The best time for a Joshi fan is coming up as the 2024 STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix will begin August 10th with a major show with the finals being on August 31st, where one woman will earn an opportunity at any championship they choose, which in recent times have been the World Of Stardom Championship, at the annual Stardom Queendom show in December. This year’s line-up is the most stacked tournament you will see in pro wrestling, with 28 of the best female wrestlers in the world who are facing each other in a four-block format. Next to the established names, there are nine new wrestlers in the Grand Prix, including younger wrestlers and outsiders.
Since last year’s tournament, STARDOM president Taro Okada has changed a lot in the promotion as Queen’s Quest and Oedo Tai are in the past, while H.A.T.E., which is the new heel stable, takes over the company. The new World of Stardom Champion, Natsuko Tora, is not competing in this tournament to start her “reign of terror.” The faction is feuding with the majority of the top wrestlers in the company, which means that the winner of the 5STAR Grand Prix is not only chasing the World of Stardom Championship but also stopping the takeover of H.A.T.E.
This is your perfect introduction to the 5STAR GP 2024, as we will have the schedule, blocks, and predictions for this year’s tournament. Let’s not waste more time and jump into this year’s 5STAR Grand Prix.
Rules
Always a question of a round-robin tournament is what are the rules? In the 5STAR, they are really simple and easy to understand.
- Win: 2 Points
- Draw (Count out, Time Limit Draw, Double DQ): 1 Point
- Loss: 0 Points
The matches have a 15-minute time limit, which is less compared to the G1 and other tournaments in Japan. It forces the Wrestlers to have quicker matches at a faster pace. It also means that a couple of matches will end up in a draw. The goal is for a Wrestler to have the most points at the end of the Block Stage with the top two of each Block advancing to the final eight. In case two wrestlers finish the block stage with the same points, the tiebreaker will decide who moves on.
How To Watch The 5STAR
STARDOM has its own streaming service called Stardom World, which costs ¥920. For the first time ever, it’s possible to watch the 5STAR show live on Stardom World. Important: The payment occurs on the first of every month, regardless of when you signed up. So if you sign up tonight, you will be able to watch the entire 5STAR as the next payment would be on September 1st.
On top of that, the opening night on August 10th & the final day on August 31st will be on PPV. Stardom World subscribers will be able to see the PPV four days later on the streaming service. The Japanese STARDOM Twitter account will share the PPV links, or it will be found on the website.
5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Blocks
Red Stars A
Hazuki
- 6th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (7-5)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 23-18-2
- 2024 Singles Record: 3-1-1
Hazuki is a dangerous competitor who can beat everyone at every moment with her vicious style, and once she unleashes that, it’s tough for any wrestler to beat her. While Hazuki isn’t successful in her bigger matches, she is a force to be reckoned with in tournaments. She is a tournament wrestler like no other as she is always successful in them, especially in 2022, where she had a perfect 7-0 record to kick off her tournament. If she can recreate that here, she will be in the semi-finals of this year’s tournament with ease.
Coming fresh out of a Goddess of Stardom Championship reign with Koguma, Hazuki has set her eyes once again on the top championship of STARDOM that has been haunting her for years and her goal in the tournament will be gaining momentum to finally win one of the two top belts in the company.
Important Match: vs. Natuspoi (August 25th) – On the final block day, Hazuki has the chance to earn herself an opportunity at the Championship that she has been hunting since the beginning of her career – the Wonder of Stardom Championship. She will face Natsupoi, where not only a spot to the Quarterfinals will be on the line, but also a potential future title match between two of the most consistent wrestlers in the promotion.
Konami
- 6th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2019 – Tournament Finalist (5-2-1)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 18-19-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 4-1
The first 5STAR since 2021, Konami wants to show that she still has it as a single competitor on the highest level in STARDOM. After turning on Syuri & God’s Eye to align herself with Oedo Tai, now H.A.T.E., Konami gained momentum heading into the Grand Prix and is one of the favourites to make it out of the Red Stars A Block.
The big question mark around her is if she will wrestle or if her matches will be full of interferences and referee bumps similar to her singles match against Syuri just two weeks ago, where Momo Watanabe interfered five times in an eight-minute match. Her role in the tournament will be trying to stop the faces and beat them as part of the H.A.T.E vs. STARDOM storyline that has been getting hotter by every show. Given that, it’s likely that she will at least try to cheat in multiple matches.
Important Match: vs. Natuspoi (August 18th) – Similar to Hazuki, Konami has aimed for the Wonder of Stardom Champion for years now, which seems to be her big kryptonite in STARDOM as her latest loss against MIRAI last year was her fourth unsuccessful challenge for the White Belt in her career. With Natsupoi being the Champion now, Konami has a new target and has the chance in this block to earn a shot at the prestigious belt.
Maika
- 5th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2023 – Tournament Finalist (5-2-2)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 20-13-4
- 2024 Singles Record: 7-1
‘The Empress’ nearly made it to the 5STAR Grand Prix as the World of Stardom Champion before she got screwed by her supposed friend, Saya Kamitani. Now, Maika’s in the GP is to reclaim her throne on top of STARDOM and reclaim the Red Belt. The storyline is there for her to have a deep run and even win it all, as she is the main focus of the H.A.T.E. vs. STARDOM storyline and instantly said that she will come back for the World of Stardom Championship.
She needs to hide from nobody in this tournament, as with an impressive 7-1 singles record in 2024, Maika still has a lot of momentum heading into the GP. Her success in the past 5STARs speaks for herself, as she only fell short to Suzu Suzuki in the last edition of the tournament and has been constantly getting positive results in her four appearances in the tournament. Everything other than a deep run would be disappointing for the ‘Empress’, as her sights are set clear on not only redeeming her loss in the 5STAR final last year but also her loss of the top prize of STARDOM.
Important Match: vs. Konami (August 15th) – Maika wasn’t devastated by her loss of the Red Belt, but more motivated, and nothing will motivate her more than getting the hands of one of the H.A.T.E. members with Konami. She will try to send a message in this match to not only Natsuko Tora but also to Saya Kamitani, whom she wants to face in the final.
Manami
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 5-6-2
Manami is a bit of a wildcard in this block, as it’s yet to be seen how the Sendai Girls Wrestler will do in their first appearance in the 5STAR Grand Prix, but one thing is sure – She isn’t here to lose every match and wants to get results. The 19-year-old is more of a tag team specialist but had some experience in high-profile singles for the Sendai Girls World Championship before. This is her first major opportunity to gain much-needed experience to get to the next level in her home promotion.
Important Match: vs. Natsupoi (August 23rd) – In the Sendai PIT, Manami has the chance to get the biggest win of her singles career against Wonder of Stardom Champion Natsupoi. Manami & Poi had a few interactions in the preview to the double championship match between Iwata & Anou in July, and they were more than promising. If there is any chance for a major upset in this block, then it’s this match.
Natsupoi
- Current Wonder of Stardom & Artist of Stardom Champion
- 5th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2023 – 11 points (5-3-1)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 16-18-2
- 2024 Singles Record: 1-1
After years of chasing the belt, Natsupoi finally won the Wonder of Stardom Championship and wrote her name down in history books. But with a major win like that, the target is on her back now and brings pressure to her. With Hazuki, Manami, and Konami, multiple potential challengers are waiting in her block, who will use every second of weakness Natsupoi shows to earn themselves a shot at the prestigious belt.
Natsupoi has the momentum to go through in this block, but with the target on her back, it will be tougher for her than for the other top names in her block, and it could cost her the entire tournament.
Important Match: vs. Maika (August 10th) – While Maika isn’t one of the named potential challengers for the White Belt, it’s the biggest match of the block as it’s the Wonder of Stardom Champion facing the former World of Stardom Champion on the opening night of the tournament. It can’t get much bigger in the tournament.
Ruaka
- 2nd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2021 – 0 points (0-9)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-9-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 3-2
For the first time since 2021, Ruaka made it into the main tournament of the 5STAR Grand Prix after World of Stardom Champion Natsuko Tora backed out and gave her the spot. The ‘Violent Freezer’ didn’t have it easy in the past years as she was constantly in the shadows of her fellow Oedo Tai members, while her career-rival Hanan moved up the card quickly and was able to win the Cinderella Tournament. Ruaka has something to prove in this tournament, and that is that she isn’t just fodder for Hanan in the future, but also that she can break out on her own and become a mainstay in the tournament.
Important Match: vs. Hazuki (August 11th) – This is Ruaka’s biggest chance to get an upset win over the top four in this tournament. The H.A.T.E. member has shown that she can defeat Hazuki in a singles match, as she defeated Hazuki in the Cinderella Tournament earlier in the year – It was via over-the-top rope and with a lot of help, but a win is a win.
Yuna Mizumori
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 8-2
After defeating Ruaka in the Qualifier Tournament, Mizumori successfully qualified for her first ever 5 Star Grand Prix, which is her biggest success so far in her STARDOM run. Yunamon now has the chance to shine in the biggest women’s tournament in pro wrestling, and for her, it’s all about the experience. She won’t have a deep run in the tournament and likely will pick up four points at most, but it’s her chance to escape the bottom of the roster and gain the much-needed experience to make the next step in her career.
Important Match: vs. Maika (August 11th) – Yunamon is facing the biggest name of the block early on, and the two have shown in the past that they have great chemistry. The two hosses of the block colliding will be great to watch, as it’s a huge match for Mizumori to stand up and show the STARDOM fanbase how much she has grown as she stands in the ring across the former World of Stardom Champion.
Red Stars B
AZM
- 6th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (7-5)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 22-23-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 5-3-1
At the age of 22, AZM will compete in her sixth 5STAR Grand Prix, and it’s her first tournament as not a member of Queen’s Quest after the split at Conversion just two months ago. With her new stable Neo Genesis together with Suzu Suzuki, Miyu Amasaki, Starlight Kid, and Mei Seira, who is also part of the Red Stars B Block, the ‘High-Speed Bomb Girl’ has new motivations to shine and take over STARDOM together with the rest of Neo Genesis.
In her singles career, AZM has been stuck in the same role for several years now, with fans hoping that AZM takes the next step in her STARDOM career. 5STAR Grand Prix seems to be the perfect start for that goal, as AZM is known to have major upsets in her runs, and it won’t be much different in this year’s tournament.
Important Match: vs. Momo Watanabe (August 10th) – The former MOMOAZ tag team partners are colliding on the opening night, and that match-up is not only great but also important for AZM, as the wounds of Watanabe’s betrayal in 2021 still sit deep inside her. The hatred between the two combined with their fantastic chemistry in the ring makes this match a must-watch. A win for either could decide the fate of the tournament for both.
Mayu Iwatani
- Current IWGP Women’s Champion
- 11th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2018 – Tournament Winner (4-2-1)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 43-25-7
- 2024 Singles Record: 6-0
Even in times of change and uncertainty, nobody embraces STARDOM more than Mayu Iwatani, as the Icon is competing in her 11th 5STAR Grand Prix. Nobody is more consistent in the tournament than Iwatani, and while she has been out of the World of Stardom Championship picture for over two years now, this is her chance to earn herself a shot and potentially become a record-breaking 3x Red Belt Champion.
In an interview, she stated that it might be her last Grand Prix if she doesn’t win it. Fans should treat it as one final run of the current IWGP Women’s Champion, as she will show why she is still on top of the promotion after so many years.
Important Match: vs. Momo Watanabe (August 15th) – Watanabe & Iwatani had multiple classics inside a STARDOM ring, especially their matches for the World & Wonder of Stardom Championship matches that stand out here, but also their match in the 5STAR Grand Prix 2021 that is to this day one of the best tournament matches in STARDOM’s history. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and with the match happening at Korakuen Hall, this has the potential to be the best match of the block stage.
Mei Seira
- Current High-Speed Champion
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 7-3-1
After surprisingly missing the tournament last year, Mei Seira makes her 5STAR Grand Prix debut and is entering the tournament as the new High-Speed Champion after reclaiming the title from Saya Kamitani. In her little over a year in STARDOM, Seira has achieved a lot and has established herself in the ranks of the roster.
This will be her first big test as a singles competitor, as she faces some of the best STARDOM has to offer and finally can prove where she ranks among the best in the promotion. Seira is one of the most consistent wrestlers in the company, and her match quality will be high-end, but will that be enough to score important points in the group of death?
Important Match: vs. AZM (August 11th) – On the second night, Seira has the biggest match of her block as she faces her Neo Genesis partner AZM in a highly anticipated rematch. Seira has said multiple times that she wants to be the face of the high-speed division, but for that, she needs to overcome the most successful High-Speed Champion, and here she has the chance to come closer to that goal. The match will be filled with quick action that could be over in the blink of an eye.
Momo Watanabe
- Current Goddess of Stardom Champion
- 8th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2021 – Tournament Finalist (6-3)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 32-22-4
- 2024 Singles Record: 0-2
For years, Momo Watanabe was destined to be a future World of Stardom Championship, and right now, she feels closer to it than ever before. Her performance in the All-Star Grand Queendom match against Maika was remarkable, and since then she has influenced the directions in STARDOM more than anyone else, as she was the deciding factor in the match between Queen’s Quest and Oedo Tai, as well as winning the Goddess of Stardom Championship and converting Kamitani to the dark side.
The question arises whether Momo Watanabe will also leave her mark on the tournament, and looking at her past tournaments, the answer will be yes. Her incredible in-ring output is nowhere showcased better than in the 5STAR, and in that monster block, she will shine and show the world what she can do inside the squared circle.
Important Match: vs. Tam Nakano (August 18th) – This is the first singles match between two of the biggest stars in the company in over five years. Watanabe & Nakanao haven’t clashed since the 5STAR back in 2019. An important block match in Kobe, where they will show how much they have grown in the past five years.
Saya Iida
- 3rd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 Points (2-10)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 3-16-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 5-3
After missing out on the tournament last year, Saya Iida is back in the 5STAR with a mission to show that she is more than just “potential.” In her past two 5STAR appearances, Gori-chan reached 2 and 4 points, respectively. It felt like she had hit her ceiling in STARDOM, but the past 12 months changed everything as her tag team with Hanan did wonders for her and put her back on the radar for many.
Since then, Iida has been one of the most consistent workers in the company and gets the chance to compete in another 5STAR and is in the tournament to get some results. Considering the block, it will be difficult for her, but her performances alone will be worth it to follow her tournament.
Important Match: vs. Momo Watanabe (August 23rd) – Watanabe is Iida’s best opponent and one of the few top names that she was able to defeat in a singles match in the past. The match could be something special with Iida’s underdog spirit mixed with the intensity of the Black Peach.
Tam Nakano
- Current Artist of Stardom Champion
- 8th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – Tournament Finalist (8-4)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 30-28-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 3-1-1
The past 365 days have been difficult for Tam Nakano, as she not only lost her World of Stardom Championship due to injury but also struggled ever since with losses to Willow Nightingale and Aja Kong. Her momentum went a bit up with a big Artist of Stardom Championship win together with Natsupoi & Saori Anou, but it’s far away from where she was in 2023.
That being said, Nakano is the top favourite heading into the 5STAR, and it’s her tournament to lose. After the brutal attack of H.A.T.E., where World of Stardom Champion Natsuko Tora even cut Nakano’s hair, the leader of Cosmic Angels wants to get her revenge on the new heel stable. All the roads lead to a Tam Nakano victory in this tournament, who wants to continue the second Tam Road and get back the championship she never lost.
Important Match: vs. Mayu Iwatani (August 10th) – No match in the Grand Prix is more important to Nakano than the singles match against Mayu Iwatani on the first day of the tournament. She has never beaten the Icon in a singles match before, and it has been a major part of her story ever since she left STARS back in 2020. Nakano has done it all, except for beating Iwatani, and now she has one more try to overcome the current IWGP Women’s Champion in a rematch of the best match of last year’s tournament.
Tomoka Inaba
- Current Queen of JTO Champion
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 9-1-1
The reigning Queen of JTO Champion enters her first Grand Prix and feels like the wildcard in this stacked block. The 22-year-old brings in a lot of experience to this tournament in singles competition, but never has she faced such a variety of high-level talent in such a short time. It will be the ultimate test for the trainee of TAKA Michinoku, who shines with her kicks and her karate background.
After her little sister Azusa Inaba already won her first STARDOM Championship, Tomoka wants to show some results herself here in the tournament. She is dangerous and can shockingly beat everyone and every second, as it was seen during her unsuccessful challenge against Maika for the Red Belt, where she came close to capturing the top championship of STARDOM multiple times.
Important Match: vs. Mayu Iwatani (August 25th) – The biggest test of them all for Tomoka is against the ‘Icon’ Mayu Iwatani on the last day of the block stage. The two had several interactions in tag team matches on recent house shows, where it was quickly seen that they could create something special in their upcoming singles match.
Blue Stars A
Anna Jay
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 5-10
Speculation about the potential participation of Anna Jay in the 5STAR has been going around ever since the partnership between AEW and STARDOM started, so it was no surprise when she was announced for the prestigious tournament. She isn’t a talented pro wrestler, and the expectations for her performances are low, but that can be good for her as she can only surprise fans and, in the best case, even contribute something to the tournament.
As she said in her promo, her goal isn’t to get major results but to become a better pro wrestler, and there is no bigger chance for her than competing against six good wrestlers over the three weeks that she will be in Japan. The experience can only help her to see what her ceiling is as a wrestler.
Important Match: vs. Syuri (August 15th) – Speaking of experience, there is no better opponent in STARDOM to gain experience than facing Syuri, who is one of the most consistent wrestlers in the entire world and can have a great match with everyone. Anna Jay will need to step up to face the former World of Stardom Champion at Korakuen Hall.
Koguma
- 4th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2021 – 11 points (5-2-2)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 12-11-3
- 2024 Singles Record: 2-2
In the already stylistically different block, Koguma brings another style with her high speed mixed with her comedy elements. It’s always a question with Koguma before every single one of her tournament matches whether fans will see the serious Koguma or the joking Koguma that hits the bear pose at every chance possible. This makes it tough for her opponent to prepare for the bear, as she can surprise everyone out of nowhere.
She won’t have anything to do with advancing to the quarterfinals, but Koguma’s role in the tournament is to play the spoiler and ruin someone’s entire tournament in the worst case. Her getting an upset or two over the top three names in the block feels inevitable.
Important Match: vs. Syuri (August 20th) – Koguma is the only wrestler in the 5STAR that has a winning record over Syuri and will try to do everything to keep that like that, as Syuri is falling for mind games and comedy-type wrestlers like Koguma or Saki Kashima regularly.
Miyu Amasaki
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 5-7
The ‘Supernova of STARDOM’ debuted back in 2022 with a major match against Utami Hayashishita, and it only took her two years to make it into the 5STAR after qualifying by defeating Aya Sakura and Lady C in the tournament.
Similar to AZM, she found her way in Neo Genesis after being forced to leave Queen’s Quest at the Conversion show in June. This is her first chance to shine as a singles wrestler, and that in a block that stylistically isn’t the best fit for her, but her workhorse instinct in recent months will make up for it.
Important Match: vs. Saori Anou (August 17th) – In her hometown of Kyoto, Amasaki will face the former 2x Wonder of Stardom Champion Saori Anou in the biggest match of her 5STAR campaign. With the Kyoto crowd behind her, Amasaki could pull off the biggest win of her singles career in this match and gain two important points.
Saori Anou
- Current Sendai Girls World Champion & Artist of Stardom Champion
- 2nd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2023 – 10 points (4-3-2)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 4-3-2
- 2024 Singles Record: 6-2-1
Saori Anou’s past two months went differently than she wanted, as she first lost her White Belt to Mika Iwata before winning both it back and the Sendai Girls World Championship just three weeks later, only to lose the Wonder Championship 12 days after regaining it to her best friend Natsupoi.
The momentum loss in recent weeks will be tough for her to regain if she isn’t at 100% from the first day on. If she can bounce back from the two big losses, she will be one of the favourites not only to win her block but also to win the entire tournament, but the “if” is the important part here.
Important Match: vs. Anna Jay (August 15th) – The start is important for Saori Anou as she needs to gain momentum after her recent losses. The problem for her is that she faces Anna Jay, who comes in with motivation from AEW, who Anou never faced and can’t prepare for. The match will be a good indicator of how Anou’s tournament will go – success or disappointment.
Starlight Kid
- 5th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (7-5)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 15-20-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 8-2-1
Starlight Kid’s tournament will be all about redemption, especially after a terrible 5STAR last year, where the ‘Sky Tiger’ crashed out with 4 points. Starlight Kid will try to redeem herself this year. Since then, she has taken time off due to an injury, unsuccessfully challenged for the Wonder of Stardom Championship, and got kicked out of Oedo Tai after a loss at All Star Grand Queendom in April.
Now, she is a different Starlight Kid and recently became a faction leader, who needs to bring results in the tournament to back up her new position on top of Neo Genesis. Another debacle, like in 2023, can’t happen to her anymore; she needs to deliver now.
Important Match: vs. Saori Anou (August 15th) – ‘The Sky Tiger’ suffered a major defeat at the hands of Saori Anou at Supreme Fight in February, where she unsuccessfully challenged for the White Belt. Since then, Starlight Kid has changed and is a different person who wants to show that she has grown since February and get her win back.
Syuri
- 5th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2021 – Tournament Winner (5-2-2)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 21-12-4
- 2024 Singles Record: 2-1-1
Syuri has been more in the focus in the past 6 weeks again, and for her, not much went her way as God’s Eye shifted with Ami Sohrei’s injury that keeps her out for the time being and Konami betraying her just shortly after winning the Goddess of Stardom Championship together. Syuri added Hina & Lady C to God’s Eye to help her fight H.A.T.E., but in this tournament, all of that doesn’t matter as she wants to become the first-ever two 5STAR winner to get her hands on Natsuko Tora & H.A.T.E.
It’s tough to find a better and more consistent 5STAR participant in history than Syuri, who always is in the running for MVP and is incredibly tough to beat in singles matches, with only Koguma having a winning record over her.
Important Match: vs. Saori Anou (August 12th) – The favorites to advance in the block facing each other early in the tournament is always exciting, as whoever wins can decide the tone later on in the Grand Prix and possibly punch their ticket to the quarterfinals early.
Xena
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance – Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 3-2
The breakout wrestler in STARDOM proved herself in recent months with fantastic performances in tag & trios matches as well as in her challenge for the World of Stardom Championship against her EXV partner Maika. She showed that she is capable of hanging in with some of the best of the company and deserves the spot in the tournament.
Since coming back to her second run, she won over more fans with every outing and has created a little buzz around her. She is going to impress more fans the longer the tournament goes with fantastic performances and shocking upsets.
Important Match: vs. Syuri (August 24th) – Her last match during her first run was a singles match against Syuri, and that was the match many saw the true potential of Xena. A year later, the two will face again, but this Xena isn’t the same Xena that faced Syuri in June 2023. It’s a developed and more dangerous version of her that can defeat Syuri on the right day.
Blue Stars B
Hanan
- 3rd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance 2023 – 6 points (3-6)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 5-16-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 10-2
The reigning Cinderella Tournament winner wasn’t able to fully capitalize on her career highlight moment in the spring as she lost many matches since. Still, the ‘Young Lioness’ has proven that she is the future of this company and can consistently hang with the best on the roster now.
This is her first 5STAR tournament, where she has the chance to get results as she is one of the favourites to win her block. The 19-year-old technically could become the youngest 5STAR Grand Prix winner, but for that, she would need to work as hard to overcome the flaws in her game that cost her several matches in the past 4 months.
Important Match: vs. Suzu Suzuki (August 10th) – The of the youngest wrestlers in the Grand Prix facing off on night one. Suzu & Hanan are both crowned the future of Joshi, as this is a match we will see many times in the next few years for the top belts of the company. Getting this on night one is a treat, as it will be an absolute show-stealer.
Ranna Yagami
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance – Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 4-16-2
Ranna Yagami originally wasn’t planned for the Grand Prix, but when God’s Eye partner Ami Sohrei needed to take time off due to injuries, the rookie got a major opportunity by competing in the tournament before the others of her class. Ranna has some round-robin experience already as she competed in the Catch the Wave Young Block, which gave her good tournament experience to prepare for the 5STAR.
That being said, the level is a different one, as she will compete against some of the vicious wrestlers on the entire roster. She won’t advance and won’t get many or even any points, but she will have a great learning experience that will help her develop her skills.
Important Match: vs. Saki Kashima (August 17th) – Her biggest chance to get a win in the tournament is against Saki Kashima, whose weakness is facing wrestlers with lethal kicks and strikes like Yagami has. If she can escape the Kishikaisei, a victory is possible.
Risa Sera
- 2nd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 15 Points (7-4-1)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 7-4-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 9-6-5
One of the most dangerous wrestlers in Joshi is back in STARDOM as Risa Sera will compete in her second 5STAR Grand Prix. Since leaving Ice Ribbon, Sera has been competing regularly in the promotion, including winning the Artist of Stardom Championship with Hiiragi Kurumi and Suzu Suzuki.
She is a great veteran who can defeat everyone when it matters, as it was seen in the Catch the WAVE tournament, where she scored a huge win over Saya Kamitani and was the only one to defeat the newest H.A.T.E. member.
Important Match: vs. Saya Kamitani (August 10th) – On the first night, Risa faces off against Kamitani again, whom she battled twice within the Catch the WAVE tournament, with both winning one match each. This time, Sera won’t face the Kamitani she knows, but the new Kamitani, which brings some more spice into the match-ups that fans have already seen this year.
Saki Kashima
- 6th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 12 points (6-6)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 14-26-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 4-1
After missing the tournament last year and not wanting to compete this year, Saki Kashima is back in the 5STAR with one mission – spoiling as many wrestlers as she can, and she’s fantastic at that. Her Kishikaisei roll-up can defeat everyone at any time, which makes her matches unpredictable and fun to watch.
Her matches won’t be the best-worked matches in the tournament, but they will be incredibly fun and light-hearted, which makes them stand out next to all the great work-rate matches that the Grand Prix has.
Important Match: Every Single One – As I explained, Kashima’s matches are unpredictable, which makes her matches against anyone must-watch. From her upsetting a top name in 12 seconds all over to her losing in a fun contest, everything is possible.
Saya Kamitani
- 5th 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (6-4-2)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 13-12-4
The ‘Golden Phoenix’ became the ‘Phenex Queen’ as Kamitani joined the Dark Side and betrayed Maika to help Natsuko Tora win the Red Belt, and with that, not only ended Maika’s title reign but also Queen’s Quest and Oedo Tai. The fan favourite has turned evil and will wreak havoc in the 5STAR. Last year’s 5STAR didn’t go as planned for Kamitani as she dislocated her elbow in the opening match, but with her new persona, she will overcome the doubts and be a big part of the tournament. The question isn’t if she makes it to the final; it’s rather how she does it.
Important Match: vs. Hanan (August 25th) – On the final block day, Kamitani will have a deciding match against the ‘Young Lioness’, with the winner likely advancing to the playoffs. It can’t have much more stakes in a block stage than in this match, and with the babyface Hanan facing the newest top heel Kamitani, the match has an interesting dynamic.
Suzu Suzuki
- 3rd 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: 2023 – Tournament Winner (6-3)
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 13-7-1
- 2024 Singles Record: 3-1-1
The Youngest 5STAR Grand Prix winner tries to be the first-ever 2x 5STAR Winner, as Suzu Suzuki is aiming to reclaim her throne and take what was meant to be hers – the World of Stardom Championship, but it all went differently as expected as Maika was able to get her revenge and defeat Suzuki in a match for the vacant Red Belt, which ended Suzuki’s dream.
She is coming back from injuries and seems to be stronger than ever as she is now part of the Neo Genesis stable together with the new generation of STARDOM.
Important Match: vs. Risa Sera (August 15th) – Sera and Suzuki have known each other for years and were both part of Ice Ribbon & Prominence before Suzu left to join STARDOM full-time. Suzuki has won a lot of accolades, but she never defeated Sera in a straight-up singles match, which she has the chance to do at the Korakuen Hall show.
Thekla
- 1st 5STAR Participation
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- 5STAR Win-Loss-Draw Record: 0-0-0
- 2024 Singles Record: 1-0-1
The ‘Idol Killer’ has been polarizing since her return to STARDOM with negative and positive reactions from the fan base, but it’s undeniable that she found success in her new role as she joined Oedo Tai/H.A.T.E. and was able to win the Goddess of Stardom Tag Titles alongside Momo Watanabe a couple of weeks ago.
Similar to other H.A.T.E. members, it’s unsure how she will perform in the tournament and how much they will cheat to try to win as many matches as possible. In her recent singles match, she lost control over herself, which resulted in a double countout with the rookie Sayaka Kurara. This can’t happen in the 5STAR, as every single loss could be one too many to advance to the next stage.
Important Match: vs. Saya Kamitani (August 12th) – A match between two H.A.T.E. members can either be terrible or incredible, and that is what makes the match-up between Kamitani and Thekla interesting. It’s unknown how they will wrestle in the match—stalling to a time limit draw? Fighting normally? Is H.A.T.E. interfering for both? So many outcomes are possible here.
Potential 5STAR Finals
There are two potential finals in this year’s 5STAR Grand Prix that everyone sees as likely and both centre around H.A.T.E and their war against the babyfaces of STARDOM.
Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani
This is the most obvious scenario, as Kamitani and Nakano have fought countless battles over the Wonder of Stardom Championship and always had great chemistry. It was Kamitani who ended Tam Nakano’s first White Belt run back in 2021. In their last match during the 5STAR Grand Prix, Kamitani dislocated her elbow and was out for the time being. While it wasn’t the fault of Nakano, the new H.A.T.E. member hasn’t forgotten the match and will seek revenge.
After the angle at the Hamamatsu show, where Kamitani & Tora cut the hair of the leader of Cosmic Angels, Nakano instantly became the top favorite to win the tournament and get her revenge on not only Saya but also on the current World of Stardom Champion, who attacked Nakano’s knee before the tournament to weaken her.
Maika vs. Saya Kamitani
The other expected final also has Saya Kamitani in it, but here it’s against the woman who she betrayed, Maika. ‘The Empress’ and ‘Phenex Queen’ go a long time back and have fought over the World of Stardom, Wonder of Stardom, Goddess of Stardom, Future of Stardom, and the Artist of Stardom Championship in the past, as both are part of the Golden Generation with Himeka, Saya Iida, and Utami Hayashishita.
Maika wants her revenge for Kamitani costing her the Red Belt and seems more motivated than ever before to fight her way back to the top of STARDOM again and continue the era of the ‘Empress’. It would be the second major singles match between the two rivals and would decide the World of Stardom Championship scene for the upcoming months.
5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Schedule
August 10
Red Stars A
- Maika vs. Natsupoi
- Konami vs. Ruaka
- Hazuki vs. Manami
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano
- Mei Seira vs. Tomoka Inaba
- Momo Watanabe vs. AZM
Blue Stars A
- Saori Anou vs. Anna Jay
- Syuri vs. Starlight Kid
- Xena vs. Miyu Amasaki
Blue Stars B
- Suzu Suzuki vs. Hanan
- Saya Kamitani vs. Ranna Yagami
- Saki Kashima vs. Risa Sera
August 11
Red Stars A
- Maika vs Yuna Mizumori
- Konami vs. Manami
- Hazuki vs. Ruaka
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Saya Iida
- Tomoka Inaba vs. Momo Watanabe
- AZM vs. Mei Seira
August 12 (Day & Night Show)
Blue Stars A
- Syuri vs. Saori Anou
- Starlight Kid vs. Anna Jay
- Xena vs. Koguma
Blue Stars B
- Suzu Suzuki vs. Saki Kashima
- Hanan vs. Risa Sera
- Saya Kamitani vs. Thekla
Red Stars A
- Hazuki vs. Konami
- Ruaka vs. Manami
- Natsupoi vs. Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B
- Tam Nakano vs. Saya Iida
- Mei Seira vs. Momo Watanabe
- AZM vs. Tomoka Inaba
August 15
Red Stars A
- Maika vs. Konami
- Natsupoi vs. Ruaka
- Manami vs. Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe
- Saya Iida vs. Tomoka Inaba
- Tam Nakano vs. AZM
Blue Stars A
- Syuri vs. Anna Jay
- Saori Anou vs. Starlight Kid
- Koguma vs. Miyu Amasaki
Blue Stars B
- Suzu Suzuki vs. Risa Sera
- Hanan vs. Saki Kashima
- Ranna Yagami vs. Thekla
August 17
Blue Stars A
- Saori Anou vs. Miyu Amasaki
- Xena vs. Anna Jay
- Starlight Kid vs. Koguma
Blue Stars B
- Saya Kamitani vs. Risa Sera
- Hanan vs. Thekla
- Ranna Yagami vs. Saki Kashima
August 18
Red Stars A
- Maika vs. Ruaka
- Hazuki vs. Yuna Mizumori
- Natsupoi vs. Konami
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. AZM
- Tam Nakano vs. Momo Watanabe
- Saya Iida vs. Mei Seira
August 20
Blue Stars A
- Xena vs. Saori Anou
- Syuri vs. Koguma
- Anna Jay vs. Miyu Amasaki
Blue Stars B
- Suzu Suzuki vs. Thekla
- Ranna Yagami vs. Risa Sera
- Saya Kamitani vs. Saki Kashima
August 23
Red Stars A
- Maika vs. Hazuki
- Natsupoi vs. Manami
- Konami vs. Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Mei Seira
- Tam Nakano vs. Tomoka Inaba
- Saya Iida vs. Momo Watanabe
August 24
Blue Stars A
- Syuri vs. Xena
- Starlight Kid vs. Miyu Amasaki
- Koguma vs. Anna Jay
Blue Stars B
- Saya Kamitani vs. Suzu Suzuki
- Hanan vs. Ranna Yagami
- Thekla vs. Risa Sera
August 25 (Final Block Day)
Red Stars A
- Maika vs. Manami
- Hazuki vs. Natsupoi
- Ruaka vs. Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Tomoka Inaba
- Tam Nakano vs. Mei Seira
- Saya Iida vs. AZM
Blue Stars A
- Saori Anou vs. Koguma
- Syuri vs. Miyu Amasaki
- Xena vs. Starlight Kid
Blue Stars B
- Suzu Suzuki vs. Ranna Yagami
- Saya Kamitani vs. Hanan
- Saki Kashima vs. Thekla
August 28 (Quarterfinals)
Red Stars
- Red Stars A 1 vs. Red Stars B 2
- Red Stars B 1 vs. Red Stars B 2
Blue Stars
- Blue Stars A 1 vs. Blue Stars B 2
- Blue Stars B 1 vs. Blue Stars B 2
August 31
- Red Stars Block Final
- Blue Stars Block Final
- 5STAR Grand Prix Final
