Stardom Kyoto Max 2018
Event Date: February 4, 2018 (13:00 JST)
matches published individually on Stardom World
#stardomworld
City: Kamigyo, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Venue: KBS Hall
Attendance: 325
Commentary: none
Ring Announcer: Fuka
Match 1
Starlight Kid & Miranda & Xia Brookside (IPW:UK Women’s Champ) vs AZM & Momo Watanabe & HZK (Artist Champ)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: AZM pins Starlight Kid after a double springboard crossbody
Time: 10:59
Match Thoughts
Good match. The majority of the match had each wrestler taking turns in the ring, but Queen’s Quest was able to utilize better teamwork to gain an advantage. Starlight Kid started the match for her side, and she ended the match against AZM in a very nice sequence. They’re developing a fun and interesting rivalry. HZK and Xia Brookside also had a good sequence against each other in this one. Overall, this match was better than most opening matches in Stardom.
Match 2
Sumire Natsu & Hana Kimura (Goddess Champ) & Kagetsu (Goddess Champ) vs Natsuko Tora & Jungle Kyona & Kaori Yoneyama
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Kagetsu pins Natsuko Tora after a chokeslam
Time: 13:48
Match Thoughts
Good match. The action was pretty much non-stop the entire time. Both teams looked good and were able to isolate members of the opposing team at different times, but Oedo did a much better job at created sustained sequences of teamwork-based offense. A lot of that had to do with the fact that Oedo Tai doesn’t pay attention to any rules and takes as many shortcuts as they can, but they also seem to be a more efficient team most of the time. That’s not to say Team Jungle weren’t impressive. They were. But Oedo Tai was batter tonight, as they usually are.
Match 3
Shiki Shibusawa & Konami & Hiromi Mimura vs Mari Apache (High Speed Champ) & Tam Nakano & Mayu Iwatani
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Tam Nakano pins Shiki Shibusawa after a spin kick
Time: 10:51
Match Thoughts
Good match. People were in and out of the ring for a while before Shibusawa and Nakano wound up fighting against each other for an extended amount of time. I think this was good for both of them. They worked well together, and both got some nice offense making them both look strong. In the end, it was the team with the better support that won the match since Shibusawa and Nakano looked evenly matched throughout their time against each other.
Match 4
Kay Lee Ray vs Viper (Artist Champ)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Viper wins via pinfall after a second-rope side slam
Time: 11:42
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Kay Lee Ray tried to use speed, strikes, and dives to battle Viper, and it worked for a while. When Viper started using her size and power to her advantage though, the match tilted in her favor. This was a good match with some impressive moves from both women and a few nice near falls towards the end.
Match 5
Wonder of Stardom Title Match
Nicole Savoy (Shimmer Champ) vs Io Shirai (Artist, Wonder Champ)
(referee: Barb Sasaki; title match official: Rossy Ogawa)
Result: Io Shirai wins via pinfall after a diving moonsault and retains the Wonder of Stardom Title
Time: 17:24
Match Thoughts
Great match. It started with both women grappling and looking for an opening, and Savoy was quick to take the first advantage. Savoy worked on Shirai’s arm from the first few minuted of the match though to the end. She would keep going back to a cross armbreaker, but she also went for other submissions to keep Shirai off balance. Shirai was forced to work hard to persevere and try to find a way to fight back against her bigger competitor. Much of Shirai’s offense came from her agility and a few strikes peppered throughout the match. Shirai managed to turn the tables a little towards the end of the match, but this was still a title bout that was mostly dominated by the challenger. It was definitely a hard-fought and very entertaining match.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. All the matches were quite good, and the venue itself gave the show a memorable quality. There was a large stained-glass style wall behind the ring, and it made this event stand out from the usual gyms and recreation centers.
Match of the Night
Nicole Savoy vs Io Shirai
I think this one had the best ring psychology and the best action. The other matches tonight were all good, but this was easily the best.
Official Results: http://wwr-stardom.com/?result=2018%E5%B9%B42%E6%9C%883%E6%97%A5%E3%80%80stardom-kyoto-max-2018