Monday, July 4, 2022
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Stardom - Fight In The Top ~Nagoya Summit Battle~ (6/26/2022)
3. Himeka vs. Mina Shirakawa
Mina controlled the pace with a focused attack on the leg. The damage accumulation played into the finish of the match, and even though Himeka was able to win using Mina's own move against her; Mina controlled the match right up until the end, making timely counters aimed at the leg whenever Himeka seemed to be gaining control. The gap between the two appears to be shrinking. ***1/2
4. Artist of Stardom Championship - Elimination: Starlight Kid, Saki Kashima & Momo Watanabe (c) vs. Giulia, Maika & Mai Sakurai vs. Syuri, MIRAI & Ami Sourei
Another great Artist defense. The depth of the action felt bottomless. There were so many interactions and little things to enjoy, and everyone was given their moment to stand out. Kid's self-destructive elimination of Giulia and Syuri was particularly cool and dramatic. The finale between Kashima and Sourei felt like it could go either way, with Sourei being undefeated since her debut and Kashima being a wrestler who can take falls in multi-man tags in rural areas yet still convincingly win big matches with her super desperation comeback technique. ****1/4
5. Steel Cage Match: Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi
This had such an unsettling and breathless atmosphere yet was so addictive. Two cute idol wrestlers with various moe elements dared to show their ugly side. Grotesque flesh-shaving assaults using the wired mesh of the cage, and heavy slaps and kicks and crushing suplexes. The VSD being performed in deafening silence was chilling and the hanging finish will surely be etched in the history of Reiwa. Natsupoi came to Stardom seeking this type of emotion driven grudge match and it was great to see her in such a fulfilling role with Tam, with whom she has a dark and complex relationship. ****1/2
6. Steel Cage Match: Mayu Iwatani, Koguma & Hazuki vs. Utami Hayashishita, AZM & Saya Kamitani
This was in direct contrast to the muddy grudge match that preceded it. A lighthearted sports competition-like approach to the cage match to send the fans home happy. It had high-risk spots and comical elements, with each wrestler showing plenty of personality. Koguma was once again the main character of a gimmick match with her 5-meter leap from the cage. I'm glad everyone seems to have escaped unharmed. ****1/4
Ice Ribbon - New Ice Ribbon #1210 ~ After The Rain, Ribbon 2022 (6/26/2022)
1. ICExInfinity Championship Tournament - Semi Finals: Yuuki Mashiro vs. Ibuki Hoshi
Mashiro casts her genjustu and envelops the opponent and the audience in her unique worldview. This was a great match, with a subtle, almost imperceptible build-up to a hot finish. Mashiro had some elements in her performance that could be considered comedic, but she played it with a dignified look on her face, which made it all the more amusing and compelling. Everything Ibuki did looked great as always, and her dynamic and energetic style was a nice contrast to Mashiro's mysterious, calculating and detailed approach. ***3/4
8. ICExInfinity Championship Tournament - Finals (decision): Saori Anou vs. Yuuki Mashiro
This match was almost solely a conduit to showcase Yuuki Mashiro's potential and mysterious charm. Anou's output felt mediocre and uninspired for the occasion, with a lot of repetitive techniques and a lack of tension and emotion in her comebacks. I was surprised that the winning wrestler fought so blandly. She simply could not match Mashiro's efforts in terms of performance on this day. Overall a solid match to decide the new champion, Mashiro's depiction of an underdog even when exploiting her opponent's injury and being in control for much of the match was amazing. This is the first time an outsider has held the belt since Mio Shirai, I believe, so it is a fresh way to start what is promised to be a new era for Ice Ribbon. ***1/4
Shoko Nakajima vs. Yuka Sakazaki (CyberFight Festival, 6/12/2022)
Cyberfight Festival 2022 (6/12/2022)
Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship: Shoko Nakajima (c) vs. Yuka Sakazaki
This match was placed in an awkward spot, being made to follow Keiji Mutoh's retirement announcement. It had such a bizarre atmosphere, but they were able to put together a strong match that eventually engaged the crowd. I was impressed by some of the speedy exchanges and displays of strength. Both of them have well-trained bodies and are amongst the hardest workers on the roster. Yuka appeared to have suffered an injury which may have contributed to some awkward or flubbed spots, but it didn't hurt the pacing too much. It was lacking on the emotional side and had more of an " offer match" feel than a proper big title match feel, but it was a good match overall. ***1/2
Maki Itoh vs. Miyu Yamashita (Prestige Wrestling, 5/29/2022)
Prestige Wrestling (5/29/2022)
Maki Itoh vs. Miyu Yamashita
I thought this match, like the previous match between them, was well built until its later stages. With each match, their chemistry and counters become more polished, but in my opinion, they have yet to produce a truly hot finishing stretch. The execution of the finish was unsatisfactory. Even though the move looks convincing when it lands, the transition to the skull kick almost always feels rough. ***1/4
Tae Honma vs. Asahi (Ice Ribbon, 6/11/2022)
ICExInfinity Championship Tournament - First Round: Tae Honma vs. Asahi
A focused and compact dojo main event unique to Warabi, Saitama. There was nothing visually remarkable about the match, but it was well executed, both wrestlers aiming at each other's arms. Asahi was returning from an injury and wrestled a more grounded style of match than usual. In theory, the match succeeded in elevating Asahi to Honma's equal. However, as a match held in front of 63 spectators, I don't think it did anything more than showcase Asahi's abilities to those who already know what she is capable of. ***1/4
DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Mochi Natsumi & Risa Sera (Sendai Girls, 5/7/2022)
Sendai Girls (5/7/2022)
DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Mochi Natsumi & Risa Sera
Somehow, I think this match might end up being more interesting than the match it was building up. It was a heated, hard-hitting affair and the introduction of weapons made it even more intense. Compared to the other members of Prominence, Mochi seems to be less in demand and is not booked very often. However, she is a good utility player with clean technique. I was impressed by her ability to match the intensity of the other wrestlers in this match, which was contrary to her usual light-hearted atmosphere. ****