Stardom's 50 Greatest Matches

[tystates]

I recently bought a book, "Chasing the Dream 50 of Stardom's Greatest Matches" by Rob Goodwin. I'm going to embark on a project to watch all 50 matches. I've got the majority of them in my collection already.

The book doesn't rank the matches but goes through each of them chronologically. This gives you a look at what was going on in Stardom. Each match has a detailed description but first he lays the groundwork for what was going on at the time and why this match came about.

Chasing the Dream

World of Stardom Title
03/20/2012
Nanae Takahashi (c) vs Meiko Satomura (23:20)

This is the 2nd title defense for Nanae Takahshi, the first World of Stardom champion. The setup came at a Sendai Girls event where Takahashi refused a handshake from Satomura.

I thought this one might go to a 30 minute draw but it didn't It was a very hard-hitting, back and forth match. The intensity was there from both women. Both display tremendous strength and speed as well as technical know how.

[tystates]

World of Stardom Title
12/24/12
Nanae Takahashi (ch) -vs- Yuzuki Aikawa

Yuzuki Aikawa won her round robin block and then defeated Kyoko Kimura to win the 5 Star Grand Prix and earn a title shot.

Of course this was another good match. Aikawa brings the kicks to the fight. The match had plenty of submission attempts and some top rope moves. Takahashi retains the title.

[tystates]

I added the dates for the matches above. I hadn't noticed that was missing.

[tystates]

3/17/2013
Meiko Satomura vs Yuzuki Aikawa

Japanese model Yuzuki Aikawa was immensely popular and decided to try and become a wrestler. She was a pretty good one too. Aikawa was a focal point during the early years of Stardom. This was part of her retirement tour. Kind of cool to see the finish be via the Sleeper Hold.

[tystates]

World of Stardom Title / JWP Open Weight Title
12/29/2013

Arisa Nakajima (JWP Open Weight ch) vs. Io Shirai (World of Stardom ch)

Not checking the results before watching this one did make it look like Nakajima might come away with both titles. At the time it may have been easily to call a 30-minute time limit draw since it was two different companies and title for title, and that is how the match ended.

[tystates]

World of Stardom Title
7/10/14
Io Shirai (ch) vs. Meiko Satomura

Io Shirai was on fire during this time, having already broken the Stardom record for most title defenses and longest championship reign. This match kept building and building the pace and was non stop back and forth. Shirai comes away with her 10th title defense. Two months earlier Satomura had scored a clean victory in a non-title match for Sendai Girls.