Stardom 5 Star GP: Big Surprises During Nights 5 to 9

Due to unforeseen issues with my personal life, mental health, and job status, there was a significant delay in my coverage of the Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix this year and I apologize for that. So today, I am going to catch you all up on what’s been going on from night five all the way up through the most recent show that I have watched, which is night 14. Buckle up folks, this is gonna be a two-parter since we have 10 shows to catch up with.

Going into night 5, I did not expect the number of upsets that we’ve had in this year’s tournament. I have to admit too that there have been some that completely blew my predictions out of the water. How could anyone have foreseen that the World of Stardom Champion would lose to someone that, on paper, she should have dominated? Or how about the fact that there has been ONE singular draw so far in the tournament? There were so many draws last year that I lost count. As we stand right now, these are the standings for this year’s Grand Prix.

As you can see from the fields above, the results have been absolutely all over the place this year. Hanan, the Future of Stardom Champion, is the only woman without a single win so far this year. Suzu Suzuki has one win. Hell, Starlight Kid only has three wins! Then you have AZM and Himeka with 12 points and tied for first place in the Red Block and Hazuki with 14 points in the lead of the Blue Block.

There are not many nights left folks and right now, the tournament has no clear winner in sight. There are too many variables that can still come to pass. Eight Women have 10 points and can make a run to the top still. Twelve of the participants are all but eliminated from even being considered for the crown and then there are the six women with more than 10 points.

The current leaders are Hazuki, AZM, Himeka, Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, and Saya Kamitani. I never thought three of those six would be the leaders going into Night 15. Alright, I’m rambling now. Let’s just get right into the results so that you can all get caught up.

Night 5: August 11th, 2022 | Hazuki Shines Once Again

Ami Sourei def. Hanan
Himeka def. Momo Kohgo
Mai Sakurai def. Saki Kashima
Saki def. Koguma
Mayu Iwatani def. Saya Iida
Syuri def. Unagi Sayaka
AZM def. Tam Nakano
Momo Watanabe def. Starlight Kid
Hazuki def. Natsupoi
Utami Hayashishita def. Risa Sera
Mirai def. Suzu Suzuki

Match of the Night: Hazuki vs Natsupoi

Night 5 had a lot of 5 Star Tournament matches and really, none of them were bad at all. Hazuki vs Natsupoi was a lot of fun though, so it is my Match of the Night. No real upsets during Night 5 either, though I do suppose Tam Nakano losing to AZM could be considered one.. just not a major one.

Night 6: August 13th, 2022 | Saya Kamitani Battles Natsupoi

AZM def. Momo Kohgo
Momo Watanabe def. Hanan
Syuri def. Mai Sakurai
Hazuki def. Mina Shirakawa
Saya Kamitani def. Natsupoi
Saki Kashima def. Maika

Match of the Night: Saya Kamitani vs Natsupoi

Night six didn’t have anywhere near the number of matches that night five did, and honestly, none of the matches really ended in what I’d call an upset. So there is no Upset of the Night this time, however, Natsupoi and Saya Kamitani really gave the fans another fun match and definitely earned MOTN honors for their efforts. The closest thing to an upset on Night 6 was Saki Kashima defeating Maika.

Night 7: August 14th, 2022 | Hazuki Does It Again

Unagi Sayaka def. Saki Kashima
Giulia def. Hanan
Utami Hayashishita def. Momo Kohgo
Maika def. Koguma
AZM def. Himeka
Hazuki def. Mirai
Momo Watanabe def. Natsupoi

Match of the Night: Hazuki vs Mirai

As with the two previous nights, there really wasn’t an upset on Night 7. That said, the closest thing to one was Unagi Sayaka defeating Saki Kashima. Your match of the night was without a doubt Hazuki vs MIRAI. That was Hazuki’s toughest match so far and it was one of the best early show matches this year. Check that match out!

Night 8: August 20th, 2022 | Saki Kashima Upsets While Hazuki Gains Another Win

Starlight Kid def. Hanan
Koguma def. Mai Sakurai
Risa Sera def. Momo Kohgo
Ami Sourei def. Momo Watanabe
Giulia def. Saya Iida
Hazuki def. Suzu Suzuki
Saki Kashima def. Syuri
Maika def. Saki

Match of the Night: Hazuki vs Suzu Suzuki

UPSET of the Night: Saki Kashima def. Syuri

Now here is where the upsets began. Ami Sourei defeating Momo Watanabe was definitely huge but nothing, not a single upset in this entire tournament, was or will be able to top Saki Kashima defeating the World of Stardom Champion Syuri. I felt so bad for Saki during this match. She looked defeated before the bell even rang, she clearly didn’t want any part of Syuri. Yet she weathered the storm and hit the Kishikaisei roll-up for the surprise win. No one will be able to top that Upset. The match of the night once again went to Hazuki, this time with opponent Suzu Suzuki.

Night 9: August 27th, 2022 | Giulia Looks To Conquer At Stardom

Mai Sakurai def. Unagi Sayaka
Hazuki def. Hanan
Tam Nakano def. Koguma
AZM def. Saki
Mayu Iwatani def. Mina Shirakawa
Natsupoi def. Suzu Suzuki
Ami Sourei def. Mirai
Himeka def. Risa Sera
Maika def. Utami Hayashishita
Giulia def. Starlight Kid

Holy shit what a night. Night 9 was one of the best nights of action for the whole tournament. We were treated to FIVE matches that I would have given 4 Stars or higher to. Picking a match of the night was insanely difficult for Night 9, but at the end of the day, one match stood out to me above the rest. Also… F-You Giulia for ripping Kid’s mask!

Match of the Night: Giulia vs Starlight Kid

Upset of the Night: Maika def. Utami Hayashishita

Stick around folks, Part 2 of our catch-up will be coming soon. Until then, watch these damn shows!