50 - Riho & Starlight Kid vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (Stardom, 10.27 Shinkiba)
My most anticipated match of the tag league and it delivered to my expectations. This was a hotly contested tag match that heated up Shinkiba, offense and defense shifted rapidly over the course of its duration. Riho showed her true ability in the Stardom ring.
49 - Reika Saiki & Rika Tatsumi vs. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 6.22 Shinkiba)
Reika Saiki’s sendoff from Tokyo Joshi Pro in the form of an all-star tag match. This had several threads going through it, as each performer has a history together that was revisited in segments. Fun performances from everyone involved.
48 - Hiroyo Matsumoto & Yoshiko vs. Mei Hoshizuki & Mei Suruga (SEAdLINNNG, 10.6 Shinjuku)
Mei Suruga & Mei Hoshizuki have been exclusive to the largely comical High Speed division, so I was intrigued when they challenged for the tag belts. This was an exciting and novel approach to the simple story of "speed versus strength".
47 - Azure Revolution (Maya Yukihi & Risa Sera) vs. Makoto & Miyako Matsumoto (Ice Ribbon, 4.14 SKIP City)
This was a great defense from Azure Revolution, there were lots of flashy sequences and spots, with Miyako providing nuance to the action with her shtick. A nice showcase of Makoto as well, who isn't often given the opportunity to show how good she is.
46 - Azure Revolution (Maya Yukihi & Risa Sera) vs. BURNING RAW (Giulia & Tequila Saya) (Ice Ribbon, 7.15 Yokohama)
This was a tag team helter-skelter, between Azure Revolution, the most dominant tag team of the division, and BURNING RAW, a fast rising tag team. Fast-paced, full of exciting and creative sequences, the type of wrestling that defines the division.
45 - Momo Watanabe vs. Utami Hayashishita (Stardom, 4.5 Queens)
This was a big first-time match-up and while it wasn't the large-scale epic it probably would have been if it happened in Japan, it was very good. Great back and forth action, with good building into the bigger moves and heated near-falls.
44 - Hikaru Shida vs. Mika Iwata (Sendai Girls, 2.10 Miyagi)
Great match with a hot-blooded finishing stretch. The heat building felt natural and well paced, with Shida as the bully veteran gradually firing up the feisty underdog Iwata. There are also some gnarly knee strikes from Shida that were sold to perfection.
43 - Maki Itoh vs. Natsumi Maki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 2.23 Shinjuku)
A fun bout of one-upmanship between charismatic idol wrestlers. Full of personality, and some nastiness as well, with water spitting and slaps to the face. The intimate setting and the synergy the performers had with the crowd gave this a special aura.
42 - Natsumi Maki vs. Gisele Shaw (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8.25 Korakuen Hall)
Gisele's aggressive streak added a depth to this match I didn't expect coming in. She played her role well as the "heel" for the crowd favorite to overcome, and Natsumi showed excellent fighting spirit from underneath. A well put together match for the International Princess title's inauguration.
41 - Bea Priestley vs. Utami Hayashishita (Stardom, 8.10 Korakuen Hall)
Bea's varied offense (joint manipulation, submissions, high flying) and physicality in this match were amazing; she even made a schoolboy look like a powerful hold in the early goings. Utami's growth was on display, as she held her own, making strong, timely comebacks. A great main event to close Utami's first year.
Bea's varied offense (joint manipulation, submissions, high flying) and physicality in this match were amazing; she even made a schoolboy look like a powerful hold in the early goings. Utami's growth was on display, as she held her own, making strong, timely comebacks. A great main event to close Utami's first year.
40 - Kagetsu vs. Goya Kong (Stardom, 3.28 Korakuen Hall)
Kagetsu has proven to be great working underneath, and here she has a super powerhouse with tremendous offensive power to bump around for before making the grand comeback. This was such a compelling story, told with only a few moves.
Kagetsu has proven to be great working underneath, and here she has a super powerhouse with tremendous offensive power to bump around for before making the grand comeback. This was such a compelling story, told with only a few moves.
39 - Bea Priestley vs. Konami (Stardom, 6.9 Hokkaido)
An intense match centered around limb damage and strike exchanges. At one point Bea performed a weakened version of the Queen’s Landing because of her weakened arm, which was a nice touch. Konami upped her game in her first chance at the Red Belt, delivering one of her most emotional performances yet.
An intense match centered around limb damage and strike exchanges. At one point Bea performed a weakened version of the Queen’s Landing because of her weakened arm, which was a nice touch. Konami upped her game in her first chance at the Red Belt, delivering one of her most emotional performances yet.
38 - Momo Watanabe vs. Toni Storm (Stardom, 5.4 Shinkiba)
Momo's most complete performance since feuding with Io. Working within the frame of a 15-min draw, they spread out the big moves and built to them in a way that made them feel earned (while also conveniently padding time). Toni teased the rarely used guillotine leg drop she defeated Io with, giving the closing minutes a sense of desperation.
Momo's most complete performance since feuding with Io. Working within the frame of a 15-min draw, they spread out the big moves and built to them in a way that made them feel earned (while also conveniently padding time). Toni teased the rarely used guillotine leg drop she defeated Io with, giving the closing minutes a sense of desperation.
37 - Mei Suruga & Mitsuru Konno vs. Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi (Gatoh Move, 6.10 Ichigaya)
Excellent display of tag wrestling, with several creative and cool sequences. Sakura and Mei’s synergy brought this to the next level.
Excellent display of tag wrestling, with several creative and cool sequences. Sakura and Mei’s synergy brought this to the next level.
36 - Maika Ozaki & Tequila Saya vs. Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon, 6.10 Osaka)
This was a very strong tag match from the Kizuna Tag Tournament. Suzu looked impressive, Sera had some amazing moments where she showed off her power and speed, and Maika continues to be one of my favorites in the promotion.
This was a very strong tag match from the Kizuna Tag Tournament. Suzu looked impressive, Sera had some amazing moments where she showed off her power and speed, and Maika continues to be one of my favorites in the promotion.
35 - Riho, Sayaka Obihiro & Mitsuru Konno vs. Yuna Mizumori, Mei Suruga & Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 6.24 Ichigaya)
Great mixture of multi-man action and lighthearted comedy for Riho's Ichigaya finale.
Great mixture of multi-man action and lighthearted comedy for Riho's Ichigaya finale.
34 - Shoko Nakajima vs. Misao (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9.15 KFC)
V3 was the best defense in Shoko’s reign. Misao was a menacing presence, looking to inflict grievous bodily harm, using the Pentagon Jr. arm crank, in addition to other brutal attacks. Shoko’s fighting spirit, and bumping and timing, was excellent.
V3 was the best defense in Shoko’s reign. Misao was a menacing presence, looking to inflict grievous bodily harm, using the Pentagon Jr. arm crank, in addition to other brutal attacks. Shoko’s fighting spirit, and bumping and timing, was excellent.
33 - Rika Tatsumi vs. Hyper Misao (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 2.23 Shinjuku)
This felt like it could have been a main event despite its low position on the card. They kept it simple and yet created drama with the way they composed the match. A strong return match for Rika Tatsumi, with one of the best singles performances of her career.
32 - Kenny Omega & Riho vs. Antonio Honda & Miyu Yamashita (DDT, 11.3 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
The atmosphere of Sumo Hall changed completely for this match and everyone came across like superstars. Omega & Riho have refined their team since the show in Singapore and were amazing, but Antonio & Miyu also held up their end. An incredible mixed match for Kenny Omega's return to DDT.
31 - Bea Priestley vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 7.24 Korakuen Hall)
The semi-main event was the people's main event, but I felt Bea and Momo performed at a higher level in this heavyweight style bout. This was a different performance than we've seen from Momo in a while, as she looked vulnerable and even desperate. The physicality and flow of the action made for an exciting match.
30 - Kagetsu vs. Toni Storm (Stardom, 5.16 Korakuen Hall)
A title match-caliber performance that heated up Korakuen Hall. This was a high tempo sprint where both wrestlers displayed masterful skill and fighting spirit. Toni-san goes the distance in another time limit draw replete with strong content.
29 - Hagane Shinnou & Mitsuru Konno vs. Mei Suruga & Yuna Mizumori (Gatoh Move, 12.14 Ichigaya)
A densely packed 12-minutes with a lot of exciting sequences. Yuna and Hagane exchanged hard hitting blows similar to their match from the previous month, while Mei and Konno prepared for their upcoming singles match in heated sessions.
28 - Beauty Bear (Chihiro Hashimoto & Mika Iwata) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Sareee (Sendai Girls, 2.3 Shinkiba)
A 30-minute match that doesn't feel like 30 minutes, a real testament to how good the performances were and how well paced everything was. Iwata's facial and physical performance here in particular was great stuff.
27 - Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) vs. JAN (Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora) (Stardom, 1.17 Osaka)
It had been a while since Stardom had a Goddesses match as good as this one. This was hard hitting and fast paced with some credible near-falls, strong work all around. Kyona might be Stardom's most valuable utility wrestler.
26 - BURNING RAW (Giulia & Tequila Saya) vs. Maika Ozaki & Saori Anou (Ice Ribbon, 8.3 Osaka)
A stupendous spot-fest, fast and furious action with great teamwork and little down time. There were a bunch of high-speed sequences that were fun to watch, and they do a wonderful job building heat for the near-falls.
25 - magical sugar rabbits (Mizuki & Yuka Sakazaki) vs. Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 10.19 KFC)
This match served as a prelude to Shoko Nakajima vs. Yuka Sakazaki at Sumo Hall, but was also a symbol of Tokyo Joshi's 2019. An epic tag match among arguably the four pillars of the promotion. Great chemistry and consistently hot action.
The story of the match was weakening the opponent's bridging suplex finishing hold by working the head or back. The submission struggles were strong and painful looking, and there's fancy technical wrestling. This was a beautifully paced, dramatic contest.
23 - Masahiro Takanashi, Emi Sakura & Mei Suruga vs. Riho, Baliyan Akki & Anchamu (Gatoh Move, 6.1 Ichigaya)
The classic Ichigaya spotfest. High speed action, timely cut-offs, tandem attacks, bits of humor, an amazing finish. The final segment between Riho and Mei was intense.
22 - Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga vs. Masahiro Takanashi & Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 7.21 Ichigaya)
Baliyan Akki turns in an excellent performance for his Gatoh Move farewell. There was so much great content in this match, from Mei and Masahiro's chain wrestling to Akki and Sakura's heated strike exchange. So many creative double team sequences.
21 - Momo Watanabe vs. Jungle Kyona (Stardom, 3.3 Nagoya)
A match that was touted as being Stardom’s all-time best match. Kyona gives a spirited effort as the hometown hero against the dominant champion, hitting even a Kinniku Buster as a desperation move, but ultimately coming up short in spectacular fashion.
20 - Yuna Manase vs. Mizuki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7.7 KFC)21 - Momo Watanabe vs. Jungle Kyona (Stardom, 3.3 Nagoya)
A match that was touted as being Stardom’s all-time best match. Kyona gives a spirited effort as the hometown hero against the dominant champion, hitting even a Kinniku Buster as a desperation move, but ultimately coming up short in spectacular fashion.
The journeys of Mizuki and Yuna leading into this match made for an emotional fight for the Tokyo Princess Cup, where the struggles of both wrestlers was told well through individual performances and some dramatic sequences. This was also a great power vs. technique, powerhouse vs. counter-striker bout.
19 - Yuka Sakazaki vs. Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 6.22 Shinkiba)
Yuka was very good working over her opponent and controlling the pace of the match. Miu, who had scored an upset win over Tenma Nodoka in the previous round, powered through with some explosive offense and showed a real drive to win.
18 - Arisa Hoshiki vs. Konami (Stardom, 12.24 Korakuen Hall)
This was an awesome match with simple and effective storytelling. Konami worked the neck, looking for the Final Lancer, and was beaming confidence even during the closing segments. Arisa was bouncing back from adversity with compelling charisma and energy behind her counterattacks.18 - Arisa Hoshiki vs. Konami (Stardom, 12.24 Korakuen Hall)
17 - Riho vs. Masahiro Takanashi (Gatoh Move, 4.27 Itabashi)
This is classic Riho, physically overmatched but holding her own. The familiarity these two have with each other is clear through the smoothness and meticulousness of the work. Riho also used rare techniques such as a lariat and a Yoshi Tonic.
16 - Riho vs. Nyla Rose (AEW, 10.2 Washington)
Nyla's pacing, facial expressions and mannerisms were on point. Riho was compelling as the physically overmatched underdog with fighting spirit, and the strong crowd support for her produced one of the best and most emotional comeback sequences of the year. This was an amazing match, and one of the best television matches I've ever seen.
15 - Bea Priestley vs. Hana Kimura (Stardom, 10.14 Korakuen Hall)
A match filled with violence, charisma, and dramatic tension. Some strikes were brutal and there were several dangerous techniques that targeted the head or neck. Hana’s showmanship was on full display as she met Priestley's brutality and disrespect with her own. These two felt like natural opponents and created a spectacle in Korakuen Hall.
14 - Riho vs. Emi Sakura (Gatoh Move, 7.2 Shinjuku)
Riho’s Gatoh Move graduation match was a simple match, but one with superb pacing and execution. There was impressive technical ability and chemistry on display, and every sequence felt significant in building towards a climactic finish.
Riho’s Gatoh Move graduation match was a simple match, but one with superb pacing and execution. There was impressive technical ability and chemistry on display, and every sequence felt significant in building towards a climactic finish.
13 - Miyu Yamashita vs. Tenma Nodoka (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 2.23 Shinjuku)
Nodoka's the best at getting knocked around and making split-second counterattacks. Miyu's kicks looked especially devastating with the size difference. The match was short, but still delivers on big match drama through exceptional pacing and performances.
12 - Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 9.22 Korakuen Hall)
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 natural. There were no wasted movements.
11 - Kagetsu vs. Hazuki (Stardom, 1.17 Osaka)
This was heel versus heel, and you can sense the coolness of each wrestler. I enjoyed the pacing, bumps and certain visual aspects of this match. Hazuki launches an all-out assault, and Kagetsu goes overkill in her return. Despite being stablemates, they showed no mercy against each other in a hard-hitting title bout.
10 - Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (Stardom, 7.15 Nagoya)
An excellent culmination of the Jungle Kyona-Queen's Quest saga, with a hot buildup to one of the most satisfying finishes of the year. All of the shifts of momentum and big spots were in place, and each of the wrestlers played their role well.
9 - Emi Sakura vs. Mei Suruga (Gatoh Move, 5.6 Ichigaya)
Sakura’s back is hurting, so she's looking for a quick finish, making use of her veteran instincts to find openings, and at one point even using her walking cane. One of the most unique and creative matches I’ve ever seen, even for Ichigaya’s brand of wrestling.
8 - Emi Sakura vs. Mei Suruga (Gatoh Move, 10.31 Shinkiba)
This match had some of the most unique ground and counter wrestling I’ve ever seen. Mei, who is called a genius wrestler, found unique situations to apply her signature moves. Emi’s bad back becomes a factor and she adapts amazingly well. Mei’s double foot stomps to Emi’s injured back is as violent as it gets in Gatoh Move.
7 - Mayu Iwatani vs. Natsuko Tora (Stardom, 3.28 Korakuen Hall)
Tora had an aggressive game plan, Mayu was fighting through the pain with an enthusiastic crowd on her side. The stakes were high with the championship and a placement on the MSG supercard up for grabs. Both delivered epic performances.
6 - Kagetsu vs. Bea Priestley (Stardom, 5.4 Shinkiba)
This was a match I had been clamoring for since last year and it didn’t go contrary to my expectations. The action was beautiful and brutal, with both displaying impressive technique and hard-hitting offense. Bea targeting the head and neck with dangerous attacks, and Kagetsu giving a strong effort from underneath to keep her belt.
5 - Maya Yukihi vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon, 8.3 Osaka)
This was an excellently paced 30-minute epic. I found myself so absorbed in the action that I was invested in almost every sequence. There was an attention to detail and a number of exciting segments, including callbacks to previous bouts in the feud. The flow and excitement of the match never slowed down despite its length.
4 - Maya Yukihi vs. Giulia (Ice Ribbon, 5.25 Osaka)
Yukihi is beautiful, strong and has a keen sense of how to pace and compose an epic match. The absolute ace of Ice Ribbon. Giulia has cultivated a unique character and style in her 18 months as a pro, using unorthodox submissions and hammer lock techniques. There's a progression of violence here that leads to a stunningly brutal finish.
3 - Arisa Hoshiki vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 6.16 Korakuen Hall)
An emotional battle reminiscent of the Yuzupon era, with its focus on martial arts and strike exchanges. Tamu keeping the opponent guessing with unorthodox offense. Arisa's resourceful use of the ropes and management of space to set up her devastating combinations. The finish was the perfect surge of emotions to cap off the feud.
2 - Giulia vs. Hana Kimura (Stardom, 12.24 Korakuen Hall)
An emotional battle reminiscent of the Yuzupon era, with its focus on martial arts and strike exchanges. Tamu keeping the opponent guessing with unorthodox offense. Arisa's resourceful use of the ropes and management of space to set up her devastating combinations. The finish was the perfect surge of emotions to cap off the feud.
2 - Giulia vs. Hana Kimura (Stardom, 12.24 Korakuen Hall)
A brutal match in the best possible way. This totally delivered on the hype, and the excitement of the arena was terrific. They worked a frenetic pacing, going at each other with blistering offense. Ground struggles, wild outside brawling, boots and stomps, headbutts, submissions, head drops. This was a mesmerizing display of violence.
1 - Best Bout // Arisa Hoshiki vs. Jungle Kyona (Stardom, 8.10 Korakuen Hall)
Since returning from a 5-year blank, Arisa Hoshiki has become one of Stardom's top champions and most reliable best bout machines. This match was pure "Arisa Theatre". There's emotion and struggle in each big sequence which made them feel meaningful and earned. And there's an explosive power behind the big moves. For a match that was basically put together on the premise of "It would be interesting if these two fought", they created a thrilling epic in Korakuen Hall.
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