Every month Monthly Puroresu will be bringing you a guide to the previous month’s happenings in STARDOM. Whether you’re someone who can only occasionally watch, are looking to get into the promotion and want to know what’s going on, or just been to busy to keep up, we have you covered! This is what happened in STARDOM during the month of January…

After winning the fan-voted ShuPro Women’s MVP of 2022 Award, Syuri promises that many exciting challenges are still ahead of her, despite no longer being champ.

Kota Ibushi's First Match in the U.S. Confirmed Against Mike Bailey by: J. Curbelo After an announcement by both NJPW and Kota Ibushi confirming the latter's status as a freelancer, Gamechanger Wrestling posted a video featuring "Speedball" Mike Bailey challenging the Golden Star in a rather ominous way, by crushing a watermelon with his name on it. https://twitter.com/GCWrestling_/status/1620612152813064192 What's been labeled as "The Dream Match" will take place during GCW's The Collective series of events, more specifically, the 9th installment of Josh Barnett's BLOODSPORT on March 30th, in Los Angeles. Ibushi has expressed gratitude towards New Japan, and a positive outlook for the future, with many more surprises to come. https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota/status/1620614148643262465 With an array of possibilities in a post-restriction wrestling world, where will Kota Ibushi's international tour see him show up?

Saki Kashima Prepares to Become a Shooter and Face Syuri by: J. Curbelo The STARDOM in SHOWCASE series keeps bringing surreal situations from a slightly alternate thread in the company's narrative. After spending 2022 running away from the leader of God's Eye, Saki Kashima has mustered enough courage to challenge her to a singles match under the infamous UWF Rules stipulation at the series' fourth "volume". https://twitter.com/wwr_stardom/status/1619628920218812417 After their first singles match in 2021, which saw Syuri successfully defend her SWA Championship, Kashima had gotten an upset win from Syuri during the 5 STAR Grand Prix back in August, with her flash-pin finisher "Kishikaisei". Unfortunately for Oedo Tai's lieutenant, Syuri got her win back a couple of months later in humiliating fashion, with a TKO victory after Starlight Kid threw in the towel. STARDOM's Beansprout has been perpetually frightened about Syuri's nearly lethal offense, but she hopes that things will…

Our weekly Puroresu Gate feature analyzing ticket sales takes us to the 290-seat Shin-Kiba 1st Ring arena, where Pro Wrestling Zero1 held a fantastic event recently.

On the last show of DDT Pro Wrestling "Sweet Dreams", the monster known as Yuji Hino defeated the KO-D Openweight Champion Kazusada Higuchi on glorious fashion. By: R. Faliani After a card of great matches, and great moments, as usual on the, no pun intended, wrestling universe of DDT, the main event of the show was what already many consider the MOTY. Kazusada Higuchi and Yuji Hino went to war, with the most deadly chopfest we could ever asked for. "DDT's Flagbearer" did everything on his power to hang on, and defend the honor that was given to him by Konosuke Takeshita. Despite his efforts to protect DDT's values, the man that initially handed him the victory on the D-Oh Grand Prix was destined to start his reign of dominance. Higuchi's chest was purple, but his spirit was as fiery as ever. His heart wanted to keep going, but the…

By: Sonal Lad After the whirlwind Wrestle Kingdom 17 event, New Japan Pro Wrestling returned for its annual New Beginning tour. With special singles matches and titles on the line, the tour is full of the biggest stars wrestling to get 2023 off to the best start possible. Here is a look at all the key matches coming up during the New Beginning tour. February 4th Francesco Akira & TJP (c) v DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru – IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Championships Francesco Akira and TJP have really brought the IWGP Jr tag division into a new era. Yet, after beating them in Super Jr Tag League and New Year’s Dash, DOUKI and Yoshinobu Kanemaru are out to cut their reign short. While both teams are fairly new, they have showcased impeccable tag team offense and chemistry. The Empire duo has created an innovative offense that is influenced by each…

Ice Ribbon's Parent Company to Launch New Promotion By: J. Curbelo A new spinoff of Ice Ribbon was announced at the latest Princess' Party show. Former ring announcer and wrestler Chiharu held a press conferences detailing the launch of Hot Shushu (Meaning "Hot Scrunchie" a play on the "Ice Ribbon" name). Chiharu isn't on her own for this new project, as the now-defunct NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling alumnae Tanny Mouse and Yoshiko Tamura will oversee the promotion's development. The official hashtag for the company is #hotシュシュ. https://twitter.com/IceRibbon_eng/status/1618193508954931204 A pre-launch event is set for April 12th this year, with the promotion properly making its debut within May. Updates on the development of new talent will be provided by Tanny and Yoshiko on their cooperative YouTube channel. But where will the new talent come from? Chiharu explained that anyone is welcome to train regardless of age, gender, nationality, height, weight or…

Emi Sakura, Mayumi Ozaki, La Estrella and More in AAA World Cup By: J. Curbelo Earlier today, the prestigious Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide confirmed the participants for their highly anticipated Lucha Libre World Cup of 2023, a trios tournament with multiple companies and countries from all over the world represented. This massive competition will take place next March 19th in Guadalajara, Jalisco. During a press conference, the Japanese representatives were announced. https://twitter.com/luchalibreaaa/status/1618326594191515649 On the male side of the tournament, DRAGONGATE's La Estrella and Takuma Nishikawa join freelancer KUUKAI, an assortment that prompted AAA's Mr. Iguana to burst in anger emojis. Nishikawa, who already wrestled against Iguana in Mexico last year, wasted no time in heating things up by replying "Who are you? I don't know who you are" in Spanish. KUUKAI -formerly known as Koji Kawamoto- also went on excursion to Mexico, where he gained massive appreciation for lucha libre.…

This week, we are looking at the 1,800-seat Tokyo Korakuen Hall. Known as the MECCA of Japanese Pro Wrestling, this venue is used by every Puroresu and Joshi promotion and is considered sacred ground for fans and wrestlers alike.