Ice Ribbon ~ 1127 Ice Ribbon 15th Anniversary Special Dojo Match (6/20/2021)

 4. Thekla vs. Suzu Suzuki

This was the 15th anniversary dojo event, and it seemed like they were working even harder than they usually do on events of this scale. Thekla is on the smaller side among the foreign competitors in Japan, but her all-around skill more than makes up for it. Grappling, submissions, striking, heel work; she's amazing in every way. And Suzu is similarly versatile. This match was filled with dynamic action, high-paced back and forth exchanges, and some great near falls. ****

5. Tsukasa Fujimoto, Risa Sera & Akane Fujita vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Yukihi Maya & Maika Ozaki

I'm always a sucker for a stacked prelude tag match. This one was a preview for Fujimoto-Hiroyo and was a loaded 30-minute epic in the Ice Ribbon dojo. It had a catchy ebb and flow to it, and the big moves were well distributed over its long duration. Each performer shined as they showed their great chemistry and familiarity with each other both as partners and opponents. The key encounters had plenty of depth to them. ****1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - ALL RISE 21 (11/25/2021)

5. Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Arai

A great showcase of Yuki Arai that had a nice build and pace to it, thanks to Rika's craftsmanship. Arai's facial performance shined and she showed great timing in her comebacks. ***1/2

6. International Princess Championship: Hikari Noa (c) vs. Miu Watanabe

This was a great match. Both of them showed the EXP they've gained since their last match over a year ago. Miu's growth has been the more noticeable of the two, with an improved physique and an expanding moveset. However, Hikari has sharpened her core weapons and learned how to use them more effectively. On commentary, Chris Brooks compared Hikari to a fighting game player who spams the same move over and over, which I thought was a good description of her style. I couldn't help but feel they had more to explore, but they put together an exciting match for the time given. ***3/4

7. Princess Tag Team Championship: Magical Sugar Rabbits (Mizuki & Yuka Sakazaki) (c) vs.  121000000 (Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita)

An amazing all-star tag team main event, with the elite four of the promotion putting on their best performances. It was also a nice hidden prelude to 1.4, with Miyu and Mizuki building up a singles match in a hot finishing stretch. Itoh and Yuka were also a great combination.  ****1/2

Stardom - FIBREPLEX Presents TOKYO SUPER WARS ～Tokyo Super Women's War～ (11/27/2021)

5. High Speed Championship: Starlight Kid vs. Koguma

This was another great high speed title match. Tremendous speed, balance and athleticism from both competitors. Kid continues to evolve and seems to show something new and exciting in every defense. ***1/2

6. SWA World Championship & 5STAR Grand Prix Challenge Certificate - UWF Rules: Syuri (c) vs. Konami

This was the best U-Inter style match I’ve seen recently. Both wrestlers are obviously suited for this style of match, with Syuri being probably the most qualified in the country. They were able to communicate the drama and splendor of pro-wrestling through a mostly shoot-style match, using the ruleset to create momentum shifts and build tension. ****

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa

I’m a big fan of story-driven matches but I think this was an instance of a match leaning too heavily in that direction. There were some great moments, but the action was overall lacking, and the match didn’t have the structure and focus of the previous defense against Unagi. Mina’s change in character is interesting. It’s always nice to see a wrestler embracing change. I'm looking forward to seeing what she does from here. ***1/2

8. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Maika 

These two seem to get stronger each time they face each other. This was a no-nonsense, power fight. Early judo grip fighting steadily developed into a fierce back and forth affair, with lariat exchanges, submission battles and hard-nosed displays of fighting spirit. Maika showed tremendous strength despite suffering heavy damage and returning from an injury. I was moved by her "face" performance. ****1/4

Hazuki vs. Unagi Sayaka (Stardom, 10/30/2021)

Stardom (10/30/2021)

Hazuki vs. Unagi Sayaka

A great back and forth. The result was as expected, but it was a very intriguing match between the red and white belt challengers before Kawasaki. Unagi has established a great structure and flow to the way she carries out her unique offense, and Hazuki showed her signature intensity. ***1/2

Akane Fujita vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 5/9/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1117 in SKIP City (5/9/2021)

FantastICE Championship #1 Contendership: Akane Fujita vs. Maya Yukihi

Solid main event. It had the potential to be better, but it didn't quite deliver. Akane is a glutton for punishment and has good striking power, but she doesn't have much personality so her underdog performance wasn't very compelling. Yukihi kept the match interesting with her varied and flashy attacks. ***1/4

Ami Miura vs. Ai Houzan (Sendai Girls, 11/23/2021)

Sendai Girls (11/23/2021)

Jaja Uma Tournament - Quarter Finals: Ami Miura vs. Ai Houzan

Good lively back and forth. Although it was short, it was high energy, with both showcasing their unique skills and seeming eager to leave an impression on the audience. Miura's dropkick was like a shotgun blast. And Ai showed great movement and fundamentals. ***1/2

Ibuki Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 5/29/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1122 (5/29/2021)

Ibuki Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi

Great match, as expected from the names involved. Both were hitting hard, and Ibuki always puts on an energetic performance. There is an exciting velocity and impact to her attacks. Maya's work on top was also really great. ***1/2

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tsukushi Haruka (Ice Ribbon, 11/13/2021)

 Ice Ribbon - #1157 ~ Ota Ward General Gymnasium (11/13/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto (c) vs. Tsukushi Haruka

This was almost the perfect "Fujimoto-Tsukushi" match. Everything that makes them great wrestlers was on display and they used all of their best moves. There was intense brawling, great technique and speed, and many great counters. Tsukushi dominated most of the match and seemed to be better than the champion in every way, countering or withstanding Fujimoto's big offense, including kicking out of the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex. ****1/4

Hikari Noa & Arisu Endo vs. Miu Watanabe & Suzume (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 11/6/2021)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - TOKYO JOSHI 2021 AUTUMN (11/6/2021)

Hikari Noa & Arisu Endo vs. Miu Watanabe & Suzume

It was a pleasant surprise that this match was given the main event slot. This was a good showcase of young veterans and rookies. Miu really took the initiative and was the MVP of the match. Hikari's presence was subtle, even though it was an IP prelude. Suzume and Endo, who have been showing steady growth, were quite good. ***1/4

Stardom - KAWASAKI SUPER WARS (11/3/2021)

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Koguma) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Natsupoi)

Amazing high-octane tag action in the lower card. All four competitors were firing on all cylinders over the course of the match, and there were some creative sequences. ***3/4

5. High Speed Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

This was one of the most interesting matches on the card. I think they put on a really unique and entertaining performance. In addition to crisp high speed action, there was heated brawling, mask ripping, and a Showa-style finish. Certainly one of the most unique entries in the history of the High Speed championship. ***3/4

6. SWA World Championship & 5STAR Grand Prix Challenge Certificate: Syuri (c) vs. AZM

I'm still partial to the February match out of their trilogy this year, but this was another good match, the two have great chemistry and complement each other's attacks well. Impressive effort by AZM, who hit some hard kicks and performed a triangle plancha for the first time. ***1/2

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Unagi Sayaka

Unagi built her gameplan around her dangerous new technique and the unpredictable situations she could hit it from. Nakano’s selling and comeback story were convincing as always. This was an emotional and well-structured match that was surprisingly brutal, with violent kicks to the head, dull headbutts, and a tribute to Misawa-Kawada that suited the physicality of the action. ****1/4

8. World of Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Hazuki

I am happy Hazuki is back, but I never thought of her as a top-tier worker in big matches, and her weaknesses were apparent in this match. She's a workrate monster, but she doesn't express herself well and her moveset is lacking. I didn't find her performance very engaging. There were times when it seemed like they were just throwing moves at each other without any real excitement or drama. There were some jaw dropping moments, such as the apron Air Raid Crash and Utami's explosive missile dropkick, and a couple of well-timed counters and near-falls, but this was Utami's weakest defense so far. ***1/2

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka) (Stardom, 10/17/2021)

Stardom - 11th Goddess of Stardom - Tag League Opener ~ (10/17/2021)

Blue Goddess - Tag League: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka)

A match like this, with an average age in the teens, shows the depth and youth of the Stardom roster. It was a great 20-minute draw with lots of room for growth and development. There were some impressive sequences, including a crazy assisted powerbomb. There was also the story of Kid trying to prod Momo into challenging for the HS belt. Ruaka is a slow grower, but she has something special and I'm glad she hasn't been abandoned. ***1/2

Stardom - 10th Anniversary Grand Final: Osaka Dream Cinderella 2021 ~ Osaka Meccha STARDOM (10/9/2021)

5. Hazuki Return Match: Hazuki vs. Koguma

This was a great return match for Hazuki, who has barely missed a step despite her 2-year absence. Koguma's speed, technique and bumping were amazing as usual. As someone who saw the previous matches between these two, this was easily the best one they've had yet. ****

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Mayu Iwatani

This went contrary to my lofty expectations, but that doesn't necessarily make it a disappointment. It was just a different type of match than I was expecting. It was a gradual climb into a thrilling race to the finish. There were scrambles for control and lots of heavy strike battles. Nakano unleashed some truly wicked punishment, and Mayu answered with big hits of her own. Both showed the zombie-like endurance they're known for. A full and well-done draw battle. ****

8. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Takumi Iroha

This was another hard-hitting war over the red belt, which is becoming known for its high-level battles. Utami looked as if she had taken on the form of a demon, with a menacing death glare and a destructive attack aimed at the legs. She showed an unforeseen level of aggression. Iroha's explosive, lightning-quick offense was great as always, but I was also impressed with her limb selling and transition work. The finisher teases and the counters they worked around them were so amazing. I was surprised when the 30-minute call was made because the match hardly felt like it and for me that is the mark of a classic. ****1/2

SAKI vs. Ami Miura (AWG, 9/25/2021)

AWG - ACT54 (9/25/2021)

SAKI vs. Ami Miura

Next generation ace against current top champion. They traded elbows and shoulder tackles early, building into bigger moves as the match developed. SAKI answered Miura's chops with chops of her own to not get outdone by the rookie. Miura used her stature well, smoothly transitioning from a high prawn hold into a Boston crab. This was another impressive performance from Ami Miura against a veteran wrestler. She looked physically dominant throughout the match and SAKI looked to be struggling even during the closing moments. Miura is a convincing powerhouse despite her inexperience and I wouldn't mind seeing her hot shotted into the singles title picture in the very near future. ***3/4

SAKI vs. Misa Matsui (AWG, 5/3/2021)

AWG - ACT Yokohama (5/3/2021)

AWG Championship: SAKI vs. Misa Matsui

This was a solid match. SAKI looked assured and confident as she controlled the pace of the match. Unfortunately, I think she was too confident. Even at the climax of the match, I didn't get any sense of danger from her and Misa never felt like a threat. Misa's technique isn't the best, but she makes up for it with her fire and timing. She has a lot of potential, but she hasn't quite figured it out yet. I felt that she was still a long way from being a champion. ***1/4

Misa Matsui vs. Ami Miura (AWG, 8/21/2021)

AWG - ACT53 (8/21/2021)

Misa Matsui vs. Ami Miura

Great opening match. Miura looked like a monster. Her chops were dull sounding and she had some cool power counters. Misa, despite being the more experienced competitor, was surprisingly dominated for much of the match and barely pulled off the win with a pinning combination. ***1/2

Tae Honma & Maika Ozaki vs. Ami Miura & Haruka Umesaki (AWG, 2/23/2021)

AWG - Beginning Yokohama (2/23/2021)

Tae Honma & Maika Ozaki vs. Ami Miura & Haruka Umesaki

This was a good senior-junior match in which the less experienced wrestlers steadily gained ground and showed their growth. The power exchange between Maika and Miura was great. Miura is good at chops. Surprisingly, not many women's wrestlers use chops in Japan, so this is a good way for Miura to stand out. Umezaki is not only cute but also possesses a strong striking power, similar to her former senpai Sareee. ***1/2

Miyuki Takase & Momo Tani vs. SAKI & Rina Amikura (AWG, 3/22/2021)

AWG - ACT52 (3/22/2021)

Miyuki Takase & Momo Tani vs. SAKI & Rina Amikura

Miyuki and SAKI, accompanied by junior wrestlers from their respective brands, previewed their upcoming title match. Both of them were desperately trying to make a statement before the scheduled title match, but the battle-hardened Miyuki was especially fierce. I found this to be more exciting than the actual match it was building up.  ***3/4

SAKI & Misa Matsui vs. Mari & Ayumi Hayashi (AWG, 1/9/2021)

 AWG - Color's (1/9/2021)

SAKI & Misa Matsui vs. Mari & Ayumi Hayashi

A great main event that was much better than I had anticipated. Fast-paced with timely momentum shifts. Ayumi was given the spotlight as the face-in-peril, with extended segments against Misa and SAKI where she made some great comebacks. I especially liked how she countered SAKI's Vader Bomb. ***3/4

AWG - Color's (4/29/2021)

2. AWG Championship #1 Contendership Color's Tournament Semi-Finals: Ayumi Hayashi vs. Misa Matsui

These two are close in age and debuted around the same time, but have taken different paths as wrestlers. Misa is the frontrunner of the promotion’s generational shift, while Ayumi, athletic and physically gifted as she is, has been more geared towards comedy. Here though, Ayumi gave a sincere performance. Needless to say, this was an interesting matchup. Even before the bell rang, you could feel an aura of excitement as the rivals stood in their respective corners. The match was high-paced from the beginning, an energetic back and forth with some exciting near-falls. ***1/2

6. AWG Championship #1 Contendership Color's Tournament Finals: Hikari Shimizu vs. Misa Matsui

Solid main event. The outcome was a tad unusual. According to the tournament rules, if a match ends in a timeout draw, the less experienced opponent advances in the tournament, to even the playing field. Shimizu dominated the match, but Misa, who was able to endure the full 10 minutes, was declared the victor. The match itself was great, but for a tournament finals, the finish was underwhelming and made the winner look unimpressive. ***1/2

Arisa Nakajima vs. Hanako Nakamori (SEAdLINNNG, 10/13/2021)

SEAdLINNNG - 6th Anniversary Show (10/13/2021)

Arisa Nakajima vs. Hanako Nakamori

I didn't find either performance particularly compelling, but the offense looked and sounded good and was diverse enough to keep me from getting bored, and the match didn't feel long despite its length. There wasn't much to the match. Whatever history they share wasn't really conveyed through their performances. They just fought like they normally do. And I thought the finish came out of nowhere, with no sense of excitement or escalation. ***1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/24/2021)

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Himeka vs. Koguma

Another short but good match in the undercard. Koguma took a gnarly bump for Himeka's lariat, and her counter roll-ups were really smooth. She seems to have good control of her body. ***1/4

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Kid

This match had great action and storytelling for its duration. Starlight Kid has been using Mexican wrestling-style overhand chops since joining Oedo Tai and that led to a great chop battle here. Botches are natural, but in Kid's last few performances she hasn't had the best accuracy with her " rana" moves. I can only hope this is a temporary issue. Still, great performance from her, which showed her growth. I liked the way she evoked some of Mayu's signature moves. ***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Saya Kamitani vs. Unagi Sayaka

There were moments that felt unfocused during the middle, but the overall match was good. I liked seeing the more aggressive side of Kamitani, and Unagi was fighting with a sense of tenacity, unleashing a new diving leg drop. Loving this cute rivalry between relatively tall wrestlers with long limbs. ***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Syuri vs. Takumi Iroha

The red belt triangle of Utami, Syuri and Iroha has been the most exciting thing about the latter half of this tournament. This match was an impeccable blend of MMA and traditional wrestling, with some very heavy smacks traded between the two. A short 20 minutes of high-level grappling and striking from world-class professionals. ****1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Tam Nakano vs. Utami Hayashishita

This was everything you could want from a 14-minute tournament match between the promotion's top champions, underpinned by Tam's compelling underdog performance. Tam and Utami are very different wrestlers but they both specialize in suplexes so there were plenty of great ones here. ****1/4

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 - Finals: Momo Watanabe vs. Syuri

Syuri came in after 20 minutes of struggling with Takumi Iroha and fought frantically from the bell, and used big moves early on that she normally uses later in the match. Momo was steady as usual and landed a number of powerful head kicks. There was a lot of striking, especially heavy dull sounding kicks. This was an amazing tournament final, the best in tournament history in my opinion. ****1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Wrestle Princess 2 (10/9/2021)

4. Suzume & Arisu Endo vs. Riho & Shoko Nakajima

This was actually one of my most anticipated matches on the card and I'm glad it was given a decent amount of time for them to have a good back and forth. They're all lightweights so there was lots of exciting rope work and high-flying maneuvers. Riho made her return to Japan after a long time and showed a couple of new little quirks. ***1/2

5. Aja Kong & Moka Miyamoto vs. Miu Watanabe & Yuki Arai

Aja has adapted to the times without having an ego and I respect that about her. Her knees are tattered so her movement isn't so good, but like Abdullah the Butcher, she has the charisma and aura to get a lot of mileage out of a simple move. This was a really good match. Miu was not able to giant swing Aja, which was a letdown, but she was able to show her strengths in other ways, including one of the quickest giant swing transitions I've ever seen. Arai standing up to Aja and taking her big offense was very compelling. ***3/4

6. International Princess Championship: Hikari Noa (c) vs. Yuki Aino

This match had basically nothing going for it coming in so I was pleasantly surprised by how good it turned out to be. Easily my favorite match for this belt since the inaugural decision match between Natsupoi and Gisele Shaw. Very well built with great submission struggles and a tense finish. For the first time during this reign, it felt like Hikari's comeback was earned. Aino, often overlooked, almost always delivers. ***3/4

7. Princess Tag Team Championship: NEO Biishiki-gun (Saki-sama & Mei St-Michel) (c) vs. magical sugar rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki)

This was an action-packed semi-main with all sorts of creative genius on display. It was chaotic but never seemed to get too far out of control. Mei was great as usual, with her broom knee drop and a Japanese leg roll clutch counter I've never seen. The finish was way too sudden, it almost felt like the sort of finish you'd see in a match where an injury occurred. I was also surprised Mizuki's whirling candy wasn't used here, seemed like an appropriate occasion. ***1/2

8. Princess of Princess Championship: Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Maki Itoh

This was a strong main event, which packed a lot of drama and emotion into a relatively short duration for a big show title match. Like some previous main events in this promotion, the middle part of the match seemed to lack focus; there's an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment used as a transition move in the middle of the match... still, it improved as it went on and the finishing segment where they were trading hard strikes was hot. ****

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/16/2021)

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mina Shirakawa vs. Momo Watanabe

This was much better than expected and an easy improvement over their previous match this year. Mina has been consistently producing high-energy sprints this tournament and this was no exception. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a contender for a top title in the near future. And of course, Momo was stable as usual. ***3/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: AZM vs. Saya Kamitani

Brillant high speed action. AZM's arm bar counter and the triangle jump body press were amazing, she was so precise and accurate in her movements. The ring out tease was very well executed, the sequence where they were evading each others attacks and jumping on and off the apron was something out of a martial arts movie. ***3/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Takumi Iroha vs. Unagi Sayaka

When Unagi Sayaka made her pro wrestling debut, I never expected to see her facing Takumi Iroha in a Stardom ring. This was a great match, with a particularly great underneath performance from Unagi. It got off to a slow start, but that only added to the tension and made the work more engrossing as the two started doing more. ***1/2

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Syuri vs. Tam Nakano

This was a great back and forth battle. Admittedly, there wasn't much of a "story", just a lot of big attacks being exchanged. But they did it in a flashy, dynamic way, with well-timed pauses to build up the tension between the big moves and sequences, which kept the action engaging all the way through. ***3/4

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Ibuki Hoshi (Ice Ribbon, 9/18/2021)

 Ice Ribbon - #1145 ~ Knights of the Ribbon 2021 (9/18/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Ibuki Hoshi

The outcome of the match was never in question. It was all about how absolute ace, Tsukasa Fujimoto, would carry out the match en route to the inevitable victory. It was an unexpectedly interesting match, and my favorite match of her title reign so far. It has been compared to Kobashi-Sasaki because of the many chops, but the chop battles in this match were not long and uninterrupted, but rather dispersed. Other than the chops, it was a compelling intergenerational struggle, with the young Ibuki bringing plenty of heat. ****1/4

Maki Itoh vs. Tenma Nodoka (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9/11/2021)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Live With Your Time (9/11/2021)

Maki Itoh vs. Nodoka Tenma

A solid, well-paced match. Both of them are rather eccentric, but here they had an orthodox and serious match. Personally, I would have liked to have seen some of their eccentricities and comical elements in addition to their traditional wrestling. It was a fine match but I felt it lacked the color these two usually can provide. ***1/4

AZM vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 9/12/2021)

 Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/12/2021) 

AZM vs. Tam Nakano

AZM's performance here had some intangible qualities that I felt her most recent performances had been missing. She showed a good range of emotions, from arrogance when she was in control at the beginning of the match to desperation when Nakano began to gain ground as the match progressed. Perhaps Nakano was able to draw that from AZM. This was a heated, contentious match that felt like it could have gone either way down to the finish. I wouldn't mind seeing a title match between these two in the future. ****

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/11/2021)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: AZM vs. Utami Hayashishita

This was an exciting and fun burst of action. There was nothing more to it than that; the two did their moves well, and there were some sharp counters. However, the finish felt abrupt and not well built up enough.

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Saya Kamitani vs. Takumi Iroha

At the GP press conference, Kamitani spoiled Iroha's surprise participation and that was referenced here with Kamitani apologizing at the start before launching a surprise attack. This was a great match, stylistically they made an interesting pairing. Iroha was powerful and cool on offense and Kamitani had compelling energy and fighting spirit as usual. The ending was not ideal, but everything that preceded it was amazing.

***3/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Himeka vs. Momo Watanabe

A tense match where it really felt like they were putting forth a strong effort. It was a heavyweight style match with thicker sluggers going at it and working over their respective damaged backs. Momo countering strikes with timely kicks always looks so cool. Himeka's targeted attack on Momo's waist included a brutal shove into the edge of the ring which Momo sold like she got the wind knocked out of her.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/20/2021)

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Momo Watanabe vs. Starlight Kid

There was some clunkiness, but nothing that hampered the flow of the action. Again, the always reliable Momo provides a sense of stability to her singles matches and this was no exception. They did a good job building around the big moves and there was some nice counterwork.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Takumi Iroha vs. Utami Hayashishita

The much anticipated takarazuka ikemen battle. This was a comprehensive, well laid out time limit draw. There were some hard hitting counter strikes and they used the moments of downtime effectively to build anticipation for the next big sequence. Utami is a stamina monster who excels in wars of attrition.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/6/2021)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Himeka vs. Natsupoi

Himeka used her size and power to work over the mid section of Natsupoi. Natsupoi used her speediness, technical ability and picked her spots with explosive attacks. Despite her size, Natsupoi landed a nice bridging German suplex on the larger opponent.

***1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Giulia vs. Mina Shirakawa

This was a short but lively match. It only went about 5 minutes, but they wrestled with a clear purpose, with Mina targetting Giulia's injured neck and Giulia looking for that one-shot to make her return. The finish was sudden but I think they set it up really well and I was convinced by it. Giulia's heavy elbow strikes sounded great as always.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Koguma vs. Starlight Kid

Koguma is extraordinary. She is deceptively athletic and you never know what amazing things she might do in a match. Awesome junior style bout, with technical wrestling, aerial maneuvers and flashy moves. Koguma, who usually has a calm atmosphere, attacked before the bell and showed a more aggressive side in a match that felt like the start of a high speed rivalry between her and Starlight Kid.

***3/4

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Takumi Iroha vs. Tam Nakano

These two had never faced each other before but with their natural chemistry, they were able to produce a super match. Everything flowed smoothly and the strikes and suplexes had a sense of weight to them. Tamu, as always, did a great job of injecting emotion into the proceedings.

****1/4

Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri) vs. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani) (NJPW, 9/5/2021)

 NJPW - "Card Fight!! VANGUARD overDress" presents WRESTLE GRAND SLAM in MetLife Dome (9/4/2021)

Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri) vs. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani)

This was a solid match, not quite as flashy and exciting as the first day's Stardom match. Giulia and Momo had a great little exchange and I'm looking forward to a future singles match between them.

***1/4

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani) vs. Lady C & Maika (NJPW, 9/4/2021)

NJPW - "Card Fight!! VANGUARD overDress" presents WRESTLE GRAND SLAM in MetLife Dome (9/4/2021)

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani) vs. Lady C & Maika

This was an amazing match, just non-stop action from the four competitors. Stardom tag matches are generally engaging and easy to understand for potential new fans and I thought this was no different. Kamitani was the easy MVP, but Lady C also impressed, channeling Giant Baba in her best performance to date.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/18/2021)

2. Waka Tsukiyama Challenge Series - Match #4: Syuri vs. Waka Tsukiyama

I thought this was quite good. Waka has good movement and interesting submission maneuvers, and Syuri gave a good dominant performance while giving Waka moments of shine. The facial expressions of both are always interesting to watch.

***1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mayu Iwatani vs. Mina Shirakawa

Mina's best singles match so far. She's becoming a well-rounded performer, with a variety of moves that draw from various influences and charisma. This was a great match, the action flowed well and their character work made it even more interesting.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (9/4/2021)

2. Natsupoi vs. Unagi Sayaka

This match was an interesting blend of traditional and comical wrestling and showcased the range of both performers. It was not unlike a match you would see from Toru Yano in the G1 Climax.

***1/4

4. Mai Sakurai Challenge Series - Match #3: Giulia vs. Mai Sakurai

Mai Sakurai's best Stardom match so far and a match that showed the genius of Giulia. It was similar to the match that Unagi had with Giulia as part of Unagi's trial series, with Giulia almost working to Mai's pace and giving her an inch without giving her too much. The ground exchanges were quite good, with both wrestlers working for their signature STF.

***1/2

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Himeka vs. Mina Shirakawa

This was a great sprint-style match, stable and consistent with almost no wasted movement. Mina showed a lot of tenacity. I liked her wheel kick and transition to set up the draping DDT. And Himeka, in her third match since her return, has already gotten into her groove.

***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Konami vs. Takumi Iroha

That was a solid match. Iroha hit some heavy strikes, and Konami showed some cool transitions on the ground. It didn't quite reach second gear in my opinion, but it was a fun, flashy back and forth nonetheless.

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Syuri vs. Utami Hayashishita

An abridged and more intimate version of the deadly battle in Ota Ward. Syuri was overwhelming both offensively and defensively, keeping Utami constantly working. They build upon their previous encounters with some amazing sequences. The action was almost constant for 20 minutes, but the dynamism and diversity kept it interesting.

****1/4

Maya Yukihi & Yumi Ohka vs. Mayumi Ozaki & Saori Anou (OZ Academy, 8/18/2021)

OZ Academy - Mayumi Ozaki Debut 35th Anniversary Show ~ Plum Flower Blooming Oz Country (8/18/2021)

Mayumi Ozaki Debut 35th Anniversary Irregular Rules Match - OZ Academy Openweight Championship: Maya Yukihi & Yumi Ohka vs. Mayumi Ozaki & Saori Anou

This was a good, solid match. It may have been a little disappointing considering its length, but the content was mostly solid and entertaining throughout. Each performer was able to show their unique qualities. Selfishly I wish Anou had stayed in the match longer, but alas...

***1/2

Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki vs. Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi (ChocoPro, 8/8/2021)

ChocoPro - ChocoPro #144 (8/8/2021)

Super Asian Dream Tag Team Championship: Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki vs. Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi

This was as great as expected. Both teams are among the best and most consistent in the country. It was full of ChocoPro's signature fast-paced, innovative action that makes use of the unique environment, interspersed with some slow heat-building moments. An easy to watch 30 minutes.

****1/2

Minoru Fujita vs. Mei Suruga (ChocoPro, 8/15/2021)

ChocoPro - ChocoPro #125 (8/15/2021)

Super Asia Championship: Minoru Fujita (c) vs. Mei Suruga

The real story of this match was Mei's depth as a performer. She showed that she can carry an interesting match for almost 60 minutes. It was a grueling war of attrition that was built around several key moves that were well-placed throughout the duration of the match. Fujita didn't do anything impressive or excessively flashy, he's more of a personality-first type of wrestler and he played his role here well as a rugged, durable opponent that Mei needed to overcome to obtain the belt. To be honest, it's hard to recommend a match of this length in this style of wrestling, but it was a great match for enthusiasts of ChocoPro and Mei Suruga.

****1/4

Rebel X Enemy (Maika Ozaki & Maya Yukihi) vs. Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto & Tsukushi Haruka) (Ice Ribbon, 4/11/2021)

 Ice Ribbon - #1109 in SKIP City (4/11/2021)

International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Rebel X Enemy (Maika Ozaki & Maya Yukihi) vs. Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto & Tsukushi Haruka)

When it comes to delivering dynamic and innovative tag team matches, the International Ribbon division is undefeated. This was a lively affair from beginning to end, high-intensity action with clever and diverse sequences. A hotly contested spotfest that didn't feel its length at all.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/29/2021)

1. AZM vs. Hanan

This was a good, fast-paced opener, with the right amount of time and a real sense of struggle. Hanan worked the leg, finding unique ways to set up her submissions.

***1/2

4. Future of Stardom Championship: Unagi Sayaka (c) vs. Rina

A very good match. Major improvement over the previous title defense. Unagi has grown a lot as a performer, and so has Rina, who blends judo with traditional wrestling and heel work in a unique way. You won't see any other 14 year olds performing gory bombs.

***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Takumi Iroha vs. Maika

I think this match was a classic example of the winning wrestler doing little to put over their losing opponent. Maika wasn't able to show much. She was sucked into Iroha's pace and unilaterally dominated.

***

7. High Speed Championship: Natsupoi (c) vs. Starlight Kid

This was a perfect culmination of the budding chemistry Natsupoi and Starlight Kid had shown in their previous matches, with some great callbacks to those encounters. Kid has developed a real killer instinct since joining Oedo Tai and some of her offense was punishing. Outstanding underneath performance from Natsupoi, with her selling and facial expressions. They both have a variety of ways to end a match, which made the closing stretch feel especially dramatic. What a gift to have a title match of this quality in the middle of a tournament.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/28/2021)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Unagi Sayaka vs. Maika

Unagi's rapid-fire growth has been amazing. She does such a good job of building around her ever-expanding, flashy moveset. This was a fantastic time-out draw, brilliantly paced with a lot of depth and emotion and topnotch visuals. A definite improvement over their Cinderella outing. Hard to believe these two are only second-years.

****

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mayu Iwatani vs. Himeka

A good match for Himeka's return. There was an awkward moment at about the beginning of the second half, but things improved from there and overall it was good. Himeka looked to be in good condition after her injury, as performed her usual power moves and took some big bumps. Mayu did a bullish workover on Himeka's healed mid-section and some cool kicks.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/13/2021)

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Konami vs. Saya Kamitani

Kamitani's performance was really good, while Konami didn't do much of interest. It was a rather basic match that didn't have much of anything remarkable, but the wrestling was good.

***

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Tam Nakano vs. Maika

This is an interesting pairing and I didn't know what to expect; they worked really well together and had some nice exchanges. It was good for the time it went.

***1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mayu Iwatani vs. Natsupoi

A rematch 6 years in the making. This was an exciting high speed style match with speedy exchanges and flashy offense. Some of the counters here I thought were really well set up and executed, including the finishing sequence. It was nice to see the return of high speed Mayu.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Koguma vs. Giulia

Typical Dangerous G style match with rugged, hard-hitting offense, steep angle bumps and strong selling. Their interaction in the Goddess tag match at the Yokohama Budokan was promising, and that chemistry was on full display in this match. I was hooked from the start. The combo of Koguma's agile high flying and power moves using her weight is a novel one. And Giulia again does a great job of highlighting the strengths of her opponent without compromising herself. This was a lush 14 minutes.

****

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/9/2021)

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Unagi Sayaka vs. Konami

Good match. I thought both of them put on lively performances and the action flowed really well.

***1/4

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: AZM vs. Maika

AZM has some experience in judo I think she was able to draw upon in some of the grapple exchanges with Maika here. This was a fun burst of action, with AZM using her speed and technique to swarm the larger powerhouse. Maika's comeback was a sudden but crushing, with a stiff lariat followed by a Michinoku Driver.

***1/2

Maki Itoh vs. Shoko Nakajima (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8/15/2021)

 Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (8/15/2021)

Maki Itoh vs. Shoko Nakajima

I was a little worried when I saw the match length, but these two carried out a performance that was engaging from start to finish. The consistent game plan from Itoh. Shoko showing why she's been entrusted with the role of reliable gatekeeper. A finishing stretch with a sense of drama and urgency and a satisfying result. This was a fantastic tournament final.

****1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (8/14/2021)

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Semi Finals: Shoko Nakajima vs. Miu Watanabe

A great blend of power and speed. Shoko showed off her strong ground game as she worked over the neck. Miu's performance was fantastic and just watching her perform power moves was the highlight of the match. I wish the match had gotten as much time as the main event, because it felt like it ended just as it was getting really good. There's something special with this pairing and hopefully they meet in a big match setting again some day.

***3/4

7. Tokyo Princess Cup 20211 Semi Finals: Mizuki vs. Maki Itoh

Another match in this TPC that reminded me of the goodness of Mizuki. Stellar performance from her, with many cool roll-through transitions to set up offense. There's obviously a backstory between these two, and they've clashed several times before, so the storytelling was solid. The second half of the match wasn't as good as the first half. They went for a methodical finishing stretch, which I don't think landed strongly. A great match still.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/8/2021)

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Saki Kashima vs. Mina Shirakawa

Good match and another good showing from Saki Kashima during this Osaka double-shot. Really enjoyed her work on top, especially the way she made strategic use of the ropes to inflict damage. Mina was quite good as well.

***1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Natsupoi vs. Starlight Kid

Great work by these two. I loved their high speed match earlier in the year and their chemistry has improved a lot since then. I'm enjoying Starlight Kid's new edge and the brutal additions to her moveset. Natsupoi, fresh from injury, is in better shape than ever and continues to add to her arsenal.

***3/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani

Despite being almost half the length of their white belt match, it was just as engaging; a very fast-paced 13-minute match with plenty of depth.

****

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/7/2021)

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Tam Nakano vs. Ruaka

Enjoyed this quite a bit, sudden finish aside. It had a simple structure that was executed well for the most part. Ruaka continues to show growth. Her arm work wasn't boring, with the variety of ways she found to attack the limb, including using her large body. Tam gave the match stability and her selling put Ruaka's monster power over.

***1/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Saki Kashima vs. Giulia

I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. This was awesome, both of them seemed to connect together so naturally and had a compelling character dynamic. Some rather hard hits were thrown as well, which is always a plus. Giulia showed her range as a performer, with spectacular moves I hadn't seen from her before, such as a Baldo Bomb. Kashima's dirty fighting was met with energetic counterattacks from Giulia, and the tension built nicely. Finest Kashima singles performance I can think of.

***3/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Utami Hayashishita vs. Unagi Sayaka

Solid match. Rudimentary back and forth, with Utami having a slight advantage. The closing stretch is where it really started to pick up, with Unagi getting a close near fall and surviving big offense.

***

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Syuri vs. AZM

This wasn't quite as good as the SWA match earlier in the year, which was a fast-paced, lively affair. This match had a more deliberate pace and some parts were middling. Still, there was much to be enjoyed. AZM's double foot stomps were piercing, and she hit a surprising Canadian destroyer in the lead up to a convincing win.

***1/2

Akane Fujita & Risa Sera vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Maika Ozaki & Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 7/24/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1135 ~ Summer Jumbo Ribbon 2021 (7/24/2021)

International Ribbon Tag Team Championship (vacant): Akane Fujita & Risa Sera vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Maika Ozaki & Maya Yukihi

Even in these strange times of Ice Ribbon, where there seems to be a deathmatch or hardcore match every other show, you can still count on the tag belts to put on a great spotfest like this one. This match was a demolition derby filled with big moves, innovative multi-man sequences and bodies bouncing around the ring.

****1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (8/1/2021)

 1. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: AZM vs. Unagi Sayaka

Good, fast paced opening match. AZM was sharp and technical, while Unagi picked her spots and chained together crushing offense.

***1/2

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Saki Kashima vs. Starlight Kid

An 8 minute match that was paced and built tremendously. The double 619 and standing moonsault counters from Kashima were so well-timed and unexpected. Tense finishing stretch that led to a brutal finish.

***3/4

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Momo Watanabe vs. Natsupoi

A great battle of power and speed, with Natsupoi targetting the injured, taped back to take away Momo's power and inflict lingering damage. The Tanahashi-esque moonsault to the back into a submission by Natsupoi was sweet. Natsupoi's shock response to getting the fall conveyed the story of her performance well.

***1/2

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Konami vs. Tam Nakano

There was some good grappling and striking here. Nakano's striking in particular has improved and has a good sense of weight to it. Konami has neat and detailed little moves. I think she needs a "nage-waza" finisher to feel like a proper threat, as submissions sometimes can be harder to buy into. Nakano's use of insect-like movements to escape Konami's crossface chicken wing was amazing.

***3/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Utami Hayashishita vs. Saya Kamitani

A rematch of their phenomenal Budokan Hall title match. Although this match lacked the ingredients to reach that level, it was still a very good match between two of the promotion's youngest and most exciting stars. Hot back and forth with some great cut-offs and big moves.

****

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Maika vs. Syuri

NEVER Openweight-style dick measuring contest with both wrestlers showing stubbornness and incredible tenacity as they went blitzkrieg on one another. Ground fighting, struggling over vertical suplexes and clobbering each other with headbutts during a double knuckle lock, they never stopped going at it. The finish was overkill from Syuri with a brutal punt kick followed by an Emerald Flowsion that dropped Maika like a lawn dart into the canvas.

****1/2

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Giulia vs. Mayu Iwatani

 A vast improvement over their GP match last year. They've grown more comfortable working together and this felt like the first time they produced a match that blended the best of their styles into a cohesive whole. Giulia deliberately worked the neck and displayed dominance on the ground, while Mayu relied on her zombie-like durability and kicking power.

****1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 (7/31/2021)

 2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Natsupoi vs. Koguma

Could have easily been wrestled for the High Speed title. There were fun pin-scrambles and a good amount of struggle in the finishing stretch.

***1/2

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Giulia vs. Starlight Kid

The roles were reversed from their match earlier in the year with SLK being the aggressor this time around, having joined the heel unit Oedo Tai. This was a good, energetic back and forth, with SLK showing her aggressive side, especially during the strike exchange. It didn't come close to their title match, but there's potential with this new dynamic.

***1/2

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Tam Nakano vs. Unagi Sayaka

A slow and steady match that built to a big finish, which is Nakano's forte. Nakano's work on top was excellent, she was dominating Unagi with heavy strikes. And Unagi did a swell job working underneath, with lush selling and smart, well-timed counterattacks. Unagi's new finisher has a complicated started up so her performing it as fast as she did was impressive and I was convinced by her victory. Great champion vs. champion intra-unit match.

****

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Saya Kamitani vs. Syuri

An amazing match, especially when you consider that this was the first time they've met in singles. There was a special chemical reaction between these two and they felt like a natural pairing. Those slap exchanges were wicked. I've always thought Syuri was a narrow, one-pattern type of wrestler, but she has opened up lately and has become a diverse performer. Kamitani upped the ante in the striking department and firmly stood against a monster in Syuri.

****1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Red Stars: Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe

Another excellent match from this time-tested duo. They exchanged many hard kicks, with Momo being a particularly surly aggressor and Mayu doing her usual impeccable sell job. The build to Momo's devastating new finishing move, which resembled Naruki Doi's Muscular Bomb, was well done.

****1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 Blue Stars: Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika

Maika has grown since her last match against Utami and she showed some qualities that were not present in their past matches. This was another amazing match between these two, possibly the best one they've had against each other yet. Suplex and lariat battles, and a dominant finish from Maika.

****1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (7/31/2021)

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 - Quarter Final Match: Maki Itoh vs. Suzume

This was a good, high paced match with a lot of intensity. It almost felt like a brawl. The finishing sequence could have been a little more competitive and dramatic, it felt too brief.

***1/2

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 - Quarter Final Match: Miu Watanabe vs. Yuki Aino

It was a fine match with both performers working hard. Miu performed an impressive giant swing from a spinebuster-like position, which showcased her physical capabilities, and destroyed Aino at the end with repeated axe handles. Miu looked incredible. Physically and performance-wise, she shined.

***

7. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 - Quarter Final Match: Miyu Yamashita vs. Mizuki

These two fit together so well, just incredible synergy with their contrasting "hard" and "soft" wrestling styles. It's been such a long time since we've seen Mizuki in a big match setting that I almost forgot how good she could be. The finish wasn't so strong, but everything preceding it was topnotch.

****

Stardom - Golden Week fight tour 2021 (5/5/2021)

3. Giulia vs. Ruaka

Nice little match. Giulia, as always, does a great job of highlighting the best parts of her opponents, putting over Ruaka as a powerhouse through her selling. From this and their previous match, you can definitely sense that Giulia has a special respect for Ruaka.

***1/4

5. Natsupoi vs. Mina Shirakawa

A great back and forth, with both wrestlers playing to their strengths. I was surprised they put forth such an effort on a small show in Fukuoka, but generally speaking, this roster works hard regardless of the size of the crowd so it shouldn't be that surprising. There were some creative counters and setups in this match, and their styles meshed very well together.

***1/2

Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Natsupoi, Himeka & Maika) vs. Queen's Quest (Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani, Momo Watanabe & AZM) (Stardom, 5/4/2021)

Stardom - Golden Week fight tour 2021 (5/4/2021)

Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Natsupoi, Himeka & Maika) vs. Queen's Quest (Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani, Momo Watanabe & AZM)

The usual great Stardom trios main event. Easy to watch, engaging action, and great chemistry between teammates and opponents, with Maika, the Fukuoka hometown hero, picking up the win with an amazing Michinoku driver.

***3/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (7/25/2021)

3. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Second Round: Mahiro Kiryu vs. Suzume

An okay match with minimal highlights. Suzume performed well. The result was good. It was great to see at least someone from a new generation beating a veteran in this tournament.

**1/4

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Second Round: Maki Ito vs. Raku

This was a decent match. There were interesting character moments and Raku hit a cool double arm chop, but the finish was anticlimactic.

**1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Second Round: Hyper Misao vs. Rika Tatsumi

This wasn't quite on the level of their Shinjuku FACE match in 2019, but still a good match. They had a good sense of pace and flow and they were pulling out all the stops, with an apron battle and rope-hung variations of signature moves.

***1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (7/24/2021)

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Second Round: Mizuki vs. Mirai Maiumi

This match didn't connect with me much. I wasn't into the flow and there seemed to be no clear direction. However, there were some moments that stood out, such as Mirai's Casadora counter and Mizuki's basement dropkick where she flew out of the ring.

**1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 Second Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuki Kamifuku

Kamiyu was being cut off by Miyu's kicking ability before she was finally able to make a breakthrough and let loose. Miyu took a big bump off the apron for Kamiyu's dropkick, and Kamiyu showed off some cool combos, including an octopus hold that transitioned into a famouser. Loved the strike exchange at the end too. There were spots that looked too deliberate in their setup, but I enjoyed this a lot. The gradual pace allowed for the tension to really build up.

***3/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (7/23/2021)

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Miu Watanabe vs. Kaya Toribami

Solid, functional match. This was my first real look at Toribami and I was impressed. She seems to have great acrobatic ability. Her rolling sobat, a move not often seen in Japanese women's wrestling these days, was amazing.

**3/4

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Yuki Aino vs. Yuki Arai

I was hoping to see some first round upsets, a la New Japan Cup, but it seems seniority rules in this promotion. This was a good match, the execution was on point for the most part. Arai was a bit rough at times during transitions but other than that she gave a good effort, busting out a new move. If the finish had been stronger, this would have rated higher.

***

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Nodoka Tenma vs. Marika Kobashi

Aside from a poorly applied guillotine choke (which ended the match), this match was mechanically well done and there was a decent amount of physicality put into some of the moves. It was lacking in depth and storytelling, but they showed good chemistry.

**3/4

7. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Rika Tatsumi vs. Hikari Noa

A slow and deliberate match that gradually reached a fever pitch. It was the usual Tatsumi Rika style match, built around leg-destroying attacks. There were also some well-delivered counters and near-falls. This felt like the first match of the tournament so far that was given the time to truly develop.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 8th Tokyo Princess Cup (7/22/2021)

 3. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Mahiro Kiryu vs. Arisu Endo

Mahiro is relatively big for a Japanese women's wrestler. So it's a shame all of that size goes to waste as she does nothing of interest in the ring. It's regrettable Endo lost here. I think she has been progressing very well and shows great promise, while Mahiro has been in a developmental stalemate pretty much since her first year. This felt like an ordinary undercard veteran-rookie matchup and not like a high-stakes first round tournament match. Solid but unremarkable.

**3/4

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Raku vs. Moka Miyamoto

There wasn't much to this match. Raku's performance was more orthodox than usual, with no comical elements. She was completely in control of the pace, and Moka was barely noticeable. The moves were solidly performed and there were no mistakes.

**

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Pom Harajuku vs. Mirai Maiumi

This was a good match. Pom has always had a relatively deep moveset compared to others in her class, and that was on full display here. This was perhaps her most well-rounded performance to date. Mirai was good as usual. The ending was also quite good.

***

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2021 First Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Nao Kakuta

A solid main event to close out the first night of the tournament. The wrestling and pacing were generally good, but the ending felt rushed. Nao has a dirty, technical wrestling style reminiscent of Cherry and did some interesting moves. The difference in power levels was evident, Miyu never really seemed to be in trouble and even smiled when she had the advantage at the end.

***

Mika Iwata vs. Ryo Mizunami (Sendai Girls, 6/29/2021)

Sendai Girls (6/29/2021)

Mika Iwata vs. Ryo Mizunami

This was a good back and forth match with a wide array of moves being used. There were some great strike exchanges and counters. I don't have any complaints about the outcome of the match, but Mika Iwata is still doing the plucky rookie gimmick even though she is now a six-year veteran. I'd like to see her make some tweaks to her persona and get some tangible results.

***1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Inspiration #2 (7/1/2021)

2. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Suzume

Sakazaki always does a great job carrying her juniors and this match was no exception. Not to say that Suzume didn't pull her own weight. She kept up and showed new moves. But this was the Yuka Sakazaki show. Just great timing, execution and rhythm from her throughout the match. These two paired well stylistically and I would like to see a longer match between them someday.

***1/2

3. UWF Rules: Miyu Yamashita vs. Mirai Maiumi

One of the issues with UWF matches between wrestlers who have no real martial arts experience is that they make decisions that no trained fighter would make (like giving up dominant positions for no discernable reason), and that was certainly on display here. I am by no means a martial arts expert, but I have watched enough of it from a diverse number of sources (UFC, RIZIN, K-1, PRIDE FC, DREAM, etc. ) to know what a real fight looks like, and this did not even remotely look like a real fight. The Ryogoku KFC match, which was held under traditional pro wrestling rules, felt more realistic than this one. I think Miyu was actually exposed here because she just doesn't attack well against a moving target. Her strikes looked slow and soft and Mirai was having to sell for it. On the ground they were fine, but their stand-up looked like amateur hour. I didn't like this at all.

N/R

Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Mio Momono (Sendai Girls, 7/11/2021)

Sendai Girls - SENJO Chronicle (7/11/2021)

Sendai Girls World Championship: Chihiro Hashimoto (c) vs. Mio Momono

Chihiro's first defense in almost a year and a half. It started slow with some rudimentary back and forth, but the second half was frenetic and dynamic, beginning with a nasty German suplex that saw Momono land on top of her head. They did a good job of pacing and building the match. I really liked how Momono stuck to her game plan. And Chihiro is a monster with freakish speed and strength. Despite having a barebones roster, Sendai Girls have managed to match Chihiro with mostly strong opponents. I don't think Momono is a strong opponent, but Chihiro was doing her best to make Momono feel like one.

***1/2

Giulia & Syuri vs. Queen's Quest Momo Watanabe & AZM (Stardom, 5/2/2021)

Stardom - Golden Week Fight Tour 2021 (5/2/2021)

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri) (c) vs. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM)

People focus on the bigger shows in Stardom, and rightfully so, but the smaller shows also have quality matches like this one. There were some strong segments in this match and some great tag team chemistry between the two teams. And just when things were getting a little repetitive, it ended at the right time.

***3/4

SEAdLINNNG - Nanae Takahashi 25th Anniversary ~ Arigatou (7/11/2021)

4. SEAdLINNNG Beyond The Sea Championship: ASUKA vs. Ryo Mizunami

This was a great match. It turned into a total firefight where they were exchanging heavy blows. The striking was diverse and dynamic so it never felt repetitive. ASUKA shined on offense, using her natural athletic ability to attack from various angles. Mizunami, a veteran of more than 10 years, seems to have gained a new vigor after returning from AEW. The armwork was just a way to build the match and get the crowd into it and I think it worked. Even though ASUKA's reign ended without a successful defense, she went out with a bang.

****

5. Nanae Takahashi vs. Arisa Nakajima

I don't know if it's because of her age or if her body is in shambles, but Nanae has slowed down and her physical condition doesn't look good. I thought Arisa's offense was amazing, especially the downward elbows to the head, but I would like to see her break away from this repetitive pattern of wrestling. If you've seen the previous matches between these two, it's more of the same. This is easily my least favorite type of Japanese women's wrestling. Directionless move exhibition with little buildup between moves, little regard for selling, and of course, a million finisher kick-outs.

**

Stardom - Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Summer (7/4/2021)

2. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka)

This was good tag team action, with timely momentum shifts and a well-executed finishing sequence. Starlight Kid adds an interesting variable to Oedo Tai, who have been gaining momentum with expanding membership. Her entrance and mannerisms were cool. And again, Ruaka has been showing such great improvement and feels so much more motivated than she was prior to joining Oedo Tai. 

***1/2

3. Future of Stardom Championship Tournament, Finals: Mina Shirakawa vs. Unagi Sayaka

This was a solid match, but I felt it was lacking in terms of tension and drama for a tournament final. They performed some cool looking moves with nothing in between to create meaning. Although I was impressed by Mina's performance. Her grounding wrestling and strikes were impressive.

***

4. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri) (c) vs. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Koguma)

This was a great tag title defense. The action was very well-paced and the dramatic sequences were well constructed. Despite a six-year absence, Koguma has been doing excellent work since her return. She was given the spotlight and her genius really shined. Her German suplex from below the waist was Gary Albert level. Giulia's striking ability and steep head drops were as brutal as always. Also, Mayu and Syuri, who have a history at Yokohama Budokan, had a sweet callback to their feud.

****

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Saya Kamitani

A confrontation between master and disciple. The strike battles weren't high level, but what they lacked in technique they made up for in unbridled emotion, and that is the kind of storytelling that is typical of the white belt. The pace felt a little off in the beginning, but they developed a good rhythm as the match progressed. Tam's body work and kicks were great. And Kamitani, who took a lot of damage head-on and yet refused to back down, was super compelling to watch. There was something reminiscent of Mayu Iwatani in her performance.

****

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tae Honma (Ice Ribbon, 5/30/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1123 ~ Nagoya Ribbon 2021 (5/30/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto (c) vs. Tae Honma

This was Fujimoto's third defense in three weeks so I didn't expect her to go all out. And I think it's fine that she didn't. This was a good technical wrestling match, with positional battles on the mat, smooth transitions and timely counters. Honma gave the match a proper title match feel through her dramatic selling.

***1/2

Miyu Yamashita vs. Saki-sama (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 6/26/2021)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Stand Proud 2021 (6/26/2021)

Princess of Princess Championship: Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Sakisama

The layout of this match felt all wrong. Saki-sama is the super heel who rarely loses and yet she barely got any significant offense. She was the one surviving an onslaught of big moves and making the comeback from underneath at the end even though she's the clear heel. There was such an easy story to tell here and they screwed it up with a strange role reversal. If the idea was to shatter the illusion of Saki-sama, I suppose this match accomplished that, but it didn't make for a compelling story. The in-ring itself was also not strong. For a match between two strikers, this was lacking high-level strikes. The strikes looked soft and seemed to have little power behind them, save for a couple of exceptions at the end.

**1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Additional Attack (6/17/2021)

4. Mirai Maiumi vs. Yuki Arai

Arai, making her singles debut, expressed her fighting spirit well through her facial expressions and body language, and showed a high level of technical skill with her big boot > axe kick combination. I also thought this was Mirai's best singles match to date, and the fact that she was given this kind of role shows how capable she is.

***3/4

6. International Princess Championship: Hikari Noa (c) vs. Marika Kobashi

This was better than I expected it to be. There were few highlights and the technique was nothing impressive, but the action was generally solid, and the layout and composition were good. However, the finish fell flat. This was another Hikari finish that felt too abrupt after the damage she had taken.

***1/4

7. Princess Tag Team Championship: NEO Biishiki-gun (Mei Saint-Michel & Sakisama) (c) vs. 121000000 (Maki Ito & Miyu Yamashita)

This was a fun, action-packed tag team main event. The fast pace with little downtime made it very easy to watch and it didn't feel like a nearly 20 minute match. It's great to see the feud between Miyu and Saki-sama back in full swing.

***3/4

Stardom - Tokyo Dream Cinderella 2021 Special Edition (6/12/2021)

1. Cinderella Tournament - Semi-Finals: Maika vs. Unagi Sayaka

Even though Maika had wrapped up legs, her base seemed as strong as always. Unagi, who is rather unathletic, has a certain charm that reminds me of Kairi Sane, who was similarly weak but showed a lot of personality and fighting spirit. This match felt like it ended just as the action was starting to escalate.

***1/4

2. Cinderella Tournament - Semi-Finals: Himeka vs. Saya Kamitani

This was just as good as their match from the league tournament last year. Their styles mesh really well. Kamitani showed great vigor and urgency and a high level of execution. Himeka, who was returning from injury, hardly showed any rust and hit some hard hitting power moves. Both geniuses at facial expressions too.

***3/4

3. 3Way Shuffle Tag Match: Natsupoi & AZM vs. Tam Nakano & Giulia vs. Mina Shirakawa & Momo Watanabe

This was a really fun, fast-paced match with great action and comedy. Momo doing a gravure pose was interesting, and I liked the synchronized sequences between the mixed-up teams.

***1/2

4. Elimination - Loser Must Join Rival Unit: Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Konami, Fukigen DEATH, Ruaka & Saki Kashima) vs. STARS (Koguma, Hanan, Starlight Kid, Mayu Iwatani & Rin Kadokura)

This was another epic chapter of the Oedo Tai vs. STARS feud. Multi-man tag action worked at a blistering pace. Surprising falls and dramatic momentum shifts. Koguma's movement is still good despite her weight gain and she is a natural in the ring.

****

5. Cinderella Tournament - Finals: Maika vs. Saya Kamitani

Kamitani and Maika are in their first and second year respectively and yet have so much depth as performers. I can't think of another organization where you can see wrestlers of such youth and relative inexperience wrestling at a level like this, with a major prize at stake. Kamitani showed her killer instinct by targeting the injured leg of Maika, while Maika showed a lot of spirit and mental strength fighting through the pain.

****

6. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Syuri

This was an epic main event clash. A dense 40+ minutes of incredible wrestling, stamina and endurance. Syuri seemed to have a thousand holds at her disposal, not to mention many different ways to kick her opponent, keeping the action fresh throughout. They traded hard-hitting strikes and massive bumps. Some of the bumps were something out of NOAH during its heyday. This was another great defense for Utami, who has had an amazing title run so far.

****3/4

Mei Suruga vs. Haruka Umesaki (ChocoPro, 5/27/2021)

ChocoPro #121 (5/27/2021)

Mei Suruga vs. Haruka Umesaki

This was a really fun match for Mei's 3rd debut anniversary, against generational rival and former Darenjyo colleague Haruka Umesaki. They mostly kept to the basics, but they paced everything well so it hardly felt like its 25-minute duration.

***1/2

Thekla vs. Madeline (Ice Ribbon, 5/4/2021)

P's Party Yokohama Party ~ Yokohama Pro-Wrestling Festival 2021 (5/4/2021)

WUW World Women’s Championship: Thekla (c) vs. Madeline

This was an interesting hybrid of MMA and pro-wrestling, almost like something out of ARSION. Madeline actually reminded me of Michiko Omukai, with her boxing and submission holds. A fascinating and tense match between two eccentric personalities.

***1/2

Queen's Quest (AZM & Hina) vs. Oedo Tai (Ruaka & Rina) (Stardom, 4/29/2021)

Stardom - New Century 2021 in Sendai (4/29/2021)

Queen's Quest (AZM & Hina) vs. Oedo Tai (Ruaka & Rina)

A match with an average age of 15. This was a good opener, there was little downtime as they kept things active. Ruaka and Hina, who once felt like they were falling behind, have been looking really good of late.

***1/2

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tsukushi Haruka (Ice Ribbon, 4/24/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1112 ~ Spring is Short Battle Maiden (4/24/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tsukushi Haruka

This was another great defense by Fujimoto, who has been on a title reign of consistent quality. Both competitors have over a decade of experience and inherited super moves from Manami Toyota, who happened to be present for the match. They traded some nice-looking technical wrestling and counters. The match was a bit lacking in terms of innovation and big exciting moves but it was still a strong match.

***1/2

AZM vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe (4/24/2021)

Stardom - New Century 2021 in Hamamatsu (4/24/2021)

AZM vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe

This far exceeded my expectations, but given the talent participating, I should have expected it to be a great match. Three-ways like this are usually low card filler, but this match was really something special. There were so many great sequences and excellent storytelling.

***3/4

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & AZM) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Natsupoi) (4/18/2021)

Stardom - New Century 2021 in Nagano (4/18/2021)

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & AZM) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Natsupoi)

This was a great main event that served as a prelude to the upcoming Goddess title match. It was fast-paced and action-packed, with lots of great sequences and double team moves.

****

Miu Watanabe vs. Arisu Endo (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 5/30/2021)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - That's J-PW #15 (5/30/2021)

Miu Watanabe vs. Arisu Endo 

This was a good match, perhaps my favorite singles of "That's J-PW" so far. Endo has been a pleasant surprise since her debut. She has solid fundamentals and generally gives a stable performance. And Miu was of course impressive, both physically and in terms of her power moves.

***1/2

Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuka Sakazaki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 6/6/2021)

CyberFight Festival 2021 (6/6/2021)

Princess of Princess Championship: Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuka Sakazaki

There was a lot of great action in this match, but I don't think there was much depth or drama. There were moments where they were just rushing from one spot to the next with little regard for selling, and there were some spectacular moves that weren't given the proper breathing room to leave an impression. It felt like they were rushing despite the ample time they were given. It was a little disappointing after the carefully crafted epics of Tatsumi's reign.

***1/2

[BEST BOUT SELECTION] Hana Kimura's Best Matches

What are Hana Kimura's best matches?

These are my personal favorites.

I tried my best to provide a short context for each match before explaining what I enjoyed about them.

(Please note that some text may be borrowed or paraphrased from previous reviews)

Miyuki Takase vs. SAKI (AWG, 4/4/2021)

AWG - Act in Korakuen Hall (4/4/2021)

AWG Championship: Miyuki Takase vs. SAKI (4/4/2021)

The match started off at a high pace and then settled down to a slower pace. Everything was meticulously organized, and I always like SAKI's work, but as is often the case with AWG title matches, there was a lack of tangible drama to get to the next level.

***3/4

Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka) vs. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & AZM) (Stardom, 3/26/2021)

Stardom - Road to Yokohama Dream Cinderella 2021 in Spring (3/26/2021)

Artist of Stardom Championship: Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka) (c) vs. Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & AZM)

One of the best Artist matches in recent memory. Cosmic Angels have become a well-oiled machine, and of course, Queen’s Quest has a ton of experience working fast-paced high-octane trios matches. This was a full-throttle match from start to finish.

****

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tsukushi (Ice Ribbon, 4/24/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1112 ~ Spring Is Short, Fight Girl (4/24/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Tsukushi

This was another great defense by Fujimoto, who has been on a title reign of consistent quality. Both competitors have over a decade of experience and inherited super moves from Manami Toyota, who happened to be present for the match. They traded some nice-looking technical wrestling and counters. The match was a bit lacking in terms of innovation and big exciting moves but it was still a strong match. 

***1/2

Konami vs. Maika (Stardom, 4/10/2021)

Stardom - Cinderella Tournament 2021 (4/10/2021)

Cinderella Tournament - Round 1: Konami vs. Maika

These two just meshed so well together. Both of them have experience in judo so it was fun to watch them attack and defend on the ground. The match developed into a thrilling apron battle with a crazy finish.

***1/2

Natsupoi vs. Starlight Kid (Stardom, 3/28/2021)

Stardom - Osaka Day & Night (Day) (3/28/2021)

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

This was a great High Speed main event. Both competitors were nimble and skillful in their movements and sharp in their offense and defense. Everything here looked so crisp, and there were some great transitions. Unfortunately, the finishing stretch wasn't strong, but overall it was still a very good match.

***3/4

Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 3/27/2021)

Ice Ribbon - #1106 ~ Ice Ribbon March 2021 (3/27/2021)

ICExInfinity Championship: Tsukasa Fujimoto (c) vs. Maya Yukihi

I think this was the best of the recent Ice Ribbon main events. They took a gradual approach, building up the big moves and drama, instead of the usual back-and-forth kick-out spam dreck. There were some creative counters in this match; the chemistry between these two is evident in the stability and accuracy of the work.

****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Yes! Wonderland 2021 - We are Still In The Middle Of Our Dreams! (5/4/2021)

5. International Princess Championship: Yuki Kamifuku (c) vs. Hikari Noa

This was definitely an improvement over their Wrestling Princess match, with some great heel work from Kamiyu and back and forth sequences, but it had an equally flat finish. Hikari's comeback was too abrupt and it felt unconvincing after the beating she had taken for much of the match.

***1/4

6. Princess Tag Team Championship: NEO Biishiki-gun (Mei Saint-Michel & Saki-sama) (c) vs. BeeStar (Mirai Maiumi & Suzume)

A great first defense for the tag champions. BeeStar didn't feel out of place in the semi-main event despite their lack of experience. Mei was always interesting when she was in the ring. I felt she brought the Ichigaya style to the squared circle. There were many great moments here, big and small. Some of the sequences were complex, but brilliantly set up and executed.

****1/4

7. Princess of Princess Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c) vs. Miyu Yamashita

This was an incredible main event. Miyu continued the excellent form she's shown in her recent singles matches with one of the finest performances of her career. Every time it seemed Tatsumi was making a comeback, Miyu would crush her with tremendous power. There was a lot of physicality, almost every strike felt like it had something extra behind it. The build up of drama and tension was so brilliant that you could easily forget that there were no fans in attendance.

****1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Still Incomplete (4/17/2021)

3. Miyu Yamashita vs. Hikari Noa

This was one of Hikari's better performances of recent. Sometimes her work can look unconvincing, but she was at the top of her game in this match. Everything she did looked crisp. Just like their match in the TPC, they make interesting use of the size disparity. The finish was abrupt, but they executed it in such a way that it didn't feel flat.

***1/2

6. Princess Tag Team Championship: BAKURETSU Sisters (Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino) (c) vs. NEO Biishiki-gun (Mei Saint-Michel & Sakisama)

This was a see-saw battle right down to the finish. They developed a great rhythm and everything felt like it flowed so smoothly. That Steinerizer from the apron was brutal. Bakuretsu bookmarked their reign with easily their best performance yet.

****

7. Princess of Princess Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c) vs. Maki Itoh

This was probably Itoh's "cleanest" and most sound performance yet. She was so confident in the ring that I really believed she could win. They injected a lot of personality into the match and created some dramatic moments.

****

Stardom - U-REALM Presents YOKOHAMA DREAM CINDERELLA 2021 in Spring (4/4/2021)

2. Mina Shirakawa vs. Momo Watanabe

Despite this being the second match on the card, it felt like they were both giving it their all and it exceeded expectations. Momo didn't take Mina lightly. Mina gave a brave performance that showed her growth, using some impressive new techniques.

***1/2

3. Unagi Sayaka vs. Saya Kamitani

Kamitani brought the best out of Unagi, and I was impressed with her generalship. She showed that she can handle a relatively long match against a less experienced opponent.

***1/4

4. Elimination - Loser Must Join Rival Unit: STARS (Hanan, Saya Iida, Starlight Kid, Mayu Iwatani & Gokigen DEATH) vs. Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Saki Kashima, Konami, Ruaka & Rina)

This went on for nearly half an hour and was a full-fledged Dragon Gate-style unit warfare with exciting action, dramatic momentum shifts, and unexpected twists and turns. This match contained all the charm of professional wrestling.

****

4. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Natsupoi

There is a lot of history between these two and that was what made this match so emotional. Dramatic and emotionally charged big matches like this are Nakano's forte, and Natsupoi is a highly athletic wrestler who knows how to bear her emotions. The finishing stretch brought everything together in an amazing way.

****1/4

5. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Bea Priestley

Bea was channeling Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 11 with the diving foot stomp to a table, diving dropkick to the back of the head and all sorts of knee strikes. She was aggression incarnate and just kept the pressure on the champion, who took all of her big moves head-on. This match packed a lot of explosive power from both competitors.

****1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Donna del Mondo (Maika & Himeka) (c) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Syuri)

A grueling tag team main event with a wide range of moves and well-placed momentum shifts that kept the action engaging. There was a logical flow of big moves getting bigger and bigger, with both teams showing excellent chemistry and teamwork. Giulia, named "Reiwa’s Dangerous Queen" by Akira Hokuto, unleashing a Northern Lights Bomb at the end was a nice touch.

****1/4

Hikaru Shida vs. Ryo Mizunami (AEW, 3/7/2021)

 AEW - AEW Revolution 2021 (3/7/2021)

AEW Women's World Championship: Hikaru Shida vs. Ryo Mizunami

The match between these two in Shinjuku FACE in 2017 was one of my favorite women's matches that year, so it was great to see them show off their amazing chemistry as opponents on a bigger stage. The strike exchanges here were great. Sometimes strike-based matches can feel repetitive, but they were mixing up their strikes in interesting ways, both offensively and defensively. Shida has established herself as the heavy hitter in the AEW women's division, and Mizunami is a heavy hitter in her own right, so it was exciting to see them go back and forth.

***3/4

Stardom - All Star Dream Cinderella (3/3/2021)

0. High Speed Championship: AZM (c) vs. Natsupoi

This was a great opener. As usual with the High Speed division, there was speedy wrestling, pristine technique and hot pin-reversal battles. The story of Natsupoi's struggle was told well and I loved the way her new finisher was built up.

***1/2

0. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Donna del Mondo (Maika & Himeka) (c) vs. Oedo tai (Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima)

A hard-hitting and action-packed tag team match. The finish was a bit sudden, but it was a fun high paced match with little downtime.

***1/4

2. Momo Watanabe vs. Nanae Takahashi

This was a G1 Climax style sprint. They never quite let up from attacking each other at the bell. It was fast-paced and hard-hitting.

***3/4

3. SWA World Championship: Syuri (c) vs. Konami

Syuri continued her strong reign as SWA champion. It was only 8 minutes but it was a dense 8 minutes, where they made full use of their striking and submissions.

***1/2

4. Mayu Iwatani vs. Yoshiko

This delivered to its dream match expectations. Yoshiko has slimmed down, but she still possesses her monstrous power. Mayu was perhaps an even scarier monster. She was in full zombie mode here, taking heavy damage only to explode back on the offensive. It started slow but developed into a high-impact back and forth.

****1/4

5. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Saya Kamitani

There were many doubters when Kamitani challenged for the belt, but she pulled through big time with a tremendous performance. She's always good at conveying her emotions and her high-risk offense always adds an element of drama and danger to her matches. Utami showed her championship killer instinct, targeting the lower back early and landing heavy offense throughout.

****1/4

6. Hair vs. Hair - Wonder of Stardom Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Each Giulia vs. Tam match is an improvement on the last while still standing well on its own and this was no exception. They upped the ante once more with even bigger spots and a dramatic stipulation attached. The storytelling was comprehensive and emotional. A storied rivalry, Nippon Budokan, Akira Hokuto on commentary, with scalps and a championship up for grabs. This had all the makings of a historic encounter. 

****1/2