The year 2022 was coming to a close. What lessons were learned? More importantly, how did they apply to pro wrestling?
Infamous in different circles for being both scripted and improvised, wrestling in 2022 could feel too often over-scrutinized before it made air, with TV matches reading more “yes sir” than “wouldn’t that be cool?” Space to experiment in front of an audience can be a gift for any wrestler in this stubborn and crowded business – even if it doesn’t work, the right environment renders that no bother.
The Stardom in Showcase series began this year focused on goofs and gimmick matches, none of which will rate high under any star-rated analysis but with an emphasis on collaboration over canon, Stardom’s stars could be seen in new situations (and potential Stardom stars could be seen at all in the first place).
Stardom in Showcase Vol. 3 took place at Kawasaki City Todoroki Arena before nearly 800 fans.
1. Goddess of Stardom – Blue Goddess: Nanae Takahashi & Yuu vs. Hanan & Saya Iida
Before a set by DJ Pretty Dragon, there was a Goddess of Stardom tag tournament match. Nanae and Yuu bullied the young STARS unit though for a second there Saya bullied Nanae with chops. Hanan tried to backpack Yuu up on Saya to splash Nanae but it didn’t really work. **3/4
2. Anywhere Fall Rules 4-Way Battle: AZM vs. Koguma vs. Starlight Kid vs. Ram Kaichow
This was a match about soccer (fútbol if you’re gonna get hot about it): soccer ball, soccer jerseys, and a big inflatable soccer player at the entrance. There was some high-speed wrestling and Starlight Kid’s great Asai moonsault; there was also a bit where folks kicked a ball around. Eventually the match made its’ way to the big inflatable soccer guy where, among other hijinks, Ram yelled GOAAAAL! It was all a bunch of fun if not a serious wrestling match. ***
3. Beauty Salon ZEST Collaboration Match – Winner Haircut Rules 4-Way Battle: Saya Kamitani vs. Himeka vs. Lady C vs. Momo Kohgo
This match was sponsored by beauty salon ZEST, and it began with everybody holding spray bottles around a pool filled with shampoo. Momo actually managed a little run but her 619 was caught and she got dumped in the shampoo, then Himeka put Kamitani in a camel clutch and really messed up her bangs. This was sort of wrestling, and I know that because it ended with a cobra twist. **3/4
4. Judo Jacket Rules: Mayu Iwatani, Maika & Hanan vs. Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI & Hina
The shampoo-covered ring mat was replaced prior to this, a Judo trios match with points for takedowns. Mayu’s crew wore blue (she wore a tail on hers) while Utami’s wore white and everybody seemed real proud anytime they managed a takedown. After that initial fun, the match lost its’ way. It’d be rude and perverted of me to say this was a poor replacement for the bikini beach matches but those honestly had better wrestling. **1/2
5. No Holds Barred Match: Hazuki & Sumire Natsu vs. Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima
This was Sumire Natsu’s return to Stardom, where she was part of Oedo Tai from 2017 to late-2021. She faced two current Oedo Tai members and though Kashima broke a bottle over her head, Natsu was quick to crack back with a whip. The rest of Oedo Tai ganged up on Hazuki and Natsu before they used the power of teamwork (and wine bottles?) to rally back, though a blown assisted Codebreaker and no contest finish (for a no holds barred match?) ended an already so-so match on a bummer note. Natsu laid out Hazuki afterwards and declared war on everyone. **3/4
6. Hardcore Rules: Tam Nakano, Natsupoi & Sayaka Unagi vs. Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki & Kurumi Hiragi
This had mops, chairs, an exercise ball and paintbrushes (as in people’s faces were colored with paint). It was fun but didn’t seem very Hardcore Rules until Tam hit Risa with a Tiger suplex that landed the back of Tam’s head on a ladder, which wasn’t very enjoyable. The Angels tried to isolate Suzuki before Suzuki managed a German suplex hold on Unagi to win. Just a decent match but other than the one with the soccer guy bounce house, best one on the show. ***
7. Neo Stardom Army vs. Donna del Mondo Coffin Explosion Match: Nanae Takahashi, Yuu & Grim Reaper Mask vs. Giulia, Thekla & Mai Sakurai
Yuu was revealed as a mysterious Reaper after Rossy Ogawa at the first Stardom in Showcase, then Yuna Manase played Reaper at the second. A third Reaper teamed with Nanae and Yuu here and when Giulia ripped off her mask, it was just another mask: the mystery endured.
Mai working around Yuu was fun but the casket at ringside broke a few minutes in. Thekla fell in and they, like, tried to piece it together before continuing to brawl around the ring. Giulia and Thekla hit a really double-team (a reverse Hart attack!?) on Nanae, Giulia and Nanae traded backdrops, and Yuu hit a crossbody and cannonball on all of DDM. Then Nanae grabbed Rossy and Giulia and threw them in a new bigger casket closer to the entrance, which exploded. **1/2
Happy Thoughts: Space to experiment remains good, though this Showcase didn’t work out as well as the other two. It was just as zany as the others but lacking any real quality or thing (all due respect to those in the exploding coffin) to stand out. Could’ve used a Moneyball match actually. 2.5 / 5.0
