Reviews Stardom Top Stories

Review: Stardom – 2017.11.26

Hanan vs. Ruaka
This is the same opening match for the third show in a row which is a little disappointing, though as they have been to three different audiences I guess it makes sense in Japan. Again, the work was very solid, but basic. Hanan pinned Ruaka for the win. 2/5

Sumire Natsu vs. Shiki Shibusawa
Another better showing for Shiki Shibusawa. She looked comfortable throughout and didn’t make any large mistakes. Sumire does great heel work and gets good reactions from both the crowd and her opponent. It will be interesting to see how much wrestling ability she has when she has singles matches against the more experienced Stardom women. The match was fine but Sumire’s character work (and Tam Nakano’s, who was once again trying to hinder Sumire on the outside) made it worth watching. 2.5/5

Oedo Tai (Kagestu, Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf) vs. Starlight Kid, Hiromi Mimura & Konami
A very good match. Starlight Kid shone throughout and it seems she is already starting to reach some of the potential everyone says she has. She really looked like she belonged in the ring with all of her far more experienced peers. The entire match was incredibly fast-paced. There were a few familiar spots such as the water spitting by Kagetsu but there was also room for new things such as Hiromi using Kagetsu like a ladder to set up a bit DDT. Eventually Kris Wolf pinned Starlight Kid after all of the Oedo Tai members had attacked her. This was great fun! 3.75/5  

Queen’s Quest (HZK, Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Scarlett, Bea Priestley & Kelly Klein
QQ dominated early with everyone giving Scarlett a bodyslam, including AZM who showed impressive strength. Momo and Bea Priestley had a nice kicking exchange. AZM failed to pull down Kelly Klein and received a two-handed sit-out chokeslam instead. Kelly Klein continued to dominate physically. AZM put up the most fight but eventually Klein hit her with K Power to get the pin. This match was fine. 3/5

Natsuko Tora hits Yoko Bito with a big spear.
Natsuko Tora hits Yoko Bito with a big spear.

Mari Apache & Yoko Bito vs. Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora
Yoko Bito’s retirement run continues with this tag match. It was a good, high-impact match. Highlights included a fantastic spear and frog splash by Natsuko Tora, a nice spinning heel kick and Michinoku Driver by Mari Apache and Yoko Bito’s usual array of big kicks and grapples. Yoko Bito did botch her first attempt at a crucifix powerbomb but good improvisation by Natsuko & Mari set her up for a second attempt which she hit and pinned Natsuko Tora for the win. 3.5/5 

Chardonnay hangs Io Shirai by her knee.
Chardonnay hangs Io Shirai by her knee.

Chardonnay vs. Io Shirai (Wonder of Stardom Championship)
Of the four gaijin currently on tour with Stardom, Chardonnay is probably the one who arrived with the least hype. However, I feel she has so far been the most impressive and this match will certainly add to that. It was very good throughout and Chardonnay certainly played her part in making it so. The main focus of the match was Chardonnay working on Io’s knee after a big spot in which Chardonnay trapped Io’s leg in the ropes from the top turnbuckle and pushed her off. Io sold it wonderfully and Chardonnay kept up the pressure with some nice mat work and holds that focused on the knee. Io Shirai eventually made her comeback and retained the Wonder of Stardom Championship with a piledriver and moonsault, but Chardonnay can certainly be proud of that performance. 4/5 

Review

Hanan vs. Ruaka
Sumire Natsu vs. Shiki Shibusawa
Oedo Tai (Kagestu, Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf) vs. Starlight Kid, Hiromi Mimura & Konami
Queen’s Quest (HZK, Momo Watanabe & AZM) vs. Scarlett, Bea Priestley & Kelly Klein
Mari Apache & Yoko Bito vs. Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora
Chardonnay vs. Io Shirai (Wonder of Stardom Championship)

Good

Some really solid matches and a great main event.

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