STARDOM kicks off their 2024 with a PPV in the Yokohama Budokan on January 3rd with eleven matches. The show features two one-night tournaments. One of them is the “Rookie of STARDOM” tournament, which is a tournament where the “best” rookie will be crowned of the 2023 generation, and the other is the “Triangle Derby”, which is a trios tournament that debuted last year. This year, STARDOM changed the format to a one-night tournament instead of doing it over 6 weeks. The show is available on PPV, and the link to buy the show will be posted on the English STARDOM Twitter account.
Rookie of Stardom 2023 Tournament – First Round
Yuzuki vs. Ranna Yagami
The first singles match between the two stand-out Rookies, who both have been impressed a ton in their first match. An important match for Yuzuki, who for the first time in her career, will take the lead in a singles match and showcase her skills as a dominant part of the match, while this is just the third match in the career of Yagami. At Dream Queendom, Yuzuki picked up the first victory of her career in a Six-Woman Tag, and here she will pick up her first singles victory ever.
Prediction: Yuzuki
Rookie of Stardom 2023 Tournament – First Round
HANAKO vs. Sayaka Kurara
The second first-round match is a battle of the opposites. HANAKO, who debuted in March last year, is billed as the “tallest Joshi Wrestler” and a pure powerhouse, while Sayaka is the typical underdog rookie, who shows a ton of fire and starts her comebacks with multiple dropkicks. The experience and height difference will decide the match here for HANAKO.
Prediction: HANAKO
Triangle Derby 2024 – First Round
Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Mai Sakurai & Thekla) vs. Queen’s Quest (Hina, Miyu Amasaki & Lady C)
The current Artist of Stardom Champions is facing off against the B Team of Queen’s Quest in the first round. There should be no question who wins this. The QQ team will have a good showing, but they are not on the level of this DDM trio that has dominated the division since May.
Prediction: Giulia, Mai Sakurai & Thekla
Triangle Derby 2024 – First Round
Queen’s Quest (AZM, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita) vs. Crazy Star (Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira) & Megan Bayne
The top Queen’s Quest Trio is facing off against Crazy Star & Megan Bayne, and a ton is at stake here for the future. A victory of Crazy Star & Megan could lead to a Goddess Title match, while a victory of QQ could lead to AZM finally challenging Mei Seira for the High-Speed belt. If done right, this match will lead to future championship bouts. This is tough to predict, but I’m leaning toward Crazy Star & Megan winning.
Prediction: Crazy Star (Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira) & Megan Bayne
Triangle Derby 2024 – First Round
STARS (Saya Iida, Mayu Iwatani & Hanan) vs. Oedo Tai (Natsuko Tora, Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe)
The top Oedo Tai team is facing a B team of STARS with the New Blood Tag Team Champions teaming together with Mayu Iwatani. Iida has always had trouble against Natsuko Tora whenever they face each other, and she rarely wins against her. I don’t expect it to be much different here as I can see Tora picking up the victory to help her trio advance to the next round.
Prediction: Natsuko Tora, Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe
Triangle Derby 2024 – First Round
Oedo Tai (Rina, Fukigen Death & Ruaka) vs. God’s Eye (Syuri, MIRAI & Ami Sohrei)
God’s Eye made it to the finals of last year’s Triangle Derby, and they want to go one better here. Their first opponent is a B team of Oedo Tai, but they aren’t to be overlooked. Rina has defeated Ami before, and Fukigen can score an upset at any time. Here, the result is still obvious, with the God’s Eye trio winning and advancing
Prediction: MIRAI, Syuri & Ami Sohrei
Cosmic Angels (Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori), Maika & Mina Shirakawa vs. 7Upp (Nanae Takahashi & Yuu), Saki Kashima & Hazuki
This is a special “New Year” Match for everyone who hasn’t found a spot on the card yet and this match is filled prominently, with Yuna Mizumori and Mina Shirakawa teaming together with the new World of Stardom Champion Maika and the new Wonder of Stardom Champion Saori Anou against 7Upp, Saki Kashima and Hazuki. A ton of history between the eight of them, and they will play with it. Shirakawa got pinned by Takahashi on the Dream Queendom show and is seeking revenge here, which could lead to the match being built around the two again. Before joining Cosmic Angels, Mizumori was a former member of 7Upp and will step up against her former mentor here. Nanae & Yuu have been gaining momentum recently to build up a Tag Team Title challenge that will happen anytime soon, so expect them to win this match as well.
Prediction: Nanae Takahashi, Yuu, Saki Kashima & Hazuki
Rookie of Stardom 2023 Tournament – Final
Winner of Match One vs. Winner of Match Two
In this scenario, HANAKO is facing Yuzuki in the final. Two talented rookies, but only one can call themselves the “Rookie of Stardom 2023” and the first since Kamitani won it in 2019. Both have arguments to win it, but HANAKO has the experience edge and is ready for the next step and finally joining a faction, so she should take this home, and kick off her 2024 in great fashion.
Prediction: HANAKO
Triangle Derby 2024 – Semi Final & Final
In this scenario, the two semi-finals are: Donna del Mondo vs. Crazy Star & Megan Bayne + Oedo Tai A vs. God’s Eye
The semis here would be two interesting match-ups, with the first one being between the Artist Champions and Crazy Star & Bayne. All six of them have been forming a connection in the story over the past few months, with Mei & Thekla feuding over the High-Speed title, Giulia & Megan facing each other for the STRONG Championship at Dream Queendom, and of course the rivalry between Giulia and Suzu. Who wins this here? Never bet against the champions, who have been dominant.
In the second semi-final, the top trio of Oedo Tai and God’s Eye collide with the final spot being on the line. An interesting match-up with one weak link – Ami Sohrei, who has been constantly on the losing side in recent matches against better opponents, and it won’t be different here. The mist of Tora and the interferences of Oedo Tai will make the difference here for them, and they will punch their ticket to the final.
Jumping right to the final, and with the Artist of Stardom Champions in the match, the final will likely be turned into a Championship match for the second year in a row. Their run has been going for over 200 days now, but hasn’t achieved much and isn’t helping the division with Giulia focusing on NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship defences. With that, a title change to begin the new year would be great, and the Oedo Tai trio would be perfect for it. Tora deserves a championship run with her recent work, and it would give Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe a direction for the new year.
Prediction: Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora & Starlight Kid
