Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages. It is summertime once again and that means that the single best tournament in Women’s Professional Wrestling is right around the corner. That’s right, it’s time once again for the 13th Annual 5 ★Star GP! There have been a lot of changes since last year’s tournament, from both a promotion and roster standpoint, so this year’s tournament is shaping up to be the most unique in Stardom’s history. We’ve still got the two-color block set-up; however, we have TWO distinct blocks in each color bracket! That’s right, each block has been broken down into two brackets and the participants split in half between each.
This year’s tournament is absolutely stacked from top to bottom. From 5 Star rookies to grizzled veteran favorites. 2024 might end up being the best tournament in Stardom’s history with how good this roster of talent for the tournament is. With 28 participants this year, the tournament is really up for grabs as it is anyone’s game at this point. Of course, there are a couple of standout names who will be the obvious favorites, but it is really hard to say which woman has the advantage or who is the true favorite.
The tournament will begin on August 10th, with block action running through to August 25th. The top wrestlers from each block will advance to the quarter finals, taking place on August 28th, with the winners advancing to the semis and then the final which will all take place on the last night of action on August 31st.
How can I watch?
For the first time ever, every single show will be broadcast live either on PPV or on Stardom World, making it easier than ever to follow along with the tournament. So, the easiest, most convenient way to follow along with the tournament will be to sign up for an account at Stardom World. Stardom World currently costs 920 yen a month (that’s less than $6 USD right now), so it is very affordable when compared to other streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
Perhaps the best part of subscribing to Stardom World is that you have access to a massive back catalog of content, going all the way back to Stardom’s earliest days. You can watch old 5 Star GP tournaments, the debuts of Azumi and Starlight Kid, see Mayu Iwatani grow into the ICON that she is today, all for just 920 yen a month. One thing to keep in mind: payment for a new cycle will be taken from the 1st of the month no matter when you initially signed up, so for maximum value sign up at the start of the month.
For shows that fall under the PPV distinction, these will be made available to watch live for about 4400 yen (or approximately $30 USD) Links to buy the PPV will be offered on their Twitter accounts in the days ahead of the show. Because of PPV rights these shows generally have a delay of about 4-5 days until they are uploaded onto Stardom World for subscribers. Unlike previous years all shows during this period will be solely dedicated to the tournament.
All of that being said, let’s get into the actual preview for this year’s tournament, starting with the two blocks under the red banner.
RED STARS A BLOCK
- Representing: ExV (Empress Nexus Venus) (Leader)
- Best Performance: 2023: Tournament Finalist (5-2-2)
- Judoka
The former World of Stardom Champion tries to redeem herself after a heartbreaking loss to Natsuko Tora, who had help from one Saya Kamitani. While Maika may not be entering this year’s tournament as champion, a strong showing here can launch her right back into title contention. The only real problem for Maika this year is that she can’t even try to get revenge on Natsuko Tora, since she pulled herself from the tournament after winning the World of Stardom Championship.
What Maika has going for her though is that she knows how to succeed. She made it to the finals last year, and always puts forth a strong showing. Not that she needed the motivation, but now the Red A block has to deal with an angry former Red Belt champion, and that is trouble for everyone in the block.
Match to watch: Vs Konami, August 15. Expect Maika to be looking to pack a bit of extra punch every time she faces a member of H.A.T.E, but Konami will be the first of the two faction members she’ll face during the tournament. The other will be Ruaka, who takes the place of Natsuko Tora this year. Konami will bring all her experience and tricks into this match, don’t expect it to be pretty.
- Representing: STARS
- Best Performance: 2022: 14 points (7-5)
- 10-year Veteran
The lone representative for STARS in this block, Hazuki looks to improve on last year’s performance where she scored 10 points and didn’t come close to the finals. With all of the chaos that has been sweeping through STARDOM of late, STARS has been relatively unaffected by it all. At least until Hazuki’s Goddess Title reign with Koguma became the first victim to Konami’s eventual betrayal of Syuri. Compared to her earlier years, STARS has brought out a far more chill and happier Hazuki, but we’ve seen flashes of that old self still lay within her.
If Konami has truly awoken the sleeping dragon, then the entire block is in for a fight they were not expecting. Hazuki is one of the most dangerous contenders in the entire block, especially when she is serious. I fully expect Hazuki to be seeing red this year, literally, and give each woman in front of her the fight of their lives.
Match to watch: Vs Maika, August 23. A first time ever singles match between two exciting hard hitters, and A blocks two most dangerous competitors. Hazuki will bring the speed, Maika the strength, as they go to war in the final nights of block action. Depending on how the tournament shapes up, this could be between the two leaders of the A block and determine who goes on to the next stage.
- Representing: Cosmic Angels
- Best Performance: 2023: 11 points (5-3-1)
- High Speed Technician
Fresh off of winning the Wonder of Stardom title, and announcing the “Summer of Fairy Awakening”, Natsupoi comes into this year’s tournament with a lot of momentum on her side. While she doesn’t have to worry about losing her title in a tournament match, she does have to expect that each of her opponents will be trying to earn a future shot at her title by defeating her. Poi has a target on her back, being a single’s champion, but she will more than rise to the occasion.
Unfortunately for us, the fans, we don’t get to see Poi face off against any of her High-Speed Rivals like Azumi or Starlight Kid this year. What we do get though is Poi having to contend with badasses like Maika, Hazuki and Konami. I know that I said Poi has momentum leading into the tournament, but she has some truly stiff competition this year. Time will tell how the “High Speed Fairy” handles the pressure this year.
Match to watch: Vs Hazuki, August 25. Two of the most exciting wrestlers on the entire STARDOM roster, on the final night of block action. Add in the fact that a win for Hazuki could set up a future title match, and it has all the makings to potentially be the match of the tournament.
- Representing: H.A.T.E (formerly Oedo Tai)
- Best Performance: 2019: Tournament Finalist (5-2-1)
- The “Submission Sniper”
Konami never technically left Oedo Tai when she first went on a wrestling hiatus in 2021. However. after sacrificing her own Tag Title run in order to betray Syuri, she made it clear where her allegiances are now that she’s back in STARDOM full time. What’s better than her being healthy again? The fact that her killer instinct is back and that spells trouble for everyone in the tournament.
Konami is a trained killer in the ring with a strong submission game that can lead to certain disaster if her opponents aren’t careful. Forget H.A.T.E., forget Oedo Tai, this Konami is probably the most dangerous that she has ever been. The women need to be on top of their game this year, or Konami will make them pay dearly.
Match to watch: Vs. Hazuki, August 12. This match would have been high on the recommendations from the start given the talent of both competitors. It got even juicier after Konami helped defeat Hazuki for the Goddess titles, only to turn around and betray her partner and throw away those same belts. If Hazuki’s post on X is any indication, Konami better be ready for the fight of her life.
- Representing: Cosmic Angels
- Best Performance: Debut Appearance
- “Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship”
Making her 5 Star debut this year, Yuna Mizumori is looking to prove to the world that she belongs with the best of the best. Yes, she has a tough tournament ahead of her and even has to face fellow Cosmic Angel Natsupoi, but Yuna could be a true dark horse contender this year. Not just everyone can enjoy an automatic entry into the 5 Star Grand Prix. For Yuna, she was one of two entrants who had to go through a qualifying tournament in order to earn the right.
Trained by Emi Sakura, she really stepped her game up in 2023 when Stardom’s roster was cut extremely thin due to the injury plague. She fought to be in the Angels, she fought to earn her place in this year’s tournament and she sure as hell will fight to get to the top of the leaderboard. Yuna has a tough schedule ahead of her, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it is this tropical angel.
Match to watch: Vs Natsupoi, August 12. With Natsuko Tora sitting out, the Wonder of Stardom Title is now the top prize in the block for wrestlers to set themselves up for. Yuna hasn’t been in a STARDOM title hunt yet, but a win over her friend (and teammate) Natsupoi could very well change that. It would be a real upset of course, but stranger things have happened during this tournament.
- Representing: Sendai Girls Pro Wrestling
- Best Performance: Tournament Debut
- Meiko Satomura Trainee, Debuted at 12 years old
Also making her debut in this year’s tournament is none other than Manami. The nineteen-year-old Sendai Girls representative might be one of the youngest wrestlers in this year’s tournament, but she carries with her plenty of experience, coming from the classic ‘start them young’ camp of Joshi. While working hard over the last few years, Manami has steadily improved and earned her way into the big time.
Can she shine amongst the brightest stars in Joshi today? That remains to be seen, but she is bringing a fire with her that few will be able to match. This young woman has a lot to prove, especially given that this is her debut for the Grand Prix. She may not be expected to get many wins, but she is more than capable of pulling off the upset and knocking a contender out of the running.
Match to watch: Vs Maika, August 25. While Manami pulling off the win would be the upset of the century, Maika is the type of wrestler who can bring the best out of someone like Manami, both on offense and defense. If anyone can pull that big of an upset in this tournament, it’ll be Manami.
Ruaka (replacing Natsuko Tora)
- Representing: H.A.T.E (Formerly Oedo Tai)
- Best Performance: 2021: 0 points (0-9)
- H.A.T.E.’s “Rebel Monster”
Ruaka wasn’t even meant to be here after she got eliminated in the first round of the qualifying tournament against Yuna Mizumori. However, after Natsuko Tora decided to sit out the tournament after winning the Red Belt, she nominated Ruaka as her replacement. That’s a tough ask for a woman who has yet to win a single match during the Grand Prix.
While her first attempt was a valuable learning experience, those kinds of results will not be tolerated this time around. Ruaka needs to prove herself this year, not only for herself but to her leader who had the faith to give her this chance. With the kind of momentum that the newly rebranded H.A.T.E faction has right now, one has to wonder if that momentum will rub off on Ruaka in any way.
Match to watch: Vs Konami, August 10. One of the benefits of 5 Star GP is inter-faction matches. In this case, a heel vs heel H.A.T.E showdown isn’t going to produce a technical classic, but the shenanigans that could come from it could be more than worth the price of admission. Just don’t expect Ruaka to fight fair or win many matches.
RED STARS B BLOCK
- Representing: STARS (Leader)
- Best Performance: 2018: Tournament Winner (4-2-1)
- The “Icon of Stardom”
With the ever-changing landscape that is Stardom these days, the lone constant has been Mayu Iwatani. The current IWGP Women’s Champion is always among the favorites come tournament time and it’s for good reason. This will be Mayu’s 11th appearance in the tournament and she will be looking to become a two-time winner against some seriously stiff competition. Like Natsupoi, Mayu has a target on her back this year.
Everyone in this block will be trying to earn a future shot at Mayu’s IWGP Women’s Championship, so Mayu needs to bring her A game and step up for each match. For most, that is easier said than done, but there is a reason why she is called “Big Match Mayu”. When Mayu Iwatani is serious, there’s no one on the planet who can match her skill and tenacity. Expect to see that side of her a lot this year folks.
Match to watch: Vs. AZM, August 18. We saw these two tear down the house inside Korakuen Hall when AZM personally requested Mayu as her opponent to celebrate her 10-year wrestling anniversary. This time around there are real stakes. Like others in the block, AZM’s shown interest in the IWGP Women’s Championship and the best path to getting that title shot is through beating the Icon in the 5 Star GP.
- Representing: Cosmic Angels (Leader)
- Best Performance: 2022: Tournament Finalist (8-4)
- Stardom’s Kung-fu Technician
The Top Kawaii of the Cosmos enters this year’s tournament while trying to right her ship. This time last year, Tam was having to relinquish her World Title due to injury. Since she returned, the road for Tam has been a tough one. If there is any time to turn things around, however, it is during the Grand Prix.
Tam Nakano has struggled to find any real momentum since returning from her injury. She lost a TBS Title match against Willow Nightingale, was unable to secure Starlight Kid’s membership to the Cosmic Angels and took the fall against Aja Kong and Kaori Ito. You have to feel sorry for Tam, but she isn’t the type to just give up. Expect a determined Tam Nakano coming into the tournament this year and for her to prove why she should still be at the top of the mountain.
Match to watch: Vs. Mayu Iwatani, Aug 10. There is no single victory more important to Tam Nakano than finally beating Mayu Iwatani. It’s something she’s never managed to do before, and it’s been a point of emphasis for her ever since she left STARS to form Cosmic Angels. These two women always bring the fight to each other, and this year will be no different. Can Tam finally beat The Icon and earn herself an IWGP title match?
- Representing: H.A.T.E (Formerly Oedo Tai)
- Best Performance: 2021: Tournament Finalist (6-3)
- Trained by the Legend Fuka
Momo Watanabe enters this year’s tournament as another favorite to win it all. Unfortunately for her, she has to contend with some seriously heavy hitters on her road to make it to the top of the mountain. There have been moments of excitement for the once Future Ace, but it’s been a long time since Momo’s had the kind of sustained dominance that she once showed while setting records with the Wonder of Stardom Title in 2018 and 2019.
The lone constant in Momo’s career is that she always turns out insane performances during the Grand Prix. With this being her 8th appearance, and having been a finalist back in 2021, she certainly has the track record needed to win it all. There’s still few who can match her in the ring one on one. As we approach her 10-year anniversary in wrestling, could she finally add the crown to her resume? Time will tell, but her odds are as good as anyone’s.
Match to watch: Vs Mayu Iwatani, Aug 15. A STARDOM classic that always delivers. In 8 of their prior matchups, Momo has the advantage over the Icon with a record of 4-3-1. When narrowed down for the 5 Star GP, that record improves to 3-1 in her favor. We’ll see if Momo still has Mayu’s number this year, or if the Icon can take a step closer to evening out the series.
- Representing: JTO (Just Tap Out) & God’s Eye
- Best Performance: Debut Appearance
- Taka Michinoku’s “Stray Cat”
The darkest horse of them all finds her way into the B Block of the Red Stars and her name is Tomoka Inaba. One of Taka Michinoku’s star pupils, the eldest Inaba sister makes her debut in the Grand Prix against some seriously stiff competition. The Queen of JTO is a martial arts expert and is a five-year veteran of this fine sport. Sure, she hasn’t spent very much time amongst the level of talent found in Stardom, but this young woman has all the skill, and kicks, to take anyone out.
This will be where her abilities are truly tested, in a dense three-week schedule where she’s constantly thrown in the ring with some of the very best wrestlers in the world. That said, Tomoka has never faced this caliber of opposition on such a regular basis. Her strikes and skills will need to be as deadly as ever to rack up points, but she’s more than capable of cause some upsets this year.
Match to watch: Vs Mayu Iwatani, August 25. Tomoka Inaba has become a special talent, but her ultimate test will be against the Icon of Stardom: Mayu Iwatani. Inaba will need to bring her very best to this match, as Big Match Mayu will undoubtedly do the same. This match could steal the entire tournament and win best match this year.
- Representing: Neo Genesis
- Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (7-5)
- The “High Speed Bomb Girl”, Prodigy
AZM has had a bit of a rocky 2024 so far, culminating with the dissolution of Queen’s Quest. Nobody had been a member of Queen’s Quest for longer than AZM, joining at the start of 2017 and remaining loyal right until she was forced to leave along with the rest of the group bar Saya Kamitani at The Conversion on June 22, 2024. Now she finds herself with her generational rivals, Suzu Suzuki and Starlight Kid, forming the newest unit in Stardom, Neo Genesis.
A change of scenery might be what the prodigal talent needs though, as for years AZM has felt like she’s on the very cusp of breaking through to that next level. Like her unit mates, AZM looks to change the wrestling world for the better, and their road starts with the Five Star Grand Prix. A strong performance from Neo Genesis, and AZM in particular, could be just what the new unit needs to prove themselves to the world.
Match to watch: vs Momo Watanabe, Aug 10th. It should come as no surprise why this match will be her one to watch. She may no longer be a member of Queen’s Quest, but the hatred that comes from Momo’s betrayal(s) still burns deep. AZM seeks revenge on her former friend and no matter the cost, she’s determined to see that blood debt paid.
- Representing: Neo Genesis
- Best Performance: Debut Appearance
- The Future of Stardom
Mei Seira makes her Grand Prix debut this year, after being unlucky and just missing out on the show last year. That said, the current High-Speed Champion is going to look to make a name for herself in this year’s tournament. She has her work cut out for her however as this may be the most stacked block in the entire tournament. Whether it’s against Mayu Iwatani, Momo Watanabe, or even Saya Iida, Mei Seira needs to bring her A-game to even come close to sniffing the top of the block.
She happens to be in a good place though, if she wants to test herself and see what her ceiling will be in Stardom. There are some serious heavy hitters in the Red Block, and she even has to face off against fellow unit mate AZM. Time will tell how she scores, but the one guarantee is that she will go out there every night and perform like the madwoman she is.
Match to watch: Vs. AZM, August 11. Blink and you’ll miss this match, because it’s going to be a doozy. The two quickest wrestlers in STARDOM square off in a classic High-Speed showdown. You’ll see all the hallmarks of the style executed to the highest degree and a blistering pace, with the added twist that now they’re in the same faction.
- Representing: STARS
- Best Performance: 2020: 2 Points (1-6)
- Stardom’s “Gori-chan”
The biggest underdog in B block, Saya Iida comes into the tournament this year after a four-year hiatus from it. She has not done well in the tournament, only winning one of her seven matches so far. For a while it felt as though Gori-chan had hit a bit of a ceiling in the company. Even as she quietly continued to improve in all facets it felt like she’d never really get a real chance to shine. Over the past year, the tide has begun to turn for Iida, and she’s finally begun to muscle her way onto center stage.
Whether this block proves to be a blessing or a curse for Iida remains to be seen. She’s up against some of the biggest names in the company and there is a lot of doubt as to whether she can even match her previous two-point performance. Gori-chan is going to come into the tournament and try to put her muscles to good use. Whether that earns her some points or not will have to be seen.
Match to watch: Vs. Momo Watanabe, August 23. When Saya Iida was still finding her footing as a wrestler, it felt like she always looked her best against Momo Watanabe. Now that Iida is coming into her own as a performer there’s a chance those matches could become something special.
RED STARS SCHEDULE
August 10th, Yokohama Budokan
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Natsupoi
- Hazuki vs Manami
- Konami vs Ruaka
Red Stars B:
- Mayu Iwatani vs Tam Nakano
- AZM vs Momo Watanabe
- Mei Seira vs Tomoka Inaba
August 11, Shibuya
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Yuna Mizumori
- Hazuki vs Ruaka
- Konami vs Manami
Red Stars B:
- Mayu Iwatani vs Saya Iida
- Tomoka Inaba vs Momo Watanabe
- AZM vs Mei Seira
August 12, Tochigi (NIGHT)
Red Stars A:
- Konami vs Hazuki
- Manami vs Ruaka
- Natsupoi vs Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B:
- Tam Nakano vs Saya Iida
- Mei Seira vs Momo Watanabe
- AZM vs Tomoka Inaba
August 15, Korakuen Hall
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Konami
- Natsupoi vs Ruaka
- Manami vs Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B:
- Mayu Iwatani vs Momo Watanabe
- Tam Nakano vs AZM
- Saya Iida vs Tomoka Inaba
August 18: Kobe
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Ruaka
- Hazuki vs Yuna Mizumori
- Natsupoi vs Konami
Red Stars B:
- Mayu Iwatani vs AZM
- Tam Nakano vs Momo Watanabe
- Saya Iida vs Mei Seira
August 23: Sendai
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Hazuki
- Natsupoi vs Manami
- Konami vs Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B:
- Mayu vs Mei Seira
- Tam Nakano vs Tomoka Inaba
- Saya Iida vs Momo Watanabe
August 25: Yamagata
Red Stars A:
- Maika vs Manami
- Hazuki vs Natsupoi
- Ruaka vs Yuna Mizumori
Red Stars B:
- Mayu Iwatani vs Tomoka Inaba
- Tam Nakano vs Mei Seira
- Saya Iida vs AZM