January 7, 2017
matches published individually on Stardom World
(taped January 7, 2017)
City: Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Venue: Minatokumin Center
Attendance: 372
Series: New Year Stars 2017
Commentary: none
Ring Announcer: Fuka
Match 1
Natsuko Tora vs Azumi
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Natsuko Tora wins via pinfall after a diving senton
Time: 5:42
Match Thoughts
This was a decent opener. Azumi attacked Tora before the bell and tried to win quickly. Tora was surprised, and Azumi attempted to use her speed to stay all over Tora. Tora was able to slow things down with a Boston Crab, but Azumi survived and came back with another flurry. I liked the aggression from Azumi. It helped make this an interesting, quick match.
Match 2
Kris Wolf vs Arisu Nanase
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Kris Wolf wins via pinfall after a diving double knee drop
Time: 6:56
Match Thoughts
This was another decent opener. Wolf was the aggressor in this one, toying with Nanase early and being very nonchalant about her attacks. Nanase fought well, but Wolf was too much for her for most of the match.
Match 3
Hiromi Mimura & Jungle Kyona vs Saori Anou & Yoko Bito (Goddess of Stardom Champ)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Yoko Bito pins Hiromi Mimura after a B Driver (cradle back to belly piledriver)
Time: 10:44
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was essentially a tornado match with everyone coming in and out of the ring as they pleased. It was difficult to tell who was winning at any given moment, but the action was fun to watch.
Match 4
Shayna Baszler & Nixon Newell & Kay Lee Ray vs Konami & Mayu Iwatani (High Speed Champ) & Kairi Hojo (Wonder of Stardom Champ, Goddess of Stardom Champ)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Shayna Baszler forces Konami to submit to an achilles lock
Time: 13:30
Match Thoughts
Good match. The match started with the women pairing off and taking turns in the ring, but after everyone had a turn the match started breaking down into double and triple teams. Both teams looked good, Hojo’s team with great individual efforts and Newell, Ray, and Baszler with good teamwork. There were some big choreographed spots like a triple Three Amigos from Baszler’s team, but there weren’t too many of those so the match felt staged. I thought this was a good match and it had a somewhat surprising finish.
Match 5
Artist of Stardom Title Match
Oedo Tai (Viper & Kagetsu & Kyoko Kimura w/ Kris Wolf) vs Queen’s Quest (Momo Watanabe & HZK & Io Shirai (World of Stardom Champ))
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Io Shirai pins Kyoko Kimura after a top rope moonsault and Queen’s Quest becomes the new Artist of Stardom Champions
Time: 16:40
Match Thoughts
Good match. This one felt like the most important match of the night, as it should. It was hard-fought by both teams. Oedo Tai cheated and used dirty tactics while Queen’s Quest fought a straightforward match. The matchup was very entertaining, and I think this was a nice final match for Kyoko Kimuro. She ended up being in the ring at the end with Io Shirai, and I think it was a fitting and classy way for Kiruma to end her career.
Ring Area
After the match, Io Shirai gets on the mic and talks about winning the Artist of Stardom titles for the third time. For her partners though, this is their first title win. HZK and Watanabe then brag a little before Shirai calls Kimura back into the ring to say some final words.
Kimura talks about meeting Shirai when she was just a teenager. She says she’s proud what Shirai has done in Stardom and the two hug in the center of the ring. Kimura calls in the rest of Oedo Tai for a big group picture with everyone in the ring.
Oedo Tai then leaves the ring. Shirai calls for the wrestlers at ringside to enter the ring and gives the mic to Kairi Hojo. Hojo wishes everyone a happy new year and thanks the fans in Osaka. She also tells Shirai that she can take her newly won title belt. Shirai takes the mic back and closes out the show by telling everyone to “bow down to the queens.”
Show Impressions
This was a good show. The matches got better as the show went along, and the final two tag matches were very entertaining.
Match of the Night
Artist of Stardom Title Match
This match had some emotion since it was Kimura’s retirement match, but the focus was put on the titles which is a very good thing.