Review: Stardom – 2017.09.23

Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibusawa vs. Natsuko Tora & Konami
Not a great opener but at least it gave some valuable ring time to the less experienced wrestlers. There was quite a lot of hesitation and small mistakes, though nothing too bad. Konami pinned Shiki Shibusawa for the win. 1.75/5

Kris Wolf & Tam Nakano vs HZK & AZM
This was a little sloppy and lacked any pace until the final couple of minutes. The only thing really of note was that Tam Nakano has fitted in very well to Oedo Tai. Her brand new look and personality really work well together. Kris Wolf pinned AZM for the win. 2.25/5

Jungle Kyona & Hiromi Mimura vs Mari Apache & Xia Brookside
A really solid match. There was nothing spectacular but everything was well put together, smooth and executed with passion. Jungle Kyona pinned Xia Brookside for the win. A special mention must go to Hiromi Mimura who flew off the apron into Mari Apache after the match in a nice spot to set up their match for the High-Speed Championship at the next show. 3.25/5

Mandy Leon vs. Toni Storm (SWA Championship Match)
For the first few minutes I thought this was going to be as bad as their recent 5 Star GP match. Toni botched a powerbomb pretty bad and it was followed by a lacklustre spot outside the ring with a running butt attack to a seated Mandy Leon. Once they were both back in the ring things improved as they worked more conventionally. Toni Storm pinned Mandy Leon after two piledrivers. 2.25/5 

Viper & Io Shirai vs. Hana Kimura & Kagetsu (Goddesses of Stardom Title Match)
A really fun match even if there wasn’t much actual wrestling. Early on Viper was handcuffed outside the ring and Oedo Tai took control over Io. Eventually Io made a comeback and stole the key to the handcuffs from Kagetsu. With Viper free the contest became more even . Hana removed the cover from the turnbuckle and Viper collided with it twice. Hana then managed to handcuff Io to the ropes for Kagetsu to hit Viper with the Oedo Coaster and pin for the win. I would have liked slightly more wrestling in this match but but was still very fun. 4/5

Yoko Bito vs. Mayu Iwatani (Wonder of Stardom Title)
This championship match started slow until Mayu landed on her head after a German suplex from Yoko Bito. Mayu then hit Yoko with a German suplex of her own on the ring apron before doing her big crossbody from the top rope to the outside. Back inside the ring the pace picked up as they traded forearms and big kicks. Yoko Bito went for the B-Driver but Mayu reversed it into a sunset flip but failed her pin attempt. Mayu hit a big splash from the top rope but Yoko kicked out then managed to hit a B-Driver which Mayu kicked out from. Finally Yoko Bito hit another B-Driver and pinned Mayu Iwatani for the win and the Wonder of Stardom Title. I thought there was just slightly something missing for this match to be great, but it was a good match with fantastic technique. 4/5