Hello, Beautiful People of Wrestling Amino, Its The Only One, The Social Manager aka The Hymantor and today I am going to do something different. Stardom, in my opinion, is one of the best promotions that’s currently going in Pro Wrestling. Being completely women’s based, Stardom has got more popular in recent memory due to their incredible in-ring action, the ability to never say die and make women’s wrestling one of the top things in the wrestling world. Including the recent partnership wish bushiroad. Today I would like to cover STARDOM moments that defined the months of the year 2019. It was definitely an interesting year for the company, so lads let’s begin today’s article.

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Firstly, a quick overview of big moments that shaped up into 2019 that happened in 2018.

Io Shirai left STARDOM in June of 2018, dropping her Wonder of Stardom Championship to Momo Watanabe who was champion as 2019 started.

Toni Storm was a part-time champion, but lost the World of Stardom Championship in June of 2018 to Kagetsu. Kagetsu would start the year as Champion.

STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano) would start 2019 as Artist of Stardom Champions. (Trios)

Before 2019 Started. The Factions were Oedo Tai, Queens Quest, Jungle Assault Nation and a faction that was unnamed that was run by Hana Kimura who came back from an excursion in 2018.

The High Speed & SWA Championships would become completely forgettable going into 2019 as the High-Speed title was just won by Hazuki & SWA Championship being held by Utami

January of 2019.

The beginning of STARDOMs years started off with an introduction of a brand new championship, the future of stardom championship. This championship was won by Utami Hayashitsita in a tournament. Utami held the title for the entire year and still holds it to this day. Even after two injuries that hurt her reign in 2019. The first big show for STARDOM in 2019 was the 9th Anniversary Show which the main event was Kagetsu & Jungle Kyona in one of the first main events for the world championship in a long time. Before the main event, Momo Watanabe would battle Tam Nakano in a great back and forth bout to retain her Wonder of Stardom Championship. Including Utami defeating Piper for an EVE International Championship

A championship that would be defended once in STARDOM. This show also featured the debut of Saya Ilda. We got decent tag action with Kagetsu retaining the World of Stardom Championship in the end, Next week at Stardom Osaka Anniversary, Kagetsu would defend the world championship against fellow friend Hazuki with Momo & Utami retaining their tag titles against Kyona & Tora. After Hazuki lost her match against Kagetsu. She would defend her high-speed championship, becoming one of the best champions that belt has had in recent memory. With her entire shtick of the belt ending matches in under five minutes. With Kagetsu becoming the main focus in Stardom & the reign of Momo Watanabe continuing to bring Stardom into new heights.

February of 2019.

In stardom first show of February, Jamie Hayter would join the stardom roster in some variety, becoming an integral part of the Oedo Tai faction. Looking to gain some gold, she would battle Momo to a failing result while Utami would continue her reign as Future of Stardom Champion. This show was 2/3. I highly recommend this show just for the arena KBS HALL alone. A few more houses shows have been and we’re into our monthly Korkauen Hall Show and an unborn Star was slowly becoming a top prospect in Stardom by the name of Konami & Arisa Hoshiki. In the main event of 2/17, We would get a tag title match which would be one of the better tag titles matches of the year with Momo/Utami facing Mayu/Arisa with Momo/Utami defeated Mayu/Arisa in a valiant effort. A few days later, Utami would retain the SWA Women’s Title and Mayu Iwatani would continue to represent Ring of Honor as their women’s champion against Konami and of course Mayu wins, but Konami looked even more determined.

March of 2019

Before the storm of April comes in to cause Mayhem, March has to happen and my god it was one of the busiest times in Stardom. In Stardom's first show of the month, Momo Watanabe would defeat friend/rival Jungle Kyona in one of the very best matches of her title reign. While STARS continued to dominate the Artist Division. As days go by, Hazuki continues her reign as a High-Speed champion and the same with Utami Future of Stardom Reign. As both Momo/Utami would continue their reign as tag champions of the promotion, Stardom was going into its monthly Korkauen Hall Show.

I want to note that the numbers for these shows were getting lower from the start of the year. With this show having 785 people, But the card of 3/28 featured five title matches with the main event being Momo Watanabe and one of the newest prospects for Oedo Tai Andras Miyagi. Momo would defeat Andras in an average match, but in the other matches in the titles that matter. Hazuki continued her high-speed reign and Kagetsu would defeat Goya Kong to retain his world title. The lack of credible challengers for Kagetsu was hurting the champion as Momo Watanabe was continuing to the main event over Momo. Leading into an encounter down the line. Stardom goes into April with their first American tour in years on WrestleMania Weekend and what could be described as the month that everything changed.

April of 2019.

In the first event of the month, Stardom would be hosting its first-ever STARDOM USA SHOW in New York City. While the main event of five/five action. The big match that mattered was a match between Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita. Utami has been gaining an ego as of late, due to winning almost all of the smaller titles that Stardom had. Being Future of Stardom, SWA, Goddess of Stardom and EVE International Champion. Wanting to end Momo’s first reign as Wonder of Stardom Champion. In a brutal match, Momo would retain her championship and continue her reign as champion. Hazuki also defeated another girl in five minutes and STARS sent everyone home happy. It was a successful show for Stardom in the United States with its being aired on FITE TV. But only two nights later, one show would change Stardom. Labeled as The Stardom Draft.

In 2018, Stardom started a new tradition known as The Stardom Draft. This yearly draft would pick out members of the roster to join their faction. The importance of this draft would lead to a fatal five-way match with Stars picking up the first victory, then queens quest and then Oedo Tai. 3 of the five factions have secured their spot with one of them on the verge of death. Hana Kimura would defeat Jungle Kyona in the final elimination. Jungle Assault Nation under the leadership of Jungle Kyona would be no more. Leading Hana Kimura to choose Jungle Kyona as her first draft pick. Konami, Mary Apache, Natsumi, Rebel Kel, Ruaka & Rina, and Kaori Yoneyama would later be chosen with Hana Kimura labeling this faction as Tokyo Cyber Squad. Finally, the faction has a name under the leadership of Hana Kimura and for the rest of the year. Tokyo Cyber Squad would become a leading force in Stardom.

We are three shows into the month and we are getting prepared for the Cinderella Tournament. A single-elimination one-night tournament to crown a contender for the Wonder or World of Stardom Championship with every match having a 10-minute time limit. It was during this tournament that two of the driving forces of the summer of stardom would continue to gain popularity. In the main event, Arisa Hoshiki would battle against a highly egotistical Konami in the main event. After a brutal match that suffered because of one stupid fan in the crowd. Arisa Hoshiki would defeat Konami with a brutal kick to win the Cinderella Tournament. If you would’ve told me that Arisa Hoshiki was going to become one of the most interesting things for the rest of 2019 I wouldn’t have believed you. But in May of 2019. Stardom would go through a major change in two scenes.

May of 2019.

In May of 2019, one of the first shows in what is known as “Golden Week” Kagetsu would defend her championship against Bea Priestly. In this show, it would be the very end of the reign of Kagetsu. It was at this moment where many fans started to turn off Stardom due to another possible part-time champion like they had with Toni Storm. Hurting the credibility of that championship even more from what Kagetsu was trying rebirth. With the reputation that Bea had at the time. While the reaction of Bea was very negative, Bea Priestley's reign would be very under-appreciated as she would become a full-time member of Stardom and have multiple title defenses that were good to forgettable unlike what would happen in the next Korkauen.

But as the reaction of sadness of Bea Priestly winning their world champion, the next Korkauen would change the emotion again with a brand new future as Momo Watanabe would battle Arisa Hoshiki for the Wonder of Stardom Championship. This match would be so much fun to watch, but the end result would be Arisa Hoshiki becoming Wonder of Stardom Champion for the first time in her career. After proving herself in that tournament. Arisa Hoshiki would be the one dethrone Momo Watanabe’s Wonder Reign, ending the over 10+ title defense reign. In other actions, Bea would defeat Hazuki and Tokyo Cyber Squad would pick up their first titles as they would dethrone stars to become Artist Champions. In the final show of May, Kagetsu would battle against Konami in a special singles match that was the main event of that show, it was a brutal encounter that went for thirty long minutes. Showcasing the potential of Konami in the main event role. While it ended in a tie. Konami looked heavily dominant, getting close to tapping out the former champion. Konami challenged Bea Priestly for the world title in June.

June of 2019

June is notable for two major shows, the first one being 6/9 in the chaotic dominion day for NJPW. Hazuki would retain her high-speed reign and continue her reign for more months, but the more notable match was Bea Priestly vs. Konami. Konami has started to gain recognition after years of proving herself in the stardom roster and finally looking to gain her first singles title for the promotion. While Bea Priestly did retain her championship against Konami. You could see a focus on over-reliance on using the world title as a secondary title at this time continue the weird history of the World Title while the Wonder of Stardom Championship was creating new stars with Arisa Hoshiki. Arisa Hoshiki is the brand new Wonder Champion and faced off against friendly rival Tam Nakano. I would like to note if you want a full story on these two rivalries. There’s a link I will put below which goes into deep detail from Gre.

Shine Today, Believe Tomorrow

http://aminoapps.com/p/zq4r9b

The match between Tam & Arisa at 6/16 was one of the very best matches in the stardom year. Something of a thing of beauty because both of them was that good and showcased true hatred between EACHOTHER. Both women have a darker side of them with Tam Nakano being a former deathmatch wrestler and Arisa having a legit fetish causing pain. These two blew the roof out of Korkauen. It established Arisa’s reign, while also giving Tam Nakano something to fall back on as these two started to have a hate/love relationship, which would have a climax in October. (Get your head out of the gutter). Tokyo Cyber Squad & Momo & Utami would retain the artist & tag champions in that show as well with Utami also making her return a few days ago. Continuing the reign. Toni Storm actually made her return to stardom, even if it was short & quite forgettable. But by 6/22. Momo & Utami would continue to be the top team of Stardom, gaining more recognition by the minute with every title defense as it was the only thing Momo had left. By Stardom 6/23. The Artist titles would changes hands with STARs (Mayu Iwatani, Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano regaining the artist titles from Tokyo Cyber Squad. Ending the month of June on a high note for the STARS faction.

July of 2019.

July of 2019 is one of the more relaxing months of Stardom, preparing for the biggest tournament for the company. The 5* Grand Prix. But as July started, we would see Toni Storm in the main event of many of these house shows. But this month, we would get a preview into another story that would make the comedy side of Stardom even better. With the feud of Saki Kashima & Natsu Sumire. Both women were known for their looks and they both hated eachother for it, making fun of eachother meticulously. leading Natsu to antagonize her while being equally the weakest members of their faction as cannon fodder while having a purpose to cause each faction misery. This rivalry conclusion did happen in 2020 with Saki Kashima being enraged in her spot in the faction of STARS, never going for the chances that many of the STARS members were getting and eventually breaking off to join Oedo Tai with Natsu at the head. Leading to mutual respect and understanding that Natsu knew first hand about.

As July continues, Konami & Jungle Kyona we’re tired of failure and challenge Momo & Utami for the tag titles. If they don’t win, Tokyo Cyber Squad continues to fall deeper in the pit... until they won the tag champions on 7/15. Elsewhere on that card, TCS failed to regain the artist championship. Towards the end Of this month, Hazuki’s entire ambition to keep getting shorter title retains continued to get people’s attention, including the Wonder of Stardom Champion, Arisa Hoshiki. The faction of the STARS artist reign was interrupted by more militant Oedo Tai as Oedo Tai won the artist champions. Also, Hazuki finally lost the High-Speed Champion to Death Yama-San. A member of Tokyo Cyber Squad. Also, Utami decided to defend the SWA champion for once, retaining it. July's biggest event would be the 24th with Arisa/Hazuki in the co-main event with Momo/Priestly being the main event. It was at this time, there was legit anger for many English fans of Stardom that Momo would be the one to dethrone Bea considering how she dethrones her former compatriot Io Shirai and makes Momo the top star of STARDOM. This didn’t happen as Bea Priestly would retain her championship in a brutal encounter that really showcased the potential of both Bea & Momo. Both women who had something to prove in the highest setting of the company, Utami would challenge next. Elsewhere, Arisa & Hazuki would put on an incredible bout. Continuing the tradition that would go even today. Kyona & Konami would also retain the tag champions, defeating Oedo Tai. Stardom would end the month of July, looking towards August’s Korkauen. The final show before the tournament with many trios matches. Stardom at this time is focusing heavily on doing even more shows. May, June & July were hands down the busiest months in Stardom in years. But August had more things to prove.

August & September of 2019.

This section will probably be the longest section as it covers three Korkauens and one major tournament. Firstly, Utami would retain her future title... which matters I think. But at Stardom 8/10. The main event was Utami vs. Bea Priestly. I want to note that at this time, Utami has been incredibly dominant and has been this way for many months. Only really receiving an occasional loss in matches that don’t really impact her singles career. You rarely saw her pinned. Utami has gained a major ego that keeps on expanding, knowing that Momo can’t dethrone her partner. Utami goes after Bea with determination to finally continue the rise of Utami... Utami would lose that match. Elsewhere on that card, Saya Kamitani would make her wrestling debut, being one of the more entertaining parts of the STARs faction or known as Tall Saya. It was around this time that AEW was just starting to gain some steam and one of their top women at the time Riho made her first appearance in August’s Korkauen.

In a title match against Death Yama & Starlight Kid. Death would be a transitional champion to an eventual title change with Riho winning the championship and becoming a member of the stardom roster. I would also like to note that this reign is still going on in 2020 and has only had one defense in an over 7-month reign that’s still going. Pretty much hurting the progress that Hazuki made with that title for almost the entire first half of 2019. I love you Stardom, but man Rossy you’re extremely inconsistent. Oedo Tai would retain the artist belts against Oedo Tai... I am not kidding & Arisa would battle Jungle Kyona with Arisa Hoshiki retaining her title once again in a fantastic bout, showcasing what we already knew about Kyona being a potential rising singles star. Man Kyona can’t catch a break in terms of singles matches. As the 5* gets closer. Stardom would announce the partnership with Fire Pro Wrestling. Leading into the 5* Grand Prix.

From August 17th until September 22nd, Stardom would put on a tournament known as The 5* Grand Prix. This tournament would crown a future contender for the world title at the next Korkauen. This tournament would be extremely stacked that would receive a major problem in the beginning with Utami getting injured in the 4th show. Her injury hurt a lot of Blue Block’s potential to stand out and being quite inactive in the tournament as a lot of records weren’t even acknowledged. Including some even inaccuracies. even if it was the stacked block out of two in terms of who was in it. Another thing to mention AZM was a replacement for someone else, I find it quite odd to even today how she wasn’t part of this tournament, to begin with as she’s one of stardom’s top rising talents. This tournament would have a lot of great action, but also had some of more disappointment on Arisa’s rise of dominance in terms of match quality. This would be Kagetsu & Hazuki’s final 5*s as well and there was definitely enough great action from Momo Watanabe, Konami, Jungle Kyona, Kagetsu especially towards the end. But one of the best matches towards the end was Momo/Mayu. I also believe this was the tournament that I would start to like Jamie Hayter.

But it all came down to the final show of this tournament on the 22nd of September with the main event being Hana Kimura vs. Konami. Two people, I didn’t expect whatsoever to get where they were in the tournament. One thing to note in this show was Arisa faced Kagetsu and they went to a 15-minute draw which would lead to an eventual rematch sometime in October. In a fifteen-minute match, Hana Kimura would win the 5* Grand Prix for the first time in her career. Submitting the legitimacy of Hana and her own faction as both members of this group were two of the top rising stars of the company at this point. It was truly a different ending match from what’ve we seen previously. In the next show, Riho would make her only defense of the high speed against Death Yama San & Arisa Hoshiki def. Avary is an incredibly forgetful match in one of her worst defenses of the reign. Ending the month of September on an eh note.

October of 2019

It was around October that Stardom was starting to completely change, without physical proof that stardom was started to get some backing. One of the major signees would happen with the women’s wrestler Giulia at the very end of stardom’s first show of the month. Something to note about this show on October 14th featured two title defenses and the start of the goddess tag league. A tag tournament that features the tag teams of Stardom. In this show, Arisa would defeat Kagetsu in a major win. In probably one of her most underrated title defenses and Bea Priestly defeating Hana Kimura. I would say for many weeks that this was a very bad decision on stardom’s part, not because of Bea. But because it truly didn’t help Tokyo Cyber Squad in any foreseeable future way, even with Konami & Kyona holding gold.

It wasn’t a great showcase for a Tokyo Cyber Squad for the tournament, but a special tag team of Bea Priestly & Jamie Hayter with two factions working together. For the rest of the month, Stardom would do the Goddesses of Stardom Tournament and as I mentioned before, one of the best stories from this tournament was Arisa Hoshiki & Tam Nakano frenemies relationship, it was the most entertaining aspect of this entire tournament with the duo Bea Priestly & Jamie Hayter really standing out with not just working with their usual factions. This tournament had a lot of great action as tag team action is a specialty of Stardom & Joshi in particular and seeing Riho in the tournament was quite entertaining. There was a mask fiesta which featured all stardom wrestlers in masked gimmicks. This would go right into November.

November of 2019

November of 2019 would feature one Korkauen Hall show and a tournament that feels like it would never end. The first show of the month featured a major change for the world title scene when Mayu Iwatani facing off against Bea Priestly in the main event. But before that, it was announced that stardom would be getting picked up by Bushiroad, the parent company that owns NJPW and the with the financial backing being more determined, Stardom entire 2020 was getting set up for an absolute bang and with world tag league still happening, nothing really important would be happening until December. But it was at November’s Korkauen that Arisa Hoshiki would battle Jamie Hayter in a great match, but the main point that stood out was Bea Priestly’s reign of World of Stardom Champion would come to an end by the Ace Mayu Iwatani. This was a Major moment for Stardom. Solidifying the new direction for stardom.

It was only a few nights later that the finals of the tag league would happen with the main event being Tam Nakano & Arisa Hoshiki facing off against Bea Priestly & Jamie Hayter. It was at this Arisa & Tam Nakano that would win the tag trophy for stardom, continuing the heavy dominance of the stars faction. in November as well, Hazuki would announce her retirement from stardom and her final match would take place in the final show on Stardom’s calendar in December. But before that, we got a few house shows with an artist title change with Queens Quest picking up the victory over Oedo Tai and the eventual match with the winners of that trophy to face off against Konami/Kyona in a fantastic match. It was really unfortunate how this one of the only noteworthy title defenses for Kyona & Konami. But it was a great match. We would have a few more house shows with nothing really happening which would lead to the final month with December.

December of 2019

The bushiroad influence was officially starting in the final month of December. Hazuki would announce her retirement for the month so the month of December there was a lot of final moments for Hazuki. Last elimination match, a battle gauntlet which is a specialty in stardom which features one person vs an entire stardom roster. It was an emotional time for Stardom fans. Including Mayu & Arisa facing off against Hazuki & Kagetsu. Those two had so much fun and Stardom's first part of the new bushiroad leadership would be going to America for a quite forgettable tour. Giulia would make her in-ring debut for stardom against Hazuki, knocking her out entirely. It was at this show that stardom did their rookie cup. This tournament is usually quite forgotten about as Saya Kamitani defeating Saya Ilda or as many people would call “Small Saya vs. Tall Saya”.

One of the bigger stories that were going in this time was the mysterious Giulia and the questionable future of Andras Miyagi. In a match, she faced her leader of the faction Kagetsu in a losing effort. In that match, Kagetsu told Andras to do whatever she wants. Leading to her eventual departure of the faction. Andras hasn’t done much in 2020 as of late, with the only thing of note teaming with the new star Giulia. Tokyo Cyber Squad would have another title defense and right before it, Hazuki would face off against Kagetsu. It’s weird to think about even now that both women are retired. Everything would end at stardoms final show on Christmas Eve.

The retirement of Hazuki was up first against Natsuko Tora. It’s weird to think about this moment as Hazuki after the match said that she hated Stardom. It was a very weird way to end it off. Giulia would battle Hana Kimura in a very under-appreciated match and the final two matches of stardom year being Konami & Arisa & Mayu vs. Kagetsu. Out of the many decisions that I thought were really bad with stardom, one that really stood out to me was not giving Konami the Wonder of Stardom Championship after the entire year that Konami had. It still bothers me, but Arisa picking up the victory with the main event featuring the final title match for Kagetsu. Going against Mayu Iwatani. Mayu Iwatani picking up the victory in her first title defense, ending Stardom’s 2019 on a high & emotional note.

Moments that have already happened in 2020.

Kagetsu would leave stardom & Wrestling as a whole in February of 2020.

Arisa Hoshiki would defeat Utami Hayashishita in January’s Korkauen & Bea Priestly at February’s Korkauen

Saki Kashima would turn on STARS and join Oedo Tai and would challenge Mayu Iwatani in a match that will have no one in attendance on the seventh of March.

Mayu Iwatani would defeat Momo Watanabe and face off against Takumi Iroha in a match that replaced Saree.

A brand new faction ran by Giulia would start being known as Donna Del Mondo which would feature Joshi veteran Syuri & Maika.

The Tag Team of Bea Priestly & Jamie Hayter would win the goddesses of the Stardom tag reign of Konami & Kyona. Bea Priestly would also leave Queens Quest turning on Momo Watanabe

Stardom would recently bring in a high-speed Grand Prix that hasn’t ended yet.

Utami would finally defend her future of Stardom Championship against Saya Kamitani in the final show before the outbreak of coronavirus that would result in a lot of show cancellations to even possibly the end of March.

The new faction Donna Del Mondo have already won the Artist of Stardom Championships.

In terms of seats being sold, Stardom got 1,600 for the first time since the departure of Io Shirai in Korkauen and has stayed in that 1,500 range in the recent Korkauen Hall Show as well. Two shows that really started off stardom 2020 on a high note.

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It’s an absolute understatement that this article could be the longest project that I’ve done so far for 2020. I had no clue that this was going to be that long. I do have to say that it feels very good to write again, my writing hasn’t been very consistent. But I do enjoy what’s been going on in so much of pro wrestling at this very moment so I might be getting more in the writing mood in the near future. I wanted to cover both Stardom & NJPW’s year recaps as both promotions I do want to cover in some variety in 2020 and more Puroresu in general as it’s starting to become the only thing I watch as of late. I do plan on also covering NOAH in some variety in the near future, so I look forward to that. But otherwise, another article in the list. I have no idea what my next article is. I’m currently running two community events which I will link below. I’m considering cover Kagetsu’s retirement show, I will think about it. Anyway, I hope you beautiful people enjoyed today’s article and I will see everyone next time.

BL1 Climax - Part III

http://aminoapps.com/p/phncph

Women’s Wrestling Month

http://aminoapps.com/p/jp8wut

Social Manager... SIGNING OFF.