Review: Stardom – 2017.10.21

Shiki Shibusawa vs. Natsuko Tora
There was another pretty bad botch by Shiki Shibusawa in this match. Natsuko had dominated most of the match and Shiki was just starting her comeback when she attempted a bodyslam which barely left the mat before both wrestlers collapsed. It looked awful and if the collapse had come a little later it would have resulted in Natsuko being dropped on her head. Natsuko’s offense was fine throughout the match but this was never going to be a good showcase. Natsuko Tora pinned Shiki Shibusawa for the win. 1.25/5

Chardonnay vs. Konami vs. HZK
This was good but short. Chardonnay got to show more of what she can do than previous matches and had some good offence including a nice powerbomb. HZK & Konami worked really well and Konami’s kicks were as impressive as ever. HZK pinned Konami after Bombs Away. 3/5

Team Jungle (Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona) vs. Kelly Klein & Scarlett
A good match, particularly by Team Jungle. Kelly Klein spent the most time in the ring but other than a nice catch from an attempted crossbody by Kyona I did not see too much from her offence. Scarlett is undoubtedly athletically gifted but her offence was a little unpolished in this match with a couple of moves, including a hurricanrana, looking a little clumsy. Hiroyo Matsumoto was as classy as you’d expect and she showed great strength to carry both Scarlett & Kyona on her back for a nice knee drop. Kyona was as passionate as always and hit a huge spinning powerbomb on Scarlett to get the pin for the win. 3.25/5

Toni Storm vs. Bea Priestley (Double Title Match – World of Stardom & SWA Championship)
A very good match and the first real glimpse of what Bea Priestley can do in Stardom. As expected this was fought in a very UK-style way. There was lots of mat-based manoeuvres and many holds and transitions in and out of them. Several times throughout the match Priestley chained multiple moves together which looked great. My biggest complaint about the match is the abrupt finish with very little build as Toni Storm hit a German suplex followed by a piledriver to pin Bea Priestley for the win. 3.75/5

Yoko Bito, Io Shirai & Hiromi Mimura vs. Oedo Tai (Kagetsu, Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf)
A really good match helped by a great crowd. If you have seen any of the participants in their recent matches you’ll know what to expect. Hiromi played the underdog, Bito had great kicks & strength, Io provided the high-flying, Kagetsu showed great technique and personality, Hana did her poses and some solid offence & Kris was full of energy and passion. They included a few spots outside the ring which worked much better with the more vocal crowd. Inside the ring everyone got a chance to shine before Io Shirai hit a moonsault on Kris Wolf & got the pin for the win. Lots of fun. 4/5