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 December 2021
Recommended Joshi Matches December 2021
Honorable Mentions
- Akane Fujita vs Rina Yamashita
- Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki & Koguma vs Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi
- Arisa Nakajima vs Ryo Mizunami
- Leon vs Miyuki Takase
- Miyu Yamashita vs Yuki Arai
- ASUKA, Kaori Yoneyama & Ayame Sasamura vs Hanako Nakamori, Arisa Nakajima & Hiroyo Matsumoto
- Utami Hayashishita & Tam Nakano vs Syuri & Saya Kamitani
5. Hanako Nakamori, Saki Akai & Tsukasa Fujimoto vs Yoshiko, Itsuki Aoki & Rina Yamashita
SEAdLINNNG six-woman tags just hit on a different level. Everyone here was extra motivated to show off as this was Yoshiko’s first match in nine months. Like a lot of these SEAdLINNNG undercard matches this was high paced and full of really great exchanges between the competitors. This one just edged out another SEAd trios match for a spot in the top 5 but both would have deserved a spot.
4. Maria, Takumi Iroha & Rin Kadokura vs Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi
Marvelous came to play at Osaka Edion Arena when they took on the Artist of Stardom Champions MaiHimePoi. This keeps with our current running theme of high octane, well wrestled trios matches. The difference in this one was the standout exchanges between Iroha/Himeka, Maria/Himeka, and just about everyone with Natsupoi. The DDM trio were on top form but Takumi Iroha was also at her absolute best opposite them and was backed up by a game Maria and Kadokura, the former of whom had an excellent closing stretch with Himeka that had us believing team Marvelous would get the win and the belts.
Link to watch: Stardom World
3. Tam Nakano vs Saya Kamitani
Nakano and Kamitani absolutely knocked it out of the park for Kamitani’s crowning win. Nakano eased off and allowed Stardom’s “golden phoenix” to showcase her full array of offense, much to the delight of the crowd. Kamitani’s schoolboy powerbomb has to be seen to be believed and almost earned this match top spot alone but ultimately these two combatants will have to settle for a well-earned third-place finish.
2. Utami Hayashishita vs Syuri
After months of build-up the 5STAR Grand Prix winner, Syuri battled Utami Hayashishita for the world title. After their 5.5 star match earlier in the year expectations were high for this clash and it mostly lived up to expectations. While understandably not on the level of their first encounter this was 35 minutes of great pro wrestling. Syuri took some hellacious bumps throughout as Hayashishita was willing to do damage on the outside and as we got closer to the finish the lengths they were willing to go to for the win increased.
1. Giulia vs Konami
This match almost transcends a normal understanding of what makes a great match. The moves and the stories took a backseat to two competitors putting on a tribute to Hana Kimura, an homage to Tokyo Cyber Squad, and a fitting send-off for Konami ahead of her hiatus from pro wrestling.
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.
