Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/15/2020)

4. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Quarter Final: Mizuki vs. Yuki Aino

Aino delivered another surprisingly compelling performance in this clash of styles. She has quickly become a reliable and consistent performer. Mizuki has shown an aggressive approach lately with her foot stomps and all the ways she finds to hit them. 

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Quarter Final: Shoko Nakajima vs. Natsumi Maki

This was a great high speed-style match. Shoko may be one of the few wrestlers on the roster who can compete with Natsumi in speed and precision. This had excellent ropework, technique and bumps from both.

***3/4

Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (8/9/2020)

2. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Blue Block: Saya Iida vs. Maika

This was a good sprint-style match. They developed a good chemistry and took each other's offense well. The near-falls were very well done. The selling and bumping of Iida was particularly impressive.

***1/2

3. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Kid

This was a great match. Mayu was the perfect base for Starlight Kid's offense, taking maniacal bumps. Kid isn't an athletic high-flyer, but she has a good sense of balance. Mayu's Gory special counter to the Yoshi Tonic was very cool.

***3/4

4. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Blue Block: Momo Watanabe vs. AZM

Similar to the one before it, this was a senior vs. junior style match. AZM tried to overwhelm Momo with her ropework and speedy attacks, and Momo picked her spots with counters. Some timing issues aside, this match was very good.

***3/4

5. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Konami vs. Tam Nakano

Konami was putting on the pressure with hard strikes and grinding submission work, while Tam fought from underneath with her usual grit. Tam's comeback may have been too brief, but the spin kicks to the head seemed convincing enough.

***1/2

8. 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Giulia vs. Himeka

This was better than expected. Both are only in their second year, but they put on a match suitable for a Korakuen Hall main event. They developed a nice pace and traded heavy blows. The finishing sequence was a bit awkward, but the finish itself was brutal.

***1/2

Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia (Stardom, 8/8/2020)

 Stardom - 5STAR Grand Prix 2020 (8/8/2020)

5STAR Grand Prix 2020 Red Block: Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia

A great match between the promotion's top titleholders. They worked a high pace and were bringing out the big moves earlier than usual, which made the match feel special. Giulia's ability to control her opponent on the ground with her legs is super compelling.

***3/4

Ice Ribbon - #1057 ~ Ice Ribbon Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium Final (8/9/2020)

2. Akane Fujita & Asahi vs. Miku Aono & Mio Shirai

Mio has been working as a trainer for Ice Ribbon, so it's no wonder she hasn't lost much of a step. Asahi had a good showing of teamwork with Fujita in her return match. A better match than you would normally see on the undercard. 

***1/2

7. International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: Dropkickers (Tsukasa Fujimoto & Tsukushi) (c) vs. Frank Sisters (Hiiragi Kurumi & Mochi Miyagi)

The theme of this match is that Tsukasa Fujimoto wants Tsukushi and Kurumi to solve their personal issues, but you don't need to know the story to enjoy it. It was a tag team match worth watching, with everyone doing their part well. Tsukushi and Kurumi were the core of the match, with Fujimoto and Mochi acting as support.

****1/4

8.  ICExInfinity Championship: Maya Yukihi (c) vs. Suzu Suzuki

This wasn't a major improvement over previous matches in the series. If anything, the previous matches were shorter and perhaps more easy to watch. There were exciting sequences and dramatic kickouts, and an overall sense of scale not seen in previous Yokohama Bunka main events, but there was also a lot of dead space, especially during the mid stages. Overall, it was not as cohesive as it could have been.

***1/2

Tokyo Joshi Pro - Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 (8/10/2020)

 5. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Miyu Yamashita vs. Hikari Noa

Miyu looked massive compared to Hikari. The difference in size was very evident. Miyu showed that she was more than a striker with cool submission counters. Hikari was rough and unconvincing at times, but she showed grit and determination, and her 2.9999 near-fall was tremendous.

***1/2

6. Tokyo Princess Cup 2020 - Second Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Hyper Misao

This was a great, championship caliber match. Pacing was on point and everything was well-executed. Splendid mixture of comedy and traditional wrestling. Misao was able to give a strong fight while still staying true to her gimmick.

***3/4

Stardom - Cinderella Summer In Tokyo (7/26/2020)

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Saya Iida) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Syuri)

Mayu's interactions with DDM were fresh and interesting, looking forward to seeing her work singles matches with Syuri and Himeka in the near future. Iida's developing into a Tomohiro Ishii-esque brawler-technician. Those gatling elbow strikes looked cool.

***1/2

5. High Speed Championship: Riho (c) vs. AZM vs. Starlight Kid

I was a little disappointed Riho wasn't involved in the finish... I know she has to be protected, but I wanted to see at least one successful somato. This was really fun, there was great timing and crisp execution. The true essence of high speed was on display in this match. While these matches never reach a high level, they're always easy to watch.

***1/2

6. Goddesses of Stardom Championship (vacant): Queen's Quest (Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Tokyo Cyber Squad (Jungle Kyona & Konami)

Kyona & Konami looked awesome, the way they were controlling the ring. Utami & Saya were able to break through the veteran team's stronghold by putting together double team flurries. This was a good match to decide the new champions.

***1/2

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship Tournament - Finals: Tam Nakano vs. Giulia

This match was a classic and one of my favorites of the year. Another emotionally-charged battle from Tam Nakano, who always brings a variety of emotions to big matches. Similar to Giulia's match with Hana, this one had dangerous techniques such as head butts, steep suplexes and avalanche moves. The lack of chanting only accentuated some of the violence on display. The deliberate pacing of the match allowed them to touch on several themes and build up to a great climax. These two have brilliant chemistry in ring and out.

****1/2

Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguch) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho (7/23/2020)

 DDT - Summer Vacation 2020 (7/23/2020)

KO-D Six Man Tag Team Championship: Eruption (Kazusada Higuchi, Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguchi) (c) vs. Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA & Riho

I can do without Antonio Honda interrupting the flow of a match to do his microphone performance shtick every time... This was a great trios match, the action moved fast and there were dynamic pairings. Of course Riho's performance is the one I found most exciting, every time she stepped into the ring things got interesting.

***3/4