Runaway Wrestler presented STARDOM ALL-STAR GRAND QUEENDOM from Yokohama BUNTAI in front of 2,735 fans. Attendance English commentary was available for this event, featuring Stewart Fulton (The latter joined by Waka Tsukiyama). Idols and voice actresses, Yuzuki Watase & Aina Aiba, joined Yurie Kozakai as special ring announcers. Japanese commentary was led by Haruo Murata and Makoto Ohe and featured Anna Hirai, who plays Mayu, in the upcoming film Runaway Wrestler, which will be released on May 17th.
The two dark matches and the Future of STARDOM Championship match were streamed for free live on YouTube as their buy-in programming. Between the dark matches and the first match, there was an intermission with commentary interviewing Anna Hirai (“Mayu”) and Daimaoh Kosaka (“Michael Tanaka” International Booker) from Runaway Wrestler. They discussed the film and then Mayu Iwatani’s upcoming defense of the IWGP Women’s Championship against Sareee. The World of STARDOM Championship defense of Maika against Momo Watanabe was also mentioned.
“I have never wrestled before but I spent lots of time with [Mayu] and Syuri, and learned a lot for this role.” – Anna Hirai
There was an initial issue for those purchasing the event in English, where the language would automatically default to Japanese. There is no toggle between languages during the show. It was resolved early on but required additional show purchases and refunds to be requested.
RESULTS:
- Dark Match: Momo Kohgo defeated Ranna Yagami (6:11; pinfall)
- Dark Match: Yuna Mizumori & Aya Sakura defeated Lady C & Rian (8:57; pinfall)
- Future of STARDOM Championship: Rina (c) defeated Sayaka Kurara (8:57; pinfall)
- 6-Woman Tag: God’s Eye defeated E nexus V (11:49; submission)
- High-Speed Championship 4-Way: Saya Kamitani defeated Saki Kashima (c), Saya Iida, & Fukigen Desu (6:58; pinfall)
- Natsuko Tora defeated Mina Shirakawa (9:32; No Contest)
- Aja Kong & Kaoru Ito defeated Tam Nakano & Natsupoi (16:59; pinfall)
- Goddesses of STARDOM Championship 4-Way: Crazy Star (c) defeated STARS, Queen’s Quest, Oedo Tai (11:17; pinfall) – Seira pinned Ruaka -Recommended
- IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) defeated Sareee (20:26; pinfall) -Recommended
- Wonder of STARDOM Championship: Saori Anou (c) defeated Hanan (21:24; pinfall) -Recommended
- World of STARDOM Championship: Maika (c) [2] defeated Momo Watanabe [1] (Best of 3 Falls with stipulations; 35:15 total)
Dark Match: Momo Kohgo Ranna Yagami (6:11; pinfall) Nectar Peach (wrist-clutch fisherman suplex)
For those who enjoy the career development of new talent. Yagami’s wrestling career is less than six months, but her prior sports experience, including karate serves as a good foundation. As part of God’s Eye, she’s in great company to sharpen her skills, especially with seasoned wrestlers with mixed martial arts backgrounds like Syuri and Konami.
Kohgo’s growth since joining STARDOM has been one of the ones I’ve really enjoyed. She has been battling some injuries, which has derailed her momentum a bit, but she is finding her footing as a member of STARS. While she has been one of the more understated members of STARS, she has been featured on NJPW programming, like the one-day NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship tournament, and plays a key supporting role in Runaway Wrestler. She originally auditioned for Mayu.
Dark Match: Yuna Mizumori & Aya Sakura defeated Lady C & Rian (8:57; pinfall) Mizumori pinned Rian after Tropical Sunshine
Mizumori’s journey from independent wrestler and her evolution within Cosmic Angels has really helped hold the group together when both Tam and Natsupoi missed time due to injuries. Aya Sakura’s journey to STARDOM is an interesting one as when she applied, she thought she was auditioning for Runaway Wrestler, but submitted her application for the STARDOM rookie accidentally. Over the last few months, she, Mizumori, and Sayaka Kurara have all been fighting their way into Cosmic Angels.
Rian debuted recently against Starlight Kid, and it’s great to see Lady C working with her. With the recent departure of Utami Hayashishita, Queen’s Quest could see a lot of internal movement, which could benefit all members of the unit.
Future of STARDOM Championship: Rina (c) defeated Sayaka Kurara (8:57; pinfall) via Diving Double Knee Drop/pin; V8
Seventeen-year-old Rina is quickly closing in on her older sister, Hanan’s consecutive defense record with the Future of STARDOM Championship. Her reign as Future Champion has been rather solid and she’s really helped showcase the newer talents like Sayaka. Even as a heel, she tends to fight her championship matches rather cleanly with minimal interference with Oedo Tai members at ringside. I hope that either her twin sister, Hina, or her older sister, Hanan, will be in the queue for future defenses, especially if Rina gets to V10, where Hanan has sat since her loss to Ami Sohrei in 2022.
A video trailer announced several big events over the summer including the 2024 5STAR Grand Prix played.
- Flashing Champions 2024 (5/18) Yokohama Budokan
- STARDOM THE CONVERSION (6/22) Yoyogi National Sports Center Main Arena – STARDOM’s final big show before NJPW acquired all BushiFight shares on 6/28
- Event Name TBA (7/27-28) Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- 5★STAR GP 2024
- Opening Day (8/10) Yokohama Budokan
- Finals (8/31) Musashino Forest Sports Plaza Main Arena
- Event Name TBA (9/14) Osaka Edion Arena Main Gymnasium
- Event Name TBA (10/15) Aichi Dolphins Arena
The free stream closes with the trailer of Runaway Wrestler: A Girl Runs to Stardom.
Konami’s Official Return to STARDOM 6-Woman Tag: God’s Eye (Syuri, Ami Sohrei & Konami) defeated E nexus V (Waka Tsukiyama, Xena & HANAKO) (11:49; submission) Konami submits Tsukiyama with the Triangle Lancer (Kneeling step-over head-hold armbar)
At STARDOM Dream Queendom 2021, Konami faced Giulia in her final, full-time STARDOM match. Konami took time off to take care of a medical condition, but during the Golden Week Fight Tour 2022, Konami returned part-time, choosing to align herself with her mentor Syuri and God’s Eye instead of rejoining OedoTai. Since then, she’s worked part-time, especially shows around her hometown area of Hiroshima, but it was announced earlier in the month that she would be resuming full-time status with STARDOM.
This was a fun match and a Konami showcase for anyone who wasn’t familiar with her long-term history in STARDOM. Tsukiyama and HANAKO are both growing as wrestlers, but this match was purely about giving Konami a proper welcome back to the company, complete with all the twisted and beautiful submissions she is known for.
High Speed Championship 4-Way: Saya Kamitani defeated Saki Kashima (c), Saya Iida, & Fukigen Desu Saki Kashima (c) (6:58; pinfall) Kamitani pinned Fukigen Death after a Frankensteiner; Kamitani becomes the 26th High-Speed Champion
After dislocating her shoulder last summer, I was curious to know how it would affect her wrestling moving forward. On April 23rd, the Golden Phoenix announced that she would be retiring the move that defined her career thus far. Saya Kamitani made quite the statement with her vibrant red gear. After years of sea foam green and sky blue, she looks like she’s already making a declaration for the World of STARDOM championship, and carrying a little bit of her former AphroditE tag partner, Utami Hayashishita.
The defending champion, Kashima, spent most of the match hiding outside of the ring while Fukigen, Kamitani and Iida wore each other down, but jumped in for attacks of opportunity, trying to get a kishikaisei on anyone. Iida got a great power showcase, but Kamitani would pin Fukigen with a Frakensteiner. After the match, Kashima offered to fasten the belt around Kamitani’s waist. However, she then tried to run away with it, only to be stopped by Syuri and Ami Sohrei in her corner.
Natsuko Tora defeated Mina Shirakawa (9:32; No Contest) – use of weapons & interference
This match wasn’t really about Shirakawa and Tora, but Oedo Tai flexing their numbers and the referee being exceptionally generous with outside interference. Within the first minute, Mina is pulled out of the ring by Ruaka, attacked by her, Rina, and Starlight Kid, and launched into the audience. Shirakawa did get her revenge, by targeting Natsuko’s left knee (which she previously had surgery on). When they fought in the ring without the assistance of OedoTai, I really enjoyed the match because of Shirakawa’s use of the figure four leg lock and other variations which all further the wearing down of Natsuko.
The match should have been thrown out the moment the referee was pulled out of the thing, but Thekla showed up, giving Mina the impression that The Toxic Spider would be coming to her rescue as an ally of E Nexus V, but she turned the tables by taking Natsuko’s pipe and attacking Shirakawa. In a bold declaration, Thekla intends on reforming Stardom and since everyone is doing whatever they want, she will, too. If STARDOM is smart, they need to start concentrating on Thekla, including not repeating last year’s error of leaving her out of the 5STAR Grand Prix.
POINT: Thekla joins Oedo Tai, after assisting Natsuko!
Aja Kong & Kaoru Ito defeated Tam Nakano & Natsupoi (16:59; pinfall) Kong pinned Nakano after a diving elbow drop
This was a nice reunion of Tam and Natsupoi as meltear. This was a special singles match, but it could have really been on any show or they could have been in the Goddesses of STARDOM multi-way match. Aja Kong usually does the big shows for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and Kaoru Ito is a freelancing legend, but best known for her time in JWP Joshi and All-Japan Women’s. This was a nice nostalgia match, but nothing particularly outstanding unless you’re a die-hard meltear (Tam Nakano and Natsupo) fan.
Goddesses of STARDOM Championship 4-Way: Crazy Star (Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira) (c) defeated Fukuoka Double Crazy (Hazuki & Koguma), 02line (AZM & Miyu Amasaki, Oedo Tai (Starlight Kid & Ruaka) (11:17; pinfall) – Seira pinned Ruaka after Checkmate, V2 for Crazy Star
In Osaka, Crazy Star had their first defense against Suzu Suzuki’s former unit comrades in PROMINENCE, Risa Sera and Kurumi Hiiragi. Afterward, challengers came out of the woodwork, leading to the first-ever, Goddesses of STARDOM 4-Way challenge. With Koguma, AZM, SLK, and Seira all starting the match, the Rogues Gallery of High-Speed Champions started the match off to a fiery start. With the number of high-speed champions in the match, this was arguably faster than the High-Speed Championship earlier on the card.
I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about this match. Yes, there were some misfires in the match, but those were few and far between, and the veteran wrestlers more than made up for it. Even with eight wrestlers in the match, the chaos was timed wonderfully and even Oedo Tai wrestled cleanly… well… for Oedo Tai. Hubris arrived for Starlight Kid when Mei Seira reversed Ruaka’s hold, and SLK smashed Ruaka in the face with her own suitcase, leading Seira to pin Ruaka and Crazy Star to retain.
While Fukuoka Double Crazy challenged Crazy Star and set the date for Fukuoka, in their hometown. Unfortunately, Starlight Kid attempted to apologize to Ruaka for the misfire during the match, but Oedo Tai decided SLK was no longer necessary to the group. After a group beat down, Natsuko thanked Kid for her service and tried ripping off her mask. Tam Nakano came out to protect Kid, knowing all too well what it’s like to be thrown out of Oedo Tai. Mayu did the same for Tam in 2018, while Starlight Kid was still in STARS. Although Tam offered her hand to Kid, she didn’t accept it, but instead let Tam help her to the back.
POINTS:
- Fukuoka Double Crazy challenge Crazy Star (Fukuoka 5/5) – Koguma and Hazuki want Seira & Suzuki in their hometown of Fukuoka during the Golden Week Tour. “If you aren’t scared, face us two-on-two in Fukuoka on May 5th.” – Hazuki
- Natsuko Tora kicks Starlight Kid out Oedo Tai! – Tam comes out to rescue SLK, calling back to when Kagetsu and Oedo Tai threw her out in 2018, leading to Itawani offering Nakano to join STARS and amongst the members was a much younger Starlight Kid. “It doesn’t matter how talented you are, if you pick the wrong place, you aren’t going to flourish… how about fighting alongside me starting tomorrow?” SLK thanked her but needed time to think.
IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) defeated Sareee (20:26; pinfall) via Two-Step Dragon Suplex; V5 Iwatani
Four years ago, Mayu was scheduled to defend the World of STARDOM championship against Sareee, but the match was postponed indefinitely. After that time, Sareee would leave for America and debut in NXT. However, since returning from the US, Sareee has been very vocal about the IWGP Women’s Championship, especially once Mayu won it from Mercedes Monet last year. They both started wrestling at the same time, but have taken two very different paths.
For those who only know of NXT-Era Sarray, I would recommend this match as a gateway match to everything that could have been, had she been given the same pushes that Asuka, Io, and Kairi had in NXT. This would also be a great starting point to dive into her work since returning to Japan. She’s been determined to end Mayu’s year-long reign with the IWGP Women’s Championship and doesn’t pull a single punch throughout the match.
Although her defense against Syuri on January 1st is still my favorite of Mayu’s IWGP defenses, this match with Sareee easily slots into second place. I loved that Anna Hirai could watch Mayu’s match from the commentary booth at ringside. I wish she could have been a second at ringside because she would get so moved and absorbed in the match that she would forget that her headset was live, and she would cheer. I thought it was a cute touch and something special with the film coming out next month.
“I feel like I discovered a new rival today!!” – Mayu to Sareee
“I want that IWGP belt more than anything, so be prepared because I will be back to take it from you.” -Sareee to Mayu
POINT: Ice Ribbon’s Tsukasa Fujimoto arrives. She talks about the complicated history between STARDOM and IR, mentions her tag partner, Arisa Nakajima plans to retire, and poses a surprising question: “Isn’t it about time we kick open a Forbidden Door that’s been locked up tight?,” to Mayu Iwatani.
“Aren’t people who normally come out here after a title match the ones who want to call their shot next?” Mayu replies, flatly refusing a 2-on-1 Best Friends vs. Mayu request, which turns out to be a misunderstanding. “Why didn’t you say a tag match in the first place?”
Wonder of STARDOM Championship: Saori Anou (c) defeated Hanan (21:24; pinfall) via Pottering (Roll-up); V2 Anou
Hanan’s wish for winning the 2024 Cinderella tournament was to challenge for the Wonder of STARDOM. The last singles championship she held was the Future of STARDOM, in which she defended it successfully ten times before losing to Ami Sohrei. Mind you, Hanan was in high school at the time, and at nineteen, she became the youngest Cinderella Tournament winner earlier this year.
This was a solid presentation of Hanan as one of the potential future stars of the company. Anou pushed her hard throughout the match and provided plenty of opportunities for Hanan to get creative with her offense. Anou turned up the heat with some beautiful bridges and tried squeezing the air out of Hanan’s sails. It was a valiant first challenge for Hanan, but in the tradition of the Wonder of STARDOM Championship, the chase is a long road. Anou retained, but not without making Hanan look strong in defeat, and The Young Lioness finally showing the STARDOM a bright future in store.
POINT: Natsupoi and Ami Sohrei vie to be Anou’s next challenger, and Anou decided they’ll face one another to determine who will face her next.
World of STARDOM Championship: Maika (c) [2] defeated Momo Watanabe [1] (Best of 3 Falls with stipulations; 35:15 total); V4 Maika
Best of Three Falls Stipulations (1: Standard Match 2: Hardcore Match & 3: Last Woman Standing Match)
One of the longest belt chases in all of STARDOM history is that of Momo Watanabe and the World of STARDOM Championship. Starting in 2018 against Kagetsu in a Wonder/World of STARDOM Championship that ended in a double knock out, and subsequent challenges against Bea Priestley (now NXT’s Blair Davenport), Mayu Iwatani, Utami Hayashishita, Syuri. Additionally, she fell short to Maika in the vacant championship tournament in November 2023. No matter what Watanabe does, she has outstanding matches but always winds up empty-handed. With the trio of match stipulations, it seemed that Momo’s savvy and Oedo Tai’s resourcefulness could finally put the elusive red belt in her grasp.
- Standard: Momo pinned Maika after Peach Thunder (14:14)
- Hardcore: Maika pinned Momo after Michinoku Driver II (12:37)
- Last Woman Standing: Maika defeated Momo after a ten-count KO, following a rolling Michinoku Driver II (8:14)
It has been a while since STARDOM has had a heel World Champion, but I genuinely feel like Momo, given her skills and experience, could make it a worthwhile run. In pure wrestling matches, she particularly shines when she isn’t focused on the grandstanding and using of weapons. She has all the tools at her disposal, especially her kicks, so I hope that STARDOM takes a chance on The Black Peach the way they did on Queen’s Quest Leader, storied Wonder of STARDOM Champion True Heart Momo Watanabe.
This was an interesting approach to a title defense, but given that Momo’s been chasing the red belt longer than Maika has been wrestling altogether, it was frustrating at times that the obstacles in place to help Momo win actually worked against her against someone with a shorter career. While this latest defense was branded as a “first-ever” for the red belt, the crowd really didn’t get into the matches overall. It also felt like STARDOM was trying to compete with Naito vs. Moxley’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Windy City Riot. Momo has been in the company long enough that if she had to lose to Maika, which she has in the past, she didn’t need to be protected by a match over 35 minutes. Personally, I don’t watch STARDOM for the gimmick matches as I see plenty of that on American television.
Maika is having a solid run with the World of STARDOM championship. However, their November 2023 meeting for the vacant red belt in the tournament final, accomplished more in less than fifteen minutes.
Final Thoughts
This was STARDOM’s first big show after the departure of Giulia, Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI, Mai Sakurai, Yuzuki, and Rossy Ogawa, and the announcement of Dream Star☆Fighting MARIGOLD. With some more space in their roster, this is the opportunity for STARDOM to begin shuffling the deck, pushing different talents, and genuinely carving out the next chapter of STARDOM’s history moving forward. I think there will be some expected growing pains, as pillar talents they heavily relied on like Giulia and Utami were big selling points for many fans. However, if this means a freshening up of the factions, character makeovers for talents, and new opportunities for those who have patiently waited their turns, I am all for it.
With the announcement earlier this week that New Japan Pro-Wrestling will acquire all shares of BushiFight, taking STARDOM under its own wing, I am curious to see how STARDOM begins changing in the transition months prior to June 28th and how it will be managed by NJPW once July arrives. This is a good show if you want to begin your journey with STARDOM because the focus is largely on the future, with minor sprinklings of the past here and there. Compared to last year’s show where KAIRI and Mercedes Moné were featured attractions in championship matches, this year’s Grand Queendom focused primarily on full-time STARDOM talent, even with the inclusion of Sareee, Aja Kong & Kaoru Ito.
If you are STARDOM curious, I will always recommend watching the free live streams prior to the PPV. While the bigger names within the company are seldom featured on it, you can get a feel for the show. Typically, STARDOM gets the shows onto Stardom World several days afterward.
Highlights
- The Toxic Spider spun a new web! I am so glad that Thekla is back in STARDOM, and her joining OedoTai is the best place for her to fall as outside of DDM, there really wasn’t a faction for her as Suzu Suzuki still hasn’t formed a formal group.
- Darkness betrays The Sky Tiger! If this means that big plans are in store for Starlight Kid, sign me up. Likely a feud with Natsuko and Oedo Tai is first on the menu, as I am sure she’ll need to fight her way back into the light.
- Thawing out the Ice Ribbon Forbidden Door! I am excited to see who Mayu selects as her partner for the match against Fujimoto and her Best Friends tag partner, Nakajima, and what it means for the two companies moving forward.
Low Points
- Two 4-Way Championship Matches: I know STARDOM loves getting everyone onto a single card and spring QUEENDOM is now their second biggest show on the calendar. One four-way is fine, two is excessive, and feels like too many people need to be protected when losing.
- Thawing out the Ice Ribbon Forbidden Door… I disagreed with the mention of “poaching” in Fujimoto’s promo, as it felt like reopening a wound with regard to Giulia leaving IR to join Stardom in 2019 as well as a reference to the the departure of multiple talents with Rossy to establish Marigold (and the confusion with Fuka & the talents from Actwres GirlZ). I feel like the story can be told in the ring without cheap PR shots.
Wrap-up
I would definitely recommend that you check it out if you are interested in STARDOM, but as the PPVs are limited-time release tickets (and a little expensive), you could wait until the show archive is available on Stardom World. I’d definitely recommend Iwatani/Sareee and the Goddesses Tag 4-Way.
I am still curious to see how the IWGP Women’s Championship and the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championships will come into play starting in July, once the acquisition has been executed by NJPW. I want to be cautiously optimistic that everything that made STARDOM stand out over the last fourteen years won’t be stripped away, but I wonder if the time will soon come for the star-shaped belts to enter retirement.
Check out Dream Slam Monthly tomorrow, for STARDOM’s upcoming schedule and a round of all things joshi for April!
