STARDOM Cinderella Tournament First Round Completed in Second Day of Action

By Noah Leatherland

The second half of the STARDOM Cinderella Tournament bracket had their opening round in Aichi. While the first day saw a couple of tied results, this second event saw a decisive winner in every match-up.

The Inaba sisters both succeeded in their opening round matches. Tomoka Inaba defeated Anne Kanaya in the first match, while Azusa Inaba got a victory over Lady C in the second.

Saya Iida met Kiyoka Kotatsu in the bracket. Despite Kotatsu’s striking ability, the powerhouse Iida came out on top. Taking the microphone after the boat, Iida dished out some tough love to her opponent:

What the hell are you doing wrestling in the STARDOM ring? That’s why I’m saying you’re half-hearted – it just doesn’t register. You always look so unsure of yourself, it makes the rest of us watching feel uncertain too. Today, you fought me, and you knocked me down with that kick. So show some more confidence! Don’t go on about hating yourself or anything – don’t you dare step into the ring looking like that again.

The next bout saw Hina taking on Xena. Having recently failed in challenging Konami for the Wonder of Stardom Title, Hina get back to winning ways, managing to score a roll-up pin on Xena to advance to the second round.

Miyu Amasaki was drawn against Rina Yamashita in the first round. Though Yamashita was looking bright in the opening minutes of the bout, she ended up making a critical error. She climbed to the top rope, which allowed Amasaki to push her off and down to the floor. Due to the tournament including over-the-top-rope eliminations, Amasaki gained the win and heads into the second round.

Sayaka Kurara and Saki Kashima faced off in first round action. Before the event, Kurara once again appeared at an event for Saya Kamitani’s book. Once again, she snuck in disguised as a fan, and this time offered Kamitani some flowers, hoping to finally get a match for the World of Stardom Title. Kurara swung the flowers at Kamitani, only to have them snatched away and smashed over her own head. Kamitani instructed her to clean up before marching off.

Kashima was holding a grudge against Kurara. Kurara had played a big part in getting Kashima a singles match with Bozilla last year, with saw Kashima beaten by the German giant. Kurara spent the entire match in the Cinderella Tournament apologising to Kashima, even as Kurara held her in a sleeper hold.

Kurara gained the win and in the aftermath, gained a warm embrace from Kashima. Kashima detailed the journey to forgiveness in her post-match comments:

Up until now, I’d felt this intense hatred towards Kurara, or rather, this overwhelming sense of betrayal… But having actually fought her in a singles match, I really came to realise there are things you only understand through experience. I truly didn’t trust her right up until the very last moment, but then at the end… I don’t know… when she looked at me with that adorable face, I just couldn’t help but forgive her!

Having failed in challenging HANAKO for the Future of Stardom Title, Akira Kurogane was looking to rebuild her momentum in the opening round against Rina. However, Rina came away as the victor and advances into the second round. In the post-match comments, it seems that Kurogane does not consider things with Rina over just yet:

Cinderella’s first match, against Rina. That formidable wall proved far too high to overcome—I simply couldn’t clear it. But I’m not the sort to break here. If Rina keeps climbing ever higher, I’ll crawl on my hands and knees to follow her. Please keep scaling those heights. I’ll climb alongside you, and one day I’ll surpass you.

The main event saw Bea Priestley take on Ami Sohrei for the final spot in the second round. Sohrei came out on top of a hard fought battle and closed the event with an impassioned promise to the fans in attendance:

I’ve made it through my first Cinderella match! My opening opponent, Bea Prestley, was the perfect match for me right now. Thank you! There are opponents I want to face in the opposite bracket, but for now, I’ll give my all to each match before me, climbing the ladder step by step towards the finals.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Sohrei will face Rina in the second round. Sayaka Kurara will take on Tomoka Inaba. Hina is set to compete against Azusa Inaba. Saya Iida will take on Miyu Amasaki to round out the second round.

Here are the full results for the STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Day 2, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Tomoka Inaba def. Anne Kanaya (7:12)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Azusa Inaba def. Lady C (8:07)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Saya Iida def. Kiyoka Kotatsu (7:25)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Hina def. Xena (10:32)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Miyu Amasaki def. Rina Yamashita (6:40)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Sayaka Kurara def. Saki Kashima (6:46)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Rina def. Akira Kurogane (12:37)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 1: Ami Sohrei def. Bea Priestley (11:28)