JPN
At "STARDOM in KORAKUEN 2026 May." held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on May 17th (Sunday), intense preliminary matches took place in preparation for the various title matches to be held at the Inazawa event in Aichi on May 23rd
In the main event eight-person tag team match, Sayaka Kurei, AZM, Mitsuyoshi Amasaki, and Ranna Yagami faced Maki Ito, Kian Furusawa, Hazuki, and Koguma. This match served as a triple preview for the World Championship match (champion Kurei vs. Ito), the Goddess Championship match (AZM & Amasaki vs. Hazuki & Koguma), and the Future Championship match (champion Yagami vs. Furusawa) on May 23rd in Aichi
When Kuri and Ito went head-to-head in an elbow exchange, Ito landed a stunner on Kuri, and Furusawa did the same on Yagami. 02line (AZM & Amasaki) and FWC (Hazuki & Koguma) also engaged in a fierce battle
At a crucial moment, Furusawa caught Kurei in an ankle lock. There were also moments when he, with assistance from Ito, put the red champion on the defensive
But in the end, Kurei's true strength shone through. Her signature move, the Heart-Pounding Spear, initially hit Ito, who had taken the hit as a substitute, but she landed the second one cleanly on Furusawa, securing the victory
After the match, a mic battle ensued in the ring, with participants discussing various title matches
02line declared, "We have to take down FWC, who are still at the top of the tag team scene. We'll defeat them in seconds," to which FWC quietly responded, "We want to wear those belts again."
Furusawa continued, "Okay everyone! Furusawa Kian is going to smash Yagami Ranna's knees, and her legs, and her neck, and everything else!" Then Future Champion Yagami raised her belt and said, "That's great. Then Yagami Ranna will smash Furusawa Kian's arms, shoulders, and head too!"
World champion Kurei declared, "This was the final preliminary match, and I, Kurei Sayaka, have won. Of course, I will defeat Ito Maki directly in Aichi as well, so please look forward to it," to which challenger Ito did not remain silent
"Is this the final preliminary match? You're being naive. To be the top of Stardom, I think we need to be the top in merchandise sales. So, before next week's big match, let's have a meet-and-greet with Maki Ito and Sayaka Kurei as the 'final preliminary match'!" she suggested. Kurei accepted, saying, "I'll accept any challenge!"
"Now is the time for the Ito Respect Army to rise up! Ito Respect Army, forever!" was the command, and the venue was filled with loud "Ito" chants. Then Kurei retorted, "The winner today is me, Kurei Sayaka! Ito Maki lost, so please go home."
Once again, Kurei vowed, "One of the wonderful things about professional wrestling is how the audience becomes one. I want to spread Stardom, which has a clear blue sky above it, to the world and even to space, so I will climb to the top with this belt," and concluded the event