Joshi Informer Newsletter May 9th, 2025: Marigold Korakuen Hall Review, Shine Forever Full Card, Magenta Turn Heel, Golden Week Results
Welcome everyone to the May 9th edition of The Joshi Informer newsletter. The landscape of joshi wrestling shifted massively this week with Mayu Iwatani debuting in Marigold against Nanae Takahashi at Korakuen Hall, the Marigold First Anniversary show - Shine Forever - has now had the full card revealed, Magenta took their defeat against Senka and Sora so badly that they turned heel at Marvelous’ Korakuen Hall show, Stardom’s volley of Golden Week Fight Tour shows end in Fukuoka and Maika’s last show before her extended absence through injury and SAKI wins the Pure-J Openweight Championship.
In this week's newsletter:
Stardom: Korakuen Hall and New Blood 21 cards revealed and Golden Week Fight Tour Results
Marigold: Mayu Iwatani has her first match in Marigold on a stacked Korakuen Hall card, Shine Forever card announced in full for 5/24 including Nanae Takahashi’s final ever match!
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling: Suzume defends the International Princess Championship against HIMAWARI, Yoshiko Hasegawa officially challenges for the belt
Other Joshi: Magenta turn heel, Takumi Iroha and Sareee to challenge for AAAW Tag Team Championships, SAKI wins Pure-J Openweight Championship
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STARDOM
NEWS
Having announced that they will celebrate their 10th anniversary in wrestling together on the 31st May at Ota-Ward City Gymnasium, Natsupoi and Saori Anou have announced another batch of matches – this time including Stardom talent. As announced on the 1st May, the show – titled Saory & Natsu Are Here, You’re Here, 10th Anniversary ~Our Footprints~ – three singles bouts involving Natsupoi and Saori’s Cosmic Angels teammates have been revealed. Sayaka Kurura will face Mayumi Ozaki, Yuna Mizumori will face Cosmic Angels satellite member SAKI, while Aya Sakura has the toughest challenge when she goes one-on-one against Sareee. After a stellar performance at All-Star Dream Queendom when faced with Meiko Satomura, this is yet another big stage for the High-Kick Angel as she continues to deliver on what has, so far, been a breakout year. Already announced for the card was Tae Honma and Yuna Manase against Maika Ozaki and Aina Aiba who makes her return to wrestling for the first time 2015. Elsewhere, Yumiko Hotta will team with a mystery opponent against Kaoru Ito and a mystery opponent.
New IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri has been announced for a on-off show in the United Kingdom, appearing at Pro Wrestling: EVE’s ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ show on 6th June. Announced via a graphic during EVE’s ‘Punkin’ Instigators’ show on May 2nd, it has not been confirmed who Syuri will be facing though it has been reported that Alex Windsor showed a particular interest. Hit Me Baby One More Time will be taking place at the Big Penny Social in London on 6th June, with bell-time currently listed as 8pm GMT.
Stardom were represented on the second night of New Japan’s Wrestling Dontaku 2025 show, with Fukuoka natives Hazuki, Koguma and Maika teaming to take on Starlight Kid, AZM and Yuna Mizumori. The match, which went on third on the main card, was ended decisively in 9:47 when Hazuki pinned Yuna Mizumori after hitting the Brainbuster.
RESULTS & REVIEWS
STARDOM Golden Week Fight Tour 2025 in KUMAMOTO
Saturday, May 3rd 2025
Kumamoto-Jo Hall, Kumamoto
Attendance: 447
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Kumamoto jo-Hall in Kumamoto was 447. This is the third time that Stardom have run the venue, with this being the highest attendance of the three. It is a 14.54% increase on the previous show Stardom ran at the venue (382 on the 4th May 2024, which was main-evented by Saori Anou in a special singles match with Kumomoto-native Yuna Mizumori).
HANAKO def. Akira Kurogane (5:51)
STARS (Momo Kohgo & Saya Iida) def. Saki Kashima & Yuria Hime (9:30)
02Line (AZM & Miyu Amasaki) def. EXV (Maika & Waka Tsukiyama) (12:26)
Suzu Suzuki & Fukuoka Double Crazy (Hazuki & Koguma) def. God’s Eye (Syuri, Lady C & Hina) (15:19): With the turmoil that STARS currently find themselves in - Mayu Iwatani left for pastures new and FWC and Wingfori at each other’s throats - one of the most exciting things going forward was the prospect of a Suzu Suzuki, Hazuki and Koguma team in future show; and we got a brief glimpse of it here. Sure, it was certainly more of house show match with Koguma tearing around the arena to escape Syuri as the constant war between the Kuma dance and the new IWGP Women’s Champion rages on, but there was enough in this match to fuel the desire for more teamwork between the three. (***1/4)
H.A.T.E (Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, Ruaka & Rina) def. Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi, Saori Anou, Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurura) (14:11)
Starlight Kid def. Yuna Mizumori (16:35): With the sheer volume of injuries an departures of big stars, Stardom are going to be looking at the likes of Starlight Kid and Yuna Mizumori to make a play for big spots on the card. Kid has already proved herself to be a perfect fit in main events, but Yuna has been another one that has knocked it out of the park whenever she’s been given the ball. A fantastic main event in her hometown is yet another example of this, playing the role of underdog babyface whilst still showcasing her power and suprising acceleration made for a very entertaining back-and-forth between the two. The selling for the Black Tiger Leg Killer at the end of the match was the cherry on the cake and is yet another feather in the cap of one of Stardom’s most low-key consistent performers. (****1/4)
STARDOM Golden Week Fight Tour 2025 in SATSUMA-SENDAI
Monday, May 5th 2025
Sun Arena Sendai Sub Arena, Kagoshima
Attendance: 456
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Sun Arena Sendai Sub Arena was 456. This is the first time Stardom have run the venue, which is primarily used as for volleyball, has an attendance of around 2,034 and doesn’t appear to be a venue often used for wrestling.
Saya Iida def. Yuria Hime (10:40)
God’s Eye (Saki Kashima & Lady C) def. Cosmic Angels (Sayaka Kurura & Yuna Mizumori) (9:25)
Momo Kohgo def. Aya Sakura & Waka Tsukiyama (7:11)
NEO-GENESIS (Starlight Kid, AZM & Miyu Amasaki) def. H.A.T.E (Natsuko Tora, Konami & Ruaka) (11:57)
Maika, HANAKO, Natsupoi & Saori Anou def. Hazuki, Koguma, Suzu Suzuki & Akira Kurogane (15:27)
H.A.T.E (Saya Kamitani & Rina) def. God’s Eye (Syuri & Ranna Yagami (14:03)
STARDOM Golden Week Fight Tour 2025 in FUKUOKA
Tuesday, May 6th 2025
Fukuoka Island City Forum, Fukuoka
Attendance: 705
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside the Fukuoka Island City Forum was 705. This is the second time Stardom have run the venue and the first time since the 2023 5Star Grand Prix. The 705 drawn to this show is a 42.42% increase on that previous house (495 on 16th September 2023) and currently sits – per Cagematch.net as the highest ever attendance at the venue (though this only seems to account for three total shows.)
H.A.T.E (Saya Kamitani & Natsuko Tora) def. Cosmic Angels (Sayaka Kurura & Saori Anou) (11:16)
AZM def. Saki Kashima & Yuria Hime (7:48)
Fairy Blossom (Natsupoi & Aya Sakura) def. God’s Eye (Ranna Yagami & Lady C) (8:50): After putting it out to fans, Natsupoi and Aya Sakura confirmed during the backstage comments that they would move forward as a team under the name of Fairy Blossom.
STARS (Momo Kohgo & Saya Iida) def. Rice or Bread (HANAKO & Waka Tsukiyama) (13:43)
H.A.T.E (Rina & Konami) def. NEO-GENESIS (Starlight Kid & Miyu Amasaki) (9:11)
God’s Eye (Syuri & Tomoka Inaba) def. H.A.T.E (Azusa Inaba & Ruaka) (15:11)
Fukuoka Triple Crazy (Maika, Koguma & Hazuki) def. Suzu Suzuki, Akira Kurogane & Yuna Mizumori (16:10): A nice chance for Maika to say goodbye before her long absence begins to heal from a troublesome elbow injury. Fukuoka Triple Crazy played the hits in this match, with Hazuki and Yuna Mizumori and Maika and Yuna working well together and reminding us of their great matches in last year’s 5Star Grand Prix. Akira Kurogane managed to weather the Kuma storm in this match, but couldn’t do the same against Maika, who barrelled through her before hitting the Michinoku Driver II for the win. A feel good moment to send the Crimson Empress into recovery! Fingers crossed she comes back stronger and more hungry than ever before; there’s a second reign with the World of Stardom Championship beckoning…(***1/4)
LOOKING AHEAD…
The card for Stardom’s latest New Blood event – New Blood 21 from Shin-Kiba 1st RING – has now been announced in its entirety. Airing on May 9th, the main event will see the God’s Eye team of Hina, Tomoka Inaba and satellite-member Nanami Hatano taking on the H.A.T.E trio of Rina, Azusa Inaba and Fukigen Death while – though the New Blood Tag Team Championships will not be defended on this show – the New Blood Tag Team champions Rice or Bread will team with a returning Rian to face a Diana team of Himiko, Mizuki Kato and Yuma Makoto. Elsewhere, Maika Ozaki makes her first Stardom appearance since the 1st July 2023 when she teams with Yuna Manase – herself making her first appearance on a Stardom card since Stardom in Showcase Vol. 2 all the way back in September 2022 – to take on the God’s Eye team of Ranna Yagami and Lady C. There will also be a Stardom debut for Pro-Wrestling WAVE’s Asuka Goda, who will team with Saran against the team of Sayaka Kurura and Aya Sakura. (FULL CARD)
The card for Stardom’s latest foray in Korakuen Hall on Sunday May 11th has been confirmed. It will be the first Korakuen Hall show since the departures of Mayu Iwatani, Thekla and Mina Shirakawa, the retirement of Tam Nakano and the long-term injury to Maika. The show will center around the World of Stardom Championship, with Cinderella Tournament 2025 winner Sayaka Kurura using her subsequent wish to challenge for Saya Kamitani for the Red Belt. In doing so, Kurura becomes the first person since Toni Storm in 2017 to use her wish for a shot at the Red Belt, and also has the opportunity to become the quickest person to go from debut to winning the World of Stardom Championship in company history. The second championship match will see Mei Seira challenge CMLL’s Lluvia for the CMLL Japan Women’s Championship. Elsewhere on the card, Aya Sakura goes one-on-one with Syuri just weeks before she goes one-on-one with Sareee at the Natsupoi and Saori Anou Anniversary show on 31st May, as her star continues to rise exponentially. Diana’s Haruka Umesaki makes her first Stardom appearance since 26th October 2024 when she teams with the NEO-GENESIS duo of Starlight Kid and Miyu Amasaki against the H.A.T.E trio of Konami, Rina and Ruaka; a trio who have made their desires for NEO-GENESIS’s Artist of Stardom Championships very clear. Stardom’s newest faction – Mi Vida Loca – will also get their first outing as a quartet when they face the depleted EXV team of HANAKO, Waka Tsukiyama and Rian, who find a much-needed partner in Yuria Hime. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Friday (May 9th): STARDOM NEW BLOOD 21 - Shin-Kiba 1st RING, Tokyo (STARDOM WORLD/YouTube LIVE)
Sunday (May 11th): "STARDOM in KORAKUEN HALL May. - Korakuen Hall, Tokyo (STARDOM WORLD LIVE)
MARIGOLD
NEWS
Marigold’s biggest show of the year so far – Shine Forever 2025 ~A Glorious Celebration~ on the 24th May – is rapidly approaching, and after two fantastic back-to-back Korakuen Hall events, the full card for the show has now been announced.
As well as being a celebration of a year since the company’s inception, the premise around which this entire show centres is the retirement of the ‘Living Legend of Joshi Puroresu’ Nanae Takahashi, as she bows out of the ring after a career spanning an impressive 28-years and over 2,300 matches. The honour of her last match falls to Miku Aono, who will face Takahashi for the first time in singles action since their time-limit draw in last year’s Dream Star Grand Prix. Alongside this, two of the lynch-pins of the promotion go head-to-head for Marigold’s top prize when MIRAI challenges Utami Hayashishita in what will be the latter’s third defense of the Crimson Red Belt.
Kouki Amarei makes her return from injury after over 5 months out with a torn ACL. She will be teaming with Kizuna Tanaka against Yuuki Minami and her former tWin toWers teammate Chika Goto after GoChika called her out on the 4th May Korakuen Hall show. Also announced is the debut of 16-year-old Shinno Omukai (daughter of ARSION alumni Michiko Omukai) as she will get her wish to face Mai Sakurai in a special singles match.
Elsewhere, the Marvelous and Marigold rivalry still burns intently, with two separate matches taking place on this card. After Marvelous’ triumph at the 25th April Korakuen Hall show, Marigold has the chance to put it right when the team of Natsumi Showzuki, Rea Seto, Komomo Minami, Hummingbird, and Nao Ishikawa take on the Marvelous quintet of Riko Kawahata, Maria, Ai Houzan, Sora Ayame, and Senka Akatsuki. That’s not all, though, as ‘super-rookie’ Seri Yamaoka faces potentially her biggest challenge to date when she stands across the ring from Takumi Iroha in singles action. The final announced match will see an eight-woman tag team match between the teams of Chanyota, Erina Yamanaka, Ryoko Sakimura, and Nagisa Tachibana and the Darkness Revolution team of Nagisa Nozai, CHIAKI, Misa Matsui, and Megaton.
RESULTS & REVIEWS
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 5
Saturday, May 3rd 2025
Act City Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
Attendance: 265
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka is 265. This is the third time that Marigold have run this venue with the 265 a 14.22% increase on the last house they drew there (232 on the 13th October 2024 as a part of the Fantastic Adventure tour). This show also outdrew the Dragongate show (The Gate of Passion) that ran at the beginning of April by 3 people.
Hummingbird & Ryoko Sakimura def. Nagisa Tachibana & Riara (6:18)
CHIAKI & Misa Matsui def. Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki (10:12)
Kizuna Tanaka & Miku Aono def. Chika Goto & Komomo Minami (9:40)
Utami Hayashishita & Victoria Yuzuki def. Yuuki Minami & MIRAI (11:21)
Nanae Takahashi, Rea Seto & Seri Yamaoka defeat Darkness Revolution (Megaton, Nagisa Nozaki & Gigaton) (20:18)
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 6
Sunday, May 4th 2025
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Attendance: 1,210
Attendance Note: The announced attendance inside Korakuen Hall was 1210. As well as being an incredible 75.63% increase on the previous Marigold Korakuen Hall event (690 on the 25th April main-evented by the 5-on-5 Marvelous vs. Marigold Elimination Tag Team match), this makes it the the third highest Korakuen attendance in the company’s history and only the third to reach the 1000 mark. This is the highest attendance at the venue for Marigold since the 1450 drawn to Giulia’s Arriverderci show on the 19th August 2024, with the 1535 people drawn to their inaugural show in May 2024 remaining their highest attendance at the venue.
Hummingbird, Komomo Minami & Rea Seto def. Yuuki Minami, Nagisa Tachibana & Ryoko Sakimura (7:29)
Nao Ishikawa def. Erina Yamanaka and Riara (7:09)
Chanyota, Chika Goto & Natsumi Showzuki def. Darkness Revolution (CHIAKI, Megaton & Nagisa Nozaki) (9:31)
Miku Aono def. Kizuna Tanaka (11:52)
United National Championship: Mai Sakurai (c) def. Misa Matsui (16:42): Mai Sakurai was due for a strong defense, and Misa Matsui has become an undeniable challenger who could conceivably be the United National Champion at any moment. It was a perfect matchup for what both needed, and they crushed it when they got the opportunity. Matsui’s heel work is getting better and better, as “Psycho Speed” brings what made her great before her turn and simply adds an attitude to it to stand out a bit more. Sakurai, on the other hand, is a champion worthy of attention. She’s been tasked with title matches against greener talent, and more often than not, she’s delivered in those matches. So, putting Matsui in there with her, it was time for the reign to really pick up. “Psycho Speed” came so close to winning, and on another day, she very likely will. Matsui is going to win this title, but Sakurai’s mixture of the Glorious Driver and her new Romanée Con Titan submission was enough to keep it around her waist for the time being. The best match of Sakurai’s reign. (****) Following the match, 16-year-old “super rookie” Shinno Omukai asked Mai Sakurai to be her debut opponent. Omukai, the daughter of ARSION’s Michiko Omukai, will make her debut against Sakurai at Shine Forever on May 24th.
Utami Hayashishita & Victoria Yuzuki def. MIRAI & Seri Yamaoka (15:55): Anytime you get Utami Hayashishita and MIRAI in the ring to preview their Marigold World Championship match, you’re in for a treat. And this was no different — aided by the additions of Victoria Yuzuki and Seri Yamaoka, two wrestlers who are slowly building their rivalry through matches like this. After MIRAI defeated Hayashishita in the middle of the ring to earn the World Title match last week, it was more than necessary for Hayashishita to get one back in this match. And that’s just what she did — bringing out the Hijack Bomb to gain the win. All four wrestlers were great in this match, and it was an ideal semi-main event with Shine Forever around the corner. (****)
Mayu Iwatani def. Nanae Takahashi (26:19): There’s just something special about Mayu Iwatani in Marigold, and she made it clear in her very first match. After Nanae Takahashi made her passionate entrance, it was Iwatani who’d enter a Marigold ring for the first time. As a remixed version of her longtime theme song played over the speakers, an emotional Iwatani made her way to the ring as the crowd chanted “MAYU!” nonstop. From there, the match was just special. This was old-school Iwatani, with Takahashi taking the dominating offense and making Iwatani earn it. It had been so long since Iwatani had to be in the underdog role, but she was there to prove to Takahashi how she was no longer the “crying girl” and truly “The Joshi Puroresu Icon.” And while this was old-school Iwatani, this felt like a main event from Stardom back in the day as well. They wrestled all over Korakuen, with Iwatani and Takahashi throwing chops at each other in the stands, resulting in a tired Iwatani even crashing and burning into one of the chairs. Once they got back to the ring, it was that signature Iwatani fire-up that she’s made her staple, and every single person in the crowd was behind her. The scariest part of the match came when Iwatani smashed her skull into Nanae’s on the top rope, resulting in a headbutt that echoed through Korakuen Hall before Iwatani took Takahashi down with a Super Hurricanrana. They battled and battled, with Takahashi nearly winning the match with a Falcon Arrow. Iwatani fought back once again, though, taking the punishment of slaps, a headbutt, and an insane Lariat from Takahashi before rolling her up with a Rana and pinfall. The match was sensational, fitting what Iwatani wanted to do in her first Marigold bout — set the standard moving forward. A must-see match that very well may be the best in Marigold’s history. (*****) Afterward, Iwatani and Takahashi paid respect to one another and hugged in the middle of the ring. From there, Victoria Yuzuki entered the ring to challenge Iwatani to a Superfly Championship match. Iwatani mocked the fact that Yuzuki didn’t bring out the championship with her, but accepted. Miku Aono then stepped up to Takahashi, stating she’d like to be her retirement opponent. Iwatani and Takahashi closed the show with “Shine Forever, Marigold! Passion!”
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 8
Monday, May 5th 2025
B&G Ocean Center, Miyagi
Attendance: Not Reported
Misa Matsui def. Nagisa Tachibana (7:37)
Mai Sakurai def. CHIAKI and Minami Yuuki and Ryoko Sakimura (5:33)
Selene Flora (Kizuna Tanaka & Victoria Yuzuki) def. Chika Goto & Komomo Minami (14:20)
Riara & Utami Hayashishita def. Gigaton & Megaton (14:18)
Nanae Takahashi, Rea Seto & Seri Yamaoka def. Hummingbird, Miku Aono & Natsumi Showzuki (19:18)
Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 8
Tuesday, May 6th 2025
Sendai PIT, Miyagi
Attendance: 225
Chika Goto & Komomo Minami def. Riara & Ryoko Sakimura (7:32)
Darkness Revolution (Misa Matsui, Megaton & Gigaton) def. Hummingbird, Yuuki Minami & Nagisa Tachibana (8:25)
Mai Sakurai & Natsumi Showzuki def. CHIAKI & Nagisa Nozaki (11:38)
Miku Aono def. Rea Seto (12:44)
MIRAI, Nanae Takahashi & Seri Yamaoka def. Utami Hayashishita, Victoria Yuzuki & Kizuna Tanaka (19:42)
LOOKING AHEAD…
The show from Saturday, May 10th will air from 176BOX in Osaka, with Nanae Takahashi and Seri Yamaoka defending their Marigold Twinstar Championships against a freshly-heel Magenta team of Riko Kawahata and Maria, with this stemming from the aftermath of the Marvelous vs. Marigold elimination match on April 25th. This will be the champion’s fourth defense, with another successful retention here putting them level with MiraiSaku as the most successful champions in the belt’s short lineage. Elsewhere, a singles match between Miku Aono – who recently put herself forward as Nanae Takahashi’s last opponent – and Misa Matsui do battle in what is sure to be an excellent singles match. (FULL CARD)
The following day, Marigold makes their way to Gifu and the Gifu Juroku Plaza for Night 11 of the Rising Spirit tour, spotlighting a pair of wrestlers from local promotion Yanagase Pro-Wrestling. Cookie – a wrestler who only made her debut in December 2024 – will face Ryoko Sakimura and Nagisa Tahcibana in a three-way, whilst Mari Manji will be a part of the main event; teaming with MIRAI and Komomo Minami against the team of Nanae Takahashi, Seri Yamaoka, and Rea Seto. Elsewhere, Miku Aono and Mai Sakurai team up to face Chika Goto and Minami Yuki, whilst the trio of Selene Flora and Utami Hayashishita join forces once more in an attempt to vanquish Darkness Revolution. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Saturday (May 10th): Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 9 - 176BOX, Osaka (WRESTLE UNIVERSE VOD)
Sunday (May 11th): Marigold Rising Spirit 2025 ~ Night 10 - Gifu Jyuroku Plaza, Gifu (WRESTLE UNIVERSE VOD)
TOKYO JOSHI PRO-WRESTLING
RESULTS & REVIEWS
TJPW Golden Week Fan Appreciation Day “East”
Saturday, May 3rd 2025
Kasukabe Fureai Cube, Saitama
Attendance: 374
Chika Nanase & Yoshiko Hasegawa def. Miu Watanabe & Uta Takami (10:23)
Moka Miyamoto, Shino Suzuki & Yuki Arai def. Ivy Steele, Kira Summer & Wakana Uehara (8:37)
Haru Kazashiro & Yuki Aino def. Rika Tatsumi & Toga (11:12)
Alexis Lee, Matcha & Nor Diana def. Arisu Endo, Mizuki & Pom Harajuku (11:41)
Hyper Misao, Shoko Nakajima & Raku def. Haruna Neko, Mahiro Kiryu & Yuna Manase (11:39)
VPW Women’s Championship: Viva Van def. Yuki Kamifuku (c) (7:15) to become the new champion
International Princess Championship: Suzume (c) def. HIMAWARI: In the biggest opportunity of her career, HIMAWARI showed she’s ready for more when she challenged for the International Princess Championship. Suzume has been a good champion, and is the right champion to allow new challengers against. HIMAWARI has a lot of spirit to her, and it’s easy to root for her — even in a match against someone like Suzume. She gave it her all and at times looked to be Suzume’s equal rather than someone who has been lower on the card for much of her TJPW career. Suzume won the match with a Ring A Bell cutter, securing defense number four in a solid bout. (***¼) After the match, Yoshiko Hasegawa officially challenged Suzume for the championship.
TJPW Golden Week Fan Appreciation Day “West”
Monday, May 5th 2025
Edion Osaka Arena No. 2, Osaka
Attendance: 412
Wakana Uehara def. Chika Nanase (6:39)
Haru Kazashiro, Mizuki, Pom Harajuku, Rika Tatsumi & Shino Suzuki def. Arisu Endo, Suzume, HIMAWARI, Miu Watanabe & Uta Takami (37:49) in a TJPW RUSH Match
SETUP All Asia Women's Championship: Raku (c) def. Nor Diana (8:17)
Yuki Kamifuku def. Yuki Aino and Yuki Arai (6:46)
Princess Tag Team Championship: Kyoraku Kyomei (Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima) (c) def. Alexis Lee & Matcha (14:17)
LOOKING AHEAD…
TJPW continues the SPRING TOUR this weekend in Kanagawa. The main event will see former tag title challengers Yuki Kamifuku and Wakana Uehara team up to take on Maki Itoh and Toga. Aja Kong will also make her return to TJPW as she takes on Mahiro Kiryu in singles action. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Sunday (May 11th): TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN FUJISAWA - Shonandai Cultural Center, Kanagawa (WRESTLE UNIVERSE VOD)
SENDAI GIRLS
LOOKING AHEAD…
Sendai Girls will hold its first show since the retirement of Meiko Satomura this Sunday at Shinkiba 1st RING in Tokyo. The main event is an exciting one, as DASH Chisako teams with Marvelous ace Takumi Iroha to take on the Sendai Girls Tag Team Champions Mika Iwata and Miyuki Takase. The semi-main event features Team 200kg teaming up to face off with international competitors Lena Kross and Sadie Gibbs. (FULL CARD)
UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WEEK
Sunday (May 11th) Sendai Girls - Shinkiba 1st RING (WRESTLE UNIVERSE LIVE)
OTHER JOSHI
Marvelous: Magenta has turned heel. After losing in the opening round of the one-night AAAW Tag Team Championship New Contender Tournament against rookies Sora Ayame and Senka Akatsuki, they revealed later in the night that they were going down a darker path, which featured new looks. Marvelous is hyping their new characters, who will get their first chance to showcase who they are when they challenge for Marigold’s TwinStar Championships this Saturday in Osaka.
Speaking of the one-night tournament, here are the results from Monday in Korakuen Hall. 1. Tournament First Round: Senka Akatsuki & Sora Ayame def. Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) (4:28) 2. Tournament First Round: Ai Houzan & VENY def. Johnnie Robbie & Sadie Gibbs (6:05) 3. Tournament First Round: Amira & Chihiro Hashimoto def. Hibiscus Mii & Kyusei Ninja Ranmaru (5:24) 4. Tournament First Round: Sareee & Takumi Iroha def. Itsuki Aoki & Unagi Sayaka (8:09) 5. Tournament Second Round: Amira & Chihiro Hashimoto def. Mika Iwata & Yurika Oka (8:34) 6. Tournament Semifinal: Ai Houzan & VENY def. Senka Akatsuki & Sora Ayame (6:37) 7. Tournament Semifinal: Sareee & Takumi Iroha def. Amira & Chihiro Hashimoto (5:17) 8. Leo Isaka & Titus Alexander def. Robert Martyr & Ryan Clancy (13:48) 9. Tournament Final: Sareee & Takumi Iroha defeat Ai Houzan & VENY (16:38): Sareee and Iroha will challenge H2D for the championships on May 20th at Shinkiba 1st RING.
PURE-J: PURE-J held its PURE-J MANIAX 2025 show this week at the Asakusabashi Hulic Hall in Tokyo, with 365 people attending. Here are the full results. 1. Cherry & KAZUKI def. Jenne & Kaho Kobayashi (13:39) 2. Miyuki Takase & Yoshiko Hasegawa def. Moeka Haruhi & Momo Tani (17:20) 3. Risa Sera def. Chie Ozora (14:18) 4. Daily Sports Tag Team Championship: Kaori Yoneyama & Leon def. AKARI & Crea (c) (14:47) to become the new champions 5. PURE-J Openweight Championship: SAKI def. Rydeen Hagane (c) (16:05) to become the new champion
Evolution: Chi Chi is back. “Joshi’s Barbie” will officially return from injury on June 1st, according to her promotion Evolution. She had been out since March 30th due to an injury in her back. Her return match has not yet been announced, but it will be at Evolution’s show in Kanagawa.
JOSHI OUT & ABOUT
WWE: On the 5/5 episode of Monday Night RAW, IYO SKY defeated Roxanne Perez in singles action. Though a clean victory, Giulia then arrived and attacked IYO after the bell, resulting in a 2-on-1 beatdown with no-one coming to IYO’s aid. However, it has been announced that next week on RAW, IYO will team with Rhea Ripley against the team of Roxanne Perez and Giulia.
NXT: Jordynne Grace and Giulia did battle on the 5/6 episode of NXT TBV to see who would be the new number one contender to Stephanie Vaquer’s NXT Women’s Championship. Ultimately, Jordynne Grace would pick up the victory in 13 minutes to become the new challenger for the championship at NXT Battleground on May 25th in Tampa.
ROH: Mina Shirakawa made a winning return to American TV on the 5/1 episode of Ring of Honor on HonorClub, defeating Leila Grey in singles action.
CONTRIBUTOR MATCH OF THE WEEK
Scott: I don’t know how many weeks in a row I can say I saw my personal Match of the Year, but something tells me I’m going to be settling with Nanae Takahashi vs. Mayu Iwatani for some time. Perhaps I will be on an island, but the emotional journey that was a week ago for “The Icon” was one that I felt every part of as a fan, and to see it complete with tears of happiness in her first Marigold entrance, followed by an all-out war, made that journey perfect. The match was Iwatani returning to her roots — she wasn’t the overwhelming veteran, but rather the one trying to overcome her senior for the first time in forever. It brought me back to the time I got into Stardom, and Iwatani became my favorite wrestler. This scrappy, unproven underdog who took every bit of punishment from her opponent, and continued to fight and battle back until she had nothing left. Except this time around, she’s proven. She’s Mayu Iwatani! What I mean by that is that she’s complete, she’s “The Icon,” she’s the GOAT. Rather than back then when she was truly the underdog, she is now the most accomplished Joshi wrestler of the past two decades and has put together countless classics in her journey to truly being seen as “The Icon.” So this time, when she fought back against Nanae Takahashi, someone she hadn’t wrestled in 13 years, it was going to be a comeback full of physicality, heart, and determination. After all, this was the beginning of a new chapter for Iwatani, something that she hadn’t had to do in a very long time. The violence was second to none in this match, but so was the meaning behind it. Iwatani arrived at Marigold by setting the new standard with the woman who had been doing that over the first year of the company’s existence. There’s a reason that they both had tears in their eyes and embraced each other when it was all over. Iwatani delivered what I believe to be the best Marigold match in the company’s history — and it was only day one for her. This felt like the start of something special, and for me, it was simply everything I look for in pro wrestling… and beyond. Absolute perfection, and the beginning of something special, as Iwatani’s savior path officially begins. (*****)
Rob: Ordinarily, I am quite frugal with my ‘five star’ ratings. However at the moment I appear to be handing them out more frequently than the junk mail you get through your letterbox on a daily basis; but that is a testament to the level at which joshi wrestling is operating right now. However, the moment Mayu entered the arena with tears in her eyes - I knew we were in for something special! Even though - aside from perhaps the intial aftermath - Mayu seemed perfectly happy in Stardom, it soon became apparent from her mannerisms and the way she carried herself that she was perfectly content for the first time in a long time. Then of course, her and Nanae proceeded to absoutely batter each other for over 25 minutes, giving us one of the best wrestled simply told matches of the year. It’s been a long time since we have seen Iwatani so hopelessly overwhelmed to begin with, but the way Nanae controls the pace, and the way Iwatani sells the destruction of her leg and back was the perfect springboard from which to explode into the more ridiculous and violent moments of the match. From thunderous slaps, to Mayu being punted down the stairs of Korakuen Hall the match built and built until we got to the inevitable crescendo of the shock victory from the Frankensteiner. Mayu has made it clear that she intends to drag the promotion up with her own hands, but also also using the hands of the people already in the promotion, forcing them to raise their game, and if this is what we are to expect, I imagine the Icon of Joshi Puroresu is going to be gracing this section of the newsletter a lot over the next few years! Special, emotional, violent and the perfect Korakuen Hall goodbye for one of the best to ever do it in Nanae Takahashi (*****)
JOSHI CALENDAR FOR 05/09 TO 05/15
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 2nd, 2025.
20th World of Stardom Champion: Saya Kamitani, 1st reign, 131 days, 2 successful title defences.
24th Wonder of Stardom Champion: Starlight Kid, 1st reign, 131 days, 3 successful title defences.
4th IWGP Women’s World Champion: Syuri, 1st reign, 12 days, 0 successful title defences.
27th High-Speed Champion: Mei Seira, 1st reign, 285 days, 5 successful title defences.
12th Future of Stardom Champion: Hina, 1st reign, 74 days, 2 successful title defences.
35th Goddesses of Stardom Champions: Winggori (Saya Iida, 1st reign & Hanan, 1st reign), 1st reign, 131 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, 96 days, 1 successful title defence.
4th NEW BLOOD Tag Team Champions: Rice or Bread (Waka Tsukiyama, 1st reign & HANAKO, 1st reign), 1st reign, 134 days, 2 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold World Champion: Utami Hayashishita, 1st reign, 126 days, 2 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold United National Champion: Mai Sakurai, 1st reign, 126 days, 4 successful title defences.
2nd Marigold Superfly Champion: Victoria Yuzuki, 1st reign, 126 days, 3 successful title defences.
4th Marigold Twinstar Champions: Nanae Takahashi (1st reign) & Seri Yamaoka (1st reign), 1st reign, 109 days, 3 successful title defences.
15th Princess of Princess Champion: Mizuki, 2nd reign, 125 days, 2 successful title defences.
13th Princess of Princess Champion: Suzume, 1st reign, 125 days, 4 successful title defences.
18th Princess Tag Team Champions: Kyoraku Kyomei (Shoko Nakajima, 2nd reign & Hyper Misao, 2nd reign), 1st reign, 54 days, 2 successful title defences.
18th Sendai Girls World Champion: Chihiro Hashimoto, 6th reign, 51 days, 1 successful title defences.
10th Sendai Girls Junior Champion: Aya Sakura, 1st reign, 51 days, 0 successful title defences.
23rd Sendai Girls Tag Team Champions: Red Energy (Mika Iwata, 3rd reign & Miyuki Takase, 1st reign), 1st reign, 89 days, 1 successful title defences.
11th SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Champion: VENY, 2nd reign, 112 days, 1 successful title defences.
14th SEAdLINNNG Beyond the Sea Tag Team Champions: Ayame Sasamura (3rd reign) & Itsuki Aoki (1st reign), 1st reign, 259 days, 3 successful title defences.
18th AAAW Champion: Takumi Iroha, 2nd reign, 274 days, 2 successful title defences.
21st AAAW Tag Team Champions: H2D (Ryo Mizunami, 1st reign & Sonoko Kato, 2nd reign), 1st reign, 89 days, 1 successful title defence.
32nd OZ Academy Openweight Champion: Saori Anou, 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defences.
11th OZ Academy Pioneer Champion: Kakeru, 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defences.
41st OZ Academy Tag Team Champions: Phanton Limit (Kohaku, 1st reign & Tsubasa Kuragaki, 3rd reign), 1st reign, 26 days, 0 successful title defence.
40th ICExInfinty Champion: Manami Katsu, 1st reign, 116 days, 2 successful title defences.
3rd FantastICE Champion: Akane Fujita, 1st reign, 1225 days, 2 successful title defences.
52nd Triangle Ribbon Champion: Yasu Urano, 1st reign, 20 days, 0 successful title defences.
66th International Ribbon Tag Team Champions: Cheerful Princess (Arisa Shinose, 1st reign & Misa Kagura, 2nd reign), 1st reign, 12 days, 0 successful title defence.
22nd Regina Di WAVE Champion: Saya Kamitani, 1st reign, 186 days, 4 successful title defences.
39th WAVE Tag Team Champions: SPiCEAP (Maika Ozaki, 2nd reign & Tae Honma, 2nd reign), 2nd reign, 38 days, 0 successful title defences.
21st World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Champion: Risa Sera, 1st reign, 61 days, 1 successful title defences.
19th World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Champion: Kyoko Inoue, 3rd reign, 271 days, 3 successful title defences.
2nd World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Crystal Champion: Honoka, 1st reign, 12 days, 0 successful title defences.
23rd World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Tag Team Champions: Nanami (3rd reign) & Rina Amikura (1st reign), 1st reign, 33 days, 1 successful title defences.
6th AWG Champion: Marino Saihara, 1st reign, 54 days, 1 successful title defence.
2nd AWG KING Of Ring Entertainment Champion: Sakura Mizushima, 1st reign, 54 days, 1 successful title defence.
6th Super Asia Champion: Mei Suruga, 1st reign, 251 days, 6 successful title defence.
17th Asia Dream Tag Team Champions: Bellflowers (Makoto, 2nd reign & Sayaka, 1st reign), 1st reign, 39 days, 1 successful title defences.
16th PURE-J Openweight Champion: SAKI, 1st reign, 3 days, 0 successful title defence.
33rd Princess of Pro-Wrestling Champion: Honoka, 1st reign, 292 days, 2 successful title defence.
2nd KSR Champion: Flying Penguin, 1st reign, 110 days, 2 successful title defence.
36th Daily Sports Tag Team Champions: Kaori Yoneyama (5th reign) & Leon (6th reign), 1st reign, 3 days, 0 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 - Zaiko - PPV Price Per Show
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