Rina Defeats Starlight Kid To Win Emotional 5★STAR Grand Prix
STARDOM’s 5★STAR Grand Prix concluded on Sunday with Rina wearing the cape and crown after defeating Starlight Kid in an absolute classic. The fast-rising superstar defeated the leader of Neo Genesis with the Pink Devil at 27:03.
The main event brought an end to a month-long marathon featuring 32 wrestlers, who initially competed across four blocks before entering a knockout tournament. Rina wrestled 11 singles matches throughout the tournament and won eight, including her final six. At just 19 years old, Rina is now the youngest wrestler to win the 5★STAR Grand Prix and will decide who she faces at STARDOM’s Dream Queendom in December.
Before reaching the final, Rina defeated former 5★STAR Grand Prix winner Maika earlier in the show. Despite taking a significant amount of punishment from the former judoka, Rina eventually forced her to submit to the Hydrangea at 16:51. On the other side of the bracket, Starlight Kid eliminated reigning World of Stardom Champion Suzu Suzuki with her own Kokko Kyakusatsu submission at 16:56.
Speaking after winning the hellacious final, Rina addressed the 5,004 fans in attendance and promised to take STARDOM to new heights.
“Right now, I’m only thinking about winning (the) 5★STAR, so I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m going to do things that’ll shock you and make your eyes pop out, so don’t take your eyes off me… it’s not just (Saya) Kamitani. I’m going to make STARDOM the number one promotion in the world, too, so keep following me and STARDOM from now on!”
-Rina
The final also carried significant weight in STARDOM’s history, with both finalists being STARDOM originals. Starlight Kid was just 14 years old when she made her debut in 2015, while Rina was only 11 when she was introduced alongside her twin sister Hina in 2018.
Both wrestlers previously worked together as partners and friends in Oedo Tai, which served as STARDOM’s main heel faction before evolving into H.A.T.E. in 2024. Rina remained with H.A.T.E., while Starlight Kid had already departed and would go on to form Neo Genesis, turning the pair into rivals despite the respect and gamesmanship that has always existed between them.
They first met in singles action in early 2025, when Rina challenged SLK for the Wonder of Stardom Championship. The match was a phenomenal showcase and something of a coming-out party for Rina, who, despite losing, used the momentum from the bout to establish herself as one of the world’s standout wrestlers.
STARDOM’s “Pink Devil” spoke about her relationship with SLK after the match, noting that she was glad it was her who she got to face in what would become the biggest victory of her career to date.
“Back when we were in Oedo Tai together, when no one was even paying attention to me, Kid was the only one who mentioned my name as a wrestler to watch in the future. It might sound weird coming from me now, since I don’t really like this kind of thing, but the fact that my opponent in the final was Kid is actually quite moving to me. I’m glad it turned out that way.”
-Rina
Rina’s victory also carries a strong connection to the late STARDOM legend Hana Kimura, who played an important role in her formative years as a rookie while they were both members of Tokyo Cyber Squad. Rina has continued to honour her former mentor in numerous ways, including using some of Kimura’s most famous moves, with her influence remaining an important part of Rina’s journey.
When reflecting on Kimura, Rina acknowledged that she still has room to grow before she can surpass her former mentor, but believes the late TCS leader would be proud of how far she has come.
“I don’t feel like I’ve caught up to her at all. In my mind, Hana was truly great… I hope that someday I’ll be able to feel that way… If Hana was watching… I wonder what she’d say. I think she’d laugh and say ‘Wow, that’s amazing! You’ve really grown!’ and be happy about it in a lighthearted way.”
-Rina
While it remains unknown which title Rina will challenge for at Dream Queendom in December, it is hard not to get excited about either option. Assuming Suzu Suzuki remains World of Stardom Champion and Hanan remains Wonder of Stardom Champion, Rina has two fascinating matches to choose from.
Should she pick Hanan, she would not only face her older sister on one of STARDOM’s biggest stages, but also attempt to bring the title back to H.A.T.E. after Konami previously held it. If she instead chooses Suzu and wins the World of Stardom Championship, she would become the third H.A.T.E. member to hold the title.
For more coverage of the fallout from the 5★STAR Grand Prix and everything surrounding STARDOM, WrestlePurists will keep you updated.
H/T to Monthly Puroresu for the transcription, translated via DeepL.
