With a Supreme Fight in January and a Cinderella Journey to follow, Stardom began 2022 taking multiple swings in both tone and talent development. Numerous talents were introduced to either the main event or Stardom’s roster itself, an undertaking that wouldn’t seem so bold if they weren’t already running the most consistent big shows in wrestling.
Last month’s Supreme Fight in Nagoya didn’t feel so consistent, but maybe it was just different. Tonight’s double main event featured AZM, Natsupoi, and that Starlight Kid while a few days before the show Stardom announced the return of KAIRI/Kairi Sane/Hojo too.
0. 3-Way Battle – Future of Stardom Title #1 Contender’s Match: Mai Sakurai vs. Waka Tsukiyama vs. Rina
Has the 3-Way Battle always been held under (reverse) elimination rules, or was this a new addition? Either way, Waka (Waka) found herself pinned twice in a little under 10 minutes. I did not enjoy it. *
1. Future of Stardom Title: Hanan [c] vs. Momo Kohgo
I am reasonably certain that Momo Kohgo can go, but all that has stuck with me from this 5 minutes of wrestling was Hanan’s very, very, incredibly slow spin kick, as well as the questionable backdrop suplex hold at its’ conclusion. *1/2
2. Utami Hayashishita & Lady C vs. Momo Watanabe & Ruaka
3. Tam Nakano & Mayu Iwatani vs. Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death★
The undercard was mostly comprised of last year’s headliners and championship contenders taking part in some good solid tag team wrestling matches, ones that won’t swing for greatness but amongst some breezy heel beatdowns and energetic comebacks everyone got to re-enforce their whole Thing and there might just be some greatness in that. ***
4. Ryogoku Skirmish: Syuri, Maika & Himeka vs. Giulia, MIRAI & Thekla
As everyone paired off early on this felt like a big deal, all physical and infused with character and attitude, but somewhere along the way it trailed away from compelling event towards just a buncha fun wrestling action — not much different from the previous tags if it wasn’t for the occasional resurgence of physicality or character. Then it went to a 20-minute draw which is a whole other deal. ***1/2
5. Goddesses of Stardom Title: Hazuki & Koguma [c] vs. Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka
Juxtaposing the previous 20-minute journey to a tie was this, a Tag Team Title match that got right to the character and ass-kicking immediately (maybe the two best things about wrestling) and ended in a 3-count before it could even approach losing momentum. ***1/2
6. High Speed Title: Starlight Kid [c] vs. AZM
Oh wow.
Considering the extravagant names of Stardom’s other championships, Stardom’s High Speed Title has a pretty basic sales pitch while also sometimes feeling like the next and natural evolution of professional wrestling. AZM — 19-years-old but 10-years in wrestling — was champion before, but Starlight Kid was my first exposure to a long High Speed Title reign and this one started like the rest: swinging and ducking and diving and dodging, going hold-for-hold between the ropes or hitting the ropes or on the floor or wherever the vibe took them next. It’s like catch-as-catch-can wrestling with more … don’t say speed … purple.
AZM uses all three levels of ring rope effortlessly, hitting dives or setting up moves and I think once or twice she managed to apply a submission. Instead of creating drama out of pacing and build-up (boring!), they did it by having AZM constantly bring the pressure to Starlight Kid in this environment was by definition pretty constant to begin with. It led to an especially exciting close that I won’t go into because I think you should go watch it instead.
Talent development is one of many abstract and ridiculous concepts in pro wrestling, but the kingmaking Stardom pulls off almost monthly is somehow balancing both visibly deliberate and objectively effective. Starlight Kid and AZM come out of this as bigger stars not from the result but just because they broke some formulas and their wrestling match was freaking awesome. What a throwback. ****1/2
7. Wonder of Stardom Title: Saya Kamitani [c] vs. Natsupoi
I understand positioning one championship over another — I may begrudgingly even prefer it — but they really should have swapped the last two matches. If this goes on first, it’s a very good very fun match where a young underdog valiantly challenged a game but inconsistent new champion still sorting through what her whole whole Thing is. Since it went on last, it’s a very good very fun match that felt less unique, less urgent and less effective than the match that came before it. Still dug it though. ***3/4
Happy Thoughts: Starlight Kid vs. AZM is must-see for fans of professional wrestling, and the rest of the card was not only consistent but impressively distinct. 4.0 / 5.0
