I rated 203 joshi puroresu matches in 2023. These are my top 25.
Top 25 Best Bouts
<1> Best Bout // Loser Leaves Unit Cage Match: Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani, AZM, Hina, Lady C & Miyu Amasaki vs. Natsuko Tora, Starlight Kid, Momo Watanabe, Saki Kashima, Ruaka & Rina (Stardom, 6/25)
The entire nation shed tears...
STARDOM for cinematography and editing,
Utami Hayashishita for Best Actress,
Saya Kamitani and Saki Kashima for Best Supporting Cast,
Rossy Ogawa for Best Director.
<2> Giulia vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 4/23)
A clash of ideologies and unyielding wills! In a year where "strong style" became an accessory for some wrestlers, I believe this match embodied a true Showa-era fight, where you felt they could genuinely crush each other. The finish was also quite shocking.
<3> Giulia vs. Maya Yukihi (Stardom, 3/4)
An ulta-violent grudge match that transcended personal animosity for the greater good of the industry and fans! Somewhere in the darkness they were able to reach such a level of mutual trust that they performed a tiger driver through a table. This was a masterpiece!
<4> Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Natsupoi (Sendai Girls, 7/16)
Exploring the meaning of strength! Real strength in pro-wrestling isn't just about winning or showing how physically strong you are; it's about harmony and artistry! This was an 11-minute display of supreme pro-wrestling, shaped by mutual understanding.
<5> Tam Nakano vs. Mayu Iwatani (Stardom, 8/15)
World of Stardom and IWGP champions collide! Yet, this match held a significance far beyond the titles. The way they controlled space and time, perfectly pausing at crucial moments, impressed me the most in this match. Such a grand vibe for a 15-minute bout.
<6> Saya Kamitani vs. Mina Shirakawa (Stardom, 4/23)
An ugly grudge born out of an unexpected accident! This matchmaking was a stroke of booking genius and instinct. Mina Shirakawa's steady improvement was justly rewarded, and even in defeat, Saya Kamitani's brilliance as a champion shone through.
<7> MIRAI vs. Chihiro Hashimoto (Stardom, 2/4)
The Stardom return of Chihiro Hashimoto, fueled by fighting spirit and Sendai Girls pride! This had a sports-like partisanship that really hooked me in, both vying to assert their "strength". MIRAI's response to Chihiro's imposing presence was a study in resilience.
<8> Giulia vs. Megan Bayne (Stardom, 12/29)
A classic "Japanese ace versus monster gaijin" matchup with an advanced, modern flair. Giulia's signature adaptability brought out Megan Bayne's MAX potential in a thrilling 17-minute title fight that exceeded expectations and embodied the STRONG banner. Megan's breathtaking moonsault is still replaying in my head!
<9> MIRAI vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 12/29)
MIRAI's champion's dilemma found its savior in Saori Anou! It was a story of self-discovery featuring a reserved and shy protagonist and a husky voiced mature woman who acted as a guide—almost like a romantic shoujo playing out before us!
<10> KAIRI vs. Mercedes Mone (NJPW, 2/18)
Mone's Hana-chan inspired gear instantly won my heart! While the IWGP women's belt is still finding its footing, matches like this show its potential. Mone's callbacks to her historic NXT matches were well delivered, and KAIRI fought hard to not be overshadowed.
<11> Miyu Yamashita vs. Shoko Nakajima (TJPW, 8/17)
The first 7-minutes of this match was dedicated to mat wrestling! They fully embraced the unique environment provided by the experimental "Inspiration" series to create a fun, freewheeling match that showcased their decade of shared experience.
<12> Giulia vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 7/23)
An anticipated clash that delivered as promised! I like to think of this as a match of two halves—old-school outside brawling and bloodshed, followed by modern high-speed technical exchanges and counters. This match marked the moment Saori Anou truly experienced the rigors of today's Stardom, courtesy of Giulia.
<13> Syuri vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 7/23)
The quintessential league tournament sprint! This was a magical first encounter, where the strikingly different styles and disciplines of Syuri and Suzu Suzuki intersected, creating an insatiable rhythm. Suzu's perverse enthusiasm and Syuri's unyielding ukemi!
<14> Saya Kamitani vs. Hazuki (Stardom, 3/4)
Hazuki's best shot at a top singles belt! Hazuki's determination to win the white championship, which brought her out of retirement, was evident in the buildup and the match itself. But Saya Kamitani's phoenix-like perseverance proved insurmountable.
<15> Ibuki Hoshi vs. Kaho Matsushita (Ice Ribbon, 6/18)
A tense and affecting match between the young aces of Ice Ribbon! I was pleasantly surprised to see such an unflinching, emotionally-charged match in the ring of Ice Ribbon, where they usually shy away from this type of wrestling.
<16> Saori Anou vs. Mina Shirakawa (Stardom, 9/30)
A brilliant classical wrestling match between gorgeous and charismatic visual wrestlers. There was a strong focus on basics and attention to detail, with targeted knee attacks and leg locks. It felt like watching something out of early Championship Wrestling from Florida.
<17> Giulia vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 2/4)
This was a strong first defense for Giulia, but what made it even more special was all the added "subtext". Giulia led her first arrivederci chorus on a big show with a post-COVID cheering crowd and had an emotional reunion with old partner Tequila Saya after the match.
<18> Yuki Arai vs. Aja Kong (TJPW, 3/18)
Seeing Yuki Arai getting up again and again after taking heavy blows in her fight against Aja Kong was truly inspiring. Yuki was able to land most of her signature moves and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she pushed the veteran monster to the limit!
<19> Emi Sakura vs. Miyuki Takase (DPW/Gatoh Move, 4/27)
A mature woman twist on Kobashi-Sasaki! This was a unique main event centered around meaty chops and timely lariat trades, with Miyuki Takase's emotional expression adding a lot to the match, which was structured in such a way that it didn't feel monotonous.
<20> Nanae Takahashi & Yuu vs. Maika & Himeka (Stardom, 2/4)
MaiHimeka's final title challenge! This had a classic tag team match layout with the formidable 7Upp zeroing in on Himeka's injured ankle. The urgency from Maika, and the match's overall emotion and tension made it one of my favorite tag matches of the year.
<21> Strap Match: Natsupoi vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 7/2)
Eight years of distance couldn't sever the spiritual thread between Natsupoi and Saori Anou! The deep trust between them allowed for a physically intense encounter that made effective use of the stipulation. Such an offbeat but compelling Stardom main event.
<22> Natsupoi & Saori Anou vs. Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira (Stardom, 9/3)
Nothing short of spectacular. A near perfect blend of speedy action and diverse techniques. It felt like an old-school Zenjo tag team match with high vitality and ingenuity.
<23> Shoko Nakajima vs. Suzume (TJPW, 7/16)
This to me seemed like a throwback to the early vibes of TJPW, where the main event matches started slow with technical matwork. Shoko Nakajima showcased her excellent generalship, bringing out the best in Suzume without compromising too much.
<24> YuuRI vs. Ibuki Hoshi (Ice Ribbon, 8/26)
A glimpse into the rebuilding of Ice Ribbon! In the promotion's ever-changing landscape marked by departures, young talents like YuuRI and Ibuki Hoshi have seized the opportunity. Great bruiser main event with hard hits, speed and tenacity.
<25> Arisu Endo vs. Yuki Arai (TJPW, 7/25)
Arisu Endo's Camel Clutch meets Yuki Arai's Sasori-gatame! A hot match between generational classmates, featuring youthful vigor and potential.
Summary (List without Images and Comments)
<1> Best Bout // Loser Leaves Unit Cage Match: Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani, AZM, Hina, Lady C & Miyu Amasaki vs. Natsuko Tora, Starlight Kid, Momo Watanabe, Saki Kashima, Ruaka & Rina (Stardom, 6/25)
<2> Giulia vs. Tam Nakano (Stardom, 4/23)
<3> Giulia vs. Maya Yukihi (Stardom, 3/4)
<4> Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Natsupoi (Sendai Girls, 7/16)
<5> Tam Nakano vs. Mayu Iwatani (Stardom, 8/15)
<6> Saya Kamitani vs. Mina Shirakawa (Stardom, 4/23)
<7> MIRAI vs. Chihiro Hashimoto (Stardom, 2/4)
<8> Giulia vs. Megan Bayne (Stardom, 12/29)
<9> MIRAI vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 12/29)
<10> KAIRI vs. Mercedes Mone (NJPW, 2/18)
<11> Miyu Yamashita vs. Shoko Nakajima (TJPW, 8/17)
<12> Giulia vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 7/23)
<13> Syuri vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 7/23)
<14> Saya Kamitani vs. Hazuki (Stardom, 3/4)
<15> Ibuki Hoshi vs. Kaho Matsushita (Ice Ribbon, 6/18)
<16> Saori Anou vs. Mina Shirakawa (Stardom, 9/30)
<17> Giulia vs. Suzu Suzuki (Stardom, 2/4)
<18> Yuki Arai vs. Aja Kong (TJPW, 3/18)
<19> Emi Sakura vs. Miyuki Takase (DPW/Gatoh Move, 4/27)
<20> Nanae Takahashi & Yuu vs. Maika & Himeka (Stardom, 2/4)
<21> Strap Match: Natsupoi vs. Saori Anou (Stardom, 7/2)
<22> Natsupoi & Saori Anou vs. Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira (Stardom, 9/3)
<23> Shoko Nakajima vs. Suzume (TJPW, 7/16)
<24> YuuRI vs. Ibuki Hoshi (Ice Ribbon, 8/26)
<25> Arisu Endo vs. Yuki Arai (TJPW, 7/25)
