Suzu Suzuki Retains, Cosmic Angels Reshuffles and H.A.T.E. in Trouble at STARDOM in Korakuen Hall

By Noah Leatherland

STARDOM were back in Korakuen Hall, with the main event taking the form of Suzu Suzuki’s first defense of the World of Stardom title. Suzuki defended against the newly-reminted STARDOM member, Utami Hayashishita, and managed to overcome the challenge.

Suzuki has only held the World of Stardom title for a few days, but laid out the challenge to Hayashishita herself. The crowd was split as the two did battle over STARDOM’s top prize, each landing heavy shots. Suzuki and Hayashishita pushed each other to the brink, but just before the 18 minute mark, Suzuki landed the bridging German suplex that had won her the title, and it proved to be the deciding blow around this time too.

After the bout, Suzuki took a kinder approach to her opponent, ushering the crowd to join her in welcoming Hayashishita back to STARDOM. An emotional Hayashishita took the microphone after and addressed the champion:

I’m back! Suzu, you’re so strong. I’m strong too, mind you. You were strong and looked so cool. Fighting today made me realise once again just how strong Stardom is—and just how strong Suzu Suzuki is. You’re absolutely crazy. Thank you!

Suzuki then took the microphone back, and after that intense battle, reached out with an olive branch to Hayashishita:

Come to think of it, we’re from the same graduating class, so let’s be friends.

The two then embraced to close out the event. Speaking in her post-match comments, Hayashishita rolled with the defeat, and set her eyes on another path back to the World of Stardom title:

I didn’t manage to win the red belt today, but receiving so many ‘Welcome back’ messages from you all really touched my heart. I still believe that Utami Hayashishita’s journey is only just beginning, so I’m going to go all out—I’ll win that red belt and I’ll win the 5★STAR tournament that starts soon!

There were some faction developments elsewhere in Korakuen Hall. First, the Cosmic Angels have officially added a new member to their ranks. In Anne Kanaya’s final evaluation match, she teamed with Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurara to face Natsupoi, Yuna Mizumori and Saori Anou. Though Kanaya was pinned in the final moments of the match, she had done enough to impress her seniors.

Kanaya: I came here today fully intending to win. But the seniors were incredibly strong… I’m really frustrated that I’m not quite there yet…

 

Natsupoi: The appeal of Kozuen is that it’s cute, the costumes are cute, it’s flashy and sparkly… But that’s not all. What Kozuen values ​​above all else. That’s ‘heart’. It’s fine if you look a bit of a mess. It’s fine if you’re an utter wreck. It’s that sheer determination—throwing everything you’ve got into the ring, desperately trying to change your life or seize something—that’s what moves the audience’s hearts!

……Anne. Welcome to Kozuen.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

With Kanaya now officially a member of Cosmic Angels, the unit then addressed the situation around their leadership. Natsupoi left the decision to Kurara and Sakura. Sakura took the microphone to confirm the unit’s new direction:

A leader is such an outdated concept! From now on, regardless of career, I want everyone to share various opinions, talk things out, and make it an even better unit, a unit that can truly become COSMIC ANGELS! So, I… instead of leader, I’m putting myself forward as captain!

(Quote translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Then, as captain, Sakura introduced the updated line-up to the fans in Korakuen Hall.

Meanwhile, more cracks have started to show when it comes to HATE Saya Kamitani, Konami and Natsuko Tora did battle with Hazuki, Koguma and Fuwa-chan in trios action. A malfunction in in HATE’s teamwork saw Kamitani strike Konami, which led to Hazuki being able to get the fall for her team. After the match, Kamitani stormed out of the ring, only to be confronted by Momo Watanabe backstage.

Kamitani : What was that at the end?! Huh? Konami’s attitude at the end? Is she trying to say we lost because I accidentally hit her? What’s up with those three… Don’t mess with me!

 

Watanabe : Yeah, exactly! Konami lost because you did that on purpose!

 

Kamitani : It wasn’t on purpose! Anyway, what’s your deal lately? Huh?!

 

Watanabe : It’s because you’re weak! We lost because you’re weak!

 

Kamitani : You’re one to talk, you haven’t even held the red belt yourself.

 

Watanabe : Shut up!

 

Kamitani : Why do you have such a big mouth, huh?

(Quotes translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Elsewhere on the show, Ranna Yagami made another successful defence of the Future of Stardom title against Matoi Hamabe. Speaking in her post-match comments, Yagami shared her ambitions as she prepares for her time in North America:

I’ve successfully defended the Future title for the sixth time. With a US tour coming up, I want to spread the word about Yagami’s ambitions, showcase the high standard of Stardom to the world, and prove just how amazing Yagami is. I intend to keep pushing forward with this belt and keep climbing the ranks at this pace.

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Here are the full results for STARDOM Nighter in Korakuen Hall, June 30th:

• Syuri, Ami Sohrei, Hina, Lady C & Kiyoka Kotatsu def. Natsuko Tora, Momo Watanabe, Ruaka, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen Death (8:24)
• Rina Yamashita, Itsuki Aoki & Akira Kurogane def. Maki Itoh, Kikyo Furusawa & Rian (10:26)
• Hanan, Saya Iida, Xena & HANAKO def. AZM, Miyu Amasaki, Mei Seira & Ema Maishima (9:04)
• Hazuki, Koguma & Fuwa-chan def. Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora & Konami (10:01)
• Future of Stardom Title: Ranna Yagami (c) def. Matoi Hamabe (10:47)
• Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori def. Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara & Anne Kanaya (18:43)
• World of Stardom Title: Suzu Suzuki (c) def. Utami Hayashishita (17:51)