Mei Suruga vs. Anchamu (Gatoh Move, 3/2/2019)

Gatoh Move - Japan Tour・#412 (3/2/2019)

Mei Suruga vs. Anchamu

 Excellent sub 7-minute bout. This was a charismatic and technical match, with some neat offense and counter-wresting. Strong fundamentals all around.

***3/4

Mayu Iwatani vs. Konami (Stardom, 2/24/2019)

Stardom - New Years Stars 2019 (Night Show) (2/24/2019)

Women of Honor World Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Konami

This was a great match. Loved Konami's assault on the leg and that standing stretch muffler she introduced. Mayu's limberness makes the holds from Konami even more brutal looking. There's neat counters and set-ups here as well.

****

Sendai Girls (2/10/2019)

3. Alex Lee & Command Bolshoi vs. Meiko Satomura & Mei Suruga

This was an enjoyable match, fun sessions from all four competitors (yes, including Alex Lee), with the highlights being the Meiko-Bolshoi segment and Suruga's infectious charisma.

***3/4

4. Hikaru Shida vs. Mika Iwata

Great match with a hot-blooded finishing stretch. I liked the way the heat builds, with Shida as the bully veteran and Iwata the feisty underdog. There's also some gnarly knees from Shida that were sold to perfection.

****

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Be updated to the future, the future, the future (2/23/2019)

4. Rika Tatsumi vs. Hyper Misao

A match that felt like a main event epic despite its low position on the card. They kept it relatively simple and yet created tension and drama with the way they structured the match. The reversal sequences and submission struggles were great. A strong return match for Rika Tatsumi, with one of the best singles performances of her career.

****1/4

5. Maki Ito vs. Natsumi Maki

This was a fun bout of one-upmanship between charismatic idol wrestlers. Full of personality, some nastiness as well, with water spitting and slaps to the face. The intimate setting and the synergy the performers had with the crowd gave this a special aura.

****

7. TOKYO Princess Tag Championship: magical sugar rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) (c) vs. Muscle JK (Reika Saiki & Marika Kobashi)

You get a true sense of the magical sugar rabbits' growth as a tag team in this match, the strong comradery they've developed. Marika seemed to be having an off night, but everyone else was so on-point that they made up for her shortcomings. She got better as the match went on and worked an exciting finish with Mizuki.

****

8. TOKYO Princess of Princess Championship: Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Tenma Nodoka

Nodoka's the best at getting knocked around and making split-second counterattacks. The size differential made Miyu's kicks look especially devastating. Short, but still delivers on big match drama through exceptional pacing and performances.

****1/2

Stardom - QUEEN's FES 2019 (2/17/2019)

5. JAN (Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora) vs. Oedo Tai (Andras Miyagi & Kagetsu)

Great debut for Miyagi who showed what she's about without giving away too much, and another quality tag performance from JAN's top duo.

***1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. AMA (Arisa Hoshiki & Mayu Iwatani)

Good main event with impressive sequences and kicking ability. It doesn't reach the heights I was hoping for, but it had great action. I would've liked to have seen more struggle down the stretch, QQ's comeback felt a bit too brief.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Joshi 2019 Winter ~ High Score ~ (2/10/2019)

3. Mina Shirakawa & Yuki Kamifuku vs. Natsumi Maki & Shoko Nakajima

Another surprisingly good tag involving the pairing of Mina & Yuki, both are green but they work well together as a team. Natsumi & Shoko were good as well, of course. Fun back and forth with neat double teams.

***1/4

5. Mizuki & Raku vs. Muscle JK (Marika Kobashi & Reika Saiki)

Good match and a strong showing from Raku who got some credible counters and near-falls towards the end.

***1/2

6. Nodoka Tenma vs. Miu Watanabe 

Solid match, the pacing and match length gave it a special feel. Nodoka could use some more exciting moves, the reaction to her offense seemed lukewarm.

***

7. Miyu Yamashita vs. Hikari Noa

Great main event, Miyu unleashed hellish offense and Hikari displayed fighting spirit. The action was precise and focused, not a single movement wasted.

***3/4

Arisa Nakajima & Ayame Sasamura vs. Miyuki Takase & Yumiko Hotta (SEAdLINNNG, 1/20/2019)

SEAdLINNNG - Let's Get d!!! 2019 (1/20/2019)

SEAdLINNNG BEYOND THE SEA Tag Team Championship: Arisa Nakajima & Ayame Sasamura (c) vs. Miyuki Takase & Yumiko Hotta

This didn't live up to the hype created by the photographs of a bloodied Ayame. Also Miyuki's new Kaho Kobayashi style costume has weakened her presentation, the old red costume was perfect. Solid tag bout.

***