  just two hosses throwing bombs all over 1stRING, like kaiju fighting over territory in joshi form, which was totally the intention knowing the 'Lady Godzilla' Hiroyo. Ishiro Honda would be proud. There were vile headbutts, ring-shaking suplexes and a giant metal barrel. It was great.

****3/4

BASARA - Vajra 23 ~ Wu (5/13/2016)

4. Heaven Summit Itadaki Block A: Isami Kodaka vs. SAGAT

Dug this. Kodaka's always doing neat little things in his matches, delivering something fresh even when he's wrestling in front of 73 people in the Ice Ribbon dojo. Finish was swift and brutal.

***3/4

5. Heaven Summit Itadaki Block B: Daichi Kazato vs. FUMA

This is treated as a serious contest between two hard-hitting dudes, but ever so often they inject their cartoony gimmicks into their offense. It's bizarre and over-the-top, but they play it straight in a way that just makes it all come together.

***3/4

Kairi Hojo vs. Io Shirai (Stardom, 3/29/2015)

Stardom - The Highest 2015 (3/29/2015)

World of Stardom (vacant): Kairi Hojo vs. Io Shirai

Io and Hojo both wear the wounds of their previous matches in this tournament for the vacate belt, and get right to it, beating the hell out of each other; Io working the arm that was injured earlier on the card. An explosive opening. But then the match takes a sudden detour so Io can get her a moonsault off of the south wall. The match loses focuses from there and the finish fell flat.

**

Stardom - Season 14 Goddesses In Stars 2013 (10/6/2013)

2. Alpha Female vs. Yuhi

Alpha Female is probably my least favorite Stardom gaijin ever. That said, I thought she did good here. Yuhi was just a powder keg of rapid-fire offense. Everything worked out well and they told a good little story.

***

5. Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani vs. Nanae Takahashi & Miho Wakizawa

Thunder Rock vs. Kiss no Sekai! Mayu is wearing her goofy pants and takes a particularly nasty spot when Io is superplexed on top of her. Wacky was on fire!

***3/4

Kenny Omega vs. Ayako Hamada (WAVE, 11/4/2013)

 WAVE - GAMI Libre 6 (11/4/2013)

Kenny Omega vs. Ayako Hamada

This is a match that happened. And it main evented. Wild career Omega has had. Hamada looks strong against the current Bullet Club leader, hitting most of her signature spots. This was a fun and interesting match up.

***