JPN
HANAKO of EXV and Tetsu Akira of MI Vida Roka faced off in a one-on-one match. The previous day at the same venue, Akira had fought Gina in a singles match and been defeated. On this day, Akira was once again facing an EXV member in a singles match, and what's more, HANAKO is the reigning champion of the Future of Stardom Championship, which Akira is aiming for. This match is a prelude to the EXV vs MVL match to be held in Osaka on February 7th, and at the same time, it looks like it will be a battle with the title match in mind...
Akira went first, followed by HANAKO, and both stepped forward in front of their opponents as they were called and glared at each other. The bell rang without a handshake. Akira threw an elbow, and HANAKO provoked him by saying "Come on," and received a series of blows. They grabbed each other's hair, and Akira threw another elbow. He dodged HANAKO and charged forward with a dropkick. HANAKO accepts the challenge, saying "That won't work!", and brushes it away. HANAKO kicks Akira in the face. When Akira slaps her, HANAKO lets her hit her, saying "Come on!". Akira taunts her back, saying "Come on!". As Akira charges, HANAKO shoulder tackles her and scratches her face near the ropes. Akira pulls the ropes and sends HANAKO outside the ring, taking the fight outside. They exchange elbows at ringside, and HANAKO sends Akira into the ring post. She then body slams him onto the mat outside the ring. HANAKO also slams her second, Tsukiyama Waka, onto Akira. She then douses Akira with water. She brings Akira back in at the count of 18 and delivers a series of stomps. When Akira charges in with an elbow, HANAKO delivers a series of body slams. When Akira retaliates, HANAKO goes for a reverse Boston crab. When Akira escapes, HANAKO stomps on him and shouts, "Is that all you've got!" as she stomps on his face. Akira goes for a series of elbows, but HANAKO stands firm. HANAKO retaliates with elbows of her own, then declares she's going for the finish and goes for an Argentine backbreaker. Akira breaks free and goes for a Kawazu Otoshi and a face lock. Akira retaliates by stomping on HANAKO's face and then a dropkick to her face. HANAKO breaks free from Akira's face lock. Akira lands a series of dropkicks, and when HANAKO counters, she goes for a face lock again. HANAKO resists Akira's half-hatch attempt, then blocks Akira's knee and delivers a shoulder tackle. HANAKO goes for a reverse Boston crab. 10 minutes have passed. She doesn't let him escape and pulls him back to the center, tightening the hold. However, Akira manages to escape. HANAKO delivers a body attack. Akira withstood a brainbuster, then landed a slap followed by a knee strike, and went for a series of cover attempts. Akira landed a flurry of elbows, but HANAKO countered with a big boot and a brainbuster. Akira reversed the cover, but it was only a two-count. HANAKO then aimed a big boot to Akira's face. Akira kicked out, but HANAKO hit a lariat, then pulled him up saying, "Not yet," and delivered an Argentine backbreaker into a JP Coaster. Akira couldn't kick out, and HANAKO secured the three-count.
HANAKO: "Akira, this is the power of the Future Champion you want right now. You tweeted that you wanted to win today and challenge for the Future title, but it's not that easy. On February 7th in Osaka, there's a showdown between us, E neXus V, and your unit, Mi Vida Roka. You've been chirping away behind the scenes of those strong older sisters, but this is the extent of your current abilities. Don't rest on your laurels with the power of your seniors, climb your way up with your own strength. You're capable of so much more. We've seen that all along in the preliminary matches. On February 7th, we're going to crush Mi Vida Roka to pieces, so do your best to prevent that from happening."
Akira: "So this is the wall of the Future, HANAKO?" "It's huge. But the bigger the wall, the more I, Iron Akira, want to smash it down! I was saying something about your big sister, but behind the scenes, you've had several preliminary matches and acknowledged my abilities. Are you a tsundere?! Don't regret pushing me like that. Mi Vida Roka will definitely win on 2/7. And, as I've said many times, I still want to have a Future match with you! Let me hear your answer!"
HANAKO: "Of course. After 2/7, I'll take you on any number of times. That's a given, isn't it?! I have an announcement for everyone. My Future title is set to expire on March 25th at NEW BLOOD. I'll defend it until then, have a title match at the very end, and then relinquish it when the term expires, so you all come and watch!" "Anyone who wants this future, come out. Hey you guys in the locker room, do you really think you can win it by being so relaxed? Come out, everyone who wants it!"
The wrestlers enter the ring.
HANAKO: "Yuria was the first to come up here. Tell me your thoughts on this belt."
Yuria: "I think I'm the one who can make the Future belt shine the brightest, and I'm definitely going to take it from HANAKO and Yuria will wear the Future belt."
HANAKO: "Wait a minute. And Yagami Ranna, who's been complaining behind the scenes, do you find this belt appealing? Or did you come up here because you think I'm not worthy of being champion? Have you finally gained the confidence to say it to my face? Tell me how you feel."
Yagami: "What's with all this sudden hype about Future? All this time it's been tag league, unit rivalries and stuff. When are we going to do it? You seemed so busy. It's supposed to end on February 7th, right? So I think I'm the one who's most worthy of taking it from HANAKO."
HANAKO: "Then you should have come and told me sooner." : "Thank you for finally coming. So, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (people)? It looks like you all got up in the ring today, hey Sakura, our debut dates are the same, aren't they? Tell me how you feel about coming up here."
Sakura: "I've always wanted the Future title the most! But, sorry! Right now I'm busy with Kawaii! But, on the 7th, you'll have a unit rivalry, and I'll be in the Kawaii of Kawaii title match. We'll both win and, as the Kawaii of Kawaii champions, we'll challenge for the Future belt, so wait for us!"
HANAKO: "So, you're saying it'll be a two-title match for Kawaii of Kawaii and Future? Huh? If you lose to Maki Ito, I'm never going to let you call yourself Kawaii again. Be prepared. Everyone who came up today, come out into the ring! I'm really sorry that we have to end it like this today, but as always, NEW To wrap up BLOOD, we'll do that closing routine, hoping that you'll all come back again on March 25th. Believe in your potential and shine brightly tomorrow, NEW BLOOD 29!
"Today, I had a one-on-one showdown with Akira in our final preliminary match, and he was just like I expected him to be, so I think I really enjoyed it. But if you keep going like this on February 7th, your Mi Vida Roka will be finished. We, E neXus V, will win and prove that we are the best and strongest unit in Stardom, so everyone please come and see us in Osaka. And NEW BLOOD will be held again on March 25th, and I don't know who will come to challenge for this belt, but I'm ready to accept any challenge until then, so you all better be prepared. Come and see us on March 25th!"
"I lost. As I said on Twitter, and as HANAKO also said in the ring today, HANAKO's Future title is about to expire and she will have to relinquish it. There's no more time left. So today, I really wanted a title match to be scheduled. But the reason a title match wasn't scheduled today is simply because I'm not good enough. It's really frustrating to think that if I were stronger, I could have had a Future match with HANAKO today. But I'm looking forward to having a Future match with HANAKO, and to receiving a Future from HANAKO. "I haven't given up on getting Future. In the ring, HANAKO, you were always saying things like you were hiding in the shadow of your big sister Mi Vida Roka and being flattered, but you were the one who was always clinging to Maika, saying Maika, Maika, but now you've grown so much that you can fight with Maika on a full scale. I know I shouldn't be saying this, but both you and I have grown tremendously in this unit competition. You're shining even brighter now. That's why I want to get Future even more! I promise. I'm definitely going to do it!"