Stardom - 9th Anniversary (1/19/2020)

1. Zoey Skye vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

This was a solid opener where everyone got their moment to shine on offense. Dust has shown improvements since her last tour, working at a higher tempo and showing more expressions. The double tree-of-woe stomp and AZM’s triangle dropkick were highlights.

3. Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano

It was nice to see Tam and Kagetsu go at it one last time. This wasn’t my favorite singles match between them, but the story was good. The finishing sequence was done well with Tam needing something extra to finally overcome Kagetsu.

***1/2

4. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (c) vs. Bea Priestley & Jamie Hayter

Good, physical tag match. The main pairings (Kyona vs. Hayter, Bea vs. Konami) were good together and produced hard-hitting exchanges. The peril session on Kyona, with Bea & Jamie working her injured shoulder, was good. Bea as a tag team worker feels fresh, and this bruiser heel tag team she's formed with Jamie quickly became one of my new favorites during the tag league. I was stoked when I heard they won the belts.

****

5. Tokyo Cyber Squad (DEATH Yama-san, Hana Kimura & Leyla Hirsch) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Syuri)

I was waiting for Sakura Kasugano to come out when XX’s music played. Syuri has been around since the HUSTLE days. She’s experienced the ups and downs of the business, so it’s great to see her back on a major platform in what's looking to be a strong year for her. Fine match overall, rough at times, but mostly fun to watch.

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

There's a unique feel to Arisa's title defenses in Korakuen Hall. They've become an attraction. Arisa showed a sadistic side with those closed-fists to a bleeding Utami. Utami had some creative counters for the SSC, and that reverse neckbreaker submission transitioned into a slam was awesome. The bloodshed here made this a little more memorable than it perhaps would have been without it. 

***3/4

7. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

This match felt like a return to form for Mayu from an individual performance standpoint. Her movements were smooth and she was deploying some unique and flashy offense. The reverse frankensteiner from the turnbuckle looked as amazing as it did when she used it against Io some years ago. Momo's performance was on par with the best of her White Belt era. The dull sounds from her kicks were as vicious as ever.

****1/2