The Joshi wrestling scene (Japanese Women’s Wrestling) is a deep scene full of insanely talented performers and every month there are dozens of fantastic matches from promotions from Stardom to PURE-J and everywhere in between. In this article, we aim to give readers a list of recommended Joshi matches that took place in the last month, there will be some honorable mentions and then a top 5 featuring our absolute favorites! This edition focuses on February 2022
Recommended Joshi Matches February 2021
Honorable Mentions
- Miyuki Takase vs Nagisa Nozaki
- Hamuko Hoshi & Ibuki Hoshi vs Tsukasa Fujimoto & Makoto
- Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki vs Itsuki Aoki & Haruka Umesaki (available on YouTube)
- Tsukushi Haruka vs Maika Ozaki
- Arisa Nakajima, Hiroyo Matsumoto & Makoto vs Tsukasa Fujimoto, Hamuko Hoshi & Miyako Matsumoto
5. Starlight Kid, Rina & Ruaka vs Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi
High-octane trios matches are nothing out of the ordinary in Joshi wrestling, but Stardom can probably lay claim to doing them better than anyone else. This YoungOED vs MaiHimePoi title match continued that trend as all six went out and delivered a match worthy of a Korkauen Hall main event. Rina and Ruaka are still young so they weren’t perfect here but the other four competitors more than made up for any weaknesses the tow had.
4. DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto vs Miyuki Takase & Mika Iwata
If you look at the four name involved in this match you should be keenly aware of what to expect. While they didn’t pull anything out of left field both teams delivered exactly the kind of match expected of them with hard-hits, chops that would bring tears to anyone eyes, and a general sense that they actively want to destroy one another.
3. AZM vs Starlight Kid
This is a match that received a lot of acclaim from Stardom fans and fans further afield. Anyone that’s seen AZM and Starlight Kid wrestle in the past knows just how special their chemistry is, and in this match, they took it to a whole new level. The two harkened back to the days of Natsuki Taiyo’s High Speed Championship run in this insanely well-paced contest. They packed a LOT into this 17 minute match and for many it is a match of the year contender, although it just falls short of that mark for us.
2. Arisa Nakajima vs Hanako Nakamori
From a young pair of high-speed rivals to veteran’s experienced in the ways of stiff pro wrestling. Nakamori and Nakajima effortlessly deliver entertaining matches, unlike anything you’ll see in the modern Joshi scene. While this didn’t come close to matching some of their top tier matches it was a great match that showed what they can do when in the ring together.
1. Saya Kamitani vs Natsupoi
In what might just be our clubhouse leader for Match of The Year, Saya Kamitani and Natsupoi outshined AZM and Starlight Kid in an epic encounter. While personal preference will no doubt come into play over which match you preferred, this one just touched on our preferences more than the other match. Poi and Kamitani had a very good match that built on the intensity and big moves as the match progressed, leaving us with a bomb-throwing extravaganza towards the climax of the match. If we had to make comparisons this felt like the last 20 minutes of a big NJPW main event with both wrestlers throwing absolutely everything at one another with the recklessness escalating as the match wore on.
This and every other Stardom match listed can be seen on Stardom World.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. And check out the last edition for more of our recommended Joshi matches.
