JPN
In the NEW BLOOD Tag Team Championship match held on Wednesday, May 6th at "STARDOM GW TOUR 2026 in FUKUOKA DAY2" (Acros Fukuoka, Fukuoka), the final match of the Golden Week Tour, champions Sakurara (Sakura Aya & Kurei Sayaka) defeated Hamabe Matoi & Kanaya Anne to successfully defend their title for the second time
Sakura, who won the title last October, is defending it for the first time since defeating Mizumori Yuna and Kanaya at the Itabashi tournament on February 3rd. Although some time has passed, Sakura has challenged for the Future Championship for the second time, and Kurei won the World Championship at Yokohama Arena on April 26th. They have both evolved even further and are now stepping into the ring for their second title defense
Two-time champion Kurei, who was the first to step into the ring, engaged in a ground battle with Kanaya, and then, in a combined armlock with Sakura, applied it to Hamabe
However, Sakura, who had just tagged in, was caught by the challengers. After 13 minutes, she was in trouble when Hamabe tried to put her in an armbar, but she escaped with the help of Kurei. Kurei then sent both of them flying with a Tokimeki Spear, and Sakura launched a diving knee attack at Hamabe. With less than 3 minutes remaining, Sakura delivered a buzzsaw kick followed by a triangle choke on Hamabe, forcing her to tap out
After the match, Sakura took the microphone and called out to the challenger team, "You two are not lagging behind your peers at all!" She then expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for pouring all of your feelings of frustration, pain, and desperate struggle onto us, Sakura and the others!" and shook their hands
Meanwhile, Kurei boasted, "Sakura will make Stardom even more exciting. I will lead all the young wrestlers and lead Stardom. Please continue to watch us!"
Backstage, while Sakurara was making her comments, Kanaya appeared. She began by saying, "There's something I wanted to say after winning today..." and then directly appealed, "After fighting against the two of you, Sakurara, I want to get stronger by being close to you. I want to join Cosmic Angels. Please!"
Then, the members of Kozuen—Yuna Mizumori, Natsupoi, and Saori Anno—appeared, saying, "We've been waiting for you!" and showed their welcoming intent
However, Sakura, who had seemed to extend her right hand and say "Welcome to Kozuen," suddenly changed her demeanor. "I don't think that at all! Right, Kurei?" she objected
Sakura and Kurei joined Kozuen in 2024 after clearing something called the "Tropical Audition." Therefore, Sakura sought her partner's agreement, saying, "It's not a unit you can join that easily. Right, Kurei? Tell her that." Kurei, feeling somewhat dragged into the situation, followed up with a slightly bewildered expression, "It's not a unit you can join that easily!"
Sakura announced, "Okay, so starting today, the Sakura team's evaluation begins!" signaling that she would be evaluating Kanaya for inclusion in the unit. Kurei followed suit, raising her right arm and saying, "Start!"
Kanaya vowed, "Sakura and the judges? I'll give it my all, beat them both, and fight tooth and nail to get into Kozuen."
[Hamabe no Hanashi] We lost, but I want to team up with Anne again and try again. And I want to win. Please