5★STAR Grand Champion Carnival 2018 (Evening)
September 30th (Sun) Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall (Attendance: 315 people)
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◆STARS vs JAN Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Starlight Kid |
4 minutes 10 seconds |
Yoneyama Kaori |
| Hannan |
Onozaki Reo ● |
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◆STARS vs. World Selection Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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Rachel Ellering |
5 minutes 40 seconds |
Nakano Tam |
| ○ Kelly Klein |
Shibusawa Four Seasons |
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◆Flag & Mask Reclamation: Queen's Quest vs. Oedo Tai Tag Team Match, 20-minute time limit, one fall |
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Hazuki |
9 minutes 37 seconds |
wavelet |
| ○Summer violet |
AZM● |
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◆Tag match 20 minutes 1 match |
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○ Momo Watanabe |
9 minutes 9 seconds |
Kimber Lee |
| Utami Hayashishita |
Jamie Hayter |
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match ( 30-minute time limit, one fall) |
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| Kagetsu |
12 minutes 48 seconds Oedo Coaster → Single-leg crab hold |
Nicole Savoy |
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◆Goddess of Stardom Championship Match 30-minute single match |
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<Challenger Group> |
14 minutes 39 seconds Swing Sleeper → Pinfall |
<Challenger Group> |
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○Jungle Shout-Woman |
Iwatani Mayu |
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| Tora Natsuko | Saki Kashima ● | |
*The 13th champions, Mayu Iwatani and Saki Kashima, failed in their fourth title defense. Jungle Kyona and Natsuko Tora become the 14th champions
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◆STARS vs JAN Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Starlight Kid |
4 minutes 10 seconds |
Yoneyama Kaori |
| Hannan |
Onozaki Reo ● |
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Starlight Kid and Hanan, who competed for the Future of Stardom Championship in the daytime show, will team up to face JAN, consisting of Kaori Yoneyama and Reo Onozaki. STARS' target will likely be Onozaki. However, they must be wary of the seasoned veteran, Yoneyama. She is accustomed to facing younger wrestlers in Stardom, and there's a possibility she might even try to assist Onozaki in securing a victory on her own
Kid enters the ring and offers a handshake to Hanan. Perhaps due to the effects of the title match earlier in the day, Hanan hesitates before accepting. After both teams shake hands, Yoneyama volunteers to start the match, saying, "Leave it to me!" STARS' Kid takes the lead. Yoneyama immediately stomps on Kid's foot. When Kid tries to use the ropes, Yoneyama makes him run back and forth repeatedly. Still, Kid manages to take Yoneyama down and calls in Hanan. However, Yoneyama delivers a crossbody to both of them. JAN delivers a combined big boot and repeatedly shouts "Jungle! Jungle!" Onozaki hits Hanan with a series of elbows. When Hanan breaks up, Kid delivers a hip toss. Kid hits Onozaki with a dropkick and a standing moonsault. When Onozaki retaliates, Kid throws him into the ropes. Onozaki delivers a series of elbows and teams up with Yoneyama. They also land a double face crusher, and Onozaki follows up with a diving body attack. Onozaki attempts several roll-ups, but only gets a two-count. Onozaki landed a series of elbows on Kid, and then Hanan delivered a dropkick. Kid went for a Northern Lights suplex but it was broken up. Hanan then threw Yoneyama out of the ring with an outer leg sweep. Kid then hit Onozaki with a moonsault press from the second base. Onozaki couldn't kick out, and Kid secured the pinfall victory
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◆STARS vs. World Selection Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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Rachel Ellering |
5 minutes 40 seconds |
Nakano Tam |
| ○ Kelly Klein |
Shibusawa Four Seasons |
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In this tag team match, Tam Nakano and Shiki Shibusawa of STARS will challenge the formidable American duo of Rachel Ellering and Kelly Klein. Given the clear power difference, Nakano and Shibusawa will need to utilize their teamwork and coordinated plays. Keep an eye on Nakano, who achieved her first championship title in the daytime show. Will this first belt help her to grow as a wrestler?
Nakano appeared with the pink belt he won in the daytime show slung over his shoulder. The STARS side offered a handshake, which the foreign duo readily accepted and applauded. STARS tried to decide the start of the match with rock-paper-scissors. After several draws, the impatient foreign duo attacked and the match began. Separated, Shibusawa was repeatedly slammed into the corner by Kelly. Rachel delivered a twisted leg drop. Kelly twisted Shibusawa's neck while hitting him with a knee. Kelly took down Nakano who was on the sidelines before pinning Shibusawa. Rachel delivered a senton and then lifted Kelly up, who charged forward. Nakano interfered, causing Kelly's lariat to accidentally hit Rachel. Shibusawa tried to pin her, but Rachel broke free. Nakano got behind Rachel and applied a dragon sleeper. Rachel countered, but Nakano used the ropes to get back in. Kelly interfered, but Nakano stomped on both of them at once. Rachel blocks Nakano's kick. Nakano dodges Rachel's double kick and lands a high kick. Shibusawa hits Kelly with a neckbreaker followed by a hurricanrana. Kelly kicks out, and Shibusawa charges forward. Kelly catches him and delivers a side slam. Shibusawa goes for a submission, but Kelly lifts him up. Nakano breaks up the pin, and Rachel also interferes. Nakano hits Kelly with a Destiny Hammer. Shibusawa lands a missile kick. Nakano lands a thrust kick, and Shibusawa rolls him up, but it's broken up. Five minutes have passed. STARS throws Shibusawa into the ropes, but Kelly and Rachel team up with big boots. Kelly lifts Shibusawa up and slams him forward with a K-Power. Shibusawa can't kick out, and Kelly gets the three count
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◆Flag & Mask Reclamation: Queen's Quest vs. Oedo Tai Tag Team Match, 20-minute time limit, one fall |
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Hazuki |
9 minutes 37 seconds |
wavelet |
| ○Summer violet |
AZM● |
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Queen's Quest, whose unit flag and masks were stolen by Oedo Tai, faces off against Hazuki & Natsu Sumire in an attempt to reclaim them. If QQ wins, the flag and masks will be returned to them. If Oedo Tai wins, there seems to be nothing but victory for them, but Hazuki & Natsu have no intention of conceding a victory, as they want to further "harass" Oedo Tai. Konami & AZM will likely target Natsu, the one who stole them, but haste is forbidden. They must secure a victory without falling into Natsu's trap..
In the summer, he enters the ring with a mask and flag stolen from QQ. As he dances, the QQ police rush into the ring, honking their horns. They hit him with a weapon, and the match starts immediately
QQ delivers a barrage of stomps to Natsu in the ring, and AZM hits a diving foot stomp. QQ holds Natsu against the ropes and attacks. AZM slams Natsu onto the mat, but only gets a two count. AZM drags Natsu to her corner and hands her over to Konami. Konami shouts "You thief!" and together with AZM stomps on Natsu's face. AZM throws Natsu into the corner and hits a running dropkick. Natsu kicks out, and AZM delivers a series of stomps. Natsu whips AZM as she charges, and Hazuki hits a Codebreaker, then puts both of them in a face lock. Hazuki corners AZM and hits her in the face wash. Hazuki throws AZM into the ropes and hits a hurricanrana. Konami hits Hazuki with a series of running middle kicks. Konami hits a running jumping knee followed by a fisherman suplex. Konami goes for an armbar and then goes for an armlock. Konami goes for a triangle choke, but Hazuki evades it. After an exchange of elbows, Hazuki pushes forward and delivers a senton. Hazuki goes for a full nelson, but Konami counters. However, Hazuki hits a DDT. Konami retaliates with a high kick, and both are down. Natsu and AZM charge forward. AZM uses the ropes to her advantage but takes a big boot from Natsu. Natsu throws AZM into the corner and hits her with a weapon brought by QQ. Natsu corners AZM and stomps on her. Natsu does a fisherman suplex but only gets a two count. Natsu taunts AZM and kicks her, but is rolled up for a pin. Natsu kicks out and AZM goes for a hurricanrana. AZM declares she's going for the finish and tries to lift her, but Natsu resists. Konami lands a knee strike on Natsu as she charges. QQ kicks Natsu from two directions. AZM delivers a foot stomp and then puts Natsu in a spinning leg lock. QQ throws Natsu into the ropes, but they both hit each other, and Hazuki separates them with a swan dive missile kick. Natsu pulls AZM up, but is hit with a high kick Calabrainbuster. As AZM tries to climb to the corner, Hazuki cuts him off, and Natsu covers his face with a flag and delivers a Youran. The referee counts to three, and QQ fails to regain the title... A brawl ensues, but it's too late for QQ. QQ chases after Natsu, but she manages to escape
Hazuki & Natsu's comments
Natsu: "I've said this many times, but this is my flag. And this mask is my mask. I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I'm being falsely accused on social media as if I'm a thief, but I do have a job where I'm in front of people, so there's no way I would do something like that."
Hazuki: "That's right."
Natsu: "They've been with Stardom for a year now, but they never received the kind of upbringing that would lead them to steal other people's things. They never received that kind of education from their previous organization either. I think you all understand that now. I think they're starting to feel attached to this flag, and that's also an attachment to Io Shirai. I don't think those girls can keep cherishing Io Shirai's mementos forever. I sincerely believe in and wish for a bright future for them, and I think it's better for them to move on."
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◆Tag match 20 minutes 1 match |
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○ Momo Watanabe |
9 minutes 9 seconds |
Kimber Lee |
| Utami Hayashishita |
Jamie Hayter |
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Ahead of the tag team league tournament, Queen's Quest's Wonder Champion, Momo Watanabe, has already nominated Utami Hayashishita as her partner. Their first match will be against Kimber Lee and Jamie Hayter, where they will test their chemistry as a tag team. Momo and Hayashishita teamed up in Hayashishita's first tag team match (August 26th in Osaka - a 4-way night match), and it seems Momo got a good feel for the team from that match. Although Hayashishita hasn't responded yet, depending on the result and performance of this match, she might give the green light immediately. If this team comes to fruition, it might mean that Hayashishita will soon be joining Queen's Quest. For now, all eyes will be on their tag team match against foreigners
Utami volunteered to start the match and faced Kimber. After a lock-up, Kimber went for Utami's arm, but Utami countered, leading to a series of counters. Utami got a headlock and took the match to the ground. Kimber broke free from a head scissors and they glared at each other. Kimber went for a kick, but Utami caught it. Kimber escaped and appealed with a split leg. Kimber went for a head scissors and pinned Utami with a bridge. Kimber delivered a series of reverse chops followed by a soccer ball kick. Jamie took out Momo who was on the sidelines and then teamed up with Kimber. Utami countered, and Jamie delivered a series of soccer ball kicks. Utami countered again, and Jamie went for a brainbuster. Utami endured and broke free. Jamie provoked Momo, Utami attacked from behind, and Momo delivered a running dropkick, followed by Utami's body slam. Momo delivered a missile kick to Jamie. Jamie tries to throw Momo into the corner, but Utami intervenes and delivers a shoulder tackle. Momo dodges Jamie's kick and lands a high kick. She follows up with a series of kicks and goes for the cover, but Jamie kicks out. Utami throws Jamie into the corner and charges. Jamie puts her leg out to avoid it and goes for a roll-up. Utami kicks out, but Jamie drives her into the corner and slams her into the corner with a brainbuster. Jamie shoves a knee to Utami's face and goes for the cover. Utami kicks out, but Jamie and Kimber work together for a double brainbuster. Jamie provokes Utami and charges, but Utami throws her on her shoulder. Both women's lariats clash and they both tag out. Momo and Kimber exchange kicks. Momo throws Kimber into the corner with a series of middle kicks and lands several running dropkicks. Momo locks Kimber's arm. Utami catches Jamie outside the ring. Kimber escapes, and Momo goes for the Tequila No. Kimber escapes and lands a high kick, followed by a spinning kick and a German suplex. Jamie sends Utami out of the ring, and Kimber goes for a powerbomb. Momo counters, but Kimber rolls her up. Momo counters again with a high kick. Utami and Momo team up and Momo attempts a Soumatou, but Kimber kicks out. Momo gets Kimber up and hits a B-Driver. Kimber can't kick out, and Momo's team wins
Momo: "To everyone who came to the Nagoya International Conference Hall, Shimi and I won today. What did you all think? Now, let's win the tag team league that starts on October 13th as a tag team."
Utami: "Momo-san, I'd love to participate in the tag league, please let's do it. I'm looking forward to teaming up with Momo-san and competing in the tag league. I didn't join QQ just because I wanted to be Momo-san's partner, so I look forward to working with you as a tag team partner."
Comments from Momo & Shimi
—You won this match and will be teaming up in the tag league, but why did Momo choose Utami as her partner?
Momo: "Well, there really aren't many newcomers like her, and I don't think we can just ignore a newcomer who's already doing so well right after her debut, so I'd really like to invite her to Queen's Quest. But first, I think I'll invite her again after she wins the tag team tournament."
--So you want them to join QQ?
Momo: "That's right. It would be great to have such a strong newcomer. We don't have many power fighters right now, so I'd love for him to join."
--Shimi said she wanted to win this match and settle it there
"Yes, after actually teaming up with her and winning a tag team match, regardless of whether we make it into QQ or not, I would really like to participate in the tag league as a tag team with Momo."
-- It seems like Momo wants to join QQ, but what are your thoughts on that?
Utami: "Well, I'm currently unaffiliated, so I'm very happy to be invited, but I think it's still too early to decide which unit to join. For now, I'd like to win the tag league with Momo and then think about it again."
--In the 5☆STAR GP, Utami came in second place, and Momo didn't make it to the finals. Is there any meaning in both of you seeking revenge in the tag league for not being able to win?
Momo: "That's right. Cinderella has been winning, so I definitely want to win the tag league. I want to be the champion."
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match ( 30-minute time limit, one fall) |
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| Kagetsu |
12 minutes 48 seconds Oedo Coaster → Single-leg crab hold |
Nicole Savoy |
Originally scheduled as a non-title match between Kagetsu and Nicole Savoy, the match was changed to a World of Stardom Championship bout for the red belt following the results of the daytime main event. How will the reigning champion Kagetsu handle Nicole, known as the Queen of Suplexes, who also possesses a wide variety of submission techniques? There may be moments where Kagetsu is overwhelmed by Nicole's techniques. If she can't cope, a complete defeat for Kagetsu is possible. Is Prime Minister Kagetsu in trouble!?
The match started cautiously with a four-point grip, then quickly turned into a struggle for back control. Kagetsu got behind Nicole, but Nicole retaliated and took her to the ground. Kagetsu went for a head scissors, but Nicole escaped and grabbed her neck. Kagetsu reversed, but Nicole quickly returned to her original position. Kagetsu went for a headlock, but Nicole grabbed her leg and countered. Kagetsu went for a kneebar, but Nicole escaped and got on top on the ground. Nicole grabbed her neck and stood up, but Kagetsu went for the ropes. Kagetsu scratched Nicole's face and drove her to the ropes. Nicole threw Kagetsu into the ropes, and they both exchanged shoulder tackles. As Nicole stood up after taking Kagetsu's shoulder tackle, Kagetsu shouted, "I'm the champion, you run!" Nicole then dashed and took Kagetsu down. Nicole then applied an armbreaker on the ground. Kagetsu countered, and Nicole charged forward. Kagetsu tried to stop her but collapsed. Both were down, and Kagetsu went to the bottom of the ring. When Nicole went to check on the situation, Kagetsu sprayed water from below. However, Nicole suplexed Kagetsu when she returned, slamming her to the mat. Nicole then applied an armlock, trying to force a submission. Nicole landed knee strikes from both sides and headed to the corner. Kagetsu knocked her down with a swan dive dropkick and then executed a tope suicida. Kagetsu landed a total of three topes. Kagetsu brought Nicole back into the ring and delivered a swan dive missile kick. Nicole countered, and Kagetsu locked both of her arms. Nicole kicked her away to escape, but Kagetsu spun around and applied an armbar. Nicole managed to escape. Kagetsu attempted a choke slam after a back kick. Nicole dodged and transitioned from a double arm suplex into an armbar. Kagetsu escaped, and 10 minutes had passed. Nicole lifted Kagetsu and threw her backwards three times. Kagetsu countered, and Nicole clutched her head. Nicole helped Kagetsu up and delivered a brainbuster. Nicole applied a submission hold to Kagetsu. Kagetsu reversed and rolled her up, but only got a two count. Nicole got behind Kagetsu and pulled her up. Kagetsu countered with a jackknife pin, but Nicole rolled her up again. Kagetsu went for an Ebisu Drop and then a cover, but it wasn't a three count. So Kagetsu went for a Death Valley Bomb followed by an Oedo Coaster. This time it was a three count, and Kagetsu defended the red belt from the SHIMMER champion
Kagetsu: "Hey Nagoya guys, how are you all doing? Hey Nagoya guys, how are you all doing!? And one more time, how are you all doing!? I've successfully defended the World of Stardom title for the fourth time! Hey, two title defenses in one day is tough. But more importantly, Nicole, Nicole, you're amazing, as expected of the SHIMMER champion. But Kagetsu-sama is also the champion of Stardom's top belt. I guess that spirit won out today. Next time, next time, I'll challenge for your belt. I'm feeling good today, so can I shake your hand?"
When Kagetsu extends her hand, Nicole responds. But, as expected, Kagetsu attacks
Kagetsu: "You idiots! Get out of here! Let me just say one more thing. A traitor has recently appeared in the Oedo Tai. I don't know what knowledge she gained in Mexico, but she's not here today. Kimura Hana, you're next. Remember that."
Comment from Kagetsu
"I successfully defended my title for the fourth time. The daytime match wasn't quite the title defense I'd hoped for, so I made sure to showcase Kagetsu-sama properly in the evening show. What do you think? No matter how good Nicole is at submissions or how big she is, I don't care about any of that. As I said earlier, this belt isn't the only thing Kagetsu-sama has to protect. You understand that, right? Anyway, leaving Nicole Savoy aside for now, the next victim conveniently appeared last week. Hana Kimura, I don't know what you're thinking, but you're next."
—Do you feel like you want to destroy the flowers?
"Of course. To betray the Oedo Tai requires a certain level of resolve. I'm not the only enemy, you know. She must understand that much. The mother of one of the original members. It's fine that she's the mother, I'm indebted to her. But Hana Kimura must understand. She's been watching her for a long time. For her to step down means she's done it with a certain level of feeling, determination, and resolve. It would be a huge mistake to think she could leave the ring in one piece."
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◆Goddess of Stardom Championship Match 30-minute single match |
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<Challenger Group> |
14 minutes 39 seconds Swing Sleeper → Pinfall |
<Challenger Group> |
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○Jungle Shout-Woman |
Iwatani Mayu |
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| Tora Natsuko | Saki Kashima ● | |
*The 13th champions, Mayu Iwatani and Saki Kashima, failed in their fourth title defense. Jungle Kyona and Natsuko Tora become the 14th champions
In the daytime show, Jungle Kyona & Tora Natsuko and Iwatani Mayu & Kashima Saki, who competed for the Artist of Stardom Championship, faced off for the Goddesses of Stardom belts. In the daytime show, Nakano Tam pinned Natsuko, and the 6-woman tag team belts changed hands from JAN to STARS. This is a match that Kyona, returning to her hometown, absolutely cannot afford to lose, and her partner Natsuko must also feel a great sense of responsibility. On the other hand, the champion team held two team championships before the match even began. Will they be able to defend their Goddesses titles and maintain their double championships into the next tournament? For Kyona, it's her hometown, and for Iwatani, it's the place where she lost her red belt. What will the result be?!
Both teams pretended to shake hands, but JAN launched the first attack. Kyoko pinned Iwatani with a series of body presses. However, Kyoko cornered both of them and turned the tables. Iwatani and Kashima attacked Kyoko in combination. After a double dropkick, Iwatani hooked Kyoko's arm on the ropes and kicked her upwards. Iwatani attacked Kyoko's right arm and went for a camel clutch. Iwatani stomped on Kyoko's right arm repeatedly before handing her over to Kashima. Kashima stomped on Kyoko repeatedly, sending Natsuko, who was waiting on the sidelines, out of the ring. Kashima also hooked Kyoko's right arm on the ropes and attacked. Kashima grabbed Kyoko's right arm and called in Iwatani for a foot stomp. Iwatani continued to target Kyoko's right arm. Kyoko was thrown into the ropes and delivered a shoulder tackle. Iwatani mounted Kyoko. When Kyoko retaliated, Iwatani hooked both of her arms and drove her into the corner. Iwatani delivered a series of elbows and charged forward. Kyoka counters with a power slam, but the damage to her arm prevents her from continuing. Five minutes have passed and both are down. Natsuko and Kashima face off. Natsuko attempts a body press, but Iwatani and Kashima dodge it. Still, Natsuko spears both of them at once. She gets Iwatani up and delivers a series of elbows. Iwatani fights back, and they exchange elbows. Iwatani dodges Natsuko and charges forward, but Natsuko hits a spinebuster. Iwatani counters, and Natsuko slaps her. Iwatani gets behind Natsuko, but Natsuko hits a knee followed by a leg lariat. Kyoka knocks Kashima, who is on the sidelines, down before Natsuko and Iwatani corner her. Iwatani dodges Natsuko's frog splash and hits Kyoka in the corner with a superplex Frankensteiner. Iwatani then hits Kyoka with a missile kick. Kashima hits a big boot in the corner, followed by a hurricanrana and another big boot. Kyoka counters. Kashima gets into a double arm position. Kyoka counterattacks, but Kashima hits a double-arm facebuster. Iwatani hits a frog splash, and Kashima attempts a My Emblem after a diving foot stomp. Kyoka endures and hits a dropkick. 10 minutes have passed. JAN joins forces and attacks Kashima in the corner, but Kashima dodges their double brainbuster and hits a face crusher. Iwatani grabs Kyoka and Kashima dives, but Natsuko's senton breaks up the hold. Kyoka dodges Iwatani's kick and hits a slap. Kyoka sends Kashima flying with a lariat, leaving all four down. Kashima and Kyoka exchange elbows. Kashima hits a slap, and Kyoka slams her. Both are down, but Kyoka hits a lariat, which Kashima dodges and rolls up. Iwatani enters and joins forces with Kashima, but JAN separates them with a lariat and a spear, sets them up with a body slam, and hits a diving body press from two directions. Natsuko dove to the outside, and Kyoka attempted a hammer throw on Kashima but was rolled up. Kyoka and Kashima exchanged roll-up attempts. Kyoka swung Kashima around in a swing sleeper hold and pinned her. The referee counted to three, and Kyoka won by pinfall. JAN took the tag team belts from STARS
Kyoko: "I lost the Artist belt earlier today, and I was attacked so hard in this title match, but Natsuko and I were able to win it. Thank you everyone for your support! A year and a half ago, I wore the Goddess belt for the first time in this venue. The view I saw then was amazing. I still haven't forgotten it. But today, with Natsuko, my JAN teammates, and everyone who came to support us, the view we're seeing here is the best. Thank you so much."
Natsuko: "I think there are a lot of reasons why I'm crying even though I'm so happy. To be able to wear this belt in such a big venue, after seeing my seniors wear it, I never thought I'd be able to wear it. Thank you. Now that the singles tournament has ended, Stardom is about to start the tag league. I would really like to team up with Kyoko."
Screaming woman: "Thank you so much for today."
I've always felt that Nagoya is my hometown, and big matches are really important to me. We haven't been winning recently, but I want to thank everyone who believed in us and stuck with us. We won, so I'd like to wrap things up. Today, I want to end this with everyone, regardless of whether they were on our team or the opposing team."
First, JAN comes up and gives a hug. Then all the wrestlers enter the ring
Shouting girl: "Everyone, please continue to come and support us like this. Believe in the present, shine tomorrow, We are STARDOM!"
Comments from Kyoko and Natsuko
Kyoko: "I lost my Artist title earlier today, but Natsuko and I challenged for the Goddess of Stardom title held by the same opponent, and we were able to reclaim the championship. Thank you very much. Thank you, Natsuko."
Natsuko: "Thank you."
Kyoko: "It was tough. I'm truly overwhelmed with emotion that I was finally able to win this big match in my hometown of Nagoya and become champion. And thank you, Natsuko."
Natsuko: "Thank you. Far from repaying Kyoko-san's kindness, I'm the one who should be saying thank you, really. I ended up relying on Kyoko-san again at the end, and it made me realize I need to be much stronger. But at noon, I was so frustrated and my heart almost broke, but now that the belt is in my hands again as a symbol of our bond, I'm truly happy. I definitely don't want anyone to take this from me so easily."
Kyoko said, "I said that artists are still about bonds, and I think that artists were something that symbolized the bond of a unit, but I think this belt symbolizes not only bonds but also strength, so the tag league is about to start and I will do my best to win it together with Natsuko."
—What aspects make you feel it's a symbol of strength?
Kyoko: "I think there are only two belts that can be worn by a unit or team: Artist and Goddess. As you can see from the word 'BOND' written on the Artist belt, it represents a bond, and all three of us wear it. But this belt is also quite large, and the fact that there are two more members adds to the strength, or at least that's how I feel about it. So I don't think it's a belt that can be worn easily, nor is it a belt that can be easily given away, so I want to get stronger and stronger with Natsuko and defend this belt."
--If JAN hadn't separated from STARS, this (coronation) scene wouldn't have happened
Screaming woman: "Yes, I think so."
—What are your thoughts now that you've become independent from STARS?
Kyoko: "Now that I'm independent, I'm really looking forward to teaming up with this artist and being able to go head-to-head with Mayu Iwatani, and I think that Mayu Iwatani might have understood a little bit of why I went independent."
—You lost the Artist of the Year title, but a few hours later you won a new belt. Which made you happier, the Artist of the Year or the Goddess of the Year?
Natsuko: "That's a tough one... The other day, I won the Artist Six-Person Tag Team Championship belt for the first time, and when I only had that belt, I thought there was nothing that could surpass it. I don't know, I was happy about the Artist Championship, but I'm just as happy about this one. So, it's not about which color belt it is, but rather, I think that if you challenge yourself and win with your own style, and then you have this belt on top of that, I don't know, I'm happy about both of them. There's no preference, really."
—This is the first time you've won a belt against a champion
Natsuko: "Yes. Oh, that's right. It was vacant. That's right."
Screaming Woman: "That must have been the reason for those tears."
Natsuko: "That might have been the case."
Screaming Woman: "I thought I'd never surpass the tears Natsuko shed when she won the artist's belt, but I think I did today."
Natsuko: "I surpassed it (laughs)."
Screaming woman: "That might be it."
Natsuko: "Yes."
Kyoko: "This is the first time I've won a belt by beating a champion."
Natsuko: "That's right."
—Will you be competing in the tag league with this team?
Natsuko: "Yes."
Screaming girl: "Of course. I want to win."
—They're targeted because they're tag team champions
Screaming woman: "Of course."
Natsuko: "Yes."
Screaming Woman: "I think it's going to be a tough fight, but I think we can do it together with Natsuko, so yes."