STARDOM
5STAR GRAND PRIX 2024 DAY 2
AUGUST 11, 2024
Shibuya Sports activities Heart
Shibuya, JAPAN
Watch: STARDOM WORLD
Pink Stars-A
Maika (4) def. Yuna Mizumori (0)
STARDOM was proper to have Maika and Yuna Mizumori open the present.
This match was easy, however it packed the punch that you really want from it. Two powerhouse wrestlers operating into one another for a couple of minutes earlier than the end. That’s all this was and that’s all this wanted to be. Maika doesn’t essentially really feel the identical as she did as World of Stardom Champion, however she’s making an attempt one thing new and I’m keen to see the way it goes. When it comes to Yuna Mizumori, she is profiting from her probabilities and confirmed that in her first 5STAR Grand Prix match. ***
Pink Stars-A
Hazuki (4) def. Ruaka (0)
As nice as Hazuki could be at bringing the power, this crowd wasn’t going to be one the place it’d matter.
This marked the beginning of FOUR H.A.T.E. matches in a row. Not preferrred, because the matches had the identical “throw the babyface into the chairs” second in all 4. However I can look previous that if the match itself can handle to satisfy or exceed expectations. This wasn’t all too particular — it was simply largely there. Ruaka did her normal gimmick of making an attempt to make use of the field, however it wasn’t going to be sufficient with “Wild Coronary heart” managing to get the job carried out in the long run.
Hazuki may have a signature match or two on this match quickly — this simply wasn’t going to be the time for that. **¼
Pink Stars-A
Manami (2) def. Konami (2)
Trying on the card for this present, I felt that Manami and Konami had an opportunity to convey it and shock some folks on this match. Sadly, it simply didn’t work, and the group’s lack of enthusiasm made it even worse.
I don’t need to preserve speaking about H.A.T.E. and the issues that include it, however it’s clear that STARDOM goes to be restricted on this match, with this faction being concerned in three out of 4 blocks. Manami doesn’t have the followers’ love and admiration to elevate this matchup, however it was cool to see her get the win in the long run.
This was a primary, nothing match that had a shock consequence. That’s probably the most I can say about these two and their outing. **
Pink Stars-B
Tomoka Inaba (3) def. Momo Watanabe (0)
Pink Stars-B is the block that saves exhibits. That is when that began up.
Tomoka Inaba is a star. She confirmed it on Day 1 towards Mei Seira and he or she adopted that up with a really robust Day 2 efficiency right here towards Momo Watanabe. What Inaba does greatest is use her strikes, particularly her kicks, to get forward. So matching that up towards somebody like Momo Watanabe is ideal. Watanabe is keen to commerce with everybody, and that’s the place this match kicked into one other gear (no pun supposed) from all the things we noticed on the present till this level.
Sure, it had related H.A.T.E. ways of dishonest and throwing Inaba right into a bunch of chairs within the crowd, however as soon as that was over with, the match was much better and extra thrilling. Inaba was capable of win the match when she hit a Michinoku Driver on Watanabe, adopted by her Working Set Kick. Pinning Watanabe clear wasn’t on my bingo card heading into this match, however I actually will settle for that call. ***¼
Pink Stars-B
Mei Seira (2) vs. AZM (3) led to a 15-minute draw
Mei Seira has been and continues to be an MVP candidate for the STARDOM roster — with this match once more exhibiting why.
Seira and AZM are the highest two high-speed rivals in STARDOM, so it wasn’t a shock once they utilized that high-speed skillset to make this match shine. Using a number of flash pin makes an attempt, roll-ups, and something that might doubtlessly give them a win was why this match was so gratifying. The one criticism was the faux out count-out spot, which didn’t really feel mandatory for what these two can and do obtain in between the ropes.
There have been a number of events when it regarded as if somebody would stroll out with the win — none being higher than the Azumi Sushi close to fall that Seira simply escaped. Seira, one evening after going to the restrict with Inaba, was closing in on doing the identical right here — however AZM did all the things she might to attempt to keep away from it. As the ultimate bell rang, they bought a picture-perfect second of AZM hitting her signature Canadian Destroyer, however simply operating out of time to stroll away with victory.
Seira and AZM crushed it as anticipated. I’d like to see the NEO GENESIS crew run it again sooner moderately than later. ***½
Pink Stars-B
Mayu Iwatani (4) def. Saya Iida (0)
Mayu Iwatani is the very best wrestler on this match and after two nights of motion, it’s not shut.
Calling her the best ever isn’t simply because she’s actually good, however she’s capable of present up and ship the very best match on any given evening — regardless of who her opponent is. This time it was her STARS operating mate Saya Iida, who didn’t have a match the evening prior. Iida entered this match with a aim to show herself, and boy did she.
73. 73 was the variety of chops that Iida hit on Iwatani’s poor chest on this match — making for violent, nasty motion that helped make this the match of the evening. Iwatani did her greatest to match Iida with chops, hitting some loud and brutal ones of her personal, however she misplaced the chop battle and needed to look elsewhere. It’s arduous to not love when Iwatani makes that call as a result of the remainder of her offensive output is so nice.
There have been instances that it appeared Iwatani would stroll away with the win, however the highly effective Iida stored coming again. A part of the comeback included two nasty Working Lariats that had been so good, I used to be prepared to leap out of my chair. Iida appeared to be closing in on that upset earlier than getting caught by the IWGP Ladies’s Champion, who’d hit a Tombstone Piledriver and a Moonsault to win her second match of the 5STAR Grand Prix.
STARDOM’s “Icon” is on one other degree and it’s her match. That’s my takeaway from the primary two nights. She’s unlikely to win the entire thing, however she’s nicely on her approach to being the MVP with ease. ****
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