Tokyo Joshi Pro - Positive Chain (2/11/2021)

3. magical sugar rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) vs. Suzume & Arisu Endo

This was really fun. The junior speedster team of Endo & Suzume was enjoyable, and the Sugar Rabbits were of course great as the veteran rookie-punishers. Felt like the match ran inexplicably longer than it needed to, but the work was generally good.

***1/2

4. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh vs. NEO Biishiki-gun (Saki-sama & Mei Saint-Michel)

This had a slow start and meandered a bit in the middle, but towards the end it started to heat up, largely thanks to the teamwork and chemistry of Miyu & Itoh. I have to say, I’m not a fan of Mei Saint-Michel and how much she leans into the cutesy slapstick comedy. I thought she actively took away from the match most of the time she was involved.

***1/4

5. Tokyo International Princess Championship: Yuki Kamifuku (c) vs. Mirai Maiumi

This was high paced from the beginning. Kamiyu's opening heel work added a nice wrinkle to the match, making it interesting from the start, and Mirai had so much fire on offense. There were some surprisingly hard-hitting exchanges too. Brilliant performance from the champion, who livened up the match with her character work and brought the best out of her challenger.

***3/4

7. Tokyo Princess of Princess Championship: Rika Tatsumi (c) vs. Miu Watanabe

The Daydream intra-unit showdown. Miu delivered big time in her first ever singles title challenge with her youthful power moves and fighting spirit, and Tatsumi employed her usual leg-destroying strategy. The match was wonderfully paced and executed, and the finishing run was full of tension. Notable highlights include Tatsumi's reverse triangle counter and Miu's avalanche Canadian backbreaker.

****1/4

Mei Suruga vs. SAKI (ChocoPro, 2/6/2021)

ChocoPro - #87 (2/6/2021)

Mei Suruga vs. SAKI

This was another great match from this pairing. These two have unorthodox styles that just seem like a natural fit together. The transitions and counters were innovative, and the size and power disparity also played a role in an interesting way.

****

Stardom (1/30/2021)

5. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Oedo Tai (Bea Priestley & Konami) (c) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Natsupoi)

A very well executed tag match, where everyone shined in their defined role. Natsupoi, who was constantly battered by the aggressive champion team, was the perfect face-in-peril, with great facial expressions and a sense of urgency when on offense. There was also the fresh pairing of Bea and Himeka, who had a hard-hitting exchange.

****

6. SWA World Championship: Momo Watanabe vs. Syuri

 A great main event that felt like it was missing an "X-factor" to take it to the next level. In my opinion, these two are "support types" who need a strong personality to play off of and elevate them, and there was no such thing here. The first parts were good, with hard kick exchanges and Syuri's ever-expanding moveset, but there was a lack of innovation towards the end and it fell into a predictable pattern.

***3/4

Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 1/24/2021)

Stardom - New Year Stars 2021 (1/24/2021)

Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano

Previous matches between these two have been tournament matches, but this time they faced off in a grudge match. Mayu's surly and deliberate offensive style was like a heel, while Tam was exploding with urgency and desperation. They packed a lot of great content into 15 minutes.

****

Stardom - 10th Anniversary Show (1/17/2021)

1. Future of Stardom Championship: Saya Iida (c) vs. Unagi Sayaka

A good opening match, with coherent wrestling and no wasted movements. The strike exchanges were good, and Unagi’s struggle was compelling to watch. I never thought I’d see her having matches like this when she first debuted in Tokyo Joshi Pro.

***1/4

3. High Speed Championship: AZM (c) vs. Kaori Yoneyama

I don’t keep up with what Yoneyama is doing outside of Stardom these days, but this was one of the best singles efforts I’ve seen from her in years. This was just a brilliant display of speed and technique. I’m happy that AZM’s request to face Yoneyama was fulfilled. 

***3/4

4. Starlight Kid vs. Tam Nakano

A great match that showed how much the Starlight Kid has grown as an overall performer. The ebb and flow of the match allowed them to build tension and maximize the big moments.

***1/2

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship - No DQ: Giulia (c) vs. Natsuko Tora

At times, the execution was spotty, but they certainly made up for it through sheer spectacle. For better or worse, I don't think I've ever heard a more visceral crowd reaction to a single match in the "no chanting era".

***1/2

7. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Maika

The longest and best match of the Utami-Maika series so far. I’ve felt these two had trouble showing their emotions, but they were on point in this match and elevated each other. Like the previous matches, it wasn't excessively flashy, but the sharpness of the transitions and moves made it feel like a very advanced match, and there was tremendous power behind their big strikes and suplexes.

****1/4

Haruka Umesaki vs. Matsui Misa (Diana, 1/3/2021)

Diana (1/3/2021)

Haruka Umesaki vs. Matsui Misa

A good match between two growing wrestlers. They stuck to the basics, but the heat building was good and they also showed some unique attacks, such as Misa's armbar on the ropes and Umesaki's modified figure-eight. They created a tense closing sequence at the end, trading finisher attempts.

***1/4

Mei Suruga vs. Hagane Shinno (ChocoPro, 1/11/2021)

Gatoh Move -  ChocoPro #80 (1/11/2021)

Mei Suruga vs. Hagane Shinno

The content of the match was generally good, but I felt it was overlong and excessive. A shorter duration would have been preferred for the story they were telling. I'm usually tolerant of intergender matches, but I thought it was absurd for Hagane to wrestle with Mei for almost thirty minutes.

***1/2