It’s summer in Japan, and that means it’s time for the hottest tournament on the STARDOM calendar to return for its 13th iteration. However, a lot has changed since last year, both in the promotion and for the tournament itself!

For the first time ever, the 5 Star Grand Prix will be split into four blocks rather than the usual two. Each block will feature seven competitors (for the first time since 2016), making for a total of 28 wrestlers, a record for the competition.

The tournament will begin on August 10th, with block action running through to August 25th. The top two 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.

Four blocks? But why are there two colors?

The four blocks are named Red Stars A, Red Stars B, Blue Stars A and Blue Stars B. The main reason for the two colors are that shows are separated by these colors. Outside of a couple of shows (opening and closing block nights and the 15th at Korakuen Hall), shows will only feature block matches from one color. So one night might only feature matches from the two Blue Blocks, and the next night only Red Blocks.

Who has won the tournament in the past?
It is a prestigious list of names that have been crowned 5 Star Champion since its inception in 2012. Even if you’ve never seen STARDOM before, you’ve probably heard of some of these names: Io Shirai (Iyo Sky), Kairi Hojo (Kairi Sane), Toni Storm, Hana Kimura, Giulia, and Mayu Iwatani. Last year’s winner was the young prodigy Suzu Suzuki, who more than proved herself after signing with the company earlier in the year. While previous years tested a wrestler’s long term endurance, the more condensed schedule this year will prove to be a very different challenge this time around.

How can I watch?
By far the easiest way to do so is to sign up to Stardom World, which costs 920 yen a month (that’s less than $6 USD right now). 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. Post-match comments are translated on their English Twitter, as well as some in-ring comments (there are also fan-subtitles often covering this area who are a great follow to keep up to date with what is being said).

There’s also a back catalogue from previous years to sink your teeth into if you’re hungry for more. 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.

Red Stars A

Natsupoi

• Representing: Cosmic Angels
• Best Performance: 2023: 11 points (5-3-1)
• 2024 Singles Record: 1-1
• Note: As of August 4th, 2024 has won the Artist of Stardom Title

Are you ready for the “Summer of Fairy Awakening?” That’s Natsupoi’s vision, and so far it’s off to the right start after she completed her long and emotional journey to the Wonder of Stardom Championship. The title victory paints a fresh target on her back though. She’s spent years chasing the belt, and now with no chance to get into a groove defending it, she’s expected to fend off a whole block of hungry contenders.

Still, that kind of momentum boost is hard to match, and it takes a certain kind of pressure off her now. Win or lose, she leaves the tournament a champion. Only a handful can say that.

Match to watch: Vs Hazuki, August 25. Two of the most exciting wrestlers on the STARDOM roster, on the final night of block action, with the added fact that a win for Hazuki could set up a future title match? It has all the makings for a potential match of the tournament.

Maika

Maika was one second away from entering the tournament as the World of Stardom Champion – her one mistake was trusting Saya Kamitani. Now she has to use the tournament to try and climb back into the title picture, and can’t even exact revenge on Tora now she’s pulled out of the tournament.

Still, Maika 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.

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. So it’ll mean a little more for her.

Hazuki

• Representing: STARS
• Best Performance: 2022: 14 points (7-5)
• 2024 Singles Record: 3-1-1

For 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 happy Hazuki, but we’ve seen flashes of that old self still lay within her.

If Konami has unlocked the more aggressive side of Hazuki right before the 5 Star Grand Prix, she’s made the block far more difficult for everyone else. Hazuki’s a dangerous competitor as it is, but there’s a vicious edge to her that when unleashed becomes particularly scary for opponents.

Match to watch: Vs Maika, August 23. A first time ever singles match between two exciting hard hitters. Hazuki will bring the speed, Maika the strength, and as they go to war in the final nights of block action, points will feel more critical than ever.

Ruaka (replacing Natsuko Tora)

• Representing: H.A.T.E
• Best Performance: 2021: 0 points (0-9)
• 2024 Singles Record: 3-2

Ruaka wasn’t 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.

It’ll be a second chance for a disciple of Tora to make amends after her first foray into the tournament in 2021 yielded no wins. It was a valuable learning experience, but with the kind of momentum the newly rebranded H.A.T.E faction has right now, that kind of result won’t be acceptable this time around.

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.

Konami

• Representing: H.A.T.E
• Best Performance: 2019: Tournament Finalist (5-2-1)
• 2024 Singles Record: 4-1

She never technically left Oedo Tai when she first went on a wrestling hiatus in 2021, but after sacrificing her own Tag Title run in order to betray Syuri she made it clear where her allegiances are now she’s back in STARDOM full time.

With the faction having undergone so much change in recent months (including a rebranding), there will be a certain unspoken jostling for position – and this year’s 5 Star GP should serve as a great proving ground for each member to see where they belong in the pecking order.

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. But given Hazuki’s recent comments after seeing Konami throw the titles away, it should be even juicier.

Manami

• Representing: Sendai Girls Pro Wrestling
• Best Performance: Tournament Debut
• 2024 Singles Record: 5-6-2

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.

She’s been steadily improving as a performer, recently ending her second run with the Sendai Girls Tag Titles (this time alongside Ryo Mizunami). As her platform in Sendai Girls has been steadily growing, now the question is: can she shine amongst the best in STARDOM? She won’t be expected to get many wins, but she’s graduated past just ‘being happy to be here’ even though she will very clearly be happy to be there.

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. This might be her last big chance to shine too, so expect her to go all out.

Yuna Mizumori

• Representing: Cosmic Angels
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 8-2

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. It only confirmed the great strides that the tropical student of Emi Sakura had made since she first arrived in STARDOM in 2023.

It was as the roster strained under the weight of injuries late last year that Yunamon really cemented herself as an important part of the roster, and now she has a chance to shine in the 5 Star GP. It’s in tournaments like this where she can take the step from underrated to properly recognised.

Match to watch: Vs Natsupoi, August 12. With 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 the STARDOM title hunt yet, but a win over her friend Poi could very well change that.

Red Stars B

Mayu Iwatani

• Representing: STARS (Leader)
• Best Performance: 2018: Tournament Winner (4-2-1)
• 2024 Singles Record: 6-0

It can be said every year that for as much as things change in STARDOM the one constant is Mayu Iwatani. Never has that been more true than in 2024, because with the departure of founder Rossy Ogawa and the formation of Marigold, the only thing that has continued from the birth of STARDOM to now is the name of the promotion and the current IWGP Women’s Champion.

With eleven prior appearances it goes without saying that nobody knows their way around the tournament like Mayu, even one as different as this year’s. Combine that with how good she’s looked in singles action this year, and the Icon will prove to be the standard bearer as she always is.

Match to watch: Vs. AZM, August 18. We saw these two tear down the house inside Korakuen Hall after AZM personally requested Mayu as her opponent to celebrate her 10th year in pro wrestling. This time around there are real stakes. AZM’s shown interest in the IWGP Women’s Championship and the best pathway to getting a title shot is through beating the Icon in the 5 Star GP.

Tam Nakano

• Representing: Cosmic Angels (Leader)
• Best Performance: 2022: Tournament Finalist (8-4)
• 2023 Singles Record: 3-1-1
• Note: As of August 4th, 2024 has won the Artist of Stardom Title

This time last year, Tam Nakano was the World of Stardom Champion. However, an unfortunate knee injury led to her having to relinquish the belt. It felt like only a matter of time until she would assert her claim on the belt once more, but she’s struggled to find any real momentum since returning. She lost a TBS Title match against Willow Nightingale and took the fall against Aja Kong and Kaori Ito. She even fumbled what felt like a sure thing in recruiting Starlight Kid to Cosmic Angels.

In spite of all this, the kawaii leader of the Cosmic Angels would still be an odds-on favorite to go all the way. Because while the Tam Road is a long one, there’s no doubt where it leads – she never lost the belt after all.

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. She could lose to Giulia a hundred times if it meant finally surpassing The Icon just once.

Momo Watanabe

• Representing: H.A.T.E
• Best Performance: 2021: Tournament Finalist (6-3)
• 2024 Singles Record: 0-2

For a brief moment, Momo held the very future of two STARDOM factions in her fingertips, before she went and turned Queen’s Quest into a Saya Kamitani solo project. There’s 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 as a teenager setting records with the Wonder of Stardom Title in 2018 and 2019.

Still, we often see her turn it up a gear during the 5 Star GP when in ring excellence really gets a chance to shine. There’s still few who can match her in the ring one on one. As we approach her 10 year anniversary in wrestling at the end of the year, what better way to celebrate it than by being the reigning 5 Star Grand Prix Champion?

Match to watch: Vs Mayu Iwatani, Aug 15. A STARDOM classic that always delivers. Interestingly, in eight prior matches their record is 4-3-1 in Momo’s favor, with that record improving to 3-1 when isolated to 5 Star Tournament matches.

AZM

• Representing: Neo Genesis
• Best Performance: 2022 – 14 points (7-5)
• 2024 Singles Record: 5-3-1

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 Kamitani at The Conversion on June 22, 2024.

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 but never quite getting there. Now with Starlight Kid and Suzu Suzuki, the generational rivals will be working together to change the wrestling world. Starting with the 5 Star Grand Prix.

Match to watch: vs Momo Watanabe, Aug 10th. It should come to no surprise as to why this match is the match of interest. AZM might no longer be a member of Queen’s Quest, but the hatred that comes from Momo’s betrayal(s) still burns deep inside. That and their unmatched chemistry and top tier talent guarantees this will be great.

Mei Seira

• Representing: Neo Genesis
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 7-3-1

Mei was unlucky to be on the outside looking in during last year’s tournament, but now with a full year in the company the speedster is a well established part of the promotion. It wasn’t long until it felt like she had always been a part of the team, so it’s wild to think she’s only just settled into a faction in the past weeks.

This will be a true litmus test for determining where Mei sits in the STARDOM pecking order. She finds herself in a block packed with high- end talent, and even the easier opponents are by no means guaranteed wins. That being said Mei possesses perhaps the best equaliser in the 5 Star, an affinity for flash pins.

Match to watch: Vs. AZM, August 11. Blink and you’ll miss this match. 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.

Saya Iida

• Representing: STARS
• Best Performance: 2022: 4 Points (2-10)
• 2024 Singles Record: 5-3

It’s been four years since Saya Iida made her one and only previous appearance in the 5 Star Tournament, and 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 more and more she’s begun to muscle her way onto center stage.

Being in the Red Stars B Block feels like both a blessing and a curse. The stacked block will be unforgiving, and even with her notable improvements surpassing her two point effort in 2020 will be difficult. Yet because the block is so strong, it means nearly every Iida match is going to be appointment viewing. If Saya Iida wasn’t on your radar yet, she might just be after the tournament has come to an end.

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.

Tomoka Inaba

• Representing: JTO (Just Tap Out) & God’s Eye
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 9-1-1

STARDOM might have AZM and Miyu Amasaki forming the 02Line as well as Mei Seira and Suzu Suzuki, but 2002 has produced another great joshi in Tomoka Inaba. The elder Inaba sister has been in the STARDOM orbit for a few years now and is an associate member of God’s Eye, but she’s made a name for herself as another one of TAKA Michinoku’s bright young stars in JTO.

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. Despite a stellar 2024 singles record (her only loss coming in a Red Belt Title challenge against Maika), Tomoka has never faced this caliber of opposition on such a regular basis. Her kicks will need to be as deadly as ever to rack up points, but she’s certainly good enough to do some damage.

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. Not only does Mayu give as good as she gets, but if either wrestler is still in the hunt on the final night, they’ll be fighting for valuable points – just to add some extra spice to the match.

Blue Stars A

Saori Anou

• Representing: Cosmic Angels
• Best Performance: 2023: 10 points (4-3-2)
• 2024 Singles Record: 6-2-1
• Note: As of August 4th, 2024 has won the Artist of Stardom Title

It’s been a tumultuous leadup to the 5 Star GP for Anou. She lost her White Belt to Mika Iwata, before winning both it back and the Sendai Girls World Championship mere weeks later, only to lose the White Belt again in record time. Only she can’t be too sad, because it was to her close friend Natsupoi.

What kind of mindset she’ll be in heading into the tournament is hard to predict. She showed she can rebound quickly when she returned serve on Iwata, but how many times can she keep doing that? On paper, she should be one of the favorites, but tournaments aren’t won on paper.

Match to watch: Vs Xena, August 20. A great matchup battle between a pure powerhouse in Xena and the more technically savvy Anou. A classic ‘5 Star special’ that you might not have gotten to see otherwise.

Syuri

• Representing: God’s Eye (Leader)
• Best Performance: 2021: Tournament Winner (5-2-2)
• 2024 Singles Record: 2-1-1

The 5 Star Grand Prix couldn’t be coming at a worse time for Syuri, whose faction is suddenly looking incredibly weak after the brutal one-two combo of Ami Sohrei’s injury and Konami’s betrayal. The addition of Lady C and Hina are helpful bodies but she now stands as the group’s lone main heavy hitter, and trying to manage the group’s future while simultaneously mounting a 5 Star campaign is a tough ask.

Still, if you were to come up with a list of wrestlers better than Syuri, you wouldn’t use up much paper. The former tournament winner might have had a quiet 2024, but she still remains one of the strongest competitors in STARDOM history. Konami pissing her off might have just been the worst thing for the rest of Syuri’s block.

Match to watch: Vs. Saori Anou, August 12. It’s been over four years since these two have squared off one on one, and never before in a STARDOM ring. They should be the two favorites to advance in the block, but with all the drama surrounding them as they enter it’s by no means a guarantee. The win here could be more vital than expected.

Starlight Kid

• Representing: Neo Genesis
• Best Performance: 2022: 14 points (7-5)
• 2024 Singles Record: 8-2-1

The 2023 edition of the 5 Star GP was not kind to Starlight Kid, where she only managed one win through merit and scraped together another two points thanks to Kamitani’s injury.

It was not indicative to her true standing. A year later and she feels like a new person. Things feel fresh under the Neo Genesis faction and perhaps Starlight Kid can use that to catapult her back towards the top of the standings. It’s a top heavy block, but Kid is definitely good enough to sneak her way through if she’s on her game.

Match to watch: Vs Syuri, August 10. Kid’s never been afraid to punch above her weight, so expect her to go straight for Syuri’s head in this opening match and start off as strong as possible.

Xena

• Representing: ExV
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 3-2
• Note: As of August 4th, 2024 has lost the Artist of Stardom Title

A rare lapse in challengers for the World of Stardom Championship gave Xena the perfect opportunity to prove herself in June, when she went toe to toe with her stablemate Maika and showed she was capable of hanging with the upper echelon of the company.

Although she ultimately came up short, she proved a lot of doubters wrong, and her stock has never been higher heading into the tournament. Now she won’t be surprising anyone. If Xena is going to continue her upwards trajectory, she’s going to need to take that next step and not just impress, but win those big matches.

Match to watch: Vs. Syuri, August 24. Xena made it clear in her interview with us at RESURA how much her match with Syuri last year meant to her and that she would “love to step in the ring with her again VERY soon.” Well, it turns out ‘very soon’ is on the 24th.

Koguma

• Representing: STARS
• Best Performance: 2021: 11 points (5-2-2)
• 2024 Singles Record: 2-2

Blue A Block is filled with a wide array of different challenges, but Koguma presents her own unique test. A High Speed wrestler with a penchant for mind games. Precisely the worst type of person to face in the middle of a tournament if you aren’t completely switched on.

Koguma will ruin someone’s night. She will ruin someone’s tournament, and she’ll do it with a smile on her face. The important thing is: she’s talented enough to do it enough times to potentially advance.

Match to watch: Vs. Starlight Kid, August 17. Whenever two High Speed technicians meet up in the 5 Star it’s worth marking in your calendar. Add in the shenanigans that Starlight Kid is usually willing to dabble in and you have the makings for a great mid-tournament match-up.

Anna Jay

• Representing: All Elite Wrestling
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 5-10

When people talked about AEW involvement with STARDOM, Anna Jay was always a name that popped up as someone who should be at the front of the line for an excursion to Japan. The perfect archetype of someone with all the potential who could really shine through some hardened experience in the Japanese system.

Well her potential is going to be tested in a big way. There’s certainly points to be won for someone of her ability, but she’s also going to have to learn on the fly against legitimate ‘best in the world’ tier talents. It’s a groundbreaking moment for a scrutinised cross-promotion partnership, but Jay is perhaps the best person for the job.

Match to watch: Vs Syuri, August 15. This is the ultimate litmus test for Anna Jay. There’s perhaps no better wrestler in the world than Syuri, and Anna will also get the honor of competing in the hallowed Korakuen Hall. It’s the stuff puroresu dreams are made of and the ideal setting for her to have the match of her tour.

Miyu Amasaki

• Representing: Neo Genesis
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 5-7

There was a lot of hype surrounding Miyu Amasaki when she first debuted in 2022, and it feels like after the first year of intense scrutiny she is really starting to realise her potential and come into her own. That hard work didn’t grant her an automatic spot in the 5 Star GP however, she had to fight for it in a qualifying tournament – defeating Aya Sakura and Lady C to advance.

It’s been a tumultuous year for Miyu, with her mentor Utami moving on from STARDOM and her and AZM being forced out of Queen’s Quest. However, the duo seem to have landed well on their feet, and the new faction might be exactly what Amasaki needs to flourish and free her up to find her voice in a competition promotion.

Match to watch: Vs Starlight Kid, August 24. History has shown that certain groups treat these inter-faction matches as an excuse to go extra hard, and a group of hungry youngsters seems ripe for that kind of attitude.

Blue Stars B

Suzu Suzuki

• Representing: Neo Genesis
• Best Performance: 2023: Tournament Winner (6-3)
• 2024 Singles Record: 3-1-1

Two weeks after turning 21, Suzu Suzuki won the 5 Star Grand Prix, joining Toni Storm as the youngest ever winners of the tournament (and technically Suzu was ten and a half months younger when she won it). It felt as though she was going to ride that wave of momentum to become the next World of Stardom Champion, but it wasn’t meant to be. The title match was delayed and then changed when Tam Nakano had to vacate the belt, and she ended up being beaten by the very person she defeated in the final of the 5 Star GP: Maika.

Having taken some time off to heal some niggling injuries in the lead up to the tournament, Suzu remains ever the wildcard. Though nobody has ever won the tournament twice, Suzu’s record in this tournament is formidable; the other appearance the year before winning she missed out on the final by a single point.

Match to watch: Vs Saya Kamitani, August 24. The last time these two faced off it felt particularly brutal, with Saya’s athleticism trying to outmatch Suzu’s brutal style. Kamitani isn’t the same wrestler she was back then though, will be enough to change the result?

Saya Kamitani

• Representing: H.A.T.E
• Best Performance: 2022: 14 points (6-4-2)
• 2024 Singles Record: 7-3-1

The Saya Kamitani we thought we knew is now seemingly gone, lost just like the Queen’s Quest faction she was once a part of. After everything that group went through against Oedo Tai (now H.A.T.E), helping the leader Tora win the Red Belt is perhaps is all she could have done to put the last bit of dirt over the once-beloved faction.

There will still be questions surrounding her mindset heading into the tournament, which has always been considered a bit of a weak point for her. Getting past the opening night will be the first hurdle; it was there where last year’s tournament run ended after she dislocated her elbow, after all. Still, she should have some confidence coming from the recent victory during the recent Catch the Wave Tournament which she emerged victorious from.

Match to watch: Vs Risa Sera, August 10. These two faced off twice during the 2024 Catch the Wave tournament, and this third meeting can serve as the tie breaker.

Hanan

• Representing: STARS
• Best Performance: 2023: 6 points (3-6)
• 2024 Singles Record: 10-2

There’s no doubting that the Cinderella Tournament win earlier this year was a career highlight moment for Hanan; after years of being called the company’s Future Ace it never felt more real than that night. The Young Lioness has proven that on her night she can hang with the best, now it’s a matter of consistently doing it. That’s what this 5 Star Tournament will test of her.

Hanan has the chance to do something only Toni Storm has managed, which is win both the Cinderella Tournament and the 5 Star Grand Prix in the same year. Not asking much from a nineteen year old!

Match to watch: Vs Suzu Suzuki, August 10. A match that will be headlining sold out STARDOM PPV shows for years to come. Two of the brightest young stars in joshi going head to head in what could be a show-stealer on one of the hottest nights of the tournament.

Ranna Yagami (replacing Ami Sohrei)

• Representing: God’s Eye
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 4-16-2

Rookies don’t normally get the opportunity to take part in the 5 Star Grand Prix, but when God’s Eye teammate Ami Sohrei’s injuries eventually caught up with her and sent her into surgery, an incredible chance presented itself to the young striker. The timing couldn’t have have been better after Ranna just completed her stint in the Catch the Wave Young Block, giving her some valuable tournament experience ahead of the more grueling 5 Star.

As talented as the rookie already is, Ranna won’t be expected to advance to the next round. This will be a learning experience and a trial by fire first and foremost. Any points earned will be considered a major victory at this point in her career, but from little things big things grow

Match to watch: Vs Saki Kashima, August 10. There’s not going to be many chances for Ranna to get a win in the tournament, but if she can invoke the spirit of her mentor Syuri she might just be able to frighten Saki enough into making a mistake.

Saki Kashima

• Representing: God’s Eye
• Best Performance: 2022: 12 points (6-6)
• 2024 Singles Record: 4-1

Saki Kashima made it clear before anyone else of her intentions regarding this year’s tournament…she didn’t want to enter it. Despite her best wishes, however, her name was listed among the twenty eight involved, so the master of the Revival pin will once again be involved ready to ruin dreams in the blink of an eye.

Remember, Saki Kashima currently holds the record for the fastest victory in the 5 Star Tournament, pinning Hana Kimura in a blistering eight seconds in 2019. In a company where wrestlers train to take the hardest hits in wrestling, it’s often the tricky pinning combinations that do the most damage, and Saki has turned that into an art form.

Match to watch: Vs Suzu Suzuki, August 12. Is Saki going to be overwhelmed by Suzu’s aggression? Most likely. But is Suzu the type to let her arrogance get the better of her and leave herself open? Absolutely. There’s going to be a moment in this match where Suzu’s tournament could be over before it’s barely begun.

Thekla

• Representing: H.A.T.E
• Best Performance: Debut Appearance
• 2024 Singles Record: 1-0-1

Losing both her faction and her close friend Giulia at the start of the year left Thekla seemingly with a lot of questions as to her future, and like a lost of lost souls in STARDOM, she drifted in with the villainous Oedo Tai (now H.A.T.E). Unleashing a more vindictive and cold attitude, Thekla’s struck gold quite literally – winning the Goddess of Stardom Tag Titles alongside Momo Watanabe a couple of weeks before the tournament.

The ‘Idol Killer’ won’t have too many traditional idols to kill in her block, but that likely won’t stop her resorting to some questionable tactics. The big question will be how lenient are referees willing to be with her less than legal interpretation of the rules. In these smaller blocks all it might take is an untimely disqualification or two to decide if she advances to the quarter finals or not.

Match to watch: Vs. Risa Sera, August 24. These two have faced off twice before back in Ice Ribbon – the last time in 2021 – but both times Thekla came up short. A lot has changed for the Toxic Spider since then, and she’ll be looking to show that personally.

Risa Sera

• Representing: Prominence
• Best Performance: 2022: 15 Points (7-4-1)
• 2024 Singles Record: 9-6-5

Risa Sera is now no stranger to the STARDOM mat. Appearing first back in 2013 while back in Ice Ribbon, she’s been making steady appearances ever since leaving the promotion to forge her own ties as a freelancer.

Although Sera’s specialty is deathmatch, she’s equally dangerous when playing by the rules. She spent years honing her skills as one of Ice Ribbon’s premier talents, and as the veteran hand in a very young block, she’ll be looking to make the most of that experience to keep her ahead of the pack.

Match to watch: Vs. Suzu Suzuki, August 15. The history these two share is no secret. Risa was a mentor for Suzu, leaving Ice Ribbon together to build the deathmatch troupe Prominence. However Suzu’s star was always destined for bigger things, and in 2023 she signed on with STARDOM. Like many wrestlers, great friends make for greater rivals.

5 Star GP 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

Blue Stars A:

• Saori Anou vs Anna Jay
• Syuri vs Starlight Kid
• Xena vs Miyu Amasaki

Blue Stars B:

• Suzu Suzuki vs Hanan
• Saya Kamitani vs Risa Sera
• Saki Kashima vs Ranna Yagami

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 (DAY)

Blue Stars A:

• Syuri vs Saori Anou
• Starlight Kid vs Anna Jay
• Xena vs Koguma

Blue Stars B:

• Suzu Suzuki vs Saki Kashima
• Saya Kamitani vs Thekla
• Hanan vs Risa Sera

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

Blue Stars A:

• Saori Anou vs Starlight Kid
• Syuri vs Anna Jay
• Koguma vs Miyu Amasaki

Blue Stars B:

• Suzu Suzuki vs Risa Sera
• Hanan vs Saki Kashima
• Ranna Yagami vs Thekla

August 17, Kyoto

Blue Stars A:

• Saori Anou vs Miyu Amasaki
• Starlight Kid vs Koguma
• Xena vs Anna Jay

Blue Stars B:

• Saya Kamitani vs Ranna Yagami
• Hanan vs Thekla
• Risa Sera vs Saki Kashima

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 20: Osaka

Blue Stars A:

• Xena vs Saori Anou
• Syuri vs Koguma
• Anna Jay vs Miyu Amasaki

Blue Stars B:

• Suzu Suzuki vs Thekla
• Saya Kamitani vs Saki Kashima
• Ranna Yagami vs Risa Sera

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 24: Fukushima

Blue Stars A:

• Syuri vs Xena
• Starlight Kid vs Miyu Amasaki
• Koguma vs Anna Jay

Blue Stars B:

• Saya Kamitani vs Suzu Suzuki
• Hanan vs Ranna Yagami
• Thekla vs Risa Sera

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

Blue Stars A:

• Saori Anou vs Koguma
• Syuri vs Miyu Amasaki
• Xena vs Starlight Kid

Blue Stars B:

• Suzu Suzuki vs Ranna Yagami
• Saya Kamitani vs Hanan
• Saki Kashima vs Thekla

August 28: Shinjuku – Quarter Finals

August 31: Tokyo – Semi Finals & Finals