Tokyo Joshi Pro - Live With Your Time (9/21/2020)

5. MiraClians (Yuka Sakazaki & Shoko Nakajima) vs. Itoh Respect-gun (Mizuki & Maki Itoh)

Reforming Yuka and Mizuki's former tag teams for a title match prelude was great matchmaking. Yuka, Mizuki and Shoko performed as expected, but Itoh stepped up as well. The match was much like last year's 10. 19 KFC tag match, with four wrestlers of equal rank just going at each other for 20 minutes.

****1/4

6. Natsumi Maki vs. Hikari Noa

Fantastic farewell match for Natsumi, a high speed match with brilliant technique displayed by both wrestlers. The references to their previous matches and tag team were well done. It really felt like Hikari had leveled up as a wrestler and became Natsumi's equal.

****

7. Princess Tag Team Championship: Daydream (Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi) vs. BeeStar (Mirai Maiumi & Suzume)

Although I still don't find the pairing compelling, Miu & Rika's in-ring chemistry deepens with each defense. This match had great teamwork and spectacular sequences. Suzume & Mirai were given a big opportunity to showcase their growing abilities and delivered fantastic performances.

****

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (9/19/2020)

 1. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Syuri vs. Maika

A good, lively opener with fast-paced action and neat counters; Syuri's experience really shows and she always delivers a consistent performance.

***1/4

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Starlight Kid vs. Saya Kamitani

This was a fun match. The kip-up sequence was nicely executed. They're not fast high-flyers by any means, but they're full of energy and have great technique, precision and balance. Kamitani's new "impact" finisher looks great.

***1/4

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano

The best of the three singles these two have had against each other. They packed a lot of emotion and drama into a short timeframe. The locomotion German suplexes from Tam, each with a beautiful bridge, was impressive, as was the finishing combination.

****

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Konami vs. Himeka

I don't understand what some people are talking about with this "Himeka lacks mobility" stuff. Her running moves always have momentum and power behind them. This had some sloppiness, but overall, it was good.

***1/4

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: AZM vs. Maika

Aside from the bland ending, this was a really great match. The submission exchanges on the ground were interesting. AZM has been very sharp lately in terms of execution, and Maika was a good base for her aerial attacks.

***1/2

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Syuri vs. Utami Hayashishita

This definitely felt like a long match. It simply lacked the dynamism to keep the action fresh and exciting throughout its duration, but they generally did an excellent job of building tension with back and forth near-falls. 

***1/2

10. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Finals: Himeka vs. Utami Hayashishita

Utami performing at this level right after a 20-minute match is a testament to her impressive stamina and endurance. Great heavyweight offense from both wrestlers and the lariat exchanges were excellent. The finishing sequence was amazing and showed how tremendous Utami's power is.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (9/13/2020)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Mayu Iwatani vs. Saya Kamitani 

It wasn't as strong as I had hoped, but it was still very good. SayaSaya continues to look very impressive in this tournament. Mayu performed the standing dragon sleeper on a tall opponent for the first time, which was great.

***1/4

7. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Tam Nakano vs. Giulia

Even though this took place in a small venue, it had a big venue atmosphere and both delivered giant-sized performances. Their chemistry has gotten stronger since the previous encounter, with the execution being spotless this time around. Some of the hits were so brutal that the crowd couldn't help but react, despite the no-chants rule.

****1/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika 

This was probably the weakest of their singles matches. Maika looked good as the hometown hero, but I felt Utami’s performance was lacking a spark.

***1/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (Night) (9/12/2020)

 2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Konami vs. Starlight Kid

This was a burst of action. Little to no downtime as they were just going at it for most of the match, with high speed ropework and counters. There weren’t any particularly strong moments that stood out, but it was a very fun speedy match.

***1/4

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Momo Watanabe vs. Utami Hayashishita

This was a great time out draw. They kept the action varied and exciting throughout, and it had plenty of cool moves and sequences. Momo was especially great on offense. Not as good as the New York match, but a great main event between two young wrestlers.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (Day) (9/12/2020)

 3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Utami Hayashishita vs. Saya Iida

Good short match. Taking nothing away from Utami's performance, which was strong, but Iida made the match. Iida was working really hard, showing a high workrate with great looking bodywork, transitions and counters.

***1/2

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani

Another great tournament match from Kamitani, who has been very consistent in this tournament, with one breakout performance after another. It was fast-moving and energetic, and there were cool moments that made effective use of both wrestlers' flexibility.

***1/2

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Jungle Kyona vs. Natsuko Tora

Good match to heat up the TCS-Oedo Tai feud. Both wrestlers have a history as teammates and their chemistry was present in the ring. That Jungle Buster sequence was just an amazing display of strength and balance.

***1/4

9. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Syuri vs. AZM

Very good match and one of the best singles matches from Syuri’s Stardom run. They found a good rhythm and were going back and forth with some crisp offense and defense.

***1/2

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (9/6/2020)

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block A: Jungle Kyona vs. Saya Iida

This was a great high-paced striking match between former JAN teammates, that packed a lot of action for its short duration. Iida, who is inspired by Tomohiro Ishii, really nailed his "staggered" selling during the strike exchanges.

***1/2

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Himeka vs. Saya Kamitani

I thought it was going to be tough for these two to go the distance in a 20-minute match given their relative inexperience, but they pulled it off beautifully. Their frustration and desperation came through well in their performances and they did an amazing job of keeping the match interesting.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (9/5/2020)

6. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Giulia vs. Saya Kamitani

I didn't expect these two to match up stylistically as well as they did; their chemistry was excellent. Giulia was the feisty veteran who was trying to fire up the junior Kamitani. The triangle choke counter sequence was super slick and awesome. This match was a great display of Giulia's ability to bring out the best in a less experienced opponent.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Block B: Mayu Iwatani vs. Konami

Konami has been playing a very aggressive role in singles lately, with targeted offense and convincing submission work. Mayu did a great job of selling and bumping as usual. A strong main event with a great finish.

***3/4