Stardom - Yokohama Cinderella (10/3/2020)

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

This was an incredible way to open the show. When you think the match has peaked, there’s another counter or sudden twist and turn. Each of their best moves couldn’t put the other away so something new was needed. This was one of the best matches ever fought for the High Speed Championship.

****

2. Hanan vs. Mina Shirakawa

This was an impressive debut for Mina. As someone who watched her work in Tokyo Joshi Pro, this was one of her more polished singles performances. They paced and laid out the match well, working in good near-falls.

4. DEATH Yama-san vs. Natsupoi

I wasn't expecting much based on the length of the match, but it was a great debut for Natsupoi. She seemed to be moving twice as fast as she did in TJPW, and it was cute to see her play off the character of DEATH.

***1/4

5. SWA Undisputed Championship (decision): Momo Watanabe vs. Bea Priestley

The fact that a match of this level is in the middle of the card says a lot about how stacked this show was. This was a world-title level bout between two of the most reliable big match performances on the roster, an intense grudge match with brawling, strike battles and big bombs. This could have easily closed a less stacked event.

****1/4

6. Losing Unit Must Disband - No Disqualification: Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

This was basically the usual good Stardom tag match within the context of a hardcore unit dissolution match. The match felt lacking in drama considering the stipulation, but the action was strong with the highlight being a brutal piledriver through a table.

***1/2

7. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Maika)

A wonderful tag team match made even more impressive by the fact that the performers involved have less than 3 years of in-ring experience. They've all built great chemistry from their individual feuds and it was on display in this match. It was a long match, but everything was well-paced and arranged, and the finish was really great.

****1/4

8. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Giulia vs. Tam has become a shitteno All Japan-style feud where the danger escalates with each match. The first half of the match was devoted to dangerous techniques and the rest of the match was just them emptying their remaining reserves and laying bare their fighting spirit, cutting their wrestling lives in half. This was an epic first defense for the champion.

****1/2

9. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Syuri

Syuri's had her signature matches with Asuka and Hikaru Shida during her heyday, but she's never performed on this scale before against an opponent like Mayu. Syuri's technical and striking superiority allowed her to outclass Mayu in almost every aspect, except for that intangible thing called "heart". Mayu kept coming back from near-death like a zombie every time.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020: 5STAR Special In Korakuen (9/28/2020)

2. Bea Priestley vs. Saya Kamitani

It's nice to see Bea back in singles action. Technically and physically, she looks better than she did before her hiatus. Kamitani, whose singles matches have been very good lately, put up another strong effort. It was a gradually paced match that built into a tense finale, with Kamitani showing grit. 

***1/2

3. STARS (Saya Iida & Starlight Kid) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Maika)

This was a good buffer match for Himeka & Maika heading into their tag title challenge. They actually worked a well laid out match and built to hot near-falls. Himeka & Maika’s combinations looked great, and Iida & Kid were great in the role of junior underdogs. 

***1/4

4. Captain's Fall: Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Natsu Sumire & Saki Kashima) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Death Yama-san, Jungle Kyona & Konami)

Despite the "TCS must disband if they lose" billing, this was only another chapter in the prelude to the final showdown in Yokohama. Poor ending aside, this was a great trios match, well arranged with some exciting momentum shifts.

***1/2

5. Mei Hoshizuki & NEW-TRA (Rin Kadokura & Takumi Iroha) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita)

Stardom crossover matches don't happen very often, so they always feel special when they do. This was a great match with loads of content. It was longer than the usual trios match, but they kept the excitement going by skillfully weaving in subplots and building anticipation for the key encounters. 

****1/4

6. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri)

An eventful 30 minutes. Both feuds were given ample breathing room to have great segments. Giulia and Tam engaged in some rough fighting and high-impact offense, while Mayu and Syuri exchanged kicks and suplexes. This was a great double prelude to Yokohama, that also featured the fresh pairings of Giulia vs. Mayu and Tam vs. Syuri. 

****

Jungle Kyona vs. Himeka (Stardom, 9/22/2020)

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Special (9/22/2020)

Jungle Kyona vs. Himeka

A super match between the powerhouses of their respective GP blocks in the tournament. This match was defined by parity, with the two exchanging heavy offense and neither gaining an edge over the other. Kyona always conveys struggle well, and the power she displayed when she held Himeka in the air for the Jungle Buster was amazing.

***3/4

Mei Suruga vs. Yuna Mizumori (ChocoPro, 9/20/2020)

ChocoPro - #49 (9/20/2020)

Mei Suruga vs. Yuna Mizumori

This was a heavyweight vs. junior style match with both wrestlers working perfectly according to their weight. It was a great match, full of drama and full of the charm and innovation that only Ichigaya can provide. 

****1/4

Nagisa Nozaki vs. Sakura Hirota (WAVE, 9/6/2020)

WAVE - Sunday WAVE Vol. 39 (9/6/2020)

Regina di WAVE Championship: Nagisa Nozaki (c) vs. Sakura Hirota

A very solid title defense for Nozaki. Hirota's kancho was still used, but it was treated more as a serious move than a comedy spot. Hirota's wrestling isn't the sharpest, but she has those crafty veteran instincts and good timing. Nozaki's attacks looked convincing, especially her boots, but her overall performance was lacking depth.

***1/2

Emi Sakura & Riho vs. Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori (ChocoPro, 9/27/2020)

 ChocoPro - #50 (9/27/2020)

Emi Sakura & Riho vs. Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori

With the theme of "ChocoPro vs. AEW", Riho appeared in Ichigaya for the first time in a long time. This was a 30-minute marathon of diverse and creative offense and defense, and the tension of the finale was tremendous. Emi was amazing in the role of the heel, and some of her attacks were truly brutal. Even though there were no fans, it had the kinetic atmosphere of a match with a live crowd.

****1/2

Mayumi Ozaki vs. Saori Anou (OZ Academy, 8/28/2020)

OZ Academy - Plum Hanasaku ~ OZ No Kuni Buntai Final (8/28/2020)

OZ Academy Openweight Championship: Mayumi Ozaki (c) vs. Saori Anou

The match certainly had spectacular visuals, but I don't think it was a fulfilling match in terms of showing Anou's abilities at a high level. She spent most of her time bumping around for Ozaki's usual antics, and the little bits of offense she did get felt lukewarm. There was never a moment in the match where I was convinced she could win. This felt more like a prolonged one-sided beatdown than a competitive title match at the promotion's biggest show of the year.

***