Ever since STARDOM opened their doors there has been one single name that has remained a constant: Mayu Iwatani. That 13 year career has taken her from an awkward unconvincing rookie to one of the very best in the world.
There’s an undeniable aura about Iwatani – one that was apparent from the very beginning. Rossy Ogawa saw the potential in this hapless runaway even when she herself didn’t, and the fans saw it even when she was still stumbling her way around the ring. Those fans have followed what has become a storied career that has won her just about every award you could hope to win in STARDOM.
Trying to narrow down her career best to just ten matches is no easy feat. The list could be twice as long and you would still be missing out some classics. Still, these ten matches represent the best of the best from her incredible career. All bar one of them are readily available to watch on STARDOM World, with the other being relatively easy to find online (and well worth the hunt). And each one of them is more than worth your time.
In the very words of the Icon herself…Check it out!
10: Mayu Iwatani vs Momo Watanabe – 5 Star Grand Prix Opening Night, 07.31.2021
The 5 Star GP is a great litmus test for how good a wrestler is. A series of matches against the best talent on the roster, many wrestlers have used it as something of a launching pad up the card regardless of whether they win the tournament or not. It’s also the best time of year for fans to get guaranteed classics, as was the case when Mayu Iwatani and Momo Watanabe faced off on the first night of the now legendary 2021 edition of the tournament.
It was a match that shone on an already strong night of action, as the two veterans went out with a purpose to start their run with a bang. Momo’s typically hard hitting striking and suplex heavy style compliments Mayu well, who was more than up to the task to both take the punishment and return the favor in kind.
We’ve seen them have great matches against other before like in 2020, but they took the best parts of that title match and then condensed it to a sub-twenty minute war that never let up.
9: Mayu Iwatani vs Kagetsu – Year End Climax, 12.24.2019
Kagetsu will go down as one of Mayu Iwatani’s greatest rivals, and with good reason. The devious Oedo Tai leader was a constant thorn in her side during the crucial years where she developed into the leader of the company, and this final singles match between the two of them serves as the official passing of the torch as Kagetsu would announce her intent to retire in the aftermath.
It has all the hallmarks of their wars, not least of which is some sort of wild high spot in the crowd – this time performed from Kagetsu as she jumped off the Korakuen Wall, double stomping Mayu in the bleachers in a move that might remind viewers of a crazy stunt pulled by Kyoko Kimura years back.
It’s a tough call picking between this and their 2018 encounter, but the finishing stretch here feels that much more intense. Kagetsu is pulling out every ace in her sleeve in a final attempt to try and keep Mayu down, all in front of an absolutely electric Korakuen Hall that it just helps edges out their earlier encounters for this spot on the list.
8: Mayu Iwatani & Kagetsu vs JKGReeeeN (Momo Watanabe & Jungle Kyona) – Stardom 9th Anniversary in Osaka, 01.26.2020
Mayu Iwatani and Kagetsu made great rivals, but as fierce as they were when the bell rung, there were a lot of lighthearted moments between them as well. As Kagetsu planned to hang the boots up and retire, there was one final wish to grant: teaming with the old adversary. So, coming out in unique matching gear for one night only, Mayu and Kagetsu were on the same side.
Squaring off against two of the best in ring workers on STARDOM’s roster, the odd ball pairing were as wonderful to watch as you’d expect. From some intentionally dubious chemistry to Iwatani clearly delighting in the chance to dip her toes in some Oedo Tai devilry, this is a match that’s highly entertaining to watch on the surface and even more rewarding for long term fans.
The one knock on it, at least in relation to a list like this, is that it’s not a ‘Mayu’ heavy match. This is about Kagetu’s last hurrah and as a result the second half is mostly a showdown between her and Jungle Kyona. But the match is too special and too well executed not to include.
7: Thunder Rock (Mayu Iwatani & Io Shirai) Vs Meiko Satomura & Kairi Hojo – Stardom The Highest 2016, 03.21.2016
2015 will go down as one of the most challenging years STARDOM has ever faced, and if it weren’t for the Threedom the company might not have made it to 2016. Meiko Satomura came in as an outsider to help fast track the trio into their newfound responsibility as the figureheads of the promotion, and this tag title match served as a bit of an epilogue to that war with the Sendai Girls Final Boss. The stakes are a little less high, but the action is no less intense.
It’s always a delight to see Thunder Rock in action together. Io and Mayu will go down as one of the strongest duos in STARDOM history for a reason, and their strength as a team helps to tactically overwhelm their individually strong opponents for much of this match, even when Satomura is looking to unleash.
2016 is a very important year for Mayu, and while she would have bigger matches and moments still to come she more than holds her own here, playing several different roles as the match pace dictates. Mayu starts out looking to make up for her humiliating loss to Meiko, and after quickly getting humbled slots back into her groove, working seamlessly with Io and coming in clutch.
6: Mayu Iwatani vs KAIRI – Historic X-Over, 11.20.2022
Mayu has wrestled a lot of big matches over her thirteen year career, but few have felt as big as this. The main event of the first ever NJPW/STARDOM collaboration show, fighting for a brand new IWGP championship, standing against a former WWE star and one of the other Three Daughters of STARDOM: KAIRI.
It was the kind of big match setting STARDOM had been building towards for years, and it was only fitting that Mayu would be the one standing there. It starts as a cautious stand off between two experienced veterans who know each other’s game, before gradually giving way to desperation and reckless abandon as injuries pile up and game-plans fall apart.
This is also the best example of the ‘Zombie Mayu’ side of her gimmick that was being pushed strongly around this time, leaning heavily into her ability to withstand a tonne of abuse and keep on getting up. It’s played off brilliantly here, particularly when KAIRI makes the mistake of giving a seemingly out on her feet Mayu a little too much space and eating a superkick as the Pirate Princess launched into a spear attempt.
It’s a shame that the New Japan/STARDOM partnership possibilities hasn’t been fully realised, but if nothing else it has given us a special event in Historic X-Over, and a truly special main event in Mayu Iwatani vs KAIRI
5: Mayu Iwatani vs Takumi Iroha – The Way To The Major League, 02.08.2020
Up until the day before this match it was meant to be Mayu Iwatani vs Sareee. Unfortunately illness meant we’d have to wait another four years for that match to happen (don’t worry, we’re getting to that match). In a pinch came an old friend: Takumi Iroha. The former STARDOM trainee had gone on to notable success as the Ace of Marvelous under the legendary Chigusa Nagayo, but her willingness to teach Iwatani the vaunted Running Three technique made for a handy story beat for what was a last-minute exhibition match.
You wouldn’t know it wasn’t the original match watching it though. This is an electric fight from start to finish. In many ways Takumi is the perfect opponent for Mayu; with a unique combination of blitzing speed and domineering strength that truly overwhelms the World of Stardom Champion. Mayu gets ragdolled across Korakuen Hall, and her redemption spots are made all the better by a crowd that is fully invested and behind its Icon.
Their sequel later in the year is nearly as good, but is hurt by the reality of the pandemic crowd restrictions, made all the more apparent when in direct contrast to one of the hottest crowds STARDOM have performed in front of here. This is peak Mayu – bumping and selling like a madwoman and the ultimate underdog finding a way to keep in the fight at all costs.
4: Mayu Iwatani vs Io Shirai – Stardom Gold May 2016, 05.15.2016
The first of three World of Stardom Championship matches between the two Thunder Rock partners and the match that would officially set Mayu on her path to becoming the Icon. It had taken Mayu a couple of years to really find herself as a wrestler, but by the middle of the 2010s the full breadth of her potential was starting to be realised.
Nowhere was this more apparent than whenever she stood in the ring with Io Shirai – either as a tag team or particularly as rivals. The Genius of the Sky brought a level out of Mayu that wouldn’t be consistently seen out of her for another few years, and this is no exception.
The match is expertly constructed, with the underdog Mayu constantly trying to find ways to overcome an opponent who is not only far stronger but also knows her intimately. It forces Iwatani to dig deep, finding in herself a wrestler that can truly challenge Io and threaten to dethrone the company Ace. A tremendous match that can be overshadowed by what comes later in the trilogy, but should be looked at like Batman Begins is – a slightly lower key beginning that does everything right and sets the scene perfectly.
3: Mayu Iwatani vs Syuri – Ittenyon Stardom Gate, 01.04.2024
The Icon of Stardom entered 2024 with a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She was disappointed that STARDOM wouldn’t be featured at Wrestle Kingdom inside the Tokyo Dome, and so decided to try and outshine their big brother hours beforehand. Syuri and Mayu Iwatani are two of the very best and had been steadily growing their chemistry in matchups over the years, and it culminates in this ferocious showdown to kick off the new year.
This is one of the most aggressive showings you’ll see from Mayu Iwatani as she willingly exchanges headkicks and headbutts with a former pancrase champion, turning it up to match her dangerous challenger. Syuri – as you would expect – is more than up to the task to match the IWGP Women’s Champion.
This features probably the single best closing stretch of any Mayu Iwatani match that you’ll see, with Syuri catching a lucky rope break and buying time by clutching onto Mayu’s leg to stop her going for the moonsault. It’s all she needs to gain the strength to launch into a series of big moves, instantly changing the tide and putting the match finale on a knife edge. The men had a hell of a job following this that night.
2: Mayu Iwatani vs Sareee – All Star Grand Queendom, 04.27.2024
It was a match four years in the making. It shouldn’t have been able to live up to the lofty expectations that created, yet somehow it proved to be worth waiting through a global pandemic and an even more terrifying WWE stint.
This is one of the most physical encounters you’ll see in modern joshi. Both Mayu and Sareee are relentless in the abuse they dish out on each other, from sickening headbutts that reverberate through the building, thunderous forearm blows to kicks that would seem cruel to soccer balls.
It’s not just senseless violence though, there’s a real sense of back and forth between two seasoned warriors. Both have been laying a legitimate claim to Wrestler of the Year through the first part of 2024, and this match is a great resume builder for both parties. This is another classic example of how good Mayu is at making her opponent look like a monster (not that Sareee necessarily needs the help). Her bumping and selling is on point in this match, which makes her subsequent comeback all the more impactful.
This is a classic that somehow managed to exceed sky high expectations and reminded everyone that in year thirteen Mayu Iwatani is arguably in career best form.
1: Mayu Iwatani vs Io Shirai – Year End Climax, 12.22.2016
Mayu might be a far superior wrestler in 2024, but December 2016 was a perfect storm: Iwatani was really coming into her own as a performer and finally had the confidence to deliver Match of the Year caliber matches, she had the perfect opponent in Io Shirai (who herself had renewed motivation off a rejuvenating heel turn) and both the story told coming into the match that tied in perfectly with the one being told within the ring.
Two friends turned bitter rivals, with a vastly outmatched underdog whose motivation had been called into question – knowing the only way she could silence the doubters and dethrone the Queen was to knock the champ out with bombs.
The once timid Mayu is now looking for match-enders from the opening bell, displaying the fire that Io had been looking for from her, though that overeagerness at times threatens to also be her undoing against a far more experienced and composed opponent.
It’s a perfectly told story, both as a self contained narrative and as part of the larger trilogy between the two of them from May 2016 (covered earlier in this list) and June 2017. The action is intense, featuring Io Shirai at her absolute peak and a Mayu Iwatani that is finally realising how deep the rabbit hole goes. Even after all these years and with how far she’s come as a wrestler, this is the best match she’s ever had, and it’s a testament to how complete a match it really is.
This is the one match on this list not available on Stardom World which is a real shame, so hopefully until that changes it will remain readily available on known video sharing websites so that people can easily watch this classic.
The good news is that Mayu Iwatani is showing no signs of slowing down. Two of the top three matches on this list are from the first half of 2024, and there’s no reason to think that this time next year there won’t be another match or two threatening to be claiming a spot in the top ten.
RESURA 