2022 has been an impressive year for STARDOM. From the return of KAIRI to the company to the biggest 5STAR Grand Prix in history, fans of the premier women’s wrestling company in the world have been on a rollercoaster of a ride over the last twelve months. Now, STARDOM is looking to end things with a bang as they present STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022 on December 29 inside Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
The show’s card has the unexpected theme of STARDOM wrestlers battling outside forces, something that has been present all throughout 2022, but is now being pushed to the forefront. Without any further ado, let’s get right into the meat and potatoes of the last STARDOM show of the year!
STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022 Full Match Card
December 29 Ryogoku Kokugikan
Stardom Dream Queendom
◆World of Stardom Title Match
(C) Syuri
vs
Giulia pic.twitter.com/9ukbHBAJXD— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) December 6, 2022
Stardom Rumble: Rina, Hina, Lady C, Miyu Amasaki, Waka Tsukiyama, Yuna Mizumori, Tomoka Inaba, SAKI, Fukigen DEATH, Chairman Ram, Super Strong Stardom Machine, X, XX, and more
Pink Kabuki Returns: Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka vs. Mai Sakurai & Thekla
Triangle Derby Prelude: Mayu Iwatani, Hanan & Momo Kohgo vs. Hazuki, Koguma & Saya Iida
#1 Contenders Three-Way Tag: MIRAI & Ami Sohrei vs. Maika & Himeka vs Natsuko Tora & Ruaka
Special Singles Match: KAIRI vs. Utami Hayashishita
*The loser must wear their rookie gear and make their entrance with no music or theatrics for an undisclosed amount of time
High Speed Championship Match: AZM (c) vs. Hikari Shimizu (COLORS)
Hardcore Match for the Artists of Stardom Championships: Saki Kashima, Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid vs. Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki & Kurumi Hiiragi
Goddesses of Stardom Championship Match: Natsupoi & Tam Nakano (c) vs. Nanae Takahashi & Yuu
Wonder of Stardom Championship Match: Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Haruka Umesaki
World of Stardom Championship Match: Syuri (c) vs. Giulia
KAIRI Battles Utami in a Cool, Royal, and Beautiful Special Singles Match
December 29 Ryogoku Kokugikan
Stardom Dream Queendom
◆Special Singles Match
KAIRI vs Utami Hayashishita pic.twitter.com/JRI8TGI3QV— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) December 6, 2022
KAIRI’s return to STARDOM and subsequent victory over Mayu Iwatani to become the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion has been a major development this year, and one of her remaining dream matches in the company will take place at STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022. Her opponent, Utami Hayashishita, challenged KAIRI to a match following her IWGP title victory but said that she was undeserving of challenging for the title, leaving KAIRI to set a unique stipulation for the bout.
The idea of either woman effectively starting over in terms of their presentation is certainly an interesting one, though due to the match’s designation as a Special Singles Match, it will only have a 15-minute time limit. So not only will this first-time matchup feature Utami and KAIRI trying to beat each other, it will force them to try and beat the clock as well.
Prominence Brings the Fire Against Oedo Tai
Ahead of the first-ever Triangle Derby set to begin on January 3rd, the top of the trios mountain will be determined at STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022. Prominence will get their first shot at STARDOM gold since May when Kurumi Hiiragi, Risa Sera, and Suzu Suzuki challenge the Oedo Tai trio of Saki Kashima, Momo Watanabe, and Starlight Kid for the Artists of Stardom Championship in a hardcore match. The match type, though decided by Oedo Tai, is the Prominence contingent’s specialty and could spell disaster for the overconfident champions.
Of the several Stardom vs. The World bouts on the card, this could be considered the biggest toss-up, as Prominence has remained involved in the company since January and has already been announced as a trio participating in next month’s tournament. While you can never count out Saki Kashima’s upset abilities with the Kishikaisei, it’s hard to pick against Suzu, Kurumi, and Risa on December 29th.
Meltear Shows 7Upp the New World
The reign of Natsupoi and Tam Nakano as Goddesses of Stardom Champions continues to impress, with their upcoming defense against tag league winners Yuu and Nanae Takahashi set to be their biggest defense to date at Ryogoku Sumo Hall. With the official release of their theme song, Double Frontier, happening on the same day as the event, Meltear’s comment about wanting to become a modern Beauty Pair has proven to be far from an empty promise. Their match against Yuu and Nanae will also come just days ahead of Tam Nakano’s match against KAIRI at Wrestle Kingdom 17, making it an ultra-busy week for the “Cutest in the Cosmos” as the new year begins.
An Unexpected Challenger for Saya Kamitani’s White Belt
December 29 Ryogoku Kokugikan
Stardom Dream Queendom
◆Wonder of Stardom Title Match
(C) Saya Kamitani
vs
Haruka Umesaki pic.twitter.com/4r6vNqL6P6— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) December 6, 2022
In perhaps the most controversial match on the STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022 card, Pro Wrestling Diana wrestler Haruka Umesaki will challenge Saya Kamitani for the Wonder of Stardom Championship in her first-ever singles match for the company. The young journeywoman challenged Saya Kamitani at a recent Takadanobaba show but only got the yes after an attack from Oedo Tai, who Umesaki has had a soft alliance with on NEW BLOOD shows throughout the year.
While many expect a solid in-ring performance from this match, Umesaki’s lack of experience in STARDOM has led many to question the decision to have her in the semi-main event of the card. The young pride of Diana will seemingly be contributing to more main-line STARDOM in the future, starting with the Triangle Derby, but her first notable match being on such a big stage could be a sign of things to come for Haruka Umesaki. While few are predicting any sort of “Haruka Shock” here, the developments within the match could clarify what Umesaki’s role in STARDOM will be moving forward.
Read More: Stardom Triangle Derby Blocks, Lineup & Participants Announced
Arrivederci Vermillion World?
In the main event of STARDOM Dream Queendom 2022, Syuri and Giulia collide once more to decide the World of Stardom Champion heading into 2023. For many, this is the clear moment of Giulia’s long-awaited coronation atop the STARDOM mountain, though there may be more than meets the eye when it comes to this match. While the 5STAR Grand Prix winner certainly has an edge, Syuri’s track record in STARDOM remains wildly impressive and cannot be understated. Syuri hasn’t lost a singles championship match in over two years, with her run with the SWA Championship ending with her vacating the belt at the end of 2021.
Syuri’s incredible run as a singles champion coming to an end at the hands of Giulia would be a fateful yet meaningful event for several reasons. Not only would Giulia tie up the series against her former tag team partner at 1-1-1, but she would also become only the fourth woman to have ever held both the Red Belt and White Belt in STARDOM history, with the first three being Io Shirai, Mayu Iwatani, and KAIRI. Since the day Giulia stepped foot in STARDOM, it felt inevitable that she would one day sit atop the mountain as World of Stardom Champion, and there are many signs pointing to December 29th, 2022 being that day.
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. If you want to see more from Stardom, you can check out their subscription service Stardom World for all your wonderous Joshi needs.
