Hanan Retains Wonder of Stardom Title, Recruits Maika, HANAKO, Utami Hayashishita and Waka Tsukiyama into STARS

By: Noah Leatherland

STARDOM Nighter in Korakuen Hall was main evented by a Wonder of Stardom Title defence. As well as keeping hold of her hardware, Hanan added to the STARS ranks with a quartet of new members.

Hanan defended the white belt against H.A.T.E.’s Ruaka. Ruaka had picked up a win over Hanan back in the 5STAR Grand Prix back in August, granting her this shot at the title. With such high stakes, it was almost inevitable that H.A.T.E. would become involved in the bout. During the match, they rushed the ring, and dispatched of Hanan’s STARS allies. But, the cavalry arrived in the form of Maika, HANAKO, Utami Hayashishita and Waka Tsukiyama.

Thanks to their help, Hanan retained the Wonder of Stardom Championship after connecting with a wrist-clutch backdrop on Ruaka. As Hanan celebrated her victory, her own younger sister, Hina, came to the ring. Hina made her intentions for the white belt known, and issued a warning to her sister:

If you keep thinking of me as just a cute little sister, you might find yourself in trouble. Sure, we’re heading to Utsunomiya for a homecoming match, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’ll do whatever it takes to win this belt. You’d better get your act together as champion. What I’m trying to say is: I’ve always been number three, but I’m going to take this belt and become number one.

(Quote translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

It was then made official that Hina would challenge Hanan in Utsunomiya at STARDOM Path of Thunder on October 18th. Cameras caught up with Hina backstage, who discussed the upcoming title match further:

I’ve no intention of waiting my turn, nor do I care to read the room. It’d be a problem if people kept thinking I’m ‘third in line’ for the rest of my life. The challenge is for the champion’s title, but I’ve no intention of targeting the champion’s position. I just want to win the white title, and that’s all I’m focusing on. And by beating that still-naive champion, I’ll become the new white champion.

Back in the ring, Maika, HANAKO, Hayashishita and Tsukiyama all declared their desire to become a part of STARS, and were quickly welcomed into the faction. Speaking in her backstage comments, Hanan shared her joy of keeoing her belt and growing the faction:

I’ve successfully defended my Wonder of Stardom title for the fourth time! I’m absolutely delighted to have faced Ruaka in the main event at Korakuen. I hope we can share another main event together at a big venue somewhere in the future. And, above all else, STARS has grown today—we’ve got a few new members! From now on, as the full-strength STARS, we’ll be shining bright as Stardom’s main force! We are STARS!

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Here are the full results for STARDOM Nighter in Korakuen Hall, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Saya Iida & Matoi Hamabe & Waka Tsukiyama def. Ami Sohrei, Ranna Yagami & Kiyoka Kotatsu (10:46)
• Syuri def. Yuna Mizumori and HANAKO (7:07)
• Hazuki & Koguma def. Kikyo Furusawa & Rian (9:51)
• Hina & Lady C def. Maki Itoh & Utami Hayashishita, AZM & Miyu Amasaki and Konami & Rina (9:38)
• Fuwa-chan def. Julia Hart (9:05)
• Aya Sakura, Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Anne Kanaya def. Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, Momo Watanabe & Bea Priestley (10:53)
• Starlight Kid, Maika, Mei Seira & Ema Maishima def. Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita, Itsuki Aoki & Akira Kurogane (10:10)
• Wonder of Stardom Title: Hanan (c) def. Ruaka (15:40)