5/25 STARDOM SHINING STARS evening results: Hazuki vs. Death Yama-san for the high speed title, Tokyo Cyber Squad vs. Stars in a trios match

STARDOM SHINING STARS
MAY 25, 2019
OSAKA, JAPAN AT OSAKA WORLD PAVILION
AIRED ON STARDOM WORLD
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Tora said she was tired and wanted to end this quickly. Iida said she’s faced Tora a lot (she debuted in a match against Tora four months ago) and wanted to show her how much she’s learned.

(1) SAYA IIDA vs. NATSUKO TORA

Tora won with a top rope frog-splash.

WINNER: Natsuko Tora in 5:38.

Miyagi told us jerks sitting at home that Onozaki doesn’t impress her and she was going to make an example out of her. Onozaki said this was their first meeting and she’d like to use her smarts to get the win. Onozaki has her own orange Queen’s Quest mask now.

(2) LEO ONOZAKI vs. ANDRAS MIYAGI

Miyagi attacked while the referee was checking Onozaki for weapons. She dragged her to the floor and beat her against the ring. Miyagi would make her tap to a chinlock.

WINNER: Andras Miyagi in 4:39.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Miyagi wrestled the entire match with her hoodie on, a nice signifier of how little she thinks of Onozaki and how she considered this match just a quick exhibition. In her defense Onozaki has the worst record of anyone in Stardom this year at 0-7 now.)

Sumire reluctantly admitted that she was looking forward to facing these two that they hadn’t faced in a while. Watanabe said the same thing.

(3) QUEEN’S QUEST (World Of Stardom Champion Bea Priestley & Momo Watanabe) vs. OEDO TAI (Kagetsu & Natsu Sumire)

Watanabe and Kagetsu started. As the other three women fought Sumire resorted to her usual tactics. At one point she grabbed her whip, only for the referee to take it away. With his back turned she pulled a second out of the back of her outfit and proceeded to sit on Watanabe’s back and whip her across the derrière. Kagetsu and Priestley renewed their rivalry as well. In the end, though, it was Sumire tapping to a rear naked choke from Watanabe.

WINNERS: Queen’s Quest in 8:24.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Because it’s always Sumire.)

Stars were wearing armbands in honor of the absent Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano. Kimura said they were just facing some small fish. Kyona wandered onto the set. “Have we started? I thought you were just practicing.” Kimura said they never practice anything. They then bungled their salute and bumped into each other.

(4) ARTIST OF STARDOM CHAMPIONS TOKYO CYBER SQUAD (Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona, & Konami) vs. STARS (Wonder Of Stardom Champion Arisa Hoshiki, Saki Kashima, & Starlight Kid) – NON-TITLE MATCH

Kid and Kyona started. Kimura dragged Kid into the stands and tied her mask to a pillar. She left her to be counted out but Hoshiki ran to the rescue. TCS tagged in and out as they worked over Kid. Konami ripped her mask half off her head but she was able to keep it on. Hoshiki made the tag at 5:40. Kimura hit a missile dropkick on Kashima for the pin.

WINNERS: Tokyo Cyber Squad in 12:23.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Maybe I’m projecting but the applause post-match sounded pretty half-hearted. Perhaps others are as frustrated with Kimura and Konami’s heel actions as I am. TCS seem readymade to be a super popular babyface group and QQ could easily slide into full heel territory, especially with Priestley as the top champion. Yet we constantly get moments like Kimura bullying the lovable Kid that make it impossible to fully embrace and support TCS. I just don’t know what they’re going for or what they want us to feel with them.)

Hazuki said she defends the high speed title every month. She has to be careful against Death because she doesn’t know much about her.

(5) HAZUKI vs. DEATH YAMA-SAN – HIGH SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP

Hazuki with a roll-up.

WINNER: Hazuki in 5:33 to retain the high speed title.

-Hazuki said she was tired. She asked how long the match was. Usually she finishes her opponents off in four minutes. She expected a bonus for working overtime. This was her seventh defense and the high speed record is eight. She asked who was next in line. Enter: Saki Kashima.

Kashima congratulated her on her defense. She admitted she lost both her matches today and said people probably think she’s worthless without Iwatani and Nakano. (Sumire from ringside: “I think so!”) Kashima said she wasn’t asking her; she was asking the fans. She asked Hazuki for a shot. Hazuki said it was a nice little challenge but she lost twice today and “you won’t beat me, stupid.” She told her to build up her weak body and then come challenge her.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Basic match on the second of two very basic house shows. Kashima’s a very logical challenger for the high speed title. If she doesn’t win it, who does? When will AZM be back from injury?)