SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
STARDOM NEW YEARS STARS
FEBRUARY 24, 2019
OSAKA, JAPAN AT OSAKA WORLD PAVILION
AIRED ON STARDOM WORLD
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Hazuki said it’s been a while since she’s been in the opening match but maybe it will bring back some fond memories. Iida appeared nervous but said she wants to stand up to her.
(1) HIGH SPEED CHAMPION HAZUKI vs. SAYA IIDA – NON-TITLE MATCH
Iida put up more of a fight than you might expect but tapped out to a crossface.
WINNER: Hazuki in 6:13.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Another fine showing for Iida. She’s on a fast track to being in contention for 2019 Rookie Of Stardom at this rate.)
-Hayter and Gracia said this was their last Stardom show for a while. Sakai and Tora also spoke briefly.
(2) NATSUKO TORA vs. SUMIE SAKAI vs. ALEX GRACIA vs. JAMIE HAYTER
Tora pinned Gracia with a top-rope frog-splash.
WINNER: Natsuko Tora in 5:31.
-As Oedo Tai paraded to the back after the match Sakai followed in line. Kagetsu and Andras Miyagi tried to run away from her but she chased after them.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Just a quick little thing giving Gracia one more loss on her way out the door. She has the worst singles record in Stardom this year at 1-5.)
-The next match was supposed to be a tag match with Kyona & Onozaki taking on Kid & Saki Kashima but Kashima was apparently injured during the main event of the previous show earlier in the afternoon. Onozaki said she’s never wrestled Kyona. Kid said it’s two JAN against hers but she’ll try her best. Kyona said she and Onozaki would work together for the win.
(3) JUNGLE KYONA vs. STARLIGHT KID vs. LEO ONOZAKI
Onozaki seemed more interested in tussling with her boss for the first time than teaming up with her against Kid. She paid for it when Kyona made her tap to a sharpshooter.
WINNER: Jungle Kyona in 4:50.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Another very short one but Kyona picks up a needed win ahead of her title match with Momo Watanabe.)
-Kimura was feeling sleepy so she and Tyler left to take a nap. Nakano pointed out that she and Hoshiki were the last two left in the elimination match on the previous show but then Hoshiki eliminated herself by jumping over the top rope onto people on the floor, leaving Nakano alone against Miyagi. Hoshiki apologized and said she got carried away but assured her they were on the same page this time. Nakano walked off.
(4) STARS (Artist Of Stardom Champion Tam Nakano & Arisa Hoshiki) vs. HANA KIMURA & BOBBI TYLER
Nakano took out Kimura with a spin kick. Hoshiki wrapped her foot around Tyler’s head and pinned her.
WINNERS: Stars in 9:35.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Nakano’s heart didn’t seem to be in this match as she spent most of the time lazily sulking on the apron but she and Hoshiki appeared to make up afterwards. The gaijin wrestlers continue to lose nearly every match they’re in.)
-Watanabe said they’re all wrestling Miyagi for the first time. Oedo Tai just smiled and nodded.
(5) OEDO TAI (World Of Stardom Champion Kagetsu, Andras Miyagi, & Natsu Sumire) vs. QUEEN’S QUEST (Wonder Of Stardom Champion/Goddess Of Stardom Champion Momo Watanabe, Goddess Of Stardom Champion/Future Of Stardom Champion/SWA World Champion Utami Hayashishita, & AZM)
There was a long sequence with Miyagi and Hayashishita going at it. In the end, though, Miyagi hit a tombstone on AZM for the win.
WINNERS: Oedo Tai in 11:20.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Miyagi continues to be pushed as the dominant monster. She and Hayashishita seem fated for a big match singles showdown in the near future.)
-Konami said she’s been waiting for a championship match and now she’s getting one. Iwatani said she didn’t expect to defend the Ring Of Honor women’s title in Japan but she’s excited. She just needs to beware of Konami’s submissions.
(6) ARTIST OF STARDOM CHAMPION MAYU IWATANI vs. KONAMI – WOH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROH senior official Todd Sinclair was the referee. Konami went for the stretch muffler multiple times but Iwatani kept making it to the ropes. Iwatani hit a frog-splash but Konami kicked out so she followed it with a top-rope moonsault for the win.
WINNER: Mayu Iwatani in 15:55 to retain the Women Of Honor title.
-Iwatani said she was successful in her first defense and can’t wait to go overseas again. She won’t let anyone beat her. No matter what she’ll keep getting back up. She vowed Kashima would return stronger for their support.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Things started out slowly but picked up nicely down the stretch. This was the longest match in the history of the Women Of Honor championship by a good two minutes. Funny how they manage to find time for a decent length match when it’s not just the one token women’s match on a card full of men. I’m looking forward to the potential of more WOH title defenses in Stardom and very curious to see if any Stardom players factor into ROH shows going forward.)
The ROH partnership continues to baffle me. This was surely one of the better matches in WOH title history, why not at least show brief highlights of it on their weekly TV show?
Anyway, I’m continuing to enjoy your Stardom reviews, Harley, even the briefer coverage like this. Though I fear you might start falling pretty far behind with how often Stardom is running shows these days.
Very interested to hear your thoughts on the big Nagoya show.