On paper, this looks like a throwaway matchup since Hirota is a comedy worker. In reality though, it turns out to be a really well worked title match. The main reason for that is Sakura, as she works the match straight but finds reasonable ways to work in her comedy spots as legitimate offense without making it look ridiculous. It's pretty neat to see her get the crowd to buy into her nearfalls at the end of the match. Add in yet another really good performance from Shida and you get one of the more surprisingly good matches of 2015. ***3/4

Hirota's always been underrated as a wrestler. Yeah, she's a comedy wrestler and she's never gonna put on a five-star classic; but her lack of workrate isn't just lack of talent, it's a deliberate character choice. Her gimmick is being a clumsy goofball who can barely even attempt the most rudimentary spots without blowing them. In reality, it takes a surprising amount of athleticism, timing, and creativity to accomplish the wide variety of botches that she does.

 

Also, there's nothing like a Sakura Hirota match to make me wish I spoke Japanese. What the hell is she saying to get such laughs from everyone? It's not just from the crowd, either, she's astonishingly good at making her opponents break character and crack up in the middle of the ring.