Natsumi Maki vs. Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Kamifuku vs. Yuna Manase (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7/20/2019)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Joshi 2019 Summer ~ Sunshine Carnival ~ (7/20/2019)

International Princess Championship Japanese Representative Decision Elimination Match: Natsumi Maki vs. Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Kamifuku vs. Yuna Manase

Natsumi was the fixture, giving an impressive performance with some ferocious strikes, and had a great segment with Tatsumi. Even though Kamiyu played a spoiler who capitalized on the efforts of her opponents, she was crowd favorite.

***3/4

Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga vs. Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi (Gatoh Move, 7/21/2019)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour #442 (7/21/2019)

Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga vs. Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi

Akki turns in an excellent performance for his Gatoh Move farewell. There is so much great content in this match, from Mei and Masahiro's chain wrestling to Akki and Sakura's intense strike exchange. So many creative double team sequences as well.

****1/2

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (Stardom, 7/15/2019)

Stardom - Stardom World Big Summer in Nagoya (7/15/2019)

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

An excellent culmination of the Jungle Kyona-Queen's Quest saga, with a hot buildup to one of the most satisfying finishes of the year. All of the shifts of momentum and big spots were in place, and each of the wrestlers played their role exceedingly well. Kyona & Konami are a relatively new pairing, but they already have a strong dynamic.

****1/2

Nanae Takahashi vs. Takumi Iroha (SEAdLINNNG, 5/29/2019)

SEAdLINNNG - Stay Tune 2019 (5/29/2019)

SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Championship: Nanae Takahashi (c) vs. Takumi Iroha

Great match, with heavy exchanges and head dropping. The match being centered around neck-work served as a narrative anchor of sorts for Iroha, as her performance had a focus and sense of progression you don't often see from her.

****

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Bobbi Tyler & Hana Kimura) (Stardom, 6/22/2019)

Stardom - Shining Stars 2019 (6/22/2019)

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Bobbi Tyler & Hana Kimura)

I wasn't sure about this matchup after the disaster in Sapporo, but this was good. Strong content from Hana, with her heated interactions with Momo, and that exchange of sleeper holds with Utami. This was a great workrate tag with enough slow moments between the jolts of action to give it a sense of scale.

****

Mizuki vs. Yuna Manase (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7/7/2019)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup Final (7/7/2019)

Tokyo Princess Cup - Finals: Mizuki vs. Yuna Manase

An emotional fight for the Tokyo Princess Cup, where the struggles of both wrestlers was told well through individual performances and some dramatic sequences. A great power vs. technique, hard vs. soft bout.

****1/4

Emi Sakura vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 7/2/2019)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour #438 ~ Last Song For You' (7/2/2019)

Emi Sakura vs. Riho

Riho’s graduation was a simple match, but one with superb pacing and execution. There was the emotional underpinning of it being the final Riho match in Gatoh Move, and there was impressive technical ability and chemistry on display. Every sequence felt significant in building towards a climactic finish.

****1/2