Stardom - Yokohama Cinderella (10/3/2020)

1. High Speed Championship: AZM (c) vs. Starlight Kid 

This was an incredible way to open the show. When you think the match has peaked, there’s another counter or sudden twist and turn. Each of their best moves couldn’t put the other away so something new was needed. This was one of the best matches ever fought for the High Speed Championship.

****

2. Hanan vs. Mina Shirakawa

This was an impressive debut for Mina. As someone who watched her work in Tokyo Joshi Pro, this was one of her more polished singles performances. They paced and laid out the match well, working in good near-falls.

4. DEATH Yama-san vs. Natsupoi

I wasn't expecting much based on the length of the match, but it was a great debut for Natsupoi. She seemed to be moving twice as fast as she did in TJPW, and it was cute to see her play off the character of DEATH.

***1/4

5. SWA Undisputed Championship (decision): Momo Watanabe vs. Bea Priestley

The fact that a match of this level is in the middle of the card says a lot about how stacked this show was. This was a world-title level bout between two of the most reliable big match performances on the roster, an intense grudge match with brawling, strike battles and big bombs. This could have easily closed a less stacked event.

****1/4

6. Losing Unit Must Disband - No Disqualification: Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

This was basically the usual good Stardom tag match within the context of a hardcore unit dissolution match. The match felt lacking in drama considering the stipulation, but the action was strong with the highlight being a brutal piledriver through a table.

***1/2

7. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Maika)

A wonderful tag team match made even more impressive by the fact that the performers involved have less than 3 years of in-ring experience. They've all built great chemistry from their individual feuds and it was on display in this match. It was a long match, but everything was well-paced and arranged, and the finish was really great.

****1/4

8. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Giulia vs. Tam has become a shitteno All Japan-style feud where the danger escalates with each match. The first half of the match was devoted to dangerous techniques and the rest of the match was just them emptying their remaining reserves and laying bare their fighting spirit, cutting their wrestling lives in half. This was an epic first defense for the champion.

****1/2

9. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Syuri

Syuri's had her signature matches with Asuka and Hikaru Shida during her heyday, but she's never performed on this scale before against an opponent like Mayu. Syuri's technical and striking superiority allowed her to outclass Mayu in almost every aspect, except for that intangible thing called "heart". Mayu kept coming back from near-death like a zombie every time.

****1/4