Prominence - Kuen Ranbu (5/29/2022)

3. Hardcore Match: DASH Chisako vs. Akane Fujita

Akane is a passive M-type wrestler. She is not a strong personality, but she is a glutton for punishment, and an aggressive competitor like DASH Chisako was the perfect opponent to highlight her strength. Chisako is scary under normal circumstances, but even scarier with weapons at her disposal. The bumps and weapon attacks were brutal on both sides, with Akane taking the harsher punishment. ***1/2

4. Corner Free Weapon Valkyrie Death Match: Risa Sera vs. Suzu Suzuki

Suzu's performance was excellent. Showing a dynamic and emotional fight and bringing the human touch that wrestlers like Jun Kasai and Masashi Takeda impart to deathmatch wrestling. Sera wasn't quite able to match Suzu's energy but did well enough delivering a beat down. The skin-tearing blood festival that one would expect from a death match was delivered, but there were also some top-notch traditional wrestling exchanges beneath the rubble. It was a fairly long match, lasting 30 minutes, but every time it seemed to drag on, Suzu would reignite the excitement with a burst of offense. ***1/2

Mirai vs. Yumi Ohka (JD Star, 7/17/2005)

JD Star Fighting Beauty ~ Festa ~ (7/17/2005)

Mirai vs. Yumi Ohka

I don't know much about Mirai except that she met an unfortunate end too soon. From this match, she seemed like a promising wrestler with style, technique, explosiveness, and height. This was an intense, hard-hitting match between two wrestlers in their early twenties. Mirai's chest chops were so intense that her hands were as red as beaten Ohka's chest. ****1/4

DASH Chisako vs. Michiko Miyagi (GLEAT, 5/18/2022)

GLEAT - G PROWRESTLING Ver. 25 (5/18/2022)

DASH Chisako vs. Michiko Miyagi

I think I was more moved by the sight of two wrestlers with an intimate shared history baring their souls in the ring than by the physicality. Chisako somehow managed to awaken Miyagi, who has been dormant for a long time. Chisako herself felt like she was fighting with more vigor and emotion than usual, against her former student. It must have been a special match for both of them. ***3/4

Kengo Mashimo vs. Ayame Sasamura (2AW, (5/29/2022)

2AW - Grand Slam In 2AW Square (5/29/2022)

2AW Openweight Championship: Kengo Mashimo (c) vs.  Ayame Sasamura

This is the first time a woman has challenged for 2AW's top title and is the biggest matchup the promotion can currently offer. The fact that it took place in the dojo rather than a larger venue is indicative of the current state of the promotion. Sasamura wore a wedding dress during her entrance, later explaining that she wore it with the intention of marrying the belt. She put a lot of heart and care into this match, regardless of the venue and crowd size. Kengo was the perfect opponent for her, playing the role of an overconfident asshole whose confidence slowly crumbled as his opponent fought beyond his expectations. Sasamura even went as far as to perform a diving stomp from the entrance gate. It was a great match, full of emotion and innovation and detail unique to 2AW. ****1/4

Azumi Hyuga vs. Yoshiko Tamura (JWP, 12/24/2006)

JWP - Climax 2006 (12/24/2006)

JWP Openweight Title / NWA Women's Pacific & NEO Championship: Azumi Hyuga vs. Yoshiko Tamura

A masterpiece from the winter era of women's pro-wrestling. Two aces of their respective promotions putting their belts on the line, with Tamura aiming for a record V12 and Hyuga positioned as the home underdog. The match lasted 60 minutes, and it was interesting to see the various ways they kept the audience on their toes. The latter stages of the match fell into a linear "big move > kickout" pattern, but almost everything before that was excellent. ****1/4

Ibuki Hoshi vs. Saori Anou (Ice Ribbon, 4/17/2022)

Ice Ribbon - New Ice Ribbon #1193 In SKIP City (4/17/2022)

Ibuki Hoshi vs. Saori Anou

A fun sprint style match where both wrestlers were charging at each other head-on. Ibuki putting a beating on seniors with her signature chest chops is always fun to watch. The violence, the sounds and the chest-blemishes created by her chops are always a highlight of her matches. Anou gave a good overhand chop in return towards the finish and her reactions were good throughout the match. ***1/2

Hana Kimura vs. Hikari Shimizu (AWG, 2/12/2019)

AWG - COLOR'S (2/12/2019)

Hana Kimura vs. Hikari Shimizu

This was Hana's first and only match in COLOR'S. She had a special aura from her entrance. Although she was wearing her WRESTLE-1 attire, she wrestled in the style of a brawling heel reminiscent of her days in Oedo Tai. Hana had only one year of experience over Shimizu, but the gap between the two seemed considerably wider. Shimizu is not a strong personality, but Hana seemed to awaken something in her and she showed more fire and grit than usual. Hana did a great job of being dominant while feeding for her opponent at the right time, and Shimizu did well enough in matching Hana's intensity. ***1/2