Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Io Shirai vs. Meiko Satomura (Fortune Dream 5, 6/14/2018)

Kenta Kobashi Produce - Fortune Dream 5 (6/14/2018)

Hiroyo Matsumoto vs. Io Shirai vs. Meiko Satomura

Io's dynamic flippy style works so well in a 3WAY setting. This had cool spots and sequences and everything flowed together well. This was a lot of fun.

***3/4

Stardom - Shining Stars 2018 (5/27/2018)

2. Candy Floss vs. Konami

I really liked the counters and how smoothly everything flowed in this match. Konami's against an opponent who wrestles a similar submission-based style so that was nice to see. Well-paced technical clash.

***1/2

3. Oedo Tai (Martina & Sumire Natsu) vs. STARS (Tam Nakano & Zoe Lucas)

Fun mixture of shenanigans + action. Both teams gelled well together. Tamu has been doing some interesting stuff lately, she's improved her execution as well.

***

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Saki Kashima & Starlight Kid) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Io Shirai & Momo Watanabe)

It's been fun watching Saki get her groove back, every show she's introducing something new to her arsenal. Highlights were Mayu's selling of Momo's diving somato and SLK trying to break AZM with a Boston crab.

***1/2

5. Artist of Stardom - Finals (decision): J.A.N. (Jungle Kyona, Kaori Yoneyama & Natsuko Tora) vs. Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Hazuki & Kagetsu)

The closing segment here with Hazuki and Kyona was awesome - that headbutt and that slap from Hazuki! Great trios to end the tournament, there were some cool double teams and tandem sequences. 

***3/4

Azure Revolution (Maya Yukihi & Risa Sera) vs. Maika Ozaki & Saori Anou (Ice Ribbon, 5/13/2018)

Ice Ribbon - #884 ~KFC Ryogoku Ribbon~ (5/13/2018)

International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Azure Revolution (Maya Yukihi & Risa Sera) (c) vs. Maika Ozaki & Saori Anou

Classic International Ribbon match where its all action, visually stunning sequences and double teams. Probably went longer than it needed to be. Dug Sera fighting dirty with closed-fist punches to Maika.

***3/4

Kaori Yoneyama & Masa Takanashi vs. Riho & Kenny Omega (Gatoh Move, 2/9/2013)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・20 (2/9/2013)

Kaori Yoneyama & Masa Takanashi vs. Riho & Kenny Omega (Gatoh Move, 2/9/2013)

It was cool to see Omega's flashy, high-impact offense on the Gatoh Move mattress. Yoneyama was amazing here as well, and her interactions with Omega were great. Highly entertaining match in Kenni's first and only GM appearance. 

****

Mizuki vs. Yuka Sakazaki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 6/9/2018)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 5th Tokyo Princess Cup (6/9/2018)

Tokyo Princess Cup - First Round: Mizuki vs. Yuka Sakazaki

Great match with a focus on nifty technical wrestling and aerial techniques. The action escalated with Mizuki becoming more emotional and aggressive, and Yuka evoking the spirit of Mil Clown.

****1/4

Ice Ribbon - Yokohama Ribbon ~Golden Week Yokohama Wrestling Festival~ (5/5/2018)

1. Kaho Kobayashi vs. Tequila Saya

Killer opener. Kaho showed off some new tricks from Mexico, and Tequila wasn't bad either. In fact, this was Tequila's best bout.

***1/2

2. Mabudachi❤Chu2byo卍卍 (Kyuuri & Mio Momono) & Tsukushi vs. Maika Ozaki, Saori Anou & Tae Honma

Fantastic trios, there were were wild sequences and great little moments in between. Kyuuri and Maika are normally partners so them getting the closing segment was interesting to see.

****

5. Nao DATE vs. Risa Sera

This was Nao's breakout match, she looked so awesome in control and nailed all of her stuff, and Sera's selling and explosive comebacks were great. Great heavyweight clash. If only Sera had matches like this during her long ICE×∞ reign.

****

7. Asahi vs. Miyako Matsumoto

Miyako's armlock where she grabs all of her opponents limbs to prevent them from moving to the ropes is awesome. I find her matwork to be very compelling. This was lots of fun with a hot crowd rallying behind the rookie.

***3/4

Stardom - Shining Stars 2018 (Afternoon Show) (5/27/2018)

3. Io Shirai vs. Starlight Kid

Another great generational struggle in Osaka, following Kagetsu/AZM early in the year. Good back and forth, Starlight Kid displayed a "killer instinct" with several, impactful additions to her moveset.

***3/4

4. Artist of Stardom Championship Tournament - Round 1: J.A.N. (Jungle Kyona, Kaori Yoneyama & Natsuko Tora) vs. STARS (Saki Kashima, Shiki Shibusawa & Tam Nakano)

This was fun. Saki, Shiki & Tamu held their own without Mayu, and Tamu and Natsuko reignited their feud from last year in a great segment.

***

5. Artist of Stardom Championship Tournament - Round 1: Oedo Tai (Hana Kimura, Hazuki & Kagetsu) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Konami & Momo Watanabe)

Kagetsu using the brass knuckles on AZM - how extreme! Fun trios to close the noon show. The feuding between Hazuki & Momo and Konami & Kagetsu were the highlights. 

***