Review: Stardom – 2018.05.03 – The Oedo Tai Produced Show

The next three shows are all produced by one of the three Stardom factions. This show was produced by Oedo Tai and opened with a dance battle which was great fun and well worth watching!

Nao Yamaguchi vs. Natsumi vs. Leo Onozaki
This is the first time the rookies have been alone in the ring without somebody more experienced and they did well. There was nothing really noteworthy in terms of wrestling but Nao’s character made it fun enough to watch. Everyone looked solid, if very green. Kagetsu was at ringside and spat water in Leo’s face, Nao took advantage and hit the Axe Bomber to get the pin. 2/5

Hanan vs. Candy Floss
Another match with not too much to report. Candy showed good adaptability by making her comedy spots work here and Hanan did nothing wrong and continues to improve, but it was still a very basic match. Candy Floss pinned Hanan after a Codebreaker.

Shiki Shibusawa & Starlight Kid vs. Ruaka & Kaori Yoneyama
A pretty solid match and probably the best I have seen from Ruaka who worked very well with Starlight Kid. Shiki showed surprising strength to bodyslam Kaori too. Starlight Kid got the win with a swinging neckbreaker. 2.5/5

Tam Nakano, Saki Kashima & Mayu Iwatani vs. Mari Apache, Natsuko Tora & Jungle Kyona
A great match. Natsuko took so much punishment and sold it all perfectly and with a lot of emotion. Tam’s kicks looked great, Mayu took a couple of crazy bumps to her neck, Saki continues to look the perfect replacement for Yoko Bito with a very assured display, Jungle Kyona was as intense as ever and Mari brought her usual class. It was fast-paced and high-impact with the subtext of Team Jungle being drafted to STARS and STARS not really wanting them. Saki Kashima pinned Natsuko Tora after My Emblem. 4/5

Chardonnay vs. Session Moth Martina
This was a Traditional European Rules match (five rounds of three minutes each) but it turned into a brilliant comedy match. It seemed unlikely before she came to Japan but Martina has turned out to be a perfect fit for Stardom. The crowd loved her beer antics throughout this. Chardonnay did great too in the serious role and also managed to sneak a few impressive moves in. In the third round Martina spat beer in the faces of both Chardonnay and the referee and as the referee confiscated her beer Martina attacked him resulting in a disqualification. Chardonnay beat Session Moth Martina via DQ. 3.5/5

Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura, Hazuki, Sumire Natsu & Brandi Rhodes) vs. Queen’s Quest (Io Shirai, Momo Watanabe, Konami, AZM & Bea Priestley)
A great match as expected. Brandi did fine other than one poor dropkick. She pinned AZM after a Cross Rhodes. Momo then looked great as she eliminated Sumire via pin and then Brandi via a B-Driver on the apron after she went over the top rope. Hazuki and Momo then had a fantastic exchange (I hope we get much more of this match-up) and Hazuki managed to eliminate Momo over the top rope followed by Konami the same way. Bea then eliminated Hazuki over the top rope with a great kick. Hana and Bea were both on the apron and Kagetsu decided to eliminate both of them with a dropkick. Io and Kagetsu were left and they fought well. Io was about to go for a moonsault when Oedo Tai interfered setting Kagetsu up to deliver a fantastic avalanche powerbomb followed by the Oedo Coaster to get the pin and the win. This was fantastic. 4.25/5