Welcome back to “The Joshi Wrestler Index”, our bi-weekly article where we give video game like ratings to the joshi wrestlers we love to watch. This time we didn’t get quite the turn out we had hoped for when it comes to the amount of contributors, but I feel we at least got enough to properly rate Momo Watanabe to the best of our ability. If she doesn’t get the ratings you feel she deserves, then make sure to submit your form next time.
I know on last week’s introduction to “The Joshi Wrestler Index” we gave you a run down of where the idea came from, and what each category stood for when it comes to how we were going to rate the wrestlers each time. Instead of boring you with a large paragraph explaining it all again, I implore you to take a look at our previous edition to not only read about the ratings we gave Sareee, but also to get a feel for what we’re trying to accomplish here.
THE JOSHI WRESTLING INDEX: SAREEE
With that said, let’s get down to business…
MOMO WATANABE – STARDOM
If you ask any joshi wrestling fan who the best wrestler in STARDOM is, they will most likely say Mayu Iwatani and they probably aren’t wrong, however there has always been the opinion over the years that Momo Watanabe is right there with her on that same level.
There’s definitely attributes that make the two different, and there’s some stuff that may give Mayu the proverbial leg up, but I would say that there’s also facets to the game that Momo is better at as well. With hard strikes, a good submission game, and the ability to make any match go from one you look forward to, to one that you can’t miss, Momo Watanabe is one of the best overall wrestlers in the world, and today we’re going to break apart her game to see why that is.
One thing I’d like for you to keep in mind though is that this is the current- day Momo. During her epic Wonder of Stardom title run, her attributes may have been different than they are today. You may agree with our ratings, or disagree, but that’s the fun in this project.
A wrestler’s ability to use power related moves and how well they are known for using their power inside of the ring.
My Rating: 8
While a lot of people probably wouldn’t think of Momo Watanabe as a “power wrestler,” she often shows surprising power when she sends her opponents flying with her many suplex variations, and moves like her “B-Driver.” Momo isn’t a super small woman, so a lot of times when she’s in the ring, she has the power advantage against her opponents, and her tree trunk like legs have the power to help her drop just about any opponent on their head. Momo seems like the type of wrestler who will probably wrestle until she literally can’t anymore, and down the road, she’ll probably use that power even more than she does now.
Fernando Ibarra’s Rating: 8
“The Peach Sunrise is a great looking finisher move thanks in no small part to Momo’s strength.”
@Jferimsw on X
Matt Turner’s Rating: 9
“Momo’s power isn’t only her suplexes but her kicks and forearms as well. Momo has been one of Stardoms hardest hitters since 2018.”
@MattTurnerOF on X
FAR5222’s Rating: 8
“Her power moves: B Driver, Peach Sunrise, Peach Thunder all require strength to pull off. Also, how hard she swings her bat at her opponents.”
@FAR5222 on X
OVERALL POWER RATING: 7.74
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s ability to do throws and suplexes as well as their ability to do their moves cleanly without messing up.
My Rating: 10
Momo Watanabe is one of the best technical wrestlers in all of joshi puroresu and I don’t think saying that is a stretch at all. The moves she does are picture perfect, and her use of her various suplex techniques including one of her finishers the “Peach Sunrise” is one of the strongest on the scene. When they said that Momo was a bit of a prodigy in the past, they definitely weren’t lying. Momo is the type of wrestler who you can put in there with anyone, and she’ll make things look good, which is not something that every wrestler can do. It’s why I have her a cut above the rest with a big rating of 10.
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 9
“One of the best technical wrestlers on the Stardom roster. Momo can wrestle circles around anyone and can carry anyone to a great match.”
Check Out His Work On RESURA
PlugPedro’s Rating: 8.5
“Can match with basically anyone on the grapples. She isn’t a technical mastermind but legit could go toe to toe with anyone, no matter what their wrestling skill is.“
@plugpedro99 on X
FAR5222’s Rating: 9
“One of the best in ring in STARDOM. Top 3 worker in the company. Can work with anyone and any style.“
@FAR5222 on X
OVERALL TECHNICAL RATING: 8.51
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s ability to perform at a high speed as well as their ability to perform high flying moves.
My Rating: 6.5
Momo’s strong suit isn’t the high speed style or high-flying moves, however when she gets a head of steam built up, she can still do some impressive running strikes like her “somato” for instance. She is also known for bouncing off the ropes and delivering a razor sharp kick to the back or front of her opponent. When she exchanges with high speed wrestlers, she can keep up with them somewhat, though she normally plays the power game with them since they are normally smaller. All in all, while it’s not her strong point, Momo’s agility rating is middle of the road, and really that’s not too bad.
Matt Turner’s Rating: 7
“Momo doesn’t show off her agility enough. Most of the time she doesn’t need to.”
@MattTurnerOF on X
FAR5222’s Rating: 8.5
“Momo is quick and snappy with lots of her offense from her kicks and just simple moves. The speed at which she swings her bat is crazy.“
@FAR5222 on X
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 7.5
“As a heel, she bulked up a bit. She might not be as agile as she was in her Wonder of Stardom championship reign. But she can definetly still turn it up in the ring.“
Check Out His Work On RESURA
OVERALL AGILITY RATING: 7.08
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s ability to use submissions and chain wrestling as realistic looking offense.
My Rating: 7.5
Momo’s ability to chain wrestle and use her submission game is quite good, but I wouldn’t say it’s one of her main attributes. You can tell that she feels very comfortable doing it, and maybe if she turned back to the so-called light side of the force, she may use it a bit more, but from what I see on a regular basis, I think the rating I gave her is pretty fair. The main submission that Momo likes to use is the Chicken-Wing, which is not a move you see from a ton of wrestlers out there, but one that can be used to viciously take out her opponents. It would be interesting to see Momo and Syuri have a big one on one match again to see if more of Momo’s grappling would come into play in that match.
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 8
“Painful submission holds, brutal suplexes, and able to swap holds with the best of them.“
Check Out His Work On RESURA
PlugPedro’s Rating: 9
“Can chain wrestle, control, and lead a match with basically anyone. Can wrestle circles around 99% of the scene.“
@plugpedro99 on X
Matt Turner’s Rating: 7
“Momo is an underrated grappler. She can hang with the top grapplers in Stardom when it comes to the catch style of wrestling.“
@MattTurnerOF on X
OVERALL GRAPPLING RATING: 7.66
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s ability to use strikes effectively as a realistic part of their offense.
My Rating: 10
There are a lot of very good strikers in joshi pro wrestling, but there are very few who strike as well as Momo Watanabe. Whether it’s her hard forearms or the thud of her incredibly hard kicks to her opponent, she’s always a threat when she’s on her feet and ready to strike. Momo’s ability to work her striking into her matches is truly special, and the way she can make her strikes look very dangerous, but not actually injure her opponent show’s just how well she can control those strikes as well. She’s one of the best in this category no doubt!
PlugPedro’s Rating: 10
“One of the best kickers and straight up fighters in wrestling, in general. Can compete with basically any type of wrestler and basically trump and control them with just kicks. All the kick matchups are instantly the highlights of matches.“
@plugpedro99 on X
FAR5222’s Rating: 10
“Those kicks go BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR“
@FAR5222 on X
Matt Turner’s Rating: 10
“Momo isn’t just one of the hardest strikers in Joshi, she’s one of the hardest hitters in all of wrestling . Her kicks echo in arenas around the world.“
@MattTurnerOF on X
OVERALL STRIKING RATING: 9.63
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s ability to use good psychology in their matches to make them make sense and tell a story.
My Rating: 9.5
There was a time when Momo first went heel that I didn’t feel like her matches were all that entertaining for me. She was still wrestling them well, but the story of the matches and the way things were put together just wasn’t adding up for me. Over the past year though, she’s really shown her psychological chops by helping put together some of the best matches in STARDOM, including her classic with Mayu Iwatani at Historic X-Over 2. At this point, Momo is probably the best heel in STARDOM when it comes to putting together a match to make not only her, but her opponent look great. I think there’s still a slight level above her in this category, but she’s up towards the very top for me.
FAR5222’s Rating: 9
“Knows how to structure a match and is very important in multi person matches when things start to stagnant she is able to get in there and turn things around and grab your attention again. Very good at building up her singles matches and has great timing.“
@FAR5222 on X
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 6
“Probably Momo’s weak point. As she hasn’t been able to wrest herself to a major singles championship in over 5 years. As a heel, she can definitely get in someone’s head in order to gain heat for a match. But it hasn’t really lead to any singles success.“
Check Out His Work On RESURA
Matt Turner’s Rating: 9.5
“Momo’s game plan is second to none. She understands how to adapt to every opponent. She’s one of the most successful wrestler over the last eight years because of this.“
@MattTurnerOF on X
OVERALL PSYCHOLOGY RATING: 8.65
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s looks when it comes to marketability. This includes both their physical look as well as their wrestling attire.
My Rating: 8.5
Momo has gone through quite a transition in the looks category over the years. When she first broke in, she looked somewhat strong, but she was also kind of thin and still a child in all honesty. Over the years, she’s put on muscle and has gotten thicker which has helped her in the strength category, but it hasn’t taken away from the attributes she had before. Her gear has always been something I’ve liked, whether it’s light or dark, but the gear she’s rocking now is one I really dig. I feel like she mixes looking menacing, while also cool. She’s definitely the type of bully you want to cheer for.
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 8
“Although I prefer Queen’s Quest Momo, H.A.T.E. Momo does look awesome. Her recent white costume makes her look like a superstar.“
Check Out His Work On RESURA
PlugPedro’s Rating: 10
“Her last two gears, (the all black & white gold) are instantly the two best gears in wrestling. Does her best to always dress and look the part.“
@plugpedro99 on X
FAR5222’s Rating: 9
“The most distinct look, the blonde, and black streak of her hair she currently has is one of her best looks. The jacket/hoodie combo is a beast. She has some of the best ring gear in her career in the last year. She just oozes COOL.“
@FAR5222 on X
OVERALL LOOKS RATING: 8.73
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
A wrestler’s natural star power when it comes to marketability. It also includes their ability to talk on the mic and charisma shown.
My Rating: 8
While I think most people who regularly watch STARDOM would call Momo a main eventer and see the star power within her wrestling, if you show her to people who don’t regularly watch, they probably wouldn’t see her as a big star. While she carries herself quite well and looks like someone who means business, I sadly don’t see that “it” factor in her the way I see it in some of the other main event players in STARDOM. Obviously, it’s just my opinion, so you can disagree, and I wouldn’t blame you for it, but it’s how I see it.
Fernando Ibarra’s Rating: 7
“She has had a many opportunities to become a big BIG star, but Bushiroad’s regime and her Oedo Tai/H.A.T.E.’s run haven’t done her any favors. Momo seems desinterested nowadays and could be better off in other promotions.“
@Jferimsw on X
Matt Turner’s Rating: 9
“Momo has that aura you can’t teach. Either as a heel or baby face. When Momo walks into a room you know you are looking at someone special.“
@MattTurnerOF on X
Dave Coumans’ Rating: 5
“I hate giving Momo a low score here. But she’s basically been used like a jobber to the champions for five years. She’s always able to put in an absolute banger of a match (Mayu, Mone, Syuri to name a few), but never wins. It’s a shame, because she is absolutely capable to be the promotion’s top heel.“
Check Out His Work On RESURA
OVERALL STAR POWER RATING: 8.34
Based On: 9 Creators & 6 “Crowd” Entries
One of the members of the “crowd” chimed in with Momo is a “generational talent and hasn’t even peaked yet.” I feel like that puts things quite well, because they are right in my opinion. Momo Watanabe is one of the best wrestlers in the world, and while her ratings may not have come out as high as you may have expected, she’s still going to be one of the top overall ratings once this list gets quite a bit bigger.
Unfortunately there was only 15 total forms turned in for Momo Watanabe which surprised me, because I can know she is much beloved by the vocal internet joshi wrestling fan community. 9 of our regular contributors chimed in, and I appreciate them for participating, because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. I also have to give thanks for the 6 members of the “crowd” who submitted their forms as well. Without further ado, here’s Momo’s finalized overall rating.
An overall rating of 8.29 isn’t too bad, but also not quite as good as I expected. It is quite a bit less than Sareee as she scored an overall rating of 8.79, but Momo did have a higher rating in Striking and Power than Sareee did in the previous edition of the index. When we start adding more wrestlers from STARDOM, it will be interesting to see if she ends up towards the top, or closer to the middle of the pack. I personally think that anyone with an overall score of 8+ will be considered a top end talent, but without the data to back it up, it’s simply just a guess.
JOSHI WRESTLER INDEX OVERALL RANKINGS
- Sareee – Freelancer: 8.79
- Momo Watanabe – STARDOM: 8.29
Once again I’d like to thank the great contributors that participated in this article. Make sure to check them out on X or wherever they are most active on the internet as these creators make a lot of joshi pro wrestling content to enjoy.
Matt Turner – FAR5222 – PlugPedro – Ryan Dilbert – Peps_Wrestling – Sondre Bjorn – Fernando Ibarra – Dave Coumans – Myself
Next Wrestler Being Rated: Suzume
RESURA 