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.
Mio Momono vs. Miku Kanae, Sareee-ISM – Chapter V (September 2)
Notable for being the pro wrestling debut of Miku Kanae, formerly Kanamic of Actwres girl’Z, who is now part of T-Hearts. In AWG, Miku Kanae was an unlikely breakout star who had the most heart of anyone on the roster; her size and inexperience at times seemed impossible hurdles against some of the best in AWG. However, her nervousness and hesitation crumbled away in early 2024 when she started becoming an aggressive German-suplexing house of fire that would land the awesome Mic Mic Knife pin. While coming from the world of voice acting, Miku is a lifelong wrestling fan who would often go to Korakuen Hall to watch a variety of promotions prior to joining AWG. It’s extremely wholesome that so many in AWG are still cheering her on as she is now a freelancer under the guidance of Yumiko Hotta, who herself was once an advisor and trainer in AWG.
Mio Momono was perhaps the perfect first opponent because she is also a smaller-sized babyface that overcomes massive obstacles. Mio has a lot of fun in the ring, but she can flip the switch and be a complete killer; that is something Miku could take from for her own character. The bout was just over ten minutes, and Mio winning was never in doubt, but that wasn’t the point. Miku taking a chance and leaving the ACTwrestling ecosystem to join the greater joshi world is why this is a recommended watch.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Mayu Iwatani & Sareee vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & VENY, Sareee-ISM – Chapter V (September 2)
Match of the damn year.
Recommended by: Ryan
Natsupoi vs. Hazuki, STARDOM – Namba Grand Fight (Sept 14)
Natsupoi having her first White belt defense against Hazuki was a smart choice; both go all out in big matches. The offense was infused with a bit of attitude and meanness, particularly when Poi used boot washes against Hazuki. It was around twenty minutes, and they used everything in the arsenal to destroy one another.
Natsupoi has really been an MVP this year and has had a great run of matches in and out of STARDOM. Hazuki feels at a crossroads (in real life and storyline), and at this point, having a big belt run with either the Red or White seems unlikely. That’s okay because having a caliber wrestler like her not winning those titles makes it seem like it’s rarefied air for the talent that does get a reign with those belts.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Nagisa Nozaki vs. NØRI, Marigold – Dream Star Grand Prix (Sept 14)
The opening few minutes had a UWF/Pancrase feel, which is always welcomed to shake things up. Both Nozaki and NØRI can bring the kicks and add that shoot-style flavor, so they worked well against one another.
With the hesitation and measured groundwork, the match really started out slow and felt realistic. Nozaki does a lot of tag matches in Marigold, so she doesn’t always go full out like she would in her time with Wave, but this was a reminder of who she is. NØRI is a breakout star in the tournament and likely the breakout star of the year; she is getting everything out of the Marigold platform. It went to a draw, but that wasn’t a letdown; more so, it felt like two evenly matched fighters who needed more time to settle things.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Ryo Mizunami & Saya Iida vs. ZONES & Chanyota, PPP Tokyo – Splash Carnival (Sept 14)
An in-your-face hoss fight that does not let up.
This PPP Tokyo main event is a showcase of four powerhouses, a quartet of hard-hitters that includes Iida, who is among the most improved joshi wrestlers in 2024, and Chanyota, who has been one of the year’s fastest rising stars. The women all hammer each other in a bout packed with intensity. This is not a match with any sort of subtlety; it’s straight-ahead violence at a go-go-go pace.
The action features a fun double muscle buster spot and some of the best/nastest lariats you will see from Miznuami. Come get you some slugfest fun free on YouTube.
Recommended by: Ryan
Miku Aono vs. Sareee, Marigold – Dream Star Grand Prix (Sept 16)
A dream match for many that absolutely delivered; it was the World champion versus the UN champion in the semi-main event and easily could have closed the show. Miku is a wrestler that is often a force of nature that bludgeons her opponents, while Sareee is likely the wrestler of the year who has been unstoppable in Marigold. Miku moved to a more underdog position (one she has also played against Bozilla). Prior to becoming the Ace of AWG in 2022, Miku was “the heart fighter” and would often have to overcome more accomplished and powerful opponents, so this was putting on an old pair of shoes for her and a bit of nostalgia for longtime fans.
While this went to a draw, it was a perfect outcome; Miku proved she was worthy, and Sareee still hasn’t gotten a loss on her record. The two beat the hell out of one another, and again, the time limit added urgency and high drama to the near falls. Sareee can wrestle a MOTY in her sleep at this point and has such a great mind for the business that having her across the ring from a Marigold talent elevates them immediately. Everything you would want from two of the best in joshi today.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Natsumi Showzuki vs. NØRI, Marigold – Dream Star Grand Prix (Sept 16)
Another strong outing for NØRI and a nice showcase of Showzuki as well. NØRI is really maximizing her minutes in this tournament and gets more eyeballs on herself each show. Showzuki has had a career resurgence the last few years in AWG and is carrying that over in Marigold. With such a deep talent pool, she is often overlooked even now, and there is a bit of a chip on her shoulder recently, adding a little extra to her bouts.
Showzuki lost the match, but being the caliber wrestler she is and a current champion, she can absorb these defeats while setting up future challengers. Marigold is definitely not afraid to beat her, and while that adds credibility to her opponents, it fuels the fire in her not to be taken lightly. Short time limits add urgency to these matchups and allow for a nice brisk watch for those dropping in for highlights.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
MIRAI vs. Utami Hayashishita, Marigold – Dream Star Grand Prix (Sept 16)
God damn. These women went hard.
MIRAI and Utami delivered a vicious, action-packed tournament match. The pace is exciting. The highlights come one right after another. It’s a lariat fest, and you’re invited.
Plus, you get the inherent added stakes and drama of them battling for position in the tournament. MIRAI came into this after a draw with NORI and was hungry to get full points. Hayashishita was on a two-match winning streak looking to add to her four-point total.
Marigold’s answer to the STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix has a long, long way to match that standard, but it’s given us quite a few winners, this one included.
Recommended by: Ryan
Arisu Endo & Suzume (Daisy Monkey) vs. Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita (121000000), TJPW – Wrestle Princess V (Sept 22)
With the Princess Tag Titles on the line, Daisy Monkey put on the best in their string of stellar championship matches against 121000000. Being such a dominant team, they were the perfect foils for Endo and Suzume, who struggled and frantically tried to hold on to their tag belts. It was one of the longer matches in Daisy Monkey’s career, and they had no problem going the distance with heavy hitters in Itoh and Yamashita.
TJPW does tag team wrestling very well, and this is another in a long line of great Princess Tag matches. Endo taking multiple head kicks before going down was her taking another step towards being a top star for the promotion. Even though she and Suzume lost, they grew in defeat and have an extremely bright future ahead of them. It was a six-month run, which they can be proud of, and this could become a larger story if they rematch during the 121000000 title reign. Yamishita and Endo were also great on the 14th for Endo’s homecoming show which is also worth a watch.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Nanae Takahashi vs. Miku Aono, Marigold – Dream Star Grand Prix (Sept 28)
A first-time encounter that did not disappoint, Miku and Nanae blasted one another for the entirety of the 15-minute window they had to work with. For this style of match, 15 minutes was near perfect while leaving just a little bit on the table for the next match. Time-limit draws can be exciting and part of a longer story when done right.
Nanae’s tournament was about her getting fire and great performances from her opponents, and she has been doing that consistently for years now. Nanae had some of the best matches of the entire tournament, and this is near the top. Miku has spent the last 2 and a half years in a closed ecosystem, so there are a lot of interesting matchups for her, keeping her current run ultra fresh. Miku is someone known to a portion of fans (this Marigold run was anticipated by AWG faithful) but is continuing to gain a following and proof that smaller promotions are worth seeking out.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Matches from August uploaded in September:
Tae Honma vs. Yuu, Donan Ring – Aguriheiya Side Special (August 10)
A match that took place in Hokuto City in August but was uploaded to Donan’s Youtube channel in September. Donan Ring is a promotion in Hokkaido that often runs outdoor shows in parking lots/on the side of the road. A very short match that was funny because it was so hot that the heat of the ring and seats were used as weapons in the fight.
It’s truly stunning, with an expansive blue sky, large clouds looming overhead, and traffic going by on the side of the road. This was one of three roadside matches they did that week. Donan has excerpts of their August 9th bout as well. Tae and Yuu are both in demand wrestlers who will travel the world and literally wrestle anywhere for the love of the craft. Tae Honma will fight in a parking lot and win.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Emi Sakura vs. Mei Suruga (Super Asia Title), Gatoh Move – For the Future (Aug 31)
As is the case with a few others on this list, this was from late August but uploaded in early September to the Choco Pro YouTube channel. The show that a typhoon threatened, a company that found a way to strive and thrive during a pandemic, an epic journey for Mei Suruga, who finally achieved the top prize in the Super Asia Title. Emi Sakura was the only person she could have faced; it was so special, Mei facing the opponent who trained her and pushed her to this point, the person Mei is following in the footsteps of while forging her own unique legacy.
Baliyan Akki calling the match is legit on par with Bobby Heenan’s call of the ’92 Royal Rumble, a great match that was made an all-timer with commentary. It’s one of the most heartwarming 15 minutes you will see all year. It’s something that happened organically while being carefully cultivated, and the time was right for the title change. Mei’s growth mirrors Choco Pro’s, and that is why it was so magical.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
Rico Lee vs. Jackie Agawa, Actwres girl’Z – Step 48 (August 31)
This was from August, but it was uploaded to AWG Nets in early September. It’s a quick comedy affair in which Rico Fukunaga takes on Yumi Agawa in a martial arts fight. Rico reprised her Rico Lee persona, which is a tribute to Bruce Lee right down to the yellow tracksuit. Yumi portrayed Jackie Agawa, utilizing a form of drunken boxing (a staple of Jackie Chan films). Asako was in Agawa’s corner as the drunken master.
Besides being a rare Yumi in-ring appearance, this is notable because she took lessons on the drunken boxing technique to lend authenticity to her performance. Yumi had stated that she has been working twice as hard as other people since her 20’s, and going to those lengths for a four-and-a-half minute comedy match is proof. The match ends via ref stoppage when Rico breaks Agawa’s neck. Current AWG is essentially the roster trying to find their places and is reminiscent of the atmosphere of early 2022 Actwrestling. As Rico gains confidence as a singles wrestler, this is a good role for her. It can be watched for free on the AWG YouTube channel.
Recommended by: Jeff Brown
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