Mei Suruga vs. Kagetsu (Gatoh Move, 2/9/2020)

Gatoh Move - gtmv #35 (2/9/2020)

Mei Suruga vs. Kagetsu

This felt like a special encounter, even in a shithole like Basement Monster. Both wrestlers were able to show off their unique and different styles as they traded offense and defense. Kagetsu looked to be having a lot of fun and put over Mei strong with her selling, and there were some great near-falls.

***3/4

Kenny Omega & Riho vs. Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford (AEW, 1/22/2020)

AEW Dark #18 (1/22/2020)

Kenny Omega & Riho vs. Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford

I heard good reviews for this match, but it exceeded my expectations. The smooth flow of the action from one spot into another made for an exciting match; there was impressive coordination shown by both teams. And the nighttime setting and closeness of the crowd to the ring gave the match a warm and intimate feeling.

****

Stardom - 9th Anniversary in Osaka (1/26/2020)

4. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki & Saya Iida) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia & Maika)

This was more fun than I was expecting. The Giulia/Arisa interactions were promising, and Iida is becoming a surprisingly compelling wrestler with this Giulia feud. Iida stood out a lot. Maika was good here as well, with those judo techniques and that devastating double team maneuver.

***1/2

6. SWA World Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Jamie Hayter

 Jamie’s work on top wasn’t interesting, but it was effective. Utami still lacks fire in her comebacks to make them exciting. I was more interested in the match result than the match. I think Jamie will defend against Kyona soon, since their feud didn’t reach a direct conclusion at Korakuen.

7. Kagetsu & Mayu Iwatani vs. JKGReeeeN (Jungle Kyona & Momo Watanabe)

An epic main event for Kagetsu's farewell, with the pillars of Stardom's previous era engaging in dynamic tag action. Momo and Mayu, who were coming off of a great title match at Korakuen Hall, had awesome exchanges, and Kyona surpassing Kagetsu made for a strong finish.

****1/4

Miyu Yamashita vs. Natsumi Maki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 1/25/2020)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Joshi 2020 Winter ~wonderful harmony~ (1/25/2020)

Miyu Yamashita vs. Natsumi Maki

It was refreshing to see Miyu work a simpler big match, that was straightforward and easy to follow, without the excess of some of her recent big matches. This was a simple and focused match with a careful build to a big exchange at the end. They touched on the size differential nicely, and there were solid fundamentals shown by both in the early grappling and ground moments.

****

Stardom - 9th Anniversary (1/19/2020)

1. Zoey Skye vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

This was a solid opener where everyone got their moment to shine on offense. Dust has shown improvements since her last tour, working at a higher tempo and showing more expressions. The double tree-of-woe stomp and AZM’s triangle dropkick were highlights.

3. Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano

It was nice to see Tam and Kagetsu go at it one last time. This wasn’t my favorite singles match between them, but the story was good. The finishing sequence was done well with Tam needing something extra to finally overcome Kagetsu.

***1/2

4. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (c) vs. Bea Priestley & Jamie Hayter

Good, physical tag match. The main pairings (Kyona vs. Hayter, Bea vs. Konami) were good together and produced hard-hitting exchanges. The peril session on Kyona, with Bea & Jamie working her injured shoulder, was good. Bea as a tag team worker feels fresh, and this bruiser heel tag team she's formed with Jamie quickly became one of my new favorites during the tag league. I was stoked when I heard they won the belts.

****

5. Tokyo Cyber Squad (DEATH Yama-san, Hana Kimura & Leyla Hirsch) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Syuri)

I was waiting for Sakura Kasugano to come out when XX’s music played. Syuri has been around since the HUSTLE days. She’s experienced the ups and downs of the business, so it’s great to see her back on a major platform in what's looking to be a strong year for her. Fine match overall, rough at times, but mostly fun to watch.

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

There's a unique feel to Arisa's title defenses in Korakuen Hall. They've become an attraction. Arisa showed a sadistic side with those closed-fists to a bleeding Utami. Utami had some creative counters for the SSC, and that reverse neckbreaker submission transitioned into a slam was awesome. The bloodshed here made this a little more memorable than it perhaps would have been without it. 

***3/4

7. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

This match felt like a return to form for Mayu from an individual performance standpoint. Her movements were smooth and she was deploying some unique and flashy offense. The reverse frankensteiner from the turnbuckle looked as amazing as it did when she used it against Io some years ago. Momo's performance was on par with the best of her White Belt era. The dull sounds from her kicks were as vicious as ever.

****1/2

Stardom - New Years Stars 2020 (Night) (1/11/2020)

5. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona & Leyla Hirsch) vs. Oedo Tai (Jamie Hayter, Saki Kashima & Zoey Skye)

The focus of the match was the feud between Kyona and Jamie, and they had hard-hitting heavyweight-style exchanges. Hana’s getting a lot of mileage out of that hammerlock between the ropes, which has quickly become one of my new favorite signature techniques of hers. Oedo Tai were able to chain moves together seamlessly, no one seemed out of place despite the “newness” of the trio.

***1/2

6. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano) & Riho vs. Queen's Quest (Bea Priestley, Leo Onozaki, Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita)

Strong build up for the upcoming Korakuen Hall main card, with Arisa & Utami and Mayu & Momo going at it in intense exchanges. There was also an “AEW confrontation” between Riho and Bea, who traded offense and defense. Riho in Stardom is a different monster. She can really up the viciousness.

***3/4

Stardom - New Years Stars 2020 (Day) (1/11/2020)

3. High Speed Grand Prix: Starlight Kid vs. Leyla Hirsch

This GP opener wasn’t the best first impression for a “high speed” tournament. It was a match of normal speed. I suppose “high speed” is just another word for “junior wrestler”. Leyla has potential. She moves well for her stature. I'd like to see her have a second tour.

4. Kagetsu vs. Giulia

Kagetsu and Giulia have judo and MMA experience respectively so the opening mat exchanges were interesting to watch. The match was gradually paced, but the work was well timed and arranged, building towards exciting exchanges of big moves in the end, with Giulia looking strong going the distance.

***1/4

5. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Saki Kashima, Tam Nakano & Saya Kamitani) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (DEATH Yama-san, Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona & Konami)

I'm running out of ways to praise Stardom's multi-man tag matches (when they're good). Another fun, fast paced multi-tag main event.

***3/4