Sareee-ISM (5/16/2023)
Sareee vs. Chihiro Hashimoto
Sareee's return to Japan after her departure from NXT (WWE). I couldn't help but feel a lack of EXP from her in this match. Her three years in WWE seemed to have little impact on her performance. That may be a plus for some people, but the joshi pro-wrestling scene has evolved tremendously in her absence, and unless she evolves with it, she will be left in the dust. Sareee has been referencing Antonio Inoki a lot, expressing her desire to show a "fight" in her performances. However, I didn't sense any Inoki influence here. Inoki had the ability to captivate a crowd with just his facial expressions and bulging neck muscles. Inoki understood that pro-wrestling is both about strength and putting on a show. Sareee's wrestling, which supposedly pursues strength, seems oblivious to the audience's presence. It lacks that connection and awareness that Inoki had mastered. This match had its moments; the triangle choke sequence was dramatic and cool, but overall, it was a rather sober match with a flat finish. Sareee's return still has the potential to make an impact, but without a sense of growth and adaptation to the new landscape of joshi pro-wrestling, she may struggle to regain her prominence. **
