Stardom's 9th Anniversary,
January 19th (Sunday), Korakuen Hall (Attendance: 1602 = Sold Out)
Match Results
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◆Tag match 15 minutes 1 match |
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Ruaka |
3 minutes 39 seconds |
Reo Onozaki |
| ○Rinnan |
Himan ● |
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◆High-Speed 3-Way Battle: 10-Minute Single Match |
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AZM |
6 minutes 3 seconds |
Zoe Skye |
*The other person is Starlight Kid
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◆Young Stardom vs. Oedo Tai 6-Person Tag Team Match, 20-Minute Time Limit, One Fall |
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Tora Natsuko |
10 minutes 56 seconds |
Kamiya Saya |
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Summer violets |
Saya Iida● |
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○ Saki Kashima |
Yuzuki Hoshino |
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◆Single match 15 minutes |
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Nakano Tam |
10 minutes 15 seconds |
Kagetsu |
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◆Goddess of Stardom Championship Match (30-minute time limit, one fall) |
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<Challengers> |
12 minutes 55 seconds |
<Champion group> |
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○Bea Priestley |
Jungle Scream |
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Jamie Hayter |
Small wave● |
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*The 16th champions, Jungle Kyona and Konami, failed in their fourth title defense. Bea Priestley and Jamie Hayter become the 17th champions
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◆Giulia forms a new unit: 6-person tag team match, 20-minute time limit, one fall. |
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○Julia |
14 minutes 8 seconds |
Kimura Hana |
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Juri |
DEATH Yama-san |
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Maika |
Leila Hirsch |
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◆Wonder of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Champion> |
15 minutes 21 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Arisa Hoshiki |
Utami Hayashishita |
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*The 13th champion, Arisa Hoshiki, successfully defended her title for the 9th time
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Champion> |
19 minutes 12 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Iwatani Mayu |
Watanabe Momo |
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* Mayu Iwatani, the 12th champion, successfully defended her title for the second time
Match Details Report
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◆Tag match 15 minutes 1 match |
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Ruaka |
3 minutes 39 seconds |
Reo Onozaki |
| ○Rinnan |
Himan ● |
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The match started with Hinami and Ruaka. After a struggle for an arm hold, Hinami applied a headlock and choked on the ground. Hinami escaped and delivered a dropkick. When Onozaki entered the ring, Ruaka unleashed a series of big boots. Onozaki hit Rinami with a corner elbow and a face crusher. Hinami attempted a tomoe nage and went for Rinami's arm. Ruaka broke up the pin and joined forces with Rinami for a series of corner attacks. Rinami pinned Onozaki with a jackknife pin but Onozaki broke it up. Hinami threw Rinami and they launched a combined attack. Rinami and Hinami exchanged elbows. Rinami rolled up Ruaka and then applied a reverse pin bridge. Hinami couldn't escape and Rinami won
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◆High-Speed 3-Way Battle: 10-Minute Single Match |
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AZM |
6 minutes 3 seconds |
Zoe Skye |
*The other person is Starlight Kid
Three wrestlers currently competing in the "High Speed GP" will clash in a 3-Way match. Zoe Sky is currently leading in the league stage, having secured victories over Starlight Kid and AZM, but who will emerge victorious in this chaotic 3-Way match?
Kid offers a handshake, but the two refuse, or so it seems, until AZM accepts. As soon as the bell rings, the three engage in speedy rope work and a series of pins. Sky calls them in and they test their strength in a four-point stance. Sky and AZM team up with a double clothesline. Kid is thrown into the corner and hits both of them with a hurricanrana. Kid fakes a 619 on AZM and then a standing moonsault. Kid drives AZM into the corner, but AZM hits him into the corner with a hurricanrana and a running dropkick. Sky hits AZM with a high kick from the apron. He drives Kid and AZM into the corner and hits them with a running big boot and a running elbow. He lifts AZM onto his back and slams him onto the mat. AZM kicks out, and Sky goes to the corner. Kid climbs up and calls AZM in. Kid and AZM attempt a superplex from the top rope. Sky counters and hangs both of them in mid-air before dropping a marine spike. Sky pins both of them at once for a two count. Sky throws Kid out of the ring and elbows AZM. AZM hits Sky with a missile kick, then a body slam and a diving foot stomp. Sky dodges and Kid rolls him up. Kid then hits a jackknife but only gets a two count. Kid hits a dropkick, and AZM, who had pretended to be working with Sky, hits Kid with a middle kick and a brainbuster. AZM hits Kid with a diving foot stomp but Sky breaks it up. Sky dodges AZM's kick and hits a high kick. AZM slams him down in a Mystica style and rolls him up with an Azumi Sushi for the three count. AZM wins the three-way match
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◆Young Stardom vs. Oedo Tai 6-Person Tag Team Match, 20-Minute Time Limit, One Fall |
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Tora Natsuko |
10 minutes 56 seconds |
Kamiya Saya |
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Summer violets |
Saya Iida● |
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○ Saki Kashima |
Yuzuki Hoshino |
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Young Stardom's Saya Kamitani, Saya Iida, and Yuzuki Hoshino will take on Oedo Tai's Natsuko Tora, Sumire Natsu, and Saki Kashima. The focus here will be on Kashima, who betrayed Mayu Iwatani and joined Oedo Tai. How will Kamitani and the others, who were betrayed by STARS, stop Kashima's momentum? Also, what kind of transformation will Kashima undergo to counter them?
The match started with Hoshino and Kashima as the starting wrestlers. Kashima slapped Hoshino, who then unleashed a barrage of elbows. Kashima mercilessly scratched Hoshino's face. Hoshino cornered Kashima against the ropes and landed another elbow, but Natsuko pulled his leg from under the ring. Natsuko and Hoshino attacked Hoshino together. Kashima delivered a big boot, followed by a senton. Kashima gave Hoshino a hair whip. Natsuko stomped on Hoshino's face. Natsuko followed with a hair whip and a face wash. Natsuko knocked Iida, who was waiting on the sidelines, out of the ring with a big boot. They pinned Hoshino against the ropes and attacked his face as a team. Natsuko warned Iida, "Don't come out here!" They cornered Hoshino and delivered a bronco buster. Hoshino dodged Natsuko's big boot but was hit with a counter elbow. Hoshino slipped past Natsuko and delivered a hurricanrana. After delivering a dropkick, Kamiya finally tags in. Kamiya teams up with Iida and delivers a series of dropkicks to Natsu. Kamiya attempts a body slam followed by a reverse Boston crab. Natsu counters and rolls her up, dodges a dropkick and hits her with a whip. Natsuko delivers a series of shoulder tackles and a senton to Kamiya. Kamiya kicks out and Natsuko hits a back elbow and a back flip. Kamiya delivers a dropkick and puts Natsuko in a reverse Boston crab. Natsuko escapes and Kamiya dashes forward. Natsuko counters with an elbow smash. Kamiya unleashes a series of missile kicks. She does a standing moonsault and aims for a shooting star, but it's broken up and only counts to two. Kamiya delivers a dropkick but Natsuko hits a lariat. Iida delivers a dropkick to Kashima but it's easily dodged. Kashima stomps on her face but Iida grabs her leg and delivers a series of chops. Kashima falls to the ground, but someone grabs her hair from behind and slams her down. Hoshino and Kamiya land dropkicks, and Iida hits Kashima with a missile kick. Iida rolls up Kashima, but it's only a two count. Iida tries to roll her up again, but Natsuko breaks it up. Kamiya and Hoshino shake Natsuko off, but she gets speared. Natsu hits Iida with a board, and Kashima lands her My Emblem, which Iida can't kick out of, and the referee counts to three
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◆Single match 15 minutes |
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Nakano Tam |
10 minutes 15 seconds |
Kagetsu |
For Kagetsu, who will leave Stardom after the January 26th Osaka show and retire in February, this match is likely to be her last at Korakuen Hall. Kagetsu has chosen Tam Nakano as her opponent. They were once teammates in the Oedo Tai unit. However, due to the loser-eliminates rule of the match, Nakano was forced to leave the unit and Oedo Tai. After that, Kagetsu and Nakano faced each other twice in singles matches. Their first match ended in a time-limit draw, and in the second match, Nakano won an unsatisfactory victory due to interference from Hana Kimura. This will likely be their last singles match. What kind of ending awaits them?
The two shook hands and the bell rang. They locked up and grappled, testing their strength. Kagetsu threw Nakano and grabbed her arm. Nakano countered and broke. Kagetsu did an arm whip from the second base, and Nakano countered with an arm whip of her own. Kagetsu created distance at the bottom of the ring. Nakano provoked her, saying, "Come up, Kagetsu-san," and "Don't run away." Kagetsu invited Nakano, saying, "You come here," and sprayed water on the apron. She threw her outside the ring and threw her into the audience, then did a tope suicida. However, Nakano dodged it and hit the Oedo Tai members, and Nakano did a plancha to the outside. Nakano put Kagetsu in a dragon sleeper from the corner. Nakano did a Destiny Hammer on Kagetsu. Kagetsu kicked out, and Nakano did a back drop. Kagetsu landed and did a back kick followed by a high kick and an Ebisu Drop. Kagetsu grabbed Nakano's arm and tightened the chicken wing armlock. Nakano escaped and five minutes had passed. Kagetsu lifted her up and did another Ebisu Drop. Announced her finish and headed to the corner. Nakano bridged to her feet and went for a superplex. However, Kagetsu charged in and delivered a knee. Nakano countered with a Violet Shooting, but both were down. After an exchange of elbows, Nakano landed a thrust kick and a high kick. She got behind Kagetsu and delivered a German suplex. Kagetsu kicked out, but Nakano got behind her again and slammed her forward. Nakano went for a Tiger Suplex, but Kagetsu threw her into the referee and sprayed her with poison mist, then countered with a Tiger Suplex. She slammed Kagetsu with an Ebisu Drop and declared the finish, going for an Edo Coaster. Nakano kicked out, but Kagetsu pulled her up and went for a Death Valley Driver. Nakano countered with a spin kick and a Tiger Suplex. Kagetsu kicked out at the last moment, and Nakano delivered three consecutive Violet Shootings. She then delivered another Tiger Suplex. She slammed Kagetsu with a German suplex with her arms crossed, and Kagetsu couldn't kick out for the three count. Nakano secured a clean pinfall victory over Kagetsu
Nakano: "Kagetsu-san, we can't turn back time, but now I can say with pride: Thank you for letting me choose this path."
The two shook hands
Nakano: "Tam Nakano, who used to be all black, will become the symbol of white in Stardom, so please watch."
Kagetsu: "How are you guys at Korakuen? I'm about to retire. You've really beaten me to a pulp. I don't have much time, so just one word. The path you chose and followed was not wrong. You've beaten Kagetsu-sama like this, so I want you to take the belt, take the white belt, and become the top of Stardom, but even if you're not at the top, I want you to be at the center. You want to be at the top? I'm watching you to be at the top and also at the center. Thank you."
Tamu's comment
"It's over... No, it's not over (crying). It was Kagetsu-san's last performance, but for the past two and a half years since she first invited me to join Oedo Tai, there have been so many times I've wanted to go back to Oedo Tai, and so many times I've wanted to start over if I could, but I couldn't say that, and it's pointless to talk about it afterward, but I decided to pour it all out. Kagetsu-san responded to me, and even though she was in STARS, I'm truly grateful to Kagetsu-san for leading me this far... I actually wanted to return P-sama as well, but I forgot."
—What about the victory?
"Honestly, I thought it wouldn't mean anything unless I won. Giving a farewell gift meant that I had to beat Kagetsu and say that the path I chose, the path Kagetsu guided me down, wasn't a mistake, otherwise I would have left something undone in pro wrestling... So I thought I would win even if it killed me. ...I'm still alive."
--You declared that you would win the white belt
"When I chose to be at the center of Stardom, I was determined to reach the top no matter what, and I was told that the path I chose was not a mistake, and that even if I wasn't at the top, I should stay at the center, but I said no. That's when I made a promise with Kagetsu-san for the future, so I feel like this is just the beginning. I will continue to fight not to end, but to connect to the future. Thank you."
Comment from Kagetsu
"To be honest, I really wanted to win and get away with Tamu with a smile, but I think it really comes down to feelings. This is the difference in feelings between those who leave and those who stay, which I've often talked about, and I think this is the difference in how we live our lives. That's what I've always said, and I'm feeling it deeply now. I hope she will stand at the top and center of Stardom from now on."
—Did you feel you grew?
"I really felt it. I can confidently say that I'm probably not inferior to her as a player in terms of physical strength and stamina, but I felt that Tamu has grown so much physically compared to before, and what really stood out was her spirit. I really felt the weight of what she's carrying on her shoulders, the things she possesses, the burdens she carries. Today."
—Did you see potential in Tamu from the beginning?
"Yes, it was about two and a half years ago that I recruited her to Oedo Tai. She came from her previous organization and didn't know anything about the world of pro wrestling, but she casually came to Stardom and said, 'I want to be a part of it,' and I thought, 'Wow, this girl has some serious guts,' so I recruited her right then and there, haha. I felt that she had something that I didn't have, so I initially thought I wanted to nurture her under my guidance."
--This is your last time at Korakuen Hall, right?
"I've often been given the opportunity to headline Korakuen Hall since way back, and seeing the girls I was facing get nervous made me realize that I couldn't afford to be nervous myself. Those two years at Stardom were a time when I felt that way. It was a venue that helped me grow, and I wasn't scolded much even when I used the outside of the ring. Haha (wry smile). This was my third singles match against her, and all of them were at Korakuen Hall. The previous two times we were interrupted by time constraints or interference, so I thought this might be the first and last time we could truly have a one-on-one match. I had very special feelings about it."
--You have one match left in Stardom, right?
"Next week at Edion Osaka, I'll be teaming with Iwatani against Jungle Kyona and Momo, but for the past eight years I've been at the bottom, gaining experience and going through all sorts of grunt work, and suddenly I'm in the top position in Stardom. It might be partly because I've been teaching them, but on the contrary, I've learned a lot from the younger girls. I'm just grateful that they've shown me what a big presence Kagetsu is."
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◆Goddess of Stardom Championship Match (30-minute time limit, one fall) |
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<Challengers> |
12 minutes 55 seconds |
<Champion group> |
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○Bea Priestley |
Jungle Scream |
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Jamie Hayter |
Small wave● |
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*The 16th champions, Jungle Kyona and Konami, failed in their fourth title defense. Bea Priestley and Jamie Hayter become the 17th champions
Jungle Kyona and Konami, the Goddesses of Stardom Champions, will defend their title for the fourth time against "Number One Foreigner" Bea Priestley and "Number Two Foreigner" Jamie Hayter. Although their performance in the tag team league was disappointing due to Kyona's recent injury, they have steadily accumulated victories in their title defenses. This time they are defending their title against a foreign duo, but Kyona has a history of injuries, having injured her right shoulder in a 5☆STAR GP official match against Hayter. Hayter's power is a threat, but Kyona will counter with her own power. Priestley and Hayter aim to become the first foreign duo in Goddesses of Stardom history to win the title
Kyoka and Hayter charge at each other as soon as the gong sounds, exchanging shoulder tackles. Hayter comes out on top. Kyoka throws an elbow, and Hayter throws one back. Kyoka counters with an elbow, but is caught by Priestley on the apron. Konami catches Hayter, but Kyoka's charge is dodged, and they hit each other. Hayter delivers a brainbuster to Kyoka. Hayter attacks Kyoka's right shoulder. Priestley follows up with a diving foot stomp to her right arm. He corners her and stomps on her right shoulder. Priestley grabs her right hand and dives across the ropes to hit her right arm. He then locks both arms. Konami tries to break it up, but Hayter throws her to the outside. Priestley continues his attack on her arms. Hayter delivers a series of elbows to her right shoulder. As Hayter charges, Kyoka anticipates it and delivers a lariat. Hayter also lands a lariat, and they exchange lariats. Hayter delivers a series of chops, a backbreaker, and a Falcon Arrow. Kyoka retaliates, and Hayter attempts a brainbuster. Kyoka resists and counters with a brainbuster and a lariat. Priestley charges at Kyoka, but Kyoka delivers a powerslam and a dropkick from behind. Konami tags in and hits Priestley with a knee, a sliding kick, and a heel hold. She follows up with a series of middle kicks, a German suplex, a PK, and a soccer ball kick to the back of the head. As she climbs to the corner, Priestley follows. Kyoka cuts her off and body slams Hayter into the ring. Kyoka lifts Priestley up and Konami delivers a missile kick. Konami slams Priestley to the mat and delivers a high kick to the back of the head, a chicken wing armlock, and an armbar. Kyoka prevents Hayter from interfering. Konami spins and locks in an armbar, but Priestley's feet reach the ropes. Hayter delivers a lariat, drives Kyoka out of the ring, and performs a tope suicida. Konami delivered a high kick to Hater on the apron, but Priestley dove in. Priestley charged at Hater and Konami. Priestley aimed and delivered a knee from behind. She lifted them up and did a Queen's Landing. This was the three-count, and the Goddesses of Stardom Championship changed hands
Hater: "That hurts a little."
Priestley: "As I've said before, we are the best Stardom Gaijin Tag Team! Gaijin Tag Team Champions! Kyoka, Konami, what did you think? The Gaijin have taken over this ring. Thank you very much, see you next time!"
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◆Giulia forms a new unit: 6-person tag team match, 20-minute time limit, one fall. |
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○Julia |
14 minutes 8 seconds |
Kimura Hana |
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Juri |
DEATH Yama-san |
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Maika |
Leila Hirsch |
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Giulia has formed a new unit and announced that she will bring a new member to face Hana Kimura, DEATH Yamasan, and Leila Hirsch. Will the new member be a wrestler from within the organization or someone from outside? Maika from JUST TAP OUT has already announced her participation, but since there are two Xs, there is a possibility that the other member will be from outside or within the organization. All eyes on this match will be on who Hana will bring, but TCS has no intention of being Giulia's punching bag. This match is likely to ignite a feud between TCS and Giulia's army
After TCS's entrance, Giulia entered the ring alone. The one called out as X was indeed Maika from JTO. And XX was Shuri. Maika and Deathyama started the match. When Maika interrupted Deathyama's appeal, the crowd booed. Maika applied a headlock, and Deathyama applied a head scissors. Shuri faced off against Hersh. Hersh applied a headlock, but Shuri countered with a shoulder tackle and a soccer ball kick. Hersh dodged the kick and glared at Shuri. Shuri tagged in Giulia. Hana entered and they exchanged elbows. After an exchange of big boots, Giulia landed a series of hits, but Hana stood her ground. Hana knocked Giulia out of the ring with a big boot. Hana threw a chair during the brawl outside the ring. Back in the ring, Hana and Deathyama delivered a double big boot (Deathyama, as usual, couldn't reach it). Giulia caught Deathyama and the Giulia Army stomped on her. Maika delivered a "left shoulder" wash and an armbar. The Giulia Army stomps on Deathyama in the corner. Shuri kicks and stomps on Deathyama, shouting, "Stop going on and on about Death!" The Giulia Army performs a series of submission holds. Deathyama manages to withstand them and charges, but Shuri easily handles her. Shuri applies a hanging armbar. Deathyama dodges Shuri and Hana delivers a series of big boots. Shuri retaliates and Hana goes for a brainbuster. Hana sends both of them flying with a dropkick. TCS launches a series of corner attacks on the Giulia Army, including dropkicks from three directions. Hana delivers a brainbuster to Shuri. Shuri retaliates and Hana delivers a series of elbows. Shuri lands a knee strike followed by a brainbuster and a PK. Hana retaliates and 10 minutes have passed. Giulia hits Hana with a missile kick. Hana makes Giulia and Maika clash, but is hit with a combined attack. Giulia tries an STF on Hana, but it is broken up. Deathyama and Hirsch hit Giulia with a DDT. Hana tries to pin her, but it is broken up. Hana attempts a Hydrangea on Julia, but Julia manages to escape. Hana charges in with a slap, and Julia hits a big boot, bringing both of them down. Hirsch hits Julia with a German suplex and a moonsault press, but it's broken up and she doesn't get the three count. Hirsch applies an armbar to Julia, but Shuri manages to break it up. Shuri throws Hirsch off, and Maika hits a high kick, Shuri follows up, and Julia goes for the pin, but it's only a two count. Julia hits Hirsch with a Glorious Buster, but Hirsch can't kick out and the referee counts to three
Julia: "Kimura Hana, who loves Julia so much. Today, I've brought another half-breed person that you hate. Do you understand? I'm going to do even more things that you hate."
Hana: "Don't get cocky just because you beat my bodyguard, you ugly bitch! (Audience chants Hana) Hey, did you hear that cheer and realize? Nobody's interested in your trio. A unit? Just picked up on the side of the road. Unlike you, I have things to protect. I don't have time to deal with three sisters who are just lying around on the side of the road. Do your best as a trio, Arideberti."
Julia: "You scumbag! Since you picked a fight with me, I'm going to haunt you for the rest of your life. Until I crush you. The three of us. Maika, Akari, the three of us are going to go after the artist belt. That's right, we are women who will spread our wings to the world. Donna del Mondo. Donna del Mondo. Do you get it!? Arrivederci, see you later!"
Comments from Julia's group
Giulia: "For all of you who absolutely adore Giulia, I bet you've all been really excited to find out who X is today, right? Well, it's Maika and Syuri. The three of us are thinking of taking all the Stardom belts and painting our ring with our own. Donna del Mondo will take over the Stardom ring and explode into the world!"
—What are your thoughts on your first match as a unit?
Shuri: "Okay, I'll go first. I've secretly wanted to step into the Stardom ring, so I see this as a big opportunity. And Giulia. I thought she was really interesting, so I decided to side with her. I'm really looking forward to what's to come. I think we'll shake things up in Stardom, so I hope you'll keep an eye on us."
Maika: "I came to Giulia's place because I was seeking strength. I thought that if I followed Giulia, I could become stronger. This is my first time in Stardom, but I believe we are the members who can win the belt, so I want to steadily get stronger and win the belt."
--The unit name again
Julia: "Donna del Mondo. It means 'Women of the World.' It's Italian. It has many meanings, so I can't explain them all today, but I'll try to reveal them little by little."
—Is it because of the unit name that you brought in Akari, who has experience in the world?
Julia: "That's right. Well, if each of them has a strong desire to reach the top, to climb the ranks, to become stronger, then even if they're working together, they're still rivals. I hope that these kinds of battles will increase, and that hungry people who want to climb the ranks will come together."
—I heard that the flowers looked like they had fallen by the roadside
Shuri: "They said it was like lying on the side of the road in the ring, so I thought about lying down in the ring, but I didn't. I thought it was a funny analogy. I'm kind of excited to try and come up with an analogy myself the next time I see them."
—Will you prioritize participating in Stardom from now on?
Akari: "Well... I'll have to decline to comment on this. I'm sorry about that."
—Do you have any plans to increase the number of members?
Julia: "Well, if I think someone's good, I'll reach out to them. If they want to join, they should. It's up to them. But if they say it's not a unit like that, but a trio or something, I might consider adding more members. However, to add more members, we need people with substance. Not shallow people, but people with substance."
—Are you someone who has a good reason to join?
Julia: "There's a reason. Yes. Hana is the kind of unit that picks up things lying on the side of the road, isn't she? The leader has to explain it at length on social media... like, huh? Is she okay? What, is she panicking? She rambles on on social media about how we have this kind of bond, these are the kind of friends we have, and these girls have joined us? Why would she blab about that? If she really thinks of them as friends and companions, she doesn't need to express it in words. Isn't she scared? Isn't she panicking? Because she's the one who's gathering up things lying on the side of the road."
—What are the requirements and preferences for becoming a member of the new unit?
Giulia: "Well, you see, as I said earlier, I'm looking for someone who wants to be at the top, who wants to climb to the top, who has a hungry spirit. Someone who has a clear goal. And I absolutely hate collusion, because if you're going to be all friendly, then the ring is a battle. We'll be next to each other, but you never know when we might become rivals, so I'll lend a hand when we're working as a unit, but there will be absolutely no collusion."
—So Julia is the leader of the unit?
Julia: "Hmm. I don't really think of myself that way. But I did create it, so I decided on the unit name and things like that, but I don't say things like, 'I'm the leader!'"
Akari: "You mean, 'You can eat it anytime,' right?"
Julia: "Of course."
Akari: "I'm going to eat."
—You'd like to aim for the singles title as well, but first you're aiming for the tag team titles?
Maika: "That's right. I fought for the belt the other day and lost, but first I want to get stronger. I want to get stronger under Giulia's guidance, become stronger, win the belt, and then fight again."
—What do you think about the packed crowd at Korakuen Hall today?
Giulia: "All the advance tickets were sold out. It was my first time performing in front of a sold-out Korakuen Hall, with people even standing on the second floor, so I realized that it's definitely better to have a large audience than a small one. There were times when I performed in front of only 20 or 30 people. Performing in a packed Korakuen Hall or in the Tokyo Dome with 30,000 or 40,000 people has definitely been a step up for me and has boosted my confidence. I'm proud of these experiences and they give me strength. I'm confident that I won't lose. I've stood on a stage like this, so I'm not going to lose. If you're frustrated, then bring it on!"
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◆Wonder of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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<Champion> |
15 minutes 21 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Arisa Hoshiki |
Utami Hayashishita |
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*The 13th champion, Arisa Hoshiki, successfully defended her title for the 9th time
Arisa Hoshiki will defend her Wonder of Stardom Championship for the ninth time. Her challenger, Utami Hayashishita, defeated her in last year's 5☆STAR GP, making this a revenge match. If Hoshiki successfully defends her title, she will have achieved her revenge against the opponent who defeated her in the 5☆STAR GP, and a different landscape will unfold before her eyes. On the other hand, this will be Utami's second time challenging for the white belt, the first being in April of last year against Momo Watanabe. In that match against Watanabe, she competed for the title despite a finger injury. Also, in August of last year, she challenged for the World of Stardom Championship, which was held by Bea Priestley at the time. She has yet to win both major championships, but this time it is a big opportunity. Will Utami finally claim both of Stardom's major championships, or will Hoshiki, last year's Stardom best matchmaker, begin to build an unshakeable champion image once again?
The gong sounds, but neither wrestler moves from their corner. Slowly, Hoshiki steps forward and raises her hand inviting Utami. Utami kicks her, and Hoshiki headbutts her, and they grab each other's hair. After a break, they exchange elbows. Utami dodges Hoshiki's high kick and kicks her from behind. She corners Utami and stomps on her face. Utami kicks her in the back of the head, delivers a running elbow attack, a dropkick to the back, and locks in a sleeper hold. When Hoshiki escapes, she kicks Utami's right arm. Utami delivers a high body slam. Hoshiki kicks out, and Utami goes for a camel clutch. Utami charges, and Hoshiki lands a knee and a thrust kick. Utami tries to withstand it, but Hoshiki sends her out of the ring with a knee. Hoshiki repeatedly slams Utami's forehead into the apron, then kicks off the second rope from outside and dives. Utami is counted to 19 and returns to the ring. When she returns, Utami is bleeding from her forehead and lies sprawled on the ground. Hoshiki takes the mount position and throws punches from both sides
Utami dodged a high kick and applied a sleeper hold. Hoshiki countered and applied a sleeper hold of her own. Utami escaped and landed an elbow to the back before taking Hoshiki's back. Utami slapped Hoshiki, who responded with a high kick. Hoshiki went for an SSC, but Utami caught her and delivered a German suplex. Utami took Hoshiki's back and delivered a German suplex. Hoshiki kicked out and 10 minutes had passed. Utami yelled "It's over!" and pulled Hoshiki up, then applied an Argentine backbreaker. Hoshiki escaped, but Utami tried to force a tap-out with a bat-hanging submission hold. She then slammed Hoshiki backwards, but Hoshiki kicked out
Hoshiki goes for a sleeper hold followed by a high kick. Hoshiki attempts an SSC, but Utami catches her again. Utami transitions into a sleeper hold and charges forward. Hoshiki then delivers a knee attack. Hoshiki climbs to the corner and hits with a 1399, but Utami kicks out at the count of one. Hoshiki attempts another SSC, but Utami blocks it once more and delivers an Argentine back suplex followed by a German suplex. Hoshiki kicks out, and Utami puts her on the top rope and prepares for another German suplex. Hoshiki resists and jumps from the second rope, but it's incomplete. Both are down. Hoshiki delivers a knee attack, pulls Utami up at the count of two, grabs her hair, and delivers a Brazilian kick. Utami can't kick out, and Hoshiki successfully defends her title
Hoshiki: "Ah... how is everyone doing? I was able to successfully defend my title for the ninth time at Korakuen Hall, which marks Stardom's ninth anniversary. Hayashishita was incredibly strong when she was angry. I thought I was going to die. But thank you very much. Yes, well, I think that match allowed her to embody 100% of the real Hayashishita. If I defend my title again, it will be my milestone tenth defense. And then I'm writing the next chapter. As for what's next, well, I won't say for now. Hehe. It's okay. So I'll just give you a hint. I'm waiting for a brave challenger. That's all, she was too strong so I'm going home now. Thank you very much."
Comment from Hoshiki
"I was able to successfully defend my title for the ninth time. I was hoping that Hayashishita would get even more serious, but I ended up covered in blood early on, so I'm sorry. But I think I was able to see Hayashishita's true nature, his serious side, and I'm very happy about that."
—What was their true nature?
"Wasn't he incredibly rough today? He actually has a rough side, but he hides it and fights coolly the whole time. If he's that strong while fighting coolly, that's pretty dangerous, but that made Hayashishita even more wild, and I honestly thought I was going to die."
--You were able to get revenge on the wrestler you couldn't beat in the 5☆STAR GP
"Yes, that's right. Up until my ninth attempt, I had always chosen my opponents myself. I've been doing it because I wanted to, so now I'm waiting for a challenger to appear. I intend to wait. But that last match was pretty tough, and maybe it was for him too, but I ended up leaving before anyone else came out (laughs)."
—Should we wait for him to appear in future matches?
"Yes, I took quite a bit of damage today. My neck and everything else was really bad. Hayashishita Utami is a really strong person. That's why I think the value of this belt has increased even more. As always, I think the value of this belt has increased thanks to the challengers, so I want to continue defending it while carrying the weight of those challengers on my shoulders."
--But all of the SSCs were intercepted
"Everything went wrong. No matter what I did, it didn't work. Even the last attempt failed. I felt like I was dead (laughs). But in the end, I thought I had to show some determination, so I made a decision. The next chapter will begin when someone shows up. I'll be waiting."
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◆World of Stardom Championship Match, 30-minute single fall match |
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|
<Champion> |
19 minutes 12 seconds |
<Challenger> |
| Iwatani Mayu |
Watanabe Momo |
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* Mayu Iwatani, the 12th champion, successfully defended her title for the second time
The main event of the 9th anniversary show will be the World of Stardom Title Match, with Mayu Iwatani facing off against Momo Watanabe. Iwatani reclaimed the red belt by defeating Bea Priestley at Korakuen Hall on November 4th last year, while Watanabe holds the record for the most title defenses with the white belt, with 13. Watanabe recently celebrated her coming of age, and as a new adult, she aims to finally capture the coveted red belt. On the other hand, the reigning champion, Iwatani, is a well-known icon of Stardom. Despite facing Watanabe, who holds the record for the white belt's defenses, she won't be giving up the belt so easily. This main event is sure to be a fierce battle that will set the tone for 2020
Iwatani wore a red costume. The two shook hands and the match began. After feeling each other out, they got into a four-point stance. Momo applied a leg lock, but Iwatani countered. Momo broke free and applied another leg lock. Iwatani went for an Achilles lock, but Momo also applied an Achilles lock. Iwatani escaped and applied a headlock. Momo tried to lure Iwatani into rope work, but Iwatani took the match to the ground with a headlock. Iwatani transitioned to a front neck lock. Momo landed a series of mounted punches and kicked Iwatani's right arm. Momo kicked Iwatani's right arm again and stomped on it. She then attacked by hooking Iwatani's right arm on the ropes. From that position, she delivered a missile kick and went for an armbar. Iwatani escaped, grabbed Momo's kick and performed a dragon screw. Iwatani kicked Momo's right leg and delivered an elbow drop and a surfboard stretch. Iwatani rolled her up, but Momo kicked out. Iwatani delivered a soccer ball kick and an elbow, but Momo countered with a dropkick. Iwatani dodged the charge and delivered a missile kick from the top rope. Momo retaliated with a middle kick. Iwatani endured it and landed an elbow. Momo's middle kick sent Iwatani down. Momo then locked in a chokehold on Iwatani's right arm. Iwatani managed to reach the ropes. As Iwatani escaped to the outside, Momo delivered a Soumatou from the top rope. At the 17 count, Momo came down and brought Iwatani back in, delivering a corner dropkick, a back suplex, a Soumatou from behind, and a Soumatou from the front. Iwatani countered, and Momo hit a B-Driver. However, Iwatani managed to counter that as well. Momo climbed to the corner, but Iwatani caught up and got in position for a running three. Momo dodged and went for a Dragon Suplex. Iwatani endured it and landed a thrust kick. Iwatani attempted a Dragon Suplex, but Momo countered with a Dragon Suplex of her own. Both were down. With both on their knees, Iwatani landed an elbow. Momo retaliated, and they exchanged elbows. Iwatani landed a back kick followed by a Dodonpa. Iwatani attempted a moonsault press, but Momo dodged it and delivered a high kick to the side of the head. Momo then hit a Soumatou from the corner. She attempted another Soumatou from the corner, but Iwatani managed to escape. Momo then locked in a sleeper hold, and 15 minutes had passed. As Iwatani stood up, Momo hit a Tequila Sunrise. She landed another one, but it was only a two count. Momo attempted a Dragon Suplex, but Iwatani's shoulders rose. Momo pulled Iwatani up and placed her on the corner, attempting a high-angle Peach Sunrise. Iwatani hit a Dragon Rana from the corner. She climbed onto the corner and hit a Frog Splash. Momo kicked out, and Iwatani dropped a moonsault press. Momo kicked out at the last moment, and Iwatani got into position for a Dragon Suplex. Momo resisted, and Iwatani hit a DDT followed by a piledriver. "It's over!" Iwatani shouted, and hit a two-stage Dragon Suplex Hold. Momo couldn't kick out, and Iwatani successfully defended her title
Iwatani: "...Good evening everyone at Korakuen Hall! Momo is strong. Momo is strong... Sigh. Momo, I'm glad we could have such a great match together today, on the 9th anniversary of Stardom's founding. Thank you very much. I think it's my destiny to fight Momo many, many more times from now on, and since I won today, it's actually been four years since I last beat Watanabe Momo. I might have beaten her in a tag match, but I've never been able to beat her in a singles match until now, so I'm glad I was able to win at the 9th anniversary event. I'm truly, truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. Thank you everyone. I will continue to have matches that you will find interesting, and I think some of you may have become fans of someone after watching today's match, but I hope that you will spend time with Stardom in the future, in your lives, in the time you spend living, together with Stardom. I will never forget this view, this view. ...Isn't there anyone who wants to speak? It's embarrassing to be the only one talking. Momo? Momo, do you want to speak?"
Momo: "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, Iwatani Mayu. I'm really frustrated, but Iwatani Mayu is incredibly strong. I'm so frustrated... so frustrated. Iwatani Mayu... I won't cry, I won't cry. I'll chase after you for the rest of my life. And I'll definitely surpass you, I'll stand above you and become the top of Stardom, the top of the pro wrestling world. Utami and I both lost today, but Bea brought the Goddess title back to QQ, so thank you."
However, Priestley attacked Momo
Priestley: "You are fucking queen! Fuck off! QQ, now you're a noob faction. Noob? Noobs are okay? Top foreigners join top factions. Oedtai, come on!"
The Oedo Tai appear
Priestley: "Kagetsu-san. I'm the first foreigner, Oedo-tai. Please."
Kagetsu: "Welcome to Oedo Tai!"
Priestley: "My story isn't over yet. I'm a former champion, and now I'm the Goddess Champion. Bea Priestley is after another belt. Alyssa, come on! I'd love to have a title match anytime."
Hoshiki enters the ring
Priestley: "I want to challenge for your belt."
Hoshiki: "I've been waiting. I can't say it in English, but I've been waiting. Let's definitely fight. Fight!"
Priestley gave the middle finger and said "See you soon."
Iwatani is left alone in the ring
Iwatani: "There are all sorts of things going on... In the Stardom ring, on January 3rd I was betrayed by Kashima Saki, and today Watanabe Momo got kicked by Bea Priestley. I think there are all sorts of things going on in the unit, but I want to continue to do my best to stay at the top of Stardom. I'll accept any challenge for the red belt."
A video of Sareee is shown
Sareee: "Mayu Iwatani, as promised, I will challenge you for the red belt. I have cleared my schedule for February 8th, so I will be coming to the Stardom Korakuen Hall event. Let's have a fantastic and exciting battle, fair and square."
Iwatani: "I thought that'd happen. Can you hear me, Sareee? This video was shown today because I won, but if I hadn't won it would have been shelved. That's good. Hehe. I don't know if that's good, but a formidable opponent has come along. And it's Sareee. She's the type I'm worst at fighting. So that's how it is. I have no choice but to do it. What can I say? If she were here I could provoke her, but she's not here because it's a screen. Well, I'll accept anyone's challenge, so maybe we'll meet again on February 8th at Korakuen Hall. I'll be waiting for you then. Let's end today with STARS. Believe in the present, shine tomorrow, We are STARDOM!"
Iwatani's comment
"I successfully defended the red belt. When I first defended it against Kagetsu, I was so nervous that I couldn't even speak, it was like I was burnt out, but today I feel a bit more relaxed. I've taken some physical damage, and I think tomorrow will be really tough, but today, well, Momo was strong. She was really strong, and I challenged her when she was the white belt champion, and at 5☆STAR, and I kept losing or drawing against her, and for four years I hadn't been able to beat Momo in a singles match. It was really tough to be surpassed by a junior, but I'm really glad that I was able to close out the 9th anniversary show today. They say it's Stardom's 9th anniversary, but it's also my 9th anniversary, so I'm glad I was able to end it on a high note. Is it a high note? Is it really ending?" No way, why, I don't like it. Well, I'm glad I was able to become the goddess of victory. Today was the first time that tickets for Stardom's 9th anniversary at Korakuen Hall were sold out, and standing room tickets were also sold on the day, so I'm really happy that so many people came to see us. I think there were many people who came to see Stardom for the first time, and I hope I was able to show everyone that I am an icon of Stardom. Of course I'm happy that I won, but today, I hope that as many people as possible in the hearts of the 1500 to 1600 people in the truly packed audience thought, "Mayu Iwatani is great, she's amazing." It sounds strange to say this is normal, but I think all the wrestlers will work harder than ever before, even though we've always worked really hard, so that people will want to come see Stardom again. I will lead the way and do my best. I don't think of myself as an icon of Stardom, but rather as an icon of women's professional wrestling, so I will proudly carry the weight of professional wrestling and women's professional wrestling on my shoulders
—How does it feel to see a packed audience in the ring?
"It felt great. Up until now, when I entered the ring, I would see the orange seats, or notice that there were a few more people than usual, and the moment I stepped into the ring, my motivation would change, or rather, my motivation hadn't changed, but I would feel disappointed. Even if I had a great match, it would be disappointing if there weren't many people watching, so the moment I entered, I thought I would make sure that the packed audience would leave feeling good. When I entered and looked at the balcony, I saw that the arrangement of the banners was different from before, and it was like this. Seeing the audience lined up made me happy. At that moment, I felt so happy from the bottom of my heart that I almost switched off my fighting switch for a moment. In a good way, of course."
--The previous record for Io Shirai's farewell match was 1517 people, but this time we had 1600
"Stardom really did launch a new system and started running tons of ads, right? I think the fact that we worked hard at those things steadily, and also that we appeared at January 4th (New Japan's Tokyo Dome event), was a big factor. That's about it."
—What made you think she would become an icon of women's professional wrestling? Was winning the Women's Pro Wrestling Award a big factor?
"Winning the Women's Pro Wrestling Award was a big deal, but I think it's also because I was able to take pride in being Stardom's ace, its icon. Up until now, I was called an icon, but "icon" has a kind of cute feel to it, doesn't it? Unlike "ace." An ace is like the strongest person in Stardom. But "icon" is like it's okay even if you're a bit of a klutz like me (laughs). Isn't "icon" a less serious word than "ace"?
—Was that the image you had of it?
"Yeah. I think it's important to say big things because I felt I had become someone worthy of being an icon of Stardom. If I keep saying I'm an icon of Stardom, I think I'll really become an icon of Stardom, but if I keep saying I'm an icon of women's professional wrestling, I think that time will definitely come, so I think this is the first step. I think this is a period of preparation to become a true icon of women's professional wrestling, and I think I've taken the first step towards that."
--Sareee made an appeal
"I thought, 'So that's how it is.' But if I hadn't defended the title, that message would have been shelved, so I wonder what was going on when she spoke as if she was going to win. Hehe. But I think it will be interesting. I believe that Stardom is the best, so I would like to have many title defense matches there, but I had a 15-minute draw with Sareee, it was a tag team match but it ended in a draw, and she's going overseas, so if we hadn't had a match, I would have wondered what the point of that fight at Shinjuku FACE was. I think it would have been over in an instant. We made a promise, we promised to fight for the red belt, so I'm happy. But I think she's a really tough opponent, and even though it was a tag team match I could feel the weight of her elbows, the strength of her hits, and her strong will. If it were a singles match I think my body would be in tatters, but I think that's when Iwatani Mayu's pro wrestling will really shine, so I think it will be interesting."
—Who is the most difficult opponent to deal with?
"The atmosphere? It's the atmosphere, I guess. What is it? What is it? It's kind of hard to say here."
--Sareee had publicly declared her intention to win the Women's Pro Award, but in the end, Iwatani won it. Sareee might come after us out of spite for losing it
"Hmm, well, that's true. She kept saying she wanted to win it, and I think she probably had a plan in mind to win it. But then Mayu Iwatani was absent, or rather, she was hiding, and then suddenly she popped up and won it, and I got to win it, so I think she must have felt really frustrated. If I were in her position, I think I would have thought, 'This girl, bleep!', 'She's a banned broadcaster, I hope she dies,' or 'I'll kill her' (laughs). But, I'm confident that I can accept anything now."