Stardom - MidSummer Champions in NAGOYA (7/24/2022)

6. Goddess of Stardom Championship: Ami Sourei & MIRAI vs. Hazuki & Koguma

The chemistry seemed a lot better this time around, and FWC firmly stabilized their position by retaining with a decisive win over the team they struggled against previously. MIRAI & Ami are a great "human torpedo" powerhouse team, and I was especially impressed by Ami who fought strongly until the end. ***3/4

7. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani vs. SAKI

Relatively shorted compared to other white belt defenses, but efficiently packed with "hard x soft" wrestling. Kamitani's flying and technique against SAKI's power and vertical suplexes. SAKI is a 10-year veteran who was trained by Zenjo's Takako Inoue and I couldn't help but think there was symbolic significance to this match as Kamitani prepares to face Nanae Takahashi at Ota-ku. ***3/4  

8. World of Stardom Championship: Syuri (c) vs. Tam Nakano

Syuri has played three major roles as an absolute champion. A symbol of the promotion's strength, a protector from outside forces, and an antagonist against fan favorites and up-and-comers. In this match, Syuri was the perfect de facto monster heel against Tam, who echoed her past battles with Hoshiki, Giulia, Kamitani and Natsupoi in an emotional underdog struggle. Instead of an orthodox, careful build, Tam skipped the middleman with a piercing backdrop and a big dive from the entrance gate at the start, getting right into the heavy death battle portion that only intensified as the match progressed. ****1/2