This is RESURA ROUNDUP, our monthly installment of match recommendations. Every month, our writers will bring you a fresh batch of bangers, slugfests, epics, and more from the world of joshi.
We’ll often shine a light on the big bouts, but there will also be plenty of focus on the under-the-radar hits. Expect a diverse selection that hits a wide range of joshi promotions.
Let’s get into it.
Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) vs. Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) AAAW Tag Team Title Match, Marvelous (August 8)
Magenta is one of the top tag teams in joshi today, while Team 200kg are incredible monsters that everyone else has to try and overcome. Even with the clear size disadvantage, Magenta used great double team moves and isolating techniques to try and survive.
Team 200kg has incredible speed and agility, so it kept things brisk at the right moments. They are also very good at making others look credible, as Magenta had some very convincing near falls towards the finish. With Team 200kg winning the titles, it can put Magenta into chase mode after a good 8-month run.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Tomoka Inaba vs. Momo Watanabe, STARDOM – 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 (August 8)
Both of them kicked each other a lot. That’s what was expected, and they delivered wonderfully.
Inaba has really grown over the last few years, and Momo is one of the best in the world. Being in the 5 STAR kept this match at about 12 minutes, so they went at a nice high pace.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Mifu Ashida vs. Mio Shirai, Ice Ribbon – #1363 (August 10)
When Mio Shirai started off the match by just smashing on Ashida, the Ice RIbbon wrestlers around the ring started howling with excitement. And I did the same at home.
This is a match with few moves but lots of energy. The battle devolves into a trading of bodyslams, the two opponents trying to one-up the other, and I was hyped for all of it.
Shirai rocked it here, looking more impressive than she has in recent memory. The rising star Ashida had some compelling moments as well, mostly when she pushed through the pain and charged at her foe with a smile on her face.
It’s on YouTube but only for members of the Ice Ribbon channel, so you’ll have to put down a few yen to sample the wares.
Recommended by: Ryan
Rika Tatsumi vs. Ryo Mizunami, TJPW – Tokyo Princess Cup (August 10)
Arguably the best Princess Cup match of the whole 2024 tourney. This quarterfinals showdown was a focused, high-intensity battle between two reliable stars.
Both Tatsumi and Mizunami sprinkled in just enough of their comedy shtick while relying more on ferocity and bravado to tell the story here. You get chokes and chops that all feel so meaningful. The pacing, the counters, the simplicity; it all works.
And I always give bonus points for a main event that’s this entertaining but comes in under the 15-minute mark.
Recommended by: Ryan
Mari vs. Nagisa Shiotsuki, Actwres girl’Z – Korakuen Hall (August 14)
Nagisa debuted against Mari in the main event of the inaugural ACTwrestling show in 2022. She’s improved greatly and is an important part of the new era. Mari is doing the best work of her career with her Killer’Z persona.
This is a good representation of AWG in 2024, as it’s a veteran who is still going at the highest level, coaching a younger up-and-coming star. It was quite vicious in spots; Nagisa chopped Mari and made her bleed (which she did in her debut in 2022 as well), and Mari is absolutely relentless with this character. Nagisa is really putting things together by adding dimensions with each show. Mari broke from the traditional AWG feel when she brutally punted Nagisa in the face—a magnificent job by the ninja.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
ACT vs. Natsuki AWG Championship, Actwres girl’Z – Korakuen Hall (August 14)
Actwrestling at Korakuen is usually a big event for AWG, and this time it was the start of the new era. A lot of debuts occurred in the undercard; Momo Tani returned for one night, and the Killer’Z took on the Heroes in a really great elimination tag match, which easily could have made this list and unofficially has.
This main event was for the vacant title, and there were arguments for both Act and Natsuki to win. In the end, they went with the experienced veteran, who is now taking the title with her to America. ACT entered with new gear and a mane of red hair that made her look like she stepped out of a Hollywood epic. Natsuki has been able to shine these last few months, proving she is one of the best on the roster. Her time will come, and it would be great if she and Nagisa, as Mid Summer Sea Breeze, chased the tag titles. ACT is one of a kind, and it’s wonderful she is holding a belt in 2024.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe, STARDOM – 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 (August 15)
Mayu and Momo could put on a match of the year in their sleep at this point. The off-the-rope reverse rana spot is right out of a video game. Mayu might be the only person who should be doing this move, while Momo always seems game for it.
Momo is likely never going to get that big title run fans are hoping for, but she still delivers when called upon. Mayu in 2024 has done everything and is great in a legacy roll; it’s almost easy to take her for granted, but not with performances like this.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Saori Anou vs Miyu Amasaki , STARDOM- 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 (August 17)
Whatever brought this side out of Miyu needs to be followed up on because she felt like a new person here. Maybe it was the crowd or the placement on the card, but Miyu had a level of confidence that has just never been there in the past. She felt comfortable in her own skin for once, and this is her stepping towards bigger things.
Anou is one of the best gets for STARDOM and never disappoints; if she is what drew this out of Miyu, then start setting up rematches. In the ring, Miyu hasn’t figured out everything, but that’s not why you should seek this out; watch it for her personality on display. Adding in her new faction and fresh gear, 2024 could be a great year for Miyu.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Mayumi Ozaki vs. Maya Yukihi, Oz Academy – Plum No Hanasaku OZ No Kuni (August 18)
Ozaki remains a beast. Haters be damned.
This was jam-packed with chaotic energy. It features blood, big-time animosity, faction turmoil, and an absolutely nasty shot with a whip. While it does run a bit long, there’s plenty of action to keep you invested.
The story of Ozaki’s thuggish group crumbling around her has been a winner. She’s killing it as the queen whose reign is weakening despite her best bullying tactics.
For more Ozaki excellence, check out her match against Takumi Iroha, too.
Recommended by: Ryan
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