Top Joshi promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom’s “Goddesses of Stardom” tag tournament reached its climax yesterday as Natsuki*Taiyo (yes, that’s actually how her name is written) and Yoshiko defeated Kairi Hojo and Natsumi Showzuki in the final to become the new Goddesses of Stardom Champions. Taiyo (who is also the Stardom High Speed Champion) and Yoshiko had lost their first match of the tournament last month but came back with some big wins to keep them in contention for the titles, which were vacated in October after Yoko Bito suffered a neck injury.
Here are the full results, courtesy of Open The Puroresu Gate:
Goddesses of Stardom Tournament – Red Block:
Eri Susa & NOZOMI beat Io Shirai & Mayu Iwatani
Natsuki*Taiyo & Yoshiko beat Yuzuki Aikawa & Yuhi to win the Red Block.
Goddesses of Stardom Tournament – Blue Block:
Kairi Hojo & Natsumi Showzuki vs. Act Yasukawa & Saki Kashima went to a 15 minute time limit draw.
Nanae Takahashi & Miho Wakizawa beat Kyoko Kimura & Christina Von Eerie. As a result, Hojo & Showzuki won the Blue Block.
Goddesses of Stardom Tournament – Final:
Natsuki*Taiyo & Yoshiko beat Kairi Hojo & Natsumi Showzuki to win the tournament and the Goddesses of Stardom Championships.
Thoughts: I haven’t seen a great deal of Stardom’s product, but everything I have seen has impressed me. Natsuki*Taiyo is one of the best high-fliers in Joshi today, and she seems to be an ideal mentor for the 19-year old Yoshiko. Stardom have really made a name for themselves in their short existence with their fast-paced and hard-hitting shows and their unique promotional tactics, and with the likes of these ladies at the helm it’s easy to see why.
