Stardom is wild. Creative and commercial success wasn’t enough — they said let’s try something else. The new “in Showcase” series sounded too interesting to pass up, all stipulation matches with a tagline of “Anything can happen.” There were no cage matches tonight but there was a big blue inflatable elephant by the entrance and the show began with a set from DJ Pretty Dragon.
The ring bell for the opener was replaced with “let’s go!” followed by an airhorn. Who is to say that isn’t a better option, really?
1. Nagoya Battle Royal
The match’s 12 entrants arrived in this order: Mayu Iwatani, Super Strong Stardom Machine, Hazuki, Momo Kohgo, Saki Kashima, Rina, Hina, Hanan, Ruaka, Lady C (and giant swing), Miyu Amasaki, MIRAI and Gokigen Death★, the last of whom made a one-night return to being a friendly clown.
After a slow start where only entrances were a highlight, this got fun. Kashima managed to rollup and eliminate two people at once, then Iwatani hit a double 619 and looked into the camera to jam out to the next theme song – just legendary activity. MIRAI sent Iwatani and Kashima packing and seemed primed to dominate, then Lady C booted her out of there before the good clown ended up winning. ***
2. Power & Tower Rules Match: Maika & Himeka vs. Ami Sorei & Saya Iida
I didn’t know what Power & Tower rules meant before the match and I’m not sure I knew any better after. Partners were lifted on shoulders then called down. They found out they couldn’t pin. Saya Iida, who was probably under a mask as Super Strong Stardom Machine in theb Battle Royal, was thrown over the top rope but was caught by her partner, who carried her to safety back in the ring. Maybe the gimmick was trying to figure out the gimmick? Was that the gimmick? **1/2
3. Cosmic Rule 3-Way Battle in Summer: Unagi Sayaka vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. SAKI
Footage of Sayaka and Shirakawa in bikinis drinking beers promoted the show and aired on the video screen as the participants entered, all in white button-up shirts and flamingo floaties covering bikinis. Natsupoi was originally a part too, but when she missed the show it was up to SAKI to play the match’s prude. Yes… this was going to lean into that whole sexy aspect of joshi puroresu.
Whatever the stipulations were supposed to be, the plot thickened just a few minutes in when they all tried to catch each other with fishing nets. The match got to its point – maybe – when Sayaka interrupted an elbow exchange to introduce a box of strings all three drew from, two of which were for Super Soakers. The third? A cookie sheet, which Shirakawa did a jig with — more legendary activity.
Soon everyone’s button-up was soaked or off, and there was a brief break in action when Shirakawa’s bikini top was untied. She re-emerged from backstage in a towel, leading to a compelling struggle that ended when the referee just called no contest.
Hey: for a match blatantly selling sex, it was more wrestling than most wrestling – pacing, surprises, threads to follow. Someone threw a spinning backfist in a bikini, too. ***1/4
4. I Quit Match: Syuri vs. Kurumi Hiragi
Hiragi, who came to Stardom from Ice Ribbon with the rest of the Prominence crew earlier this year, choked out the World of Stardom champion a few weeks ago. So, following the match where a Romero Special was used to remove somebody’s shirt, here was a good old-fashioned grudge match.
Syuri tried to submit the bigger Hiragi quickly but was no match for a suplex on the floor. The referee began asking questions (mainly: “do you quit?”), sometimes during a submission but usually after a big cannonball or lariat. Each kept saying no before they traveled up the entrance ramp, where Syuri ended up back in the choke that started this whole thing.
The finish itself was beautiful: Syuri escaped the choke, then knocked Hiragi down so hard she couldn’t say I quit. She offered her water, then kicked her in the head. Hiragi still said refused to quit, but finally gave in when Syuri threatened to throw her off the stage. Then she did anyways. Not as high level as most of Syuri’s title defenses but it did get to the point a lot better. ***1/2
5. Anywhere Fall 4-Way Battle: Tam Nakano vs. AZM vs. Koguma vs. Momo Watanabe
Plenty of talent, action and — given that big blue inflatable elephant at the entrance — options. There were bento boxes, swapped outfits, planchas with hangtime and double footstomps onto freaking everybody.
The action ended up inside then at the bottom of the inflatable elephant, which was also a slide. In the ensuing struggle, AZM and Koguma jockeyed for a suplex until AZM finally suplexed Koguma through a freaking wall. ***1/2
6. Hardcore Match: Giulia & Mai Sakurai vs. Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki
This was not just fun but genuinely incredible, a real babyface-driven Extreme Rules match. Sakurai spent most of it just getting her ass kicked by the Prominence team, which really accentuated the chaos that followed. Weapons besides your standard issue chairs and kendo sticks included cement blocks, a board with bright-colored forks sticking out, and one of the steel entrance pillars chucked at someone’s head. I haven’t seen the big breakout Giulia match yet, but once she started vibing she took over the whole pace of the game like LeBron James. ****
7. Coffin Match 3-Way Battle: Saya Kamitani vs. Starlight Kid vs. Mysterious Reaper
One of Saya Kamitani’s first actions was to unmask the Mysterious Reaper, who was accompanied by Oedo Tai and ended up not being that mysterious: it was Yuu! From TJPW, Sendai Girls and others. Ever hear Abbott and Costello’s “who’s on first?” I could make the joke but I’m better than that.
This was a lot different from the Kamitani/Kid Wonder of Stardom Title match a couple weeks ago and about as good as any dumb Coffin Match, though of course they both tried a few crazy dives onto or off of the casket before Yuu managed the win. **3/4
Happy Thoughts: There isn’t much here that is “must-see”… or maybe there is? Take in the vibes and check out all the experimental matches over-delivering. 3.75 / 5.0
