Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (9/22/2019)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Hazuki

This match delivered what it promises on paper, more than the previous matches in the feud. There was hate, wild brawling, and plenty of deadly big boots exchanged.

***3/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe

A high-tempo match where seemingly every sequence ended in a big move. This was a tremendous sub 10-minute sprint.  The progression of the moves and the momentum shifts felt organic. There were no wasted movements.

****1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Kagetsu

This is the match I was looking forward to most because it involves two of my favorite big match performers in the promotion. They use the full 15-minutes to lay out a well paced build to a hot climax. This was a very good timeout draw.

****

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Bea Priestley vs. Jamie Hayter

There was a lull in the middle where it felt like Bea was just doing moves with no heat behind them, but generally, the match was a good meeting between two top foreigners with explosive offense.

***1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 - Finals: Hana Kimura vs. Konami

The was not a blowaway match, but it was great. Konami going after the leg with a wide range of attacks, and Hana making the most out of small windows of opportunity. The sudden finish was consistent with the story of the match.

***3/4

Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi, Jamie Hayter, Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire) vs. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano) & Riho (Stardom, 9/16/2019)

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Night) (9/16/2019)

Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi, Jamie Hayter, Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire) vs. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano) & Riho

This was a fun multi tag, with clearly defined roles and several exciting sequences. Mayu suffered a head injury, but she managed to keep up with the pace of the match. Riho seems like a natural fit for STARS.

***3/4

Hana Kimura vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 9/16/2019)

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Day) (9/16/2019)

5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Momo Watanabe

This was was heated from the onset, and that heat was maintained throughout the match. Strong emotion and physicality in lead up to a big finish.

***3/4

Hana Kimura vs. Mayu Iwatani (Stardom, 9/14/2019)

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Night) (9/14/2019)

5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Mayu Iwatani

Hana has been producing win results, but this match with Mayu was her first great match of the tournament. The two have been good together in the past and this match was no exception. Good shifts in momentum and counters, and generally well paced and executed.

***3/4

Bea Priestley vs. Kagetsu (Stardom, 9/14/2019)

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Day) (9/14/2019)

5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Bea Priestley vs. Kagetsu

Bea countering Kagetsu's poison mist with a knee strike was an amazing visual. These two are so compatible, seemingly elevating each other every time they step in the ring together. There were callbacks to the Golden Week title bout, as well as some fresh sequences. If this feud continues at this rate, Beatrice may end up surpassing Mayu as Kagetsu's worthiest opponent.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (9/8/2019)

1. Leo Onozaki vs. Riho

Seeing Riho perform in a singles match capacity in a Stardom ring feels surreal. This was her first singles in the promotion; against the low ranking Leo Onozaki (who has physically bulked up recently). Riho does an aggressive, veteran workover. Leo makes her small but explosive comebacks. Short and simple match elevated by Riho’s in-ring presence.

***1/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: AZM vs. Hana Kimura

A match that was originally supposed to take place during Golden Week. These two feel like natural opponents. A surprisingly physical match with a shocking finish.

***1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Kagetsu

This was another excellent match from Kyona and Kagetsu. They reference the previous matches in the feud with sequences and cut-offs, as well as showing new content. There are some small aspects I liked here, such as Kyona's triangle choke. Dueling limb work was the theme of the match and it was consistent and well done.

***1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hazuki vs. Mayu Iwatani

There's strong action in this match because the two have great chemistry (despite not meeting in singles matches often). It doesn't come close to their match from last year, but it was enjoyable.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (9/7/2019)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Avary vs. Hana Kimura

This was effectively a squash, but it was done well. The character of Avary’s comes across stronger than in her previous matches, thanks in part to Hana’s natural ability to draw a crowd in and create heat.

***

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: AZM vs. Momo Watanabe

AZM has been the star of the tournament. She’s hanging in there with tougher opponents. Sometimes even sneaking away with a victory. Momo delivered HARASHIMA style punishment with stomps and kicks. This was a lot of fun.

****

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Natsuko Tora

The first singles meeting between Kyona and Natsuko since the dissolution of JAN. This had hard hits and bombs. Kyona’s rallying from underneath, which is always good. The sprawl counter into the powerbomb from Kyona was amazing.

***3/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano

Tam targeting the injury of stablemate and friend Mayu sells the importance of the tournament. Mayu was fighting off of one leg, making the most of openings she found.

***1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Bea Priestley

A battle between the Red Belt and the White Belt. I was looking forward to Bea and Arisa facing as they are two of my favorite champions at the moment. The match develops into a blistering back and forth where one mistake could decide the match.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (9/1/2019)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Momo Watanabe vs. Tam Nakano

This was an excellent bout. Paced and executed superbly, with a strong sequence to end things. Both performers gave some aesthetically pleasing bumps (top rope Somato and Tiger Suplex in particular).

***3/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Jamie Hayter vs. Utami Hayashishita

The Jamie-Utami feud has much more to offer than what was shown, but I enjoyed the match for what it was. Jamie's offense had force behind it, and the trash talking was fun. Utami's comeback wasn't as hot as it could have been, but good.

***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Konami

This had consistent action packed into 8-minutes. The story was simple and enjoyable.

***1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Andras Miyagi vs. Kagetsu

There's great skills on display in this match and the significance of these two fighting each other in Sendai. But it wasn't a strong match, as neither gave strong performances. They kept it fairly basic.

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Night) (8/25/2019)

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: AZM vs. Tam Nakano

A dense 5-minutes of exciting action. Tam working high-speed style. Impressive balance and agility shown by AZM. The dodging sequence was fun.

***1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Konami vs. Utami Hayashishita

A good and easy to understand match, but the work was nothing spectacular. A takeaway from this match is that Konami has been showing more emotion lately which has made her a better underneath worker.

***1/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Bea Priestley vs. Jungle Kyona

An epic struggle for Kyona against Bea in the main event. Pacing and drama was on point. Always enjoy Bea's work on top, and in this match it was especially violent in the early goings as she used an exposed turnbuckle to target the back.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (Day) (8/25/2019)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: AZM vs. Hazuki

This was a very good high speed match. Speedy exchanges, rope running, quick-pin reversals. Best bout of the Osaka day card.

***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Andras Miyagi vs. Jungle Kyona

This was a fresh chapter in the story of the Miyagi-Kyona feud. Underneath the comedy there's some hard-hitting; I also liked the visuals of Megane Kyona

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Natsuko Tora

Natsuko has been fleshing out her new style recently, with foreign object usage and off-field brawling. Her Raiden Drop was cool. Arisa's takedown sleeper and crisp striking were highlights of her performance. This match didn't come together as a whole, but there were things I enjoyed.

***

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (8/18/2019)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hana Kimura vs. Natsu Sumire

This was a lot better than you might expect from a "no-frills" Hana-Sumire match. They get a good amount of mileage out of the submission struggles.

***1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Natsuko Tora

Natsuko rampaging and pummelling Kagetsu around Shinkiba was brilliant. I want to see more of this from Natsuko. Thought the finish was done well, especially as someone who loves the visual of Kagetsu's poison mist.

***3/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: AZM vs. Mayu Iwatani

This was a fun HS match, lots of rope running and pin reversals. Heated near-falls.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hazuki vs. Tam Nakano

Well executed sprint with a lot of energy from the crowd. Tam was great on defense, taking big bumps and making strong counterattacks. 

***3/4

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Bea Priestley vs. Konami

Beato and Konami have an unexpected chemistry. Loved their match in Sapporo and I loved this rematch as well. Great performances from both.

***3/4

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Utami Hayashishita

Another really good big match performance from Arisa. Pacing, details and big spots were on point, a compact epic in Shinkiba.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 (8/17/2019)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Arisa Hoshiki vs. Jamie Hayter

This was a good back and forth, with some fun character work and strong offense exchanged between them.

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Andras Miyagi vs. Bea Priestley

A concise and well arranged sprint. Some hard hits and bombs.

***1/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Jungle Kyona vs. Utami Hayashishita

A dominant performance from Utami, who had a strategy and executed it. Kyona started strong, but waned fairly quick. I wonder if there's a greater story being set up there.

***1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Red Stars Block: Hazuki vs. Momo Watanabe

This didn't feel like the special encounter that was last year's match. The build and finishing stretch felt lacking.

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2019 Blue Stars Block: Kagetsu vs. Konami

Started strong, with some nice grappling and trades, but this was another match that didn't deliver on the expectations I had for it on paper.

***