This was aired for free on YouTube, two championships on the line and two block matches from the 5-Star Grand Prix.
1. AZM vs. Hanan
An opener of young lions, one who returned to wrestling last September and the other who already has a veteran presence. It made for an easy dynamic: AZM gets out-armbarred early, then takes pleasure in messing Hanan up including a couple spine kicks that just rip. Hanan does a rolling legbar so cool I think it might win, then a stretch muffler that’s the same. They pull off some nice near falls from cradles towards the end before AZM realizes she may have to rip Hanan’a arm off to win. **3/4
2. Mai Sakurai Stardom Challenge 2nd: Momo Watanabe vs. Mai Sakurai
Unlike Hanan, Sakurai doesn’t even pretend to be fired up and competitive – she is taking this beating and that’s just how it is. Watanabe allows her a little offense, though the appreciative claps end after an elbow drop where Sakurai lands on her ass. **
3. 5 ★ STAR GP – Red Block: Himeka vs. Fukigen Death ★
Himeka is taller than your average Stardom wrestler, but paired with the 4’11” clown she is Andre the Giant. They do a few big/small spots before Fukigen lights a cigarette and does the Undertaker rope walk. Fukigen survives a crab hold and torture rack slam then reverses a rollup and wins. A 5-minute journey. *1/2
4. Future of Stardom Title: Unagi Sayaka [c] vs. Rina
This relied a lot on Rina’s offense, which wasn’t very reliable until she did a northern lights suplex with the most badass bridge towards the end. The Sayaka babyface charisma could not carry this one. **
5. Mayu Iwatani vs. Lady C
Iwatani brings the pain to young Lady C, who given her height has taken to mastering the big boot – smart move. She also does a fun hard cam sell of a dropkick before Iwatani over-shoots a moonsault to scattered laughs, then one knees first to general discomfort. **1/2
6. 5 ★ STAR GP – Blue Block: Maika vs. Takumi Iroha
Iroha made her debut in Stardom but hasn’t wrestled for them full-time in a few years, or so I am led to believe. She makes sure to remind the Stardom faithful that she is very good, or so she leads me to believe. Maika isn’t really able to keep the pace but they mostly keep it to Iroha stuff, from hitting a sweet wheel kick or taking a massive top rope superplex. Her finisher is a running razor’s edge too – incredible. **1/4
7. High Speed Title: Natsupoi [c] vs. Starlight Kid
The title of the Title did not lie, folks! Natsupoi and Starlight Kid bring some tremendous Sonic speed rope-running and countering at the start and end of this match, and in between the Kid (that’s what I call her) provides a high-quality heel performance: aggressive leg work, well-timed cut-offs, and even (limited) interference that blends in well. They lose a little steam on the last few moves, but not enough to kill the fast and furious work before it. ***1/2
Happy Thoughts: A strong main event brought up an undercard that’s wasn’t bad, but very just OK. Starlight Kid is the truth though. 3.0 / 5.0
