BMI2000 Retain Goddesses of Stardom Titles at New Year Stars in Korakuen Day 1

By Noah Leatherland

STARDOM kicked off their 15th Anniversary Series in Korakuen Hall, with some big news coming from the event. In the main event, BMI2000 successfully retained the Goddesses of STARDOM titles against 02line.

AZM and Miyu Amasaki had earned their shot against Ruaka and Natsuko Tora last week at STARDOM New Year Dream. Despite coming into the match with plenty of momentum behind them, 02line could not find a way to claim the tag titles. BMI2000 vanquished their challengers, with Tora taking to the microphone after the match to squash fans’ hopes:

Listen up, everyone. The idea that the good guys always win is something that only happens in the world of anime and manga.

(Quote translation via meraWRESTLING on X)

The event also saw Fuwa-chan picking up her first career victory. She teamed with Hazuki in the opening match, picking up the win against Koguma and Anne Kanaya.

Perhaps the biggest news from the show was the announcement that Maki Itoh has joined the STARDOM roster. The cryptic videos from STARDOM’s recent broadcasts and social media had alluded to her arrival, with her finally appearing in a STARDOM ring. She will be a full-time member of the promotion going forward.

While Itoh joins the ranks, another member of the roster announced their departure. After a losing effort in a multi-person tag, Saki Kashima announced that she will be retiring later this year:

My physical condition isn’t the best, so I’ll be retiring at the Yokohama Arena show in April. That’s all, I’m heading home now.

(Quote translation via meraWRESTLING on X)

Elsewhere on the card, freelancer Yuki Mashiro pinned the current High Speed Champion, Yuna Mizumori, in a tag match. In light of this, Mashiro will now challenge Mizumori for her title on January 25th.

This event also marked Risa Sera’s final STARDOM appearance before her retirement later this month. She faced the reigning Future of Stardom champion, HANAKO. In their last meeting, Sera defeated HANAKO at STARDOM The Conversion last June. This time, the young champion picked up the victory over the veteran. After the match, HANAKO had some kind words to share on her opponent:

I’ve surpassed Sera! I never gave up on surpassing Sera-san, not for a single moment! Where HANAKO stands today is, without a doubt, thanks to Sera-san. Thank you so very much!

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Sera also had some thoughts to share:

The promise I made when we fought at Yoyogi in June—’Try to surpass me’—you went and fulfilled it so easily, didn’t you! Don’t go surpassing me that effortlessly. But, before I retire, being able to truly feel HANAKO’s growth like this, now I can retire with no regrets.

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Here are the full results for STARDOM New Year Stars in Korakuen Day 1, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Hazuki & Fuwa-chan def. Koguma & Anne Kanaya (12:29)
• Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara def. Bea Priestley & Yuria Hime (12:39)
• Saya Iida, Alex Windsor, Olympia & Momo Kohgo def. Syuri, Saki Kashima, Ranna Yagami & Kiyoka Kotatsu (6:30)
• Itsuki Aoki & Bozilla def. Waka Tsukiyama & Kikyo Furusawa (6:56)
• Starlight Kid, Mei Seira & Yuki Mashiro def. Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori (9:24)
• Hina, Ami Sohrei, Lady C & Tomoka Inaba def. Konami, Rina, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen Death★ (8:35)
• Maika & Rian def. Rina Yamashita & Akira Kurogane (8:06)
• HANAKO def. Risa Sera (11:59)
• Goddesses of Stardom Title: Natsuko Tora & Ruaka (c) def. AZM & Miyu Amasaki (17:05)