Tokyo Joshi Pro - Let's Go To Kasukabe In The Spring, Together With Your Friends! (4/8/2018)

3. Priscilla Kelly vs. Shoko Nakajima

Solid stuff, good showcase for Priscilla, but Shoko's comeback could've been stronger. She was dominated for much of the match and wins in two moves? lol.

***

5. Marika Kobashi vs. Reika Saiki

Great match, there was stiffness and a sense of struggle. Dug the story of Reika trying to strengthen her tag partner.

***1/2

6. Dragon Bombers (Maho Kurone & Rika Tatsumi) vs. Miyu Yamashita & Yuka Sakazaki

Solid main event. I enjoy the team of Miyu & Yuka (MiYuka!). Rika continues to be the least impressive performer in these lead-up matches, but I have no doubt that she will pull off something amazing in Korakuen.

***

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Let's Go To Osaka In The Spring, Together With Your Friends! (4/7/2018)

2. Miu vs. Yuu

This was an amazing burst of violence. It only lasts 4-minutes, but the action was laser-focused and economical. The Pink Up Up Girl was working hard.

***1/2

3. Maki Ito vs. Nodoka-oneesan vs. Shoko Nakajima

I can't say I'm fond of these 3WAY matches most of the time, but this one was great. The action was exciting and flowed smoothly, and the comedy was well-played. Ito was phenomenal, one of her best performances yet.

***3/4

4. Dragon Bombers (Maho Kurone & Rika Tatsumi) vs. Hyper Misao & Priscilla Kelly

I expected this to be a cringefest with Maho and Priscilla feuding, but I actually dug their interactions - great clash of characters. Misao as the hot tag was fascinating as well, I don't think I've ever seen her wrestle with so much momentum. Oh, and there's no way I can't mention the spot where Rika gets her ass eaten by Priscilla (and powers through it).

***3/4

6. Marika Kobashi vs. Miyu Yamashita

Big Match Marika does it again. This match was intense, action-packed despite only being 8-minutes. The work was tight and precise, and the pacing and transitions felt organic. Miyu kept things exciting with the neat ways she found to kick Marika in the head, and some of those chops from Marika were brutal.

****

Kazusada Higuchi vs. Konosuke Takeshita (DDT, 4/10/2018)

DDT - Live! Maji Manji 卍 #1 (4/10/2018)

Kazusada Higuchi vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Takeshita is just on another level. He does this leaping hurricanrana that was one of the most athletic things I've ever seen. All of his stuff looks so pristine. This was an absolute bombfest, an exhibition of stiffness and big bumps. The camera was obsessed with Moga-chan (ex-Dempagumi.inc) on commentary, and I could've done without the constant cuts to her reaction. Incredible match, still.

****1/2

Stardom - Dream Slam in Tokyo (3/28/2018)

1. Hanan & Leo Onozaki vs. Nao Yamaguchi & Ruaka

Good showcase for the rookies, crowd was into it. Leo and Nao looked good in their Korakuen debuts.

**

2. Tag Team Gauntlet: Bea Priestley & Xia Brookside vs. The Apache Sisters (Mary Apache & Faby Apache) vs. Kaori Yoneyama & Keneisha Moon vs. Queen's Quest (AZM & HZK) vs. Team Jungle (Hiroyo Matsumoto & Natsuko Tora)

This was boatloads of fun, the action was fast and hard-hitting. Bea & Xia were a cute team, and the Apache Sisters rule.

***1/4

3. Future of Stardom Championship - Finals (decision): Shiki Shibusawa vs. Starlight Kid

This may not have been the best match in terms of execution, but it was quite a rush of energy and the Korakuen was hot for it. I thought the counters and sudden momentum shifts were exciting.

***

4. Io Shirai vs. Natsumi

Cool to see the Paradise Lock make its way to Stardom via Natsumi. Love the move. This was a solid debut for Natsumi Apache, Io is well-suited for the role of rookie punisher. Good stuff.

***

5. Chibis (Hiromi Mimura & Konami) vs. JKGReeeeN (Jungle Kyona & Momo Watanabe)

Great match for Hiromi's Final Shout! The feuding between Hiromi and Kyona was the highlight. Konami's hot tag was great as well.

***3/4

6. SWA World Championship / ICW Women's Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Viper (c)

This is probably the best gaijin vs. gaijin match I've ever seen in Stardom. It was physical, the pacing and move progression felt natural, even the outside portion didn't feel tacked on. I thought Toni's superhuman no-selling was consistent with how she has been presented in Stardom. She lost anyway, so it didn't really matter in the end. Extra 1/4 for Toni hitting an ultra-stiff hip attack.

****

7. Mayu Iwatani, Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano vs. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Kagetsu & Sumire Natsu)

Big streamers all-star main event. Saki's thin physique really added to her FIP segment, because when she took damage it looked like she might break. Great return match for Saki Kashima, everyone came across well.

***3/4