Utami Hayashishita Emerges Victorious In Her STARDOM Return

By: Lewis Carlan

On May 26th, Utami Hayahshishita shocked the world of pro-wrestling when she made her return to STARDOM. Hayashishita appeared at the STARDOM NIGHTER IN KORAKUEN 2026 MAY event at Korakuen Hall and came face to face with her former Queen’s Quest ally Saya Kamitani.

Four days after her return, Hayashishita competed in her first bout for STARDOM in over two years as she faced young star Akira Kurogane. Kurogane confronted Hayashishita backstage at Korakuen Hall on May 26th and challenged her to the match.

Hayashishita faced off against Kurogane as the two were the opening bout on May 30th at STARDOM IN KOBE 2026 MAY with a sold out crowd on hand.

The crowd was electric for the encounter as Kurogane gave Hayashishita a very tough bout. The young star showed that she has greatly improved her in-ring skills since her debut exhibition match back on Dec. 24th 2024.

A rejuvenated Hayashishita proved to be too much for Kurogane as she ended the bout at the 9:41 with a German Suplex/Pin combo. Hayashishita gave Kurogane an embrace after the bout had concluded.

Hayashishita had nothing but praise for Kurogane during her post-match backstage interview:

“Before the match, I thought that if I got to face Akira in a singles match, I’d just feel happy—like, ‘I’m so glad she’s made such a great pro wrestling debut’—and that would be the end of it. But Akira was so much more amazing and so much cooler than I ever imagined. I should be happy that I won, but right now, I’m really frustrated. Still, I suppose it’s a blessing as a pro wrestler to have a junior like her make me feel this way.” (English translation via Deepl.com)

Hayashishita’s next bout will be on May 31st as she will team with Matoi Hamabe to take on Saya Iida and the Wonder of Stardom Champion Hanan.

Here are the full results for STARDOM IN KOBE 2026 MAY courtesy of purolove.com:

• Utami Hayashishita defeated Akira Kurogane (9:41) with a German Suplex Hold.
• Syuri, Ranna Yagami & Tomoka Inaba defeated Natsuko Tora, Ruaka & Azusa Inaba  (7:02) after Ryuen of Syuri against Inaba.
  
• 3 Way Battle: Matoi Hamabe defeated Waka Tsukiyama & Rian (6:27) with an arakawa under the bridge against Tsukiyama & Rian.
  
• Handicap Match: Maika & HANAKO defeated Koguma, Maki Itoh & Kikyo Furusawa (10:03) after a rolling lariat by Maika against Furusawa.
• Ami Sohrei, Hina & Lady C defeated Starlight Kid, AZM & Ema Maishima (10:01) after a Blue Thunder bomb from Sohrei against Maishima.
• Saya Kamitani, Konami, Bea Priestley & Rina defeated Natsupoi, Yuna Mizumori, Aya Sakura & Anne Kanaya (14:02) after Kamitani’s Star Crusher vs. Kanaya.
• Saya Iida & Suzu Suzuki defeated Sayaka Kurara & Hanan (13:26) after a tequila shot by Suzuki against Kurara.