JPN
"STARDOM in IMABARI-EHIME 2026 Jul.", held on Saturday, July 4th at Texport Imabari in Ehime, featured a total of seven exciting matches
From this day onwards, the qualifying rounds for the "5★STAR GP 2026" main tournament, which will kick off on July 18th at EBARA WAVE Arena Ota (Ota City General Gymnasium), began. In the first round of the qualifiers, Kian Furusawa and Matoi Hamabe clashed, and after 8 minutes and 22 seconds, Furusawa forced Hamabe to tap out with a leg lock ankle hold
Furusawa declared, "I got Matoi to tap out! I was using an ankle hold and Matoi was using an armbar. He's an exciting opponent, but I won today. Now that I've won today, next I'll be fighting either Akira or Emma in my hometown of Fuji, and I'll definitely be competing in the 5★STAR GP."
On July 5th (Sunday), at the Osaka tournament, Anne Kanaya and Kiyoka Toraryu will clash in the first round. On July 11th (Saturday), at the Fuji tournament, Emma Tanijima and Akira Tetsu, who have a bye in the first round, will also be participating in a qualifying round
In the second tag team match, HATE's Saya Kamitani and Ruanka clashed with Ito Respect Army's Maki Ito and Rian. After 9 minutes and 39 seconds, Ruanka defeated Rian with a neck hanging bomb. Rian hasn't been getting results lately, but she said confidently, "I've been losing matches, but I feel great. My motivation has been really high since joining Ito Respect Army. I have a strong desire to become famous." Her mentor, Ito, encouraged her, saying, "I think that's good. With that kind of spirit, I'm sure you'll win someday, so I don't see any problem at all."
In the third match, a 3-way battle took place between Sayaka Kurei, Emma Tanashima, and Utami Hayashishita. After 8 minutes and 4 seconds, Kurei defeated Tanashima with her signature Tokimeki Spear, and proudly declared, "It's been a while since I last saw Utami, and her power is incredible. But I think that during the time Utami was away, I overcame a lot of things, gained a lot of experience, and have become incredibly strong, so I think she was able to see that clearly. As the center of COSMIC ANGELS, I've taken my first step with a victory. I'll keep pushing forward from here."
In the fourth match, three teams—Watanabe Momo & Konami, Suzuki Suzu & Tetsu Akira, and Hazuki & Koguma—clashed in a 3-way tag battle. At 8 minutes and 44 seconds, Konami defeated Tetsu with a Buszo Kick. Despite the loss, Tetsu said, "I absolutely must make the most of this opportunity," and shifted his focus to the 5★STAR main tournament qualifiers. Suzuki also encouraged them, saying, "If we can make it to 5★STAR, it will be Akira's era, no, the era of Mi Vida Loca!"
In the fifth match, God's Eye's Shuri, Sorei Ami, Hinami, and Yagami Ranna clashed with the newly formed COSMIC ANGELS, led by Captain Sakura Aya, consisting of Sakura, Natsupoi, Mizumori Yuna, and Kanaya Anne, in an eight-person tag team match. Champion Shuri and Natsupoi, who will face each other for the IWGP Women's Championship on July 18th in Ota Ward, engaged in a fierce battle with neither giving an inch. In the end, at 10 minutes and 25 seconds, Sorei defeated Kanaya, who was making her debut with COSMIC ANGELS, with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Natsupoi emphasized, "There are only two weeks left until the IWGP Women's Championship match. Shuri seems to be in perfect condition as always, but I'm in just as good condition. Let me just say this: the P in IWGP stands for Natsupoi!"
In the semi-main event, Anno faced Gina in a singles match, as Gina will have her last Stardom match at Korakuen Hall on July 8th. Anno won in 13 minutes and 26 seconds with a special pottering, and said, "I understood through our physical communication. Gina really loves me. We haven't fought that much. Nothing has happened. But that's what I felt through our bodies. Let's meet again. I want to see you, and let's fight again. When that happens, let's exchange some more powerful chops. Gina, you're a great wrestler."
In the main event, Hanan, Iida Saya, Maika, and HANAKO faced off against NEO GENESIS's AZM, Amasaki Mitsuyoshi, Starlight Kid, and Seira Mei in an eight-person tag team match. This match served as a preview for the Goddess of the Ring title match on July 8th at Korakuen Hall between the reigning champions 02line (AZM and Amasaki) and the "Cup High Mate" team (Maika and HANAKO). Maika, who had just returned from a US tour, won the match in 10 minutes and 23 seconds with a wrist-clutch Michinoku Driver II, giving her momentum heading into the title match
With Maika's return to Japan, the four of them finally get to have a drinking party, courtesy of AZM
Maika was in high spirits, saying, "I left a lot of the preliminary matches to the others. But we won today, and if anything, I did a great job of creating excitement in America and HANAKO did a great job in Japan. There may have been fewer preliminary matches than other fights, but I think our bond has grown even stronger, and that led to today's result. And thank you for making the reservation (for the drinking party). Thanks for the treat, AZM-senpai!"