Sayaka Kurara vs. Aya Sakura
Who would've thought - a match between two rookie idol wrestlers starting with a full-on grappling session! No traditional pro-wrestling holds, it was pure kosen judo - scrambles, guard passes, a triangle choke, joint locks. The eventual transition to pro-wrestling was full of raw emotion, competitive spirit and surprisingly stiff at times. I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed by this first meeting between Kurara and Sakura. ****
Tam Nakano & Giulia vs. Saori Anou & Natsupoi vs. AZM & Miyu Amasaki vs. Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe
Sometimes these 3WAY or 4WAY tags can get messy, but this was worked wonderfully. It was bright, fun, and packed with action. Each wrestler showcased their unique appeal in a quick, impactful way. It's the perfect kind of match for newcomers; easy to enjoy accessible wrestling without needing to have deep knowledge. ****
Goddess of Stardom Championship: Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira
The outcome of the match may have been telegraphed due to circumstances, but the action was so well arranged, with timely shifts, counters and near-falls, that it maintained a sense of suspense. Not to mention, the wrestling itself was amazing, with a spectrum of styles and approaches on display. Utami and Saya are from the Stardom dojo yet very distinct from each other, while Suzu and Mei are from Ice Ribbon and Marvelous respectively. They created a hybrid blend that was innovative and exciting to watch. All four are young in age or career. This is what it must have felt like to watch the Muto, Maeda, Takada, Koshinaka generation in late 80s New Japan! The reliability of Crazy Star during Stardom's injury crisis last year makes this tag title win a fitting reward for their hard work. ****1/4
