Stardom - 8th Anniversary (1/14/2019)

1. Natsuko Tora vs. Saya Iida

This was a good debut for Saya, she showed solid fundamentals. Tora sinks in a nice, deep Boston crab.

***

4. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Bea Priestley & Konami)

Great 8th anniversary match for Mayu who was also returning from injury. I thought everyone put in a strong performance, with Mayu and Bea showing off new offensive techniques.

***3/4

5. EVE International Championship / SWA World Championship: Viper (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

Simple, effective story of Utami fighting to overcome the much larger opponent in Viper. This was feeling a little off pacing wise, but it got better as it progressed and the finish was a satisfying payoff.

***1/4

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Momo Watanabe (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Some variation in Momo's formula would have made this more exciting for me, but it was still a good bout. I liked the cruelness displayed by the champion and Tam gave an emotional performance, showing lots of fighting spirit.

***1/2

7. World of Stardom Championship: Kagetsu (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

Kyona was so amazing here, from the little details to dramatic moments like when she defiantly removes the tape from her injured arm. I really enjoyed the encounter between these two in the GP last year so it was great to see them build off of that in the main event of Korakuen Hall. 

****

Hazuki vs. Starlight Kid (Stardom, 1/6/2019)

Stardom - New Years Stars 2019 (1/6/2019)

High Speed Championship: Hazuki (c) vs. Starlight Kid

Great High Speed bout, there were some cool sequences and an intensity from both wrestlers that elevated the action. Starlight Kid has been showing edge lately with those open hand slaps and growls.

***3/4

Soma Takao vs. Yuki Ueno (DDT, 1/14/2019)

DDT - Dramatic Rokumonsen! 2019 (1/14/2019)

Soma Takao vs. Yuki Ueno

An engaging Soma Takao match, these are hard to come by. Soma plays a solid enough bully in this, and Yuki is just exploding with energy when on offense. Some heated exchanges gave this a bit of depth.

***3/4

Stardom - New Years Stars 2019 (1/3/2019)

2. Bobbi Tyler & Hana Kimura vs. Queen's Quest (Bea Priestley & Viper)

Bit rough around the edges at moments, but it was a solid, hard-hitting bout that got over with the crowd.

***

3. STARS (Alex Gracia, Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Konami & Momo Watanabe)

Gracia performed well alongside Saki & Tam, and this had a promising preview of the upcoming Tam-Momo bout.

***1/4

5. Future of Stardom Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

Great heavy vs. junior battle, even though Starlight Kid was on the offensive for much of the match, you could sense her desperation as she tried to keep Utami from mounting offense. A condensed epic that evokes Liger-Hashimoto.

***3/4

Emi Sakura vs. Sayaka Obihiro (Gatoh Move, 1/13/2019)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・404 (1/13/2019)

3CW Women's Championship: Emi Sakura (c) vs. Sayaka Obihiro

This was a fun 6-minutes. Sayaka always brings a unique charisma to a match, and Emi was laying in her offense, esp. those chops.

***1/4

Ayame Sasamura vs. Millie McKenzie (Sendai Girls, 1/6/2019)

Sendai Girls  (1/6/2019) 

Sendai Girls Junior Championship: Ayame Sasamura (c) vs. Millie McKenzie

This was a clash of contrasting styles, worked at a fine pacing and building into an exciting finish stretch. Millie's rope running and suplex offense had great speed and intensity behind them and Ayame bumped well.

***1/2