Fightful Joshi Journal (10/19/22): Previewing The IWGP Women’s Title Tournament

This week’s Fightful Joshi Journal takes a look at the upcoming IWGP Women’s Title Tournament that kicks into full gear this weekend.

The latest Fightful Joshi Journal dives into the IWGP Women’s Title Tournament which kicks into gear this weekend as both the STARDOM and International sides of the bracket find their finalists.

Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe, Utami Hayashishita, & Himeka Vie To Represent STARDOM at Historic X-Over

STARDOM finally adds their names to the IWGP Women’s Championship hunt this weekend. Three tournament matches are set to see who will be representing the promotion in the finals at Historic X-Over.

Utami Hayashishita will take on Himeka in the first of two quarterfinal matchups. This is a rematch from the opening night of the 2022 5STAR Grand Prix where Himeka walked out victorious. In head-to-head action, they are split at one apiece with Hayashishita’s win dating back to the 2020 5STAR Grand Prix Final. These two powerhouses should excite everyone as they have another great battle on the way.

The other match is one that carries more STARDOM history than maybe any other as Mayu Iwatani and Momo Watanabe collide once again. Iwatani is the favorite in this tournament and rightfully so. No one has earned the right to lead STARDOM worldwide than her as she is everything that makes the promotion great. On the other hand, Watanabe has plenty of history to her name as well as being the most dominant Wonder of Stardom Champion of all time. Still just 22 years old, taking out Iwatani would be the significant singles win she’s been looking for.

The all-time series between these two is tied right down the middle at 4-4-1. The advantage (if there is one), goes to Momo Watanabe, who has won the last two matchups between them — which has come in the past two 5STAR Grand Prix. These two have all the talent and chemistry to have a great match yet again and if we had to guess, Iwatani will walk out with the win this time.

On Sunday, the winners of these two matches will collide with the chance at being in the finals up for grabs. The winner, of course, will face KAIRI or Alpha Female at Historic X-Over for the IWGP Women’s Championship.

KAIRI and Alpha Female Battle To See Which Former World of Stardom Champion Gets a Shot at IWGP Women’s Title

KAIRI makes her grand return to a STARDOM ring on Sunday as she represents the international bracket. She will compete against fellow former World of Stardom Champion, Alpha Female. It was Alpha Female who defeated Ava White at NJPW’s Royal Quest II to advance to the semifinals against KAIRI. Alpha Female has a number of matches set for the future as she, along with Nanae Takahashi and Yuu, have formed Neo Stardom Army with the goal to drive passion back into STARDOM.

KAIRI feels like the perfect roadblock to slow down Neo Stardom Army’s goals as defeating Alpha Female should be the expectation for this match. “The Pirate Princess” is undefeated since returning to STARDOM and has looked better and better after every match. This is her match to win.

This would set up a potential matchup with two-thirds of Threedom, marking their first match against one another since Mayu Iwatani defeated KAIRI for the Wonder of Stardom Championship on May 14, 2017. The match would be as fitting a final as any for this tournament to represent the best of STARDOM and its history.

The inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion will be crowned on November 20 at the NJPW x STARDOM crossover show, Historic X-Over.

Matches Worth Checking Out (10/19/22)

• STARDOM
  • Syuri vs. Saki Kashima
  • Hanan vs. Ami Sourei
• Marvelous
  • Takumi Iroha, Chikayo Nagashima & Mio Momono vs. Maya Yukihi, Maria & Riko Kawahata
  • Mio Momono vs. Itsuki Aoki

Notable results from the week:

SEAdLINNNG October Fist! (10/19/22)

• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament First Round: Hiroyo Matsumoto def. Ayame Sasamura
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament First Round: Riko Kaiju def. Amazon
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament First Round: Ryo Mizunami def. Misa Kagura
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament First Round: Hanako Nakamori vs. Yuu ends in a 10-minute draw
• Kaori Yoneyama def. Kakeru Sekiguchi and Yurika Oka
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament Second Round: Hiroyo Matsumoto def. Riko Kaiju
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament Semifinal: Hiroyo Matsumoto def. Riko Kawahata
• Beyond The Sea Title Tournament Semifinal: Itsuki Aoki def. Ryo Mizunami
• Beyond The Sea Tag Team Championship: Las Fresa de Egoistas (ASUKA & Makoto) (c) def. SAKI & Yuko Sakurai
• Beyond The Sea Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto def. Itsuki Aoki

Check out our latest Joshi interviews with Yuka Sakazaki and Shoko Nakajima.