By: Jeff Brown

Photos courtesy of Actwres girl’Z

AWG held another edition of ACTwrestling at Radiant Hall in Yokohama; the main event was Natsuki versus Asako Mia. Mari was in tag action as her next challenger, Yui, attempted to prove her worthiness as a challenger. Maru teamed with one of her theater proteges, Togi, while ACT tested some of the roster’s rookie talent.

The Radiant Hall was pretty full to see what exactly Asako had in store for Natsuki. This show will be available on AWG Nets, which you can subscribe to here for roughly 1,000 yen a month, or you can opt for the YouTube membership. Here are ringside impressions from the show.

Rico Fukunaga vs. Nagisa Shiotsuki vs. Chii Aoba

The buildup prior to this show saw each member arguing over who was the true representative of the color blue. Rico starts the match by kicking everything that moves. Nagisa then answers back by chopping everything that moves. Aoba has once again demanded to be kicked, and Rico is happy to comply. Aoba does hit a nice powerslam as a counter. Nagisa executes a butterfly suplex and pins Aoba.

For a five-minute opening match, this more than served its purpose, giving all three a chance to shine before Nagisa picked up a singles victory that she can build off of. Nagisa can also lay claim to being the true representative of blue in AWG.

MARU & Nanami Togi vs. Marino Saihara & Yukina Uehara

Togi was playing bass to Maru’s entrance theme. Togi has also been a part of Maru’s Mizuiro Kakumei theater company, so these two have a history outside the ring as well.

Marino and Uehara attempt to double-team Maru, but it results in angering Maru, who grabs her chain and chokes Uehara. Togi shows a mean streak by resorting to cheating and uses the chain herself. Some very nice kicks by Uehara before hitting a jackhammer; Marino ends up pinning Togi. Maru is displeased with the outcome. 

ACT vs. Erisa Nagai vs. Anri

ACT refuses to shake hands, and once the match starts, she is not taking it easy on either of the rookies. Anri and Erisa wisely attempt to team up against the legend, and they try to overwhelm her with continual pin attempts.

ACT guillotine swings Erisa and then hits Anri with a nasty lariat and does a clutch pin to get the victory. ACT was essentially in a 2-on-1 handicap match (the match was originally a tag with Nene), and this served as a good opportunity for ACT to evaluate the young members. The type of match that will benefit Erisa and Anri, each of whom are quite good now, will sustain that growth.

Sakura Mizushima & Yui Tensho vs. Haruka Ishikawa & Mari

Yui physically moves Mizushima to the corner as she wants to start the match against Mari. Yui is a very good over confident and slightly delusional challenger who thinks she will have no problem beating Mari for the KING Of Entertainment Title. 

Yui charges and tries to hit her Ax Bomber but is quickly thwarted when Mari kicks her arm away and stops her dead in her tracks. Ishikawa is in and mercilessly stretching Yui and targeting the lariat arm. Yui’s inexperience outrunning her enthusiasm is the story of the match. Mizushima gets the tag and does the figure-eight leg lock, which, with her flexibility, looks inhuman. Mari and Yui both get versions of the Gory Special and argue over who’s better; Mari is very underrated with comedy (something she has been good at since her days in REINA).

Ishikawa is still very intense and aggressive with her attack on Yui (it’s good to see she kept that fire after her feud with Mari). Yui hits a Michinoku Driver and then her Ax Bomber to get the three count on Ishikawa. 

Very nice build for Mari’s upcoming title defense. Mari has a streak of great singles matches where she drags her opponent into deep waters, pulling some of the best matches from the roster, so this upcoming match with Yui is anticipated. 

Natsuki vs. Asako Mia—AWG Title Match

This was not a typical title match; however, Asako is not a typical performer.

It needs to be said that this was a huge accomplishment for Asako Mia, and it also needs to be said that this was completely earned. When Asako debuted in August of 2022, no one would have foreseen her getting an AWG title shot. Asako is a creative genius who completely understands the entertainment aspect of ACTwrestling; she has incredible comedic timing and took what many would preserve as weaknesses and made them her strengths to stand out amongst the roster.

While the match was going on, all the veterans along with management were watching with the looks of proud teachers. The entire roster at ringside was enjoying the match as much, if not more, than the audience. 

When the match starts, Asako asks for a handshake from Natsuki and tries a small package roll-up. Natsuki gets up and fires off repeated kicks at Asako, and that is the theme: Asako trying to endure the punishment from the stronger champion.

She briefly has an advantage when she gets Natsuki in a Boston Crab. After Natsuki lands a running knee, Asako rolls to the floor, and the champion is behaving like the surly veteran as she continues to penalty kick Asako and does not go easy on her. Asako does continue to prevent Natsuki from reentering the ring; while offense this deep into the match is ineffectual, she does not back down and keeps kicking out. Having had enough, Natsuki lands a high kick into a Cutie Special, but Asako kicks out. Asako gets a desperate Cobrat Twist and even shows off some new moves. Natsuki answers back with a jumping knee and double foot stomp off the top rope, but Asako again kicks out. Natsuki then hits a delayed rotating Cutie Special to keep Asako down for the three-count, and she retains the AWG Title. 

Post-match, Marino issued a challenge for the AWG Title. Asako and Natsuki also hug, an acknowledgment of the special performance this was from both members.

Overall, this was another well-paced and executed event from AWG; they have been utilizing having two title belts perfectly. While one title is being defended, the other is having a feud bubble up to culminate at a future show, and this also allows non-Korakuen or Osaka shows to be where title matches can happen. Natsuki continues to have a fantastic run with a wide variety of opponents. This reign began off a feud with ACT, and her versatility to have a 15-minute main event with anyone takes a lot of talent.

This upcoming Korakuen Hall is very important for the company and should be the time the months of rebuilding and reshaping are finally noticed. Readers should be following AWG on X  and checking out their fun videos on TikTok.