Hamuko Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 5/31/2020)

Ice Ribbon - #1044

IW-19 Championship Tournament - Finals (decision): Hamuko Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi

This match was lacking a spark. I thought the difference in personalities would create an interesting dynamic, but it really didn't. It felt like they were doing moves without any feeling behind them or a story in mind. For a title decision match, it lacked a sense of drama. There were some great looking moves, flashy offense and counters from both, but nothing to sink your teeth into. As an exhibition of moves, it was a solid fun watch.

***1/4

Emi Sakura vs. Baliyan Akki (ChocoPro, 5/4/2020)

ChocoPro - #10 (5/4/2020)

Emi Sakura vs. Baliyan Akki

One of the best ChocoPro matches so far. Emi was working hard, showing her brilliance with clever matwork and counters. Akki's amazing physical ability allows him to do some awesome moves, and he was explosive on offense. The finishing sequence, where they go back and forth with counters, was very intense, especially for a show with no fans.

***3/4

Ryo Mizunami vs. Mei Suruga (ChocoPro, 5/3/2020)

ChocoPro #9 (5/3/2020)

Ryo Mizunami vs. Mei Suruga

This was a good main event. Both wrestlers are known for their charisma so there was lots of personality on display. No fans in attendance allowed them to make full use of the Ichigaya venue for some unique spots and brawling. Mei received brutal chest punishment with those chops from Mizunami.

***1/4

Sayaka Obihiro vs. Antonio Honda (ChocoPro, 4/29/2020

ChocoPro - #8 (4/29/2020)

Sayaka Obihiro vs. Antonio Honda

Obihiro's return match from injury. The match transitions from some hit-or-miss comedy into a hard-hitting, emotional struggle. Thought the shift in tone was executed in a way that was almost unnoticeable. Honda played the bully well in the way that he systematic picked apart Obihiro with a rough leg workover. Really good match.

***1/2

Ryo Mizunami vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto (WAVE, 6/5/2016)

WAVE - Catch the WAVE 2016 ~Namijo Kesshosen~ (6/5/2016)

Catch the WAVE 2016 Finals: Ryo Mizunami vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto

An awesome match and easily one of my favorite matches from Fujimoto's catalog. Both wrestlers gave strong performances, showing a real drive to win, and built to a hot finish. There was a new level of viciousness from Fujimoto, rarely seen in her home promotion. And Mizunami drops Fujimoto on her head a bunch with some devastating offense. This was also one of the rare instances in recent years where WAVE drew a strong crowd at Korakuen Hall so the atmosphere was great for the tournament finals.

****1/2

Io Shirai vs. Mayu Iwatani (Stardom, 5/15/2016)

Stardom - Gold May 2016 (5/15/2016)

World of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai (c) vs. Mayu Iwatani

This was such an amazing match. An absolute classic. Io is known to be a master technician and high flyer, but she can also deliver a beatdown. The stomps and kicks she delivered to Mayu in the early stages were almost hard to watch. Mayu had won the Cinderella tournament, this was her third opportunity at the Red belt, and she gave an all-time performance against her Thunder Rock tag partner. Everything here felt pristine, offense and defense, hard strikes and suplexes.

****3/4

Nagisa Nozaki vs. Miyuki Takase (WAVE, 3/21/2020)

WAVE - Osaka Rhapsody Vol. 47 (3/21/2020)

Regina Di WAVE Championship: Nagisa Nozaki (c) vs. Miyuki Takase

A rematch, this time with Miyuki positioned as the title challenger in Nozaki’s home promotion. This was a slow starter, with some awesome exchanges of strikes and slick counters when the action picks up. Takase was once again fantastic with her bumping and selling of Nozaki’s offense.

***1/2