Stardom Review And Analysis: January 14 at Korakuen Hall
After picking up a pinfall over World of Stardom Champion Kagetsu on December 24, Jungle Kyona returns to the scene of the crime in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall as she challenges for Stardom’s Red Belt. Can the leader of Jungle Assault Nation knock Stardom’s Prime Minister from the top of the mountain, or will Oedo Tai continue to reign supreme?
Stardom is back at Korakuen Hall with a loaded show capped off with a World of Stardom Title Match between the leaders of Oedo Tai and Jungle Assault Nation, Kagetsu and Jungle Kyona. In addition, Momo Watanabe defends the Wonder of Stardom Title against Tam Nakano and Viper defends the SWA and EVE International Titles against Big Rookie Utami Hayashishita.
Filling out the card is Mayu Iwatani’s 8th Anniversary Match teaming with Saki Kashima and Arisa Hoshiki to battle Konami, AZM, and Bea Priestley; a trios match with Oedo Tai’s Hazuki, Natsu Sumire, and Jamie Hayter taking on Hana Kimura, Sadie Gibbs, and Bobbi Tyler; a tag team gauntlet featuring the teams of Mary Apache and daughter Natsumi, Starlight Kid and Alex Gracia, Hanan and Ruaka, and Hina and Rina. Finally, Natsuko Tora welcomes the debuting Saya Iida having her very first match in a Stardom ring.
Natsuko Tora vs Saya Iida
Saya is fresh to Stardom and the 21-year-old rookie has aspirations of wrestling “in the vein of Tomohiro Ishii and Katsuyori Shibata.” Ok, OKAY. Sign me up!
In her pre-match promo, Natsuko mentioned that this will be her third time facing someone in their debut, then reflected on her own debut and the nervousness she felt. She noted that when you feel those types of nerves, it’s hard to feel happy when the match starts, but made it clear that she intends to make herself feel good at the expense of the debuting Saya.
Saya was visibly feeling the weight of her debut at the start of the match as she took some deep breaths in the corner before things got underway. She was a bit stiff and awkward at first, but she was quickly led into a solid match by Natsuko. Outside of a handful of dropkicks and forearms, plus some unsuccessful roll-ups, she didn’t find herself on the offensive all too much.
With a rolling fireman’s carry slam toward the corner, Natsuko had Saya primed and ready for a top-rope frog splash to put this one away in short fashion.
Thoughts: This was a much different debut match than Utami’s draw with Jungle Kyona last summer, but it wasn’t without its merits.
At under 5-feet tall, Saya will need to overcome a diminutive frame against the Stardom roster. She is built to be a bruiser, though, and could very easily follow in the footsteps of Ishii and Shibata as she progresses. Natsuko deserves credit here as well for a solid debut match for the newcomer.
Post-match, Saya gambled big and asked to be allowed to join Jungle Assault Nation. Natsuko, taken off guard, darted around the ring in search of the group’s leader, Jungle Kyona. Kyona appeared suddenly and entered the ring to shake Saya’s hand and officially welcome her into JAN as the now 5-strong stable posed before exiting. Not a bad first night!