Suzu Suzuki Wins World of Stardom Title at STARDOM THE CONVERSION

By Noah Leatherland

STARDOM assembled in the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for THE CONVERSION, with a card with some very high stakes. In the main event, Suzu Suzuki defeated Sayaka Kurara for the World of Stardom Championship.

Kurara was making her second defence of the red belt, having had a successful defence against Maki Itoh at STARDOM QUEENS DYNASTY in May. Up against Suzuki, Kurara was at a disadvantage in size, strength and experience. But, the young champion showed plenty of fight against her challenger.

However, Kurara’s courage and spirit could not lead her to another successful defence. After two minutes of fierce fighting, Suzuki landed her bridging German Suplex and Kurara failed to kick out. As such, Suzuki was crowned the new World of Stardom Champion, making her the 22nd champion in the title’s lineage.

Amidst the celebrations, Suzu Suzuki took a moment to speak directly to Kurara, and heap some praise onto the former champion:

Finally, finally, I won! Wasn’t it worth coming out in the pouring rain today, eh?

 

I think you understood better than anyone that when Kurara won the belt, she was the wrestler who should lead Stardom—no, this belt—and indeed the entire pro-wrestling world.
I wonder if you were the one who truly felt the weight of this belt the most.

 

Kurara was absolutely brilliant today! That was amazing! To have come this far in two and a half years—you’re incredible. But, but just one thing. It’s fine to be yourself. You don’t need to push yourself too hard.

 

Just pursue the style of pro wrestling you want to do, in your own way.

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Speaking in her post-match comments, it was clear that Kurara took Suzuki’s words to heart:

The Red Belt is gone…. But just like Suzu said, from now on, I will just be my authentic self.

 

Until now, I did not mean to think that way… but looking back, I was constantly thinking about things like, ‘How can I get everyone to acknowledge me?’ or ‘How can I make everyone think that this STARDOM, where I won the Red Belt, is more interesting, enjoyable, and lovable?’

 

I think I might have unconsciously adjusted myself to match the idea of ‘what kind of person everyone would want as a champion.’ I felt like I had to do something extraordinary, just like the previous champion…

 

Today, June 20th, at this Yoyogi show… it is my birthday. That is why, starting today, I will be reborn as the authentic Sayaka Kurara and build myself up all over again.

 

Even though the belt is gone today, I know that what I have done and built up won’t disappear, and everyone’s feelings won’t disappear either. So I will definitely win the Red Belt again… and I want to have a title defense match against Saya Kamitani with me as the champion!

 

That is why I absolutely won’t break today. On June 20th, as a 26-year-old Sayaka Kurara, I will do my best as my new self. Thank you very much!

(Quote translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Then, in the champion’s post-match comments, she was much more celebratory:

Memories I’d buried back then have come flooding back—the pressure and weight of holding the championship belt so early in my career—and I could see some parallels with my younger self. I think Kurara’s passionate spirit really came across in today’s match.

 

Now that I’ve become the World of Stardom Champion, it’s a certainty that the world of pro-wrestling is going to get even more exciting from here on out!
Bozilla is back! I think I was able to win this belt because all the members of Mi Vida Loca are now together!

 

You all better watch out for what’s next for Mi Vida Loca, and for Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita, Bozilla, Itsuki Aoki and Akira Kurogane!

(Quote translated via DeepL)

Three other titles were on the line at STARDOM THE CONVERSION. The Artist of Stardom titles were up for grabs as Ami Sohrei, Hina and Lady C defended against the Itoh Respect Gundan. Though IRG had new choreography to make their entrance to, they could not secure the trios belts. Hina landed the Mad Splash on Rian for the deciding blow.

Syuri defended her IWGP Women’s Championship against Rina Yamashita. Syuri made Yamashita tap out to her Byakko submission hold, securing a successful fourth defence. A new challenger emerged afterwards in the shape of Cosmic Angels’ Natsupoi. Natsupoi laid out a challenge to Syuri, a match for the IWGP Women’s Championship on July 18th.

Then, Hanan defended the Wonder of Stardom title against Saya Iida. In an all-STARS affair, Hanan managed to overcome the might of Iida, making a successful second defense of the white belt. In the aftermath, it was confirmed that Matoi Hamabe has joined the STARS faction.

In another high profile match, Momo Watanabe made her return to the STARDOM ring, teaming with her H.A.T.E. stablemates Konami, Bea Priestley and Saya Kamitani. Opposite them was the team of AZM, Miyu Amasaki, Starlight Kid and Utami Hayashishita. Hayashishita made the absolute most of her opportunity to get in the ring with Kamitani again. Hayashishita picked up the win for her team by hitting Kamitani with her Hijack BT Bomb and pinning her.

Speaking after the match, Watanabe was quite dismissive of the H.A.T.E. leader:

Black Peach has returned, but we lost, didn’t we? But that loss isn’t my fault. Kamitani wasn’t that weak before I went on hiatus. So there is no way it’s my fault. Right, Kamitani? It’s all her fault.

(Quote translated via meraWRESTLING on X)

Here are the full results for STARDOM THE CONVERSION, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Yuna Mizumori def. Matoi Hamabe (5:47)
• Mei Seira def. Ema Maishima (9:10)
• Aya Sakura besiegt Anne Kanaya (7:19)
• Ranna Yagami & Kiyoka Kotatsu def. Itsuki Aoki & Akira Kurogane and Maika & Koguma (5:31)
• Artist of Stardom Title: Ami Sohrei, Hina & Lady C (c) def. Maki Itoh, Kikyo Furusawa & Rian (16:02)
• Natsupoi, Saori Anou, Hazuki & Fuwa-chan def. Natsuko Tora, Ruaka, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen Death★ (8:19)
• Xena def. HANAKO (10:18)
• AZM, Miyu Amasaki, Starlight Kid & Utami Hayashishita def. Saya Kamitani, Momo Watanabe, Konami & Bea Priestley (15:18)
• IWGP Women’s Title: Syuri (c) def. Rina Yamashita (21:18)
• Wonder of Stardom Title: Hanan (c) def. Saya Iida (19:36)
• World of Stardom Title: Suzu Suzuki def. Sayaka Kurara (c) (21:32)