STARDOM Dream Queendom Review (12/29/2021).

04 Dec, 2024

Much of the Japanese wrestling scene struggled throughout 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. In particular, New Japan Pro Wrestling recorded its worst year of business since the early 2000s, when Inokism threatened to derail the promotion for good. Low attendance, the lack of international talent, and the ever eluding “clap crowds” threatened to hold Japanese wrestling down for years to come.

In the darkness, there was one shining light in 2021 for Japanese wrestling: STARDOM. The Joshi promotion, founded in 2011 by Rossy Ogawa, had what many still consider to be their best year of business ever in 2021. They worked against the disadvantages they had, and consistently put on high quality shows throughout the year that featured great storytelling and even better wrestling. From Starlight Kid’s descent into Oedo Tai, to Giulia having her head shaven by rival Tam Nakano, to Utami Hayashishita’s incredible World of Stardom Title run, the promotion was firing on all cylinders as they approached their final show of the year, and their first to be held in the legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan arena since 2013.

The selling point of this event is the main event, one of the most highly anticipated Joshi matches in recent memory – Utami Hayashishita defending the World of Stardom Championship against Syuri, who will also be putting up her SWA Undisputed World Women’s Championship. It is a rematch from their previous encounter in June of that year, in a match that was widely hailed as the best wrestling match across any promotion in the world. It brought new media attention to the promotion – even being covered by ESPN – and broke Dave Meltzer’s rating scale, becoming the highest rated women’s match he’s ever seen.

The match itself went to a 43 minute Double KO, so with no conclusive winner, anticipation was ripe for the rematch. After Syuri won the 5 Star Grand Prix in the fall, she declared that she would be challenging Utami for the title in Sumo Hall. She’d put up her SWA Title as well, and the match was announced to have no time limit – meaning that no matter what, we would be getting a winner. But hey, that’s not the only thing great about this card. Let’s check out the rest!

1. Future of Stardom Championship: Ruaka © vs. Hanan. Hanan offers her hand out for a show of respect, and Ruaka doesn’t return the favor. The bell sounds, and our opening match is under way! They lock up, and Ruaka has Hanan against the ropes. The challenger turns the tide and unleashes multiple forearms. Ruaka uses her strength to come back with a massive shoulder tackle. She drops Hanan with a powerslam, and goes for a crossface. Hanan is able to get her foot on the bottom rope.

Hanan trips Ruaka, and connects with a dropkick to the back of the head for a nearfall. Nice STO by Ruaka, followed by a running senton for a 2 count. The champion goes for a suplex, but Hanan fights it off. Hanan comes off the middle rope with a crossbody for a nearfall. Hanan goes to run the ropes, and Ruaka cuts her off with a tackle. She gets a nearfall. Ruaka tries for a suplex again, but Hanan counters with a dropkick. Ruaka connects with the Fisherman Suplex for a close nearfall.

Ruaka misses a top rope splash next. They exchange forearms on their knees, and both women scream at the top of their lungs as they throw bombs on their feet. Nice Judo throw by Hanan, followed by the Famouser. She pins, and Ruaka kicks out. Nice high kick to the head by Hanan, who follows up with a back suplex bridge into a pin, and that’s enough for the win. Hanan is the new Future of Stardom Champion! Not a bad opening match. It was short, but full of action. Hanan has been earmarked as a future Ace for the promotion, so a win like this gets her off to a great start. Ruaka has great potential to be a big player in the coming years as well.

2. Artist of Stardom Championship: Donna del Mondo (Himeka, Maika & Natsupoi) © vs. Cosmic Angels (Mai Sakurai, Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka).

We get both teams doing dances in their entrances before the match begins. All 6 are stunning.

Both teams go at it as the bell rings. Cosmic Angels have the advantage thus far, hitting everybody with moves in the corner, until DDM make their comeback. Natsupoi focuses on Sakurai in the ring. Snap mare by Natsupoi, followed by a nice dropkick to the back of the head for a 2 count. She tags in Himeka, who drives her boot right into Sakurai’s face. Powerslam by Himeka, and Sakurai kicks out. She applies a Camel Clutch next, and the rest of DDM take Cosmic Angels off the apron. Natsupoi connects with a dropkick to Sakurai’s face, and Himeka gets a nearfall off of that.

Maika tags in next, and she places her boot in her face. Sakurai attempts to fight back with forearms to the chest, but Maika isn’t phased. She kicks Sakurai to the mat, and stomps on her chest. Natsupoi tags in, and hits a nice powerslam. She sits on her chest, and gets a nearfall. Sakurai catches her with a stunner out of nowhere, and here come Sayaka and Shirakawa to double team Natsupoi. Leg drop by Sayaka, who’s the new legal lady, and she gets a nearfall.

Running X-Factor by Sayaka, and she follows with a big boot to the face. Natsupoi with a sunset flip pin for 2, and she follows with a kick to the face. Here comes Himeka next, who connects with a clothesline in the corner and a shoulder tackle. She traps Sayaka in the Boston Crab, and Shirakawa comes in to break it up. Sayaka hits a running Code Breaker, followed by the Boom Drop, Kofi style! Shirakawa tags in, and hits a running dropkick, and Himeka is able to get her foot on the bottom rope.

Shirakawa and Himeka exchange forearms in the middle of the ring now, with Shirakawa getting the better of it. She runs the ropes, and hits a running clothesline for a nearfall. She connects with a spinning back fist, but Himeka uses the momentum to connect with a lariat. Maika tags in, and looks for a suplex to Sakurai, and ends up double suplexing Sakurai and Sayaka. Sakurai tries to come back with forearms to the chest, and Maika seemingly is asking for more! Maika decks her with just one forearm, but Sakurai is still standing.

One more from Maika, and she finally goes down. Maika with an arm drag, into a chin lock. Cosmic Angels come in to break up the submission. Sakurai avoids a clothesline in the corner, and now all 3 Angels triple team Maika. Sakurai hits a standing elbow drop for a 2 count. She transitions right into the STF. Maika is able to crawl towards the ropes to break the hold. Sakurai stays on the offensive with a couple of boots to the face. She covers, and Maika kicks out.

Sakurai dives off the ropes with an elbow drop, and Himeka breaks up the pin. Shirakawa and Sayaka come in to attack DDM. Himeka and Maika hit a double team move on Sakurai, who’s able to kick out. Maika hits a leg sweep, and Sayaka breaks up the pin. More Cosmic Angel/DDM chaos, as the challengers double team Maika. Sayaka and Shirakawa hit a double team Gory Special on Maika. All three women kick Maika in the head, as Sakurai drags her to the turnbuckle.

She goes to the top rope, but is cut off by Himeka. Maika goes to the top, and hits a delayed Brainbuster! She eats a boot to the face by Sayaka, but she drills Sayaka and Shirakawa with Michinoku Drivers. Finally, she hits one on Sakurai! Maika covers, and DDM retain the Artist Titles. A really fun six woman tag, with plenty of action to salve the soul. Everybody got a chance to get their shit in, and it was nonstop from the time the bell rang. Maika in particular looked fantastic in the end, holding off all three members of the challenging team on her own in route to victory. It’s no wonder she would become World of Stardom Champion in the years since. Not a ton of psychology or storytelling, but plenty of fun action, and there is nothing wrong with that.

3. High Speed Championship 3 Way Match: Starlight Kid © vs. AZM vs. Koguma.

Starlight Kid has had quite the year coming into this match, from becoming High Speed Champion, to turning to the dark side and leaving STARS to join Oedo Tai. She looks to retain that momentum here.

The bell sounds, and all three women are fast and furious right away! They all throw dropkicks at the same time, and stand apart from one another. AZM and Koguma double team Starlight Kid, hitting moves to her in the corner, before Koguma attacks both women. She stomps AZM to the apron, and eats a 619 from SLK. A standing moonsault gets her a nearfall. AZM kicks SLK in the corner, and does an arm drag/head scissors combo to both of her opponents.

AZM goes to the top, and gets cut off by Koguma. Koguma with a Cutter to the top rope, and she gets dropkicked off the apron by SLK. The champion then connects with a middle rope moonsault to both of her challengers on the floor! Back in the ring, SLK nails AZM with a suplex for a 2 count. She goes from that into a Texas Cloverleaf submission. AZM fights like hell, and is able to get to the bottom rope.

AZM holds off from a back suplex attempt and looks for a pin, but SLK counters with a dropkick to the face. SLK looks for a Spanish Fly off the top rope, but here comes Koguma to stop her. She hits a scary looking release overhead German Suplex to SLK off the top rope! She covers, and AZM breaks it up with a double stomp! AZM traps SLK in an armbar, and gets her shit rocked by Koguma. AZM throws her to the floor, and continues her focus on SLK.

AZM with a nice suplex, and she gets crushed by a diving body press by Koguma that gets a close 2 count. SLK with a springboard crossbody from the middle rope, followed by a hammerlock DDT to Koguma! But AZM cuts her off with a kick to the head! All three women are back up, and we get more crazy offense. Koguma with a Cutter to AZM, and she rolls SLK up for a close 2 count. We get a spot where AZM is almost pinned by both SLK and Koguma.

SLK tries to roll AZM up, but Koguma tries to roll her up! This is why it’s called High Speed! Koguma nearly pins AZM, and vice versa. SLK with a shotgun dropkick breaks that up, and she pushes Koguma into AZM to send her to the floor, and rolls Koguma up for the pin and the win to retain. Holy hell, that was fast! The stamina on these women is completely insane. That was all action, and no filler. All three women brought their A games for a thoroughly entertaining match.

Post match, Oedo Tai come out to cause chaos, as Starlight Kid places one of her masks on Koguma’s head and slaps her across the face. She shoves AZM on her way out.

4. Giulia vs. Konami.

This is Giulia’s return match following an injury suffered during the 5 Star Grand Prix – an injury that many have said is the only reason Syuri was able to win the tournament. Konami is taking a leave of absence from professional wrestling following this match to focus on her health. Both women also have ties with the late Hana Kimura – Konami was her stable mate in Tokyo Cyber Squad, while Giulia’s first rival in STARDOM following her jump from Ice Ribbon was Hana.

Giulia comes out wearing a banner around her that says “Never End.” I am no expert in reading Japanese, but I assume that banner has something to do with inspiring those with suicidal thoughts to never give up.

Konami offers her hand out in a show of respect, and Giulia accepts it. The bell sounds, and both women meet in the middle of the ring to throw forearms! Giulia gets the upper hand with a huge shot to the head. Konami fights back with a big boot to the jaw. She takes control of the back, and looks for an armbar early. She takes the side headlock, and changes to kick Giulia very, very hard on her back. Ouch.

Giulia wants more, and she invites Konami for more kicks. Konami, ever the kind lady, gives her the request. She pops off a quick roll up and transitions to an arm bar. Konami looks for a boot to the face, and Giulia escapes, only to walk into an armbar in the ropes. Konami rakes her knee and boot into Giulia’s face, then connects with a shotgun dropkick to the head. She suplexes Giulia, and gets a 2 count off of it.

Konami looks to trap Giulia’s arms, and she’s able to get to the ropes again. Fisherman Suplex attempt is blocked, and Giulia hits a neckbreaker on Konami, who was sitting on the middle rope. Giulia comes off the middle rope with a shotgun dropkick. Konami fires back with a kick to the chest. Giulia responds with a boot to the face. This exchange repeats, and the strikes look to be getting harder. Konami fires off multiple chest kicks, until Giulia explodes with an Exploder Suplex. See what I did? She gets a nearfall off of that.

Giulia goes for a suplex, but Konami blocks it and goes into the Octopus Stretch. She drops Giulia to the mat, and applies the hold even greater! Giulia gives it her all, and is able to get her boot on the bottom rope. Konami with a nice German Suplex next. Buzzsaw Kick connects, and Giulia is able to kick out. Konami goes into a Rear Naked Choke next, and turns it into a Sleeper Suplex. She covers, and gets another nearfall. She quickly transitions to a Triangle Choke!

Konami with a hard boot to the face, and Giulia catches her and places her on the top rope. She slaps her several times, and then hits a hammerlock suplex. Giulia goes to the top rope, but gets hit by Konami on the way up. Konami grabs her and goes for a Muscle Buster. Giulia fights it off, but eats an Enziguri. Konami is on the top rope, and hits a high missile dropkick. She points to the heavens, and goes for the Package Piledriver, but Giulia reverses it and body drops her.

Giulia lifts Konami up, and hits her own Package Piledriver for a nearfall. Giulia is up first, and she’s fired up. She looks for the Glorious Bomb, but Konami counters into an armbar! Giulia hits a nice back suplex, but Konami is right back up! Nice Enziguri, but Giulia walks it off! She can’t avoid the Buzzsaw Kick! Konami covers, but Giulia kicks out! Giulia is up first again, and she hits Konami with a delayed Falcon Arrow for a nearfall.

Giulia, holding back tears, lifts Konami up for the Glorious Bomb, and that’s enough for the 3. Great match. With Hana Kimura on their minds, both women absolutely brought the fight to the other, and neither one backed down. It was a hard hitting affair, with Giulia really working from underneath, as Konami was the skilled fighter in this one. She came at Giulia from every direction with all kinds of ground offense, but Giulia’s fighting spirit was simply too much. They beat the hell out of each other, which I’m sure Hana would’ve loved.

Post match, they hold hands and embrace with a hug. You love to see it.

5. Special 10th Anniversary Match: Mayu Iwatani & Takumi Iroha vs. Momo Watanabe & Hazuki.

This is a special Tag Team Match to commemorate some of the longest tenured wrestlers in STARDOM. This is also taking place during a time of unrest, as Momo Watanabe has recently turned heel and aligned with Oedo Tai, leaving her former faction Queen’s Quest in the dust – a faction that was earmarked for her leadership from Io Shirai, the current Iyo Sky in WWE.

Everyone is respectful to one another, even Momo, who takes a little more time to shake hands. The bell sounds, and Iroha starts things out with Momo. Iroha takes control of her back, and goes into the side headlock takedown. Momo kicks her way free, and we have a stalemate. Hazuki tags herself in, and so does the Icon of Stardom, Mayu Iwatani. They lock hands, until Hazuki kicks her low. Iroha kicks her in the spine, and Mayu knocks Momo off the apron.

Nice double team by Mayu and Iroha, and Mayu is able to get a nearfall off of her. Her and Iroha hit a double shotgun dropkick, and then Mayu follows up with a snap mare and a kick to the spine. Momo comes into the ring and dropkicks Mayu, before knocking Iroha off the apron. Senton by Hazuki, followed by a Face Wash. That gets her a nearfall. Hazuki with a powerslam, and another kick out. Shotgun dropkick by Hazuki, and Momo makes the blind tag. She tosses Hazuki out to the floor, and powerslams Mayu for a 2 count.

Momo applies a Camel Clutch for a moment, then she lightly kicks at Mayu’s head. Super hard kick to the chest, then Momo knocks Iroha off the apron. Irish whip into the corner, and Mayu avoids an attack and kicks Momo in the face. Iroha makes the tag, and kicks Momo down. She attacks Hazuki on the apron, then kicks Momo hard in the chest, then follows with a kick to the head. Beautiful snap suplex by Iroha, and she hits one on Hazuki as well. She covers Momo, who kicks out.

Iroha and Momo exchange heavy kicks to the chest, with Momo laughing it all off. She eventually gets the upper hand and drops Iroha, before hitting a shotgun dropkick that sends her hard into the turnbuckle. Mayu comes in and kicks Momo’s spine, and her and Iroha double team Momo. Hazuki hits a springboard shotgun to Mayu and Iroha. Back elbow in the corner and a Code Breaker on Iroha gets Hazuki a nearfall. She transitions into the Crossface, until Mayu breaks it up.

Momo and Mayu fight on the floor, while in the ring, Hazuki hits a Pump Kick to Iroha. She hits a backbreaker for a 2 count. Nice wheel kick by Iroha, followed by a spinning heel kick. Mayu makes the tag, and hits a diving dropkick to Hazuki against the ropes. She goes to the middle rope, and hits a Double Stomp for a nearfall. Mayu and Hazuki exchange heavy forearms, with Mayu getting the upper hand. Momo trips her, and Hazuki hits another Pump Kick.

Back elbow in the corner, and Hazuki places Mayu in the middle ropes. She hits a Code Breaker, then goes to the top rope. Iroha cuts her off, which gives Mayu the chance to attack. She goes to the top rope, and hits a Frankensteiner! Middle rope shotgun dropkick follows, and Hazuki still kicks out. Huge series of kicks to Hazuki by Iroha and Mayu. Momo runs in, and helps Hazuki get back into the lead.

With everyone on the floor, Hazuki hits a running Tope to the outside! In the ring, a Pump Kick/Bastard Driver combination, followed by a Michinoku Driver, and Mayu still kicks out! Momo roundhouse kicks Iroha out of the ring. Double knee to the back of the head by Momo and Hazuki, and the latter hits a brainbuster on Mayu! She covers, but Momo breaks up the pin! She just attacked Hazuki out of nowhere.

She laughs outside of the ring, standing next to Oedo Tai leader Natsuko Tora. In the ring, Iroha drops Hazuki with a forearm. Hazuki won’t back down, as she tries to fight both at once. No avail, as they double superkick her. Iroha lifts Hazuki up for the Razor’s Edge and hits it perfectly. Mayu hits a beautiful moonsault from the top rope, and that gets them the win. Good back and forth match with a lot of good action, even if it relied maybe too much on the usage of kicks. Momo’s betrayal of her partner was a good story, as it added more to her recent heel turn.

6. Wonder of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano © vs. Saya Kamitani.

These two have a long and rich history with each other. Saya started her career as a protege to Tam, and just recently, she lost in a challenge for the Wonder of Stardom Title to Tam. After winning a #1 contenders match against Himeka and Natsupoi, Saya has earned another chance to take the White Belt from her Senpai. Tam is very much appreciative of Saya, publicly admitting how proud she was of Saya when she won the Cinderella Tournament back in the summer, but she promises that Saya’s dream will have to wait, as the “Tam Road” must continue.

The bell sounds, and the crowd is hot, even if it’s just clapping and stomping. Tam and Saya circle one another, and Tam takes control of the back. Saya transitions to Tam’s back quickly, and both women exchange control. Tam takes the side headlock takedown next, and Saya kicks her way free. Both are back to their feet, and we have a stalemate. They go for a test of strength next, and Tam momentarily has control, until Saya uses all her strength to force Tam to the mat.

Saya holds Tam’s shoulders to the mat for a few nearfalls, until Tam kicks her over head. Both women arch up to keep their shoulders off the mat, and then Tam connects with a dropkick to the face. She stomps on Saya’s chest, and applies a Crovat, before snap maring Saya to the mat. She follows with a dropkick to the back of the head, and Saya kicks out. Tam puts Saya in a head scissors next. She uses her leg strength to slam Saya’s head off the mat repeatedly.

Saya gets her leg on the bottom rope, and shakes it desperately for Tam to let go. Tam kicks Saya’s head from the middle rope, then grabs her for a Dragon Sleeper. Saya ends up getting dumped to the outside. Tam scales farther up the ropes, and comes down with a crossbody onto Saya. Tam brings her back into the ring and makes the cover, and Saya forces herself to kick out at the count of 1. Saya with a big forearm to the chest, and Tam seemingly laughs it off.

Saya with more strikes, and Tam wants more. Saya collapses, as Tam decks her with an elbow. Tam runs the ropes, and Saya catches her with a beautiful dropkick. Tam rolls to the outside, but Saya meets her there with a springboard crossbody! Saya brings Tam back into the ring, and hits her with a missile dropkick. She covers, and Tam kicks out. Saya kicks her midsection against the ropes, and Tam returns the favor. This goes on a few more times, until Saya hits a hurricanrana out of nowhere. Tam is back up and hits a shotgun dropkick next. Tam drives her knee into Saya’s back, sending her back to the floor. They fight on the apron, until Tam superkicks her. Saya explodes with a hurricanrana that brings both women to the floor!

Back in the ring, Saya hits a nice Fisherman Suplex that gets her a nearfall. Tam connects with a back suplex, then she hits a beautiful bridging German Suplex, and Saya barely kicks out. Tam goes to the top rope, and Saya meets her there. Tam tries for a sunset flip powerbomb, but Saya holds onto the ropes! Tam forearms her in the ass, and goes to grab her waist. Saya with some back elbows to the head, and she’s now behind Tam.

Saya hits a beautiful Poisonrana that nearly spikes Tam on the way down! She covers, but the champion kicks out at 2! Saya goes to the top, but here’s Tam to bring her back to the mat with a Tiger Suplex! Misawa would be proud. Tam rushes Saya, who counters with a standing double stomp to the chest! Both ladies reach their hands out, and grab a hold of the other. They slowly return to a fighting stance, with Tam kicking Saya in the face, and Saya responding with a forearm.

This exchange goes on for a bit, until Tam goes to throw a kick and Saya catches it. She elbows the leg, and begins to forearm Tam in the jaw. She removes her elbow pad, and eats a rolling elbow from Tam! Saya connects with a spinning heel kick. Saya goes for Star Crusher, but Tam escapes and hits a kick to the head, and a running knee. Tam covers, and Saya kicks out! Tam hits the Tiger Suplex, and Saya still kicks out!

Tam lifts Saya up for the Violet Screwdriver, and connects! Hammerlock German Suplex connects as well, but Saya’s legs are on the ropes, negating a pin! Saya is back up, and hits another Poisonrana! Both women are up, and Saya hits a Pump Kick! Tam kicks out at one, superkicks Saya, and hits a spinning kick to the head! Saya kicks out! Saya hits a German Suplex, and Tam barely kicks out. Exciting sequence this late into the match!

Saya is fired up, and she hits the Star Crusher! She covers, and Tam kicks out again. What will keep her down? Saya drags Tam towards the turnbuckle, and then she scales it. Saya hits the Phoenix Splash perfectly! She covers, and Saya has done it! She’s the new Wonder of Stardom Champion! What an awesome contest! Great back and forth between the student and the teacher, as Saya Kamitani finally achieves her goal of winning the White Belt.

They told a great story here, as Tam dominated much of the match, asserting herself over her former protege. Tam had been a great Wonder champion in 2021, and she wasn’t about to give up her championship to Saya. But on this night in Sumo Hall, the Phoenix would not be denied. She came ready to give everything in her body and spirit to beat Tam, and that’s what happened. Through sheer will, plenty of screams, and on desire alone, Saya wasn’t losing here, and after some great back and forth exchanges in the final half of the match, Saya was able to hit the Phoenix Splash – something she couldn’t do in their previous match – to put this one away. I highly recommend this one for sure.

This is the start of Saya Kamitani’s amazing and record breaking run as Wonder of Stardom Champion, where she’d break the all time defense record, before dropping the title to Mina Shirakawa at the All Star Grand Queendom event in April 2023. Saya’s reign features some of the most consistently high quality matches in STARDOM history.

7. World of Stardom Championship/SWA Undisputed Women’s World Championship No Time Limit Match: Utami Hayashishita © vs. Syuri ©

Sequels are tough to pull off in any media. Often times in cinema, a sequel is belittled for failing to compare to the original. In music, many will say that a band failed to live up to the standard they set on the previous record. In literature….well, just look at Harper Lee. She wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 1960, and it’s one of the most celebrated novels of all time. The sequel, “Go Set a Watchman” however? Not even close.

Pro wrestling is no different when it comes to the art of the sequel. Sometimes, it works like a charm. Most of the matches that followed the original encounter between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada are undisputed classics. FTR and The Briscoes up their game each time they competed following their initial first match. Hell, the trilogy between Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat is considered by many as an example of how each match can somehow top the one prior to it.

Here, we have one of the most highly anticipated rematches of modern times, a classic between two of modern day Joshi’s very best talents. The expectation here was through the roof, as not only did they have to try and match the amazing work of their first match, but somehow do it better. It didn’t help that this rematch came off the heels of a groundbreaking watershed moment for STARDOM.

In July 2021, Utami Hayashishita was set to defend the World of Stardom Championship against top contender Syuri. While this wasn’t their first encounter – it was their third singles match – this one had a lot of weight to it. Utami was out to prove that she was as good of a champion as she said she was, after a series of shows where her title defenses were not the main event. And for Syuri, she had dedicated a victory in this match to her mother, who sadly passed away not long before this event took place.

With the stakes for each lady high, they set out to find a win no matter what. Despite their best efforts, the title match went to a 30 minute draw, meaning that no winner was set. In a rare occurrence, the match was ordered to continue, and even after everything they had dished out to one another already, Utami and Syuri managed to turn up the intensity and had an even better outing than the half hour that preceded it. Once again, no winner was determined, as the match ended in a Double Knockout – the result of utter exhaustion from both women.

The reaction to this match was incredible. It brought more attention to STARDOM than it ever had before, and that’s saying something considering this company has produced modern stars such as Io Shirai, Kairi Sane, Toni Storm, etc. But once word got out that this match was shattering expectations, all eyes turned to the top Joshi promotion in the world. Dave Meltzer – the man who’s opinion is so highly thought of in the wrestling community that I include his ratings for every match in this book just for giggles – rated this match 5.5. stars – which made it the highest rated women’s match of all time.

And because Uncle Dave’s opinion is so “important,” that made this the best women’s match of all time – according to him. Regardless, it brought worldwide attention to the promotion, Utami and Syuri, and that elevated everyone involved. It also meant that the eventual rematch between the two was going to be a highly anticipated affair. During STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix, the two faced off once more, and again, it went to a time limit draw. This caused the emotion within Syuri to explode. She used this draw, as well as the anger coming from the indecisive finish in their July match, to take her to the finals, where she defeated Momo Watanabe to win the tournament, and secure another shot at Utami and the World of Stardom title.

Utami would look to continue her mammoth title reign – at 409 days – by defeating someone who had quickly become her greatest rival. As for Syuri, she had a whole list of things to accomplish: win this match for her mother, use the 5 Star win as extra momentum, wager the SWA World Women’s Title as an added prize, and finally ascend to the stop of STARDOM.

An added wrinkle to this double championship match? It was announced that for this match only, there would be no time limit. Which meant that at the end of the night, there must be a winner. With the eyes of the world on Ryogoku, STARDOM looked to end a banner year with another banner match.

The bell sounds, and this rematch is under way. They lock up, and both women begin to look for the first opening. Syuri takes top position, and Utami is able to slip out and attempt an armbar. Syuri is back on top, and she backs away, letting Utami up. Syuri takes her down, and controls the back, gut wrenching her and dropping her. Utami attempts a top position, but Syuri slips out and locks in a leglock, which Utami gets to the ropes to break.

Syuri grabs the arm and twists away at it, and she gets Utami to the ground and begins to work on the leg. Utami is back to her feet, as Syuri looks to control the pace with her MMA background. They lock up again, and Syuri gets Utami against the ropes. She goes to kick her, but Utami ducks and comes at her, but Syuri brings her down once again. They exchange kicks, and Utami goes to forearm her challenger.

Syuri runs the ropes and gets a sunset flip position into a pin, which gets a 2 count. They exchange clothesline attempts, as we are at a stalemate thus far. Syuri gets a side headlock, to which Utami gets one of her own. Syuri locks her back in, but Utami sends her against the ropes. They exchange hip tosses, until Utami shoulder tackles her down and sends her out of the ring with a clothesline. Syuri goes to the top rope, and Utami brings her down to the mat. Now, she kicks away at Syuri’s back.

She runs towards Syuri, who trips her against the ropes and then kicks her stiff in the body, then she follows that with a running knee strike. With Utami on the apron, Syuri nails a leg drop from the middle rope onto her. Syuri attempts to run off the apron onto Utami on the outside, but she is caught with a power bomb right onto the ringside mat. Now back in the ring, Utami hits a dropkick from the top rope onto Syuri, which sends her back outside of the ring. Utami follows her out, but Syuri kicks her up the entrance way. She runs at Utami, but runs right into a side walk slam on the mat.

Utami tries to reenter the ring, and Syuri pulls her leg from under her, dropping her face first on the apron. Syuri scales the apron and flies off with a hurricanrana to Utami. A bulldog follows, as the World of Stardom Champion is down. Syuri nails a top rope leg drop to the back of Utami’s head, which gets a 2 count. Syuri gets a leg lock in on Utami now, who makes it to the bottom rope. Syuri stomps away at the knee of Utami, and when she runs at her, Utami catches her in a nasty looking German Suplex.

Utami runs at Syuri, dropping both feet against her back. They exchange a running knee and a running clothesline, before Syuri catches Utami in a German Suplex of her own. Utami is quick to respond with a hard shoulder tackle. Syuri takes Utami down and takes a top position, and slaps at her face over and over again. She brings her to her feet, and Utami responds with several forearms toi the head. Syuri with slaps to the face, and eventual slaps and stomps to the back, as Utami is down on the ground. She’s back up just as quick and she drops Syuri with a hard forearm.

A variation of the Olympic Slam and a sliding lariat from Utami gets a 2 count. She goes for a German Suplex, but Syuri counters into a rollup for a 2 count. Now she catches Utami in a triangle choke submission hold. Utami uses her strength to lift Syuri up and powerbomb her, breaking the hold. She kicks away at Syuri’s head and smashes her face against the mat. Utami sends her into the corner, but Syuri escapes and unleashes a barrage of slaps and kicks to her. Syuri lifts her up and lawn darts her head first into the turnbuckle pad!

She goes to the top rope, and Utami is quick to meet her there. Syuri drops down to kick her in the face and drop her back to the mat. She scales it again, but Utami is quick to pull her leg from under her, sending her flying back first onto the mat. Utami brings her to the apron, and Syuri tries to kick at her midsection. Utami lifts her for an Emerald Flowsion onto the apron that looks horrible! Most of the landing was missed, but Syuri’s side connects with the apron, and her body contorts coming down.

Utami rolls her back into the ring, and lands a standing dropkick that drops the SWA Champion. Utami goes to the middle rope, but Syuri is right there with a slap. She scales the ropes and brings her down with a hammerlock throw, and that transitions into Syuri locking in a Kimura submission. She doesn’t hold it long, as she quickly changes to a Stretch Muffler, targeting the leg. Utami can’t grab the rope, but her arm does touch it, so the hold is broken.

Syuri lifts Utami and drops her midsection on both of knees, and that gets a 2 count from the referee. Syuri goes to kick Utami’s head off, and she’s able to stop it with a power bomb. Utami lifts Syuri up for the BT Bomb, but Syuri counters with a DDT out of nowhere! Syuri looks to continue her assault of the leg by locking in the Figure Four Leglock submission hold. Utami struggles, but she’s able to get to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Utami gets a sleeper hold locked in, and brings Syuri down for a Rear Naked Choke hold. Syuri turns her body and gets to the bottom rope to break it. Utami deadlifts Syuri up for a German Suplex, which gets a 2 count. Utami gets Syuri up for a Torture Rack Bomb, which also gets a 2 count. She attempts the BT Bomb, but Syuri is able to fight out of it and hit a facebuster, which causes Utami to fall on her for a close 2 count.

Both women are exhausted as they exchange forearms on their knees. With every strike, their emotion is coming out. They run at each other several times with forearms, and Syuri turns to kicking at Utami’s leg. Utami now turns to clubbing shots to the skull, which drops Syuri to the mat. Utami lifts her up and hits the BT Bomb, but she’s unable to capitalize due to her leg. She finally makes the cover, but Syuri gets her hand on the bottom rope to break the pin.

Utami can’t believe it, and she goes to grab Syuri, who hits a big kick to the head, and Utami counters with a huge clothesline for a 2 count. She goes for the BT Bomb once again, but Syuri slips out and hits a running STO. A running knee follows, but Utami is able to turn it into a pin for herself, which gets a 2 count. Syuri is back up, and she hits a roundhouse kick to Utami’s head. Syuri hits the Emerald Flowsion, and Utami just barely – and I mean just barely – gets her arm up at 2. Syuri lifts her up and hits several spinning backfists. She lifts Utami up and hits her new finisher, “Syuri World,” a variation of the One Winged Angel, and that’s enough to finally put her away! Utami’s mammoth reign is over, and Syuri has finally done it!

Post match, both women are absolutely spent from exhaustion. Syuri gives a bit of a hug while on the ground, and holds Utami’s hand. She’s up, and STARDOM owner Rossy Ogawa presents her with the SWA Title and the World of Stardom Title. Syuri is in tears as she poses with the belts. In her post match speech, Syuri thanks Utami, celebrates with her faction Donna del Mondo, embraces with Konami at ringside, and most importantly, she dedicates this win to her late mother. One of the final shots of the evening is Syuri, posing in the ring with the SWA Title, her half of the Goddess of Stardom Titles, and her newly won World of Stardom Title. Syuri 3 Belts in the house!

Awesome match! From start to finish, that felt like a big time main event, and for a promotion that I love as much as I do, STARDOM deserves to have this kind of moment. Their final show of the year, in a legendary venue like Ryogoku, and you end things with a rematch of the highest magnitude – this is what wrestling is all about. I’d say it lived up to the lofty expectations people had for it, which is saying something because people were expecting BIG things from this match.

The only reason I’d say their initial encounter in July was better was because the sense of urgency there was more prominent than it was here. They were fighting almost to the death during their first match, whereas here, it just felt like a normal big time Japanese main event. That is, by the way, not a bad thing at all! Just a minor difference in quality. Also, it was pretty obvious coming into this that Syuri’s time had come.

She had busted her ass all year, both as a standout singles competitor, and as a tag team specialist alongside her friend and fellow DDM member Giulia. She grinded her way through the 5 Star, obsessed with getting this rematch, and now that she got here, she gave it her all once again, taking some nasty bumps in route to taking the victory. Her new finisher was awesome too, as it came out of nowhere and stunned the audience. That immediately sold it as a deadly move for the future.

Utami looked amazing in defeat, every bit of the hard working champion that she’d been since she initially took the championship from Mayu Iwatani in November of 2020. She brought her A game here, taking all of Syuri’s offense while dishing out her own. On any other night – maybe even the fabled July encounter – Utami would’ve walked out of here as the winner. The only thing working against her was the fact that Syuri would not accept anything less than a victory on this night.

This win from Syuri would lead into a fantastic 2022 for STARDOM – the year that I became a fan of the promotion. And it was only going to get better for everyone involved. Syuri’s reign as World of Stardom Champion is now one of my favorite title reigns in all of wrestling, as she consistently brought a high standard of quality with her every single time she defended. And with that standard, came the continued elevation of the STARDOM product.

And that is the end of Dream Queendom 2021! What a phenomenal show. It’s definitely one of STARDOM’s best shows of all time. From top to bottom, each match is entertaining in its own right, and the show is capped off by two great matches. Hanan’s ascent to the Future of Stardom Title was great to see for someone that everyone expects great things from. The Artist and High Speed Title matches were thoroughly entertaining and packed to the brim with action. Giulia and Konami had an emotional brawl that lit up Sumo Hall. The 10th Anniversary Tag was a celebration of some of STARDOM’s original talent, while also furthering Momo Watanabe’s heel turn. Saya Kamitani and Tam Nakano nearly stole the show with an incredible back and forth war that thrilled and excited, as Saya’s legendary White Belt reign began.

And in the main event, Syuri and Utami Hayashishita had another match of the year contender with an almost equally incredible battle that saw Utami’s great World of Stardom reign come to an end, and Syuri’s equally great reign begin. Her ascent to the mountain top throughout 2021 was a sight to behold, and one that was well earned. They took each other to the limit, and had a big time main event worthy of any venue in the world. They ended a problematic year on a high note – with high quality pro wrestling, and another case that women truly rule the world.