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STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix: Day 18 Review

2 years ago

STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix: Day 18 Review

STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix: Day 18 Review

By Trent Breward

Syuri has rarely been on the back foot since she joined Stardom at the start of 2020, but at Korakuen Hall against Tam Nakano that was exactly where she was. It seemed as though her 5 Star Grand Prix run was about to end prematurely.

Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, Tam Nakano lifted her in the air for a delayed Violet Screwdriver, a devastating move that has claimed a number of victims throughout the tournament and has served as the precursor to victory for many a Tam match.

It was by the barest of margins that Syuri managed to kick out. A tenth of a second away from tournament elimination. However Syuri has the reputation for being nigh unbeatable for a reason. She dug deep and found whatever reserves she had left to kick out and eventually swing the momentum just enough.

Tam’s lingering elbow injury, earned after enduring MIRAI’s submission work during their Goddess of Stardom Tag Title match two weeks earlier, might have been the catalyst. As the two tired warriors jostled for position, Syuri began to target that weakened arm. In a frantic effort to defend against that vulnerability, Tam over-corrected and soon found herself wrapped up in an inescapable hold that sapped the life out of her. She passed out, Daichi rang for the bell and Syuri lived to fight another day.

The road ahead for Syuri to go back to back in the 5 Star Grand Prix is still essentially out of her hands. With only one match left, there are still a number of people who can overtake her even if she beats Risa sera. The big threat comes from Maika, who not only has an extra match but also holds the tie breaker over her. As for Tam, she only has a day to recover from a hellacious main event before she faces off against the last World of Stardom Champion: Utami Hayashishita.

A year ago Hazuki made intentions clear that she was returning to STARDOM, and she did so by confronting Mayu Iwatani inside the ring. They joined forces in STARS, but anticipation has been high for the moment these two would finally face off against each other.

It was a fast and furious affair that was befitting of both the wrestlers and the high stakes. The two former High Speed champions switched into high gear early, and held nothing back despite being stablemates. Eventually the experience of Mayu Iwatani seemed to be the difference maker, coming into the match a little more prepared for Hazuki’s offense and countering her at key points. Mayu Iwatani stamped an exclamation mark on the match with one swift and deadly roundhouse kick as Hazuki tried to claw her way back to her feet. The moonsault merely sealed the deal.

The loss is the fourth straight for Hazuki, and now her incredible tournament opening has all but come undone. Four people sit just one point behind her, with all but one of those contenders with an extra match up their sleeves. She was fortunate to not give up the lead in Korakuen Hall. Saya Kamitani, Giulia and MIRAI all could have overtaken her if they hadn’t have also fallen short in their matches.

Of those three, Saya Kamitani’s loss might be the most surprising. However Mina Shirakawa has turned into a different animal for the second straight 5 Star Grand Prix. If you’re not going to win the tournament, the next best thing you can do is pin a champion, and that’s exactly what Mina did in what was arguably her best performance yet on a rare live broadcast Korakuen Hall show.

She didn’t pull off a fluke win with a flash pin either (though she nearly did earlier in the match). Mina won this definitively and strategically. Her targeting of the leg slowed down the athletic White Belt champion, and a dropkick to the weakened knee sent Saya flying head first into the corner – leaving her dazed and unable to defend against a brutal combination: A discus elbow to the back of the head, a hanging DDT and then finally the Glamorous Driver MINA put the match beyond doubt.

It was clear from the outburst of emotion how important this moment was for Mina. She’s been striving for years for a win a momentous as this, and her hard work is undeniable seeing the kind of performances she’s putting on in this tournament. The difference between where she is and where she was when she first joined STARDOM is night and day.

Mina Shirakawa’s White Belt ambitions are clear, and now Saya Kamitani has another person to watch out for once this tournament has wrapped up.

Full Match Results:

  • Blue Stars Block: Suzu Suzuki (10) def. Hanan (0)
  • Blue Stars Block: Natsupoi (12) def. Saya Iida (4)
  • Red Stars Block: SAKI (10) def. Momo Kohgo (2)
  • Red Stars Block: Koguma (12) def. AZM (14)
  • Red Stars Block: Saki Kashima (10) def. Risa Sera (13)
  • Blue Stars Block: Starlight Kid (12) def. MIRAI (13)
  • Blue Stars Block: Mina Shirakawa (8) def. Saya Kamitani (13)
  • Blue Stars Block: Momo Watanabe (8) def. Giulia (13)
  • Blue Stars Block: Mayu Iwatani (13) def. Hazuki (14)
  • Red Stars Block: Syuri (14) def. Tam Nakano (14)

Rapid Fire Takeaways

  • There was a lot of debate about who might be the third wrestler in the ‘International’ block of the IWGP Women’s Championship tournament, and we got that answer in the form of KAIRI. After having to miss her White Belt match with Saya Kamitani due to a positive COVID test, the Pirate Princess now has her sights set on another championship.
  • We were blessed with another classic zombie Saki Kashima match. Risa Sera battered her through most of the match, even going so far as to use the giant swing to fling her out of the ring, but you can never truly feel safe against Saki. The moment she began to show signs of life in the Fireman’s Carry position you knew what was coming. One Revival flash pin later and Saki Kashima just ruined Risa Sera’s night.
  • It is also worth mentioning that Saki Kashima only won two matches in last year’s tournament, and this year she’s in double digits. She can’t win her block, but it’s been a far better showing from the beansprout.
  • AZM not only lost at top rope janken, but she also fell to a perennial high speed contender Koguma. Add the bear to the growing list of people who are coming for that High Speed Championship. That’s assuming she can retain her title in tomorrow’s triple threat match against Hazuki and Fukigen Death.
  • We finally saw the hotly anticipated match between Giulia and Momo Watanabe, and after some early shenanigans it was exactly as violent as we were expecting. Momo Watanabe has been hit and miss with her wrench during this tournament, and this time she was both in one match! The initial loaded boot punt attempt missed the mark, but that wrench also ensured a desperate roundhouse kick not only hurt Giulia but thoroughly rocked her. A punt to the head and the Triple Peach Sunrise suplexes ensured that the Black Peach won this first ever encounter.
  • There was a clip from a recent TV appearance that saw Unagi Sayaka stealing Natsupoi’s food. Clearly it’s a recurring problem because Poi seemed especially hungry for beef considering how much she bit Saya Iida during their match.

Current 5 Star Grand Prix Standings

RED STARS BLOCK
14 – Maika
14 – AZM
14 – Syuri
14 – Tam Nakano
13 – Risa Sera
12 – Himeka
12 – Utami Hayashishita
12 – Koguma
10 – Saki Kashima
10 – SAKI
9 – Mai Sakurai
2 – Unagi Sayaka
2 – Momo Kohgo

BLUE STARS BLOCK
14 – Hazuki
13 – Saya Kamitani
13 – MIRAI
13 – Giulia
13 – Mayu Iwatani
12 – Natsupoi
12 – Starlight Kid
10 – Ami Sourei
10 – Suzu Suzuki
8 – Momo Watanabe
8 – Mina Shirakawa
4 – Saya Iida
0 – Hanan

Date:

September 23, 2022

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