JPN
The Cinderella Tournament semi-final match is between Kurei Sayaka and Inaba Azusa. Kurei won both the first and second rounds, while Azusa advanced to the top four with only one win because both HANAKO and Sakura Aya were disqualified. Whoever wins will be making it to the finals for the first time.
After a lock-up, Kurei immediately goes for the back, and they grapple for the arms. Azusa applies a headlock and takes the match to the ground. Kurei goes for a head scissors, but Azusa counters. Kurei lands a dropkick, and Azusa shouts "Don't mess with me!" and pulls her hair, slamming the back of her head into the mat. She corners Kurei and stomps on her face. She takes her to the opposite corner and puts her left leg on the ropes, applying a chokehold. She follows up with a series of elbow drops with her left leg and a leg lock. Kurei escapes, but Azusa delivers a series of stomps to her left leg. Azusa kicks Kurei, taunting her with "Fight back, you little brat!" Kurei comes forward with a series of elbows, but Azusa jumps on her and locks her in a kneebar. When Kurei escapes, Azusa delivers a soccer ball kick. Kurei blocks Azusa's attempt at a body slam and counters with a dropkick, a series of corner dropkicks, and a body slam. Kurei throws an elbow, but Azusa shouts "Don't mess with me!" and delivers a back kick followed by a middle kick. She then follows up with a standing heel hold. When Kurei escapes, Azusa delivers a series of double kicks. Kurei retaliates, and Azusa warns her before attempting a throw. Kurei withstands it and they exchange elbows. Kurei throws a series of blows, but Azusa knocks her down with a middle kick. Azusa charges forward, but Kurei anticipates it and delivers an elbow attack, followed by a neckbreaker and hold. Azusa kicks out, and Kurei delivers a missile kick. Azusa catches the Tokimeki Spear, Kurei applies a neckbreaker, and Azusa delivers a brainbuster hold. Azusa lands a low kick and jumps into a kneebar. Kurei escapes, and Azusa delivers a series of stomps to her left knee, trying to throw her into the corner, but Kurei collapses. Azusa delivers a series of stomps, and Kurei charges, jumping into a sleeper hold. 10 minutes have passed. Azusa escapes, and Kurei, full of energy, goes for the Falcon Arrow. Azusa resists, and Kurei delivers a dropkick, climbs to the corner, and Azusa delivers a double kick, a high kick, and a forceful back drop. Kurei kicks out, and Azusa grabs both of her arms and delivers a knee strike. It seemed to be over, but Kurei lifts her shoulder. Azusa has aimed for her sister's supremacy. Kurei catches her and delivers a dropkick and a spear from a reverse pin. Azusa managed to counter at the last moment, and Kurei followed up with a Falcon Arrow. The three count was called, and Kurei advanced to the finals.
"This was my first time competing in the Cinderella Tournament, and I made it to the top four and the semi-finals. But today I lost to Kurei in the semi-finals. I'm incredibly frustrated. From the beginning, I've been a little bit interested in Kurei. I want to surpass her in popularity, wrestling, technique, and everything else. That's the feeling I had going into today's semi-final. Because of that feeling, I'm incredibly frustrated. She really is amazing in every way. But I've always said that 'it's boring if my stable wins,' and I'm ashamed that I couldn't put that into practice. I'm also ashamed as the JTO singles champion. I was dreaming of facing Rina again in the finals for the first time in two years, but that didn't come true either. I'm frustrated about everything. But I'm not going to let it end with this mediocre result. Next year, I will definitely win the Cinderella Tournament and become Black Cinderella. Inaba Azusa's old lady hunt, I'm going to win!"