Dream Slam Monthly (Vol. 16): Celebration of Spring

April 28, 2024 Karen Peterson Exclusives, NEWS, RECOMMENDED
Photo Courtesy: Dream Star Fighting Marigold

Just when I thought Joshi Mania Week would be the most hectic one in April, spring thawed ice and flowers started sprouting up everywhere! There was heaps of great wrestling all over the globe and lots of hot-button news items are massive shifts in the women’s wrestling landscape which are going to make the rest of 2024 very interesting.

Tsukasa Fujimoto back as in-ring talent for Ice Ribbon (4/10) In March 2022, Tsukka announced that she would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from in-ring activity in preparation for the birth of her child (a healthy daughter in March 2023). However, she did continue working behind the scenes at Ice Ribbon. She recently tagged with Sareee and Arisa Nakajima at SEAdLINNNG (4/21). 

With Arisa Nakajima announcing her retirement in August 2024, Fujimoto turned heads and made a lot of waves at STARDOM’s ALL-STAR GRAND QUEENDOM (4/27), by inviting Mayu Iwatani to finally “unshackle another long-shut Forbidden Door” to bring a tag partner to take on herself and Nakajima. The date, location, and partner for Iwatani remain to be seen, but in recent years STARDOM has increased the number of talent exchanges and smaller promotions they’ve worked with, so this could be an interesting and beneficial opportunity for both companies.  

Rossy Ogawa announced MARIGOLD (4/15) – A special press conference was held to announce Dream Star Fighting MARIGOLD, the long-speculated new joshi promotion by Rossy Ogawa. Alongside Giulia, Utami Hayashita, MIRAI, Mai Sakurai, and Victoria Yuzuki, Nanae Takahashi and Nao Ishikawa were revealed as part of the roster. 

During the press conference, former GM of Actwres GirlZ and founding member of STARDOM, Fuka, arrived with six former talents from AWG wishing to formally pursue wrestling: Kouki, Chika Goto, Natsumi Showzuki, Misa Matsui, Miku Aono, & Chiaki. Foreign wrestlers making their Japan wrestling debut include Bozilla, Zayda Steel, & Myla Grace.

Later the same night, Rossy, Giulia, Utami, MIRAI, & Mai appeared at NOAH’s Monday Magic, to issue a challenge for WRESTLE MAGIC. 

Key Appearance & Show Dates:

Pro-Wrestling NOAH: WRESTLE MAGIC (5/4) Ryogoku Sumo Hall

  • 4-on-4 Women’s Tag Match: Giulia, Utami Hayashishita, MIRAI & Mai Sakurai vs. Nagisa Nozaki, Takumi Iroha, Miyuki Takase and The Great Sakuya

MARIGOLD FIELDS FOREVER (5/20) Korakuen Hall – Inaugural Show; Full Show Card reveal scheduled for fan event on 5/5

  • Special Tag Match: Giulia & X vs. Saree & X
  • Passion Injection Match: Victoria Yuzuki vs. Nanae Takahashi – proposed by VY at the press conference, but awaiting formal announcement

I joined Pollock & Thurston to discuss MARIGOLD. 

NJPW to fully acquire all stakes in Bushifight (4/23) – A recent announcement of restructuring within Bushiroad, included the announcement that New Japan Pro-Wrestling would be acquiring all the stakes of Bushifight and that STARDOM would now become shift under the NJPW banner. They have been increasing cross-promotion over the last few years, and with increased international appearances as well as the departure of founder Rossy Ogawa, I am curious to see what this means for STARDOM’s future.  

STARDOM’s last big event before the full acquisition on 6/28 is named STARDOM THE CONVERSION (6/22) 

Talent announcements for the fourth Hana Kimura Memorial Show: Terimakasih were made at a video press conference earlier this month (4/12). After the initial announcement in February, the match card is finally revealed for this year’s celebration of life for the late Hana Kimura. On May 23, wrestlers from multiple promotions across all of Japan will descend upon Korakuen Hall to continue their support of Kyoko Kimura and remember Hana. 

  • REMEMBER – Special Singles Match (1/20): Rina (STARDOM) vs. YUNA (Sendai Girls)
  • LOVE – Hardcore Tag Match (1/30): Yuko Miyamoto (Triple 6) & DASH Chisako vs. Masato Tanaka (ZERO-1) & Ryo Mizunami
  • COMRADES IN ARMS – Special Singles Match (1/30): VENY vs. X
  • OKINAWA – Lucha Libre 6-Man Tag: Okinawa Pro (Super Delfin, Shisa Oh & Mensore Oyaji) vs. Aja Kong, Jinsei Shinzaki (Michinoku Pro) & Ram Kaicho (Triple 6)
  • WHO IS CUTEST IN THE WORLD – Fluffy Battle Royale (No Time Limit): Banana Senga, Tsutomu Ohsugi, Fuminori Abe, Civilian Munenori Sawa, Shotaro Ashino (AJPW), Seigo Tachibana, Cherry, Hanako Nakamori (PURE-J), Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon), Kyusei Hana Kimura (Sakura Hirota; WavePro), & Big Bomb Guest: Yumiko Hotta
  • RAINBOW – Miracle 3-Way Trios Match: Syuri, Konami & Saori Anou vs. Mika Iwata, Chihiro Hashimoto & Miyuki Takase vs. Kaori Yoneyama, Sareee & Mio Momono

There have not yet been details on the international distribution of the show, but all three previous events were streamed live on TrillerTV+. MATANE, Bagus!, and pinx! are all still available to be purchased and viewed. If you are curious about what to expect from the Hana Kimura Memorial Show series, consider reviewing my show reports from 2022: BAGUS! and 2023: pinx! 

I also recommend this episode of Poisonrana’s Best Match Ever (5/25/2021). Davie Portman & Braden Herrington are joined by WH Park to look back at Hana’s brief career a year after her passing.

 

I will be covering Terimakasih on May 23rd here at POST. 

Medical Updates

  • TJPW: Hyper Misao is out with fractured ankle (4/11)
  • ICE RIBBON: Kaho Matsushita to undergo Surgery (4/12)
  • STARDOM: Saki Kashima pulled from Golden Week shows due to an ankle injury (4/28)
  • FREELANCE: Hiroyo Matsumoto On March 1st, Matsumoto announced that after 19 years as a wrestler, she needed to take time off to heal from her collective injuries. She does not have a return timetable as of yet but does not intend for it to be for a long time. She completed her remaining scheduled commitments on 4/21, ending with SEAdLINNNG’s show where Arisa Nakajima also announced her retirement later this summer. Matsumoto had surgery on 4/23. At OZ Academy’s show on 4/28, she joined Haruo Murata on commentary for the first time, so she is keeping busy.

Mania Week Coverage & Written Event Reports

POST Podcasts

United Japan Pro-Wrestling

ALL TOGETHER United Japan Pro-Wrestling Inauguration & Noto Earthquake Benefit Event (5/6) Nippon Budokan

  • STARDOM Tag Match: Natsupoi & Starlight Kid vs. AZM & Miyu Amasaki
  • 6-Man Tag: Yuki Ueno (DDT), Kaito Kiyomiya (NOAH) & Shota Umino (NJPW) vs. Shun Skywalker (DG), KOnosuke Takeshita (DDT) & Yuya Uemura (NJPW)
  • 6-Man Tag: LIJ (Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) vs. Jake Lee (NOAH) & BCWD (David Finlay & Gabe Kidd)
  • Tag Match: KAI (DG) & SANADA (NJPW) vs. Chris Brookes (DDT) & Zack Sabre, Jr (NJPW)
  • Juniors 10-Man Tag: Kota Minoura (DG), MAO (DDT), Ninja Mack (NOAH), HAYATA (NOAH) & El Desperado (NJPW) vs. Yamato (DG), Tetsuya Endo (DDT), Alpha Wolf (NOAH), Dragon Bane (NOAH) & Hiromu Takahashi (NJPW)
  • Tag Match: Daisuke Sekimoto (BJW) & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Masa Kitamiya (NOAH) & Jeff Cobb (NJPW)
  • Singles Match: KENOH (NOAH) vs. Kosei Fujita (NJPW)
  • 6-Man Tag Match: The Hall of Presidents (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Sanshiro Takagi & Naomichi Marufuji) vs. House of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita, & Yujiro Takahashi)

Mania Week Results | Domestic Promotions/Events

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X (4/4) Penns Landing Caterers 

  • 4-Woman Tournament:  featuring Lindsay Snow, Marina Shafir, Janai Kai & Lady Frost
    • Bloodsport Women’s Tournament 2024 Semi Final Match: Lindsay Snow defeated Lady Frost (2:16)
    • Bloodsport Women’s Tournament 2024 Semi Final Match: Marina Shafir defeated Janai Kai (3:56)
    • Bloodsport Women’s Tournament 2024 Final Match: Marina Shafir defeated Lindsay Snow by KO (7:44)
  • Singles Match: Shayna Baszler defeats Masha Slamovich by referee’s decision (7:14)

Announced: Bloodsport Bushido (6/22) Ryogoku Sumo Hall

  • Yu Iizuka vs. Fuminori Abe
  • Erik Hammer vs. Mike O’Hearn
  • Tokuya Nomura vs. Todd Duffee
  • Hikaru Sato vs. Hideki Suzuki
  • Winner Sato/Suzuki vs. Winner Nomura/Duffee
  • Konami (STARDOM) vs. Maya Fukuda (GLEAT)
  • Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Hideki “Shrek” Sekine
  • Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Satino Marella
  • Masakatsu Funaki vs. Davey Boy Smith, Jr.
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Timothy Thatcher
  • Josh Barnett vs. Jon Moxley

GCW vs. The World (4/4) Penns Landing Caterers 

  • JCW World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Syuri (STARDOM) (30:00) – Time Limit Draw 

Joey Janela’s Spring Break 8 (4/5) – Penns Landing Caterers, Philadelphia, PA 

  • Tag Match: Masha Slamovich & Rina Yamashita defeated Masato Tanaka & Minoru Suzuki (13:48)
  • Tag Match: Maki Death Kill (Maki Itoh & Nick Gage) defeated Danhausen & Ram Kaicho (12:56)

ROH Supercard of Honor (4/5) The Liacouras Center, Philadelphia 

  • ROH Women’s World TV Championship Finals: Billie Starkz defeats Queen Aminata (17:42) – Referee’s Decision
  • STARDOM 6-Woman Showcase: Empress Nexus Venus (Maika & Mina Shirakawa) & Mei Seira defeated Queen’s Quest (AZM & Saya Kamitani) & Tam Nakano (14:27)
  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) defeated Hikaru Shida (22:31)

ThrashElvania (4/6) H20 Wrestling Center, Williamston, New Jersey – Charity Event benefiting the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation; availability on IWTV (IWTV subscription exclusive)

  • 3-Way Match: RHIO defeated Delmi Exo and Shazza McKenzie
  • Singles Match: Shun Skywalker defeated Kota Minoura
  • 3-Way Match: Darius Carter defeated Adam Priest
  • Matt Brock Scramble: Robb Radke defeated Alec Price, J Boujii, LSG, Lucas DiSangro, Man Like DeReiss (11:00)
  • Wrestlers’ Lab Title / F1ght Club Chocolate City Championship: Andino (c) [F1ght Club Chocolate City] vs. Eel O’Neal (c) [Wrestler’s Lab] – No Contest
  • Tag Match: Andino & Trever Aeon defeated The Goons (Eel O’Neal & Myles Millennium)
  • Tag Match: Kaia McKenna & Ram Kaicho defeated Ava Everett & Viva Van (w/LSG)
  • IWTV World Tag Championships #1 Contender 4-Tag: The Good Hand (Kevin Ryan & Suge D) defeated Channing Thomas & LMK and CREEPS (Ash Bennett & Irving West) and The Outfielders (Shea McCoy & Weber Hatfield)
  • Action Wrestling Championship: Alex Kane (c) defeated Brian Johnson
  • NO DQ The Kirks’ Couples Invitational: Brandon Kirk & Kasey Catal defeated Laynie Luck & GPA

SPARK Trailblaze (4/7) Monster Factory, Philadelphia, PA

  • Three Way: Ava Everett defeated Alejandra Quintanilla and Joseline Navarro (6:27)
  • Tag Match: Masha Slamovich & Rina Yamashita defeated Brittany Blake & Laynie Luck (7:12)
  • Three Way: AZM defeated Dani Mo and Kyoko Inoue (7:55)
  • Tag Match: Jada Stone & Mayu Iwatani defeated Konami & Maya World (10:07)
  • Tag Match: Aja Kong & Tam Nakano defeated Janai Kai & Mina Shirakawa (13:26)
  • SPARK Joshi Pacific Championship: Ram Kaicho (c) defeated Viva Van (9:24)
  • SPARK Joshi World Championship: Sumie Sakai (w/Ava Everett & Dani Mo) defeated Billie Starkz (c) (6:45) 
  • SPARK Joshi World Championship: Starlight Kid defeated Sumie Sakai (w/Ava Everett & Dani Mo) (c) (2:38) 
  • SPARK Joshi Atlantic CHampionship: SAKI (c) defeated Vert Vixen (15:07)

WWE WrestleMania XL (4/6-7) 

  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) defeated Becky Lynch (17:09)
  • 6-Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi defeated Damage CTRL (Asuka, Dakota Kai & Kairi Sane) (8:03)
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley defeated IYO SKY (c) (14:22) 

DIANA

Current Champions 

  • Diana Crystal Championship: Nanami
  • Queen Elizabeth Championship: New Name Elizabeth Sakura Hirota
  • Diana Tag Team Championship: Ayako Sato & Hanako Nakamori
  • Diana World Championship: Haruka Umesaki

Evolution Joshi Pro-Wrestling

EvoJo is a small women’s promotion run by Shuji Ishikawa. ZONES and Chi Chi are the two core talents. SUNNY was their third but has taken a referee/backstage role. They typically have one show a month, but dispatch their talent to various promotions. 

Evolution Vol. 13 (4/16)  ShinKiba 1stRING

  • Tag Match: Aki Shizuku & Flying Penguin vs. Cherry & Riara (10:00) – Time Limit Draw 
  • Tag Match: Megumi Yabushita & Unagi Sayaka vs. Momoka Hanazono & Uta Shima (10:00) – Time Limit Draw 
  • Singles Match: Dan Tamura defeated Daichi Sato (9:29)
  • Singles Match: Ayame Sasamura defeated Soy (8:24)
  • Singles Match: COHAKU defeated Chi Chi (12:31)
  • Tag Match: Aki Shizuku vs. Momoka Hanazono (10:00) – Time Limit Draw 
  • Singles Match: Takumi Iroha defeated ZONES (13:22)

Ganbare Pro Wrestling

In March 2024, GPW declared its intention to leave the CyberFight group and become an independent promotion. Ganbare Joshi (GanJo) is their women’s division, but the talents also wrestle in the Openweight category and mixed tag matches. They do not have a GanJo/Women’s championship. Led by Yuna Manase, Yoshiko Hasegawa, HARUKAZE, RAIRA, and YuuRI make for their core roster, with Moeka Haruhi and many freelancers rotating into the women’s division.

No Results for April Reported. 

Girls’ Pro Wrestling Unit COLOR’S

GPU COLOR’S is a four-woman troupe with SAKI, Rina Amikura, Yuko Sakurai & Hikari Shimizu.

ANNOUNCED: SPARK Joshi X COLOR’S (6/4) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Gatoh Move/ChocoPro

GMCP is owned by Emi Sakura. ChocoPro shows are usually streamed on their YouTube channel for free and taped in Ichigaya Chocolate Square and are usually hosted by Mei Suruga, Chie Koshikawa, or Baliyan Akki. The company celebrated its fourth anniversary recently. 

Gatoh Move Road To Korakuen – Challengers (4/13) Kitazawa Town Hall

  • Tag Match: Chon Shiryu & Lee Yoneyamakao defeated Erii Kanae & Hoshitango (7:12)
  • Tag Match: Antonio Honda, Mochi Natsumi & Tokiko Kirihara defeated Chie Koishikawa, Sayaka & Yuko Sakurai (8:52)
  • Singles Match: Shuichiro Katsumura defeated Baliyan Akki (13:36)
  • Singles Match: Mizuki defeated Sayaka Obihiro (10:28)
  • Tag Match: Emi Sakura & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Black Menso-re & Sawasdee Kamen (10:43)
  • Singles Match: SAKI defeated Mei Suruga (15:02)

GLEAT

GLEAT has several regular roster members including MICHIKO and Maya Fukuda. Often the women compete with men in mixed tag matches in both G-PRO WRESTLING and the LIDET UWF Rules matches. They do not have a women’s championship, and many notable women’s freelancers join their shows for showcase matches. 

G-PRO WRESTLING VER. 71 (4/4) Shinjuku FACE

  • 6-Person Tag: Black Generation International (Hartley Jackson, Kaito Ishida & Kotaro Suzuki) defeated Jun Tonsho, MICHIKO & Yu Iizuka (7:20)

LIDET UWF Ver. 4 (4/17) Shinjuku FACE

  • Maya Fukuda defeated Yura Suzuki by KO (7:06)

Ice Ribbon

  • ICExInfinity Champion: Vacant
  • International Ribbon Tag Team Champions: BIG DEKAI (Totoro Satsuki & Yuna Manase)
  • Triangle Ribbon Championship: Yuuki Mashiro

Key News Points

Key Results

New Ice Ribbon #1337 (3/23) Korakuen Hall

  • Triangle Ribbon Championship: Yuuki Mashiro defeated Kaho Matsushita and Makoto (13:20) – for vacant championship
  • International Ribbon Tag Team Championship: defeated Kyuri & Mifu Ashida (c) (15:16)
  • ICExInfinity Championship: Ibuki Hoshi (c) defeats Hamuko Hoshi (2024 RIBBON-1 Tournament Winner) (23:02)

New Ice Ribbon #1339 (4/6) Ota City Industrial Plaza PiO Small Exhibition Hall

  • Tag Match: AKARI & Yappy defeat Arisa Shinose & Chie Ozora (12:13)
  • Singles Match: Ancham defeats Mifu Ashida (6:58)
  • Tag Match: Hamuko Hoshi & Makoto defeat Saran & YuuRI (14:26)
  • Triangle Ribbon Championship Three Way: Yuuki Mashiro (c) defeated Misa Kagura and Nanae Furukawa (6:41)

New Ice Ribbon #1341 (4/20) Ice Ribbon Dojo

  • Exhibition: Saran vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto (5:00) – Time Limit Draw

New Ice Ribbon #1343 (4/28) SKIP City Multipurpose Hall-Saitama

  • Tag Match: Ancham & HisokA defeated Asuka Fujitaki & Mizuna (11:24)
  • Tag Match: Yappy & Yuko Sakurai defeated Arisa Shinose & Misa Kagura (13:01)
  • ICExInfinity Title League B Block: YuuRI [2] defeated Saran [0] (5:12)
  • ICExInfinity Title League A Block: Kyuri [2] defeated Hamuko Hoshi [0] (8:11)
  • Tag Match: Tsukasa Fujimoto & Yuna Manase defeated Totoro Satsuki & Yuuki Mashiro (18:08)

JUST TAP OUT

Their roster is less than ten participants.

Current Champions

  • JTO Girls Champion: Unagi Sayaka
  • Queen of JTO Champion: Tomoko Inaba – 3rd Reign

JTO Special (4/17) ShinKiba 1stRING

  • Tag Match: Nanase & rhythm defeated Isuzu & Mizuna
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Aoi & Yuu Yamagata defeated Azusa Inaba & Tomoka Inaba (16:15)

JTO Azuhiso Entertainment With Aoi (4/20) JTO Arena 

  • Exhibition: Aoi vs. Trainee Jumbo (5:00) – Time Limit Draw 
  • Singles Match: Tomoka Inaba defeated Mizuna (6:36)
  • Singles Match: Aoi defeated Nanase (8:57)
  • Best Two Out Of Three Falls: Azusa Inaba vs. HisokA [1:1] (12:19) – Draw

MARVELOUS

Current Champions

  • AAAW Championship: Mayumi Ozaki (OZ Academy) 
  • AAAW Tag Team Championship: Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata)

MARVELOUS’ results are often delayed. 

MARVELOUS (4/12) ShinKiba 1st Ring

  • Three Way: Tomoko Watanabe defeated Chi Chi and ZONES (5:48)
  • Singles Match: Tsutomu Oosugi defeated Leo Isaka (11:01)
  • Singles Match: Chikayo Nagashima defeated Ai Houzan (9:54)
  • Tag Match: Mio Momono & Takumi Iroha defeated Brooke Havok & Miyuki Takase (17:01)
  • Three Way Elimination Tag Team: Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato defeated Itsuki Aoki & Unagi Sayaka and Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) (22:11)

Takumi Iroha’s 11th Anniversary Show (4/29) ShinKiba 1st Ring

  • 3-Way Match: Brooke Havok vs. Maria vs. Chikaya Nakashima
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Miyuki Takase, Itsuki Aoki & Tomoko Watanabe vs. Unagi Sayaka, Chi-Chi & ZONES
  • 3-Way Match: El Cucuy vs. Leo Isaka vs. Jiah Jewell
  • Semi-Final: Riko Kawahata vs. Ai Houzan
  • Main Event: Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono vs. Starboy Charlie & Titus Alexander

Upcoming Schedule

  • Korakuen Hall (5/3)
  • ShinKiba 1st Ring (5/14)
  • ShinKiba 1st Ring (5/30)
  • Sapporo E1 Stadium (6/1&2) Hokkaido
  • ShinKiba 1st Ring (6/18)
  • Yokohama Sanbo Hall Marineria (6/30)
  • Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center (7/13) Aichi
  • Yokohama Sanbo Hall Marineria (7/28)
  • Korakuen Hall (8/8)

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)

Current Champions

  • IWGP Women’s Champion: Mayu Iwatani*
  • NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion: Stephanie Vacquer* 

RESULTS

NJPW Windy City Riot (4/12) Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL; Full Review – POST Wrestling Cafe Exclusive

  • Buy-In Women’s Tag Match: Alex Windsor & Trish Adora defeated Mina Shirakawa & Viva Van (7:03)
  • NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) defeated AZM (10:50) – V1
    • Next Challenger: Alex Windsor at NJPW RESURGENCE (5/11) Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA

Wrestling World 2024 (4/14) Zepp New Taipei, Taiwan

  • STARDOM Singles Match: Starlight Kid defeated HANAKO (11:38)

STARDOM ALL-STAR GRAND QUEENDOM (4/27) Yokohama BUNTAI

  • IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) defeated Sareee (20:26) – V5; next challenger TBA

Announced: AEWxNJPW FORBIDDEN DOOR (6/30) UBS Arena, Long Island, NY

“The Forbidden Door is always open…” Toni Storm to Mina Shirakawa at STARDOM’s American Dream 2 show (4/4) at the 2300 Arena. 

No confirmed matches to date, but former Goddesses of STARDOM and Club Venus member, Mariah May has been the link between former World of STARDOM Champion, Storm, and Mina Shirakawa, who has been working AEW dates over the month. Storm faced Thunder Rosa for the AEW Women’s World Championship at FD 2022. At FD2023 as AEW Women’s World Champion, Storm successfully defended against Willow Nightingale (NJPW’s inaugural NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion). 

OZ Academy

Current Champions

  • OZ Academy Openweight Champion: Mio Momono*
  • OZ Academy Pioneer Championship: AKINO*
  • OZ Academy Tag Team Championship: AGE 115 (Jaguar Yokota & Mayumi Ozaki)

OZ Academy Big Battle Bonus (4/28) Shinjuku FACE

  • OZA Pioneer Championship Three Way: Masked Hanahana defeated AKINO vs. Leon (PJ)
  • Tag Match: Jaguar Yokota & Ram Kaicho defeated Chi Chi & Haruka Umesaki (11:41)
  • 8-Woman Tag: Ozaki-gun (Kakeru, Maya Yukihi & Saori Anou) & Unagi Sayaka defeated Itsuki Aoki, Rina Yamashita, Tsubasa Kuragaki & ZONES (14:18)
  • OZA Tag Championship #1 Contenders 3-Way: Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato defeated Kaori Yoneyama & Momoka Hanazono and Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) (14:47)
  • OZA Openweight & AAAW Singles Double Championship Match: Mayumi Ozaki [AAAW] (c) defeated Mio Momono [OZ Academy] (19:21)

Upcoming Schedule (Full Schedule)

PROMINENCE

PROMINENCE is a four-woman troupe with Risa Sera, Kurumi Hiiragi, Akane Fujita & Mochi Natsumi.

Volume 23: PROMINENCE’s 2nd Anniversary Show (4/23) ShinKiba 1st Ring, Tokyo

  • Singles Match: Miyako Matsumoto defeated Nao Ishikawa (11:46)
  • Tag Match: Hiragi Kurumi, Maika Ozaki & Yuu defeated Itsuki Aoki, Kakeru Sekiguchi & Tae Honma (12:19)
  • Bring The Weapon Death: Toru Sugiura & Yuki Miyazaki defeated Akane Fujita & Takumi Tsukamoto (18:06)
  • Hardcore Six Man Tag Match: Hartley Jackson, Kaori Yoneyama & Violento Jack defeated Mochi Natsumi, Takayuki Ueki & Toshiyuki Sakuda (17:16)
  • Fluorescent Light Tubes Death: Takashi Sasaki defeated Risa Sera (15:58)

Pro-Wrestling DIANA’s Middle School star, Miran, attended PROMINENCE’s Second Anniversary Party, the day after Volume 23. She’ll tag with Risa Sera tomorrow against Jaguar Yokota & VENY. She brought a present for Sera, they exchange pleasantries, and Sera encourages her to try out a new move that she’s been practicing in the match.

PURE-J

PURE-J uploads lots of free matches on their YouTube page.

Current Champions

  • Daily Sports Tag Team Champions: Momo Tani & Rydeen Hagane*
  • KSR Championship: see below
  • Princess of Pro-Wrestling Champion: Sumika Yanagawa*
  • PURE-J Openweight Championship: Hanako Nakamori* (5th reign)
  • PURE-J Osaka Festival 2024 (4/7) Osaka Ikuno Kumin Center

Kansai Survival Revolution Championship (KSR) Tournament 

  • KSR First Round: Crea defeated Blanca Maho (10:24)
  • KSR First Round: Super W defeated Chie Ozora (9:45)
  • KSR First Round: AKARI defeated Flying Penguin (8:17)
  • KSR First Round: Momo Tani defeated Miyuki Takase (8:43)
  • KSR Semi-Final: Super W defeated Crea (6:17)
  • KSR Semi-Final: Momo Tani defeated AKARI (1:14)
  • Tag Match: Drake Morimatsu & WANTED (KAZUKI & Rydeen Hagane) defeated Chesca, Hanako Nakamori & Leon (14:34)
  • KSR Tournament Finals: Momo Tani defeated Super W (8:05) 

AKARI’s 5th Aniversario (4/14) Kame Dojo

  • Singles Match: Rydeen Hagane defeated Momo Tani (10:35)
  • Three Way: Leon defeated Chesca and Hanako Nakamori (9:15)
  • Tag Match: AKARI & Crea defeated Chie Ozora & Kaho Kobayashi (19:03)

PURE-J MANIAX 2024 (4/28) Asakusabashi Hulic Hall

  • Singles Match: Makoto defeated Chesca (6:04)
  • Singles Match: SAKI defeated Crea (7:45)
  • Princess Of Pro Wrestling Championship: Chie Ozora defeated Sumika Yanagawa (c) (11:31) 
  • Tag Match: Hiragi Kurumi, Mochi Natsumi & Risa Sera defeated Cherry, Kaori Yoneyama & KAZUKI (11:08)
  • Daily Sports Tag Championships: Leon & Miyuki Takase defeated WANTED (Momo Tani & Rydeen Hagane) (18:04) 
  • PURE-J Openweight Championship: Hanako Nakamori (c) defeated AKARI (17:24)

SEAdLINNNG

SEAdLINNNG tends to have one show monthly, but talents often work with other promotions. 

Current Champions

  • SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Championship: Sareee (247 days & counting)
  • SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Tag Championships: Makoto & Nagisa Nozaki (44 days)

SEAdLINNNG NEW LEAF 2024! (4/21/24) Korakuen Hall

  • Singles Match: Ayame Sasamura defeats Miria Koga (9:25)
  • High Speed Five Way: Natsu Sumire defeats Ka Kedita, Kaz Hayashi, La Pidita and Ram Kaicho (10:15)
  • Misa Kagura & Rina Yamashita defeat Chi Chi & VENY (14:46)
  • SEAdLINNNG Beyond The Sea Tag Team Championship: Makoto & Nagisa Nozaki (c) defeat AKARI & Crea (17:35)
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Arisa Nakajima, Sareee & Tsukasa Fujimoto defeat Hanako Nakamori, Hiroyo Matsumoto & Miyuki Takase (22:34)

Show Notes:

  1. Tsukasa Fujimoto’s formal return to in-ring competition after two years (marriage & birth of daughter). Her Best Friends’ tag partner would go on to announce her plans to retire, prompting Fujimoto to challenge Mayu Iwatani. 
  2. Hiroyo Matsumoto’s last match before hiatus and prior to her surgery.
  3. Arisa Nakajima announced her plans for retirement on 4/21. At SEAdLINNNG’s 9th Anniversary Show (8/23/24) at Korakuen Hall. She wishes to have a tag match as her last match and the first of the three participants in Hiroyo Matsumoto. 

Upcoming 2024 Schedule (Full Schedule)

  • SEAdLINNNG (5/17/24) ShinKiba 1st Ring
  • SEAdLINNNG (6/12/24) Shinjuku FACE
  • SEAdLINNNG 9th Anniversary Show (8/23/24) Korakuen Hall
  • SEAdLINNNG (9/10/24) ShinKiba 1st Ring
  • SEAdLINNNG (10/2/24) Shinjuku FACE
  • SEAdLINNNG (11/20/24) ShinKiba 1st Ring
  • SEAdLINNNG Final Show of 2024 (12/27/24) Korakuen Hall

SENDAI GIRLS

Founded by Meiko Satomura, SenJo is located in north central Japan in Miyagi Prefecture. Recently, Sendai Girls has been added to the Wrestle Universe platform for streaming some of their events. They also upload lots of free matches on their YouTube channel.

Current Champions

  • Sendai Girls World Champion: Mika Iwata (233 days & counting)
  • Sendai Girls World Tag Championships: Manami & Ryo Mizunami*
  • Sendai Girls Junior Championship: Vacant

Sendai Girls (4/14) Korakuen Hall

  • Singles Match: Yura Suzuki defeated YUNA (4:33)
  • Singles Match: Sakura Hirota defeated Miyuki Takase (4:35)
  • 6-Woman Tag: Manami, Ryo Mizunami & Saori Anou defeated Chi Chi, Nanae Takahashi & ZONES (10:20)
  • Singles Match: Sareee defeats Yurika Oka (10:51)
  • Tag Match: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Seigo Tachibana vs. Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) (15:00) – Time Limit Draw 
  • Hardcore: DASH Chisako defeated Unagi Sayaka (19:54)
  • Sendai Girls World Championship: Mika Iwata (c) defeated VENY (13:23)

Sendai Girls (5/2) Miyagino Cultural Center, Sendai

  • Singles Match (1/10): YUNA vs. Momo Tani
  • Singles Match (1/10): Yurika Oka vs. Kurumi Hiiragi
  • Singles Match (1/15): DASH Chisako vs. Yura Suzuki
  • Tag Match: TEAM 200KG (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) vs. Haruka Umesaki & Nanami
  • Sendai Girls World Tag Championships: Manami & Ryo Mizunami vs. RED ENERGY (Mika Iwata & Miyuki Takase)

Sendai Girls (5/2) ShinKiba 1st Ring

  • Singles Match (1/10): YUNA vs. ZONES (EvoJo)
  • Singles Match (1/15): New Hirota Elizabeth Sakura vs. Yuu
  • Tag Match (1/15): RED ENERGY (Mika Iwata & Miyuki Takase) vs. VENY & Chi-Chi
  • Singles Match (1/15): DASH Chisako vs. Ryo Mizunami
  • Tag Match: Chihiro Hashimoto & Manami vs. Yurika Oka & Mio Momono

Upcoming Show

  • Azalea Taisho Hall (5/18) Osaka

STARDOM

Current Champions

  • High-Speed Champion: Saya Kamitani
  • Future of STARDOM Champion: Rina
  • Artists of STARDOM Champion: God’s Eye (Syuri, MIRAI & Ami Sohrei)
  • New Blood Tag Team Champions: Saya Iida & Hanan
  • Goddesses of STARDOM Champion: Crazy Star (Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira
  • Wonder of STARDOM Champion: Saori Anou
  • World of STARDOM Champion: Maika

NEWS

EVENT REPORTS

STARDOM (4/21/24) EDION Arena Osaka Auxiliary Gymnasium, Osaka

  • Goddesses of STARDOM Championships: Crazy Star (Mei Seira & Suzu Suzuki) (c) defeated Prominence (Hiiragi Kurumi & Risa Sera) (18:52) – V1; second defense at ALL-STAR GRAND QUEENDOM (4/27)

Upcoming BIG Tournaments & Events

  • 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

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW)

Much like STARDOM, TJPW is one of the bigger and busier women’s promotions in Japan, also keeping a packed schedule with fewer big events annually, but plenty of tournaments and shows streamed live. 

Current Champions

  • International Princess Champion: Yuki Arai*
  • Princess of Princess Champion: Miyu Yamashita (4th Reign)*
  • Princess Tag Team Champions: Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino*

MANIA WEEK RESULTS

TJPW Live in Philly (4/5) Penns Landing Caterers, Philadelphia, PA 

  • Tag Match: Arisu Endo & Suzume defeated Yuki Aino & Zara Zakher (11:19)
  • Singles Match: Billie Starkz defeated Hyper Misao (6:06)
  • Tag Match: Viva Van & Yuki Kamifuku defeated Raku & Trish Adora (8:53)
  • Tag Match: Mizuki & Vertvixen defeated Aja Kong & Pom Harajuku (10:30)
  • Singles Match: Shoko Nakajima defeated Rhio (13:23)
  • Tag Match: Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita defeated Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi (19:05)

GCW vs. TJPW (4/6) Penns Landing Caterers 

  • Three Way: Suzume defeated Pom Harajuku and SAKI (7:54)
  • Singles Match: Session Moth Martina defeated Raku (5:45)
  • Singles Match: Arisu Endo defeated Shazza McKenzie (7:29)
  • Singles Match: Steph De Lander defeated Hyper Misao (8:12)
  • Singles Match: Dark Sheik defeated Yuki Kamifuku (7:40)
  • Singles Match: Mizuki defeated Allie Katch (7:36)
  • Tag Match: Hakuchumu (Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi) defeated Billie Starkz & Janai Kai (13:28)
  • Tag Match: Maki Itoh, Masha Slamovich & Rina Yamashita defeated Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima & Yuki Aino (21:01)

ProWrestling WAVE

Current Champions 

  • Regina Di WAVE Championship: Yuki Miyazaki*
  • WAVE Tag Team Championship: SAKI & Risa Sera*

WAVE NAMI 1 (4/3) Shinjuku FACE

  • Three Way Tag: Chi Chi & ZONES defeated Ancham & Haruka Umesaki and Itsuki Aoki & Kakeru Sekiguchi (8:32)
  • Singles Match: Risa Sera defeated Yuko Sakurai (5:41)
  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Championship Three Way: Cherry defeated Kaori Yoneyama and Leon (c) (7:13)
  • Singles Match: Mio Momono defeated Honoka (13:45)
  • Singles Match: AKINO defeated Kizuna Tanaka (12:29)
  • Singles Match: Sakura Hirota defeated Kuroshio TOKYO Japan (7:17)
  • Regina Di WAVE Championship: Yuki Miyazaki (c) defeated Kohaku (22:45)

WAVE Detras De Lazona Vol. 18 (4/14) Post Di Amistad

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Championship: Shin Sakura Hirota defeated Cherry (c) and Yuki Miyazaki (10:59)

WAVE Detras De Lazona Vol. 20 (4/27) Post Di Amistad 

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Championship: Shin Sakura Hirota (c) defeated Cherry and Leon (9:03)
  • Regina Di WAVE Championship: Yuki Miyazaki (c) defeated Maika Ozaki (12:06)
  • WAVE Tag Championships: Risa Sera & SAKI (c) defeated Haruka Umesaki & Honoka (14:38)

International Residencies, Excursions & Promotions

Miyu Yamashita – currently in the midst of a two month, US residency

  • Prestige Wrestling Roseland 8 (4/14): Miyu Yamashita defeated Kylie Rae (15:30) 
  • DREAMWAVE Uprising: Women Athletes (4/19): Hyan defeats Miyu Yamashita (11:27)
  • DREAMWAVE Anniversary IX (4/20): Megan Bayne defeated Miyu Yamashita (9:52)
  • TNA iMPACT #1032 TNA Knockouts World Championship (4/21): Jordynne Grace (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita 

AEW

  • AEW Collison #40 (4/3): Yuka Sakazaki defeated Trish Adora (8:24)
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm (c) vs. AZM (STARDOM) (9:39)
  • AEW Rampage #141 (4/20):  Yuka Sakazaki defeated Emi Sakura (9:31)
  • AEW Dynamite #238 (4/24): Mina Shirakawa defeated Anna Jay (8:59)

DEADLOCK Pro-Wrestling

DPW Women’s World Champion: Miyuki Takase

DPW No Pressure 2024 (4/14) Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC

  • Singles Match: Vertvixen defeats Promise Braxton (7:49)
  • Tag Match: Emi Sakura & Queen Aminata defeat Hyan & Lady Frost (15:28)

Kitsune Women’s Wrestling

Kitsune Women’s Champion: Unagi Sayaka (189 days & counting; V1)

Kitsune KANPAI (3/24) Nocturne Theatre, Glendale, California

  • Four Way: J-Rod defeated Aspyn Rose and Mazzerati and Mylo (5:25)
  • Singles Match: Queen Aminata defeated Sandra Moone (8:58)
  • Tag Match: Baronessa, Brooke Havok & Zyra defeated Karisma, Kitsune & Lady Apache (8:41)
  • Tag Match: Sadie Gibbs & Tomoko Watanabe defeated Heidi Howitzer & Ruby Raze (8:57)
  • Singles Match: Jordynne Grace defeated Yuu (6:37)
  • Tag Match: Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) defeated Jada Stone & Zara Zakher (14:40)
  • Singles Match: Mio Momono defeated Hyan (14:49)
  • Tag Match: Masha Slamovich & Takumi Iroha defeated Marina Shafir & Trish Adora (13:28)
  • Kitsune World Championship: Unagi Sayaka (c) defeated Janai Kai (13:04)

Note: Kanpai = Japanese for ‘Cheers!’ (when toasting with a beverage)

Ganbare Pro (5/18) ShinKiba 1st Ring – Kitsune Women’s Championship: Unagi Sayaka (c) vs. YuuRI (GanPro)

Coming Soon: SUGOI! A Japanese Cultural Event (7/14) Glendale, CA

  • Announced: Aria Perkins, Zamaya,  
  • Note: Sugoi = Japanese for ‘Wonderful’ or ‘Awesome’

Pro-Wrestling: EVE, England

  • EVE Champion: Nina Samuels (x2; 114 days; V1) 
  • EVE International Champion: Yuu (532 days & counting; V12)
  • EVE Tag Championships: Operation SAS – Nightshade & Skye Smitson (52 days & counting; V1)

YMZ Gokigenna April 2024 (4/9)

  • EVE International Championship: Yuu (c) defeated Kaori Yoneyama (12:06)

The Fall GRRRRLS – 14 Year Anniversary Spectacular (5/3) Big Penny Social 

  • War Games Rules Steel Cage Match: Team SAFIRE vs. Operation S.A.S
  • Tag Team I Quit Match: M62 Wrecking Crew vs. The Decibelles
  • EVE Championship: Nina Samuels (c) vs. Su Yung 
  • Announced: Alexxis Falcon, Lana Austin, Lizzy Evo, Zizi, Ivy, Skye Smitson, Nightshade, Safire Reed, Emersyn Jayne, Kanji, Alex Windsor and more!

Once More, With Feeling – Jetta & Charlie Morgan Retirement Show (6/7) Walthamstow, London

  • Announced: LUMINOUS (Miyuki Takase & Haruka Umesaki)

RCW (Revolution Championship) Barcelona, Spain

  • RCW Women’s Champion: Takumi Iroha (134 days & counting) – challenger TBA 

March Madness (3/23) la Sala Big C de Barcelona

  • Singles Match: Nightshade vs. Konami (STARDOM) – results pending 
  • Tag Match: Megan Bayne & REbecca J. Scott vs. LA Taylor & Skye Smitson
  • Singles Match: Amira vs. Claudia Bradstone

SPARK Joshi Puroresu of America

  • SJ Atlantic Champion: SAKI (197 days & counting; V1)
  • SJ Pacific Champion: Ram Kaicho (317 days & counting; V3) 
  • SJ World Champion: Starlight Kid (21 days & counting)
  • Next Show: SPARK Joshi x GPU COLOR’S

SUKEBAN: A Japanese Female Wrestling League 

Sukeban Commissioner Bull Nakano was inducted into the WWE 2024 Hall of Fame 

West Coast Pro Wrestling

  • WCWP Women’s Champion: Takumi Iroha (262 days & counting; V5)

Joshi 101 with Karen-Sensei

With all the excitement from JoshiMania and changes in the Japanese women’s wrestling landscape, it makes me happy to see POST readers who are curious about STARDOM and other promotions, but don’t know where to start. If you have any questions, please leave them at the bottom of the Dream Slam Monthly posts on the POST Forum. Make a note if you would be okay with me sharing the answer in the next installment of DSM (and a preferred nickname). Thanks!

Mail Bag Question: “Mania weekend I watched the Stardom show, and it was the best show of the weekend for me and I definitely want to see more! So if you don’t mind some tips, is Stardom World the best way to go? Anywhere you can suggest for all the needs to know? Sorry I’m such a newb of Joshi lol any help I would appreciate!” – Robbie from London, Ontario

Thanks for the message, Robbie! Of course, STARDOM World is a great place to start. Sometimes STARDOM uploads their We Are STARDOM digest programs on their YouTube channel as well. You can also check out NJPW World as they have multiple STARDOM showcase matches (minus the Wrestle Kingdom dark matches from 2020 & 2021) as well as the IWGP Women’s Championship tournament and matches as well as NJPW Strong women’s matches, which all feature STARDOM talent.

Prior to Historic X-Over in 2022, I collaborated with New Japan Pro-Wrestling on a five part series on STARDOM:

Of course, with all the recent departures from STARDOM, this is no longer current, but it is one of the few series available in English on the official Bushiroad channels.

Guide to STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom | Preview & Match Card | Karen Peterson (@HeyKarensensei) and Bruce Lord preview STARDOM’s All-Star Grand Queendom at Yokohama Arena this Sunday (4/23). 

For general direction, of course, I would recommend taking a peek at Dream Slam Weekly & Monthly, my STARDOM reviews, or my other content over at POST. Additionally, I have discussed STARDOM with our friends in the UK at Grappl Spotlight, too. I’ve done some STARDOM Wrestler-specific episodes with The Stardom Cast and our friends over at Poisonrana as well.

The Stardom Cast with Rob Goodwin & Matt Turner

Guest Appearances | Giulia Roundtable

Poisonrana Podcast with Braden Herrington & Davie Portman – Best Match Ever Series

STARDOM Era Io Shirai |STARDOM Era Kairi Hojo – Poisonrana Patreon Exclusive

Dream Slam Homeroom

We’re one-third of the way into 2024, but the wrestling scene is showing no signs of slowing down. With Golden Week (a string of national holidays at the end of April and the beginning of May), be prepared for a lot of wrestling shows. May will be a big month with the formal launch of Dream Star Fighting MARIGOLD and the annual Hana Kimura Memorial Show. Also, as summer nears, tournament season will also be ramping up!

APRIL 2024 Coverage Recap

MAY 2024 Coverage Schedule

  • Podcast: POST PURORESU (5/2) w/ WH Park
  • Podcast: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2-Day Recap (5/4) w/Bruce Lord
  • Written: MARIGOLD Fields Forever (5/20)
  • Written: Hana Kimura Memorial Show: Terimakasih (5/23)
  • Written: Dream Slam Monthly May 2024 (5/25)

Thanks for dropping by, and I hope to see you again next month! Arrivederci! Mata na!

About Karen Peterson 120 Articles
Occasionally drops by wrestling podcasts, but remains rather elusive. Joined the Japanese wrestling fan scene in summer 2017, and continues to work on bridging the language gap between fans. Outside of wrestling, she’s a dog mom, perpetual Japanese learner, and when conditions permit, world traveler. Never skips dessert.
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