Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (8/17/2019)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Jamie Hayter

This was a good back and forth, with some fun character work and strong offense exchanged between them.

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Andras Miyagi vs. Bea Priestley

A concise and well arranged sprint. Some hard hits and bombs.

***1/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Utami Hayashishita

A dominant performance from Utami, who had a strategy and executed it. Kyona started strong, but waned fairly quick. I wonder if there's a greater story being set up there.

***1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hazuki vs. Momo Watanabe

This didn't feel like the special encounter that was last year's match. The build and finishing stretch felt lacking.

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Konami

Started strong, with some nice grappling and trades, but this was another match that didn't deliver on the expectations I had for it on paper.

***

Tokyo Joshi Pro - KFC 2Days '19 ~ Temple Of The Sun ~ (9/15/2019)

4. Miyu Yamashita vs. Mirai Maiumi

The ground skills shown by these two in the first half were amazing. The guard pass and submission transitions were exciting to watch. Miyu's Germans from the ground were so good. I want to see more. I look forward to future matches between these two.

***3/4

6. Hikari Noa vs. Miu Watanabe

The Tokyo Princess Cup ended 2 months ago. Hikari-Miu is a singles match that matches up with the best of that tournament. Even though there's nothing on the line, there's a sense that this match means something to Hikari and Miu. Both were able to show what they've cultivated over the 20 months leading to this point.

****

8. Princess of Princess Championship: Shoko Nakajima (c) vs. Misao

V3 is the best defense in Shoko’s reign so far. Misao was a menacing presence, looking to inflict grievous bodily harm. Misao put to use the Pentagon Jr. arm crank in an assault on Shoko’s arm, in addition to other brutal methods of attack. Shoko’s fighting spirit, and bumping and timing, was excellent.

****1/4

Gatoh Move - gtmv-1 ~ Gatoh Fruit Juice 100% ~ (8/28/2019)

1. Emi Sakura vs. Rin Rin

Rin Rin's range of moves and technique was unexpected from a debutant. Her counters and transitions were good. Emi was the glue that held this together.

***1/2

2. Mitsuru Konno vs. Sayuri

 Konno adjusted her style to work within Sayuri's shortcomings. Sayuri seems solid (she executed an impressive jumping knee), but she didn't bump. I wonder if she's ready to compete at a professional level if she's unable to bump. Her debut may have been rushed.

3. Mei Suruga vs. Tokiko Kirihara

Tokiko's debut was slower than the others, but she was the most impressive rookie other than Rin Rin. She showed good basics and was able to show her martial arts.

4. Lulu Pencil vs. Yuna Mizumori

Lulu reminds me of DJ Nira with her unorthodox movement and pacing. The crowd was really into her. Yuna gave an enthusiastic performance, bumping the stiff Lulu around.

5. Chie Koishikawa vs. Sayaka Obihiro

Chie's debut was an average rookie debut match. The way that she applied her fencing skills was creative.

6. Emi Sakura, Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori vs. Mitsuru Konno, Sayaka & Sayaka Obihiro

Sayaka gave a competent performance in her debut. Her wrestling wasn't all smooth but it was effective. The overall match felt like an Ichigaya trios in a traditional ring, lots of movement and creative spots.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - The Mountain Top 2019 ~ I Will Not Lose To Anyone ~ (9/1/2019)

1. Mirai Maiumi vs. Suzume

Opener was one of the better rookie singles matches I've seen from Tokyo Joshi. This new class is off to a good start. Solid showcase of fundamentals.

2. Himawari Unagi & YUMI vs. Mahiro Kiryu & Pom Harajuku

The Pomu-Unagi sessions in the second match were enjoyable, and it was generally a better showcase of the previous generation than the Korakuen Hall match (for what it's worth).

3. Gisele Shaw & Yuki Kamifuku vs. Miu Watanabe & Miyu Yamashita

This was a good action match, with some explosiveness from Gisele. Good Miyu segments. Kamiyu continues her run of impressive performances.

***1/2

5. Maki Ito vs. Su Yung

Another fun Su Yung matchup. Good mesh of character work and wrestling.

***1/2

7. Princess of Princess Championship: Shoko Nakajima (c) vs. Mizuki

This felt like a retread (of their TPC match), sans the drama, tension, atmosphere (Shinkiba) and freshness of the original. Shoko's ground work was fun, and I liked Mizuki's back-targeting offense and counters, but they didn't cover new ground here.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Brand New Wrestling 3 ~ Stronger Than Anyone! ~ (8/25/2019)

3. Mina Shirakawa, Yuki Kamifuku & Yuna Manase vs. Nodoka Tenma, Raku & Rika Tatsumi

Nodoka's perile spells were good, as she's at her best when she's bumping around for someone. Kamiyu has been looking good lately, this was another exciting showing from her. There were several fun pairings, but I enjoyed the Yuna-Raku segment the most. 

***3/4

4. Su Yung vs. Yuka Sakazaki

This was wilder than I expected; and totally unconventional for a Tokyo Joshi match. The setup and payoff to Koda's sock was done well.

***3/4

5. Maki Ito vs. Mizuki

This was heated and at times very good, but dragged. It felt like the match reached its peak during the submission exchanges and from there they were doing lesser moves with less heat (until the finish).

***1/2

7. International Princess Championship (decision): Gisele Shaw vs. Natsumi Maki

Gisele's aggressive streak added a layer of depth to this match that I didn't expect coming in. She played her role well as the foil for the crowd favorite to overcome. Natsumi showed excellent skill fighting underneath in an engaging performance. The striking size differential was also a factor they worked into the match in a smart way. A very well put together match for the new title's inauguration.

****

8. Princess Tag Team Championship: NEO Biishiki-gun (Misao & Sakisama) (c) vs. Momoiro Sparkling (Miu Watanabe & Miyu Yamashita)

This was mostly focused on action and the action was good, with everyone involved giving big time performances (Miu to a lesser extent). Miyu and Saki-sama's explosive kick exchange was my favorite sequence.

****

Stardom - Stardom X Stardom 2019 (8/10/2019)

2. STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Saya Iida & Tam Nakano) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Bobbi Tyler, Hana Kimura & Konami)

Straightforward trios action with some clever spots.

***1/2

3. High Speed Championship: Death Yama-san (c) vs. Riho vs. Starlight Kid

Impressive debut performance from Riho. She showed her technique to a new audience without giving away too much. The match was short, but it was exciting. A burst of high speed action, with several great mixups and sequences.

***

4. Artist of Stardom Championship: Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi, Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire) vs. Oedo Tai (Jamie Hayter, Natsuko Tora & Hazuki)

An awesome trios. There was a brilliant sequence that resembled something out of Dragon Gate, not only the composition but the speed of the movement. Jamie looked impressive in her portion with some explosive offense.

***3/4

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

This was pure "Arisa Theatre". There's emotion and struggle in each big sequence which made them feel meaningful and earned. And there's an explosive power behind the big time moves. Two of the best Stardom has to offer having a thrilling spectacle. Arisa is operating in another plane of existence. She's doing something that no one else is doing in jyo at the moment. My new favorite Stardom bout, one of my favorite joshi puroresu bouts of all time.

****3/4

6. World of Stardom Championship: Bea Priestley (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

I liked Bea's joint manipulation and physicality, she makes a schoolboy look like a powerful hold in the early goings. Utami's growth was on display, as she held her own, making strong comebacks. A great main event to close Utami's first year.

****1/4

Mitsuru Konno vs. Anchamu (Gatoh Move, 7/14/2019)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour #441 (7/14/2019)

Mitsuru Konno vs. Anchamu

This was really good, very technical and intense with effective near-falls.

***3/4