Photo Credit: STARDOM
By: Noah Leatherland
STARDOM were in Sagae ahead of their trip to Utsunomiya where Hanan will defend the Wonder of Stardom Title against her younger sister, Hina. In Sagae, it was Hina who stood tall, scoring a pinfall on the champion in the main event.
The sisters faced off in trios action, with Hanan linking up with her STARS allies Saya Iida and Maika, while Hina formed a God’s Eye trio with Syuri and Ami Sohrei. The finish saw Hina rolling her older sister up in the Gedo Clutch, keeping the hold on tight enough to score a three-count.
Taking the microphone after the bout, Hina delivered a message to Hanan:
Finally, finally—I’ve beaten Hanan for the first time in this final preliminary match. I’ve said more than enough already, so let’s settle this once and for all in the ring tomorrow. Tomorrow in Utsunomiya, I’ll be the one standing in the ring at the very end.
Hina followed that thought up further in her backstage comments:
I hadn’t been able to win against her at all during this long series of preliminary matches, so I was starting to get anxious, but being able to pull off a win like this at the very last moment means a lot to me. Still, tomorrow is what matters most. I’ve already said everything I wanted to say to Hanan, so now I just want to show her what I’m made of in the ring. Tomorrow, I want to win and wrap that white belt around my waist right there in the ring.
Despite the loss, Hanan’s confidence did not dip:
Hina finally beat me! It really does feel like ‘finally.’ If she can only win by such a narrow margin, I think she’s still a long way from being able to take this belt. Tomorrow, I’ll defend this belt in Utsunomiya, and I intend to remain the Wonder of Stardom Champion!
(Quotes translated via DeepL)
Another big match for STARDOM Path of Thunder in Utsunomiya sees the third sister, Rina, taking on Utami Hayashishita in singles action. Hayashishita picked up the win in Sagae, teaming with Ranna Yagami to defeat Rina and Azusa Inaba. Hayashishita took the microphone afterwards, emboldened by the victory:
Hey, Rina! Tomorrow’s finally the day. I’m going to beat you and proudly assert my rights. What was it you said about tomorrow, that you’re going to ‘use Utami Hayashishita as a stepping stone’? You’d better stop underestimating Utami Hayashishita. It looks like you are the one who is going to make a great stepping stone for me instead. Just make sure you don’t snap too easily when I step on you, Rina!
Backstage, Rina hit back Hayashishita, going in depth on why exactly she has been underestimating her:
It is finally tomorrow, a singles match against Utami Hayashishita. You said on the mic, ‘Don’t underestimate Utami Hayashishita.’ That’s right. I do underestimate you. Of course I do. I watched the era when you were strong, the era when you stood at the top of STARDOM, the whole time! I knew it! I went through so much frustration, too! After all, you and I debuted in 2018, we are part of the same rookie class. I’ve experienced plenty of frustration myself. That’s exactly why I’m so disillusioned with the version of you that’s returned, and that is why I am underestimating you.
I will make you understand tomorrow. As the one who won the 5★STAR GP as the strongest in singles, if I lose in singles, I believe I will truly have nothing left, and my 5★STAR victory will also vanish. With that level of resolve, I am picking a fight with you. Tomorrow, I am going to smash this resolve of mine against you, so you had better be prepared!
(Quotes translated via meraWRESTLING on X)
STARDOM Path of Thunder takes place in Light Cube Utsunomiya on October 18th.
Here are the full results for STARDOM in Sagae, courtesy of purolove.com:
Date:
October 17, 2026
Category:
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