Event Report: STARDOM Dream Queendom 2024
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall)
Attendance: 4,023 SOLD OUT
Commentary: (JP) Katsuya Ichikawa & Makoto Ohe with guests Anna Hirai (Mayu in Runaway Wrestler) and Ami Sohrei (God’s Eye) and (EN) Walker Stewart, Thom Fain and Xena*
- The international PPV purchase link only permitted viewing with English commentary. I hope this is reconciled in the future because, for the price tag, viewers should be able to select their language experience.
RESULTS
- Tag Match: Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura & Yuna Mizumori) defeated Chi Chi & Matoi Hamabe (10:11) via pinfall
- Singles Match: Ranna Yagami vs. Sayaka Kurara (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
- Goddesses of STARDOM Championships: STARS (Hanan & Saya Iida) defeated H.A.T.E. (Momo Watanabe & Thekla) (c) (18:05) via pinfall – Recommended
- 3-Way Quatro Battle: Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Mina Shirakawa, Rian & Waka Tsukiyama) defeated God’s Eye (Hina, Lady C, Saki Kashima & Tomoka Inaba) and HATE (Azusa Inaba, Fukigen Death, Rina & Ruaka) (7:04) via pinfall
- 8-Woman Tag Match: Neo Genesis (AZM, Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki & Suzu Suzuki) defeated STARS (Hazuki, Koguma, Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo) (10:19) via pinfall
- Special Singles Match: Saori Anou defeated Mika Iwata (15:30) (SenJo) via pinfall – Highly Recommended
- Submission/KO Only: Syuri defeated Konami by DQ (0:33) – No Foul Rules
- NO Disqualification Match: Natsuko Tora defeated Maika (18:31) via pinfall
- Wonder of STARDOM Championships: Starlight Kid defeated Natsupoi (c) (23:15) – finish – Highly Recommended
- World of STARDOM Championships: Saya Kamitani defeated Tam Nakano (c) (21:29) – finish – Recommended
Free Pre-show Matches – JP Audio Only
Note: All audio is muted during Chi Chi & Hamabe’s entrance, including any commentary.
Pre-Show 1: Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura & Yuna Mizumori) defeated Chi Chi & Matoi Hamabe (10:11) – Mizumori pinned Hamabe
This was a nice, little opener, designed to build the match between Chi-Chi and Aya Sakura for their match on January 3rd. It also featured Matoi, who debuted last month at Azalea Taisho Hall against Hanan and is aiming for a spot in God’s Eye. One thing that STARDOM has been consistent about is giving their rookies and recent debuts more opportunities for participation on big shows outside of the New Blood series. Mizumori really highlighted Hamabe’s fundamentals, especially when it came to the quick series of roll-up attempts.
With just over a year of professional experience, Chi Chi is quickly learning from Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa, who manage Evolution Joshi, and her upcoming championship defense on a STARDOM PPV is a promising sign. Aya Sakura will challenge Chi Chi’s Sendai Girls’ Junior Championship at STARDOM NEW YEAR DREAM 2025 on January 3rd. The championship was previously vacant for two years after JTO’s Tomoka Inaba dropped it. Chi-Chi won the vacant championship in November against SenJo’s YUNA.
Pre-Show 2: Ranna Yagami vs. Sayaka Kurara (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
Yagami and Kurara debuted together last year on Christmas, so this match was to see how their paths have varied from one another and their individual growth since choosing their factions. With Yagami in God’s Eye with Syuri and Kurara in Cosmic Angels, they both worked with veteran wrestlers best suited to their characters, combat styles, and wheelhouses. The biggest challenge Yagami and Kurara will have aside from their rivalry with one another are the comparisons to Syuri and Tam respectively.
Yagami has had an interesting 2024, including facing Yuzuki in the Rookie of STARDOM tournament in January, a berth in the 2024 5FIVE STAR as a first year, and later participating in WAVE’s CATCH THE WAVE Tournament and advancing to the Young Block Finals. What I liked about Sayaka finally wearing new gear is that she is more distinguishable from her stable mate Aya Sakura. I do like that it is a nod to the Leader of Cosmic Angels with the sailor-inspired collar. Her looking up to Saya Kamitani over Tam Nakano is also something to keep on the back burner for years to come. This was a nice update showcase match, and the future is bright for both of them.
Broadcast Intermission: Between the two dark matches at the first match, there was an opening video package streamed to the venue, but the camera perspectives kept shifting around the venue, making it hard to watch. It seemed to recap 2024 in STARDOM which included departing talent like Utami, Giulia, and the founding members of MARIGOLD as well as clips from other promotions. With the jump cuts to different parts of the audience, it felt like I was watching pirated audience videos and not the usual STARDOM PPV opening. This ought to be rectified in post-production for STARDOM World or released on STARDOM’s YouTube as it detracted from the viewing experience. Everyone is aware of the turbulent split earlier in the year, better to properly acknowledge it.
Goddesses of STARDOM Championships: STARS (Hanan & Saya Iida) defeated H.A.T.E. (Momo Watanabe & Thekla) (c) (18:05) – Hanan pinned Thekla
Of all the tag teams in recent years at STARDOM, wing⭐︎gori is one of the few established and consistent tag pairs in the company, much like Fukuoka Double Crazy. After a 298-day run together with the New Blood Tag Championships with four successful defenses and three years of competing in the Goddess Tag League, Iida and Hanan finally won, earning their spot against H.A.T.E. Supreme, the longest-running Goddesses of STARDOM Champions since 2021 when Syuri and Giulia held them as ALIKABA. I love tag teams that not only look but function smoothly, which is why giving this match away for free might have been the smartest hook to get last-minute PPV purchases.
Wing⭐︎gori arrived prepared for a fight against H.A.T.E Supreme, not waiting for the introductions to finish before jumping Momo and Thekla, pushing them out of their own corner and starting to brawl outside the ring. Taking a page or two out of the H.A.T.E. playbook, but quickly realized they were going to need to be savvier when it came to risk-taking and playing into the hands of Thekla and Watanabe. Easily four of the more reliable wrestlers the company needs to focus more attention on, each competitor leaned into their strengths, with Thekla and Watanabe feeding off Hanan and Iida’s anger while simultaneously drawing more and more fire out of STARS.
Closer to the end of the match, Referee Barb Sasaki is taken out by Hanan’s drop kick, when Thekla ducked out of the way at the last moment. This led to Momo bringing in her trusty bat, and Hanan desperately covering Thekla not once but twice with growing frustration. If H.A.T.E. Supreme were to lose at least it is due to their own machinations and their own hubris. I will definitely short-list Thekla as one to watch in 2025, especially now that the cast is off and she’s almost back to 100%. I think there is more in the tank for these four, especially with the interest Thekla has in Hanan’s anger. Hanan mentioned the satisfaction of pinning Thekla after a backdrop hold to win the championship in their post-match address, making the bumps in the road to their moment worth it.
What’s Next: Momo Watanabe will represent STARDOM in the International Women’s Cup at WRESTLE DYNASTY on January 5th. No challengers presented themselves, but they will be present at the press conference on 12/30. Momo Watanabe advances to Wrestle Dynasty – International Women’s Cup: Momo Watanabe (STARDOM) vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW) vs. Persephone (CMLL) and Athena (ROH)
P.S. For those curious as to who is on Thekla’s Idol Killer Hit List, there is a great interview in the October 2024 issue of Pro-Wrestling Illustrated magazine (pages 44-49) with her thoughts on several of STARDOM’s favorite poster girls, including Natsupoi.
Video Announcements for the early 2025 calendar:
- Show Title TBA (2/24) Tochigi Light Cube Utsunomiya
- Cinderella Tournament 2025 Opener (3/8) Yokohama Budokan
- Cinderella Tournament 2025 Finals (3/15) Ota Ward Gymnasium
- All-Star Grand Queendom 2025 (4/27) Yokohama Arena
3-Way Quatro Battle: Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Mina Shirakawa, Rian & Waka Tsukiyama) defeated God’s Eye (Hina, Lady C, Saki Kashima & Tomoka Inaba) and HATE (Azusa Inaba, Fukigen Death, Rina & Ruaka) (7:04) – Shirakawa pinned Fukigen with the Glorious Diver MINA
The match served as a means to get as many of the wrestlers on the card as possible without having a lengthy battle royal or rumble. At its core, the match focused on Shirakawa’s upcoming match against Mercedes Moné and the houses divided between God’s Eye and H.A.T.E. with the Twins and Inaba Sisters event divided into two groups. Tomoka and Azusa have been featured in the New Blood series along with Hina and Rina, and new NB Tag Champs HANAKO and Waka Tsukiyama. The match was short, with Shirakawa pinning Fukigen Death with a Glorious Driver Mina, but that wasn’t a bad thing. However, it could have easily been on the pre-show before the Goddesses Tag match.
What’s Next: Mina Shirakawa will tag with AEW’s Tay Melo against Thekla and Athena on January 3rd and then face Mercedes Moné in a double championship match at WRESTLE DYNASTY on January 5th. Mercedes Moné vs. Mina Shirakawa – Double Championship Match (NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship & Revolution Pro UK Women’s Championship)
8-Woman Tag Match: Neo Genesis (AZM, Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki & Suzu Suzuki) defeated STARS (Hazuki, Koguma, Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo) (10:19) – AZM pinned Kohgo with Azumizushi
Another feature as many talents on the card match with nothing particularly outstanding. I am curious to see what changes in 2025 surface for STARS, especially after Hazuki’s match at the Walter Pyramid at Strong Style Evolved. While it seems the group is racking up gold, at some point, I feel like there might be a splintering of the spolight as Mayu’s reign as IWGP Women’s Champion continues. AZM is poised to potentially stage an upset on January 4th, but they will meet once more on January 3rd at NEW YEAR DREAM. The match was fun but there doesn’t need to be too many previews of Iwatani and AZM before the Dome as I worry they won’t have much time on January 4th to showcase everything they’re capable of.
What’s Next: Mayu Iwatani is scheduled to defend the IWGP Women’s Championship against AZM at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4th.
Special Singles Match: Saori Anou defeated Mika Iwata (15:30) with a Special Potering Pin
Sendai Girls’ Mika Iwata dethroned Anou’s reign as Wonder of STARDOM Champion earlier this year, leading to a short series of outstanding championship singles matches, all of which I would recommend as a complement to this match. Anou has truly been an asset to Cosmic Angels and STARDOM in 2024, especially with her steep history with many wrestlers outside of the company and her consistent technical prowess. After their series of three singles matches between June and September, I worried that they wouldn’t have anything left to make this match interesting. However, they proved me wrong by immediately starting with the intensity set at eleven.
While they stated this was their “Last Dance” after the match, I have a feeling that many fans will be clamoring for an asterisk to be added to it because this match was definitely worth the price of admission. There are very few moments to breathe as they continue at a frenetic pace throughout the match. Honestly, this match alone would make a solid case for Iwata in the 2025 5STAR Grand Prix if SenJo could spare her for a month or so. Iwata’s brief reign with the Wonder of STARDOM Championship pulled eyes to SenJo, but honestly, I think it put her on a lot of radars and not just her matches with Anou. Honestly, after this, I could see Anou on the shortlist in 2025 for the World of STARDOM Championship or IWGP Women’s Championship because there really isn’t much left for her to do.
Submission/KO Only: Syuri defeated Konami by DQ (0:33) – No Foul Rules (Give Up/KO Only) due to H.A.T.E Interference
When this match was announced, it quickly skyrocketed to the top of the must-see match-ups on this entire card. Given the long, emotional history between Syuri and Konami, I eagerly awaited their revisiting of this match. However, with one series of three kicks– one Konami has taken countless times– she went down for a ten count and H.A.T.E, rushed in forcing a disqualification at nine. All of God’s Eye joined in as Syuri and Momo Watanabe spilled out to the ringside. Momo’s old scars run deep, as she took her bat to the woman who defeated her in the 2021 Five Star Grand Prix and then dethroned Giulia to accomplish what The Black Peach could not: The World of STARDOM Championship. It is quite possible that a lovely little feud could be starting for these two, but I had that it is at the expense of a guaranteed match recommendation. It just feels like an incredible missed opportunity.
Kiyoka Kotatsu (formerly GLEAT’S Maya Fukuda) runs in to assist and helps GE clear the ring, asking Syuri to join God’s Eye. She cites having always looked up to Syuri and her strength, so she’s decided to finally make her way to STARDOM. During her tenure in GLEAT, Fukuda focused on the LIDET UWF rules matches over the company’s G-Pro-Wrestling brand, making this appeal to join GE not the least bit surprising and the perfect learning tree for her to hone her pro-wrestling skills. Without a word, Syuri shook hands and hugged Kotatsu, welcoming her into GE.
“Konami…. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be!!!! This is so frustrating! Konami, Is this really all you’re capable of now?! All I want to do is keep fighting against you. In 2025, we’re doing this again. Best prepare yourself!!!” Syuri emotionally screamed into the mic, holding back her tears before slamming the mat and stalking angrily up the ramp to exit.
NO Disqualification Match: Natsuko Tora defeated Maika (18:31)
Revisiting their World of STARDOM Championship match where Tora dethroned Maika under less than clean means in Sapporo this summer, Maika boldly arrived at their no DQ match wearing white and carrying a board of cut-open Sapporo beer cans prepared to meet Tora on her own terms. On the back of Tora’s head, the silhouette of kabuki theatre makeup in blue and black – colors typically worn by villains and demons and representing malevolence – is a subtle bit of foreshadowing for the march ahead (pun intentional). The one thing I didn’t understand was why both H.A.T.E. and Empress Nexus Venus didn’t get more involved in fighting amongst themselves. I also felt a significant imbalance in how much blood was shed for Maika versus Natsuko. Although Maika did rally eventually, for as long as she was champion, it felt like a no-DQ match for the sake of having a stipulation and to make up for the brevity of the Konami/Syuri match prior. When it comes to this format, I want it to genuinely mean something and not just be a go-to now that Giulia is gone and to give Tora “something to do.”
If I am going to be fair, this match did not need to be as long as it was, especially after all the other H.A.T.E-centric matches throughout the entire card. I say the same thing about NJPW, so I can’t overlook it with STARDOM. If there needs to be this much heel focus – split H.A.T.E. up and make there be more than one big bad because, after a while, it feels like old hat, even with so many great wrestlers calling that faction home. I will give bonus points to Momo Watanabe and Mina Shirakawa for directing those at ringside to help with weapons, set up, moving used and discarded items out of the ring, and leading the charge for safety. STARDOM isn’t known for its hardcore matches, and if they were to bring back the Showcase – I feel like that would be the better platform for this sort of match. For all the grief that referee Barb Sasaki got in the opening tag match, he really did a good job of officiating and kicking discarded items that were put back in the ring like pieces of table, to further contain the situation and maintain the safety of the performers.
“I know there are plenty of people who don’t like watching this sort of match in STARDOM, but for me– I’ve been searching for someone I could have this type of match with for quite some time. I don’t know how you’re feeling Maika, but the more I lost to you, the more frustrated I became!” – Natsuko in her post-match comments.
A second broadcast intermission was added during the clean-up of the No DQ match. Unfortunately, there was not a switch to the JP commentary and no English commentary during this time.
Wonder of STARDOM Championship: Starlight Kid defeated Natsupoi (c) (23:15) – Star Suplex Hold
One of the longest quests in STARDOM has been Starlight Kid’s journey to the Wonder of STARDOM Championships, and in the Sky Tiger’s adventure, the fifth time was the charm. Since I started covering STARDOM for POST in 2021, SLK has been one of my favorite slow burns in the entire company with her heel turn becoming one of the most compelling stories in the company’s modern era. Her path with Natsupoi was entwined long before Natsupoi arrived as a new member of DDM in 2021, and their battles over the High-Speed Championship (alongside AZM) have been some of my favorite looking back over my years covering joshi altogether.
When it came to the Wonder of STARDOM Championship, I always felt that SLK was worthy of it, but it wouldn’t feel as organic as the OedoTai’s Sky Tiger Shrouded in Darkness. Her getting unceremoniously dumped by OED and pulling NEO GENESIS together is precisely the move necessary to make her ascent beyond the High Speed and Tag Championships feel believable. With Natsupoi and several others beating SLK to the White Belt, her scenic route to the Wonder of STARDOM Championship was filled with heartbreak, but each time was necessary to snap her back into focus from her side quest on OED. I wasn’t ready for nearly twenty-five minutes of high-speed wrestling, but the emotional roller coaster was worth it.
Both Natsupoi and SLK used every trick in their book possible, and the match was a fair fight, which drove forward SLK turning over a new leaf and Natsupoi helping to further pull her back into the light and the spotlight. This match could have easily main evented a PPV or closed out the Cinderella Tournament or 5STARGP and I wouldn’t have batted an eyelash. Maybe it’s just a preview of their next chapter in 2025. Seeing how far they’ve both come in the last nine years, made this title change truly emotional and heartfelt. They may have also slipped a match-of-the-year contender in with less than three days left in 2024.
“Natsupoi, you’re the kind of rival I can’t live without, and the sort of rival I refuse to lose to anymore! …I am the 24th Wonder of STARDOM Champion, Starlight Kid… and I’m so grateful that I didn’t give up. I want to thank everyone who supported me and backed me, and I’ll repay your kindness by making this belt shine brighter than ever before!! Lastly, could I hear everyone in Ryogoku call my name one more time?!” – Starlight Kid post match
What’s Next: SLK will be part of the press conference on December 30th as the new Wonder of STARDOM Champion.
World of STARDOM Championships: Saya Kamitani defeated Tam Nakano (c) (21:29) – Star Crusher
When it comes to Saya Kamitani – Tam Nakano has always been the horizon that she chases. From the time she joined in 2019, citing Nakano as inspiration to become an idol wrestler, to her rapid ascent into winning the Cinderella Tournament and eventually defeating Tam at the first STARDOM Dream Queendom, and eventually shattering Momo Watanabe’s longest consecutive defense record with the white belt. However, for the Golden Phoenix, it wasn’t enough, and it came to a head at last year’s 5STAR GP Opener, when a daredevil drive from a scaffolding resulted in injury, nearly half a year away, and leaving the Phoenix unable to fly and struggling to figure out who she was without her Pheonix Splash.
I’ll be the first to admit that when Kamitani became the latest casualty of OedoTai/H.A.T.E., I felt very disoriented and confused by it, largely because Kamitani was a very, heart-on-her-sleeve and quick-to-cry wrestler, which was endearing as a Wonder of STARDOM Champion, but given the rarified air that is the World of STARDOM realms, that would not fly. Much like SLK’s tumble down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, Kamitani buried the Golden Phoenix and rose from the ashes as the dark Phenex Queen. Usually, the pageantry for the World of STARDOM is a fashion showdown in red, only crimson contact lenses and some vivid extensions are all Kamitani designed to wear. I would like to personally thank the wind machine for making her look like she just flew like an anime villain and was standing on a rooftop somewhere, preparing to descend.
As a two-time World of STARDOM Champion, Tam Nakano has always been keenly aware of the role she’s played in the evolution of Kamitani as a wrestler. When Kamitani got injured in their match, she claimed responsibility for not reeling Kamitani in, resulting in her injury. With her own knee injury and having vacated the red belt just before Dream Queendom last year, I am relieved that STARDOM waited until both were healthy and prepared for this match, instead of shoehorning it into a different card earlier in the year. I am surprised that Kamitani didn’t win this year’s 5STARGP to lock in this match, but she could and should easily be in the conversation for 2025.
Then there was the outside-of-the-ring portion of this match which involved Kamitani (with the assistance of Watanabe and Ruaka) hoisting Tam up by the neck (with some great arm work) before the referee and members of Cosmic Angels broke it up… followed by Kamitani diving off the exit onto a large group below. I know why they did this, but it detracted from the match a bit, especially knowing what both are capable of in-ring. As the referee starts the count, Kamitani realizes that she has to drag Nakano back into the ring. However, this is where the match picks back up and Tam starts pulling out shades of the Golden Phoenix, Saya Kamitani, and their heated matches and battles over the white belt.
In a bold declaration, Kamitani signals for her retired finisher: The Phoenix Splash, but Tam yanked her off the ropes with a Tiger Suplex – out of desperation – but referee Maruyama stopped Tam from capitalizing when Kamitani remained hunched in the middle of the ring. Intentional or not, there were definitely flashbacks of panic from the summer of 2023, however, it was just a big game of possum, including her pushing the ringside doctor away and throwing the referee across the ring, clearing a path to Tam. With a falcon arrow and a second star crusher for good measure, Kamitani slams Nakano’s second chapter with the red belt closed.
“Hey, your job here isn’t done yet… you forgot to wrap the belt around my waist, Tam. You lost, right? Get to work. I’m the champion, you need to listen to me. Hurry up, I don’t have all night. Now get out of here. You lost and you’re ugly. Oh, this is the end of you by the way. This is the continuation of last year’s nightmare! I’be wanted this red belt for so long, and you can guarantee I’ll have it for a while next year, too! I’m ready to ruin STARDOM, so welcome to your latest nightmare!” – Saya Kamitani to Tam Nakano, forcing her to strap the championship on like she did when Kamitani won the Wonder of STARDOM three years ago.
What’s Next: Saya Kamitani will attend the press conference to celebrate dethroning Tam Nakano and reveal her plans to ruin STARDOM in 2025.
Post-Dream Queendom 2024 Press Conference
A press conference will be held on December 30th with the World of STARDOM Champion, Saya Kamitani, the Wonder of STARDOM Champion Starlight Kid, the Goddesses of STARDOM Tag Champions: Saya Iida and Hanan, and participants for STARDOM NEW YEAR DREAM on January 3rd.
STARDOM NEW YEAR DREAM 2025 (1/3/25) Tokyo Garden Theatre Ariake; Full Card TBA
- Special Tag Match: Thekla (H.A.T.E) & Athena (ROH) vs. Mina Shirakawa & Tay Melo (AEW)
- Sendai Girls World Junior Championship: Chi-Chi (c) vs. Aya Sakura
- 6-Person Tag Match: Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki & Koguma vs. AZM, Mei Seira & Miyu Amasaki – WK19 Preview for Iwatani/AZM
- 6-Person Tag Match: Natsupoi, Saori Anou, & Sayaka Kurara vs. Natsuko Tora, Dump Matsumoto & ZAP
- Special Tag Match: High Mate (Maika & HANAKO) vs. Team 200KG (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu)
- Special Singles Match: Tam Nakano vs. Unagi Sayaka
Updates from the Press Conference will be available in Dream Slam Monthly on December 31st and there will be a special Wrestle Kingdom 19 & WRESTLE DYNASTY preview with Bruce Lord and myself in the new year!
