NOAH - The Great Voyage 2017 in Fukushima (6/25/2017)

1. Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Kenou

These guys were fucking each other up; lots of hard slaps to the face. Incredible match to open the show.

****

6. Go Shiozaki & Masa Kitamiya vs. Maybach Taniguchi & Naomichi Marufuji

Amazing tag match filled with action. Taniguchi's been looking revaltized lately, he's a totally different performer.

****

8. GHC Heavyweight Championship: Katsuhiko Nakajima (c) vs. Atsushi Kotoge

This was Kotoge's first shot at the Heavyweight Championship and he put forth a tremendous effort. There were lots of hard hits, including a sickening headbutt spot. Nakajima batters Kotoge with kicks to the chest and back during the finish that looked nasty. Incredible match.

****1/2

SEAdLINNNG - Fortissimo (5/24/2017)

1. High Speed: Maruko Nagasaki & Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Mio Momono & Tsukushi

I love these matches. Very fun hai supido.

***1/2

2. Hiiragi Kurumi & Sareee vs. Rin Kadokura & Takumi Iroha

This wasn't connecting with me until the third half and felt like it went on forever. Always great to see Iroha make tape, though.

**1/4

3. Aja Kong & AKINO vs. Nanae Takahashi & Yuki Miyazaki

Nanae is lowkey one of my favorite joshi. I can always expect her to put on a compelling performance, and she takes one hell of a bump. This was a great match from hard-hitting obasan.

***3/4

4. Arisa Nakajima vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto

This was a back-and-forth where all of the moves and counters were well-placed, and it builds into a crushing finish. Arisa's desperation came across well in her facial expressions, and her suplexes were terrific.

****

5. Rina Yamashita vs. Yoshiko

These two are like alternate universe versions of each other, so they make for great rivals. The finish is a lariat war where they're just trading heavy smacks, knocking the bajeezus out of one another. The selling and execution made it one of the more compelling lariat exchanges I've seen in a while; the blood from Rina's mouth splashes across her face in a sweet visual.

****1/2

Hana Kimura vs. Takako Inoue (WRESTLE-1, 7/2/2017)

WRESTLE-1 - ACE Vol. 6

Hana Kimura vs. Takako Inoue

I thought Takako did a good job leading the rookie, and her work on top was crisp. I liked the STF struggle. Hana also put on a strong showing   her front dropkicks and brainbuster were great as always, and I really enjoyed her selling (oversight to not have her take Takako's stun gun!).

***1/4

BASARA - Vajra 39 ~ Uchouten Sky (7/5/2017)

1. Heaven Summit Itadaki Block B Decision Match: FUMA vs. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi

**1/2

3. Naoki Tanizaki vs. Takato Nakano

**

4. Tsutomu Osugi & Best Stretchman V3 vs. Yusuke Kubo & Hagane Shinno vs. Trans-Am ★ Shinya & SAGAT

**3/4

5. Magnitude Kishiwada vs. Ryota Nakatsu

***

6. Hardcore Match: Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine vs. Yasu Urano & Takumi Tsukamoto

***

7. Heaven Summit Itadaki Final - Union Pro MAX Championship: Trans-Am ★ Ryuichi (c) vs. FUMA

DUD

Stardom - Shining Stars 2017 (7/2/2017)

2. Gabby Slays & Shanna vs. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura & Kagetsu)

Shanna has moments of awkwardness, and should stop doing that standing moonsault before she hurts herself.

**3/4

3. Queen's Quest (AZM & HZK) vs. Team Jungle (Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora)

Awesome slugfest. AZM connects gnarly kicks and puts on her best performance yet. HZK brings the hate, Kyona brings the explosiveness, Tora continues to look impressive -- great match!

****

4. Hiromi Mimura & Mayu Iwatani vs. Konami & Yoko Bito

***1/4

Stardom - Shining Stars 2017 (6/28/2017)

2. Hana Kimura vs. Gabby Slays

*1/4

3. Kagetsu vs. Shanna

**3/4

4. Hiromi Mimura & Mayu Iwatani vs. Team Jungle (Hiroyo Matsumoto & Natsuko Tora)

***1/2

5. Konami & Yoko Bito vs. Team Jungle (Jungle Kyona & Kaori Yoneyama)

Damn good main event. I love this kicker team of Bito and Konami. Yoneyama was putting in work here, which I feel she doesn't do often in Stardom. It was great to see.

****