September 16, 2018 5☆STAR GP2018

Saki Kashima and Starlight Kid, the STARS tag team, will face the US and UK singles champion duo, Nicole Savoy and Jamie Hayter. Although not a singles match, Kashima also holds a tag team belt, and Kid is the Future of Stardom champion. For Kashima, this is a chance to avenge her loss to Nicole on August 26 in Osaka, and also a preliminary match against Jamie Hayter, her final official match on September 24 at Korakuen Hall. Having missed her official match against Sumire Natsu on September 9 in Shin-Kiba, resulting in a walkover victory for her opponent, she will want to end the league tournament on a positive note with a win. This preliminary match will be crucial for that purpose

　Immediately after shaking hands, STARS launched a surprise attack with a double dropkick. However, Jamie eliminated Kashima and body-slammed Kid. He cursed Kid, calling him a "stupid midget!", and drove him into his corner to attack. Kid yelled back, "Stupid foreigner!", which enraged Jamie, who responded, "Stupid foreigner?". Jamie then delivered a back drop to Kid, dropped Kashima who was on the sidelines, and then kneed Kid. Jamie continued to elbow Kid, repeatedly calling him "stupid," "stupid." Kashima tagged in for Kid and delivered a face crusher. Jamie countered a double arm hold, but Kashima hit a stunner followed by a double arm DDT. Jamie countered again, hitting a knee, a high kick, and a backbreaker. He grabbed Kashima's leg and took him to his corner, then handed him to Nicole. Nicole slammed Kashima onto the mat and went for a hanging ceiling. Nicole drove Kashima into the corner with a series of knees, but Kashima hit a hurricanrana. Kid then hit Nicole with a 619. Kid tries to grab Nicole, who has returned the hold, and jumps on her, but is slammed down with a side slam. Kid delivers a dropkick from behind and goes for the Shiranui. Kashima follows with a diving foot stomp, and Kid dives in as well. Jamie manages to break up the hold, but Kashima takes her out of the ring. Kid tries to charge, but Nicole stops him and throws him backwards. Five minutes have passed. Jamie takes Kashima out of the ring. Nicole locks Kid in a wing lock. Kid gives up, and Nicole's team wins

This is an official league tournament between Tam Nakano and Kimber Lee, both with a record of 1 win and 4 losses. Both have only two official matches remaining: this tournament and the one at Korakuen Hall on September 24th. Although both have been eliminated from contention for the championship, it is clear that neither wants to end up with just one win. Nakano will be aiming for her first singles match against Kagetsu, who will be vying for the red belt in the final match, while Kimber will be aiming for a good result in her final match against Rachel Ellering, who is competing with Kagetsu, Jungle Kyona, and Utami Hayashishita for a spot in the finals

　They locked up and grappled, breaking up twice. After dodging strikes, Kimber taunted Nakano by spreading his legs. Nakano also spread his legs and they exchanged elbows. Kimber went for the pin but only got a two count. Kimber tightened his neck lock, but Nakano released it and stomped on his back. He drove Nakano into the corner and delivered a series of middle kicks to his back. He also hit a soccer ball kick and went for the cover. Nakano kicked out and delivered a series of elbows but collapsed. Kimber dashed forward, but Nakano countered with a middle kick. He drove Nakano into the corner and delivered a running knee attack, followed by a face crusher and a cartwheel double knee drop. Kimber kicked out, and they exchanged low kicks. Kimber won the exchange and landed a kick to Kimber's head. Kimber got behind Nakano, but Nakano countered with a high kick. He also threw a spin kick and shouted "It's over!" before charging forward. However, he was hit with a backbreaker. Kimber then caught Nakano in a reverse Boston crab. When Nakano escaped, Kimber pulled him up and delivered a body slam. Kimber, foreshadowing the finish, climbed to the corner. Nakano noticed and delivered a series of elbows from below. Kimber knocked him down with a headbutt, but Nakano countered with a high kick from below and a deadly drive. Nakano climbed to the corner and delivered a Destiny Hammer. He got behind Kimber and shouted "It's over!" before going for a German suplex. However, the hold was broken and he couldn't hold him. Kimber countered with a high kick and a brainbuster. Nakano rolled him up but only got a two count. Kimber stopped his dash and delivered a powerbomb. He climbed to the corner and delivered a Swanton Bomb. Nakano couldn't kick out and Kimber secured his second win

Shiki Shibusawa will challenge Kagetsu, the World of Stardom Champion. Although the belt is not on the line, this will be a match that Shibusawa will want to leave a lasting impression on Kagetsu for the sake of her future. Kagetsu defeated Kimber Lee at the Takaoka tournament the day before and is currently at the top of the 5☆STAR GP standings. This match may be considered a tune-up match, but that's precisely why it will be a crucial test for Shibusawa to see if she can make an impact

　Kagetsu, accompanied by Hazuki and Natsu Sumire, performed the Oedo Tai dance. Shibusawa entered the ring, greeted by Starlight Kid. Hayashishita Utami also served as Shibusawa's second. Kagetsu taunted Shibusawa while eating snacks, saying, "You're the last of this Jagariko!" Shibusawa launched a surprise dropkick and attempted a body slam. Kagetsu resisted and slammed her to the mat, but Shibusawa countered and rolled her up. Shibusawa followed with a dropkick and a face crusher. She went for a submission hold, but Kagetsu lifted her up and slammed her down. Shibusawa kicked out and went for another submission hold. Kagetsu stretched her legs and escaped. Shibusawa delivered four consecutive missile kicks. Instead of going for the pin, she said, "Not yet," and lifted Kagetsu up and slammed her forward. Kagetsu kicked out and countered with a high kick. Shibusawa couldn't kick out and Kagetsu was declared the winner. After the match, Kagetsu pulled Shibusawa up and glared at her

The day before, Natsu Sumire and Kelly Klein formed a trio and stood in the same corner for their official match. Logically, the powerful Kelly would seem to have the advantage, but Natsu's fighting style, which has been toying with her opponents, has been gaining momentum with each league match. Perhaps the lucky win by default against Kashima Saki is further proof of this momentum. In any case, Kelly cannot afford to lose, so utmost caution is necessary

　Natsu appears wearing an overmask stolen from AZM, and also brings along the Queen's Quest flag. Natsu asks for a handshake, but Kelly glares at her with her arms crossed. Natsu backs down, and her second, Kagetsu, complains, "Shake hands!" Even after the bell rings, Natsu extends her hand, but Kelly grabs it and squeezes it tightly. Kelly throws Natsu into the corner and charges. It took some time because Kelly was distracted by the Oedo Tai, and Natsu dodges. However, when Kelly glares at her, Natsu apologizes profusely. Kelly tries to punch her, but Natsu extends her hand. When Natsu accepts, Kelly slams her into the corner repeatedly. Kelly attempts a brainbuster, but Natsu kicks out of it. Kelly knees Natsu in the back of the head and charges. However, Natsu whips her and delivers a big boot. Kelly counters the brainbuster hold. Natsu climbs onto the corner, but Kelly charges, causing her to lose her balance, and Kelly lifts her up and throws her backward. As Natsu countered, Kelly went for a bear hug. Natsu resisted and tried to counter, but was caught and slammed down as she charged. Kelly then hit Natsu with a Northern Lights Suplex. It looked like it was over, but Natsu managed to kick out. Kelly pulled Natsu up and delivered a flurry of knees to her face and stomach. Natsu went for a small package, but it was only a two count. As Kelly charged, Kagetsu cut her off from behind. Natsu's weapon attack missed, and Kelly slammed her to the side. This resulted in a three count, giving Kelly two points

JAN and Queen's Quest face off in a six-person tag team match. Both teams played with the same lineups the day before, but JAN lost to a mixed team of Oedo Tai + Kelly Klein, while Queen's Quest lost to a mixed team of STARS + Utami Hayashishita. Both teams will want to avoid consecutive losses to save face. Overall, Queen's Quest seems to have the advantage, but..

　AZM taunts, "Hey, come out, big one!" As Kyoko and Natsuko back off, he says, "Come out, cute one!" and "Come out, fat one!" JAN is confused, but Natsuko makes a retort to Kyoko and goes first. Natsuko is made to run back and forth many times in rope work with AZM. When Natsuko's running slows down, AZM trips her and takes her down. AZM calls Kyoko in, "Come out, next fat one!" Kyoko makes AZM do some rope work and takes him down with a shoulder tackle, shouting, "Don't underestimate the fat!" Momo enters and body slams Onozaki. She slams him into her corner and the three of them stomp on him. Konami throws Onozaki into the corner, drops JAN, and then calls in QQ to deliver a series of corner attacks. When Onozaki retaliates, Momo delivers a barrage of stomps. As Onozaki landed a series of elbows, Momo retorted, "I won't go down that easily!" As Onozaki continued to press forward, Momo attempted a body slam. Onozaki rolled her up, but Momo kicked out, only for Onozaki to deliver a series of elbow drops. Natsuko tackled Momo with a shoulder tackle, and both she and Konami fell victim to a running body press. Kyoka and Natsuko launched a combined attack on Momo. Momo countered with a middle kick to Natsuko. Natsuko retaliated with a knee and a leg lariat. Five minutes had passed, and Kyoka delivered a corner body attack to Momo. Momo countered with a dropkick. Momo landed a series of middle kicks, but Kyoka stood up to take them. Momo went for the cover, but Kyoka kicked out. Kyoka prepared for a powerbomb, but Momo countered and went for a B-driver. Kyoka countered, but Momo raised her shoulder. Momo and Konami attempted a brainbuster, but Kyoka threw them both at once. When Konami retaliated, Kyoka delivered a sliding lariat. Konami dodged and applied an armlock. When Kyoka escaped, Konami delivered a sliding kick. Kyoka countered with a lariat. Konami blocked and delivered a German suplex. When Kyoka countered, Konami went for a Triangle Lancer. Kyoka countered with a lariat. AZM preempted Onozaki with a dropkick. When Onozaki went for an elbow, AZM fought back. AZM went for a slap, and Onozaki retaliated with an elbow. AZM shouted "What's wrong, huh!" and delivered a series of elbows followed by dropkicks. When Onozaki countered, AZM threw her into the corner. However, QQ's double middle kick was dodged and hit her by mistake. Onozaki rolled up AZM. AZM countered but was only counted to two. 10 minutes had passed. AZM shouted "It's over!" to Onozaki and performed the Three Amigos. However, Onozaki managed to counter. Then QQ delivered a triple dropkick. Momo grabbed Onozaki and AZM performed a diving body attack in a triangle jump style. Onozaki was unable to counter, and AZM won by pinfall, giving QQ the victory

Rachel Ellering and Utami Hayashishita are both contenders for the finals in this official match. The winner of this match will undoubtedly have a significant advantage. Rachel is the daughter of Paul Ellering, a former wrestler and well-known manager of the Road Warriors and others. Utami is the daughter of Big Daddy, whose large family was featured on television. Although both are daughters of famous people, their backgrounds are completely different. Moreover, in the professional wrestling ring, everything transcends, and it's a head-on battle. Will Rachel's power prevail, or will Utami once again overcome a formidable foreign wrestler? This is a crucial match that will directly impact the championship race

　As they shook hands, Rachel didn't let go. When the gong rang again, both maintained a cautious stance. In a test of strength in a lock-up, Utami pushed Rachel into the ropes for a break. They locked up again, and Rachel pushed forward. This was also a clean break, and they went for a third lock-up. Utami tried to corner Rachel, but Rachel reversed. They both broke free, and Rachel slammed into Utami. As they slammed into each other, Utami landed an elbow. The elbows landed simultaneously, and Rachel prepared for a body slam. Utami resisted and tried to throw her, but Rachel resisted. Utami dodged Rachel's strikes and tried to lift her, but Rachel put her in a headlock. Utami tried to throw her into the ropes, but Rachel maintained the headlock. When Utami threw her into the ropes, Rachel lured her into rope work and delivered a jumping elbow. She threw Utami into the ropes, took her down with a crab hold, and kicked her in the face. When Utami retaliates, Rachel brings her hand down with a chop. Rachel pulls Utami up and stomps on her. When Utami tries to run, Rachel reads her movement and delivers a knee strike. When Utami retaliates, five minutes have passed. Rachel grabs Utami's neck and applies a chokehold. Utami's feet reach the ropes. Rachel pulls her up and throws her out of the ring. Rachel waits calmly in the ring for Utami to make a comeback. When Utami returns, Rachel throws her out of the ring again. Utami enters the ring but is thrown out again. Rachel follows and the fight goes outside the ring. Rachel attacks from below the ring. She pretends to return first but attacks Utami outside the ring again. Rachel delivers a series of powerful reverse chops. Rachel brings Utami back into the ring and applies a neck lock followed by a brainbuster. When Utami retaliates, Rachel stands firm. Utami charges in with a series of elbows and receives a dropkick. Utami attempts a sleeper hold, but Rachel escapes at the ropes. Utami throws Rachel into the corner and delivers a running dropkick. She climbs onto the corner and hits a missile kick. Utami goes for the cover, but Rachel only gets a two count. 10 minutes have passed. Utami attempts an Argentine backbreaker, but Rachel counters and hits her with a double kick. Rachel tries a kick, but Utami dodges it. Rachel throws her body on top of Utami, but Rachel only gets a two count. Rachel lands a series of running elbow attacks and goes for a complete shot. Utami endures and delivers a series of shoulder throws. She also attempts an outer leg sweep, but Rachel kicks out. Utami goes for a series of pins, but Rachel kicks them all out. Utami gets up from a sleeper hold. 3 minutes remaining. Utami attempts a reverse drop and tightens the hold, turning it into a ground sleeper. However, Rachel's feet reach the ropes. Rachel escapes to the outside, and Utami tries to chase after her, but Rachel stops her. 2 minutes remaining. As Utami stepped onto the apron, Rachel attacked, delivering a modified leg drop inside the ring. Rachel attempted a powerbomb, but Utami resisted. Rachel followed with an elbow and a chop. One minute remaining. Utami landed a knee strike, and Rachel retaliated. Utami delivered a shoulder tackle followed by a body slam. Shouting "It's over!", she climbed to the corner, but Rachel followed suit and slammed her down in a superplex. Utami kicked out and applied a headlock. However, the bell rang, signaling the end of the match. Both wrestlers were awarded one point each for the pain they inflicted

Mayu Iwatani, who started with a losing streak but bounced back with three consecutive wins, will face off against Hazuki, who had her winning streak stopped in her third match but has steadily increased her win total. At the start of the match, one draw seems to give Hazuki a slight advantage, but it is clear that whoever wins this match will take a big step towards advancing to the finals. In the Blue Stars, Momo Watanabe and Kelly Klein also have a chance to advance to the finals, making it a close race. Who will emerge victorious before the final match at Korakuen Hall on September 24th?

　After the call ended, Hazuki launched a surprise dropkick from behind. As soon as the bell rang, Hazuki rolled Iwatani up and forcibly pinned her. Iwatani kicked out and threw her into the ropes for a dropkick. From outside the ring, Oedo Tai pulled Iwatani's leg, taking the fight outside. Hazuki attacked Iwatani in the audience. Hazuki slammed Iwatani's left arm into the ring post. Hazuki brought Iwatani back into the ring and stomped on her left arm. Kagetsu shouted, "Just break your arm!" Hazuki continued to attack her left arm with a hair whip. She also delivered a face wash, prompting the crowd to call for another one. Hazuki responded by performing another face wash. Hazuki went outside the ring and brought Iwatani back in. Hazuki delivered a foot stomp and went for a one-legged cover. Iwatani kicked out, and Hazuki delivered a series of elbows. Iwatani countered with a sling blade. After an exchange of elbows, Hazuki landed a series of blows, causing Iwatani to stumble. Hazuki charges forward, dodges a thrust kick, and delivers a Codebreaker. She sends Iwatani flying with a running elbow attack followed by a swan dive missile kick. When Iwatani kicks out, Hazuki goes for a face lock. Hazuki doesn't let Iwatani escape and turns around to tighten the hold even more. Iwatani manages to escape by stretching her leg. Hazuki throws Iwatani into the corner and delivers a big boot followed by an atomic bombs away. Iwatani dodges and lands a series of high kicks followed by a low dropkick. Iwatani then hits a plancha onto Hazuki, who has fallen to the outside. Iwatani brings Hazuki back into the ring and, staggering, delivers a missile kick. When Hazuki kicks out, Iwatani takes her back. Hazuki turns around and delivers a modified armbreaker followed by an arm lock. When Iwatani escapes, Hazuki charges forward. Iwatani dodges and delivers a dropkick. Hazuki shouts "Don't mess with me!" and delivers a double kick. Both are down and the count begins. At the seven-count, they grabbed each other's hair and exchanged elbows. Hazuki provoked Iwatani, who fought back. Ten minutes had passed. Iwatani attempted a Dodonpa, but Hazuki kicked out of it. Iwatani climbed to the corner and attempted a frog splash followed by a dragon suplex. Hazuki resisted, but Iwatani delivered a German suplex. Hazuki kicked out, and Iwatani followed up with a high kick, a kick to the face, and a heel drop. Hazuki raised her shoulder to escape, and Iwatani yelled "It's over!" before delivering a two-stage dragon suplex. The referee counted to three, and Iwatani won by pinfall, securing her fourth consecutive victory. After the match, Iwatani offered a handshake, but Hazuki refused and left the ring

Iwatani: "Hello everyone in Osaka! So, for the Osaka 5☆STAR GP, I'd give myself... 8 points! Isn't that first place? I'm first place, right? Yes, I'm first place! I beat Watanabe Momo at Korakuen and made it to the finals, and next I want to show everyone in Osaka what I can do as the 5☆STAR GP champion, so please cheer me on. I somehow, somehow managed to win, so I'd like to wrap things up for today. There aren't many STARS members here today. There are only four of us, but I'd like to end with the loudest voice I've ever sung today. Did you have fun today? Can I come again next month? Believe in the present, shine tomorrow, We are STARDOM!"

Iwatani's comment

"Today I had an official 5☆STAR GP match at the Osaka Ikuno Ward Community Center in Osaka, and somehow, somehow I managed to win. I wonder how long the match was? 10 minutes? 12 minutes? Well, at times I was being attacked so much that my mind went blank, and I was like, what am I doing right now? Am I even here? I was just like, I have to protect my arm, protect it, and I was at my wit's end. Today I was being attacked in such a way that if I had continued to be attacked like that, I might have had to withdraw again, so I was really nervous, but somehow, somehow I managed to score 2 points. 8 points, now 8 points. Apparently Blue Stars is in first place."

-- Tied for first place with Kelly

"You're not alone?"

-- Not in sole first place

"Oh, really? What score would you give the peach?"

--Peach gets 7 points

“7 points!?”

-- Momo and Hazuki each received 7 points

"I see. So, even though you're in first place right now, you're not exactly in a position to relax, are you? If someone else wins, you're in trouble, right?"

--Even if Iwatani beats Momo at Korakuen, if Kelly beats Nicole, these two will be tied for first place, but Iwatani lost in their head-to-head match

Kelly will likely advance to the finals. If both of them lose, it might give Momo and Hazuki a chance

"Ahhh. This year's 5☆STAR GP is seriously too tough. I feel like I say this every year, but this year, the quality, the level, the level is different (laughs). The level is really, really different, it's surprising how different each of the wrestlers is. Each of the wrestlers... well, never mind (laughs). Well, I really can't let my guard down, but all I have to do is beat Momo."

—To get to the finals, you absolutely have to beat Momo

"I've been competing against Momo for a long time, but surprisingly, we haven't had much luck together. When I was the champion in High Speed ​​and Momo was the challenger, the match was canceled because I wasn't feeling well or something. After that, we had a singles match scheduled, but Momo injured her knee and the singles match was canceled. I haven't really had many singles matches with her, so the only time we fought in a singles match was right before she took time off. That's the only time I remember fighting her, so I think Momo has grown tremendously since then, and I really think she's someone I can't look down on forever. I'm going to be really careful and focus on winning and aim for victory."

—After the match, who was it that you reached out to Hazuki for a handshake?

"Hmm, well, Hazuki is a hard worker after all. She's kind of unremarkable, and I hate to say it, but she's a rather plain fighter, but you can really feel the effort she puts in. It's not like I'm just going to beat her and say, 'See, I've got this!', but because I truly respect Hazuki, even though she's my opponent, I wanted to shake her hand as a way of saying thank you, thank you for fighting me, but she still hasn't shaken it (laughs). I'm going to keep persistently asking for a handshake."