Yoshiko vs. Saori Anou (AWG, 4/30/2019)

AWG - Actwres girl'Z in Korakuen (4/30/2019)

Yoshiko vs. Saori Anou

A solid match that could have been better. It started exciting, but they slowed things down suddenly and from there it was a start-stop pacing that I didn't find very compelling for the feud they had built. Too much of the match was spent with Yoshiko applying holds to Anou and Anou reaching the rope after a stretch of time. One or two peril segments is fine, but four of them is a bit much. And the crowd wasn’t getting any hotter because of them. Anou's comebacks were lacking too. She could have put up more of a fight. Yoshiko took most of the match and won in a dominant fashion.

***1/4

Ryo Mizunami vs. Hikaru Shida (WAVE, 8/12/2019)

WAVE - Anniversary Wave 12th (8/12/2019)

Ryo Mizunami vs. Hikaru Shida

A fitting sequel to their great singles match of 2017. This was intense and hard-hitting throughout its duration, and they paced the action well into the time over draw. Both were connecting heavy offense, the knee strikes from Shida in particular were brutal. 

****

Saori Anou vs. Miyuki Takase (AWG, 12/4/2017)

AWG - Act 26 (12/4/2017)

POP Championship: Saori Anou (c) vs. Miyuki Takase

This was a great match, the best singles match I've seen from Saori Anou personally. They both brought tension and drama and everything felt like it was executed at a good pace. Could’ve used a stronger finish, but this was a very good match, even more impressive considering Takase's lack of experience at the time.

***3/4

Natsumi Maki vs. Saori Anou (AWG, 10/9/2018)

AWG (10/9/2018)

AWG Championship Tournament - Quarter-Finals: Natsumi Maki vs. Saori Anou

This was an intense match, a surly back and forth between former tag partners turned rivals. There was brawling and some big time exchanges. Both have beautiful bridges that were on display as they traded suplexes.

***1/2

SAKI vs. Saori Anou (AWG, 11/15/2018)

AWG - Actwres girl'Z in Korakuen (11/15/2018)

AWG Championship Tournament - Finals (decision): SAKI vs. Saori Anou

This was a strong match to crown the inaugural AWG champion and close the promotion’s first ever Korakuen Hall event. SAKI has never performed on this level before, in a full-length singles main event with high stakes, but she delivered a fantastic performance. She was just getting better and better as the match went on. Anou was great as well and had the crowd firmly on her side.

****

ASUKA vs. Mei Suruga (ChocoPro, 5/23/2020)

ChocoPro - #16 (5/23/2020)

ASUKA vs. Mei Suruga

Good match, both were working hard to provide some uplifting entertainment on a soul-crushing day. Mei showed a lot of heart and desperation, that kendo stick strike to the head was awesome. It was interesting to see ASUKA adapt to the Ichigaya style.

***1/2

Hamuko Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi (Ice Ribbon, 5/31/2020)

Ice Ribbon - #1044

IW-19 Championship Tournament - Finals (decision): Hamuko Hoshi vs. Maya Yukihi

This match was lacking a spark. I thought the difference in personalities would create an interesting dynamic, but it really didn't. It felt like they were doing moves without any feeling behind them or a story in mind. For a title decision match, it lacked a sense of drama. There were some great looking moves, flashy offense and counters from both, but nothing to sink your teeth into. As an exhibition of moves, it was a solid fun watch.

***1/4