Stardom held their 14th Anniversary event today in Tokyo.
Today’s event was held at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on Stardom World.
The announced paid attendance was 284, a full house/near sellout.
There are rumors that Mayu Iwatani nearly missed the event and was late arriving at the venue. Based on social media posts, it sounds like she got on the wrong train(s) en route. Additionally, many wrestlers did not participate for unspecified reasons.
Before the event began, new trainees Akira & Turia had an exhibition training session in the ring. Afterwards, they were given their first ring names-Akira Kurogame & Yuria Hime-and it was announced both would have their Debut matches this weekend. Kurogame will debut Saturday against Suzu Suzuki while Hime will debut Sunday against Maika.
Match 1: Saya Iida, Hazuki, Koguma, Momo Kohgo & Matoi Hamabe beat Yuna Mizumori, Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara, Lady C & Ranna Yagami. Iida pinned Sakura after a lariat.
Match 2: Syuri & Saki Kashima beat Mayu Iwatani & Hanan. Syuri pinned Hanan after Drift Flame.
Main Event: Faction Tournament Finals: In a 30-minute Iron Man/Woman Match, Starlight Kid, Mei Seira, AZM, Suzu Suzuki & Miyu Amasaki (Neo Genesis) beat Maika, Mina Shirakawa, Waka Tsukiyama, HANAKO & Rian (E neXus V) 3-2 to win the tournament. Match progression: HANAKO pinned Amasaki, Seira pinned Rian, Shirakawa pinned AZM, AZM pinned Shirakawa, Suzuki pinned Maika. As a result, Neo Genesis gets TWO Stardom title shots of their choice. They chose Goddesses Of Stardom & Artist Of Stardom. Based on backstage comments it sounds like Suzuki & Seira will go for the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship while Amasaki, Kid & AZM will go for the Artist Of Stardom Championship. Match dates/locations TBA.
The next event is Saturday at Belle Salle Takadanobaba in Tokyo for the start of a weekend doubleheader. Live streaming on Stardom World will begin Friday at 8 PM PT/11 PM ET. For Sunday a change to one match between Aya Sakura & Kiyoka Kokatsu has been announced: It will now be a UWF Rules Match which is as follows: 30 minute time limit, no pinfalls, win only by submission, KO, TKO, points, doctor stoppage, ref stoppage or towel. DQs, forfeiting & no contests are prohibited. Fighters start with 5 points and one is lost per down/10 count and rope escape. If it goes the full time limit, the fighter with the most points left wins. Also, the scheduled match Sunday between Saori Anou & Rina will now be for the next Wonder Of Stardom Championship match.
