Stardom Review And Analysis: January 14 at Korakuen Hall

Wonder of Stardom Title: Momo Watanabe (c) vs Tam Nakano

Before the match, Tam reflected on the Loser Leaves Unit match last year which forced her out of Oedo Tai and into the arms of STARS. She vowed to win this match for herself, and by herself, to prove that STARS is more than just Mayu Iwatani. On the flip side, Momo promised to shut Tam down and make it clear that she, and the rest of STARS, are nothing without Mayu.

These two started off evenly trading shots and blocking attacks until coming to a brief stalemate. Momo took the advantage for a good portion of the contest after crushing Tam in the corner with a running dropkick, before focusing on her right arm.

Fighting out on the arena floor, Momo attempted a half and half suplex which was blocked and reversed into a brutal German on the floor from Tam. The advantage wouldn’t last long though, as Momo fought back against her challenger once back in the ring.

Momo looked to put Tam away with her Peach Sunrise suplex, but it was countered into a pin for an extremely close two count. Tam delivered a Tiger Suplex for another close two, but her attempt at a Tiger superplex was thwarted by Momo who then crushed her with a Meteora from the ropes.

Tam found herself in Momo’s clutches in the form of a crossface chicken wing, and looked to be on her way out, before Momo transitioned into the Peach Sunrise for the three count to retain her championship.

Post-match, Momo told Tam that she wasn’t at her level yet, but encouraged her to do her best to catch up. Tam, gracious in defeat, told Momo to keep herself prepared because she would challenge for the title again one day.

Before she could leave, Momo was met with Jamie Hayter and Sadie Gibbs entering the ring, both of whom laid out challenges for the Wonder of Stardom Title. After playing around with Hayter a bit on the mic, Momo accepted both of their challenges to singles contests.

Thoughts: This may have been the match of the night for me, and it told a wonderful story of Tam Nakano fighting to prove herself as a singles competitor.

Despite being one-third of the Artist of Stardom Champions, Tam set a clear goal for herself to rise above the notion that there would be no STARS without Mayu Iwatani. Even in defeat, Tam came out looking like a credible threat to any singles championship on the roster.