aguakun

I have been thoroughly enjoying your work, and I appreciate the effort you've put into it. Please take this opportunity to rest well.

I think there are few wrestlers more endearing than Shinsuke Nakamura, who protected the wrestling world during the martial arts boom and was a shining light during the dark ages of New Japan! He shouldered a lot during that time as a young wrestler (only 23 when he won the IWGP belt) and it has created an aura around him that is not easy to replicate. The best and most charismatic wrestlers are those who have gone through turmoil, whether personally or professionally, and were able to rise from the bottom. He is a wrestler whose career is defined by several major peaks, as the overburdened protege of Antonio Inoki, as the "King of Strong Style" and his current run as a WWE superstar.

If I can make a recommendation: KUDO vs. Akito from DDT 4/29/2014 is worthwhile. https://www.ddtpro.com/universe/videos/5969

Giulia wanted to leave Ice Ribbon even before the Bushiroad purchase. Ice Ribbon has historically had an issue with keeping promising young talent in their promotion. Every ace they've booked with the exception of Sera Risa and Tsukasa Fujimoto left to go freelance or to another promotion. Ultimately, talent will always go where they can get more exposure and make more money.

Tokyo Princess Cup - Quarter-Finals: Miu Watanabe vs. Yuka Sakazaki Yuka's so great when she's chipping away or controlling a limb on an opponent. Miu powers through the pain in a performance befitting an ace and delivers explosive offense. Cool sequences built around Yuka's elbow strikes, and Miu's "laser beam" chop was well utilized. An excellent quarter-final. ****1/2

Hikaru Shida vs. Mika Iwata Great match with a hot-blooded finishing stretch. I liked the way the heat builds, with Shida as the bully veteran and Iwata the feisty underdog. There's also some gnarly knees from Shida that were sold to perfection. ****

Women of Honor World Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Konami This was a great match. Loved Konami's assault on the leg and that standing stretch muffler she introduced. Mayu's limberness makes the holds from Konami even more brutal looking. There's neat counters and set-ups here as well. ****

Wonder of Stardom Championship: Momo Watanabe (c) vs. Jungle Kyona Great match. I liked the beatdowns and physicality before they got into the big time maneuvers and counters. Kyona gave a spirited performance as the hometown hero, hitting a Kinniku Buster (!) as a desperation maneuver, ultimately coming up short in grand fashion. ****1/4

World of Stardom Championship: Kagetsu (c) vs. Jungle Kyona Kyona was so amazing here, from the little details to dramatic moments like when she defiantly removes the tape from her injured arm. I really enjoyed the encounter between these two in the GP last year so it was great to see them build off of that in the main event of Korakuen Hall. ****

Wonder of Stardom Championship: Momo Watanabe (c) vs. Tam Nakano Some variation in Momo's formula would have made this more exciting for me, but it was still a good bout. I liked the cruelness displayed by the champion and Tam gave an emotional performance, showing lots of fighting spirit. ***1/2

EVE International Championship / SWA World Championship: Viper (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita Simple, effective story of Utami fighting to overcome the much larger opponent in Viper. This was feeling a little off pacing wise, but it got better as it progressed and the finish was a satisfying payoff. ***1/4

STARS (Arisa Hoshiki, Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM, Bea Priestley & Konami) Great 8th anniversary match for Mayu who was also returning from injury. I thought everyone put in a strong performance, with Mayu and Bea showing off new offensive techniques. ***3/4

High Speed Championship: Hazuki (c) vs. Starlight Kid Great High Speed bout, there were some cool sequences and an intensity from both wrestlers that elevated the action. Starlight Kid has been showing edge lately with those open hand slaps and growls. ***3/4

Future of Stardom Championship: Starlight Kid (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita Great heavy vs. junior battle, even though Starlight Kid was on the offensive for much of the match, you could sense her desperation as she tried to keep Utami from mounting offense. A condensed epic that evokes Liger-Hashimoto. ***3/4

Meiko Satomura vs. Reika Saiki This match had great heat and energy from the crowd. It follows the usual Satomura vs. rookie formula and Reika delivered a strong performance on her end. ***3/4

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Queen's Quest (Momo Watanabe & Utami Hayashishita) (c) vs. STARS (Saki Kashima & Tam Nakano) Saki & Tam develop chemistry as the match goes on while Momo & Utami are a well-oiled duo. This was a really fun match with strong sequences and drama built around Saki's flash pin. ***3/4

High Speed Championship: Mary Apache (c) vs. Hazuki High paced, intense affair. Mary made counters that were punctuated by heavy hits and Hazuki gave her usual surly big boots. I thought they built tension well with the near falls leading into the finish where Hazuki almost bumps her neck into sawdust with a Shooting Star. ***1/4

World of Stardom Championship / Wonder of Stardom Championship: Kagetsu (c) vs. Momo Watanabe (c) Well worked champion vs. champion clash, one of the better 50/50 bouts I've seen this year. Progression felt natural and it breezed through its 20+-min duration. A 50/50 affair that isn't heavily reliant on "big move -> kickout" is always a major plus for me! Could've used a stronger ending, but oh well. ****

Omega, Ospreay, ZSJ.

I like Okada-Omega (NJPW, 6/9).

The Naito/Jericho feud is really hot. Only western fans with no sense of appreciation are bitching about it, and I for one am glad that New Japan will never cater to those types.

The crowd reaction on this show was poor in general. The main event ended with polite claps - in Ryogoku!

5STAR Grand Prix 2018 Block B: Kagetsu vs. Utami Hayashishita A 10-year veteran vs. an undefeated super rookie, the story writes itself. Utami's kill moves have been so well established that the crowd was sold on her possibly making the Red Belt champion submit. I liked how Utami got desperate with that illegal chokehold as she felt victory slipping from her grasp. ***3/4

Goddesses of Stardom Championship: STARS (Mayu Iwatani & Saki Kashima) (c) vs. STARS (Starlight Kid & Tam Nakano) This is one of the best Goddesses matches in recent history, some very exciting tag team action and a great emotional segment between Mayu and Tam as the action began to slow down. I would like to see more StarTam as they have promising chemistry and are both very cute. ***3/4

5STAR Grand Prix 2018 Block A: Hazuki vs. Mayu Iwatani Hazuki goes after Mayu like a relentless wolverine, and Mayu being the bump technician she is sold and bumped like a madman. Great flow in general, with nice counters and armwork (the way Mayu switched her wrist band from the healthy arm to the injured arm was a nice subtle touch). Mayu scores some savage head kicks, including a gnarly axe kick. ****1/4