JPN
World of Stardom champion Sayaka Kurei is already in trouble. At "STARDOM in KOBE 2026 May." held on Saturday, May 30th at the Kobe Sambo Hall 2F Grand Exhibition Hall, she had a preliminary match against Suzu Suzuki, whom she will face in her second title defense at the June 20th Yoyogi event. In a tag team match, she teamed with Wonder Champion Hanan to face Suzuki and Saya Iida
As Hanan and Iida, who will also clash in the Wonder Championship match at the June 20th Yoyogi event, engaged in a fierce battle, Kurei also went head-on against Suzuki
But he was brought down by a heavy elbow, grabbed by the hair, and thrown into the corner. He then took a powerful soccer ball kick and writhed in pain. He also received a series of chops from Iida, and for the first five minutes of the match he was forced into a tough one-on-one battle
Thanks to Hanan's valiant efforts, they managed to turn the tide, and there was even a moment when Kurei caught Suzuki in a sleeper hold, but Suzuki managed to escape by brute force. Undeterred, Kurei unleashed a series of elbows on Suzuki, who was taunting her with a macho pose, but no decisive opportunity arose
He finds himself in trouble again after taking alternating elbows from Suzuki and chops from Iida. His combined Tokimeki Spear from both Suzuki and Iida is caught, and he falls victim to a combined brainbuster. After a German suplex from Suzuki, he is finally finished off with a tequila shot
Following the match at Korakuen Hall on May 26th, which marked the start of the preliminary rounds, this is the second consecutive match in which he has been pinned directly by his next challenger
Holding the microphone, Suzuki dismissed the champion, saying, "I thought you might show something champion-like after the last Korakuen Hall show, but you're no good at all. You're not worthy." She then patted him on the head and added, "Do you know what strength is? You're always smiling when I say things like this to you, but I can see what's behind that smile. Good job."
Then Kyurei retorted, "Strength is having a heart that never gives in, never breaks, and never gives up, even when you're beaten to a pulp like this and insulted to the bone!" She continued, "I've been told so many more things than what you've just said to get me here, so none of that hurts at all!"
Then Suzuki yelled at him in his normal voice, "Of course you're a pro wrestler, you're supposed to be strong! How long are you going to keep acting like a rookie, you bastard!" But the Red Champion didn't back down an inch, retorting in his normal voice, "I'm the champion here!"
Next, Hanan took the microphone and said, "This preliminary match against Iida-chan is so much fun. Let's put this white belt on the line and show the world that watching STARS matches can energize everyone!"
Then Iida also vowed, "As the world's Wing☆Gori, the world's Hanan, and the world's Iida, let's compete at Yoyogi for this top-tier white belt, throwing everything we've got at you, and throwing everything you have at me. I'm going to take it from Hanan!"
Watching their exchange, Suzuki said, "It's kind of refreshing and nice..." and vowed to win the title alongside Iida
