By: Thom Fain
The legendary Korakuen Hall will host one of the most pivotal nights of the 2025 Dream Star GP tournament on August 30th, streaming live on Wrestle Universe with English commentary. As we reach the final stages of Marigold’s annual round-robin tournament, mathematical possibilities begin to narrow for some – and championship dreams crystallize for rising stars.
Marigold World Champion Utami Hayashishita’s commanding 8-point lead has established her as the tournament’s undisputed frontrunner, but Friday’s main event against former STARDOM ace Mayu Iwatani represents her most dangerous test yet. Iwatani enters Korakuen with 4 points and the momentum of a big win over hometown hero Chika Goto at Sunpark Arakawa just days prior.
For Hayashishita, a victory would virtually guarantee her passage to the tournament finals and position her for a potential Grand Slam achievement – holding both the world title and tournament crown simultaneously. However, Iwatani’s veteran instincts and proven ability to rise to big occasions make this far from a foregone conclusion.
Make no mistake about it, Iwatani needs to win out to have any realistic World Title aspirations – while Hayashishita can afford strategic pacing, managing both tournament demands and her responsibilities as world champion.
Perhaps no wrestler faces higher stakes than Victoria Yuzuki, whose 6-point standing keeps her within striking distance of Hayashishita but leaves no room for error. She faces off against Maria, who replaced Senka Atsakusi, who exited the tournament due to illness*
Yuzuki’s recent setback against Kouki Amarei at Arakawa showed how quickly her momentum can start to downshift, just as fans start to truly believe her proclamations as “Future Ace” of Marigold.
A second consecutive loss would effectively eliminate her championship hopes, while victory keeps alive the possibility of a dramatic final-night showdown with the champion.
The supporting Dream League matches carry their own urgent mathematics. Kouki Amarei and Seri Yamaoka, both sitting at 4 points, understand that Friday represents a virtual elimination match. Similarly, Rea Seto’s 0-point standing means she’s fighting not just for tournament position but for professional credibility against CHIAKI, who seeks to build on her 2-point foundation.
The Star League presents its own compelling narratives, with three wrestlers – Mai Sakurai, Misa Matsui, and Nagisa Nozaki – tied atop the standings with 6 points each. Sakurai’s clash with MIRAI could prove decisive in determining the eventual Star League champion, while the mathematics suggest that every remaining match carries championship implications.
Particularly intriguing is Chika Goto’s opportunity to build on her hometown performance against the dangerous Nagisa Nozaki. Despite her defeat to Iwatani, GoChika showed in her hometown on August 22nd an ability to elevate her performance when stakes are highest.
As the math for the tournament crown tightens & and elimination scenarios surface this Saturday, the Dream Star GP continues to establish itself as a premier tournament in joshi puroresu, following in the tradition of New Japan’s G1 Climax and STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix.
Undercard
Nao Ishikawa & Hummingbird & Yuuka Yamazaki vs Komomo Minami & Minami Yuuki & Nagisa Tachibana
Dream League
Star League
The tournament continues its march toward crowning both Dream League and Star League champions, with Friday’s Korakuen Hall event streaming live on Wrestle Universe beginning at 7:00 PM JST.
Date:
August 27, 2025
Category:
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