JPN
On Saturday, July 5th, a press conference was held at United Cinema Toyosu in Tokyo to announce the details of the single league tournament "5★STAR GP 2025," which will begin on July 27th in Ota Ward. The participating players were announced, and each expressed their enthusiasm
Like last year, this tournament will be held in four blocks. Each block will have eight players, for a total of 32 players, the highest number ever. A win in the official league matches will earn two points, a loss will earn zero points, and any draw will earn one point. The players with the highest points from each block will advance to the final tournament. The top players from each block will be seeded, and the first round and quarterfinals of the final tournament will be held at Korakuen Hall on August 20th, with the semifinals and finals taking place in Ota Ward on August 23rd
<Participating Players> Hanan (4th consecutive appearance, 4th overall) Iida Saya (2nd consecutive appearance, 4th overall) Kogo Momo (2nd appearance, first time in 3 years) Natsupoi (6th consecutive appearance, 5th overall) Anno Saori (3rd consecutive appearance, 3rd overall) Mizumori Yuna (2nd consecutive appearance, 2nd overall) Sakura Aya (First appearance ) Kurei Sayaka (First appearance) Sorei Ami (3rd appearance, first time in 2 years) Hinan (First appearance ) Lady C (First appearance ) Yagami Ranna (2nd consecutive appearance, 2nd overall) Inaba Tomoka ( 2nd consecutive appearance, 2nd overall ) Tsukiyama Waka (First appearance) HANAKO (First appearance) Rian (First appearance) Starlight Kid (6th consecutive appearance, 6th overall) AZM (7th consecutive appearance), Seira Mei (2nd consecutive appearance), Amasaki Mitsuyu (2nd consecutive appearance), Suzuki Suzu (4th consecutive appearance), Bojira (first appearance), Kamitani Saya (6th consecutive appearance) , Tora Natsuko (5th appearance after a 2-year break ), Watanabe Momo (9th consecutive appearance), Konami (7th consecutive appearance), Ruika (3rd consecutive appearance) , Rina (first appearance ) , Inaba Azusa (first appearance) , Sareee (first appearance), Bea Priestley (2nd appearance after a 6-year break), and the winner of Tetsu Akira vs. Hime Yuria. The date for the participant selection match will be announced later. Whoever wins will be making their first appearance. *In order of announcement.
Blue Stars B
Momoko Kogo, Hinami, Ranna Yagami, HANAKO, Suzu Suzuki, Momoko Watanabe, Konami, Sareee (absent from press conference)
Sareee: (Message read aloud) I am Sareee, the 5th IWGP Women's Champion and the Sun Goddess of the pro wrestling world. I am absent from today's press conference due to work in America. This is my first appearance in the 5★STAR GP, and to be honest, when I saw the members of this year's Blue Block, I only had my eye on Momoko Watanabe, and I thought it was a rather mediocre lineup. I wondered how many of these wrestlers could really go head-to-head with me? "Well, I guess it's my job to light that fire. It's not about who does what, but how you present it. I will show my fighting spirit as Sareee in the ring. This tournament won't be interesting at all unless I win. I have no intention of just participating. I will make this the hottest 5★STAR ever. And I will make this tournament a worthwhile battle. The hottest thing this summer is undoubtedly Sareee."
Konami: "I'm Konami, the female grappler of Stardom. I know firsthand how tough it is after participating for seven years. Last year I had a somewhat disappointing result, so this year I want to win by any means necessary."
Momo: "Well, at first glance when I looked at the members, I thought that besides Konami, there were only weaklings, but then I realized, Sareee is a good one. She's a crappy IWGP champion, but fighting against me was pretty interesting, like real pro wrestling?" "You often say it's real pro wrestling, so I'd like to teach you what real pro wrestling is, Sareee."
Suzuki: "I'm Suzuki Suzu from Mi Vida Roka. Well, there's one thing I want to say. I won the 5★STAR tournament in 2023, but people still tease me about the photo I took when I won. They say I look like a little king wearing a crown, who took that photo? Take a cuter picture! Anyway, I'd like to win this time too, and Sammy is sponsoring the event, so Suzuki Suzu, Japan's representative for gambling, will be 100% going into rush mode in every match, and this summer Suzuki Suzu will be the fever!"
HANAKO: "E neXus
" Yagami: "I'm Ranna Yagami from God's Eye. Last year, I appeared in 5★STAR as a substitute for Sorei. Last summer I had a really intense battle and experience, and at the time I wondered if I would ever have such an experience again in Stardom, but as you can see, Stardom, the world's number one ring, is not like that, and from last summer until today I have been able to accumulate a lot of experience through various trials and hardships, and I have grown tremendously compared to last year. And I am (wave's) Catch the "I've advanced through the WAVE League (1st place in my block) and I'm still competing. And tomorrow (July 6th at Korakuen Hall), I'll be having a singles match against Shuri, and I still have a lot of room to grow and improve before the opening match, so I want to show everyone here a Ranna Yagami they've never seen before and win. Thank you for your support."
Hinami: "I'm Hinami, the 12th Future of Stardom Champion. That's right, it's been 7 years since my debut, and I've finally been able to make my first appearance in 5★STAR in my 7th year since my debut. It's been a stage I've admired since I was little, so I'm really happy to be there." I am so, so happy to be able to stand here. I am currently the Future of Stardom Champion, so I feel that I absolutely cannot lose when fighting singles matches against not only the younger wrestlers but also the older ones. To be honest, I think this block is full of tough opponents, but there was someone earlier who was acting all cocky, and someone who was saying it was no big deal, so I want to take them all down."
Kogo: "I am Kogo Momo, the Peach Star of STARS. There are two things I want to do in this 5★STAR. First, I want to defeat HANAKO. I lost to HANAKO in a singles match last year, and while I was frustrated, it also ignited a fire in me. Yesterday NEW I went head-to-head with HANAKO in the BLOOD (Tag Team) title match, but it wasn't enough. In this 5★STAR, I will definitely defeat HANAKO. Another thing is to get results. Since the High Speed title match, I've had three title matches in the last six months. It's about time I got results. With STARS, who are all working together and pushing each other to improve, I can still grow. To be honest, I think this block is full of tough opponents. But I believe that by winning this block, I can make a big change in myself. So I will turn this into an opportunity. I will win this block and make this summer Momo Kogo's. Thank you for your support."
Blue Stars A
Saya Iida, Mitsuyoshi Amasaki, Saori Anno, Aya Sakura, Ami Sorei, Bojira, Ruika, and the winner of the qualifying round (Akira Tetsu or Yuria Hime)
Yuria: "I'm Yuria Hime. I always thought we were equals, in terms of practice and spirit, I was sure I wasn't losing. But Akira was the first to win. I felt like I was being left behind, and to be honest, I was really anxious and frustrated, but that frustration is what's driving me now. Only the winner can go to 5★STAR, so I'll win here and go to 5★STAR. Please support me."
Akira: "I'm nervous, which is unusual for me. I've only been debuting for about six months. And here I am, in such a high-class setting." "I never thought I'd get the chance to compete in 5★STAR, which everyone dreams of participating in. But now that I'm here, I don't have any naive thoughts like just making memories, gaining experience, or leaving my mark. I want to become the future of Stardom. No, I will become it, and I want to show that determination at 5★STAR. To that end, I'm going to take down Yuria who's in front of me, so please wish me luck."
Ryukana: "Well, I'm sure everyone will just say things like 'win the championship, win the championship,' or 'I'll do my best,' so Ryukana has brought a goal for this year's 5★STAR. I will definitely defeat Bozilla!" That's all!
Bozilla: "For those of you who don't know me, let me introduce myself. I'm Bozilla, the second generation of German power wrestlers. This is my first appearance in the 5★STAR GP, and I think my presence here is going to be a bit of a shame for these little girls. They probably think fighting me is an opportunity, but that's a pathetic way of thinking. Let's face reality. These poor little girls here have no chance. I'm going to beat them one by one, and I can do it. I'm not in Japan to play around or have fun. I've come to Japan to continue my legend. And I've come to show everyone that I am the future of women's professional wrestling. The highlight of this series is seeing their faces covered in blood, begging me for mercy. You'll get to see the look of terror on their faces. I am 5★STAR "I will leave the venue of the finals as the champion of GP2025. And I will show the world that size is what matters!"
Sorei: "Hello everyone who came to the venue and everyone watching the broadcast. I am Sorei Ami of God's Eye. Last year I was unable to participate in 5★STAR due to a knee injury, but this year I will be able to participate! Thank you. This year's group is full of members who are worth fighting, but you guys and Bozilla, you and you and you and Bozilla, you and you and Bozilla! I will knock you all down, throw you around, and win the championship. And I will become the star of Stardom."
Sakura: "Hello. I am Sakura Aya of Cozuen. I have been selected to make my first appearance in 5★STAR GP!" Yay! Last summer, my classmate Ranna was given a big opportunity to fill in for her, while I was mostly just there as a second, which made for a frustrating and disappointing summer. But this year I'll be able to compete in 5★STAR, so this summer I'll be the one who stands out the most! In the spring, my classmate and tag team partner Kurei won the Cinderella (tournament), and at that time I was almost crushed by all sorts of emotions like frustration, impatience, anxiety, and jealousy, but at that time I vowed to myself that if Kurei won Cinderella, then I would compete in 5★STAR this year and win. This summer, I'm going to make the venue and everyone's hearts even hotter with my matches! And if my kicks can reach HANAKO, that means they can reach Bojira too, right?! "I'm definitely going to blast Bozilla's head with a high kick!"
Anno: "I'm Anno Saori. Other people are doing what I want to do. I can't forgive myself for just watching. I've been thinking about that every day recently. This year's 5★STAR, I'm fighting for myself."
Amasaki: "I'm Amasaki Mitsuyoshi of Neo Genesis. There are a few people from Kansai in this block, so I'm definitely going to beat them all and show everyone that Amasaki Mitsuyoshi from Kyoto is the best, and in this 5★STAR, in 2025, I will bloom at the top!"
Iida: "I'm Iida Saya, and I'm competing again this year. This block is full of big guys, but Iida won't be intimidated by something like this! I'm going to knock you all out. Not you. Not even you, I, the smallest one in Stardom, will knock you out! Yeah, I'm going to knock you all out and get results in the singles. And I'm going to reach the top of the singles. With these muscles!"
<Red Stars B>
Starlight Kid, AZM, Natsupoi, Sayaka Kurei, Tomoka Inaba (absent from press conference), Rian,
Natsuko Tora, Rina (absent from press conference)
Tomoka: (Read aloud) I'm Tomoka Inaba of God's Eye, the 10th Queen of JTO, affiliated with JTO. Following last year, I will be participating in the 5★STAR GP again this year. Last year, I was disappointed to just miss out on the semi-finals. Winning is a given. I'm aiming for the championship belt beyond that. My momentum hasn't stopped. Tomoka Inaba is still on the rise. I will give my opponents and fans an even more exciting experience than last year. When you think of a summer girl, think of me, 5★STAR! "I, Tomoka Inaba, will be the one to win GP2025! One-hit knockout! Tomoka Kick, Ossu!"
Natsuko: "This year's 5★STAR, it feels like all the players that are going to be talked about, the ones everyone wants to see, have gone to the blue side, and this red star has become a collection of people like, 'I'm doing pretty well, I want to see you in singles matches,' but I think all of these guys here, including Rina, are like the eye of a typhoon. Just don't forget that I'm the typhoon. That's all."
Rian: "E neXus "I'm Rian from V. This is my first time competing in 5★STAR. To be honest, I'm nervous, but I think there must be some meaning to this opportunity coming to me now. Since I'm competing, I'm definitely not going to waste it and I'll try to get some results. I want to win as many matches as possible and make it happen with my own strength.
" Kurei: "I'm Kurei Sayaka, from Cosmic Angels, the winner of the 2025 Cinderella Tournament. On the way home after watching the finals of the 2022 5★STAR Tournament, I decided to become a professional wrestler. And after a lot of things happened, I'm standing here now as Cinderella. I said I would become the future of Stardom, but not just the future, I want to become the present of Stardom, so I have no intention of letting this league tournament be just an experience. There are so many opponents I want to defeat." "I am here. This summer, I want to dye the ring in Kurei's colors and prove my presence in the ring. My goal this year is to create a thrilling sensation. Thank you for your support!"
Natsupoi: "I'm Natsupoi, the ring fairy... Natsupoi. 5★STAR has started again this year. When you think of summer, you think of summer Natsupoi. When this block was announced, I couldn't contain my excitement. I have the impression that a group of passionate wrestlers who have a reason to fight have gathered. There are some wrestlers I've always wanted to have a singles match against, so as the red belt champion, I will take on this tournament, and in the finals there are wrestlers from other blocks that I'd like to have a singles match against, so I will definitely win this one. Please support Natsupoi this summer as well!"
AZM: "I've been spreading rumors lately, and when I look at social media, I see a lot of comments like, 'AZM is still young, so there's always next time,' or 'Even though AZM is young, she's not that old,' and I feel like I'm being judged so much by my age, and it made me a little sad to think that my pro wrestling is still at that level. So, at 5★STAR, I'm going to wrestle in a way that doesn't make you feel that way. As the STRONG (Women's) Champion, I'm going to give 5★STAR a blast."
Kid: "I'm Starlight Kid, the Sky Tiger dancing in the night sky. Right now, there's someone who's been sending me a lot of love calls for a Wonder title defense, but I don't know what's going to happen, so I'm going to speak today assuming that this belt will be here at 5★STAR. This year marks my 10th anniversary since my debut!" And now I'm also the Wonder Champion. There was something I'd always wanted to accomplish, but I realized that if I win while still the Wonder Champion, I could do one more thing that would be perfect for me. So, to celebrate this momentous 10th anniversary, I'd like to aim for my first victory while still the Wonder Champion. Please support me!
<Red Stars A>
Saya Kamitani, Hanan, Mei Seira, Yuna Mizumori, Lady C, Wakana Tsukiyama, Azusa Inaba (absent from press conference), Bea Priestley (absent from press conference)
Priestley: (Video message) Hi everyone, I'm Bea Priestley, the top foreigner. I've been entered in this year's 5★STAR GP. I know very well how tough this series is. In this series, everyone will prove to be lame, lame, lame, lame. Bea is number one. See you again soon. Bye! Azusa:
(Message read aloud) I'm Azusa Inaba from JTO, H.A.T.E. This is my first time in 5★STAR, and this year I had a mediocre result in the Cinderella Tournament which was full of boring young wrestlers, and I couldn't get the belt for the title I wanted, and I've had a lot of frustrating results in Stardom, and there are tons of opponents I don't want to lose to. That's why, in this 5★STAR "At the GP, Azusa-sama will become the youngest winner at 17 years old and will become the most passionate woman ever!"
Tsukiyama: "I'm Tsukiyama Waka from E neXus V. First of all, I'm very happy to be making my first appearance in the 5★STAR GP. In this block, there are several opponents with whom I have a history. First, there's Lady C, who is in the same class as me. Then there's Hanan, Mizumori Yuna, and Inaba Azusa, who isn't here today, with whom I've fought for this important NEW BLOOD tag team title. I'm going to win in this block! "
I'm Lady C from God's Eye. I couldn't get through the qualifiers last year and the year before, so this year I'm finally making my debut. This year there were no qualifiers, so there are a lot of young wrestlers competing, but that means there are more opportunities, and I absolutely cannot lose. That's what I think. This group in particular has a lot of belt holders, so it's difficult, but the chances are also great. I've been saying I'll get results, but I haven't had any visible results yet, so this year Lady will be fighting for the 3Cs. Atarashii, Isamashi, Tamashi! With these 3Cs, Lady will definitely win."
Mizumori: "Is it tropics?! Yeah! Is it tropics?! Yeah! Is it tropics?! Yeah!" I am the Tropical Cult Leader. I beat Tsukiyama Wakana, who is here, in the qualifiers and made my debut at 5★STAR last year. The result was a complete defeat... But you know, Yunamon came to Stardom to grab a star. I recently challenged for the Tag Team Goddess title, and the number of belts I want has increased even more. But you know, I really don't want to end up as just a nice person anymore. I made a promise with (Nakano) Tam-san. That I would definitely become the High Speed Champion this year. I would like to make that promise to all of you here now. Mizumori Yuna will make an impact at 5★STAR, and in this Red A with so many champions, I have nothing to lose, so I will go all out and win the championship. "I'm going for it."
Seira: "Good evening everyone. I'm Seira Mei, the 27th High Speed Champion. This is my second time in 5★STAR, so of course I want to win, but what I'm most excited about right now is that I'll finally get to have a singles match against Hanan. I've been talking about this singles match for two years
now. I want to settle this here, beat everyone here, and win the championship." Hanan: "I'm Hanan from STARS. I'm also really looking forward to having a singles match against Seira Mei, my first singles match in two years. Last year I only made it to the top four, losing to Kamiya. So this year, I'm going to defeat Kamiya Saya!" And I'm going to the finals! Please cheer me on!
Kamitani: "I'm Saya Kamitani of H.A.T.E., the 20th World of Stardom Champion. Right now, Saya-sama is in a league of her own in Stardom, so this year's 5★STAR will be about avenging the humiliation of being the runner-up last year...the humiliation...the humiliation...of course, but I'm also thinking of going on a journey to find a rival who can stand opposite Saya-sama and go head-to-head with her. There are quite a few people here who seem a little crazy, so, well, I'm happy to have interesting women, so I'm looking for someone who can go head-to-head with me and is interesting."
Mizumori: "Hi! Hi!"
Kamitani: "You're way too crazy."
Mizumori: "Yay!"
President Okada: "Today we announced 32 wrestlers, 31 + 2, which is the highest number ever. Last year, we had the highest number ever of 28 wrestlers, and I was talking to various media outlets about whether there would be fewer next year, and I was saying that next year would be even narrower. When I thought about what kind of 5★STAR I wanted to make, I really thought that this past year was just a qualifying round. In fact, in 2024, all wrestlers except for the newly debuted wrestlers, Rian and (Hamabe) Matoi had a chance to challenge for the belt, and last year was the year in which that happened. And this year too, there are so many wrestlers challenging for the belt, and of course there are wins and losses, but more than that, I think all of the Stardom wrestlers have fought in a way that was worthy of that. So this year, let's see who is truly aiming for the top of Stardom in a tough singles match. We want to do it, we want to show it, and we're confident that if this lineup fights, not a single match will be missed, so we chose this lineup. From young wrestlers to veterans, and a top foreign wrestler returning after several years. I think there's a lot to look forward to. However, I think there will be a stronger concentration of Stardom wrestlers than usual. They say the women's professional wrestling world is hot. They say women's professional wrestling might become popular. That's because Stardom is leading the women's professional wrestling world, and Stardom is the most interesting, the most passionate, and I think that if Stardom continues to be number one, the women's professional wrestling world will become even more exciting. So this summer, please look forward to the fights of Stardom wrestlers, and of course the wrestlers who will be participating, and we hope to make women's professional wrestling even bigger together with everyone. Please look forward to it this summer!