Stardom's 8th Anniversary,
January 14th (Monday, national holiday), Korakuen Hall (Attendance: 910 people)
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◆Saya Iida's debut match: 15-minute single fall match |
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| Tora Natsuko |
6 minutes 17 seconds |
Iida Saya |
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Starlight Kid |
4 minutes 51 seconds: |
Rinnan● |
| Alex Gracia |
Hinan |
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Marie Apache |
4 minutes 7 seconds |
Starlight Kid |
| Natsumi |
Alex Gracia |
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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Marie Apache |
3 minutes 00 seconds |
Hannan |
| ○Natsumi |
Luaka● |
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◆Oedo Tai vs. Multinational Army: 6-Man Tag Team Match, 20-Minute Time Limit, One Fall |
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Kimura Hana |
9 minutes 30 seconds |
Hazuki |
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○ Sadie Kibbs |
Summer Violet ● |
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| Bobby Tyler |
Jamie Hayter |
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◆Mayu Iwatani 8th Anniversary Match: 30-minute single fall match |
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○ Mayu Iwatani |
14 minutes 7 seconds |
wavelet |
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Arisa Hoshiki |
AZM● |
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| Kashima Saki |
Bea Priestley |
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◆SWA World & EVE International Double Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Challenger> |
11 minutes 25 seconds |
<Champion> |
| Utami Hayashishita |
Viper |
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*Viper failed in her third defense of the SWA Championship, and Tonariya became the fourth champion. Additionally, Viper failed in her first defense of the EVE International Championship, and Hayashishita became the second champion
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◆Wonder of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Champion> |
16 minutes 54 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Watanabe Momo |
Nakano Tam |
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*The 12th champion, Momo Watanabe, successfully defended her title for the 9th time
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match - No Time Limit, One Fall Match |
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<Champion> |
21 minutes 37 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Kagetsu |
Jungle Scream |
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*The 10th champion, Kagetsu, successfully defended her title for the 6th time
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◆Saya Iida's debut match: 15-minute single fall match |
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| Tora Natsuko |
6 minutes 17 seconds |
Iida Saya |
Saya Iida's debut match. Iida asks Natsuko for a handshake and says, "Please take care of me," and Natsuko accepts. When the gong sounds, Iida raises her hand to invite Natsuko to a hand-to-hand grapple. After a test of strength, Natsuko easily grabs Iida's arm and twists it. Iida grabs Natsuko's arm and goes behind her, but Natsuko puts her in a headlock. Iida throws Natsuko into the ropes, but Natsuko delivers a shoulder tackle and a running body press. Iida kicks out and Natsuko goes for a reverse Boston crab. Iida resists, but Natsuko reverses and locks in the reverse Boston crab. Natsuko lowers her hips and tightens the hold, transitioning into a reverse single leg Boston crab. Iida manages to escape to the ropes. Natsuko corners Iida and stomps on her face. Natsuko taunts Iida, "Is that all you've got!?" Iida charges in with an elbow, and Natsuko fights back. Iida charges in and delivers three dropkicks in a row. She dodges a lariat and delivers another one. Iida then goes for a body slam, but Natsuko resists and tries to throw her instead. Iida resists and lands a series of dropkicks, then successfully slams Natsuko down with a body slam. Iida follows up with a series of elbows. Natsuko catches Iida's charge and goes for a Kamikaze. Iida rolls her up for a pin, but only for a two count. Iida kicks out and rolls her up again. Five minutes have passed. Natsuko lands a spear followed by a body slam. She declares she's going for the finish and delivers a frog splash from the second base. Iida dodges and goes for a modified pin. Natsuko kicks out and goes for a Kamikaze. She climbs to the corner and declares she's going for the finish again, delivering a diving body press. Iida can't kick out, and Natsuko gets the three count
Natsuko: Good morning everyone at Korakuen! First of all, congratulations on your debut, Iida Saya. Another wrestler with a bright future has been born here today. Let's continue to work hard together and improve together!
Iida: "I'm Iida Saya, and I've just made my debut. I may be small, but I'm going to face my opponents head-on and aim to become a real wrestler, so please support me. And please...let me join JAN!"
Natsuko: "...Kyouna-san. I can't decide that on my own. I'll get in trouble, so let's do it later. If you decide on your own."
Kyoka, who was in the corner, went into the ring and shook hands with a smile. Ruaka and Onozaki Reo, who is currently out of action, also went into the ring, and the five of them left the ring.
Iida's comment
"This time, I poured all my feelings into the fight against Natsuko. I lost the match, but I have no regrets about it, and it was a big first step in my professional wrestling career. I was so happy that they welcomed me into JAN. The reason I wanted to join JAN is because I thought that JAN needed someone like me right now, and I want to liven up JAN even more and make Stardom synonymous with JAN."
--What was it like playing the match?
"I feel like I was able to pour all my feelings into Natsuko-san, so I hope that came across to the audience."
—Which wrestler do you look up to?
"Even though I'm small, I want to be a wrestler who can overwhelm my opponents with big movements in the ring, who can withstand all their moves, and yet still stand up, and stand up and stand up and defeat them."
—Do you have any specific target individuals in mind?
"I aspire to be a wrestler like Shibata and Ishii from New Japan Pro-Wrestling."
—What inspired you to pursue professional wrestling, and when did that happen?
"I've always loved watching pro wrestling, and at one show, there was a women's pro wrestling match, and Io Shirai and Hazuki, who were there at the time, were in it. When I saw that match, they both looked so radiant, so I decided to go see a Stardom match. After watching it, I thought the wrestlers fighting in the ring as fellow women looked incredibly cool, and I aspired to become one myself. That was around October two years ago. I actually sent my resume to Stardom around June. During that time, I didn't know if I could become a pro wrestler, and I lacked confidence, so I couldn't apply. But you only live once, so I decided to apply because I wanted to live a life without regrets, and that's how I got to where I am today."
--What are your goals?
"Hazuki and I are the same age, and even though we're the same age, Hazuki has a longer career and is a senior to me, but I would like to one day win the High Speed Belt that Hazuki holds, and actually fight against Hazuki."
—Do you feel any rivalry with Shimi, who is in the same year as you?
"I'm also aware of Utami-san, and even though we're the same generation, she's still undefeated and holds many belts, and she's been very successful despite being the same generation. Right now I'm losing a lot, but I want to fight Utami-san someday and be able to wear the belts she holds."
--When did you start track and field?
"I did sports from fourth grade of elementary school until junior high school, but I didn't really do any sports after that. I didn't do any in high school. I mainly did sprints. I participated in the Chiba prefectural tournament in the 100-meter relay. That was in junior high school. (I've been from) Kashiwa since I was born."
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Starlight Kid |
4 minutes 51 seconds: |
Rinnan● |
| Alex Gracia |
Hinan |
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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○Marie Apache |
4 minutes 7 seconds |
Starlight Kid |
| Natsumi |
Alex Gracia |
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◆Gauntlet Tag Team Match, 15-minute time limit, one fall |
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Marie Apache |
3 minutes 00 seconds |
Hannan |
| ○Natsumi |
Luaka● |
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This is a knockout-style gauntlet tag team match featuring four teams: Marie Apache & Natsumi, Starlight Kid & Alex Gracia, Hanan & Ruaka, and Rina & Hinan
The match started with Rina & Hinami vs. Starlight Kid & Alex Gracia. Kid pinned Rina first, and then they faced the third team, mother and daughter Marie Apache & Natsumi. Marie pinned Gracia with a lariat, and then the fourth team, Hanan & Ruaka, entered the ring. The team that won here would be the winner of the gauntlet match. Hanan's team separated Marie's team and launched a series of corner attacks on Natsumi. Natsumi endured and hit Hanan with a complete shot. When Marie entered, Ruaka delivered a cross body. Marie countered with a thrust kick and then a somersault drop on Ruaka. Ruaka kicked out and Natsumi hit a series of dropkicks. Ruaka kicked out and Natsumi locked in an El Nudo and delivered a foot stomp. Ruaka kicked out and Natsumi delivered a series of shoulder tackles. Ruaka went for a fisherman suplex but Natsumi hit a hurricanrana. While Marie was preventing Hanan from cutting her, Natsumi secured the three-count. Therefore, the victory in the gauntlet match goes to the team of Marie and Natsumi
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◆Oedo Tai vs. Multinational Army: 6-Man Tag Team Match, 20-Minute Time Limit, One Fall |
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Kimura Hana |
9 minutes 30 seconds |
Hazuki |
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○ Sadie Kibbs |
Summer Violet ● |
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| Bobby Tyler |
Jamie Hayter |
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"We got the costumes wrong," Natsu and Hana argue during the introductions. When Hayter attacks Hana, the Oedo Tai team follows up and the match begins. Hayter and Tyler exchange elbows. When Tyler charges, Yamaguchi Nao pulls his leg from under the ring. The fight spills outside the ring. Back in the ring, Hana and Tyler attempt a double hanging ceiling, but it falls apart. Hana hits Hayter with a big boot followed by a series of elbows. When Hana charges, Hayter catches her and hits her with a backbreaker. Hazuki hits Gibbs and Tyler with double chops one after the other. Hazuki hits both of them with a missile kick, then a swan dive missile kick to Hana followed by a face lock. Hazuki hits Tyler with a Codebreaker, dropping her onto Hana. Hana hits Hazuki with a brainbuster. Five minutes have passed. Gibbs hits Hazuki with a rondado kick and a modified head scissors whip. She then does a standing moonsault press. Hazuki hits a DDT and hands the ball to Natsu. Natsu cornered Gibbs and teamed up with Hater. Hazuki joined in, and the trio launched a spear attack. Natsu hit a Bronco Buster, followed by a triple kick pincer attack. Gibbs retaliated, and Natsu went for a body slam. Gibbs endured and delivered a lariat at close range. Hater and Hazuki provided support with knees, and Natsu hit a big boot and a fisherman suplex. Hana managed to break it up. Gibbs delivered a dropkick to Hazuki. Natsu struck Gibbs with a whip, but Gibbs dodged and delivered a lariat, then a Tornillo-style Sasuke Special to the outside. Gibbs stumbled but dove from the corner. Natsu couldn't escape, and the Hana team won
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◆Mayu Iwatani 8th Anniversary Match: 30-minute single fall match |
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○ Mayu Iwatani |
14 minutes 7 seconds |
wavelet |
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Arisa Hoshiki |
AZM● |
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| Kashima Saki |
Bea Priestley |
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Mayu Iwatani will be returning to the ring for the first time since December 16th at Shin-Kiba after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in her left knee. She will be forming a trio with original Stardom members Arisa Hoshiki and Saki Kashima, and her 8th anniversary coincides with the 8th anniversary of the promotion's founding. Their opponents will be Queen's Quest, consisting of Konami, AZM, and Bea Prestley
STARS welcomes a trio of original Stardom members. STARS offers a handshake, but QQ declines. Iwatani volunteers to start the match, with QQ facing AZM, a third-generation member. They engage in rope work, and Iwatani delivers an arm whip. Konami interferes on the apron, and QQ grabs Iwatani. Cornering her, QQ unleashes a series of spear attacks. AZM goes for the cover, but Iwatani kicks out. Priestley stomps on Iwatani's face and attacks her left knee. Konami enters and kicks her left knee. She places Iwatani's left leg on the corner and kicks her knee. She also delivers a dropkick, leaving Iwatani in agony. Konami then grabs Iwatani's left leg and applies a standing heel hold. Iwatani tries to counter, but Konami keeps her on the offensive with kicks. Konami locks her leg. STARS members rush in to help. The trio then delivers a double dropkick to Konami. Iwatani tagged in Kashima. However, Konami countered with a middle cook followed by a sliding kick. AZM delivered a body slam and then a series of foot stomps to Kashima. Priestley attacked Kashima's right arm. Konami continued to attack Kashima's right arm. Kashima hit a hurricanrana followed by a big boot. Hoshiki delivered a series of middle kicks to Konami. AZM broke the attack with a dropkick and Iwatani entered the ring. Iwatani and Hoshiki teamed up and performed a joint corner attack. Hoshiki delivered a body slam and a fist drop to Konami. He tried to lift her up but Konami resisted and delivered a neckbreaker. Konami delivered a dropkick to Hoshiki from the front. Priestley delivered a series of elbows to Hoshiki and a spear dropkick. Hoshiki rolled him up but only got a two count. Hoshiki delivered a series of elbows and charged, but Priestley, who had anticipated it, delivered a knee attack. QQ separated STARS and Priestley caught Hoshiki in a submission hold by grabbing his arm. Priestley delivers a high kick to Hoshiki. Hoshiki dodges and delivers a high kick of his own. Priestley retaliates, and Hoshiki delivers a high kick from the corner. However, the count only reaches two. Iwatani rolls up Priestley from the corner and delivers a dropkick. Priestley kicks out and hoists Iwatani on his back. Iwatani counters, but Priestley puts him on his shoulders and slams him backwards. Hoshiki makes the break in time, saving Iwatani. 10 minutes have passed. AZM delivers a diving body attack to Iwatani. Iwatani retaliates, and AZM jumps on her. Iwatani manages to withstand it, but AZM delivers a high kick. However, Iwatani counters with a thrust kick. Both are down, and Iwatani drives AZM to the ropes, but Konami makes the break from the apron. AZM jumps for a diving foot stomp, but Iwatani clears it. AZM lays Iwatani down and all of QQ enter the ring. They deliver a triple dropkick, but Iwatani manages to kick out. AZM puts Iwatani in an armlock. Kashima cuts in Konami and Priestley and hits them with a face crusher. Kashima does a plancha to the outside. AZM helps the downed Iwatani up and hits her with a series of elbows before charging at her. Iwatani catches her and throws her. Iwatani lifts AZM up
Submission. AZM managed to withstand the hold, and Iwatani launched a moonsault press from the corner. AZM couldn't kick out, and Iwatani won her comeback match
Iwatani's comment
-- How is your left knee?
"The condition is not good because the ligament is torn."
--Does this mean you'll be able to compete now that you've returned?
"I was able to play today, so while I was playing, well, I felt pain, but the adrenaline was flowing so I was totally fine. After the game, I did feel a sharp pain, so I iced it."
—What are your plans for the future?
"I'll leave it as is."
-- Do you plan to continue?
"high"
—Was the 8th anniversary your motivation for returning?
"That's right. Last year, when I had to take a break due to a dislocated elbow, I was planning to make a comeback for the 7th anniversary, and this time I injured my knee. I went to Shin-Kiba the day after the injury, but I couldn't move at all. If I forced myself to continue the match and injured other ligaments or my meniscus, I would be out for six months to a year, so I decided to play it safe and take a rest. If it weren't for the 8th anniversary, I think I would still be in a cast and gradually going through rehabilitation, so I feel like I managed to get the cast off just in time for this. I only had a week to rehabilitate, so at first I didn't know what would happen, but I had a goal, so I think I was able to work hard towards it."
—It was formed as a trio with the original members
"Yes. It was very reassuring. I mean, there are still some things I can't quite trust or rely on when it comes to her wrestling techniques (laughs). But, like when Kid got a nosebleed and had to leave the match at the Yokohama tournament, Kashima Saki is really quick-witted. Her quick thinking was amazing. So this time I told her that if anything happened to me I would leave everything to Saki-chan. I had a lot of trust in her. Even if something happened, I felt like it would be okay no matter what happened to my ligaments because Saki-chan was there (laughs). If you're going to have a match, you have to give it your all, right? So I thought it was okay to give it my all."
--The finish was a moonsault, which was shown for the first time
"I can't do a bridge because I injured my ligaments. Moves like the Dragon put too much strain on my knees, so I don't have the technique or the condition to do bridges at all."
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◆SWA World & EVE International Double Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Challenger> |
11 minutes 25 seconds |
<Champion> |
| Utami Hayashishita |
Viper |
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*Viper failed in her third defense of the SWA Championship, making Hayashishita the 4th champion. Additionally, Viper failed in her first defense of the EVE International Championship, making Hayashishita the 2nd champion
Not only did Utami Hayashishita win the 2018 Rookie of the Year title, but she also captured the Future of Stardom Championship, declaring that she would "take every belt she could." Now, she's challenging Viper in the Super Heavyweight division. Having competed on equal footing with, or even surpassed, large foreign wrestlers in tournaments like the 5☆STAR GP, and remaining undefeated in singles matches against foreign opponents (though she has had some draws), Hayashishita is closing in on Viper's stronghold. A victory here would make her a quadruple champion, adding the Future and Goddess titles to her roster…
Viper sends Utami flying with a shoulder tackle. On the ground, Viper grabs Utami's arm and applies a submission hold, then wraps both arms around her neck. From there, she stomps on Utami's face. Utami endures and throws a dropkick, but Viper remains unfazed. Viper lands an elbow smash and a reverse chop. She corners Utami and stomps on her face again. Viper helps Utami up and delivers a body slam and a running senton. Utami dodges and lands a knee strike, then attempts an Argentine backbreaker. Viper endures and delivers a crossbody attack. Utami counters and Viper chases her outside the ring. Viper slaps Utami outside the ring and delivers a cannonball into the audience. Utami brings Viper back into the ring and delivers a corner elbow attack and a major outer reaping throw. Viper counters and Utami lands a missile kick. Viper counters and Utami puts her in a sleeper hold. Viper gets up, throws Utami on her back, and slams her into the corner. Utami dodges the cannonball and charges forward. Viper catches her and goes for a Michinoku Drive. Utami countered, and they exchanged pins. Utami got behind Viper and went for a German suplex, but was slammed into the corner and hit with a cannonball. Utami kicked out, and Viper went for a reverse splash from the corner. Utami lifted her up in an Argentine backbreaker and dropped her forward. Viper kicked out, and Utami got behind her and declared she was going for the finish. Viper endured and hit a headbutt and a back drop. She then pulled her up and placed her in the corner and hit her with a cannonball. She dropped a splash from the corner, but Utami's feet got on the ropes. Viper pulled Utami up and went to the corner. She went for a diving body press from the top, but Utami dodged it. Utami applied a sleeper hold and then a reverse drop. She continued to choke on her on the ground, declared "It's over!" and hit a German suplex. Viper couldn't kick out, and Utami got the three count
Shimi's comment
"I took the belt from Viper and successfully became a four-time champion. I think that by taking the SWA and EVE belts from Viper, I've earned the right to participate in the overseas tour in June. It hasn't even been six months since my debut, but there's no sophomore slump for Utami Hayashishita, so I want to make my second year my own year as well. (You threw her with a German suplex?) Viper was overwhelming in terms of size and weight, but I was determined to lift Viper up in this match and finish her off with my own moves, so I'm glad I was able to do it properly at the end. (Was Viper heavy?) Up until now I've thrown several wrestlers with a German suplex, but this one was heavier than any of them, and it had the power to block it multiple times. The sense of accomplishment when I finally threw it was the greatest I've ever felt. (Was that German suplex inspired by Io?) Io has thrown a Viper with a German suplex before, and of course I've seen that video, and I've also watched videos of Io performing German suplexes in the past, and I studied and used them as reference. (It was similar to Io's?) I was imitating Io, and Io is someone I admire, so referencing Io's moves was a huge factor."
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◆Wonder of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Champion> |
16 minutes 54 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Watanabe Momo |
Nakano Tam |
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*The 12th champion, Momo Watanabe, successfully defended her title for the 9th time
In 2018, Momo Watanabe, who headlined most of the Korakuen Hall shows, will defend her white belt for the ninth time. Her opponent is Tam Nakano, whom she faced in a singles match last year in a loser-eliminates-unit match. Looking back, that match was the turning point that led to Watanabe headlining Korakuen Hall shows, and she went on to defeat Io Shirai to win the white belt. Meanwhile, Nakano was forced to leave Oedo Tai and joined the regular army, STARS. Will Watanabe maintain her solid defense and move closer to her 10th victory, or will Nakano signal a change of heart?
Both fighters started with intimidating kicks, dodging each other's kicks before exchanging elbows. Momo landed a soccer ball kick, and Nakano retaliated with a flurry of blows. Momo kicked out at one, and Nakano delivered a neckbreaker. Momo attempted a running dropkick, but Nakano countered. Momo cornered Nakano and stomped on her face. She then locked in a chokehold with her right arm, stomped on her, and went for the cover. She followed up with a running kick to Nakano's right arm. Momo grabbed Nakano's hair in a taunt. Nakano charged forward, but Momo stood firm. Momo charged and dodged Nakano's counter. However, Nakano delivered a neckbreaker from the corner and a knee attack from behind. She followed up with a series of kicks and went for the cover, but Momo kicked out. Five minutes had passed. Nakano locked Momo's leg, but Momo escaped. Nakano hooked her right leg on the second rope and delivered a knee attack. She followed up with a series of kicks, but Momo caught them. Nakano blocked Momo's middle kick. However, Momo landed a counter kick. Momo knocks Nakano down with a flurry of blows in return. Nakano retaliates, and after a struggle in the corner, Momo delivers a back suplex and a Soumatou. Nakano retaliates, and Momo heads to the corner. Nakano catches up and delivers a superplex stunner and a cartwheel double knee drop. Momo retaliates, and Momo prepares for a B-Driver. Nakano tries to roll her up, but only gets a two count. Both are down, and Nakano gets up first, and Momo applies an armlock. Nakano escapes and goes to the outside. Momo runs along the apron and delivers a middle kick. Momo also goes down to the ring and prepares for a Tequila. Nakano escapes and attempts a German suplex. Nakano brings Momo back into the ring and delivers a Destiny Hammer from the corner. Momo retaliates, and Nakano goes for a Tiger Suplex. Momo dodges, but Nakano delivers a high kick. Momo dodges Nakano's Violet Shooting and delivers a Soumatou. Nakano retaliates with a Violet Shooting. Nakano pulls Momo up and takes her back. Momo escapes, but Nakano delivers a flurry of elbows. Momo stops her charge and throws Nakano with a German suplex. Momo gets up from the dragon sleeper. She prevents Nakano from escaping and goes for the Tequila. She goes for the Peach Sunrise again, but Nakano rolls her up. Nakano lands a spin kick and a Tiger suplex. Momo kicks out, and Nakano lands a high kick. 15 minutes have passed. Nakano pulls Momo up and puts her on the corner, then goes for a Tiger suplex from the top rope. Momo dodges and goes for a Soma Tou from the corner. Nakano kicks out and goes for a Chicken Wing Facelock. She gets up and goes for the Tequila Sunrise. Nakano manages to kick out, and Momo goes for another one. The referee counts to three, and Momo achieves her ninth victory
Momo: "I've successfully defended my title for the ninth time! I'm disappointed I couldn't be in the main event, Nakano Tam. I could really feel how hard you were trying. But you still can't catch up to me. Well, do your best to catch up to me."
Nakano: "I lost this time too, but you can see that Iwatani Mayu isn't the only one in STARS, right!? I'm not giving up yet. I'm not giving up on that white belt! I'll do my best, so please wait for me!"
Jamie Hayter and Sadie Gibbs appear.
Momo: "Huh? Wait, why did you two come together...?"
Sadie: "Hello, Kourakuen Hall!"
Momo: "Well... no understanding. I guess if you've come out, you want to challenge for the white belt. A challenge? A challenge? Okay, okay, okay, you're both formidable opponents, but I'll accept your challenge. One at a time, one at a time. Woof woof, woof woof (not a dog barking, but trying to say one by one). So, I accept your challenge, please do come and challenge me. I don't know the date, but I'll see you another day."
Peach's comment
"I won my ninth title defense. I could see that my opponent, Tam Nakano, was desperate, but I still feel she's not on my level. She said she's aiming for this belt again, so I'll continue to defend it and accept Tam Nakano's challenge again."
--The two of you came up after the match
"I don't know exactly what they said, but I think they just want to take on the challenge, so I'm going to accept each and every one of their challenges."
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match - No Time Limit, One Fall Match |
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<Champion> |
21 minutes 37 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Kagetsu |
Jungle Scream |
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*The 10th champion, Kagetsu, successfully defended her title for the 6th time
The main event of the 8th anniversary show will be a World of Stardom Championship match between Kagetsu and Jungle Kyona. Perhaps because it's the main event of the anniversary show, Kagetsu has hinted at a clean match. However, we can't take everything she says at face value. Kyona was plagued by "time limit draws" last year, narrowly missing out on the title. But in the 4-Way match at the previous Korakuen Hall, she pinned the current champion Kagetsu, earning her first chance to challenge for the red belt. The match will be a "no time limit, one fall" match, thanks to Kagetsu's consideration (?). Will Kyona break the curse of draws and claim her first red belt? Or will Kagetsu prove that she will continue to lead Stardom this year? This title match will give us a glimpse into the future of 2019
Kagetsu enters alone without the Oedo Tai seconds. Upon being called, she sprays red mist. Hayter and Yamaguchi then take her place as seconds. Kagetsu extends her hand, and Kyoka accepts, shaking hands. Hayter and Yamaguchi step back. In a test of strength in a lock-up, Kagetsu gains the upper hand, but Kyoka reverses. Kagetsu delivers a slap to break the hold. Kyoka takes mount on the ground. As Kyoka goes for the arm, Kagetsu gets behind her and applies a sleeper hold. Kyoka applies a front neck lock, but Kagetsu escapes. Kyoka goes for a body scissors, but Kagetsu applies a headlock. Kyoka escapes, and they exchange elbows. Kyoka throws a flurry of punches and tries to charge, but Kagetsu anticipates this, pulls her leg, and sends her crashing to the floor. Kyoka stops Kagetsu's charge and performs a plancha. Kyoka brings Kagetsu back and delivers a body press over the apron. Kyoka chokes Kagetsu and slams her forward before applying a chin lock. Next, Kyona delivered a series of elbows followed by an elbow drop. Kagetsu countered, and Kyona hit a lariat. Kagetsu dodged it, but Kyona crossed her arms and delivered a knee strike. Five minutes had passed. Kyona threw Kagetsu into the corner and delivered a running body attack, followed by a dropkick and a lariat. Kagetsu countered, and Kyona delivered a series of stomps. She charged forward with precision, but Kagetsu dodged and hit a body blow. Natsuko noticed the weapon and protested to the referee. In the meantime, Kagetsu attacked Kyona. Kagetsu delivered a dropkick to Kyona's right arm. She sent her outside the ring and slammed her into the audience. Kagetsu exclaimed, "The audience is quiet today!" and slammed Kyona's right arm into a sign outside the ring. She then grabbed Kyona's right arm and dragged her to the south side of the audience. Declaring she was going to break her arm, she applied a hanging armbar on the stairs. She came down the stairs still holding Kyona's right arm and brought her back into the ring. Kagetsu delivered a diving foot stomp to Kyona's right arm and locked in an armlock. As she transitions into a triangle choke, Kyoka lifts Kagetsu up. However, Kagetsu recovers and applies an armbar. 10 minutes have passed. Kyoka escapes, and Kagetsu applies a throat hold. She goes for a choke slam, but Kyoka resists and dodges the kick. She hits a lariat to the leg followed by a dropkick to the head. She pulls Kagetsu up and applies a swing sleeper hold. Kagetsu kicks out, and Kyoka applies a figure-four neck lock. She lifts Kagetsu up in a Canadian cantilever and slams her onto the mat, then delivers a diving body press from the corner. However, Kagetsu uses her knee to break up the hold. 15 minutes have passed. Kagetsu also attempts an Ebisu Drop, but only gets a two count. She slams Kagetsu down with a choke slam, pulls her up, and kicks her in the head. But this also only gets a two count. Kagetsu says, "Let's finish this," and lifts Kyoka up, delivering another Ebisu Drop. She climbs to the corner and Kyoka delivers a superplex. She also lands a lariat, but both are down. They both charge at each other and collide, with Kyoka delivering a series of lariats. Kagetsu kicks out, and Kyoka goes back and forth and lands lariats. Kagetsu kicks her down, but Kyoka removes her supporter and delivers a lariat, sending Kagetsu spinning. She climbs to the corner and goes for a diving body press. Kagetsu kicks out and Kyoka applies an armlock from below. Kyoka manages to escape. Kagetsu says "I've got you" and goes for a spinning prawn hold followed by a jackknife pin. Kyoka catches her charge and drops her vertically with a powerbomb. She lifts her up and delivers another powerbomb. 20 minutes have passed. Kyoka pulls Kagetsu up and goes for a hammer throw. However, Kagetsu spits and escapes. Kyoka sprays water on Kagetsu as she charges and delivers an Ebisu Drop. She then hits an Oedo Coaster and shouts "It's over!" before delivering a Death Valley Bomb. Kyoka is unable to kick out and Kagetsu successfully defends her title
Kagetsu: "Shin, oh wait, no. How are you guys at Korakuen? One more time, how are you?! I've successfully defended my title for the sixth time. Hey, Jungle Kyona. Did you really think that Kagetsu-sama, this Kagetsu-sama, would have a clean match with all her might like in the old days, you idiot! That's why you're weak. I told you this was your last chance. Hey you guys, you heard that, right? I told you this was your last chance. So I'd like to say, don't ever have another title match again... but Kagetsu-sama isn't that kind of monster. For a pro wrestler, it's over if you give up. Right? Don't you think so?" Let me tell you just one thing. There are some like Hayashishita Utami who are elites from their debut, but there are also plenty of people like you who have been doing this for years without achieving a single result, and then when you think you've won the belt, you fail in your first title defense. Even Kagetsu-sama was boring for the first eight years after her debut. She didn't achieve a single result, she didn't have the support of the fans, but now she's at the center of Stardom. So, do you know what that means? Of course you do. It means don't give up. Well, it's up to you to decide how you'll change after this match. So, it's Stardom's 8th anniversary, but at the end of January we'd like to celebrate the 8th anniversary at Edion in Osaka, Kagetsu-sama's hometown. Please let us do it in Osaka too. I'd like to have a red title match there. The opponent I want to face is... If you watched today's match, you'll see that it's not Satomura yet. Since it's the 8th anniversary, it's Hazuki! "Hazuki, come on up. You're my favorite, and we've been together for eight years, so how about we have this red title on the line in the main event at the Edion show in Osaka?"
Hazuki: "I'm surprised by the sudden nomination, but there's no reason to refuse! Kagetsu, you know better than anyone how much I've changed, right?"
Kagetsu: "Yes."
Hazuki: "January 27th, Edion. I'll give it my all, using everything you've taught me, and go for the win. I'm counting on you."
Kagetsu: "You know why I chose you, Hazuki. I joined Stardom, defended my title against Watanabe Momo, and today I'm defending it against Jungle Kyona, and there's one more left, so you understand why I'm raising the bar for the next generation, right? Accept the reason I chose you and challenge me for the title. Is that okay with you guys?! (To Kyona) You look like you have something to say."
Kyona: "Hey Kagetsu, where's the clean part?! Hey! I missed my last chance... I missed it, so... do I have to say I'm quitting pro wrestling?" "I still don't acknowledge Kagetsu as the absolute champion, so I'm just going to engrave Jungle Kyona into the world of pro wrestling, into the Stardom ring. Everyone, please follow me! There's still so much more we need to do!"
Natsuko: "That's right! I was just about to say that. Were you feeling the same way? There's still so much we need to do. Let's work together to reclaim the Goddess title that was taken from us the other day. I could even do it at the Osaka show, but where is the champion?"
Watanabe Momo and Hayashishita Utami appear ringside, but Hoshiki Arisa gets into the ring first from the other side.
Natsuko: "Not you..."
Hoshiki: "How's everyone doing? Okay! It's the Goddess of Stardom belt, right? What we were just talking about. Right? Ah, hello to all the champions. Um, Mayu and I would like to challenge for it at the AMA! Why are you running away? Hand over the mic?"
Momo: "Two more teams, just now two people came (to respond to Shiro's challenge). That just shows how jealous they are of the belt I have. Well, I'll accept both of you. One by one, two? I'll accept both, so I'd like to take them one by one. Look forward to it."
Hoshiki: "Mayu, let's do our best, let's do it!"
Kagetsu: "Excuse me for a moment? Who won today? Right, that's right. We'll talk about the tag team in the locker room, and backstage. We're running out of time, so let's wrap it up. So, can Kagetsu-sama wrap things up today? "Alright, you weaklings, come up here!"
: "We're weaklings."
Kagetsu: "Hey Natsu Sumire, you're the biggest weakling of them all. You forgot your Oedo Tai costume. But I've changed my mind. Today's our 8th anniversary, right? Hey Iwatani, it's been 8 years since your comeback match, right? You wrap it up.
" Iwatani: "Kagetsu! You really like Mayu, don't you? (laughs) So, hello everyone at Korakuen Hall! Okay, that's good, you're all full of energy. There are a lot of people. It's our 8th anniversary, officially it was on January 23rd, but from next year both Stardom and Iwatani Mayu will be celebrating their 9th anniversary. Congratulations! Thank you! So, as the Red Champion has nominated me, I'd like to wrap things up, but since today is a special day, I think it's okay for us to be friendly with each other. So, will you continue to follow Stardom? We're going to keep going strong! Believe in the present, shine in the future, We Are STARDOM."
Comment from Kagetsu
"I successfully defended the World of Stardom title for the sixth time. It was the expected result, of course. Well, the reason why I had this match with Jungle Kyona today and said those words at the end is because, as I mentioned earlier, today is Stardom's 8th anniversary. I said I would raise the bar for Stardom when I joined the company. I had a draw with Watanabe Momo in my title defense, and then I faced Jungle Kyona, and the next person I nominated was Hazuki. I've picked these three because I want them to surpass me and Iwatani and become the center of the company, but as a result, they haven't surpassed me yet. That's the reality, and I think it's part of the process for me to remain at the top, so that's about it."
--What about the semi-main event, the white belt title fight?
"Today, the white team is the semi-main event and the red team is the main event. Last time, when there were title matches at the same time, Momo made a lot of noise about it, but this time she's made absolutely no comment on it. I was wondering how she could accept it so easily after all that complaining. I posted about it on social media and she fell for it completely, saying it was because her opponent was no good. I haven't seen today's match, but I'll be conducting a poll on Twitter afterward, and only the customers who came to watch today will have the right to vote. Please cast your vote for who you thought was better."