Stardom - Stardom World Big Summer in Tokyo (7/24/2019)

2. Jamie Hayter vs. Saya Iida vs. Utami Hayashishita

This was fun and overdelivered. The dynamic of Utami and Jamie feuding and Iida trying to find her way in between them was compelling, and there were some cool multi-person sequences.

***1/2

5. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Hazuki

This was similar to Arisa's defense against Tam in that it was about building into a climactic finish. The build is almost imperceptible until the crowd starts going nuts. The near-fall from that La Magistral might be the best of the year.

***3/4

6. World of Stardom Championship: Bea Priestley (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

The semi-main event was the people's main event, but I felt Bea and Momo performed at a higher level. This was a different type of performance than we've seen from Momo in a while, as she looked vulnerable and desperate. The physicality and seemingly natural flow of the action made for an exciting match.

****1/4

Bea Priestley vs. Konami (Stardom, 6/9/2019)

Stardom - Stardom World in Sapporo (Day) (6/9/2019)

World of Stardom Championship: Bea Priestley (c) vs. Konami

An intense struggle centered around a damaged limb and strike exchanges. Konami really upped her game in one of her most emotional performances yet.

****1/4

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.

****