Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho (Gatoh Move, 11/19/2017)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・323 (11/19/2017)

Mitsuru Konno vs. Riho

Strong showcase for Konno who used a variety of submission maneuvers. Riho had some unique counters and that springboard body press was neat.

***

Miyako Matsumoto vs. Karen DATE (Ice Ribbon, 4/8/2018)

Ice Ribbon - #877 ~ Ryogoku KFC Ribbon 2018 (4/8/2018)

ICE×∞ Championship: Miyako Matsumoto (c) vs. Karen DATE

This was good! Miyako might be one of the best on the roster when it comes to creating compelling main events, she understands how to make those big moments feel meaningful. The execution wasn't always there, especially on Karen's end, but it's to be expected given her inexperience so I forgive her.

***1/2

Stardom - Dream Slam in Nagoya (4/1/2018)

3. Future of Stardom Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. AZM

Another amazing Future of Stardom match. This had intense pacing with some hatred behind the moves, especially those dropkicks. That counter in the finishing sequence was brutal and unexpected.

***3/4

6. The Apache Family (Faby Apache, Mary Apache & Natsumi) vs. Natsuko Tora, Saki Kashima & Shiki Shibusawa

Funny match. The Apache Family are a whirlwind of violence.

***1/2

7. SWA World Championship: Viper (c) vs. Jungle Kyona

Great match, Kyona gave a spirited performance working underneath, she's the hometown hero so the crowd was strongly behind her and those last-minute counters she was making were great.

****

8. World of Stardom Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mayu Iwatani

The opening segment with Toni mocking Mayu's injury was silly, but this was otherwise a great match. The callbacks to the previous encounter in Nagoya (where Mayu got injured, forfeiting the title) were done well, with Storm working the injured arm and the dropkick that caused the injury being a dramatic moment they built to. I also like how Mayu's frustration led to her rushing and making mistakes. Strong Zero being this dangerous, lightning-fast move reminds me of Mariko Yoshida's Air Raid Crash, loving how Toni utilizes it.

****

9. Current Blast Exploding Bat Death Match: Io Shirai & Tam Nakano vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu & Sumire Natsu)

This was incredible, the action was fast-paced and exciting, and the tension building into the bat spots and the explosions themselves created such an unsettling atmosphere. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, loved this.

****1/2

Dragon Bombers (Maho Kurone & Rika Tatsumi) & Maki Ito vs. Marika Kobashi, Miyu Yamashita & Reika Saiki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 4/15/2018)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Let's Go To Osaka In The Spring, Together With Your Friends! (4/15/2018)

Dragon Bombers (Maho Kurone & Rika Tatsumi) & Maki Ito vs. Marika Kobashi, Miyu Yamashita & Reika Saiki

This was an incredible trios match and one hell of a build to Miyu-Rika. The action was great with everyone getting their moment to shine, but the storytelling took it to the next level. Miyu's selling of Rika's Dragon Sleeper where she was thrashing around before her eyes rolled over was fantastic.

****1/2

Miyuki Takase vs. Ryo Mizunami (WAVE, 4/6/2018)

WAVE - Happy Birthday WAVE Sakurasaku 3.9 (4/6/2018)

Catch the WAVE 2018 Crazy Block: Miyuki Takase vs. Ryo Mizunami

Takase has been so much fun to watch in this tournament, she's new, but I enjoy a lot of what she does in the ring, and she brings spirit and strong emotion in her performances. This had stiff exchanges throughout, and they both favor lariats so naturally it built to a climactic lariat battle. Excellent stuff.

****

WAVE - Nagoya WAVE ~Kin Shachi~ Vol. 16 (3/25/2018)

4. Catch the WAVE 2018 Violence Block: Ayako Hamada vs. Mio Momono

Good match. Hamada has been surprisingly great in this tournament. Ideal Momono performance with her being a sneaky little shit, and she also had moments of dominance as well.

***3/4

5. Catch the WAVE 2018 Crazy Block: Ryo Mizunami vs. Yumi Ohka

Great. Mizunami is always a joy, she brings such amazing energy to her matches. Ohka has been stepping it up a lot this year, I love what she has been doing recently. This was another great singles match from her.

***3/4

GAMI & Kikutaro vs. Kana & Magnitude Kishiwada (WAVE, 9/15/2008)

WAVE - Crazy Wave Midnight (9/15/2008)

GAMI & Kikutaro vs. Kana & Magnitude Kishiwada

This was the main event and it went 21-minutes (clipped down to 13 on WAVE NETWORK). It was enjoyable, though. Within the comedy and the perverted spots there was also genuinely good wrestling.

***1/4