Ice Ribbon - #1057 ~ Ice Ribbon Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium Final (8/9/2020)

2. Akane Fujita & Asahi vs. Miku Aono & Mio Shirai

Mio has been working as a trainer for Ice Ribbon, so it's no wonder she hasn't lost much of a step. Asahi had a good showing of teamwork with Fujita in her return match. A better match than you would normally see on the undercard. 

***1/2

7. International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto & Tsukushi) (c) vs. Frank Sisters (Hiiragi Kurumi & Mochi Miyagi)

The theme of this match is that Tsukasa Fujimoto wants Tsukushi and Kurumi to solve their personal issues, but you don't need to know the story to enjoy it. It was a tag team match worth watching, with everyone doing their part well. Tsukushi and Kurumi were the core of the match, with Fujimoto and Mochi acting as support.

****1/4

8.  ICExInfinity Championship: Maya Yukihi (c) vs. Suzu Suzuki

This wasn't a major improvement over previous matches in the series. If anything, the previous matches were shorter and perhaps more easy to watch. There were exciting sequences and dramatic kickouts, and an overall sense of scale not seen in previous Yokohama Bunka main events, but there was also a lot of dead space, especially during the mid stages. Overall, it was not as cohesive as it could have been.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/10/2020)

 5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Hikari Noa

Miyu looked massive compared to Hikari. The difference in size was very evident. Miyu showed that she was more than a striker with cool submission counters. Hikari was rough and unconvincing at times, but she showed grit and determination, and her 2.9999 near-fall was tremendous.

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Hyper Misao

This was a great, championship caliber match. Pacing was on point and everything was well-executed. Splendid mixture of comedy and traditional wrestling. Misao was able to give a strong fight while still staying true to her gimmick.

***3/4

Stardom - Cinderella Summer In Tokyo (7/26/2020)

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Syuri)

Mayu's interactions with DDM were fresh and interesting, looking forward to seeing her work singles matches with Syuri and Himeka in the near future. Iida's developing into a Tomohiro Ishii-esque brawler-technician. Those gatling elbow strikes looked cool.

***1/2

5. High Speed Championship: Riho (c) vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

I was a little disappointed Riho wasn't involved in the finish... I know she has to be protected, but I wanted to see at least one successful somato. This was really fun, there was great timing and crisp execution. The true essence of high speed was on display in this match. While these matches never reach a high level, they're always easy to watch.

***1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship (vacant): Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

Kyona & Konami looked awesome, the way they were controlling the ring. Utami & Saya were able to break through the veteran team's stronghold by putting together double team flurries. This was a good match to decide the new champions.

***1/2

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship Tournament - Finals: Tam Nakano vs. Giulia

This match was a classic and one of my favorites of the year. Another emotionally-charged battle from Tam Nakano, who always brings a variety of emotions to big matches. Similar to Giulia's match with Hana, this one had dangerous techniques such as head butts, steep suplexes and avalanche moves. The lack of chanting only accentuated some of the violence on display. The deliberate pacing of the match allowed them to touch on several themes and build up to a great climax. These two have brilliant chemistry in ring and out.

****1/2

Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguch) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho (7/23/2020)

 DDT - Summer Vacation 2020 (7/23/2020)

KO-D Six Man Tag Team Championship: Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguchi) (c) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho

I can do without Antonio Honda interrupting the flow of a match to do his microphone performance shtick every time... This was a great trios match, the action moved fast and there were dynamic pairings. Of course Riho's performance is the one I found most exciting, every time she stepped into the ring things got interesting.

***3/4

Stardom - Cinderella Summer in Nagoya (7/24/2020)

4. Queen's Quest (AZM, Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Himeka, Maika & Syuri)

An excellent 8-man that was loaded with content. The main pairings produced some awesome exchanges, and there was generally good timing and chemistry throughout. The pacing was so good that it was hard to believe the match ran for 30-minutes.

****

5. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

One of the most elusive matchups in Stardom's history finally realized. Mayu continued her run of excellent performances, with incredible offense and defense. Kyona conveyed her struggle well, with strong near-falls and tribute sequences to the fallen TCS leader. The action was kept dynamic enough that a lack of chanting didn't hurt as much.

****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/9/2020)

3. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Mizuki vs. Suzume

Mizuki and Suzume both have a counter-based technical style and they worked well together here. Both wrestlers showed precise execution, with Suzume looking especially sharp, and scoring good near-falls, in what was her strongest showing so far.

***1/2

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Miu Watanabe vs. Mirai Maiumi

Mirai looks like she's squeezed her mid section, but you probably wouldn't notice with the costume she wears. Good focused match, where both had game plans. Miu's tenderization of Mirai's back was brutal. The double wristlock from Mirai looked strong and she landed a gnarly lariat in the corner. I wasn't convinced by Miu's comeback, which felt too brief, but the overall match was good.

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Rika Tatsumi vs. Yuki Aino

This wasn't the hottest match on the card even though it was the main event, but they had a good, coherent match. Aino's always showing something new in her matches. Maybe that constant growth is why the promotion evaluates her highly.

***1/4

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/8/2020)

5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - First Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Raku

The counter work was great in this match. I was particularly impressed with Raku's adaptability, as she had sharp and creative answers to both Miyu's offense and defense.

***1/4

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - First Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Nodoka Tenma

This was a good main event, the building and placement of the moves was well done. Yuka showed her spectacular 450 once more, which looked even better than the first. I would have liked to have seen more from Nodoka in the main event spot, as I felt she wasn't on Yuka's level, but she gave a solid effort.

***1/2