Maki Narumiya Produce (3/16/2016)

1. Maki Narumiya vs. Risa Sera

This was a one-match show. The first half was all about friendly one-upmanship, then things get heated towards the middle with brawling and folding chairs, then it becomes a war of attrition in the third act. Both of them really went the extra mile to create a special match for Maki's retirement road.

****1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - '17 (1/4/2017)

2. Hyper Misao vs. Maho Kurone vs. Rika Tatsumi

This was exactly what you'd want from these wrestlers, a match based mostly around character-work. This also served as farewell to Minami, the kigurumi ring announcer. I'm uncertain how Maho is still alive after that surfboard hip attack.

***

3. Konkatsu-gun (Azusa Takigawa & Nonoko) vs. Ai Shimizu & Laura James (Special Referee: Joey Ryan)

People give Joey a lot of flack, but I appreciate him. This was mostly comedy that built up to a fun spot involving Zexy magazine.

**

4. Ito Maki vs. Reika Saiki

Man, the crowd was going absolutely bonkers for Maki Ito, popping for every single thing she did. Ito has a lot of heart and keeps getting back up for more and more, and the fans loved every second of her comeback sequences.

***3/4

5. Candice LeRae vs. Mil Clown

Mil Clown dresses up like the long lost member of Los Psycho Circus, but incorporates little clown antics into her moveset. I wish she would have incorporated more character work. This was decent; the Ballplex spot was great.

**1/2

6. Miyu Yamashita vs. Saki Akai

Saki Akai's tall, lanky body gives her kicks a whip-like effect and they look especially devastating. Yamashita isn't the most charismatic wrestler, but you can feel her intensity through body language and when she's had enough of Akai's shit, you can definitely sense her frustration. These two are the perfect opponents, wonderful match.

****1/2

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

This was a big improvement over their 2016 match. The groundwork was tighter with smoother transitions, but still has that roughness to it that makes the struggle look genuine. Yuu was amazing as the aggressor, she tosses and drops Nakajima with reckless abandon. Nakajima hits the best Nothern Lights suplex I've ever seen, the torque, the speed, the impact. This was an excellent clash.

****3/4

Maika Ozaki vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon, 11/23/2016)

Ice Ribbon - New Ice Ribbon #768 ~ Yokohama Ribbon 2016 V (11/23/2016)

ICE×∞ Championship Tournament Second Round: Maika Ozaki vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto

Maika Ozaki could barely lift these tiny women for her signature Argentine Backbreaker without struggling but now she does it with ease. She's really coming into her own. I liked her sense of desperation, from the bell she's trying to get the win. Fujimoto's Venus Shoot is like the Rainmaker in the way that it can be reversed in so many unique ways.

***1/4

Kairi Hojo vs. KAORU (Stardom, 9/6/2015)

Stardom - 5★STAR GP2015 (9/6/2015)

5★STAR Grand Prix Blue Stars Block: Kairi Hojo vs. KAORU

This is the match that Hojo needs to win to make it to the finals and KAORU plays a wonderful spoiler with old school heel work. A gruesome spot in the match sees KAORU counter Hojo's diving forearm by batting her out of the air with the wood. Hojo rolls to the outside writhing and screaming in agony. Some great mature woman heel work that makes Hojo's victory a satisfying one.

***1/2

Kimura Kyoko Retirement Memorial Festival ~ LAST AFRO ~ (1/22/2017)

4. Toshimen Pool Ticket Contest Battle Royal: Aoi Kizuki vs. Bambi vs. Cherry vs. Chon Shiryu vs. Gabai Ji-chan vs. Hercules Senga vs. Kagetsu vs. KAORU vs. Lingerie Muto vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Mayumi Ozaki vs. Mitsuhisa Sunabe vs. Moeka Haruhi vs. Natsumi Maki vs. Onryo vs. Takashi Sasaki vs. Tsubo Genjin vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Yuki Miyazaki vs. Yuko Miyamoto vs. Yuu Yamagata

Gabai Ji-chan is the best thing going today. Easily the MVP of this match. The Mayu/Fujimoto/Kagetsu HIGH SPEED segment was loads of fun too. Mayu and Kagetsu should never stop being rivals.

**3/4

5. AKINO & Io Shirai vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Misaki Ohata

Io's involvement makes this very special, but it's a rather by the numbers tag match. Somewhat of a letdown. Maybe my expectations were too high for a random tag on a retirement show.

**1/2

6. Aja Kong, Meiko Satomura & Minoru Suzuki vs. Hana Kimura, ISAO & Kyoko Kimura

Suzuki being an evil bastard is where this shined and the crowd was really into the sentimental family stuff.

***1/2

7. Hana Kimura vs. Kyoko Kimura

Great impromptu match, mother and daughter slugging it out, big boots and genuine emotion. Hana has a legitimate wrist injury which only made her comeback more hard-fought. She's a trooper, and she gives a strong performance. God bless, Hana! I hope she returns stronger than ever!

****

Stardom - Stardom X Stardom 2014 (8/10/2014) (Io Shirai/Yoshiko)

Stardom X Stardom 2014 (8/10/2014)

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

This match was all about Yoshiko and her growth as a wrestler. She was on a different level than when she challenged Io for the belt back in 2013; bigger, stronger, wilder. Io had to breakout new tricks and go back to the drawing board to keep the monster guessing because Yoshiko had the champion well-scouted. It was sheer dominance from Yoshiko through brute force.

***1/2

Arisa Nakajima vs. Hanako Nakamori (JWP, 12/28/2016)

JWP - Climax 2016 (12/28/2016)

JWP Openweight Championship: Arisa Nakajima (c) vs. Hanako Nakamori

Hanako has been thrust into the position of JWP's top star now that Arisa is leaving, but she can't call herself the ace until she brings back the belt. This match never reached a high level, but it did its job in putting over Hanako, I suppose.

**3/4

Ayumi Kurihara vs. Yuzuki Aikawa (Yuzupon Matsuri 3, 5/15/2011)

Yuzupon Matsuri 3 ~ Birthday Eve (5/15/2011)

Ayumi Kurihara vs. Yuzuki Aikawa

The chemistry here is shocking, these two have never faced each other and yet they worked together so well. It never felt like they were killing time for the draw, the pacing felt natural and there were great cut-offs and counters.

****

Kairi Hojo vs. Konami (GPS, 11/5/2016)

GPS - WILD HERO 2 (11/5/2016)

Kairi Hojo vs. Konami

This match was long, but they paced it really well. I like how Hojo spread her signatures out, building to them and making them feel meaningful instead of burning through them like she sometimes does. When the Marine Spike hits in the third act, it feels earned. Konami does her thing too, with those Kana-style low kicks and knee bars and ankle locks.

****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Osaka LOVE Rin (10/16/2016)

1. Akane Miura vs. Marika Kobashi

Good showcase of what absolute tank Akane Miura can do.

**

2. Azusa Takigawa vs. Maho Kurone vs. Shoko Nakajima

Azusa's commentator gimmick is fascinating. Nakajima has interesting ideas, but isn't quite at the level where she can execute them smoothly.

**

5. Nodoka-oneesan & Yuu vs. Miyu Yamashita & Rika Tatsumi

I love how Rika focuses on the neck with sleepers in preparation for her finisher. Yamashita is on a different level than the roster. I can only hope that the rest of them stick around long enough to catch up to her. This match was to build heat for Yuu/Tatsumi and I think it did its job.

***1/4