Dream Slam Monthly (Vol. 23): Meiko Satomura Retirement Road

November 30, 2024 Karen Peterson NEWS
Photo Courtesy: WWE

As discussed in this month’s POST PURORESU, The Last Boss, Meiko Satomura has officially started announcing matches on her retirement road, as well as challengers stepping up to show her how she’s not only influenced their careers but the scope of women’s wrestling as a whole. Starting next month, through her retirement at the end of April, updates about her final matches will be listed under the Sendai Girls section. I wish I could watch her wrestle live one final time, but hopefully, it’ll be available on WRESTLE UNIVERSE, where SenJo regularly streams and uploads VODs.

Meiko Satomura’s Retirement Road (April 29, 2025)

I do hope that if there are WWE wrestlers interested in having a send-off/final match against Satomura, they will do everything possible to make it a reality. Honestly, I want to see her versus Asuka one last time. For those with STARDOM WORLD access, chase up any match between her and Io Shirai/Kairi Hojo and see what could have been with regard to her limited WWE run. 

Amongst the Japanese domestic scene, I am exceptionally invested in her matches against Iwata and DASH as they held SenJo together alongside Chihiro Hashimoto when Satomura chased her WWE dreams in NXT UK. I’m surprised these matches are happening so early, but the company’s anniversary is just around the corner.

On the Independent … Film Scene!

Queen of the Ring held multiple screenings at film festivals not only features Toni Storm (billed as Toni Rossall) as Clara Mortensen & KAMILLE (billed as Kailey Latimer) as June Byers, as well as Trinity Fatu as Ethel Johnson and Britt Baker as Debbie Nicholls, but stars Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow, The Flash & Supergirl) as Mildred Burke. Deborah Ann Woll (Daredevil; True Blood) as Gladys Gillem and Francesca Eastwood as Mae Young. Still no news if it’ll get a physical media or streaming release, but I am itching to watch it!

Injury/Medical 

DIANA

Diana (11/20) Post Di Amistad, Kawasaki, Kanagawa

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Championship: Ayame Sasamura defeated Maika Ozaki (c) (16:27) 

Diana Future Sight Vol. 28 (11/23) Post Di Amistad, Kawasaki, Kanagawa

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Crystal Championship: Nanami (c) defeated Yurika Oka (14:27)

Dream Star Fighting MARIGOLD

News

Marigold Fantastic Adventure (11/2) Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

  • Marigold Superfly Championship: Natsumi Showzuki (c) defeated Misa Matsui (13:04)

Marigold Winter Wonderful Fight (11/14) Korakuen Hall

  • Marigold Twin Star Championships: Mai Sakurai & MIRAI (c) vs. Kouki Amarei & Utami Hayashishita (30:00) – Time Limit Draw
  • Marigold United National Championship: Miku Aono (c) defeated Natsumi Showzuki (13:12)

MARIGOLD First Dream (1/3/25) Ota Ward Gymnasium

  • Seri Yamaoka’s Debut Match
  • MARIGOLD World Championship: Champion TBD*vs. Utami Hayashishita (2024) Dream Star GP Winner *Sareee plans to defend against Nanae Takahashi prior to January 2025.

Ice Ribbon

NEWS: 

RIBBONMANIA 2024 (12/31) Korakuen Hall; Full Card TBA 

  • Singles Match: Manami Katsu vs. YuuRI (GanJo)
  • International Ribbon Tag Championship (1/30): Hamuko Hoshi & Makoto (c) vs. Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S) & Sumika Yanagawa (JTO)
  • ICE x INFINITY Championship (1/30): Yuuki Mashito (c) vs. Misa Kagura (JTO)

NJPW

Full Show Reviews  – w/ Bruce Lord on POST Wrestling Cafe

Strong Style Evolved (12/15) Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA

  • NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Hazuki (STARDOM)
  • NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Ryohei Oiwa
  • NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships: Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) (c) vs. West Coast Wrecking Crew (Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson)
  • Special Tag Team Grudge Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW) & Jack Perry (AEW)
  • Four-Way Match: Clark Connors vs. KUSHIDA vs. Kosei Fujita vs. TJP
  • Lio Rush vs. Hechicero
  • Mina Shirakawa vs. Johnnie Robbie
  • Kickoff Show — STRONG Survivor Match: Matt Vandagriff vs. Zane Jay

NJPW 2025 Schedule

WRESTLE KINGDOM 19 (1/4/2025) Tokyo Dome

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI (c) vs. El Desperado
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Yota Tsuji
  • NJPW World Television Championship — Three-Way Match: Ren Narita (c) vs. Ryohei Oiwa vs. Jeff Cobb
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships — Four-Way Match: Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA (c) vs. T.M.D.K. (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL

Battle in the Valley (1/11/2025) San Jose Civic Center, San Jose, CA

Pro-Wrestling NOAH

NOAH Monday Magic Autumn Vol. 3 (11/11) Shinjuku FACE

  • GHW Women’s Champion: Kouki Amarei (MARIGOLD) defeated Bozilla and Chigusa Nagayo and Great Sakuya and Miku Aono and Miyuki Takase and Nightshade and Sadie Gibbs and Takumi Iroha and Utami Hayashishita and Yuu (26:09) – Gauntlet Battle Royal Format

Sareee-ISM Chapter VI (1/25/2025) Shinjuku FACE

  • Victoria Yuzuki vs. Shaa
  • Jaguar Yokota & Kizuna Tanaka vs. Yumiko Hotta & Miku Kanae
  • Takumi Iroha vs. Chi Chi
  • Kaoru Ito & Yurika Oka vs. Bozilla & Mio Momono
  • Main Event: Sareee vs. Meiko Satomura

SEAdLINNNG

NEWS!

SEAdLINNNG Shin-Kiba Series 2024 Vol. 6 (11/20) Shin-Kiba 1st RING

  • Misa Kagura & Rina Yamashita defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto & Sya (12:04)
  • High Speed Rules: Mei Suruga defeated Na Tsudita (8:00)
  • Ayame Sasamura & Itsuki Aoki defeated Miku Kanae & Miria Koga (17:00)
  • Maya Yukihi, Nagisa Nozaki & VENY defeated Ka Kedita, La Pidita & Sareee (20:02)

Final Show of 2024 (12/27) Korakuen Hall

  • SEAdLINNNG BEYOND THE SEA Singles Championship: Sareee (c) vs. Nagisa Nozaki
  • Announced: Miria Kouga, Hana Honori, Makoto, VENY, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Ayame Sasamura (2AW), Itsuki Aoki; La Pidita & Ka Kedita, Na Tsudita, Natsuki Taiyo, and more!

Sendai Girls

Sendai Girls BIG SHOW In Niigata 2024 (11/9) Niigata Civic Gymnasium in Niigata, Japan

  • Sendai Girls Junior Title Championship: Chi Chi defeated YUNA (10:10) 
  • Sendai Girls Tag Team Championships: Lena Kross & VENY defeated Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) (c) (13:39) 
  • Main Event: Meiko Satomura defeated Saori Anou (18:43) – Recommended

Sendai Girls (11/17) Korakuen Hall 

  • Aja Kong & Sareee defeat Manami & Meiko Satomura (17:18)
  • Sendai Girls World Championship: DASH Chisako defeats Mika Iwata (c) (15:46) 

Sendai Girls (11/22) Sendai PIT, Sendai, Miyagi

  • Syuri defeated Mika Iwata (13:49) – Recommended
  • Sendai Girls Tag Team Championships: Lena Kross & VENY (c) defeated Manami & Ryo Mizunami (20:13)

STARDOM

TOKYO COMICON Exhibition Match (12/6) Queen of the Villains Collab; Makuhari Messe Convention Center

  • Cosmic Angels: Tam Nakano, Natsupoi & Sayaka Kurara vs. H.A.T.E. Natsuko Tora, Saya Kamitani & Ruaka 
  • There will be a QotV Panel featuring Yuriyan Retrevier (Dump Matsumoto), Erika Karata (Chigusa Nagayo) and Ayame Goriki (Lioness Asuka). 

Goddesses of STARDOM Tag League Semi-Finals: Night One (12/7) ACT City Hamamatsu; Full Card TBA

  • Red Goddess Team #2 vs. Red Goddess Team #3
  • Blue Goddess Team #2 vs. Blue Goddess Team #3 
  • Red Goddess Team #1 vs. Winner #2/#3
  • Blue Goddess Team #1 vs. Winner #2/#3

Goddesses of STARDOM Tag League Finals: Night Two (12/8) ACT City Hamamatsu; Full Card TBA

Year-End/New Year Schedule

  • STARDOM Dream Queendom 2024 (12/29) Rygoku Kokugikan; Full Card TBA
    • World of STARDOM Championship: Tam Nakano (c; Cosmic Angels) vs. Saya Kamitani (H.A.T.E.)
  • STARDOM NEW YEAR DREAM 2024 (1/3/2025) Tokyo Garden Theatre, Ariake; Full Card TBA

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW)

TJPW Bright Eyes (11/9) Washington Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA

  • Princess Tag Team Championships: 121000000 (Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita) (c) defeat Nicole Matthews & Vert Vixen (24:01)

DDT x TJPW x DEFY Triangler DTD (11/20) Washington Hall in Seattle, Washington, USA

  • Moka Miyamoto, Vert Vixen & Yuki Kamifuku defeat Arisu Endo, Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino (8:31)
  • Maki Itoh & Zara Zakher defeat Amira & Danika Della Rouge (8:38)
  • Miu Watanabe & Suzume defeat Mizuki & Wakana Uehara (10:32)
  • DEFY Women’s Title: Marina Shafir (c) defeated Shoko Nakajima (14:18)
  • Konosuke Takeshita defeated Yuni (12:12)
  • DDT Universal Title Three Way: Gringo Loco defeated Miyu Yamashita (c) and Nick Wayne (17:08) 

TJPW The Mountain Top 2024 (11/16) EDION Arena Osaka #2 

  • Princess Of Princess Championship: Miu Watanabe (c) defeated Zara Zakher (15:38)

TJPW Live Tour 2024 Autumn (11/22) Shinjuku FACE

  • Next Generation Tournament ’24 Final: Haru Kazashiro defeated Toga (8:49)
  • International Princess Championship: Yuki Arai (c) defeated Shazza McKenzie (11:01)

TJPW Year-End Party (12/29) Korakuen Hall; Full Card TBA

  • 20-Person PRINCESS RUMBLE 2024
  • Queen of Asia & VPW Women’s Championships: Yuki Kamifuku (c) vs. Lei Ying Lee (FKA Xia Lee)

2025 Schedule

  • TOKYO JOSHI PRO ‘25 (1/4/2025) Korakuen Hall; 9-10 Match Card Plan
    • International Princess Championship: Yuki Arai (c) vs. Suzume
    • Announced: Aja Kong, Ryo Mizunami, Lei Ying Lee
  • GRAND PRINCESS ‘25 (3/16/2025) Ota Ward Gymnasium

AEW/ROH

News: 

Announced: Winter is Coming (12/11) Kansas City, MO

  • AEW Women’s Championship: Mariah May (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa

RevPro UK: UPRISING (12/21) York Hall, Bethnal Green, UK

  • Undisputed British Women’s Championship: Mina Shirakawa (c) vs. Dani Luna

Announced: WRESTLE DYNASTY (1/5/2025) Tokyo Dome

GCW

Event Report: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII (11/24) White Eagle Hall Jersey City, NJ

  • Lou Nixon defeated Calvin Tankman by TKO (2:12)
  • David Modzmanashvili defeated Matt Makowski by TKO (6:19)
  • Karmen Petrovic defeated Sumie Sakai by TKO (4:39)
  • Dominic Garrini defeated Kevin Ku (3:37)
  • Charlie Dempsey (w/Myles Borne) defeated Tracy Williams (9:27)
  • Marina Shafir (w/Jon Moxley) defeated Jody Threat (7:22)
  • TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) defeated Lei Ying Lee by TKO (6:38)
  • Royce Isaacs defeated Myles Borne (w/Charlie Dempsey) by TKO (8:29)
  • Josh Alexander defeated Mike Bailey (10:10)
  • Josh Barnett defeated MVP by TKO (13:29)

WWE & NXT

News:

TONIGHT: Survivor Series 2024 (11/30) Vancouver, BC, Canada

  • Women’s War Games Match: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, IYO SKY, and Bayley vs. The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez), Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae 

WWE ID Prospects & Promotions

  • Zara Zahker – Previously wrestled with TJPW & NJPW of America
  • Kylie Rae – Previously in NXT’s Mae Young Classic & formerly of AEW, IMPACT/TNA

For great NXT coverage, check out our friends over at Poisonrana with their UPNXT coverage!

Dream Slam Homeroom

Recommended Match: Syuri vs. Mika Iwata (Results)

  • Promotion: Sendai Girls
  • Date: November 22, 2024
  • Venue: Sendai PIT, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
  • Availability: Sendai Girls on WRESTLE UNIVERSE

Ever since there was the tease of this match happening back in May during the Hana Kimura Memorial Show, I have waited. When it comes to strikers, I rank Iwata in that rarified air alongside Momo Watanabe and Syuri. It’s been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. Fresh off her loss of the Sendai Girls World Championship to DASH Chisako, Iwata was poised for a redemption arc with Syuri’s return to SenJo. This match was far shorter than I expected and could have easily gone for another ten minutes without overstaying its welcome. I hope they revisit this match-up down the road with more time and a much larger stage. 

That being said, go out of your way to see it. Speaking of which, if you’ve listening to my Historic X-Over II review with Bruce Lord, make a point to watch the IWGP Women’s Championship match. Honestly, it’s my second favorite Momo Watanabe match to date, and it really gives shades of prime White Belt Champion, True Heart, Momo Watanabe. 

Extra Credit: Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe – IWGP Women’s Championship Match

  • Promotion: NJPW
  • Date: November 20, 2024
  • Venue: EDION Arena, Osaka
  • Availability: NJPW World (PPV Additional)

November 2024 Coverage

December 2024 Coverage

  • Podcast: POST PURORESU (12/7) w/ WH Park
  • Podcast: NJPW Strong Style Evolved (12/16) w/ Bruce Lord; delayed due to time zones 
  • Column: Dream Slam Monthly (Vol. 24) December 2024 (12/28)

Thank you for always listening and joining me on this global learning excursion! 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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