JPN
On April 27th at Yokohama Arena, Tam Nakano will challenge Saya Kamitani for the World of Stardom Championship. Moreover, the loser of this match will be forced into retirement. Kamitani has already forced Nakano to leave Stardom, but it seems she intends to end Nakano's career, even at the risk of losing herself. It was Saori Anno, a fellow member of Cosmic Angels, who requested to face Nakano in this desperate situation. Anno was Nakano's opponent in her debut match and has a perfect record against Nakano in singles matches. This will be their first singles match in Stardom, but what will be important in this match is not the outcome, but the confirmation of each other's feelings. With less than a month until April 27th in Yokohama, what kind of thoughts will each of them have as they face each other?
The gong sounds, and both slowly move forward. After feeling each other out, they get into a collar-and-elbow stance and test their strength. When Anno gets on top, Nakano reverses and gets on top. Nakano puts her weight on Anno. When Anno reverses, Nakano puts both shoulders on top and goes for the cover. They both stood up from the bridge, and Nakano kicked Anno, sending her into the ropes for an arm whip. Anno countered, and Nakano caught her heel drop. They dodged kicks at each other, and as Nakano rested her chin on her hand on the ground, Anno delivered a dropkick from the front. Anno followed with a dropkick from behind and a reverse Boston crab. Nakano escaped, and Anno delivered a neckbreaker over the ropes. Nakano's charge was dodged, but she landed a dropkick and sent Anno out of the ring with a knee attack. Nakano jumped with a plancha and brought Anno back into the ring. Nakano took Anno's back, but Anno got it back. Nakano landed an elbow, and Anno retaliated. They exchanged elbows. Anno smiled as she took Nakano's elbow and retaliated, and they continued to exchange elbows. Nakano sat on the mat and invited Anno to join in. Anno sat down as well, and they kicked each other with their legs out. Nakano landed a series of kicks, and as she stood up, she delivered a heel drop. As Nakano charges, Anno hits a big boot. Nakano hits a German suplex, and Anno hits several German suplexes in return. As Nakano goes for a Tiger Suplex, Anno counters, takes her back, and forcefully hits a German suplex. Nakano kicks out, and Anno goes to the apron and takes her back. Nakano resists by grabbing the ropes. Anno hits a big boot, Nakano hits a thrust kick, and throws Anno to the apron with a Tiger Suplex. Both fall to the floor. They return to the ring at the 19 count, and Anno hits a neckbreaker, and Nakano hits a back drop. Nakano gets fired up and climbs to the corner, and Anno hits a superplex Frankensteiner. As Nakano charges, Anno hits a German suplex followed by a Tan Tan Doll. However, Nakano's shoulder rises. 15 minutes have passed. Anno pulls Nakano up and goes for a Japanese Ocean Suplex. Nakano resists and hits a back elbow followed by a slap. Anno takes the hit and stands up, and Nakano hits several more slaps. Anno clasps her hands behind her back to receive the attack. Anno's open-hand strike sends Nakano to the ground. Anno follows up with a series of kicks, and Nakano responds with a series of kicks before going for the Tiger Suplex. Anno counters, and Nakano goes for the VSD. Anno goes for the Special Potering, but only gets a two count. Nakano takes some time in the air to land the VSD, but Anno kicks out. Then Nakano hits the Twilight Dream. The referee counts to three, and Nakano defeats Anno.
Nakano reaches out her hand, and Anno takes it.
Nakano: "Saori, thank you for facing me today. What did you think of Nakano Tam? She's gotten so strong, hasn't she? It was your retirement match, were you worried that you might lose and disappear? I'm sure those
Anno: "I'm sorry, just like Tam said, I was worried. I believe in Tam. But I guess I was a little worried somewhere. When this singles match was decided, I saw words like 'making memories,' 'retirement road' on social media. Nakano Tam is strong! Incredibly strong! I've faced it today, and I can say it with pride. Tam is strong! Tam, don't lose. Conquer the voices of the public. Conquer! Everyone, everyone believes in Tam. So show us the words that Tam believes in."
Nakano: "I believe, and I will win. I won't retire on April 27th. I'll get the red belt back, and when that happens, Saori, I want to fight you for the belt. That's the next peak."
Both women clasp their hands together.
Unagi Sayaka appears. Anno tries to push him away, but Unagi enters the ring.
Unagi: "Let's aim for the top together!"
Nakano: "Why?! I banned you! You're banned! Who let you in?"
Unagi: "I banned you when Nakano Tam was with Stardom. Weren't you a free agent?" "If anything, Unagi Sayaka is your senior, so shouldn't you use polite language?"
Nakano: "...But I'm a free agent..."
Unagi: "Well, I do believe that Nakano Tam won't retire. I do believe that, but after seeing Shirakawa Mina today, I thought that I want to properly graduate from Cosmic Angels too."
Nakano: "No, I did graduate the other day."
Unagi: "I haven't yet!"
Nakano: "But I sent you off."
Unagi: "That was a natural ban. I haven't graduated yet, and after seeing the cool Shirakawa Mina, I thought that I want to properly graduate from Cosmic Angels in the Stardom ring. So, on April 6th in Anjo, I want to team up with Nakano Tam and Ano Tan and do Cosmic Angels!" Surely you wouldn't pass up a card that smells of money like this, would you? So now that President Okada has nodded firmly, on April 6th in Anjo, the place where you were born, Nakano Tam and Anno Saori will be there to assess you two. OK? Remember, Nakano Tam, the president's word is law. See you on Sunday."
Anno: "Seriously, read the room."
Unagi leaves.
Nakano: "Ahhhhh! Hello everyone in space and everyone at Korakuen Hall! Thank you for coming out in the rain today on a weekday, and for fighting alongside us! But even the longest rain will eventually stop. We will all welcome a clear blue sky, and Stardom will shine upon you all, so please continue to love us! Ladies and gentlemen, may I have attention please, welcome aboard, Cosmic Angels! Let me introduce today's crew. Kyurei! Sakura! Yunamon! Saori-chan! Natsupoi! Tam! We are number one, we are the best, we are super delicious. We and you are delicious, mmm!"
Nakano: "Am I ugly? Or cute? When it comes to the top, every time you think you've reached it, another top appears, and there's no end to it. But I think that's why we can keep running. Because we can never reach the top, we can keep dreaming, and today we reached another top. The map of life is always incomplete, and I realized again today how fortunate I am to be able to continue drawing that map together with Saori-chan and everyone at Kozuen. Let's meet again at the next top, Saori-chan. So on April 27th, I will definitely win and not retire. I still have a promise to make. Please believe in Tamu. Thank you."
Unagi enters.
Unagi: "Excuse me, but is Unagi Sayaka on that incomplete map?"
Nakano: "(Using her hands to represent a map and pointing to the bottom) I'm around here."
"Today, April 2nd, is the day two years ago when I stepped back into the Stardom ring to shine even brighter. Before I made this decision, Tam had called me many times and asked me to come to the Stardom ring and to do it together in Cozuen. I was being stubborn back then, so I kept refusing, but here I am today, fighting. Tam is really a girl who attracts a lot of attention. Ever since her debut, I don't know what it is, it's almost frustrating. This time too, just one word from Tam caused such a reaction. It's that amazing. Nakano Tam has an influence. Nakano Tam is needed. She still has a long way to go in this world. I will also walk a path to shine even brighter. Tam, mmmmmm."