2024 Joshi Discussion Thread

[Kevin Wilson]

6 hours ago, Mr. Monday Morning said:

Alright so this is a little random but I figured someone here might have an idea - I'm trying to track down the Natsuki Taiyo vs Kaori Yoneyama 30 minute time limit draw for the high speed title from back in 2013. Specifically March 3rd 2013, if that helps at all.

It looks like it was included as part of a commercial release (Stardom Season 11 Grow Up Stars 2013) but finding it online somewhere has proved a bit of a challenge - it's not on Stardom World, as a lot of the older stuff is missing.

I'm doing a bit of a high speed retrospective so would like to see it if I can, but short of shelling out something ridiculous for the DVD it seems a little unlikely at this point. If anyone has any ideas they would be gratefully received 

I have it! Being a Joshi wrestling footage hoarder comes in handy sometimes.

[Ace]

HANAKO will be coming to America with Mina Shirakawa for the next couple months.

[ka-to]

8 hours ago, Mr. Monday Morning said:

Alright so this is a little random but I figured someone here might have an idea - I'm trying to track down the Natsuki Taiyo vs Kaori Yoneyama 30 minute time limit draw for the high speed title from back in 2013. Specifically March 3rd 2013, if that helps at all.

It looks like it was included as part of a commercial release (Stardom Season 11 Grow Up Stars 2013) but finding it online somewhere has proved a bit of a challenge - it's not on Stardom World, as a lot of the older stuff is missing.

I'm doing a bit of a high speed retrospective so would like to see it if I can, but short of shelling out something ridiculous for the DVD it seems a little unlikely at this point. If anyone has any ideas they would be gratefully received 

Toudoukan has it at a slight discount from the original price. The US Dollar is super strong against the yen right now (I just reserved a hotel a block from Korakuen Hall for a little over $400 for a week). スターダム season11 grows up stars 2013｜格闘技プロレス買取販売！世界最強の品揃え！- 闘道館 (toudoukan.com)

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

Ice Ribbon's Shin-Kiba show today was rather eventful, with Mukomako claiming the International Ribbon Tag Titles by dethroning BIG DEKAI in their first defense of the titles. This is the third reign for the team of Hamuko Hoshi and Makoto, ending Yuna Manase and Totoro Satsuki's second reign as champs. Both of BIG DEKAI's reigns ended at the hands of Mukomako, so it might be a good idea for them to skip that defense next time. Their next challengers might come in the form of Tsukina Umino and Nanae Furukawa, who beat former champions Cheerbell today when Umino used the Dragon Splash on Mifu Ashida.

Yuki Mashiro made another successful defense of the Triangle Ribbon, cutting back Saran's ♡Saranwrap♡ to score the win. (This came after Mashiro poked the other challenger, YuuRI, in the eyes.) Another lesson learned for young Saran; don't try rollups on Mashiro, she'll always reverse them. Mashiro's next defense is in Yokohama on July 27, as one of the challengers was surprisingly Matsuzawa-san (Makoto's second and noted comedy figure). The other challenger was not announced but Unagi Sayaka said she'd be there and would check up on Mashiro...

Ice Ribbon's newest trainee, Kirari Wakana, debuted in shocking fashion by scoring a major upset win over Arisa Shinose! Kirari managed to get out of several rollup attempts, and body pressed Arisa out of a spinning headscissors to score the win. Arisa was understandably crushed to have lost to someone in her first professional match - especially since she goes against Risa Sera in a few days at her father's Asuka Project show - but got a pep talk by Yappy afterward. Kirari is a small competitor, only 4'10" and 95 pounds, so those Tsukushi comparisons are starting to come in heavy, especially after Tsukasa Fujimoto congratulated her following the win.

Speaking of Yappy, she and Ancham make for quite the fine team, defeating Betty Boa and Asuka Fujitaki in the opener. That was followed by Misa Kagura beating Yoshiko Hasegawa with a diving senton.

[Ace]

Sendai Girls Korakuen Spoilers:

Spoiler

Jordynne Grace defeated Chihiro Hashimoto, tying their record at 1-1.

Ryu Mizunami & Manami lost their tag titles.

DASH Chisako absolutely murked Momo Watanabe in a hardcore match.

Saori Anou won back her Wonder of Stardom title and won the Sendai Girls title from Mika Iwata. DASH challenged for the Sendai belt. Natsupoi challenged for the Wonder belt.

Sendai Girls needs merch for me to buy.

[Ace]

Ami Sourei is out of the 5* Grand Prix with a knee injury. She will be replaced by Ranna Yagami.

 

[assfax]

This is definitely the hottest period since I started following about two years ago.  There is constantly new great stuff damn near every day.

Within the past month

HIMAWARI vs Maika Ozaki

Black Peach vs DASH.  This match delivered what I've always wanted from Momo.  In a gory ass match with weapons her first huge kick on DASH was the sickest thing.

Yappy vs Crea. (insert Carl Sagan billions and billions of stars.)

Minami Komomo vs Momoka Hanazono

Bob Bob Momo Banana coming out with the greatest theme song since Runa Okubo.  Those guys could beat Daisy Monkey any damn day of the week.

Everything ZONES and Nao Ishikawa are involved in.

LA Taylor in TJPW.  LOVED IT.  I thought the International Princess match was fresh as a motherfucker.  That match had zero fluff.  If Yuki can come in once a month and do that I'm fine with her lighter schedule.  Check out her ring apron bacting during the June 16th main event.  That's some William Regal shit.  She is ready to make some serious fucking money!

I keep wanting to hate Gochika when she drops some major stinkarooskis (Yuzuki draw, that horrendous three way draw with Kouki and Nozaki) but she did that passion match and I felt the breath of life.  Bloody mouth Gochika on the PPV was also great.  Her power offense is NOT ready for prime time.  Her hip attack stuff is pure gold. 

Damn good time to be lovin' some babyfaces.

 

What's even weirder is I've barely watched any Stardom lately.  Last show I started watching was 6/8 Nagoya.  Stopped after Koguma vs Hanan.  Still don't know what the Conversion is.  I've mainly just noticed Maika doing these golden generation tags.  There are a few factors.  The website has sucked with shitty 720p video.  They still ain't tagging shit so if you want to search or just remember what show a match was on it's gonna be fucky.  CAN'T Favorite matches.  BOO.

 

Special mention to that Arale Chan Evolution superfan with the Asuka hair at the Sunday Senjo show.  What a dreamboat.

 

 

Only thing I don't like in Joshi right now is that Rina Amikura still ain't back yet.  AND that fucking sleeping guy at the Marigold Sumo Hall show.  Did this guy have a couple Strong Zeros before the show?  Is he just there to get autographed memorabilia and scalp it?  what the fuck.  Was that the same guy that looked zonked out at Dream Queendom 23?  Does he just have season tickets for Ryogoku Kokugikan? There is a line between old guys snoozing at a Pure-J show and this fucking chucklehead.  Cocksucker is head in hands having a bad trip for 4 hours and then he's gone for all the White belt stuff only to return and still look like hell.  86 the motherfucker and put some little kid in that seat.

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

3 hours ago, assfax said:

Only thing I don't like in Joshi right now is that Rina Amikura still ain't back yet.

I'm sad about that too, but I think we have to measure expectations. When Yuna Manase had a similar injury, she was out for 13 months, and Amin's was apparently worse. Not only that, but the last time she tore her ACL she missed 15 months. We probably won't see her back in the ring until next year.

(At least we'll NEVER FORGETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT her.)

[assfax]

Her ring announcing has been killer.  She has that great Lenne Hardt growl.  Get rid of that dippy idol in Marigold and put her in.

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

Tsukasa Fujimoto's recuperative powers have always been top-notch, but this is a little ridiculous even for her.

One month after dislocating her elbow against Mayu Iwatani and undergoing surgery, Tsukka has already been cleared to compete, and will be in action at next weekend's Yokohama Ribbon show! She'll partner with fellow Best Friend Arisa Nakajima and Unagi Sayaka in Arisa's Ice Ribbon farewell to go against Makoto, Hamuko Hoshi, and SAKI.

The second challenger for the Triangle Ribbon on that date has been announced, as Matsuzawa-san's big name to go alongside her for Yuki Mashiro's title is Kaori Yoneyama. This will be Kaori's first appearance in Ice Ribbon since Tequila Saya's retirement gauntlet in 2019, and her first opportunity at a title in Ice Ribbon since she was beaten by Muscle Venus in 2011 while partnered with Sayaka Obihiro in a tournament for the International Ribbon Tag Title. Matsuzawa-san is a regular for Kaori's YMZ, so is very familiar with her. When Mashiro was in retirement, she spent a lot of time going to YMZ shows as well, so this may not have been the best pick for Matsuzawa-san.

The rest of the 7/27 lineup sees Totoro Satsuki leading Asuka Fujitaki and Mifu Ashida against Tsukina Umino, Ancham, and Yoshiko Hasegawa. In addition to that, there are two tag matches, with Yappy and Betty Boa going against Yuko Sakura and Sumika Yanagawa, and then Arisa Shinose and Misa Kagura face Saran and Kirari Wakana. 

[quackhell]

I was actually worried Fujimoto would be out for an extended period or might even contemplate another hiatus from in ring action. I should have known better than to doubt a legend 

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

7 hours ago, quackhell said:

I was actually worried Fujimoto would be out for an extended period or might even contemplate another hiatus from in ring action. I should have known better than to doubt a legend 

In fairness to Tsukka, her return from maternity leave was always planned to be short-term. She came back to participate in Arisa Nakajima's retirement road and the plan was to go back to hiatus after Ice Ribbon's August Korakuen show, which is the day after Arisa's retirement event. Whether the elbow injury changed things or she got the itch again is to be seen, but she did seem especially motivated after Kirari Wakana's debut.

[Ace]

Stardom 7/23 Korakuen Spoilers

Spoiler

Rina and Azusa Inaba defeated Hanan & Saya Iida to win the New Blood Tag Team Championship

Momo Watanabe & Thekla defeated Konami & Syuri to win the Goddess of Stardom Tag Team Championship. Konami turned on Syuri before the finish to rejoin Oedo Tai.

The name of the Suzu Suzuki/Mei Seira/Starlight Kid/AZM/Miyu Amasaki stable will debut this weekend.

[nofuture]

More spoilers from today's show:

Spoiler

 

 

[Ace]

TJPW's Princess Cup Bracket.

[Ace]

The new stable of Starlight Kid, Suzu Suzuki, Mei Seira, AZM, & Miyu Amasaki is now called...

Spoiler

Neo Genesis. All the members were born in 2002, with the exception of SLK, who was born in 2001.

 

Edited July 27 by Ace

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

Ice Ribbon's next Korakuen on August 24 is coming together, as two title matches have been confirmed. YuuRI has already confirmed her defense of the ICExInfinity title against Tsukina Umino, but today's show in Yokohama added the International Ribbon Tag Title match. The main event saw Arisa Nakajima's last Ice Ribbon match, partnered with her Best Friend Tsukasa Fujimoto and Unagi Sayaka, and the team was successful in beating Hamuko Hoshi, Makoto, and SAKI when Unagi pinned Hamuko with the Sliding TANAKA. Unagi challenged Hamuko and Makoto after the match, and she was reminded that she needed a partner, so she picked... Mio Shirai? Mio accepted, so the match is on for Korakuen.

Yuki Mashiro will have to live without the Triangle Ribbon that she's held since 2022 (ignore that she technically was not the champion for all of 2023 and the first couple of months of 2024, as she still had physical possession of the belt due to not returning it while in temporary retirement). Kaori Yoneyama has taken the belt back to YMZ with her, pinning Matsuzawa-san to become the champion. Kaori has promised to be a fighting champion, and has gotten permission to defend the belt at YMZ, on the condition that she defend it at Korakuen. Her challengers are yet to be named, but I'd imagine Mashiro will want to get her belt back.

Tsukka has confirmed that her plans are in tact and she will be going back to hiatus after Korakuen. Her opponent is yet to be named, and reports are indicating that her hiatus will likely be for one year. This isn't much of a surprise, as Tsukka has been fairly vocal about wanting to be present for her daughter as she is in her formative stages, and that this comeback was solely for Arisa Nakajima's retirement road. Arisa will be present for the farewell match, as it will be one day after her retirement match, and Ice Ribbon will be having a special designated seating area for fans who want to watch the show with her. Afterwards, there will be a retirement party for Arisa.

Speaking of Arisas, Arisa Shinose got a slice of revenge against Kirari Wakana, partnering with Misa Kagura to beat Kirari and Saran when Misa pinned Kirari with a senton. Arisa and Saran have been in quite the rivalry all year as both appear to be trying to out-brat each other. Also, Tsukina Umino kept her momentum going, partnering with Yoshiko Hasegawa and Ancham to beat Totoro Satsuki, Asuka Fujitaki, and Mifu Ashida when she beat Mifu. Lastly, Yuko Sakurai continues her upward swing, partnering with Sumika Yanagawa to beat Yappy and Betty Boa after tapping out Betty with a dragon sleeper. Yuko has looked really good since becoming a bit of a bully, and I can see her being a title challenger sometime in the rest of the year.

[Ace]

 Stardom Sapporo Wonder Rendezvous spoilers from last night.

Spoiler

Saki Kashima pinned Aya Sakura in 26 seconds, which is maybe the shortest non-retirement and non-tournament match.

Rina defeated Ranna Yagami, breaking Hanan's defense record (9) of the Future of Stardom championship. The next challenger is Hina.

Natsupoi defeated Saori Anou to win the Wonder of Stardom championship. This is the first time Poi has defeated Saori one-on-one.

Risa Sera and Anna Jay are the  X and XX of the 5 Star.

 

Edited July 28 by Ace

[Ace]

Stardom Sapporo World Rendezvous Spoilers

Spoiler

Mei Seira defeated Saya Kamitani to regain the High Speed Title.

Miyu Amasaki pinned Lady C to earn the final spot in the 5 Star Tournament.

Syuri vs Konami ended in a DQ.

Hanan pinned Tam Nakano in an upset in the match between Eye Contact and meltear. meltear debuted a new song. Hanan challenged Natsupoi for the Wonder belt. Tam challenged Mayu for the IWGP title.

Natsuko Tora (debuting a new look with all black costume and a buzzcut) defeated Maika for the World of Stardom Championship. Saya Kamitani turned on Maika, pulling the ref out when she had Tora pinned. Saya also specifically told Maika "I came here to make you cry", which was a line a fan used on her in an autograph signing.

Queen's Quest is no more.
Oedotai is no more.

The group of Natsuko Tora, Momo Watanabe, Thekla, Saya Kamitani, Rina, Konami, and Ruaka is now called H.A.T.E.

Tora abdicated her 5 Star spot to Ruaka.

 

Edited July 28 by Ace

[dragonzombie]

Lot of interesting stuff.

 

[Eivion]

Don't like the choice of name, but its probably about time Oedo Tai transformed into something new. I'm kind of amused by the rename as its basically doing the same thing they did when Kimura Monster Army changed into Oedo Tai. The group isn't really dead in the truest sense.

[lostinube]

It's a Dragon Gate way of booking units. The main heel unit has had some kind of continuity for the last decade. Mad Blankey to Verserk to R.E.D. to Z-Brats.

[colonial]

Step Aside WWE: This Is Japanese Women's Wrestling (youtube.com)

This popped up on my YT recommendations this afternoon. It's from Great Big Story, which used to produce evergreen feature videos for CNN.com before shutting down several years ago. GBS was revived last year by a British company and pretty much continues the format of the original version.

 

 

 

[Stefanie Sparkleface]

Kaori Yoneyama has a torn ACL, which was suffered in a tag match while teaming with Haruka Umesaki against Arisa Nakajima and Makoto. She'll be out of action for at least a year. Her tweet announcing the injury said that she thought if she ever got a major injury at her age, it would be the end of her career, but she doesn't want things to end this way so she will work to come back.

The only title she currently holds is the Triangle Ribbon in Ice Ribbon, which she just won, and Ice Ribbon hasn't made any declaration yet about what will be done on that front. They had made a preliminary mention of her defending at Korakuen on August 24, but no opponents had been named yet.

[quackhell]

Hate to see Yoneyama out with an injury. She is so active across the joshi scene and elevates any match or company she is involved in. Happy that she isn't thinking retirement yet and hoping she has a good recovery.