7/7 STARDOM IN TAKAOKA report: Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani, & Toni Storm vs. Kagetsu, Andras Miyagi, & Natsuko Tora

STARDOM IN TAKAOKA
JULY 7, 2019
TAKAOKA, JAPAN AT TAKAOKA ECOEUR
AIRED ON STARDOM WORLD
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Konami (wearing a Red Hot Chili Peppers shirt) was excited about a box of sushi she had. She wasn’t allowed to eat it until after she beat Iida, though. Iida of course said she would like to win with her Iidabashi.

(1) KONAMI vs. SAYA IIDA

Konami was in complete control for the first two minutes until Iida caught with her a couple dropkicks. She tried for multiple covers off of two body slams but Konami kicked out each time. Iidabashi at 5:00 but Konami kicked out. A straitjacket German suplex and a kick to the head put away the rookie.

WINNER: Konami in 5:48.

(Pageot’s Perspective: The only thing noteworthy here is that Konami didn’t win with the triangle lancer. Oh, and the Chili Peppers shirt confirms she’s full heel now.)

-Hazuki said she was going to do her half-assed best. Kyona said this was their fifth year in Takaoka. She has a new costume, new gown, and new entrance music. Enjoy the new Jungle Kyona. Kid said this was a rare three-way with these three but she wanted to carry some momentum into challenging for the high speed title.

(2) HIGH SPEED CHAMPION HAZUKI vs. JUNGLE KYONA vs. STARLIGHT KID – NON-TITLE MATCH

Kyona was sent to ringside early so the high speed kids could have a little showdown. Hazuki took down the faces and hit a double facewash on both of them. With Kid in a camel clutch she started to remove her mask. Tiger feint kicks from Kid to both women. Standing moonsault onto both of them. Giant swing from Kyona to Kid. Springboard dropkick from Hazuki to Kyona and a codebreaker for a two-count. Crossface. Rope break. Twisting splash from Kid to Kyona. Hazuki prevented a code red. Kyona picked up both women and body slammed them both at the same time before putting them both into a Boston crab at the same time. Rope break by Hazuki. Kyona clotheslined Hazuki over the top rope. Body slam to Kid. Superfly Splash for the win.

WINNER: Jungle Kyona in 7:33.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Good match. I don’t know if Kyona would be considered an addition to the high speed division or if they’re content with it simply being Hazuki, AZM, and Kid battling each other over and over forever. Personally I’d rather she take down Bea Priestley and claim the red belt but that seems like distant wishful thinking.

Kyona’s new entrance gear includes a floor-length black leather jacket with a white wedding dress train attached. The letters T.C.S. are bedazzled across the back as well and she has clear plastic paintball goggles and a paintball gun that she pretends to shoot her fans with. It’s… unique? Sadly, her new music is very forgettable. The ring gear is solid, though, mostly white with pink and black highlights. That, plus her using the sharpshooter, makes me think she’s a Bret Hart fan.)

-Hayashishita said this was her first time in Takaoka and first time teaming with Onozaki. Brookside said it was the last day of her tour. Kashima was proud to be her partner for the last match.

(3) QUEEN’S QUEST (Goddess of Stardom/SWA World/Future Of Stardom Champion Utami Hayashishita & Leo Onozaki) vs. STARS (Artist Of Stardom Champion Saki Kashima & Xia Brookside)

Hayashishita and Kashima started. Hayashishita controlled for a short while before tagging in Onozaki. Stars immediately took over and Kashima and Brookside tagged in and out, working over Onozaki. Onozkai got a few shots in on Brookside and tagged Hayashishita at 5:00. Hayashishita took out both opponents. Torture rack slam to Kashima but Brookside broke up the pin. Brookside Bomb to Onozaki followed by a top rope double-stomp from Kashima.

WINNERS: Stars in 9:02.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Just an ordinary match.)

-Kimura said she was with Zoe and Bobbi, or Zobbi. Yes sir. Watanabe said this was the semi-final (of tonight’s show, not a tournament).

(4) QUEEN’S QUEST (World Of Stardom Champion Bea Priestley, Goddess Of Stardom Champion Momo Watanabe, & AZM) vs. TOKYO CYBER SQUAD (Hana Kimura, Bobbi Tyler, & Zoe Lucas)

AZM and Lucas started. Lucas mocked her height so AZM kicked her knee out and hit a headscissors. Watanabe gave the boost for a double-stomp to Lucas. Watanabe tagged in but took a co-surfboard from Kimura and Tyler. The heels worked over Watanabe. Tag to Priestley. She went to town on Tyler while AZM held off Kimura. AZM and Lucas battled again. Watanabe got a visual pinfall on Kimura off the running double knees but the referee was distracted by Konami and Kyona at ringside.

Watanabe with a guillotine choke to Kimura at 10:00. Lucas took our Watanabe, Priestley took out Lucas, and Tyler took out Priestley. Delayed vertical suplex from Kimura and Tyler to AZM. Kimura made AZM tap to the octopus.

WINNERS: Tokyo Cyber Squad in 13:53.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Another house show match with the most obvious candidate taking the loss.)

-Kagetsu said they’d do their best. They unenthusiastically cheered. Storm said she was playing the role of Tam Nakano today. Like Brookside, it was also the last show of her current tour.

Two small children were waiting to give bouquets to Stars. Kagetsu intercepted one of the children, hugged him, and thanked him so much for bringing her flowers.

(5) STARS (Wonder Of Stardom Champion Arisa Hoshiki, Artist Of Stardom Champion Mayu Iwatani, & NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm) vs. OEDO TAI (Kagetsu, Andras Miyagi, & Natsuko Tora)

Oedo Tai attacked before the bell and the teams brawled into the crowd. After a prolonged period of selling Iwatani made the hot tag to Storm at 11:15. Oedo Tai quickly came back and triple-teamed her but Iwatani and Hoshiki helped fight back. Storm and Tora fought. Iwatani and Hoshiki kicked Tora into a bridging German suplex from Storm. Lariat. Hazuki with a distraction and Tora hit Storm with the Oedo Tai placard. All six women back in the ring. Hoshiki with a high crossbody onto Kagetsu, Miyagi, and Hazuki at ringside. Headbutt from Storm to Tora. A trio of kicks from Stars. Storm Zero to Tora for the pin.

WINNERS: Stars in 17:30.

-Iwatani thanked the fans. She said it was Storm’s last day in Japan. Storm said she loves them and Stardom and she’ll always return. The entire roster came out to pose to close the show.

(Pageot’s Perspective: Of course that was the finish. Let’s hope Tora has a strong showing in the 5Star Grand Prix because she’s really been knocked back down to enhancement talent quickly after her little initial push coming out of the draft.)