Stardom - KAWASAKI SUPER WARS (11/3/2021)

4. STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Koguma) vs. Donna del Mondo (Himeka & Natsupoi)

Amazing high-octane tag action in the lower card. All four competitors were firing on all cylinders over the course of the match, and there were some creative sequences. ***3/4

5. High Speed Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

This was one of the most interesting matches on the card. I think they put on a really unique and entertaining performance. In addition to crisp high speed action, there was heated brawling, mask ripping, and a Showa-style finish. Certainly one of the most unique entries in the history of the High Speed championship. ***3/4

6. SWA World Championship & 5STAR Grand Prix Challenge Certificate: Syuri (c) vs. AZM

I'm still partial to the February match out of their trilogy this year, but this was another good match, the two have great chemistry and complement each other's attacks well. Impressive effort by AZM, who hit some hard kicks and performed a triangle plancha for the first time. ***1/2

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Unagi Sayaka

Unagi built her gameplan around her dangerous new technique and the unpredictable situations she could hit it from. Nakano’s selling and comeback story were convincing as always. This was an emotional and well-structured match that was surprisingly brutal, with violent kicks to the head, dull headbutts, and a tribute to Misawa-Kawada that suited the physicality of the action. ****1/4

8. World of Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Hazuki

I am happy Hazuki is back, but I never thought of her as a top-tier worker in big matches, and her weaknesses were apparent in this match. She's a workrate monster, but she doesn't express herself well and her moveset is lacking. I didn't find her performance very engaging. There were times when it seemed like they were just throwing moves at each other without any real excitement or drama. There were some jaw dropping moments, such as the apron Air Raid Crash and Utami's explosive missile dropkick, and a couple of well-timed counters and near-falls, but this was Utami's weakest defense so far. ***1/2

Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka) (Stardom, 10/17/2021)

Stardom - 11th Goddess of Stardom - Tag League Opener ~ (10/17/2021)

Blue Goddess - Tag League: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka)

A match like this, with an average age in the teens, shows the depth and youth of the Stardom roster. It was a great 20-minute draw with lots of room for growth and development. There were some impressive sequences, including a crazy assisted powerbomb. There was also the story of Kid trying to prod Momo into challenging for the HS belt. Ruaka is a slow grower, but she has something special and I'm glad she hasn't been abandoned. ***1/2

Stardom - 10th Anniversary Grand Final: Osaka Dream Cinderella 2021 ~ Osaka Meccha STARDOM (10/9/2021)

5. Hazuki Return Match: Hazuki vs. Koguma

This was a great return match for Hazuki, who has barely missed a step despite her 2-year absence. Koguma's speed, technique and bumping were amazing as usual. As someone who saw the previous matches between these two, this was easily the best one they've had yet. ****

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (c) vs. Mayu Iwatani

This went contrary to my lofty expectations, but that doesn't necessarily make it a disappointment. It was just a different type of match than I was expecting. It was a gradual climb into a thrilling race to the finish. There were scrambles for control and lots of heavy strike battles. Nakano unleashed some truly wicked punishment, and Mayu answered with big hits of her own. Both showed the zombie-like endurance they're known for. A full and well-done draw battle. ****

8. World of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Takumi Iroha

This was another hard-hitting war over the red belt, which is becoming known for its high-level battles. Utami looked as if she had taken on the form of a demon, with a menacing death glare and a destructive attack aimed at the legs. She showed an unforeseen level of aggression. Iroha's explosive, lightning-quick offense was great as always, but I was also impressed with her limb selling and transition work. The finisher teases and the counters they worked around them were so amazing. I was surprised when the 30-minute call was made because the match hardly felt like it and for me that is the mark of a classic. ****1/2

SAKI vs. Ami Miura (AWG, 9/25/2021)

AWG - ACT54 (9/25/2021)

SAKI vs. Ami Miura

Next generation ace against current top champion. They traded elbows and shoulder tackles early, building into bigger moves as the match developed. SAKI answered Miura's chops with chops of her own to not get outdone by the rookie. Miura used her stature well, smoothly transitioning from a high prawn hold into a Boston crab. This was another impressive performance from Ami Miura against a veteran wrestler. She looked physically dominant throughout the match and SAKI looked to be struggling even during the closing moments. Miura is a convincing powerhouse despite her inexperience and I wouldn't mind seeing her hot shotted into the singles title picture in the very near future. ***3/4

SAKI vs. Misa Matsui (AWG, 5/3/2021)

AWG - ACT Yokohama (5/3/2021)

AWG Championship: SAKI vs. Misa Matsui

This was a solid match. SAKI looked assured and confident as she controlled the pace of the match. Unfortunately, I think she was too confident. Even at the climax of the match, I didn't get any sense of danger from her and Misa never felt like a threat. Misa's technique isn't the best, but she makes up for it with her fire and timing. She has a lot of potential, but she hasn't quite figured it out yet. I felt that she was still a long way from being a champion. ***1/4

Misa Matsui vs. Ami Miura (AWG, 8/21/2021)

AWG - ACT53 (8/21/2021)

Misa Matsui vs. Ami Miura

Great opening match. Miura looked like a monster. Her chops were dull sounding and she had some cool power counters. Misa, despite being the more experienced competitor, was surprisingly dominated for much of the match and barely pulled off the win with a pinning combination. ***1/2

Tae Honma & Maika Ozaki vs. Ami Miura & Haruka Umesaki (AWG, 2/23/2021)

AWG - Beginning Yokohama (2/23/2021)

Tae Honma & Maika Ozaki vs. Ami Miura & Haruka Umesaki

This was a good senior-junior match in which the less experienced wrestlers steadily gained ground and showed their growth. The power exchange between Maika and Miura was great. Miura is good at chops. Surprisingly, not many women's wrestlers use chops in Japan, so this is a good way for Miura to stand out. Umezaki is not only cute but also possesses a strong striking power, similar to her former senpai Sareee. ***1/2