STARDOM
STARDOM DREAM QUEENDOM
DECEMBER 29, 2021
Ryogoku Sumo Hall
TOKYO, JAPAN

Watch: PPV

Lady C vs. Waka Tsukiyama vs. Saki Kashima vs. Fukigen Death vs. Rina

These five were left without a clear match at Stardom Dream Queendom and will face each other in a five-way match. Waka Tsukiyama has zero wins to her name while Lady C’s only singles win is against Tsukiyama. Unlikely either of these two will be winning so it should be down to the three Oedo Tai members in terms of who gets a shot at winning. Saki Kashima and Fukigen Death are among the best in rolling someone up for a win so don’t be too shocked if that happens. Prediction: Saki Kashima

Future of Stardom Championship
Ruaka (c) vs. Hanan

One of the biggest Future of Stardom Championship matches in the short history of the title will go down as Ruaka defends against Hanan. It’s no secret that Hanan is viewed by many as the future “Ace” of Stardom as seeing her under the tutelage of Mayu Iwatani only furthers that belief. And yet, she has not been able to capture the Future of Stardom Championship as of this writing. Her shot comes against Ruaka, who feels like Hanan’s long-term foe moving forward in her career. This match is a brilliant insight into what the future holds for Stardom as these two could be main eventing a pay-per-view five years down the road. Prediction: Hanan

Artists of Stardom Championship
Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi (c) vs. Unagi Sayaka, Mina Shirakawa & Mai Sakurai

After successfully defending the Artists of Stardom Championship at Osaka Super Wars in two matches, MaiHime Poi will defend them once again – this time again the Cosmic Angels team of Unagi Sayaka, Mina Shirakawa, and Mai Sakurai. Two-thirds of the challenging team have the longest-reigning Artists of Stardom Championship reign to their name but Sakurai is no Tam Nakano, meaning that there’s little chance that the challengers are able to dethrone the champions if the likes of Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki, and Koguma were not two weeks ago. It’s just not happening. Prediction: Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi

High-Speed Championship
Starlight Kid (c) vs. AZM vs. Koguma

The best high-speed wrestlers in Stardom will go head-to-head-to-head with the High-Speed Championship on the line. There is no one more daring than Starlight Kid nowadays, who welcomed the challenge of both AZM and Koguma when they laid down challenges at Tokyo Super Wars. Bold seeing that Kid’s success against AZM in High-Speed Championship matches what we like to call non-existent. It’s a daring move but since joining Oedo Tai, Kid has rarely missed in her threats and this should be no different. 

AZM very well may be the best high-speed wrestler in all of professional wrestling right now but that doesn’t mean she is a shoo-in to win either. Koguma is the high-speed master and came up short to the champion in her prior defense, so it’d be odd to bank on her picking up the win here with AZM in the mix. Truthfully, there’s no way the title should be changing hands until Kid and AZM can faceoff in singles action. Until then, this is Kid’s belt to hold. Prediction: Starlight Kid

Giulia vs. Konami

When it comes to non-title matches, this is one of the most important in Stardom all year. Giulia will make her return to the ring after an injury kept her out of action since Sep. 20. On the other side of the ring is Konami, who will be stepping away from professional wrestling for the foreseeable future to take care of her health following this match at Stardom Dream Queendom. As one returns and one takes a step away, what we can expect from these two is to go all out in what should be a great match. Giulia recently returned at the Year-End Climax, citing the “Momo Mask” attackers as two talents joining Donna del Mondo in January. An interesting twist as those same attackers could always make an impact in this one.

Expect this one to go clean down the middle, however, as the bond these two women share is Hana Kimura. It will be an emotional battle but one that is perfect for a Giulia return and for Konami to go away for her hiatus. Prediction: Giulia

Takumi Iroha & Mayu Iwatani vs. Hazuki & Momo Watanabe

Somewhat of an all-star tag team match, Marvelous’ Takumi Iroha will team up with “The Icon” Mayu Iwatani to take on Hazuki and the newest member of Oedo Tai, Momo Watanabe. There’s little to this match that doesn’t scream excellent as it should be one of the best tag team bouts all year if each competitor goes all out as you’d think. Hazuki and Watanabe working together will be the most interesting story to follow in this match given their history and Watanabe becoming the “Black Peach.” Iroha and Iwatani have been on record saying they would like to team with each other so perhaps this is the beginning of them working together also.

Four of the best in all of Joshi and wrestling itself guarantees a good match and with them being third from the top, expect a special performance by all four, potentially stealing the show. This is a treat that helps highlight why Stardom Dream Queendom is such an amazing way to cap off 2021 for Stardom. Prediction: Takumi Iroha & Mayu Iwatani

Wonder of Stardom Championship
Tam Nakano (c) vs. Saya Kamitani

One of two major championship rematches will be the semi-main event. Tam Nakano has been a one-of-a-kind Wonder of Stardom Champion, having a special story with every single one of her challengers. As Nakano has explained in the past, the connection between her and challenger Saya Kamitani runs deep. Their first encounter at Yokohama Dream Cinderella in Summer saw Kamitani give it her all but that all would not be enough for the Cinderella Tournament winner. Nakano managed to takedown “The Golden Phoenix” in the spirited war.

This rematch was made as Kamitani won a number one contender’s match against Himeka and Natsupoi, giving her a second shot at Nakano this year. A major takeaway from their first encounter was that Kamitani was unable to hit her signature Phoenix Splash, the move that has become her ultimate finisher that no one has managed to escape. If and only if Kamitani can keep Nakano down long enough to hit the Phoenix Splash, she will be able to walk out as the new Wonder of Stardom Champion. It has felt like Kamitani’s destiny so it might finally be time for her to rise all the way to gold. Prediction: Saya Kamitani

World of Stardom Championship & SWA World Championship
Utami Hayashishita (c) vs. Syuri (c)

The most highly-anticipated rematch of the year. Utami Hayashishita will once again defend her World of Stardom Championship against Syuri, who will put her SWA World Championship on the line as well. Few rematches have been hyped up as much as this one following their all-time classic at Tokyo Dream Cinderella earlier this year as they wrestled to a 43-minute draw after neither woman could get back to their feet. It was a surreal night back in June as it left the whole world talking when the match was over. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer handed it a rating of 5.50 stars, the most he has ever given for a women’s match. But it goes even further as that and I have gone on record to say that it was the match that aided Stardom in their current blast in popularity. It wasn’t a rematch that was just made as it was instead earned by Syuri.

Syuri managed to win the 5 STAR Grand Prix, only adding to the banner year that she has had throughout 2021. The performances she had on the final night against Takumi Iroha and Momo Watanabe is one of the best single a wrestler has ever had. There was no question as to what the match would be at Ryogoku Sumo Hall as all signs pointed to these two facing off. Wednesday night isn’t about anything but the gold. It has become Syuri’s destiny to win the World of Stardom Championship but the tallest task of taking on “The Final Boss” of Stardom, Utami Hayashishita. “The Red Queen” will be days away from holding the World of Stardom Championship for an entire calendar year. Adding that accomplishment amongst the many she plans to reach (including Io Shirai’s record 14 successful defenses) is a true determination of hers.

Wednesday will be special. Wednesday will be watched around the world. And much of that will be for the biggest rematch of the year. It should be the perfect war to end their rivalry once and for all. This can be the signature win of Hayashishita’s title reign as well. Stardom Dream Queendom will be an event to remember. Prediction: Utami Hayashishita

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