5. Utami Hayashishita vs. KAIRI
Even though this was a non-title match, its content was befitting of the IWGP. Hot 15 minutes where Utami and KAIRI fought and received each other's best firmly. Utami smartly adjusted and zoned in on KAIRI's dominant arm as the match progressed, and KAIRI told the story of struggling through pain. ****1/4
7. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano & Natsupoi (c) vs. Nanae Takahashi & Yuu
This was better than expected, not that I wasn't expecting it to be great since Nanae & Yuu have been very stable. I was admittedly uncertain about Tam & Poi's chemistry as a tag team, but their uphill performance in this match was convincing. They really took the fight to the larger team and strung together some exciting sequences. Yuu is a terrific tag specialist, and her size and power go so well with Nanae's experience. Dizzying lightweight x heavyweight back and forth. ****1/4
8. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Haruka Umesaki
The key to this match was how champion Saya Kamitani would draw out the best from unproven challenger in a big venue, and I think she was able to do reasonably well. It was a match that showed Kamitani's generalship and Umesaki's high potential. ****
9. World of Stardom Championship: Syuri (c) vs. Giulia
Syuri's indomitable stamina and endurance and Giulia's madness and tenacity on a collision course. They were in an almost constant state of fighting, trading strikes while tangled in the ropes or during a leg lock duel. The hard hits and dangerous techniques were accompanied by emotive storytelling that drew from their 3-year history as comrades turned rivals. It was all about pushing beyond your limits and exceeding yourself. Hardboiled violence and emotion were in perfect harmony for nearly 30 minutes. ****1/2
