They're Good at What They Do

Stardom 2015/12/23

World of Stardom Championship: Io Shirai vs. Meiko Satomura ©

Not on the levels of the two Meiko vs. Kairi Hojo clashes, but that particular bar was set just too damn high, lol, however this match still kicked some major ass. This is a big year-ending show from Korakuen, also Io is surely a very capable and believable challenger, so anything is possible in this Christmas time. Plethora of great shit happened in this match: nifty counters, violent strikes, great storytelling with all the subplots and drama, etc. However, the match did have certain problems, such as a clunker here and there (that semi-stupid moonsault from the wall) and kinda directionless pacing in the middle. But because there was so much good shit that occurred, those flaws totally seem so minor in comparison. Another superb joshi gem from 2015, all hail MEIKO!

****1/2

Three Smashing Joshi Clashes

Sendai Girls 2015/07/30

Arisa Nakajima vs. Meiko Satomura

Completely straight-forward and brutal match, it’s almost like Finlay and Low-Ki turned female and charged at each other because of some long time beef over dick size or something. This was basically a slugfest sprint as they were kicking the shit out of each other almost right off the bat. Nakajima’s devastating suplexes and stomps were awesome. Satomura’s hellish strikes and nasty counters and cutoffs were even better. Satomura took an insane ring apron DDT bump. She’s like joshi Daniels of mad veteran bumping. This match also contains one of the very greatest high kick counter attacks I’ve ever seen in my life. Also the selling was detailed and careful, exactly what you’d expect from Meiko.

****1/2

Stardom Goodies

Stardom 2015/5/17

Wonder of Stardom Championship (vacant): Nikki Storm vs. Io Shirai

First time watching Nikki Storm and I’m impressed. Imagine if Fit Finlay was a female from Scotland. Yep, that! This match was so simple in its structure and everything was executed down to a T, and Nikki was a major part of it, she was controlling the pace throughout the match, she was kicking Io’s ass all over the ring and ringside. There were two big, prolonged beatdowns on Io, both very brutal and punishing as Nikki was like a relentless honey badger going after a snake, everything she did felt “real” and painful, all the neckbreakers, slams, nasty holds, etc. She was cutting her off like a badass bitch, plus all the trash talk was neat. Io’s first comeback was kind of selling-free, but fortunately it didn’t last too long, because Nikki regained control very soon and this time she was even more vicious on offense. Naturally, it made Io’s second comeback way more ferocious, deserved and fighting spirit-heavy, it was finally her time to dish out some smackdown. And of course, it was great, it also led directly to the finish, which is not something I was expecting, and I love it. Totally great match right here!

****1/2