JPN
Wonder of Stardom Champion Hanan has landed a preemptive strike ahead of her fifth title defense against her sister Hinan (October 18th, Light Cube Utsunomiya). In the first preliminary match, she secured a direct three-count victory over her challenger, bringing the new STARS to a close
In the main event eight-person tag team match, Hanan, Iida Saya, Maika, and Hayashishita Utami faced God's Eye's Shuri, Hina, Lady C, and Yagami Ranna. Hanan was the first to step into the ring and faced Hina, the next challenger
The STARS team gained momentum by delivering a simultaneous dropkick to Yagami from all four of them. Iida and Maika then took him down with a double shoulder tackle, and Iida followed up with a series of reverse horizontal chops on Yagami
Hanan wasn't about to be outdone. Even after taking Hinan's outer leg sweep and elbow, she retaliated with a powerful elbow of her own. There was a moment when she was caught in an STF after a hip throw, but Maika came to her aid and prevented the Mad Splash. After slamming Hinan with a combined face crusher, she finished her off with a back drop hold
After the match, Hanan proudly declared, "STARS won the main event!" She continued, "This was the first preliminary match for this white belt, Hinan. You've been saying things to me all the time, both in the ring and online, like 'you're too soft' and 'you're too weak,' but to lose to the champion in the first preliminary match, isn't it you, my little sister Hinan, who's the one who's soft?" She gave her sister a firm retort
Of course, Hinami wasn't going to stay silent either. "I feel even more strongly today, after this result, that Hanami and I can understand each other better when we do it in the ring like this, rather than through words," she began, adding, "It's frustrating, but even so, I'm going to keep speaking my mind, and I think I can make things more exciting as the white belt champion than Hanami. I can say that with confidence, even though I lost today in the first preliminary match."
She further declared war, saying, "You may look strong now, but I'm going to push you so hard that you won't even be able to maintain that confident look anymore, so be prepared." Even after her defeat, her fighting spirit remained undiminished
Having secured a victory with the newly formed STARS, Hanan has made a good start towards the championship match. Sparks are already flying as they prepare for the sisterly showdown in their hometown of Utsunomiya
Hanan: "This was the first preliminary match against Hinan for this white belt, and the power of her elbows was completely different from when we were competing for the Future belt. But isn't it a bit soft to lose to the champion in the first preliminary match? To me, Hinan is still like a cute little sister, so I hope she can break out of her shell."
Hinami:"I lost to Hanan in the first preliminary match and she said, 'Isn't she being too soft?'...I think she's right, I talked big and lost in the first match. But even though I lost, I think I can make things more exciting than the current White Champion, and while Hanan may be good at putting on a show in the ring, I'll put on a show in other ways too. It's still just the beginning, so I'm going to push Hanan so hard that she won't be able to smile that confidently anymore. Champion, be prepared."