Hiiragi Kurumi vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 11/24/2018)

Ice Ribbon - #922 ~ Yokohama Ribbon 2018 ~November~ (11/24/2018)

ICE×∞ Championship #1 Contendership Tournament - Semi-Finals: Hiiragi Kurumi vs. Maya Yukihi

High paced struggle with explosive offense and great bumps. Maya's performance here was quite good as I thought she sold the stakes of the match well, while Kurumi was a powerhouse machine.

***1/2

Mary Apache vs. Saki Kashima (Stardom, 12/2/2018)

Stardom - Goddesses of Stars 2018 (12/2/2018)

High Speed Championship: Mary Apache (c) vs. Saki Kashima

This match is at its best when Mary is battering Saki with her heavy offense. She may be lacking in character, but her ringwork is super crisp. Saki performs lucha at a decent enough level with the crowd behind her and has a great near-fall.

***1/2

Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tetsuya Endo (DDT, 12/8/2018)

DDT - D-Ou Grand Prix 2018 in Osaka (12/8/2018)

D-Ou Grand Prix 2019 Block B: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tetsuya Endo

This is probably the best bout that I've seen from this match-up. Although this is a small venue, they delivered a main event fit for Korakuen Hall with big time moves and counters. Endo's assault on Takeshita's leg pays off nicely.

****1/4

Go Shiozaki vs. Akito (DDT, 12/1/2018)

DDT - D-Ou Grand Prix 2018 in Nanto (12/1/2018)

D-Ou Grand Prix 2019 Block A: Go Shiozaki vs. Akito

I had zero expectations for this match, but it hooked me with Akito going after an injured arm the way that only Akito can and Shiozaki doing a tremendous sell-job. The size differential plays a role in the finish in a great way.

****

Stardom - Best of Goddesses (11/23/2018)

2. Future of Stardom Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. Natsumi

Thought they kept up a good tempo throughout and kept the crowd into the action. Both wrestlers showcased a variety of moves and created good near-falls. 

***

4. Hana Kimura & Mary Apache vs. Oedo Tai (Hazuki & Kagetsu)

Hazuki and Mary are in a high speed feud so there's lucharesu action in this match. I liked the chair shot counters from Hana, and Mary cutting off Kagetsu's momentum with a big lariat from the apron was wicked.

***1/2

5. AMA (Arisa Hoshiki & Mayu Iwatani) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM & Konami)

Strong return match for Arisa after six years away (!). Having her work underneath is a smart layout for someone who has been away from the ring for so long. AZM & Konami were looking dominant as the gatekeepers of QQ and there's a couple of sequences and big moves that brought this to a high level.

***3/4

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: JAN (Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora) (c) vs. Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita

It's been a while since we've had a Goddesses of Stardom match of this magnitude. This surges to an emotional struggle between Kyona and Utami and I dug the feuding between Momo and Tora.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - 5th Anniversary ~ Five Year Old Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling ~ (12/1/2018)

6. Yuu vs. Nodoka Tenma

Yuu being a violent aggressor and Nodoka giving one of her compelling underneath performances. I feel like all this needed was one or two dramatic kickouts and it would've reached that high point. Very good, still.

***1/2

7. 2 out of 3 Falls: Miyu Yamashita & magical sugar rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) vs. Maki Ito, Shoko Nakajima & Riho

Story-driven trios epic with character and superb technique, plus the novelty of seeing Miyu and Riho face off for the first time. Hell of a build towards 1/4.

****1/2

Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mike Bailey (DDT, 11/30/2018)

DDT - D-Ou Grand Prix 2018 in Shinjuku (11/30/2018)

D-Ou Grand Prix 2019 Block B - Iron Man Heavymetalweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Mike Bailey

For the second time this year Speedball opens the D-Ou with a marvelous match. This time against Takeshita Konosuke. Very cohesive bout with stiffness and hard bumps and pristine execution. Always fun when a wrestler unveils a new technique that catches their opponent off guard.

****1/2