So, you want to get into Stardom.
Maybe you’ve been eyeing the promotion for a while. Perhaps you’ve seen some insane clips on social media. Or maybe you've been introduced to them by NJPW, AEW, or ROH and want to know more.
You may have a lot of questions. Do you need to know Japanese? How do the time zone differences work? When are the shows? Worry not! Stardom is an easy promotion to jump right into. I’ll take you through the basics to help you start watching in no time!
Before we start, Stardom has been around for many years; It’d be impossible to go over its whole history in one go. Sadly I cannot highlight every big feud, every 5-star match, or every ex-member of the promotion- but I will give you a look at the current landscape and useful things to know.
What is Stardom?
World Wonder Ring Stardom is an all-women’s pro wrestling company. It was founded in 2010 by former head producer Rossy Ogawa. Stardom would go on to get bought by Bushiroad in 2019. Since Stardom is owned by Bushiroad, this makes it the sister promotion of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Stardom is not a part of NJPW but, Stardom wrestlers have wrestled on NJPW shows before and the two promotions do collaborate. In fact, NJPW has created two women's belts. They are mostly defended on NJPW shows but can and have been defended at Stardom events.
Stardom showcases a much more hard-hitting and stiff style than what you’d see in Western wrestling. Stiff kicks and chops are the regular here. But still expect to see all kinds of wrestling styles.
Stardom can have very serious, heart-wrenching storylines but also outrageous and comedic angles too. There's something here for everyone.
Like most Japanese wrestling companies, Stardom has a 20 count instead of a 10 count. Also, refs are less likely to call for a DQ in hopes of getting a decisive ending. Every match has a time limit and the ring announcer will announce throughout how long a match has been going on for or how much time is left.
Also, don't expect to see non-wrestling segments. Storylines are built through multi-women tag matches where wrestlers will usually cut a promo after a match if they see fit. Segments outside the ring/shows are non-existent.
When are the shows?
The fun part about watching Stardom when you’re not from Japan is figuring out the time zone difference and the schedule!
Stardom has house shows and PPV’s like any other company. Stardom live streams a bunch of their non-PPV shows but to watch you will need a subscription to Stardom World (I'll talk more about their streaming site later). You can check their distribution schedule to see which shows will be live and which shows will be uploaded on a different date. Their website is, of course, in Japanese so utilize Google Translate or other translators like DeepL when navigating their site.
Also, please note that shows don't include translated promos because of changes to their staff. (But hopefully, these will come back one day!)
You’ll have to pay for PPVS separately if you want to watch live as they’re not included in your subscription. They will eventually be uploaded on Stardom World after a few days though.
There’s no commentary for non PPV shows but there is commentary for PPVs. However, Stardom only provides Japanese commentary. (In the past, they have done English commentary for big shows but it is pretty rare.)
Don't stress about watching 100 percent of shows when you're starting off. However, look out for shows that take place in Korakuen Hall as those will be more important, bigger shows than your usual house show. These shows usually have a title match or some sort of big match.
Unlike companies like WWE or AEW, Stardom doesn't have a PPV schedule they will follow every year. Some PPV names get reused, some are only used once, and a ton are new. PPVS are definitely must see though, and this is where you'll see most title matches.
How do I watch?
The best way to watch is by buying a Stardom World subscription. A subscription is 920 yen, so just convert that into your country's currency. (Currently under 7 dollars in the US!) With a subscription, you'll have access to shows as they're uploaded, livestreams, and years of archived content. It's a small price to pay for some of the best wrestling on the planet.
Following Stardom's English twitter (@we_are_stardom) is also a good way to know when shows are uploaded or when PPVS are coming up! Be warned though, they do post some live spoilers. However, they also post dates of shows, translated promos, and more; so it's a good resource.
Championships:
World of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano (Date won: August 31, 2024)
You will also hear this belt referenced as "The Red Belt"; because it is red. This belt will mostly always main event shows. For the simplicity of this article, we'll consider it their top championship.
Wonder of Stardom Championship: Natsupoi (Date Won: July 27, 2024)
Like the World of Stardom Championship, it's cleverly nicknamed “The White Belt”. The Wonder and World Belt are technically both equally as important, but the World Belt will mostly always main event over the Wonder. The best way I can describe the difference between the two is the World belt seems to be more of a skill and technique belt while the Wonder belt is more about passion and emotion.
Goddess of Stardom Championships: Momo Watanabe and Thekla (Date won: July 23, 2024)
The tag belts with a fancy name.
Artist of Stardom Championships: Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Saori Anou and Natsupoi (Date Won: August 4, 2024)
These are trio belts and also the most colorful belts in Stardom. There’s an orange, pink and blue one.
High Speed Championship: Mei Seira (Date Won: July 28, 2024)
The High Speed belt is just that; for high speed wrestlers. In these title defenses, expect fast-paced matches.
Future of Stardom Championship: Rina (Date won: May 12, 2023)
This belt is for the future generation and rookies of Stardom. To challenge for it wrestlers must be under 20 years old or have less than 3 years of wrestling experience.
New Blood Tag Championship: Rina and Azusa Inaba (Date won: July 23, 2023)
These are tag belts created just for New Blood, a show put on every other month to highlight rookie talent. I'll go more into the New Blood shows later in this article.
IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (Date won: April 23, 2023)
The belt is owned by NJPW and is defended at their shows and some Stardom shows too.
STRONG Women's Championship: Mercedes Moné (Date Won: June 30, 2024)
This is NJPW's second women's belt, specifically for their STRONG series. We don't really know the difference between this and the IWGP belt besides the STRONG belt tends to get defended in America more.
Roster:
Stardom hosts some of the most charismatic, colorful, and talented wrestlers on the planet! They also sometimes host freelance workers and people from other promotions, but for the sake of keeping this guide simple, I will only go over the signed women to Stardom or people you’ll regularly see.
Stardom is very faction-heavy and the company is built around the factions. I also tried to point out as many tag teams as I could. There are a few missing though.
E neXus V:
Leader: Maika/Mina Shirakawa (?)
Formed: 2024
Overview: Maika and Mina decided to come together to create Stardom's newest faction: E neXus V. Technically, both Maika and Mina can be seen as the leaders of EXV since the group was both of their ideas.
Members:
Maika: Maika is a great mixture of grappling and powerhouse wrestling. She made her debut in 2019 and it wasn't till the middle of 2023 that she broke out as a main event superstar. Fans rallied behind Maika and she found herself ending 2023 as World of Stardom champion.
Mina Shirakawa: Mina has improved a lot since she joined Stardom. Once seen as strictly eye candy, Mina has come a long way. Her in-ring skills, beauty, and charisma have propelled her to new heights. She's made waves by showing up on AEW TV and showing the world #WeWantMina! She is also currently RevPro Undisputed British Women's Champion.
Xena: Xena had a previous run in Stardom last year, but has come back to join Mina and Maika's new faction. The Australian calls herself "a touch of thunder"and maybe that's because her chops legit sound like heavy thunder. Xena has improved a ton since her return, and many are calling her one of the best foreign talents to appear in Stardom.
Waka Tsukiyama: Waka once went almost 2 years without winning a match. However, since her first victory, Waka has a new confidence about herself and she's performing better than ever.
HANAKO: Standing at 5'11, HANAKO is Stardom's tallest wrestler! HANAKO is EXV's rookie, debuting in August of 2022.
Cosmic Angels:
Leader: Tam Nakano
Formed: 2020
Overview: Cosmic Angels is led by Tam Nakano. It's a very cutesy, idol-like group. Tam and fellow faction member Natsupoi even have an album out and when teaming up, come out and dance to their song!
Members:
Tam Nakano: The cutest wrestler in the cosmos! A former idol and member of STARS, Tam left to create her own faction in 2020. That decision proved to pay off heavily as she's one of the more popular wrestlers on the roster. Tam is a master-class storyteller and you'll be rooting for her in any problem she finds herself.
Saori Anou: Saori was a big freelance wrestler but signed to Stardom earlier this year. Saori is a very serious person, rarely smiling despite Natsupoi's best efforts. She's a solid wrestler with incredible aura that gets you excited for any match she's in.
Natsupoi: Natsupoi is a high speed wrestler who has gained the nickname “High Speed Fairy”, and after watching her, you’ll see why! You'll see her do her signature pose which is just the "ok" hand sign while exclaiming "Poi!" or "Bye-Poi!". (We don't what "Bye-Poi" is exactly, but just roll with it!)
Yuna Mizumori: Yuna has a very unique style with her brightly two-toned hair and bright pineapple-themed gear. She has a lot of heart in whatever match she is in which makes her easy to root for.
Sakura Aya: Sakura debuted about a year ago but got sidelined with an injury for a few months. She's only recently come back and is working to get back into the swing of things!
Sayaka Kurara: Sayaka is only a few months into her career as she debuted in December of 2023! However, she is so fun to watch and has a killer spear that would put Goldberg to shame. Definitely one to watch out for.
God’s Eye:
Leader: Syuri
Formed: 2022
Overview: God’s Eye has a mix of veterans, rookies, and colorful characters. The best way for me to describe them would be as a martial arts, kickboxing, heavy hitters group.
Members:
Syuri: Syuri is a pure badass with a background in UFC and kickboxing. She’s one of the hardest hitters in Stardom for sure. (Legit, watch out for her kicks) She's a good veteran figure to lead God's Eye to the top.
Ami Sourei: Brought in by Syuri to be her bodyguard of sorts, Ami was the second-ever member of God’s Eye! She's an alright powerhouse wrestler with a good future. Unfortunately, Ami is out with an injury right now.
Saki Kashima: Saki was forced to leave Oedo Tai (another Stardom faction) and then sought protection in God's Eye and begged them to let them join their group. Saki is a bit of a coward, will take the easy way out of matches, and wins most of her matches via unexpected roll-ups. Despite this, she is a lovable character and someone you want to root for!
Ranna Yagami: Ranna is the rookie of the group, debuting last year in December. She's been able to hang with even the most experienced members of the roster; she'll have a bright future if she continues to improve and grow.
Hina: The “good” twin sister of Rina. Hina focuses more on school (since she is only 17 lol) so we don't see as much of her as we do Rina.
Lady C: Lady C is a teacher turned wrestler. She stands at 5'10, the second tallest woman in the company. After being forced to leave Queen's Quest, Lady C has found her new home in God's Eye.
H.A.T.E:
Leader: Natsuko Tora
Formed: 2015
Overview: HATE used to be known as "Oedo Tai", but got a name change. HATE is your classic, textbook heel group. They don’t care about playing by the rules, they just want to cause havoc. Expect to see many DQ finishes, chairs used, and chains brought out.
Members:
Natsuko Tora: Natsuko is HATE's leader and is pretty successful in getting her group big wins as a team. When she isn't relying on HATE's tricks, she can be pretty dominant. (Despite holding the record for shortest red belt reign at just 34 days)
Momo Watanabe: Momo used to be Queen's Quest leader but after getting lost in the shuffle, Momo decided to turn heel and join Oedo Tai. This new Momo is vicious. She is also one of the best wrestlers in the company and a former white belt champion at only 24 years old!
Thekla: Thekla is a highly charismatic wrestler with a superstar look. After being MIA for a few weeks, Thekla came back and shockingly aligned herself with, at the time, Oedo Tai! She has said she wants to target idol wrestlers like Mina, Tam, and Natsupoi.
Rina: The twin sister of Hina and sister of Hanan. She and Hina are just 17 with 5 years of wrestling experience! Rina has been a dominant future of Stardom champion which has elevated her to new heights.
Fukigen Death: The most experienced of the group- and perhaps the company- Fukigen is a trip to watch. Fukigen was forced to join Oedo Tai and is like the group's pet. She sports sad clown makeup and speaks in “Death!” (You'll see).
Ruaka: Debuting in 2016, Ruaka already has a lot of experience despite only being 18. She would attend Stardom shows in 2015 and said her favorite group was Oedo Tai!
Saya Kamitani: The Golden Phoenix is dead all hail the Phenex Queen! Saya has had a very eventful year. Earlier this year, Saya was the leader of Queen's Quest. Queen's Quest and Oedo Tai then had a match which left Saya as the only member of Queen's Quest. Then a few weeks after that, Saya would turn on her friend Maika to help Natsuko Tora (the woman who tore her former faction members away from her) gain the red belt and join HATE. Aside from all that craziness, Saya is a very talented and expressive wrestler who sports insane entrance gear. Who knows how the rest of the year will go for Saya?
Konami: Konami has come back to Stardom as a full-time wrestler. We haven't seen her full-time since December 2021. It's nice to see her regularly again as she is one of Stardom's most iconic wrestlers in my opinion. Much like Saya, Konami also joined HATE by betraying her friends. Former tag champions with Syuri, Konami threw the match to give Momo and Thekla the belts off her.
Neon Genesis:
Neon Genesis is Stardom's newest faction! Led by Starlight Kid, the group is filled with the brightest young stars in Stardom. Their entrance as a whole group is the coolest in the company too, so watch out for it!
Starlight Kid: Starlight Kid is one of the most charismatic and entertaining wrestlers in the company. She's an absolute treat to watch in the ring and you'll be amazed at the high-flying moves she pulls out. It's only a matter of time before Kid starts winning big matches and making big moves for her newly found group.
Suzu Suzuki: Suzu is a former member of the death match specialist freelance group Prominence but left to make Stardom her new home.
Mei Seira: Mei is a specialist in high-speed wrestling. She teams a lot with Suzu Suzuki and the two found great success as a team! Mei is especially charming and easy to root for.
AZM: AZM (pronounced AH-ZOO-ME) is only 21 years old with over 10 years of wrestling experience! She debuted in Stardom when she was only 11. AZM is already one of the best in the world. Her technique is so precise and she’s always so smooth in the ring. She's been on AEW, ROH, and NJPW, so now everyone is getting to experience the greatness that is AZM.
Miyu Amasaki: Miyu is easily the most improved in Stardom this year. The move to Neon Genesis has shown a new side of Miyu we've never really seen before! She's much more confident. Her first title win seems close.
STARS:
Leader: Mayu Iwatani
Formed: 2018
Overview: This is your classic baby face group! Expect to see lots of smiles here.
Members:
Mayu Iwatani: Mayu can be argued as the face and icon of Stardom. There's even a biopic out about her! Mayu is one of the best in the company- and in the world for that matter. She is also Stardom’s second-ever Grand Slam champion, meaning she has won every championship in Stardom she is eligible for. Just watch her, and you'll see why she's so universally loved and praised.
Hanan: Hanan has a bright future ahead of her. She's recently broke out as a future ace of the company. She has a lot of heart and you can just feel her passion in every match.
Saya Iida: Nicknamed "Giant Saya"; Saya may be small but what she lacks in height (4’9), she makes up for in power.
Koguma: Koguma retired in 2015 but returned in 2021. Koguma is an interesting wrestler as she doesn't look like a high-speed wrestler but can keep up in such matches.
Hazuki: Hazuki retired in 2019, but came back in 2021. Despite not much singles success, she's one of the best on the roster and will be the MVP of any match she's a part of!
Momo Kohgo: Momo made her debut in Actwres girl'Z in 2019 but then came to Stardom in 2022. Momo has appeared on NJPW and ROH shows as well!
Faction-less Wrestlers:
Rian: Stardom's latest rookie.
Important shows, tournaments, and more:
Stardom has a bunch of cool events and tournaments you should know about!
The 5STAR Grand Prix: Arguably the biggest tournament in the company. It's a robin-style tournament (similar to NJPW's G1 Climax). The winner gets a shot at the red belt.
Last winner: Maika (2024)
Cinderella Tournament: A single-elimination tournament. The winner of this gets one wish granted (a title match). Also, they get to come out in a pretty dress and crown! You can expect this to start around March or April.
Last winner: Hanan (2024)
Goddesses of Stardom Tag League: Basically the 5STAR but with tag teams. You can expect this to start around October.
Last winners: Divine Kingdom: Maika and Megan Bayne (2023)
Triangle Derby: A brand new tournament that debuted last year which is like the Grand Prix and Tag League- but this time with trios! This starts around the very beginning of the year.
Last winners: Abarenbo GE: Syuri, Mirai and Ami Sohrei (2023)
New Blood: A show put on every other month to highlight rookie talent but veterans can show up here too. New Blood currently has one belt that is exclusive to it; the New Blood tag belts. The future belt is also mostly defended here too.
Alright! ...Now what?:
Now you go watch! Despite any language barriers you may have, Stardom is surprisingly easy to follow along even with a lack of translations or the language barrier.
If you want to dive head first, I recommend starting at the latest show available or going back a couple of dates to get a feel of the current landscape.
For the sake of letting this article be helpful year round, I’ve decided not to go into any current feuds. A good way to see who’s feuding though is just to see who’s challenging for what belt. You’ll also catch on to who has history with who pretty easily as well. Stardom wrestlers are incredible story tellers, and their faces tell you all you need to know sometimes.
If you want to just dip your toes in before committing, I recommend checking out a few matches first! I’ve compiled a list of recent matches and their links to watch on Stardom World. There is a mix of all kinds of wrestling styles and mainly focuses on wrestlers who are still wrestling in the company today.
Match Recommendations:
In general, All Star Grand Queendom 2023 was an excellent show and should absolutely be a top priority watch for all new fans!
IWGP Women's Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Sareee 04/27/2024 - Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom 2024
Chihiro Hashimoto & Sareee vs. Natsupoi & Saori Anou 03/09/2024 - Stardom Cinderella Tournament 2024 - Tag 1
IWGP Women's Championship: Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri 01/04/2024 - Stardom Ittenyon Stardom Gate
Suzu Suzuki vs. Syuri 07/23/2023 Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 - Tag 1: Opening Round
Loser Must Leave Unit Steel Cage 12 Man Tag Team Match: AZM, Hina, Lady C, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita vs. Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora, Rina, Ruaka, Saki Kashima & Starlight Kid 06/25/2023 - Stardom Sunshine
Mina Shirakawa vs. Natsupoi 05/04/2023 - Stardom Fukuoka Goddess Legend ~Sweet Stardom~
04/23/2023 - Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom
Wonder of Stardom Championship: Hazuki vs. Saya Kamitani 03/04/2023 - Stardom Triangle Derby I ~Championship Battle~
AZM vs. Starlight Kid 03/04/2023 - Stardom Triangle Derby I ~Championship Battle~
Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita 10/23/2022 - Stardom Goddesses Of Stardom Tag League 2022 - Tag 1
Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Kid 10/01/2022 - Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix 2022 - Tag 20: Championship Battle
Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano 03/27/2022 - Stardom World Climax - Tag 2: The Top
AZM vs. Starlight Kid 02/23/2022 - Stardom Cinderella Journey In Nagaoka
Momo Watanabe vs. Syuri 09/25/2021 - Stardom 5STAR Grand Prix 2021
Check out Stardom’s Youtube channel as they regularly upload matches, highlights and fun clips!
Conclusion:
Hopefully now you can start watching and be able to follow along regularly. Soon you’ll be able to claim your favorite faction and wrestler!
If you found this useful at all, let me know how your journey goes! I will update this article every few months and add more and more information so it can continue to be helpful for any new fans. Believe now! Shine tomorrow! We are STARDOM!
Last updated: September 7, 2024
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