Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho (DDT, 8/7/2015)

DDT - Beer Garden Fight 2015 - Shuten-doji Day (8/7/2015) 

Emi Sakura &「Kotori」vs. Masako Takanashi & Riho

This was spectacular, it doesn't last long, but it's action-packed to a hot crowd. Riho and "Kotori" were doing magical things, Masa was in his gyaru gimmick, but he wrestled it straight. "Kotori" was so seamless with her high-flying, what an amazing performance from her. Great match from start to finish.

****1/4

Riho &「Kotori」vs. Aasa Maika & Mitsuru Konno (Gatoh Move, 7/16/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・300 (7/16/2017)

Riho &「Kotori」vs. Aasa Maika & Mitsuru Konno

Enjoyable clash between Emi Sakura's veteran and rookie students. The intensity from Konno as she was locking in those submission holds was great, she looked like a real killer. I wonder where she learned these lucha libre llaves. Aasa's sessions with Riho and「Kotori」were full energy and a lot of fun, some of the stuff looked contrived, but I respect the creativity.

***

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・264 ~ Christmas Eve (12/24/2016)

1. Kaori Yoneyama & Hikaru Sato vs. Hikaru Shida & Madoka

Very fun match, ultimate battle of Hikarus; Sato was perving it up and Shida tried to avoid hip attacking him. Also, Shida did a very unique submission hold that involved hip attacks. Even with the comedy stuff, the work was great.

***1/2

3. Gatoh Move vs. REINA - 3 out of 5 Falls Match: Emi Sakura, Aasa Maika & Mitsuru Konno vs. Makoto, Hirori & Mari Sakamoto

This was a great inter-promotional skirmish. They kept the action exciting and moving, everyone looked good and had their moment to shine (except for Hirori maybe, but she was a cute face-in-peril).

***3/4

5. Asia Dream Tag Team Championship: Happy Makers 2 (Aoi Kizuki & Sayaka Obihiro) (c) vs. Riho &「Kotori」

Spectacular match. The action moved fast and momentum shifts happened in an instant. Obihiro was doing a hell of a sell job, and Riho's counterwork was excellent -- loved everything about their closing segment together.「Kotori」's execution was rough, but she's got an energy that makes up for it. Aoi-chan's in-ring genius shined as always. Brilliant stuff all around.

****1/2

Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 6/11/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・295 (6/11/2017)

Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho

Good! Riho playing the bully was highly entertaining (and cute!), she was teaching poor Konno a lesson. Konno had a couple of neat counters; her comebacks could have been stronger, but they were decent enough. The matwork was enjoyable, and I thought the submission struggle finish was great.

***

Riho vs. Aasa Maika (Gatoh Move, 2/4/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・272 (2/4/2017)

Riho vs. Aasa Maika

This was compact/minimalist, but they still managed to create exciting moments. Aasa countering Riho mid-cartwheel was especially great. Her counterwork is always a joy to watch. I thought Riho's approach to the match was interesting, she was adjusting to Aasa's style and trying new things. The ending was neat too.

***1/2

Riho vs. Sareee (Gatoh Move, 1/4/2014)

Gatoh Move - Happy New Year Itabashi Tournament 2014 ~ Japan Tour・83

Riho vs. Sareee

This match felt like it went nowhere. It ends in a timeout draw as things start to get going. Sareee did Kurihara-style stomps and a German suplex that looked good. I don't recall Riho doing anything of note.

*1/2

Emi Sakura, Kaori Yoneyama &「Kotori」vs. Riho & Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI) (Gatoh Move, 5/3/2016)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・226 (5/3/2016)

Emi Sakura, Kaori Yoneyama &「Kotori」vs. Riho & Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI)

*****

「Kotori」, Antonio Honda & SAKI vs. Masa Takanashi, MIZUKI & Riho (Gatoh Move, 7/19/2015)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・176 (7/19/2015)

「Kotori」, Antonio Honda & SAKI vs. Masa Takanashi, MIZUKI & Riho

I didn't find Antonio Honda's comedy funny here... I don't find him funny a lot of the time, actually. This was solid. There's a couple of moments where the spots look telegraphed/contrived, especially the ending where "Kotori" blatantly positions herself for Riho's diving stomp. Still a fine match, regardless.

**3/4

HARUKAZE & Nanaka Kawamura vs. Emi Sakura & Riho (GANBARE☆PRO-WRESTLING, 9/21/2017)

GANBARE☆PRO-WRESTLING - BAD COMMUNICATION 2017 (9/21/2017)

HARUKAZE & Nanaka Kawamura vs. Emi Sakura & Riho

This was Nanaka Kawamura of Kamen Joshi's pro wrestling debut. She is in phenomenal shape and had dedicated fans in attendance who were chanting loudly and reacting to everything she did. It created a special atmosphere. Her segment with Riho was cute, and I liked Emi exploiting the strong fan support by heeling it up. I see a lot of potential in Nanaka if she is serious about puroresu. 

***1/2

「Kotori」vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 3/15/2013)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・28 (3/15/2013)

「Kotori」vs. Riho

This was early in "Kotori"'s career, and I thought she did a swell job; her execution was precise, and her matwork was compelling. She also hits some stiff strikes. Riho gave the rookie a lot of shine. The flow was nice. Great stuff.

****

Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 4/15/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・284 (4/15/2017)

Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho

Konno is obviously still green, but I thought her performance was generally acceptable. Riho kept things under control. They start throwing some nasty fucking strikes towards the finish that I was really into. Not a high-end match like Konno/'Kotori', but good nonetheless. 

**3/4

Aasa Maika, Emi Sakura & Sayaka Obihiro vs. Jaguar Yokota,「Kotori」& Riho (HEAT-UP, 10/31/2016)

HEAT-UP - The Light Of Hope That Illuminates Kawasaki ~ Make A Miracle Happen 2016 (10/31/2016)

Aasa Maika, Emi Sakura & Sayaka Obihiro vs. Jaguar Yokota,「Kotori」& Riho

「Kotori」drops Aaasa straight on her head with a tai otoshi. I always enjoy seeing Riho's Palo Special. This is a standard joshi tag, with the usual joshi tag tropes of stereo submission holds, etc, etc. Obihiro should have gotten more. Not much else to say other than that Jaguar,「Kotori」& Riho are a very cute team.

**

NEO Biishiki-gun (Saki-sama & Masa) vs. Aasa Maika & Riho (DDT, 8/4/2017)

DDT - Fighting Beer Garden 2017 ~Shuten-doji Day~ (8/4/2017)

NEO Biishiki-gun (Saki-sama & Masa) vs. Aasa Maika & Riho

I was excited when this was announced, but with it taking place at a Beer Garden show I was worried there would be too much comedy, or even drinking, and luckily none of that was here. Just a straight up wrestling match. Aasa takes a good beating and Paradise Lock (!!); she is just a wonderful FIP. Riho was the workhorse, and brought this match to the next level with her high-flying offense and set-ups. Biishiki-gun were compelling characters as always. Great match.

****

Riho &「Kotori」vs. Mitsuru Konno & Aasa Maika (Gatoh Move, 5/3/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・287 (5/3/2017)

Riho &「Kotori」vs. Mitsuru Konno & Aasa Maika

I loved everything Aasa was doing here, the segment with「Kotori」where she gets a somersault throw into the wall, and her overconfidence when she's taking on both Riho & 「Kotori」. Konno was not having a good match; her transitions and execution was sloppy, but fortunately she didn't get much. An OK match. 

**1/2

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・302 (7/29/2017)

1.「Kotori」vs. Hirori

**1/4

3. Riho & Aasa Maika vs. Hikaru Shida & Mitsuru Konno

The opening segment between Riho and Shida was awesome. Konno was chaining together painful-looking lucha holds. She's the Negro Navarro of joshi puroresu. Shida and Maika have heat and that led to fun moments.

***3/4

「Kotori」& Riho vs. Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI) (Gatoh Move, 8/7/2014)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・119 ~ 7 Day War (8/7/2014)

「Kotori」& Riho vs. Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI)

Another good match from these teams. Some of the execution was rough, but still good. The「Kotori」and SAKI submission exchange was particularly great, as were all of the vicious wall slams.  

***3/4

「Kotori」& Riho vs. Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI) (Gatoh Move, 6/26/2016)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・235 ~ Butaman! Takoyaki! Kushikatsu! Gatoh Move! (6/26/2016)

「Kotori」& Riho vs. Buribato♡ (SAKI & MIZUKI)

The lighting makes the performers look like white silhouettes when they're in the middle of the ring, but still, an enjoyable tag. The double team moves from Buribato are always fun to watch. MIZUKI and Riho exchange heated elbows, and SAKI was hitting some awesome power moves. 

***1/2

Gatoh Move - High School Graduation (3/28/2017)

1. Aoi Kizuki vs. Mitsuru Konno

This was a decent showing for Konno. She's new, so errors are to be expected. Aoi Kizuki is obviously a joshi puroresu artisan so there is a lot to be learned from grappling with her.

**1/4

2. Emi Sakura W vs. Yako Fujigasaki

***

3. Hikaru Shida vs. SAKI

This was a match built up on who has the better brainbuster between these two via social media, so they're going back and forth with them.

***1/4

4. Cho-un Shiryu & Antonio Honda vs. Rocky Kawamura & Sayaka Obihiro

***1/2

5. Aasa Maika vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto

***

6. Asia Dream Tag Team Championship:「Kotori」& Riho (c) vs. Masahiro Takanashi & Emi Sakura

This is Chinese variety art in the form of a wrestling match, such a mesmerizing display of balance and timing, coupled with great storytelling.

****3/4

「Kotori」, Riho & Paksa vs. Sayaka Obihiro, Golem Thai & P-Nutz (Gatoh Move, 6/18/2016)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・231 (6/18/2016)

「Kotori」, Riho & Paksa vs. Sayaka Obihiro, Golem Thai & P-Nutz

A bunch of wrestlers from GM's Thailand branch are here and one of them is named P-Nutz. I mostly watched this because Sayaka was dressed up like a cool brawler outfit, but it was a great trios. Golem Thai is ace material, IMO.

****

Emi Sakura vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 1/23/2016)

Gatoh Move - JAPAN EXPO THAILAND 2016 (1/23/2016)

Emi Sakura vs. Riho

Fun match in an interesting setting in front of a hype crowd. Emi is really fun when she plays the heel and there's also some weird/fun stuff involving guest referee Hayato Fujita.

***