Maika Sets Sights on Syuri and the NJPW STRONG Women’s Title at STARDOM New Year Stars in Osaka Day 2

By Noah Leatherland

STARDOM continued their 15th Anniversary tour with a second day in Osaka for New Year Stars. Amidst the inter-faction tag matches, Maika seemingly alluded to a desire for Syuri’s NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship.

Maika and her ExV teammates have Mi Vida Loca waiting for them in a full-faction battle at STARDOM Supreme Fight next month. However, the group did battle with God’s Eye here at New Year Stars. Maika secured her team the win with a Michinoku Driver II on Lady C. Following the match, Maika seemed to hint at what her next target may be as a singles competitor. Maika stood face-to-face with Syuri, exchanged a few words, and gave some extra attention to Syuri’s NJPW STRONG Women’s Title.

Maika has not been involved in any singles matches since her return from injury, nor has she been involved in any championship matches. Perhaps the purple NJPW belt is the next prize she will pursue.

Elsewhere on the card, Maki Itoh’s losing ways continued. This time, she tagged with Kikyo Furusawa. The two had gone back and forth on social media, with Itoh insinuating Furusawa had been trying to copy her look with her ring gear. Itoh seemed to mesh better with Furusawa than her previous partners, with Furusawa joining Itoh in singing her entrance theme.

Despite a losing effort in a three way tag, Itoh and Furusawa seemed to have struck a connection, judging by their post-match interview:

Itoh: “Kikyo Furusawa! What the hell are you doing, losing like that! You weakling! You went and lost, didn’t you! Just when everyone came out thinking they’d finally get to see Itoh’s best side! Hey! It’s your fault we lost! Hey! Hey! Kikyo Furusawa!”

Furusawa: “No, really, today… even though The Cutest in the World’, Maki Itoh-san was right there beside me, I’m so sorry, I ended up losing….”

Itoh: “It’s okay. Kikyo Furusawa, at the end you said on the mic, ‘The second cutest in the world is Kikyo Furusawa,’ didn’t you? Yeah, Itoh thought that was very nice. I’ll always love you from now on, so please stay by Itoh’s side.”

(Quotes translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Starlight Kid also kept her momentum rolling in Osaka. With a challenge for Saya Kamitani’s World of Stardom title on February 7th, she led Neo Genesis into battle against H.A.T.E in the main event. Kid led her team to victory, making a statement by finishing off Fukigen Death with Kamitani’s Star Crusher move. Kid took to the microphone afterwards to hammer the message home:

Did you see that final finish? Kamitani’s Star Crusher. That’s the biggest message I’m sending back to Kamitani. On 7th February in Osaka, I’ll become the red champion, achieve the Grand Slam, and turn the tide of Stardom!

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Here are the full results for STARDOM New Year Stars in Osaka Day 2, courtesy of purolove.com:

• AZM def. Anne Kanaya (8:16)
• Tomoka Inaba & Ranna Yagami def. Suzu Suzuki & Akira Kurogane (7:44)
• Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara def. Bea Priestley & Yuria Hime and Maki Itoh & Kikyo Furusawa (9:43)
• Hazuki & Olympia def. Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo (9:49)
• Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori def. Konami, Rina & Azusa Inaba  (10:57)
• Maika, Xena, HANAKO, Waka Tsukiyama & Rian def. Syuri, Ami Sohrei, Saki Kashima, Hina & Lady C (12:50)
• Starlight Kid, Mei Seira & Miyu Amasaki def. Natsuko Tora, Ruaka & Fukigen Death★ (12:45)