Joshi Informer Newsletter May 23rd, 2025: Stardom in Korakuen, Marigold in Hokkaido, Sareee-ISM Chapter VIII Announcements, Hana Kimura Tribute Show Preview
Welcome everyone to the May 23rd edition of The Joshi Informer newsletter.
In this week's newsletter:
Stardom: Starlight Kid vs. HANAKO for the Wonder of Stardom Championship match, Artist of Stardom belts to be defended in a three-way in Osaka, rookie debuts for Ema Maishima and Kikyo Furusawa.
Marigold: Mai Sakurai defends the Pure White Belt against Chika Goto, there is a blistering prelude tag team match in Hokkaido and Mayu Iwatani meets Darkness Revolution for the first time.
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling: First competitors announced for the Tokyo Princess Cup, Shoko Nakajima to defend MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship, new ring announcer to debut
Other Joshi: Hana Kimura’s tribute show ‘Fireworks’, Sareee-ISM Chapter VIII is announced, Marvelous on WRESTLEUNIVERSE, Jaguar Yokota’s 49th Anniversary Show announced
👇 🎧There’s a world of joshi podcasts out there: If you take your joshi news and reviews on the move, why not check out our range of podcasts by clicking on the links below and become even more familiarized with some of the world’s best wrestling!
STARDOM
NEWS
Saori Anou and Natsupoi will celebrate their 10th anniversary in wrestling on the 31st May when they hold Saory & Natsu Are Here, You’re Here, 10th Anniversary ~Our Footprints~ in Ota-Ward City Gymnasium in Tokyo. On the 21st May, the pair confirmed the final match on the already-stacked card, with a ‘We Are Stardom’ tag team match between the Winggori team of Hanan and Saya Iida taking on the Star Bomb team of Starlight Kid and AZM. Already announced for the card is the main event tag team match between Chihiro Hashimoto and Mika Iwata and SaoriPoi aswell as singles matches between Aya Sakura and Sareee, Sayaka Kurura and Mayumi Ozaki and Yuna Mizumori will take on SAKI. The now completely announced card can be found in its entirety here.
Stardom’s Mei Seira is looking to add more singles gold to her High-Speed Championship after her failed attempt to capture the CMLL-Japan Women’s Championship from Lluvia in Korakuen Hall, and that quest leads her to ChocoPro! Taking place on May 29th at ChocoPro #452, the company has announced that Mei Seira will be the next challenger for Mei Suruga’s Super Asia Championship inside Shinjuku FACE, at a show dedicated to Suruga’s seventh anniversary as a professional wrestler.
Wrestling celebrates the 49 year career of one of the greatest to ever do it when Jaguar Yokota runs her anniversary produce show in Korakuen Hall on the 29th July. The joshi legend – who has won titles across AJW, OZ Academy, UWA and more in her incredible career thus far – has announced a blockbuster main event for the show, with Yokota teaming with fellow legend Mayumi Ozaki and World of Stardom Champion Saya Kamitani in 6-woman tag team action. They will face a team consisting of current OZ Academy Openweight Champion Saori Anou, Stardom’s Starlight Kid, and AEW’s Hikaru Shida. This match will mark the first time Starlight Kid and Saya Kamitani have partaken in an OZ Academy venture of any kind, and is the first time since May 2023 that Hikaru Shida has; a three-way match she lost against Rina Yamashita that also included her teammate Saori Anou.
RESULTS & REVIEWS
Stardom in Nagano 2025 May.
Saturday, May 17th 2025
Nagano ARCS, Nagano
Attendance: 257
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Nagano ARCS in Nagano was 257. This is only the second time the company have run the venue, and is the first time they have run it since October 2023 when they drew a house of 237, with this being a small 8.44% increase on that previous house.
Yuna Mizumori defeats Yuria Hime (7:52)
HATE (Azusa Inaba, Natsuko Tora & Saya Kamitani) defeat Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura, Natsupoi & Saori Anou) and God's Eye (Hina, Ranna Yagami & Tomoka Inaba) (8:01)
Ruaka defeats Akira Kurogane (10:08)
God's Eye (Lady C, Saki Kashima & Syuri) defeat STARS (Hanan, Momo Kohgo & Saya Iida) (14:13)
FWC (Hazuki & Koguma) & Suzu Suzuki defeat HATE (Fukigen Death, Konami & Rina) (10:29)
NEO-GENESIS (Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki & Starlight Kid) defeat Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Rian & Waka Tsukiyama) (12:05)
Stardom in Toyama 2025
Sunday, May 18th 2025
Toyama Industrial Exhibition Hall, Toyama
Attendance: 451
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside the Toyama Industry Exhibition Hall in Toyama was 451. This is a 30.29% decrease on the previous time the company ran the venue almost exactly two years ago on the 21st May 2023 when they drew a house of 652. This is only the second time Stardom have run the venue, with previous shows in Toyama ordinarily taking part in Bolfert Toyama Multipurpose Hall.
God's Eye (Lady C, Ranna Yagami & Tomoka Inaba) defeat Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara & Yuna Mizumori) (11:13)
Waka Tsukiyama defeats Fukigen Death (4:11)
God's Eye (Hina, Saki Kashima & Syuri) defeat Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi & Saori Anou) & Rian (10:58)
HATE (Konami, Rina & Ruaka) defeat Mi Vida Loca (Akira Kurogane & Suzu Suzuki) & Yuria Hime (12:17)
FWC (Hazuki & Koguma) & HANAKO defeat NEO-GENESIS (Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki & Starlight Kid) (15:30)
HATE (Azusa Inaba, Natsuko Tora & Saya Kamitani) defeat STARS (Hanan, Momo Kohgo & Saya Iida) (13:19)
Stardom Nighter 2025 in Korakuen Hall May
Wednesday, May 21st 2025
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Attendance: 1,176
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Korakuen Hall was 1,176 This continues a trend of 14 of the last 15 Korakuen Hall shows to exceed 1,000 people. In spite of this being a 21.76% decrease on the 1,503 Stardom has in the venue on the 11th May, it is still the tenth Korakuen Hall show in a row to surpass 1,000 people, and brings their average attendance at the venue to 942. It is also worth noting that unlike their three big recent attendances at the venue, there was no Saya Kamitani in the main event, or indeed even in a prevalent match-up.
AZM def. Ema Maishima (10:49): Ema Maishima is the first of the two rookies to wrestle tonight and is therefore the first to thoroughly impress me. Not only are basics done very well, but the more ambitious moves such as the Armdrags, Springboard Swandive and modified roll-up attempts speak to a very talented and confident wrestler - especially to do this in your first ever match, in front of 1,000+ people against one of the people who inspired you to become a wrestler. Eventually AZM has too much for the rookie - as you would expect - in spite of Ema doing a good job of attempting to match the pace, and after laying her out with a Buzzsaw Kick she rolls her up with the Azumi Sushi for the victory. (***1/4)
Hanan def. Kikyo Furusawa (8:21): Another solid debut from a debuting rookie, this time Kikyo Furusawa. Though perhaps not having the same ambitious nature in the ring, she has a fantastic punk-infused look and does the basics very well. Couple that with a really cool-looking transition into a knee-bar and it looks like Stardom have managed to unearth another two really good rookies. Hanan did really well in giving Kikyo just enough to showcase herself before launching her across the ring with the Blockbuster Hold and then locking in the Boston Crab. She must have been impressed as post-match, her and Momo Kohgo tried desperately to recruit Kikyo to STARS. (***) Between Furusawa and Maishima, and the exciting debuts of Matoi Hamabe and Anne Kanaya before their respective injuries, Stardom have unearthed a truly exciting rookie class.
God’s Eye (Tomoka Inaba, Ranna Yagami, Saki Kashima & Kiyoka Kotatsu) def. FWC (Hazuki & Koguma), Akira Kurogane & Yuria Hime (9:07)
H.A.T.E (Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen Death) def. Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo (11:30)
God’s Eye (Syuri, Hina & Lady C) def. Cosmic Angels (Sayaka Kurura, Aya Sakura & Yuna Mizumori) (11:36)
SaoriPoi (Saori Anou & Natsupoi) def. EXV (Waka Tsukiyama & Rian) (13:37)
Artist of Stardom Championship #1 Contendership Match: Mi Vida Loca (Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita & Itsuki Aoki) vs. H.A.T.E (Konami, Ruaka & Rina) Ended in a Double Countout (15:50): I will be honest, Rina vs. Rina Yamashita wasn’t a match I had thought about previously, but now it is all I want! The exchanges between the pair, and Rina’s unflinching refusal to show Yamashita any respect whatsoever was highly entertaining, but also was yet another example of Rina making herself undeniable on this roster. In truth, the match is a brawl - a good brawl, but a brawl nonetheless - that devolves into a double countout when Tora breaks up a pinfall from the outside. (***1/4) Ultimately, this does result in the Artist of Stardom Championship match being made a three-way between the champions, Mi Vida Loca and H.A.T.E in Osaka on the 24th May. Miyu Amasaki accidentally calling Taro Okada ‘Ogawa-san’ was also rather entertaining, though the poor girl looked mortified afterwards!
Wonder of Stardom Championship: Starlight Kid (c) def. HANAKO (21:25): It felt like a sink-or-swim match for the Wonder Tower. Her rumble win was met with a few raised eyebrows, but it’s a real nod of confidence from Stardom that not only is she in the main event, but also the main event of Korakuen Hall. It’s a simple David and Goliath story, but one told very well, HANAKO overpowering Kid again and again, with Kid trying desperately to cut out the challenger’s legs from underneath her. Ultimately it boils down to Kid’s experience, weathering a storm of Powerbombs and general power from HANAKO to eventually grind her down to a point where she can lock in the Black Tiger Leg Killer; with the moment she lands on her feet out a JP Coaster and transitions beautifully into a Dragon Screw Leg Whip before hitting a Moonsault to the injured limb a particular highlight. I think everyone assumed that SLK would retain here to make her fourth successful title defence, but in doing so we saw that HANAKO can truly hang on that stage. Sure there were moments that didn’t quite click, but these were very few and far between and I’m sure can be put down to a touch of very reasonable nerves! Well done Wonder Tower, in a match where it was sink-or-swim, you undoubtedly swam. (****)
LOOKING AHEAD…
The Artist of Stardom Championships are on the line when Stardom roll into Osaka on Saturday in a three-way battle as NEO-GENESIS defend their belts against Mi Vida Loca and H.A.T.E. Meanwhile, rookie Ema Maishima makes her return to Osaka as she teams with Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurura against Fukuoka Double Crazy and Akira Kurogane, and God’s Eye pair off with H.A.T.E in 8-woman tag team action. (FULL CARD)
The following day, Stardom are in KBS Hall in Kyoto for their last show of the month. In the main event, hometown girl Miyu Amasaki will team with her NEO-GENESIS teammates in an 8-woman tag team match against God’s Eye. Elsewhere, Fukuoka Double Crazy face Suzu Suzuki and Akira Kurogane of Mi Vida Loca, Kikyo Furusawa joins Hanan and Momo Kohgo against God’s Eye and HANAKO and Rian square off in an all-EXV singles match. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Saturday (May 24th): STARDOM in OSAKA 2025 May - EDION Arena Osaka #2, Osaka (STARDOM WORLD LIVE)
Sunday (May 25th): "STARDOM in KYOTO 2025 - KBS Hall, Kyoto (STARDOM WORLD LIVE)
MARIGOLD
RESULTS & REVIEWS
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 11 Noon
Saturday, May 17th 2025
Gateau Kingdom Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attendance: 354
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo in Hokkaido was 354. This is the third time the company have run the venue, with the previous two shows also being a back-to-back afternoon and evening shows. The number marks a 20.41% increase on Marigold’s previous best at the venue (294 on the evening show of November 2nd, which was main-evented by Natsumi Showzuki vs. Misa Matsui for the Superfly title.)
Kizuna Tanaka & Rea Seto def. Hummingbird & Natsumi Showzuki (9:16)
Chanyota def. Komomo Minami and Nagisa Tachibana (7:12)
Misa Matsui & Nagisa Nozaki def. Chika Goto & Yuuki Minami (13:10)
Mai Sakurai & Miku Aono defeat CHIAKI & Megaton (8:41)
Nanae Takahashi def. Seri Yamaoka (17:26): Seri Yamaoka is on her way to living up to the “super rookie” nickname, and she’s now put together the best singles match of her career against her mentor. Nanae Takahashi tasked Yamaoka to show every ounce of passion she’s learned from her through their time together, and she did just that. Yamaoka continuously answered Takahashi’s call, fighting back time and time again when it looked like she had nothing left. She even went as far as to hit a perfect Passion Splash from the top rope, getting a near fall on Takahashi. Eventually, it was Nanae who ended up putting an end to the upset bid, but it was all the more clear when this match was over that Takahashi taught Yamaoka everything she possibly could in their time together. A complete victory all around, even in defeat. (***¾) With the match complete, Yamaoka and Takahashi shared an emotional moment and a hug, officially ending their time together in the ring.
Mayu Iwatani & MIRAI def. Utami Hayashishita & Victoria Yuzuki (17:18): Mayu Iwatani joined the house show game for Marigold, and what an incredible moment it was. She teamed up with MIRAI to form one of the most formidable and exciting teams we’ve seen in Marigold, and they worked together as if this was just another day rather than a first-ever team-up. It was also the first time Yuzuki and Iwatani shared the ring in over a year, and it was instant magic against one another, perfectly previewing what’s to come at SHINE FOREVER. MIRAI and Hayashishita kept to their usual tricks as well, with MIRAI finishing the Marigold World Champion off with a devastating Lefty Lariat one week before their match. It’s as good of a house show match as you’re going to get, and well worth your time if you haven’t had the chance to see it. (****)
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 11 Evening
Saturday, May 17th 2025
Gateau Kingdom Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attendance: 385
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Sapporo in Hokkaido was 385. This is the fourth time the company have run the venue, with this once again being the final show of an afternoon/evening double header. The number marks another best for the company at the venue having surpassed their previous best at the show in the afternoon. However, the 385 drawn to the venue is a 30.95% increase on the 294 on the evening show of the 2nd November, whilst also being another 8.76% increase on the earlier afternoon show. It is also worth noting that both of these shows from Gateaux Kingdom exceeded the only other announced attendance (322 from BJW on 20th April) which means that 385 sits as the record for the venue in 2025.
Komomo Minami, Kizuna Tanaka & Victoria Yuzuki def. Hummingbird, Yuuki Minami & Nagisa Tachibana (9:42)
Seri Yamaoka & Rea Seto def. Megaton & Misa Matsui (10:54)
Chanyota & Miku Aono def. MIRAI & Natsumi Showzuki (12:12)
Mayu Iwatani & Utami Hayashishita def. CHIAKI & Nagisa Nozaki (12:21): While Iwatani’s first house show match was exciting, it was even more exciting to see her in a new matchup as she got to face CHIAKI and Nagisa Nozaki for the first time. It made for some fun moments, with Nozaki seemingly taking a liking to Iwatani and continuously going after her. It was also nice to see Hayashishita and Iwatani share the ring again together, as it was clear from the start that the Marigold World Champion was happy to see her former rival on her side. Iwatani pinned CHIAKI after hitting a Moonsault. (***½)
United National Championship: Mai Sakurai (c) def. Chika Goto (16:21): Chika Goto is going to be a champion one day, and it’s going to be one of Marigold’s greatest moments when it comes true. Her day wasn’t this one, but she once again showed her incredible growth that started a year ago when she joined the company. She wasn’t just a challenger, but someone you could see believably winning this championship. Few wrestlers naturally exude the passion for pro wrestling like her, and it was Mai Sakurai’s job to make sure that didn’t take away her championship. If this match happened in Korakuen Hall, it might go down as the best United National Championship match in the belt’s history, but for now, it places among the best with Sakurai successfully tapping out a bloodied GoChika to earn her record fifth defense. A great match that will be the building block for Goto’s eventual big win. (****)
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 12
Sunday, May 18th 2025
Hakodate City General Wholesale Center Distribution Hall, Hokkaido
Attendance: Not Reported
Komomo Minami def. Nagisa Tachibana (10:13): A double breakout performance! Komomo Minami and Nagisa Tachibana both returned from injury and have found something in themselves, with this allowing them to wrestle a true singles match against one another and show the levels they’ve grown. Minami has especially come into her own, and it’s becoming all the more noticeable with every opportunity. Tachibana has “it,” and with more seasoning, she’s going to be someone to watch in Marigold and the overall scene. Minami managed to pin Tachibana after a number of pin attempts on one another, getting the necessary win while Tachibana searches for her first. Considering their experience level, this was quite good. (***¼)
Seri Yamaoka & Yuuki Minami def. Hummingbird & Rea Seto (11:48)
Chanyota def. Megaton (6:58)
Kizuna Tanaka, Victoria Yuzuki & Utami Hayashishita def. Darkness Revolution (CHIAKI, Misa Matsui & Nagisa Nozaki) (16:07)
Chika Goto, MIRAI & Nanae Takahashi def. Mai Sakurai, Miku Aono & Natsumi Showzuki (19:45)
LOOKING AHEAD…
Marigold returns to pay-per-view this Saturday with SHINE FOREVER 2025 ~ A Glorious Celebration ~! The show will, of course, be main evented by Nanae Takahashi’s final match as she faces Miku Aono. Everyone can check out the Joshi Informer’s preview for the show to learn about the card, each match, and who may walk out as the winners. (PREVIEW)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Saturday (May 24th): Marigold SHINE FOREVER 2025 ~ A Glorious Celebration ~ - Yoyogi National Gymnasium #2, Tokyo (WRESTLE UNIVERSE PPV)
TOKYO JOSHI PRO-WRESTLING
NEWS
The 12th Tokyo Princess Cup will be a 16-wrestler tournament this year, and we now know 12 of the competitors who are officially set for it. The first 12 competitors announced are Mizuki, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Hyper Misao, Suzume, Yuki Kamifuku, Raku, Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe, Yuki Aino, Arisu Endo, and Yuki Arai. The final four spots will be decided in a preliminary round. 16 wrestlers from the roster will decide the final four spots, including the likes of Pom Harajuku, Wakana Uehara, Toga, and Mifu Ashida.
Kaya Toribami will challenge Shoko Nakajima for the MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship on TJPW’s June 7th show in Shinagawa.
Rise Shirai will take over ring announcing duties from Sayuri Namba following Namba’s graduation from TJPW in June. Shirai will officially start this weekend as Namba’s apprentice.
RESULTS
TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHINAGAWA vol.1
Saturday, May 17th 2025
Club eX Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo
Attendance: 335
Yuki Aino def. Ivy Steele (6:37)
Pom Harajuku def. Chika Nanase (6:49)
Maki Itoh def. Uta Takami (10:57)
Raku & Yuki Kamifuku def. Haruna Neko & Rika Tatsumi (9:27)
Mifu Ashida, Mizuki & Wakana Uehara def. Kira Summer, Mahiro Kiryu & Miu Watanabe (10:08)
Kaya Toribami & Shoko Nakajima def. Moka Miyamoto & Yuki Arai (11:30): After the match, Kaya Toribami challenged Shoko Nakajima to an MLW World Women’s Featherweight Championship match
HIMAWARI, Shino Suzuki & Yoshiko Hasegawa def. Arisu Endo, Haru Kazashiro & Suzume (13:00)
LOOKING AHEAD…
The TJPW Spring Tour keeps going this weekend as the promotion heads to the Shimizu Marine Building in Shizuoka for the show. The main event will see Princess of Princes Champion Mizuki team up with Haru Kazashiro to face Miu Watanabe and Shino Suzuki. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Saturday (May 24th): TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHIZUOKA - Shimizu Marine Building, Shizuoka (WRESTLE UNIVERSE VOD)
SENDAI GIRLS
LOOKING AHEAD…
Sendai Girls is back this weekend as they return to their home venue of the Sendai PIT in Miyagi. The main event will see the challengers for the Sendai Girls Tag Team Championships, Unagi Sayaka and Yurika Oka, take on as big a challenge as there is, facing off with DASH Chisako and Hiroyo Matsumoto. Manami will also go one-on-one with Mika Iwata. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Saturday (May 24th): Sendai Girls - Sendai PIT, Miyagi (WRESTLE UNIVERSE VOD)
SAREEE-ISM
NEWS
Sareee has announced that Sareee-ISM Chapter VIII will take place on Monday, July 14th, at Shinjuku FACE! The main event will be a special one as Sareee teams up with her fellow AAAW Tag Team Champion Takumi Iroha to take on the H.A.T.E. duo of Natsuko Tora and World of Stardom Champion Saya Kamitani. It’ll be the first time Sareee and Kamitani ever share the ring, making for a very special matchup.
The card also features three singles matches, as the previously scheduled singles bout between Natsupoi and Miku Kanae will now take place on this show. Saori Anou had filled in for Natsupoi at Sareee-ISM Chapter VII in the match as Natsupoi was out due to injury.
Chi Chi will go one-on-one with DASH Chisako, continuing her run as being as big a staple as any on Sareee-ISM cards. And finally, Sayaka Toyota will face Honori Hana in the opening match.
More is expected to be announced, but Sareee-ISM Chapter VIII is shaping up to be another special show to be remembered by Joshi fans worldwide.
MARVELOUS
NEWS
Marvelous has officially joined the WRESTLE UNIVERSE family. It was announced Wednesday that Chigusa Nagayo’s promotion was the latest addition to the WRESTLE UNIVERSE streaming service, joining fellow Joshi promotions Marigold, TJPW, and Sendai Girls. WRESTLE UNIVERSE mentioned in the announcement that the promotion will be on a VOD schedule moving forward. Marvelous’ Korakuen Hall show from May 5th and Shinjuku FACE show from April 10th have already been uploaded for fans to check out!
Sareee and Takumi Iroha have become the new AAAW Tag Team Champions, defeating H2D’s Ryo Mizunami and Sonoko Kato. They’re the seventh champions since the AAAW Tag Team Titles returned in 2022. It’s Iroha’s second time holding the championships, while it’s Sareee’s first time doing so and her first tag championship overall since holding the Beyond The Sea Tag Team Championships with Yoshiko back in 2021.
RESULTS
Marvelous
Tuesday, May 20th 2025
Shinkiba 1st RING, Tokyo
Itsuki Aoki def. Amira (9:55)
Titus Alexander def. Robert Martyr and Ryan Clancy (11:39)
Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) def. Johnnie Robbie & Sadie Gibbs (9:55)
Nanae Takahashi & Ai Houzan def. Senka Akatsuki & Sora Ayame (19:50)
Sareee & Takumi Iroha def. H2D (Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato) (c) to become the new champions (20:14): Following the crowning of the new champions, rookies Senka Akatsuki and Sora Ayame announced their challenge for the tag team belts. Magenta also made their presence known, as they look to likely face the winners of the upcoming championship bout. No date has been announced, but Marvelous will return to Shinkiba 1st RING for their next show on June 10th.
HANA KIMURA MEMORIAL SHOW “FIREWORKS”
CARD & WHERE TO WATCH
This Friday is the Hana Kimura Memorial Show “Fireworks” from Korakuen Hall, once again put together by her mother, Kyoko Kimura. The show is one of the most special and important shows of the year, as wrestlers from around Japan come together to celebrate the life of Hana. This year marks five years since her passing, and we miss her every single day.
Here’s the full card for this year’s show:
Rina vs. VENY
Miyuki Takase & Mika Iwata vs. Sareee & Natsupoi vs. DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto
Chihiro Hashimoto & Shotaro Ashino vs. Konami & Minoru Suzuki
Battle Royale
Seigo Tachibana vs. Aja Kong
YUNA vs. Tae Honma
While the show will have already aired by the time this newsletter is published, we urge you to check the show out and purchase it as it will once again be available to watch on TrillerTV worldwide as well as Tiget in Japan.
You can purchase a streaming ticket here.
JOSHI OUT & ABOUT
WWE: Kairi Sain made her long-awaited return to WWE programming on the 5/19 episode of Monday Night RAW in a Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat against Rhea Ripley and Zoey Stark. Unfortunately, Kairi’s first match back in six months after a thumb injury was overshadowed by a nasty-looking knee injury to Zoey Stark. As a result of this Kairi was pinned by Rhea, who will now take part in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Our thoughts however are with Zoey and we hope the injury is not as bad as first feared.
Giulia is now an official member of the SmackDown roster as confirmed in a backstage segment on the 5/16 episode. With Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss arguing, Giulia was introduced to the pair by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. The ‘Beautiful Madness’ has been thrown in at the deep end as well, with the chance to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match on the 5/23 episode of SmackDown against Charlotte Flair and WWE United States Champion Zelina Vega.
AEW: Mina Shirakawa was in singles action in the go-home Dynamite before Double or Nothing on 5/25. Defeating Julia Hart in just over 9 minutes in Rio Rancho New Mexico, Mina has momentum heading into her match with ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm at Double or Nothing for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
JOSHI CALENDAR FOR 05/23 TO 05/29
CHAMPIONS CORNER
An easy reference guide to the champions in each Joshi company. This will be updated weekly. Statistics are correct as of the morning of May 23rd, 2025.
20th World of Stardom Champion: Saya Kamitani, 1st reign, 145 days, 3 successful title defences.
24th Wonder of Stardom Champion: Starlight Kid, 1st reign, 145 days, 4 successful title defences.
4th IWGP Women’s World Champion: Syuri, 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defences.
27th High-Speed Champion: Mei Seira, 1st reign, 299 days, 5 successful title defences.
12th Future of Stardom Champion: Hina, 1st reign, 88 days, 2 successful title defences.
35th Goddesses of Stardom Champions: Winggori (Saya Iida, 1st reign & Hanan, 1st reign), 1st reign, 145 days, 3 successful title defences.
34th Artist of Stardom Champions: NEO-GENESIS (AZM, 4th reign, Starlight Kid, 2nd reign, & Miyu Amasaki, 1st reign), 1st reign, 110 days, 1 successful title defence.
4th NEW BLOOD Tag Team Champions: Rice or Bread (Waka Tsukiyama, 1st reign & HANAKO, 1st reign), 1st reign, 148 days, 2 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold World Champion: Utami Hayashishita, 1st reign, 140 days, 2 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold United National Champion: Mai Sakurai, 1st reign, 140 days, 5 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold Superfly Champion: Victoria Yuzuki, 1st reign, 140 days, 3 successful title defences.
5th Marigold Twinstar Champions: Magenta (Maria, 1st reign & Riko Kawahata, 1st reign), 1st reign, 13 days, 0 successful title defences.
15th Princess of Princess Champion: Mizuki, 2nd reign, 139 days, 2 successful title defences.
13th International Princess Champion: Suzume, 1st reign, 139 days, 4 successful title defences.
18th Princess Tag Team Champions: Kyoraku Kyomei (Shoko Nakajima, 2nd reign & Hyper Misao, 2nd reign), 1st reign, 68 days, 2 successful title defences.
18th Sendai Girls World Champion: Chihiro Hashimoto, 6th reign, 65 days, 1 successful title defence.
10th Sendai Girls Junior Champion: Aya Sakura, 1st reign, 65 days, 0 successful title defences.
23rd Sendai Girls Tag Team Champions: Red Energy (Mika Iwata, 3rd reign & Miyuki Takase, 1st reign), 1st reign, 103 days, 1 successful title defence.
11th SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Champion: VENY, 2nd reign, 126 days, 1 successful title defences.
14th SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Tag Team Champions: Ayame Sasamura (3rd reign) & Itsuki Aoki (1st reign), 1st reign, 273 days, 3 successful title defences.
18th AAAW Champion: Takumi Iroha, 2nd reign, 288 days, 2 successful title defences.
22nd AAAW Tag Team Champions: Takumi Iroha (2nd reign) & Sareee (1st reign), 1st reign, 3 days, 0 successful title defence.
32nd OZ Academy Openweight Champion: Saori Anou, 1st reign, 40 days, 0 successful title defences.
11th OZ Academy Pioneer Champion: Kakeru, 1st reign, 40 days, 0 successful title defences.
41st OZ Academy Tag Team Champions: Phanton Limit (Kohaku, 1st reign & Tsubasa Kuragaki, 3rd reign), 1st reign, 40 days, 0 successful title defence.
40th ICExInfinty Champion: Manami Katsu, 1st reign, 130 days, 2 successful title defences.
3rd FantastICE Champion: Akane Fujita, 1st reign, 1239 days, 2 successful title defences.
52nd Triangle Ribbon Champion: Yasu Urano, 1st reign, 34 days, 0 successful title defences.
66th International Ribbon Tag Team Champions: Cheerful Princess (Arisa Shinose, 1st reign & Misa Kagura, 2nd reign), 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defence.
22nd Regina Di WAVE Champion: Saya Kamitani, 1st reign, 200 days, 4 successful title defences.
39th WAVE Tag Team Champions: SPiCEAP (Maika Ozaki, 2nd reign & Tae Honma, 2nd reign), 2nd reign, 52 days, 0 successful title defences.
21st World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Champion: Risa Sera, 1st reign, 75 days, 1 successful title defences.
19th World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Champion: Kyoko Inoue, 3rd reign, 285 days, 3 successful title defences.
2nd World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Crystal Champion: Honoka, 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defences.
23rd World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Tag Team Champions: Nanami (3rd reign) & Rina Amikura (1st reign), 1st reign, 47 days, 1 successful title defences.
6th AWG Champion: Marino Saihara, 1st reign, 68 days, 1 successful title defence.
2nd AWG KING Of Ring Entertainment Champion: Sakura Mizushima, 1st reign, 68 days, 1 successful title defence.
6th Super Asia Champion: Mei Suruga, 1st reign, 265 days, 6 successful title defence.
17th Asia Dream Tag Team Champions: Bellflowers (Makoto, 2nd reign & Sayaka, 1st reign), 1st reign, 53 days, 1 successful title defences.
16th PURE-J Openweight Champion: SAKI, 1st reign, 17 days, 0 successful title defence.
33rd Princess of Pro-Wrestling Champion: Honoka, 1st reign, 306 days, 2 successful title defences.
2nd KSR Champion: Flying Penguin, 1st reign, 117 days, 2 successful title defences.
36th Daily Sports Tag Team Champions: Kaori Yoneyama (5th reign) & Leon (6th reign), 1st reign, 17 days, 1 successful title defences.
HOW TO WATCH
AWG - Actwres girl’Z Online - $6.65 a month
ChocoPro - ChocoPro YouTube Channel - Free, donations accepted.
Diana - EveryDiana - $6.58 a month
Dream Star Fighting Marigold - WRESTLE UNIVERSE - $8.66 a month through website/$8.37 a month through the app
Ice Ribbon - YouTube Membership - $9.99 a month (bigger shows not included)
Marvelous - WRESTLE UNIVERSE - $8.66 a month through website/$8.37 a month through the app
OZ Academy - Zaiko - PPV Price Per Show
PURE-J - YouTube Membership - $9.99 a month
SEAdLINNNG - SEAdLINNNG Movie + - $6.66 a month
Sendai Girls - WRESTLE UNIVERSE - $8.66 a month through website/$8.37 a month through the app
Stardom - Stardom World - $6.14 a month
TJPW - WRESTLE UNIVERSE - $8.66 a month through website/$8.67 a month through the app
WAVE - YouTube Membership - $7.99 a month