Rika Tatsumi vs. Masha Slamovich
This was just as strong as the singles matches higher up the card despite its placement deep on the undercard. Rika Tatsumi's match-building skill was on display, while Masha Slamovich built pressure from underneath with bombastic offense (that head-spiking piledriver! ). They absolutely maximized their 10 minutes. ***3/4
Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Emi Sakura & Chris Brookes
I'm still puzzled by Yuka Sakazaki's quick return without even once appearing in AEW. We need a better explanation! I am also not sure why Chris Brookes is here.. Regardless, the match was a blast. I would be lying if I said I didn't have fun watching it. Fast-paced, high-energy, full of depth (Mizuki winning with one of her rarest finishers). It was so amazing to see Magical Sugar Rabbits back together and I was reminded all over again how much I enjoyed them. Emi Sakura & Chris Brookes played their roles perfectly. ****1/4
International Championship: Yuki Arai (c) vs. Yuki Kamifuku
This match was too short to really get going. Yuki Arai and SKE48 were unquestionably the drawing card of the event, but for some reason her match was super short. I'm baffled. Kamiyu promised to reveal a different side of Arai, but all we got was a single, admittedly loud, slap. Arai's performance was the same as always, except her sasori-gatame was strangely not performed. The match needed more time to truly develop. The International Championship has potential, but for whatever reason, it doesn't get the spotlight on major events. ***
Princess of Princess Championship: Miyu Yamashita (c) vs. Miu Watanabe
The generational shift is in full swing! It was great to see a classical opening build-up, from lock-ups, headlocks and ropework, without cutting corners. Miu Watanabe impressed with her signature sharpness and swing techniques. It mostly delivered the athletic, clean wrestling the matchup promised. However, there was the usual oddness involving finishers. An avalanche finisher used as a mid-match transition, later followed by a standard finisher being inexplicably no-sold by Miyu Yamashita (who had been selling an injury throughout), kicking out of the Skullkick and immediately winning. Finishers shrugged off to the point of near meaninglessness. It lessened the impact of the climax, which came across as hurried and less impactful than the big moments that preceded it. Still, it's an exciting time for TJPW, with Watanabe, Suzume, Endo, and Arai of the 98 generation breaking the rut as its new leaders. ****
