This week's Fightful Joshi Journal takes a look at the World of Stardom Championship reign of Syuri up to this point following her successful defense at Hiroshima Goddess Festival.
Syuri Earns V9, Continues Ascent Up STARDOM History Books
The greatness of Syuri has been recognized worldwide after her historic matches with Utami Hayashishita in 2021, her World of Stardom Championship win at Stardom Dream Queendom 2021, and what she has been able to achieve this year at the top of STARDOM. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked her No. 1 on their PWI Women's 150 list (rightfully so) and it seems her popularity and the promotion itself only grows by the day.
What she has done over the last two years in STARDOM is rather amazing as she has not only been the centerpiece of the promotion but has helped it go from an up-and-coming company to one of the most popular in the entire world. Syuri's in-ring ability has been second to none since the start of 2021 and she seems to get better by the day as her match with Maika this past week at Hiroshima Goddess Festival really kicked her back to the front as the very best. Not because she hasn't had great matches or hasn't been a defending champion, but rather the spotlight was fully on her for the first time in a few months and it was business as usual. That's the work of aces, the work of greats, and the work of legends. STARDOM has a long history of incredible talents that have left their mark but it's about time we give Syuri credit for what she has helped do on her own as both the World of Stardom Champion and the main character of this company.
In a year where Utami Hayashishita and Tam Nakano reigned supreme as the top champions of STARDOM, there was no one who garnered more interest than the God's Eye leader in 2021. Syuri was both the Goddess of Stardom Champion with Giulia and the SWA Undisputed Champion. Yet it was her chase to hold the World of Stardom Championship that woke up the world and put eyes on STARDOM. Her match with Utami Hayashishita at Tokyo Dream Cinderella was the launching pad while the 5STAR Grand Prix was the path she needed to fully get there. It was a story that wrote itself and as we know, those are the best. But what she achieved in this road to the top is something many wrestlers with the perfect story would like to take claim of: The title reign has not been overshadowed by the chase.
In a world where Hangman Page chased the AEW World Championship and got his moment on the second biggest pro wrestling stage there is, it was Syuri who has perfected the chase and the follow-up. Following Utami Hayashishita as champion wasn't an easy task. What Hayashishita did in her year-plus as World of Stardom Champion was exciting, money-making, and an overall difference-maker for the company. But the heights STARDOM is reaching right now have featured Syuri main eventing Ryogoku Sumo Hall on three different occasions and she's likely to make that four at the end of 2022. She's been a game-changer and a history-maker all at once.
At the age of 33 years old, Syuri is nowhere close to slowing down. Her match against Maika this past Thursday was another feather in the cap for her two-year run as it embodied everything that has made her that next-level version of great. And what came after the match is why it's best to recognize what Syuri has done these last two years but specifically since June 12, 2021.
The World of Stardom Championship rematch is on the way. Syuri vs. Utami Hayashishita is set for STARDOM GOLD RUSH on November 19 and it should go without saying that this is one of the biggest matches of the year. Hayashishita will not only look to become champion but stop Syuri from main eventing Stardom Dream Queendom against Giulia in December, which fits what Syuri has done her whole reign. She's welcomed challenges, she has welcomed outsiders, and she welcomes anyone willing to step up. Hayashishita defeating her at the start of the 5STAR Grand Prix made this a possibility and it feels right that this happens one more time before the end of the year.
The challenges she has taken on have been what has lifted STARDOM to another level in 2022. Taking on the young upstart in MIRAI. She's taken on the major stars in Hayashishita (2 times), Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, and Tam Nakano. She faced off with the woman she defeated to win the 5STAR Grand Prix, Momo Watanabe. Syuri welcomed the challenge of Prominence's Risa Sera. The battles against former stablemates Himeka and Maika forced her to face the music of moving on from Donna del Mondo. And she combated STARDOM history by beating Nanae Takahashi. Everything has been meaningful. It all has made sense and made her reign that much stronger.
Syuri is destined to main event STARDOM's signature event for the second straight year and after defeating Maika, she's one match away from making that a reality. The run of Syuri has been historic, it has been game-changing, and it's been a joy to witness. A win over Hayashishita will not only be V10 but also enter her into elite territory that few in STARDOM history have entered. Fitting for someone whose only comparison in STARDOM history is the great Io Shirai. History is happening. Take it in and appreciate this greatness. Syuri is carving her name in the pro wrestling history books as we speak.
Matches Worth Checking Out (11/9/22)
- STARDOM
- Tam Nakano & Natsupoi vs. Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid
- Saya Kamitani vs. Mina Shirakawa
- Syuri vs. Maika
- Syuri & Tomoka Inaba vs. Giulia & Thekla
- Tam Nakano & Natsupoi vs. Syuri & Tomoka Inaba
- Ice Ribbon
- Saori Anou vs. Nao Ishikawa
- Pro Wrestling WAVE
- Risa Sera vs. ASUKA
- Hikaru Shida vs. Yuki Miyazaki
Notable results from the week:
Ice Ribbon Super Princess Party (11/5/22)
- Misa Kagura def. Saran
- Yuuki Mashiro def. Makoto & Matsuzawa-san
- Amin & Ibuki Hoshi def. Sumika Yanagawa & Yuko Sakurai
- ICExInfinity Championship: Saori Anou (c) def. Nao Ishikawa
Check out our latest Joshi interviews with Yuka Sakazaki and Shoko Nakajima.
