BEST OF THE SUPER JOSHI 2022 - Top 30 Best Bouts

MOTY

I rated 360 joshi puroresu matches in 2022. These are my top 30.

 

Top 30 Best Bouts

 

<1> Best Bout // Giulia vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)

This was my best bout of the year in "joshi pro-wrestling". Giulia and Tam Nakano clashed head-on for the first time since last year's Nippon Budokan in the finals of the 5★STAR Grand Prix. The old school pre-match interviews, the swelling tension before the bell as the two rivals shook hands and the match itself were amazing. It was a blistering encounter with all of their signature moves and dramatic flourishes distilled into 17 minutes.

<2> Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia (Stardom, 1.29 Nagoya)

Sometimes even in the predetermined world of professional wrestling things don't always go according to plan. When Tam Nakano missed what was scheduled to be a 3WAY title eliminator due to illness, Mayu Iwatani and Giulia more than made the most of the occasion. A championship-level fight to the death between two symbols of the promotion that hardly felt like it lasted 30 minutes, both sides exerting their best and not giving an inch.

<3> MIRAI vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 8.11 Korakuen Hall)

One of the most exciting aspects of 2022 was seeing young prospects, whether transfers or outsiders, compete in Stardom's ring and create dream match-ups I never thought possible. One of the most noteworthy examples of this was MIRAI and Suzu Suzuki during the 5★STAR GP, which can be said to be a TJPW x Ice Ribbon proxy war. After going to a draw earlier in the year, they went all out in a 13-minute Korakuen Hall main event. MIRAI, who is normally stoic, wore a wild expression after the match that I still think about.

<4> Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi - Wire Mesh Deathmatch (Stardom, 6.26 Nagoya)

This had such an unsettling atmosphere yet was so addictive. Two idol wrestlers dared to show their ugliness in a dangerous stipulation match, which included flesh-shaving attacks against the fence wire and other disturbing scenes that sent a chill over the audience. Natsupoi came to Stardom seeking this type of stimulation and it was great to see her in such a fulfilling role with Tam Nakano, whom she shared a dark and complex relationship.

<5> Starlight Kid vs. Natsupoi (Stardom, 2.1 Korakuen Hall)
The high speed division in Stardom is a small division so everyone is fighting each other consistently and developing a deep chemistry. It may be repetitive for some, but I think its tightly-knit "star system" is one of its appeals. The previous match between Natsupoi and Starlight Kid was an "evolution of high speed" and with this match they continued to push the boundaries of the division with a long-form main event in Korakuen Hall that was a splendid mix of technical skill, high-flying, off-field brawling and personality.

<6> Giulia vs. Starlight Kid (Stardom, 8.27 Korakuen Hall)
The sequel to last year's mask-ripping spectacle that created the Starlight Kid of today. I couldn't believe this was only 11 minutes. An exhilarating grudge match between two of joshi pro-wrestling most charismatic figures against the backdrop of a crowded Korakuen Hall. The heated drama of a feature-length epic was condensed into a short time frame.

<7> Syuri vs. Giulia (Stardom, 12.29 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
Syuri's stamina and endurance and Giulia's madness and tenacity on a collision course. 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. This was the perfect culmination of Stardom's 2022.

<8> Saya Kamitani vs. Himeka (Stardom, 8.21 Nagoya)
Another exciting instance of the predetermined harmony of pro-wrestling being disrupted in Stardom's 2022. This match was suddenly decided after KAIRI missed her scheduled title match against Saya Kamitani, and it was another fantastic substitute match where the performers made the most of the occasion. Although Himeka was on the losing end, she made a big impact in terms of in-ring content and demonstrated her high potential.

<9> Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7.9 Ota Ward)

Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki are a tag team with a high batting average who can produce quality matches against just about any team. Yuki Arai is inexperienced, but her super tag team with Saki Akai gained momentum fairly quickly. Although Arai struggled throughout the match, she lived up to expectations and led her team to victory at a crucial moment. For me, this was one of the best feel-good moments of pro-wrestling in 2022.

<10> Tomoka Inaba & Aoi vs. Maika & MIRAI (JTO, 9.12 Yoyogi)

The TAKATaichi events draw crowds of enthusiasts who are receptive to almost everything on the card, and fortunately they were granted permission to vocalize their excitement in Yoyogi National Stadium. The crowd support, the back story, the emotional in-ring, everything clicked in a timely manner and created a modern classic in my eyes.

<11> Giulia vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)
Reunion singles match between Ice Ribbon graduates, who once treated each other like sisters. This was a breathless emotional rush. In the space of 15 minutes, Giulia and Suzu created a match only they are capable of, drawing from their complicated back story. The content wasn't that ambitious but the raw emotion and measuredness elevated everything.

<12> Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 3.19 Ryogoku Kokugikan)

"GRAND PRINCESS '22" had many luxurious entrances, but my favorite was perhaps Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi entering in on a mikoshi. The match itself was equally luxurious; the action almost nonstop over the course of 17-minutes, with plenty of creativity.

<13> Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu vs. DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Sendai Girls, 2.27 Nagaoka)
The Sendai Girls tag team championship shined more brillantly than the singles belt this year in my eyes. This was the most impressive match I've seen from Senjo in a long time and surely one of the best women's tags of 2022. It reminded me of an old school All Japan tag title match, with the teams running wild and slapping into each other like walls of meat from start to finish. Both teams meshed exceptionally well and wrestled a physical match.

<14> Syuri vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 9.23 Korakuen Hall)
Syuri who represents the strength of the red belt and Tam who represents the emotion of the white belt. A main event collision of different fighting spirits, that gradually escalated from quiet to intense. The amount of excitement packed inside of 14-minutes was amazing.

<15> AZM vs. Momo Kohgo (Stardom, 7.9 Tachikawa)
This match perfectly exemplified AZM's stability as a champion. She brought out the best from an unproven challenger while showing her own sex appeal in a way that didn't obscure Komomo, who was working hard in her own right. There were so many novel moments, counters, transitions and subversions of expectation crammed into this 10 minutes.

<16> Syuri vs. Giulia (Stardom, 3.26 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
Giulia, who had been synonymous with the white belt, donned red hair and costume to match the color specs of the red belt. Giulia's "red transformation", wild momentum and off-field attacks gave off a Great Muta-esque impression to me. Syuri was almost unilaterally drawn into Giulia's pace and had to endure severe punishment to protect her belt.

<17> Chihiro Hashimoto vs. ASUKA (Sendai Girls, 7.10 Korakuen Hall)
ASUKA has a level of size, power, agility and versatility that Chihiro Hashimoto has never faced before in her home promotion. In other words, the perfect challenger to showcase the "strength" of the Senjo ace, who had been suffering from a lack of convincing opponents on the singles front. It was an epic match that boasted outstanding athleticism and physicality.

<18> Giulia vs. Saya Kamitani (Stardom, 9.24 Takadanobaba)
The 2020 GP match between Giulia and Saya Kamitani was a personal gem of mine and I couldn't wait to see them face again. They have an excellent chemistry; their timing, movements and body types are almost a perfect match together. Giulia unveiled an obscure submission to ground the high-flying Kamitani for the win. Giulia is good at heated matches, but can also excel in sports-like matches that show the essence of pro-wrestling.

<19> Saya Kamitani vs. Maika (Stardom, 5.5 Fukuoka)

During Golden Week, Saya Kamitani and Maika, who had debuted less than three years earlier, were entrusted with the main event of large venue. Maika made a majestic entrance on a mikoshi as the local hero and fought passionately in front of friends and family in her first bid at the white belt. This was Kamitani's 5th of 12 title defenses during the year.

<20> Mayu Iwatani vs. KAIRI (NJPW/Stardom, 11.20 Ariake)
IWGP Women's "proof of concept". Mayu Iwatani and KAIRI do not use a lot of techniques, but they are good at using the pause between moves to build up tension. It was an amazing main event performance that showed a fragility and emotion unique to women's wrestling in contrast to the men's title match before it. I think both conveyed pain and emotion in a way that would resonate even with viewers unfamiliar with their history.

<21> Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita (Stardom, 10.23 Tachikawa)
The match development was similar to their 2020 Sendai match, with Utami employing a pin-point attack strategy and Mayu working as a durable counter-puncher. It was relatively short for a big show main event, but dense, with dynamic movements, explosive attacks and high drama. Utami showed more emotion than usual both during and after the match, conveying what "IWGP" meant to her, which left a strong impression on me.

<22> Suzu Suzuki vs. Tomoya Hirata (Prominence, 9.25 Shinkiba)

Only in the world of professional wrestling can an intergender fight with a 50kg size difference feel so convincing. Suzu and Hirata are German suplex specialists so there was that built-in narrative, but the size differential also played a big role and allowed for compelling underdog storytelling. The tension of the second half was tremendous.

<23> AZM vs. Mei Suruga (Stardom, 4.29 Ota Ward)
A dream match that exceed its lofty expectations. Mei Suruga showed her unique worldview in the ring of Stardom, and charmed the fans as well as her opponent. In past years, AZM had hoped to compete against fresh opponents at high speed, and it was great to see that become a reality in 2022, with a brilliant challenger lineup, led by Mei Suruga.

<24> Kaho Matsushita vs. Yuuki Mashiro (Ice Ribbon, 5.28 Yokohama)

2022 was a turbulent year for Ice Ribbon, with many of their signature wrestlers leaving. But I think that allowed some of the young wrestlers to step up and show their individuality more. This was an excellent main event that carried on the original spirit of Ice Ribbon as an organization where raw, young wrestlers shine. Unfortunately, Yuuki Mashiro would retire at the end of the year, but I think this stands out as one of her career-best matches.

<25> Miu Watanabe vs. Suzume (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9.16 Shinjuku)

After making it far in the Tokyo Princess Cup, an International Princess eliminator was set up between the two. Although it was a small event, I felt that their efforts were rewarded when they were assigned to the main event. They showed a fantastic match, fully utilizing their respective styles. Miu's supreme athlete aura during the match was amazing, as she confidently imposed her will over the undersized Suzume who was giving it her all.

<26> Saya Kamitani vs. Natsupoi (Stardom, 2.23 Nagaoka)
This was a strong start to Saya Kamitani's title reign and Natsupoi's transformative year. A fan vote was held to determine this event's main event and this match won by a wide margin. The content surely met fan expectation. Kamitani and Poi put together a thrilling title match with a combination of brilliance and rawness for over 20 minutes.

<27> Syuri vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 7.9 Tachikawa)
A rematch of 2021's 5★STAR finals, with a new dynamic as a result of Momo Watanabe joining OEDo-Tai. The stand exchanges between a former K-1 KRUSH champion and a self-styled kicker were exciting. Momo broke all sorts of rules as one might expect, but her usual big match consistency was still there. Syuri had to endure a an onslaught to retain.

<28> Maika vs. Himeka (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)
A best friends showdown that transcended the 5★STAR GP. Shockingly, this was the first singles between Maika and Himeka. Their chemistry as tag team partners and friends was on full display, and the two engaged in a fierce battle of hard hits and stubbornness. It lasted less than 10 minutes, but that was all the time they needed on this day.

<29> Saya Kamitani vs. KAIRI (Stardom, 11.19 Osaka)
After being reduced to tears several times by KAIRI and the Phoenix Splash incident against Mina Shirakawa, there were concerns about Saya Kamitani's mental state heading into this match, but she used those frustrations as a springboard. I was impressed by Kamitani's ability to control the pace against a veteran with a worldy aura like KAIRI.

<30> Yuka Sakazai vs. Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8.14 Korakuen Hall)
Although the semi-finals match between Miyu and Miu had a higher reputation, I found this one to be more interesting. Yuka Sakazaki was in her element as an oppressor. Miu's victory felt far away when she landed an avalanche Teardrop that was kicked out of, but she put up a good struggle with her power moves and her value was not diminished.

Summary (List without Images and Comments)

  • <1> Best Bout // Giulia vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)
  • <2> Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia (Stardom, 1.29 Nagoya)
  • <3> MIRAI vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 8.11 Korakuen Hall)
  • <4> Starlight Kid vs. Natsupoi (Stardom, 2.1 Korakuen Hall)
  • <4> Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi - Wire Mesh Deathmatch (Stardom, 6.26 Nagoya)
  • <5> Starlight Kid vs. Natsupoi (Stardom, 2.1 Korakuen Hall)
  • <6> Giulia vs. Starlight Kid (Stardom, 8.27 Korakuen Hall)
  • <7> Syuri vs. Giulia (Stardom, 12.29 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
  • <8> Saya Kamitani vs. Himeka (Stardom, 8.21 Nagoya)
  • <9> Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 7.9 Ota Ward
  • <10> Tomoka Inaba & Aoi vs. Maika & MIRAI (JTO, 9.12 Yoyogi)
  • <11> Giulia vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)
  • <12> Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 3.19 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
  • <13> Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu vs. DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto (Sendai Girls, 2.27 Nagaoka)
  • <14> Syuri vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 9.23 Korakuen Hall)
  • <15> AZM vs. Momo Kohgo (Stardom, 7.9 Tachikawa)
  • <16> Syuri vs. Giulia (Stardom, 3.26 Ryogoku Kokugikan)
  • <17> Chihiro Hashimoto vs. ASUKA (Sendai Girls, 7.10 Korakuen Hall)
  • <18> Giulia vs. Saya Kamitani (Stardom, 9.24 Takadanobaba)
  • <19> Saya Kamitani vs. Maika (Stardom, 5.5 Fukuoka)
  • <20> Mayu Iwatani vs. KAIRI (NJPW/Stardom, 11.20 Ariake)
  • <21> Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita (Stardom, 10.23 Tachikawa)
  • <22> Suzu Suzuki vs. Tomoya Hirata (Prominence, 9.25 Shinkiba)
  • <23> AZM vs. Mei Suruga (Stardom, 4.29 Ota Ward)
  • <24> Kaho Matsushita vs. Yuuki Mashiro (Ice Ribbon, 5.28 Yokohama)
  • <25> Miu Watanabe vs. Suzume (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 9.16 Shinjuku)
  • <26> Saya Kamitani vs. Natsupoi (Stardom, 2.23 Nagaoka)
  • <27> Syuri vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom, 7.9 Tachikawa)
  • <28> Maika vs. Himeka (Stardom, 10.1 Musashino)
  • <29> Saya Kamitani vs. KAIRI (Stardom, 11.19 Osaka)
  • <30> Yuka Sakazai vs. Miu Watanabe (Tokyo Joshi Pro, 8.14 Korakuen Hall)