1. AZM & Mei Suruga vs. Starlight Kid & Mei Seira
Supersonic high speed. What an incredible way to open the show. The four were going nonstop with mesmerizing and innovative sequences and counters. It's so great to see Mei Seira (the former Mei Hoshizuki) back in the ring after 2 years and she has immediately established herself as a player with a win over the HS champion. ****
2. Hazuki & Fuwa-chan vs. Utami Hayashishita & Miyu Amasaki
Brilliant second match for Fuwa-chan, showcasing her boundless potential. She nailed a range of moves, including a missile dropkick, a diving cross body, a brainbuster and a German suplex. The pacing and build-up for each big move from Fuwa-chan was spot on, making them feel earned and impactful. Utami exemplified humility and professionalism, guiding Fuwa-chan and selling her moves effectively. And Fuwa-chan took Utami's hard hits head-on, with Tetsuya Naito-class bumps that showed the seriousness of her wrestling. ****
3. Himeka vs. Maika
Himeka's last Stardom match against partner and best friend Maika was intense and emotional, two fleshly bodies pounding into each other with tackles and lariats. The pacing was quite well done, with the match escalating and growing more intense after well-timed kickouts. Himeka went all out, using all of her best moves, including a diving plancha to the outside. Maika couldn't help but tear up during the climax, showing the emotional impact of the match. ****
4. Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Nanae Takahashi & Yuu (c) vs. MIRAI & Ami Sohrei
This match was somewhat of a hidden gem. Nanae & Yuu have consistently delivered strong performances, and Nanae's knack for bringing out the best in her opponents delivered once again. The entire bout was intense and hard-hitting, with relentless determination from both teams. I didn't think the finish was so bad. It worked for how the match was fought, and it was not unlike the finish of some classic Showa bouts (Hogan-Inoki, Tsurata-Tenryu). ***3/4
5. Artist of Stardom Championship: Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki & Hiiragi Kurumi (c) vs. KAIRI, Natsupoi & Saori Anou
An exciting trios that featured an incredible finale between Suzu and Anou, who share a history as former tag partners. Anou's exceptional bumping ability was on full display, and her ability to bounce back quickly from heavy damage was remarkable. Fun, fast-paced and easy to watch. ***3/4
6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
Saya Kamitani's performance in this match called to mind a quote from her KAIRI feud, "what's wrong with showing your weakness?" Her brilliant technique was complemented by her expressive vulnerability, from the anxiety of executing the Phoenix Splash to selling the threat of the figure four. A genius who can shine even in moments of weakness. Shirakawa also had an impressive performance. When she first debuted, she wrestled in a way that didn't quite suit her body type. Last year, however, she took a new approach and developed a more appropriate fighting style, focusing on classical techniques, hard limb attacks and the figure four. This new style has reinvigorated her game and the results were evident in this match. The bout was characterized by precise, focused action and escalating drama. It was the kind of match where various elements converge to create a unique and unforgettable experience, the injury incident from their previous meeting serving as catalyst. ****1/2
7. KO or Submission: Syuri vs. Chihiro Hashimoto
The strongest showdown in women's professional wrestling delivered an excellent match. It was exactly the kind of athletic contest you would expect from a former UFC fighter and an Olympics-caliber amateur. The quick and precise movements of the two resembled ultra instinct. The determination to assert dominance and unwavering competitiveness was evident throughout. ****1/4
8. IWGP Women's Championship: Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Mayu Iwatani
It's rare to see Mayu Iwatani this angry. I was reminded of Antonio Inoki's "killer" mean streak. Mercedes Mone is thin but has a strong core. Her movements were clean and consistent, and the way she would seamlessly transition into her signature moves was remarkable. I was especially impressed by the stability of her "Three Amigos". I didn't think they meshed too well as opponents, but their individual talents shined through and made for a compelling overall match. It was nice seeing Mayu Iwatani holding a singles belt again. ***3/4
9. World of Stardom Championship: Giulia (c) vs. Tam Nakano
Like the legendary Fujinami-Choshu and Tsuruta-Tenryu pairings, the Giulia-Tam duo always guarantees a fierce battle. There are not a lot of opponents today where I have a genuine fear that they might crush each other when they clash in the ring like with Giulia and Tam. This was an exhilarating match, with outside brawling, headbutts, and closed fist punches, that lived up to expectations in content and defied them in outcome. The finish was a masterful subversion of anticipation. Typically, red belt champions have defended their title until year-end. However, Tam Nakano landed the VSD - a move Giulia had kicked out of in their Budokan match - and won the match, breaking Stardom's conventional wisdom and turning the status quo on its head. A key moment came early on when Giulia, instead of delivering the usual body slam, chose to spike Tam with a Northern Lights Bomb. This early deviation from the norm set the stage for the thrilling and unpredictable action that followed. ****1/2
