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