STARDOM 5★STAR GP 2020
Event Date: August 8, 2020 (11:30 JST)
matches published on Stardom World
City: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Venue: Korakuen Hall
Attendance: 445
Series: 5★STAR GP 2020
Commentary: none
Ring Announcer: Yoritaka Ando
Ring Area
Before the show gets underway, everyone in the 5 Star Grand Prix heads to the ring as they are introduced. After some photos, everyone heads backstage to get ready.
Match 1
Hina vs Rina
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Rina wins via submission with the Hydrangea
Time: 4:31
Match Thoughts
This was another good opener from these two. Once again, Rina seems to have the upper-hand in this sisterly rivalry. I’d like to see Hina do something drastic to try to change her unfortunate string of losses to Rina.
Match 2
5★STAR GP Red Stars Match
DEATH Yama-san (0 pts) vs Starlight Kid (0 pts)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Starlight Kid wins via pinfall after the Ki-chan Bomb
Time: 3:01
Match Thoughts
This was a fun match to start the tournament with. Starlight Kid and Yama-san work very well together in the high-speed style, so this was a quick and action-packed match. Both competitors will have longer and more difficult matches in the tournament, but this felt like a nice warmup for both of them.
Match 3
5★STAR GP Blue Stars Match
AMZ (0 pts) (High Speed Champ) vs Saya Iida (0 pts)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: AZM wins via submission with a modified La Mistica
Time: 8:03
Match Thoughts
Good match. AZM came into the match with a plan of using her high-speed style, but she got caught by Saya Iida’s power a few times. AZM would never stay grounded for too long though, and she looked strong throughout this match. Iida looked good as well, but I think she’s going to struggle in the tournament. Iida made it into this year’s 5 Star GP after Saki Kashima had to drop out due to poor health, so coming in as an alternate already makes it tough. She could very well play spoiler in the block if she can get a few wins though.
Match 4
5★STAR GP Red Stars Match
Saya Kamitani (0 pts) (Goddess Champ) vs Konami (0 pts)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Konami wins via submission with a triangle choke
Time: 8:06
Match Thoughts
Good match. Prior to the opening bell, Konami said she would be going after Kamitani’s neck. She did that, and other that a bit offense here and there from Kamitani, Konami dominated this match. Konami worked over Kamitani’s neck, and she went right in for the submission. This was a dominant performance from Konami.
Match 5
5★STAR GP Blue Stars Match
Maika (0 pts) (Future & Artist Champ) vs Momo Watanabe (0 pts)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Maika wins via submission with a katahajime
Time: 8:12
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It seemed like Watanabe wanted to start the match at a slower pace, but Maika didn’t give her that opportunity. Maika rushed at Watanabe right at the opening bell, and Watanabe was overwhelmed for the first few minutes of the match. Watanabe managed to mount a comeback, but it felt like any plan she might have had was completely gone. With Watanabe getting whatever offense she could, Maika was able to counter and go back on the offensive again. If this match was any indication, Maika is going to be a powerful force in this tournament.
Match 6
5★STAR GP Blue Stars Match
Natsuko Tora (0 pts) vs Syuri (0 pts) (Artist Champ)
(referee: Barb Sasaki)
Result: Syuri wins via pinfall after a buzzsaw kick
Time: 7:46
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Natsuko Tora surprised Syuri at the opening bell, and that put Syuri on the defensive. Syuri’s skills are strong though, and she was able to defend well and start hitting back with some offense of her own. That forced Tora to try to cheat later on in the match (not that she wouldn’t have cheated anyway). Oedo Tai’s rough summer has continued heading into the 5 Star GP though, and this was a tough match for Tora. It was fun to watch though.
Match 7
5★STAR GP Red Stars Match
Himeka (0 pts) vs Tam Nakano (0 pts)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Himeka wins via pinfall after a running powerbomb
Time: 16:17
Match Thoughts
Good match. The plans for both wrestlers seemed clear. Himeka wanted to overpower Nakano, and Nakano wanted to kick and move. Plus, both of them wanted to attempt to submit their opponent. They both stuck to their plans well, so this became a battle of wills and endurance. Nakano is coming off a tough loss to Giulia, so this match could have been at least a small measure of revenge if she could beat Giulia’s unit-mate in Donna del Mondo, but Himeka is still looking to make a name for herself in Stardom. This match definitely set up Himeka for a memorable 5 Star GP.
Match 8
5★STAR GP Blue Stars Match
Utami Hayashishita (0 pts) (Goddess Champ) vs Jungle Kyona (0 pts)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Utami Hayashishita wins via pinfall with a bridging German suplex
Time: 14:31
Match Thoughts
Great match. This was a hard-hitting match with both wrestlers punishing their opponent with strong moves. I felt like Kyona had an advantage throughout most of the match, and that really started with some action that took place at ringside. They went back and forth out on the floor fairly early in the match, but Kyona hit Hayashishita with a powerbomb on the edge of the apron that had Hayashishita hurting for the rest of the match. Kyona took advantage with more high-impact moves in the ring, but she had trouble keeping Hayashishita down on the mat. That allowed Hayashishita to hang around and look for one huge move (or series of moves) to try to put Kyona away.
Match 9
5★STAR GP Red Stars Match
Giulia (0 pts) (Wonder & Artist Champ) vs Mayu Iwatani (0 pts) (World Champ)
(referee: Daichi Murayama)
Result: Giulia wins via pinfall after the Glorious Driver II
Time: 17:28
Match Thoughts
Great match. This was a match of two proud champions who didn’t want to give an inch. Giulia and Iwatani approached this match by trying to wear down their opponent with strikes, and they hit each other a whole lot. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen two wrestlers willingly trade superkicks and boots before this match, but I’ve seen it now. They started incorporating more slams and submission holds as the match went on, but I never really got the sense that either of them had a strong advantage for very long. That is, not until the final minute or two. The finish to this match was surprisingly definitive for a match with the top two champs in the company, and I enjoyed it quite a lot.
Show Impressions
This show got me even more excited for the tournament. Donna del Mondo definitely had the strongest start to the night, and I think all four of them are going to be difficult to beat over the next few weeks. I really like how this show was paced. We got to see an entire round of action from both blocks, and none of the matches felt too short. The short ones made sense, as did the longer ones. This was very well done.
Match of the Night
Jungle Kyona vs Utami Hayashishita
I think the main event with Giulia and Mayu Iwatani was probably just as good, and if I watch both of these matches again I might make a different decision, but my first reaction is that I enjoyed Kyona versus Hayashishita the most tonight. I think a lot of that had to do with the style both wrestlers brought to the match. It was a powerful show of force by both women. Plus, I think I did get invested in it a little more, because I’m really getting behind Kyona and am hoping for her to get some big wins.
Standings After Day 1
Red Stars
| Wrestler | Points | Wins | Losses | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giulia (Wonder & Artist Champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Himeka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Konami | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Starlight Kid | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DEATH Yama-san | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mayu Iwatani (World Champ) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Saya Kamitani (Goddess Champ) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tam Nakano | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Blue Stars
| Wrestler | Points | Wins | Losses | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZM (High Speed Champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Maika (Future & Artist Champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Syuri (Artist Champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Utami Hayashishita (Goddess Champ) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jungle Kyona | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Momo Watanabe | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Natsuko Tora | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Saya Iida | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Official Results (Japanese): https://wwr-stardom.com/news/2020-8-8korakuen/