By: Jeff Brown
Photos: Masahiro Kubota
STARDOM was at the Yokohama Budokan for the Cinderella Tournament 2025. The tournament itself this year is mostly the younger side of the roster, with the more established stars in tag matches against their current rivals. Hanan was last year’s winner and is looking to go back-to-back. With the rule of over-the-top-rope eliminations, there is always a chance for upset victories. The evening was the first round, and here are some quick thoughts from the media table at Budokan.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Ranna Yagami vs. Akira Kurogane
Yagami was confident and in control against the newcomer, while Akira had a few opportunities to get Yagami over the top rope and was desperately trying to eliminate her. Yagami with a top rope kick pins Akira.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Rina vs. Yuria Hime
Rina was focusing on Yuria’s arm, and like the previous match, Rina was nearly eliminated over the top rope. A very simple but good match, Rina hit a Gory Bomb and pinned Yuria.
Fukigen Death vs. Lluvia vs. Koguma vs. Mei Seira vs. Waka Tsukiyama
Fukigen and Koguma brought the comedy while Mei and Lluvia did some fast-paced technical wrestling. Waka was in on the fun as well before she was tapped out by Lluvia. The match was a nice mixture of comedy and Lucha.
Hazuki & Saya Iida vs. Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori vs. AZM & Suzu Suzuki
Everyone had at least one spot to shine in the beginning. AZM accidentally kicked Suzu, and Hazuki rolled up Suzu for the three count. At times chaotic action with a lot of tandem moves.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Azusa Inaba vs. Rian
This match was a bit heated as they had words at the press conference, so it felt a little different than the prior tournament matches. It had a slower pace with striking, Azusa attacking the leg and trying various submissions. Rian is a very effective scrappy fighter; Azusa with a running kick pins Rian.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Hina vs. Tabata
It started with a test of strength that moved into chain wrestling; Tabata did a dive through the second rope and followed with a missile dropkick off the top rope. Hina answered back with power moves but got caught in a submission-turned-pin by Tabata. Tabata could be challenging for Hina’s future belt after this victory.
Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo (Peach☆Rock) vs. Saki Kashima & Syuri
Kashima’s usual shenanigans of not wanting to be in the match. Syuri got in, and the match got serious, and Kashima was reluctant to tag back in. Kashima and Mayu had a great pinning sequence that ended with Mayu rolling up Kashima for the win. In the press conference backstage Momo announced she wants to go for the Goddess titles with Mayu.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Ruaka vs. Sayaka Kurara
A nice first-round match for Sayaka, who is very good at being the pure babyface who is forced to find an edge. Ruaka was fine in her role as a challenge for Sayaka.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Lady C vs. Miyu Amasaki
Lady C had a great match at Korakuen, and her story is that she is starting to get fired up about her continual losses. Going out so quickly here is a good way to build upon that frustration. Miyu advances and will likely have a showcase match later in the tournament.
Maika & Mina Shirakawa (Empress Nexus Venus) vs. Natsuko Tora & Thekla (H.A.T.E.)
Heated from the opening bell and out into the crowd. Hard strikes from Thekla, and then HATE pours water on her head. A lot of animosity has been brewing with these four; Tora sprays Mina with the mist, and Thekla unloads with the pipe to get to DQ’d. This was more of an angle as Thekla attacked Okada, which set up Mina vs. Thekla. If Thekla loses, she has to pay all her fines and apologize to the fans.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Aya Sakura vs. HANAKO
HANAKO overpowered and dominated Aya out of the gate, and she was very mean-spirited with heelish tendencies against Aya. They fought on the floor, and Hanako nailed a suplex, which caused Aya to crawl in the ring at the 19 count. It turned into a war with each hitting big moves and ended in a time limit draw. Fantastic match, and both really gained a lot from their performances here. As a result of the draw, Azusa gets to advance to the semi-finals.
Cinderella Tournament 2025 First Round Match
Hanan vs. Tomoka Inaba
Hanan had the upper hand early, but it quickly became a back-and-forth battle. Neither was able to sustain an advantage, and they began eating a lot of big moves and kicking out. Hanan finally is able to put Tomoka down with the backdrop pin. A good match, and they had to follow the really heated HANAKO and Aya match.
Starlight Kid & Tam Nakano vs. Konami & Saya Kamitani (H.A.T.E.)
A wild start with SLK and Tam being thrown into chairs at ringside. Tam and Saya have an extended slap war. Konami was being disrespectful to SLK and acting like she wasn’t much of a threat. After a sustained beating, Konami hits a series of unanswered head kicks before a brutal punt kick and pins SLK. This was a preview of the two big matches, and Konami was really heated up as a killer.
A very good show with the tournament carrying a lot of the action, the tag matches served more as angles to build up future shows. Tam and Saya didn’t need to be the focal point as SLK and Konami needed some spotlight. Having a tag match in the main event is always the most exciting way to end a show, but this works well enough.
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