Miyu Yamashita vs. Natsumi Maki (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 1/25/2020)

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Joshi 2020 Winter ~wonderful harmony~ (1/25/2020)

Miyu Yamashita vs. Natsumi Maki

It was refreshing to see Miyu work a simpler big match, that was straightforward and easy to follow, without the excess of some of her recent big matches. This was a simple and focused match with a careful build to a big exchange at the end. They touched on the size differential nicely, and there were solid fundamentals shown by both in the early grappling and ground moments.

****

Stardom - 9th Anniversary (1/19/2020)

1. Zoey Skye vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

This was a solid opener where everyone got their moment to shine on offense. Dust has shown improvements since her last tour, working at a higher tempo and showing more expressions. The double tree-of-woe stomp and AZM’s triangle dropkick were highlights.

3. Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano

It was nice to see Tam and Kagetsu go at it one last time. This wasn’t my favorite singles match between them, but the story was good. The finishing sequence was done well with Tam needing something extra to finally overcome Kagetsu.

***1/2

4. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami) (c) vs. Bea Priestley & Jamie Hayter

Good, physical tag match. The main pairings (Kyona vs. Hayter, Bea vs. Konami) were good together and produced hard-hitting exchanges. The peril session on Kyona, with Bea & Jamie working her injured shoulder, was good. Bea as a tag team worker feels fresh, and this bruiser heel tag team she's formed with Jamie quickly became one of my new favorites during the tag league. I was stoked when I heard they won the belts.

****

5. Tokyo Cyber Squad (DEATH Yama-san, Hana Kimura & Leyla Hirsch) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Syuri)

I was waiting for Sakura Kasugano to come out when XX’s music played. Syuri has been around since the HUSTLE days. She’s experienced the ups and downs of the business, so it’s great to see her back on a major platform in what's looking to be a strong year for her. Fine match overall, rough at times, but mostly fun to watch.

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Arisa Hoshiki (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita

There's a unique feel to Arisa's title defenses in Korakuen Hall. They've become an attraction. Arisa showed a sadistic side with those closed-fists to a bleeding Utami. Utami had some creative counters for the SSC, and that reverse neckbreaker submission transitioned into a slam was awesome. The bloodshed here made this a little more memorable than it perhaps would have been without it. 

***3/4

7. World of Stardom Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

This match felt like a return to form for Mayu from an individual performance standpoint. Her movements were smooth and she was deploying some unique and flashy offense. The reverse frankensteiner from the turnbuckle looked as amazing as it did when she used it against Io some years ago. Momo's performance was on par with the best of her White Belt era. The dull sounds from her kicks were as vicious as ever.

****1/2

Stardom - New Years Stars 2020 (Night) (1/11/2020)

5. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona & Leyla Hirsch) vs. Oedo Tai (Jamie Hayter, Saki Kashima & Zoey Skye)

The focus of the match was the feud between Kyona and Jamie, and they had hard-hitting heavyweight-style exchanges. Hana’s getting a lot of mileage out of that hammerlock between the ropes, which has quickly become one of my new favorite signature techniques of hers. Oedo Tai were able to chain moves together seamlessly, no one seemed out of place despite the “newness” of the trio.

***1/2

6. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano) & Riho vs. Queen's Quest (Bea Priestley, Leo Onozaki, Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita)

Strong build up for the upcoming Korakuen Hall main card, with Arisa & Utami and Mayu & Momo going at it in intense exchanges. There was also an “AEW confrontation” between Riho and Bea, who traded offense and defense. Riho in Stardom is a different monster. She can really up the viciousness.

***3/4

Stardom - New Years Stars 2020 (Day) (1/11/2020)

3. High Speed Grand Prix: Starlight Kid vs. Leyla Hirsch

This GP opener wasn’t the best first impression for a “high speed” tournament. It was a match of normal speed. I suppose “high speed” is just another word for “junior wrestler”. Leyla has potential. She moves well for her stature. I'd like to see her have a second tour.

4. Kagetsu vs. Giulia

Kagetsu and Giulia have judo and MMA experience respectively so the opening mat exchanges were interesting to watch. The match was gradually paced, but the work was well timed and arranged, building towards exciting exchanges of big moves in the end, with Giulia looking strong going the distance.

***1/4

5. STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Saki Kashima, Tam Nakano & Saya Kamitani) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (DEATH Yama-san, Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona & Konami)

I'm running out of ways to praise Stardom's multi-man tag matches (when they're good). Another fun, fast paced multi-tag main event.

***3/4

Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika (JTO, 1/14/2020)

JTO - Hatsu (1/14/2020)

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

First time watching a Maika match at full-length. She seemed very good for someone with less than 15 matches. She had a clear and focused gameplan, showing little signs of inexperience. These two are similar in that they're both tall, chunky power fighters with judo backgrounds and red costumes, but the wrestling was surprisingly not samey. It was intense, with some great physicality in the strikes, slams and submission holds.

***1/4

BEST OF THE SUPER JOSHI 2019 - Top 50 Best Bouts

These are my top 50 favorite joshi puroresu bouts of 2019.

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Joshi Pro '20 (1/4/2020)

5. Sareee vs. Natsumi Maki

Natsumi's return from injury. A reunion with best friend and former training partner Sareee. The opening sequence alleviated any doubt about Natsumi's condition. Sareee, whose abilities were noticed by WWE last year, had the presence of a star and her strikes and slams had tremendous power behind them. Natsumi gave a gutsy performance, showing a new arm bar and getting some close near-falls. This was a great match with hard hits and brilliant technique shown by both wrestlers.

****1/4

9. Princess of Princess Championship: Yuka Sakazaki (c) vs. Miyu Yamashita

The outside brawling felt shoehorned at first, but it created a memorable moment in the table sleight and led to some violent table and apron attacks. There were some other cool moments such as Miyu stopping Yuka's swan dive with high kicks to the head, and Yuka turning the Magical Merry-Go-Round into a Northern Lights slam. It wasn't the "best bout" I was hoping for, but it was a great match.

****