Stardom - Champions Around the World in Nagoya (3/5/2017)

1. Arisu Nanase vs. AZM

Solid minis opener.

**1/2

5. World of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai (c) vs. Kagetsu

This actually felt more like a High Speed match than it did a Red Belt match, if that makes sense. Really enjoyable action and some Dragon Gate-style heel tactics from Kagetsu. A good semi-main.

***1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: BY Ho (Kairi Hojo & Yoko Bito) (c) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona

Kyona's the hometown hero so she got a lot of shine. I thought her offense looked soft until the third act where she started laying in her stuff against Hojo, who was egging her on. Hiroyo assisting Kyona with the finishing powerbomb was a great moment. Solid stuff.

***1/4

Stardom - Stardom of Champions 2017 (2/23/2017)

2. Konami vs. Yoko Bito

I was thrilled when this match was announced, somewhat disappointed that it was featured in the low card, but I got what I wanted out of it. These two traded savage kicks like you'd want them to and the height difference made for an interesting dynamic.

***

3. SWA World Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo

lol

4. High Speed Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Kagetsu vs. Kris Wolf

This was tons of fun and fast and furious action, they string the multi-person spots together really well.

***

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kairi Hojo (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

Kyona brings a gravitas that made this match feel special. She's a pro at letting her emotions bleed out. She works over Hojo's mid-section to set up for her gutwrench moves and takes some hard smacks in the process. This was an emotional bout right down to the finish; fine drama and hard hits.

****1/2

6. World of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai (c) vs. Shayna Baszler

There's a confusing moment where Shayna finally captures Io in her sleeper - the very hold that put Io to sleep prior to this match - and the ref makes her break it rather than calling for the bell. He ended up costing her the title! It threw the narrative, that being Io avoiding this deadly sleeper, out completely... the hell were they thinking? That said, Bazler knocking Io silly was enjoyable.

***

Stardom (2/18/2017)

4. Christi Jaynes, Deonna Purrazzo & Shayna Baszler vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, HZK & Io Shirai)

AZM relies on evasive maneuvers and assists from her partners rather than fighting directly, which made for a neat dynamic for the QQ trio. Really fun tag.

***

5. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona & Kaori Yoneyama vs. BY Ho (Kairi Hojo & Yoko Bito) & Natsuko Tora

There's some great tension between Hojo and Kyona building up to their match at Korakuen. Kyona gets the clean win over Hojo with a gutwrench spinning powerbomb. Satisfying finish to a good main event.

***1/2