STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Second Round Takes Place in Korakuen Hall, Quarter Finals Set

By Noah Leatherland

The STARDOM Cinderella Tournament had its second round of competition in Korakuen Hall. The field was narrowed even further, with the quarter finals becoming set as only 8 women remain in contention for the grand prize.

The night’s tournament action started hot as Ranna Yagami attacked her second round opponent, Hanan, before the bell sounded. Despite the vicious plan giving Yagami and early advantage, Hanan battled back. She landed the backdrop that had won her the first round, and it did the same here, securing Hanan a spot in the quarter finals. Speaking after the match, Hanan shared her rejuvenated feeling:

Amazing, Yagami. Wasn’t that the sort of momentum I had the year I first won the Cinderella Cup? Back then, I just felt this incredible, invincible feeling for some reason, without any real basis for it. It’s been ages since I’ve played in a singles match that felt this enjoyable and rewarding.

The next match saw a major upset take place. Natsupoi would have been the odds-on to advance as she met Rian in the second round. However, Rian managed to eliminate Natsupoi thanks to the tournament’s over-the-top-rope stipulations. Rian heads into the quarter finals, with a massive win in her record and a single goal in mind:

I beat Natsupoi! I’ve fought Natsupoi many times, but I’d never beaten her myself. But in this Cinderella Tournament, I managed to knock Natsupoi-san over the top rope and win. I’ll win the semi-final, then the final, become Cinderella, and get the High Speed belt!

Despite the loss, Natsupoi is now cheering Rian on, even with it throwing a wrench in her wedding plans:

Seriously? Is this a dream? It’s real, right? Wow, no way. Now that this has happened, Rian must win the Cinderella tournament no matter what, right? She wants to challenge for the High Speed belt, doesn’t she? I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing that happen. I’m gutted about losing to Rian, but there’s also sadness that we can’t have the public wedding reception… I shouldn’t mention company money, should I? We’d like to have a quiet reception with just close family and friends. It’s bloody frustrating! Rian, you absolutely have to become Cinderella!

The following tournament match pit Hina against Azusa Inaba. The match began with a brawl around ringside, which eventually made its way back between the ropes. Hina was able to claim the win, landing a big splash off the top to claim the win. The comments Inaba had made about her leading into this match made the win even sweeter:

She’s been calling me a “bookworm old hag”, but she’s only 18, so we’re just one year apart. But after today’s match, you get it, right? That “one year difference” is absolutely massive. The tournament victory is still a long way off, so who’s next? Amasaki or Iida. Whichever one wins today will be next, and I want to beat whichever one it is. And I want to win the whole thing.

Still vying for a shot at Saya Kamitani’s World of Stardom Title, Sayaka Kurara faced Tomoka Inaba in the second round. Kurara withstood Inaba’s targeted attack on her leg and claimed the victory. She carries her high hopes into the quarter finals:

I cannot stop here now, because I am aiming for consecutive championships. And beyond those consecutive championships, there is a future I want to see more of, a future I want to show more of. For now, I will walk this path, believing absolutely in myself… in myself alone.

Reeling from the loss, Inaba made a bold comparison to Kurara:

There was one regret in my pro-wrestling career. That I never got to have a singles match with Tam Nakano. But somehow, fighting Kurara today… her gaze, or something… there were moments when she overlapped with Tam Nakano in my mind. I lost, but I beat her at the 5★STAR GP. Our singles record stands at one win each. …I won’t lose to that girl again.

Ami Sohrei faced Rina in second round action. Despite Sohrei seemingly getting the better of Rina for much of the match, Rina ended up the victor with a Jackknife pin clutching the win. With last year’s defeat on her mind, Rina is determined to win the tournament:

Last year, I was runner-up… Reaching the final only to fall just short was absolutely brutal. There are things only those who’ve experienced it can understand. So, even though it’s runner-up, Ami Sohrei has her own bitter disappointment, and I have mine… That’s why I’ve decided I’ll win the tournament this year, no matter what. That’s why I couldn’t afford to lose in the second round, here of all places. The Cinderella Tournament’s full of slackers, so I’m going to win this properly and set STARDOM straight.

The main event saw Saya Iida collide with Miyu Amasaki. Under the bright lights of Korakuen Hall, both women gave it their all to reach the quarter finals.

In the end, it was Amasaki that managed to snatch the win, getting Iida trapped in the Amanohashidate pin. Addressing the crowd in the aftermath, the win was much more than just advancing for Amasaki:

I beat Saya Iida!! Iida… It’s been almost five whole years since I became a trainee. Now, after five years, I’ve finally managed to defeat you. These past five years, there were so many frustrating, painful, heartbreaking moments, but I believe this very moment exists because I never ran away, never gave up. And throughout it all, you’ve watched over me, supported me, been such a great senior… Thank you.

Iida also reflected on the road Amasaki has been on, and the implications for the rest of the tournament:

You’ve been expected to succeed since your debut, hasn’t it been tough? You’re nothing like me. Bloom at the very top. That’s how you debuted on this ring. This Cinderella… aren’t you the only one fit for the role?

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

The quarter finals of the STARDOM Cinderella Tournament are set. The matchups are as follows:

• Hanan vs. Maki Itoh
• Aya Sakura vs. Rian
• Sayaka Kurara vs. Rina
• Hina vs. Miyu Amasaki

Some other big matches were made in the fallout of the event’s opening tag match. HANAKO will defend the Future of Stardom Title against Yuria Hime on March 11th. Then, Hazuki is set to defend the CMLL Japan Women’s Title against India Sioux on March 15th.

Here are the full results for STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Day 3, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Bea Priestley, Momo Kohgo, Yuria Hime, India Sioux & Tabata def. Hazuki, HANAKO, Xena, Rina Yamashita & Akira Kurogane (6:40)
• Saori Anou, Yuna Mizumori & Aya Sakura def. Maki Itoh, Kikyo Furusawa & Fuwa-chan and Saki Kashima, Lady C & Anne Kanaya (6:55)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Hanan def. Ranna Yagami (7:43)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Rian def. Natsupoi (10:40)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Hina def. Azusa Inaba (12:51)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Sayaka Kurara def. Tomoka Inaba (12:44)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Rina def. Ami Sohrei (13:10)
• Cinderella Tournament – Round 2: Miyu Amasaki def. Saya Iida (9:52)