Julia Hart Picks Up First Win in STARDOM 5★STAR GP, Starlight Kid and Saya Kamitani Wrestle to Time Limit Draw

By: Noah Leatherland

The STARDOM 5★STAR GP made its way back to Korakuen Hall for the sixth day of competition, with action in all four blocks. Starlight Kid and Saya Kamitani both kicked off their campaigns today, facing each other to a draw, while AEW representative Julia Hart claimed a win in her tournament debut.

Grand Prix action kicked off with Julia Hart returning to Japan after winning the Artist of Stardom titles with her Triangle of Madness teammates, Skye Blue and Thekla. Her first match in the STARDOM 5★STAR GP saw her face off with the Itoh Respect Gundan’s Rian. In what ended up being a fairly short bout, the American made Rian tap out with the Hart Lock, earning her first two points.

Speaking in the post-match comments, Hart put the rest of the tournament field on notice:

Meanwhile, while Rian was deflated by the defeat, she still has her sights set on Hart and the trios belts:

I lost in less than six minutes. It’s really frustrating. It makes me feel absolutely sick that Julia Hart has the title I want. I don’t know if I’ll get another chance, but I’ve taken note of Julia Hart. If we ever fight again, I’ll definitely get the three-count.

Hart was not the only one wrestling her first match in this year’s STARDOM 5★STAR GP. Two of STARDOM’s biggest names finally got their tournament journeys started in the main event, as Starlight Kid did battle with Saya Kamitani. The last time these two fought one-on-one was back in Feburary over the World of Stardom title at Supreme Fight, where Kamitani sustained an injury to her fingers. The lingering resentment between the two was palpable in this encounter, with the two competitors battling all over Korakuen Hall and into the stands, highlighted by Kid hitting a dive off of the spectator entrance.

The back-and-forth action culminated in a time limit, right as Starlight Kid was preparing Kamitani for one last big suplex. Both had to settle for one point apiece. Speaking in their post-match comments, neither of them were thrilled with the outcome.

Starlight Kid:

First match: Kamitani. It’s pointless unless I win; I really wanted to snatch those two points. It’s truly frustrating. But if I look on the bright side, I didn’t actually lose today. I’m absolutely determined to break through the block and face Kamitani again. And the other day, Natsupoi’s retirement was announced. Natsupoi and Saori are both important teammates and rivals to me. I know it’s presumptuous of me, but I’ll fight to the end, carrying their feelings with me too. I’m absolutely going to win this 5★STAR tournament, so watch me!

Saya Kamitani:

That little kitten’s wagging its tail and getting all cosy. Don’t get too big for your boots, you idiot! A 15-minute draw? There’s no way Saya-sama would be satisfied with that. If that’s what you want, then we’ll have a proper match!

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Elsewhere on the card, Itsuki Aoki pushed herself out in front of Red Stars A with a win over Sayaka Kurara, the Rasha Hasami gaining the pin and raising her to eight points. Ami Sohrei finally added some points to her tally, scoring a win over Yuna Mizumori, and leaving the High Speed Champion on zero points. Lady C also carries on her winless run in the tournament, having been caught in Maki Itoh’s Itoh Clutch for a pinfall. Natsuko Tora climbed to four points with a win over Maika, using the poison mist to help her claim the victory with the Swanton Bomb. The red belt holder Suzu Suzuki tied the lead of Blue Stars A with a win over Miyu Amasaki, using the German Suplex that she won the World of Stardom title with. Then, Konami also propelled herself to a joint-top position in her block, choking Utami Hayashishita out for a referee stoppage.

Here are the full results for STARDOM 5★STAR GP Day 6, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Anne Kanaya def. Kiyoka Kotatsu, Matoi Hamabe & Ema Maishima (7:40)
• Blue Stars A: Julia Hart [2] def. Rian [0] (5:31)
• Red Stars A: Itsuki Aoki [8] def. Sayaka Kurara [4] (10:04)
• Blue Stars B: Ami Sohrei [2] def. Yuna Mizumori [0] (7:29)
• Red Stars B: Maki Itoh [5] def. Lady C [0] (8:03)
• Red Stars A: Natsuko Tora [4] def. Maika [6] (11:18)
• Blue Stars A: Suzu Suzuki [4] def. Miyu Amasaki [0] (7:05)
• Red Stars B: Konami [6] def. Utami Hayashishita [3] (12:41)
• Blue Stars B: Starlight Kid [1] vs. Saya Kamitani [1] – Time Limit Draw (15:00)

Here are the current standings for the STARDOM 5★STAR GP:

Red Stars A Block:

• Itsuki Aoki [8]
• Maika [6]
• AZM [4]
• Natsuko Tora [4]
• Sayaka Kurara [4]
• Tomoka Inaba [4]
• Rina [2]
• Akira Kurogane [0]

Red Stars B Block:

• Konami [6]
• Rina Yamashita [6]
• Saya Iida [6]
• Maki Itoh [5]
• Azusa Inaba [3]
• Mei Seira [3]
• Utami Hayashishita [3]
• Lady C [0]

Blue Stars A Block:

• Ruaka [4]
• Suzu Suzuki [4]
• Aya Sakura [2]
• HANAKO [2]
• Hina [2]
• Julia Hart [2]
• Miyu Amasaki [0]
• Rian [0]

Blue Stars B Block:

• Koguma [4]
• Hanan [4]
• Momo Watanabe [4]
• Ami Sohrei [2]
• Saya Kamitani [1]
• Starlight Kid [1]
• Kikyo Furusawa [0]
• Yuna Mizumori [0]