5/3 STARDOM GOLDENWEEK STARS report: Stars-produced show featuring Toni Storm vs. Tam Nakano and the annual costume battle royal

STARDOM GLORY STARS
MAY 3, 2019
TOKYO, JAPAN AT SHIN-KIBA 1ST RING
AIRED ON STARDOM WORLD
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Stars (Saya Iida, Hanan, Starlight Kid, Tam Nakano, Saki Kashima, Arisa Hoshiki, & Mayu Iwatani) were introduced one at a time. They were wearing new white track suits and monochrome t-shirts of different colors. They also had new entrance music. They took turns running down the card, reading the matches off a piece of lined paper.

(1) RINA (w/Jungle Kyona & Konami) vs. NATSU SUMIRE

Rina hit a running dropkick to start the match. Sumire was aggravated that the other two TCS members were hanging around ringside. She slapped Rina repeatedly across the chest in the ropes, then took a long sip of water. Before she could spit it on Rina, though, Kyona held her mouth shut. Sumire coughed and swallowed the water. She yelled at the referee about their interference so Kyona beat her up and tossed her back in the ring. Sumire was distracted on a crotch assault attempt, allowing Rina to move out of the way. Rina locked on Hana Kimura’s octopus but Sumire made it to the rope break. This time she connected with the crotch assault. Northern lights suplex but Rina got her shoulder up. Rina caught Sumire with a jackknife pin for a near-fall but a second northern lights suplex put her away.

WINNER: Natsu Sumire in 6:17.

(Pageot’s Perspective: As usual with a Sumire singles match, very entertaining. Rina continues her new gimmick of being Mini-Hana and it works for her and also makes for entertaining scenarios.)

-Ruaka said it’s been a while (almost three months since her last singles match). Hanan said she wanted to win because she’s better than Ruaka.

(2) HANAN vs. RUAKA

Hanan with a headlock takedown. Dropkick and a hip toss. She looked for the armbar but Ruaka made the rope break. They traded forearms at 3:00. STO from Hanan. Rolling pin for a two-count. Inside cradle. Crossbody from Ruaka for two. Armbar and Ruaka tapped.

WINNER: Hanan in 4:49.

(Pageot’s Perspective: The concept of this match seemed to be that Stars wanted to give Hanan a win so they booked her in a match against one of the young members of an opposing faction, figuring it would be an easy victory for her. Logical use of the “booking your own show” theme and it worked. Hanan is now 1-5 in singles matches this year.)

-Oedo Tai applauded the start of Stardom Goldenweek. TCS showed off their new t-shirts, available now. (This was the first TCS match as a quartet ever.)

(3) OEDO TAI (World Of Stardom Champion Kagetsu, High Speed Champion Hazuki, Andras Miyagi, & Natsuko Tora w/Natsu Sumire) vs. TOKYO CYBER SQUAD (Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona, Konami, & Rebel Kel)

Oedo Tai attacked before the bell and the two teams brawled into the crowd. Tora whipped Kyona into the ring post and they re-entered the ring to become the legal women. Each of the others tagged in and took turns working over Kyona. She hit a double suplex on Tora and Hazuki at 3:30, though. Kyona and Tora threw hands. A shoulder tackle put them both down. Tags to Konami and Kagetsu. Konami was a house of fire. All eight women fought again. Tags to Kimura and Miyagi. Kimura fell to the Oedo Tai train and a barrage of offense. She came back with the octopus but Miyagi made the rope break. Kel tagged in for the first time at 8:24. Hazuki instantly put her in a crossface but she made it to the ropes. Face wash from Hazuki. Kick to the back from Kimura as she ran the ropes again. Kel took advantage with some boots. Tandem offense from TCS to Hazuki. Falcon arrow from Kel but Oedo Tai broke it up. Everything broke down and Hazuki caught Kel with the Hazukistral for the pin.

WINNERS: Oedo Tai in 10:31.

(Pageot’s Perspective: I know she’s the token gaijin in the match and somewhat of a rookie but they really haven’t been doing Kel any favors lately. When she first showed up at the end of March she was protected but she’s already been defined down to a Hanan level of credibility. If she’s in the tag match, you know she’s taking the pin.)

-Nakano said she had a singles match in the Toni Storm World Challenge. It’s Tam time! Storm said she missed Stardom and is thrilled to be back. She anticipated having her head kicked in all week but looked forward to it.

(4) NXT UK WOMEN’S CHAMPION TONI STORM vs. ARTIST OF STARDOM CHAMPION TAM NAKANO – NON-TITLE MATCH

Storm dominated the opening minutes. Nakano mounted a comeback at 3:15. Headbutt from Storm. Both women went down. They traded forearms from a kneeling position. Superkick to Storm coming off the ropes. High crossbody from the top rope took out Storm at ringside. Nakano followed with a knee from the top rope but Storm kicked out. Another headbutt from Storm for two. Storm hit a trio of German suplexes, hanging on after each one. Indian deathlock. Rope break. Nakano hit a roundhouse kick and bridging German for two. Clothesline from Storm. Storm Zero (tiger driver) and Strong Zero (jumping piledriver) ended it.

WINNER: Toni Storm in 9:14.

(Pageot’s Perspective: A good match. You know Storm’s winning every match on this tour as there’s no way Triple H will let anyone pin his champion. In fact, Storm vs. AEW’s Bea Priestley in a “top gaijin” battle was originally advertised for the upcoming May 16 show but that has since been changed to Storm vs. Kagetsu instead. Speculation is that it’s due to WWE not wanting any of their talent competing against AEW wrestlers.)

Watanabe pointed out that this was her first time teaming with Onozaki and Hina since they were drafted into QQ. (Hina was a late replacement here for the injured AZM.) Kid reminded us this is the Stars show and they have new merch and a new entrance theme.

(5) STARS (Artist Of Stardom Champion Saki Kashima, Arisa Hoshiki, Starlight Kid, & Saya Iida) vs. QUEEN’S QUEST (Wonder Of Stardom & Goddess Of Stardom Champion Momo Watanabe, Bea Priestley, Leo Onozaki, & Hina w/Utami Hayashishita) – ELIMINATION MATCH

Elimination occurred via pinfall, submission, or going over the top rope. QQ teased shaking hands but instead arm dragged all of Stars. The four of them picked up Iida and carried her over to the ropes but the three other Stars women were on the floor to prevent her being knocked off the apron. Synchronized submissions to all four QQ members. Four-way offense to Onozaki. STO from Hina to Iida. QQ cleared the apron and hit a dropkick train on Iida in the corner. Everything broke down again and Iida and Hina exchanged pin attempts. Iidabashi caught Hina for the first elimination.

Hina was eliminated at 2:49.

Onozaki went after Iida with forearms. Tag to Kashima. Cutter from Onozaki. Boot from Kashima. Top rope double stomp.

Leo Onozaki was eliminated at 4:16.

With the juniors out of the way, Watanabe and Priestley went to work on Kashima. Kashima got a near-fall off a roll-up while the other three occupied Priestley. Watanabe wound up catching her in a pin of her own.

Saki Kashima was eliminated at 5:27.

Three on two against QQ. Kid hit a standing moonsault onto both women. Cinderella Hoshiki faced off against her forthcoming white belt opponent. They traded kicks. Watanabe put her down with two dropkicks in the corner. Power slam from Hoshiki. She went up top but Watanabe caught her. A kick sent Hoshiki to the apron. Hoshiki yanked her over the top rope and they fought on the apron. They both ended up falling off together.

Momo Watanabe and Arisa Hoshiki were eliminated at 8:36.

Priestley was left alone against Iida and Kid. She stomped away at Iida’s head but Kid hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT. Bridging back suplex got rid of the little giant.

Saya Iida was eliminated at 9:53.

Priestley vs. Kid. Tiger feint kick avoided. High knee from the Brit. Inside cradle gave Kid two. Back suplex from Priestley. Kid kicked out. Priestley blocked a headscissors and tried to powerbomb Kid over the ropes. They both tumbled onto the apron. Kid took a kick but hung on. She ducked a second and swung Priestley’s left foot off. Kid connected with a running dropkick. Priestley dangled by her right arm. A double-stomp to the arm knocked her loose.

WINNERS: Stars in 12:05.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Good fun, especially down the stretch. I didn’t think Stars would lose on their own show but also had serious doubts that Kid or Iida would eliminate Priestley. Very pleasantly surprised by the ending. Kid’s poised to make that jump to the next level any time now. If not the high speed title, what, though? Maybe just going deep in the 5Star Grand Prix.)

Our main event was the annual costume battle royal in which wrestlers dress as other wrestlers, mimicking their entrance and move set. Elimination could occur via pinfall, submission, or going over the top rope and having both feet touch the floor.

Entrant #1 was Utami Hayashishita (played by Natsuko Tora). She was accompanied by Big Daddy (Utami Hayashishita cosplaying as her own father, the star of a popular reality show about their family and his 14 children). #2 was Jungle Kyona (Hanan) dressed in the classic blue JAN parrot pants.

(6) COSTUME CHANGE BATTLE ROYAL

Kyona led the crowd in “jungle! jungle!” chants. #3 was Kagetsu (Konami) complete with sword. The babyfaces teamed up on Kagetsu. #4 was Hazuki (Saki Kashima) with the Oedo Tai placard. #5 was Session Moth Martina (Natsu Sumire) but she came out to Kashima’s music. This incensed the real Kashima enough that Hazuki attacked her Oedo Tai stable mate and hit the unprettier, pinning her immediately.

Session Moth Martina was eliminated at 3:20.

#6 was Andras Miyagi (Hana Kimura). She tried spitting water into the crowd but it just went in her face instead. Kagetsu consoled her. #7 was a tiny Konami (Saya Iida). She did the double middle fingers “Fuck you, QQ!” to Hayashishita. #8 was Momo Watanabe (Tam Nakano). She looked to her tag partner Hayashishita for support but Tora was hesitant to give it. #9 was Bea Priestley (Arisa Hoshiki). #10 was AZM (Leo Onozaki) looking a little uncomfortable in the tight shorts. #11 was JAN-era Natsuko Tora (Hina). Kyona and Tora reunited. And yes, #12 was Kaori Yoneyama (Rina), the other original JAN member and the third Hanan Shimai sister.

#13 was Ruaka (Hazuki). Oedo Tai jumped on her and tossed her over the ropes but she swung back in. #14 was Hana Kimura (Andras Miyagi), accompanied by the real Rebel Kel. Oedo Tai attacked her too. #15 was Leo Onozaki (Ruaka). #16 was Tam Nakano (Jungle Kyona). She swung her sword around as the referee covered up and dodged. #17 was Arisa Hoshiki (Kagetsu). She unenthusiastically emulated Hoshiki’s entrance but was lacking some of the real Hoshiki’s usual pep. The real Hoshiki laughed hysterically.

#18 was Shiki Shibusawa (Starlight Kid). She and Nakano hugged and posed together. #19 was Mayu Iwatani (Bea Priestley). #20 was Starlight Kid (Mayu Iwatani). #21 was our final entrant, Toni Storm (Momo Watanabe). Hoshiki attacked Storm. Everything broke down with people going everywhere. One group of people dogpiled onto AZM while another did the same to Onozaki.

AZM and Leo Onozaki were eliminated at 21:09.

JAN did their three-person backpack splash onto Ruaka. They followed with triple body slams on three people and went up top, only for Stars to return and push them all off and to the floor.

Jungle Kyona, Natsuko Tora, and Kaori Yoneyama were eliminated at 21:58.

Storm hit her hip check on Shibusawa but Stars attacked her. A five-way dropkick to Storm and dogpile took her out.

Toni Storm was eliminated at 22:59.

Hoshiki unloaded with kicks on the QQ members. She hit her strike kick to the head of Watanabe in super slow motion. Watanabe came back and pinned her.

Arisa Hoshiki was eliminated at 24:00.

Hoshiki hung on and rolled over, pinning Watanabe’s shoulders down while a bunch of other people jumped on top to make it legal.

Momo Watanabe was eliminated at 24:04.

Oedo Tai worked over Tokyo Cyber Squad. Kagetsu went up top for the Oedo Coaster but Konami kicked her to the floor.

Kagetsu was eliminated at 25:08.

Miyagi tried to tombstone Ruaka but she rolled through and other people dogpiled.

Andras Miyagi was eliminated at 25:39.

Another roll-through and dogpile took out Hazuki.

Hazuki was eliminated at 25:41.

ShiKid teamed up on Konami. Kid hit her tiger feint kick and standing moonsault (even with Iwatani’s leg in a knee brace) for the pin.

Konami was eliminated at 26:22.

Hayashishita put Shibusawa in a rear naked choke and she tapped.

Shiki Shibusawa was eliminated at 26:29.

Iwatani and Nakano teamed up on Hayashishita. Nakano hit a spinning heel kick.

Utami Hayashishita was eliminated at 26:56.

Kimura put Nakano and Iwatani in her double submission and they both tapped.

Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano were eliminated at 27:20.

The final four were Hazuki, Kid, Kimura, and Priestley. Hazuki countered an electric chair from Priestley into a victory roll.

Bea Priestley was eliminated at 28:49.

Hazuki kicked Kimura off the apron.

Hana Kimura was eliminated at 29:00.

Hazuki and Kid battled with Hazuki being thrown over the rope and onto the apron. Hazuki tried to springboard back in but Kid pushed her off and to the floor.

WINNER: Starlight Kid (Mayu Iwatani) in 29:36.

-Stars celebrated. Martina tried to celebrate with them but they kicked her out. Kid took the mic. She awkwardly thanked everybody for coming to the Stars-produced show while the audience giggled. She said Starlight Kid won the main event! She asked the real Kid how she wrestlers in a mask and said it’s tough. She told the real Kid that she believes she can win the high speed title and wished her luck. She called everyone into the ring for a group photo. The real Stars closed out the show.

(Pageot’s Perspective: This was so much fun. The Kashima-Sumire feud continuing even while in character, Kimura and Miyagi playing each other, the reunion of Hana Shimai as JAN, Kagetsu half-heartedly pretending to be cheerful and peppy when it’s simply not in her nature, and everyone purposefully awkwardly doing their character’s signature move. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Iwatani was not about to sit out of the Stars show, injury be damned. The only notable wrestlers not in the match were AZM who is injured and Rebel Kel who got to cameo in Miyagi’s entrance instead. Similarly the only top name not cosplayed in the match was Natsu Sumire. Apparently nobody else felt comfortable doing her crotch assault.)