By: Jeff Brown

Photos: Masahiro Kubota

Pro Wrestling Wave headed into Korakuen Hall for a big show that featured Saya Kamitani defending the Regina Di WAVE title against Yumi Ohka, Honoka facing Saran for the Princess of Pro Wrestling title, and Yuki Miyazaki and Yuko Sakurai taking on the team of Kohaku and Mei Seria for the Wave Tag Team titles. Unagi Sayaka showed up to take on Sakura Hirota in a special semi-main event. Here are some impressions from the media table from Korakuen Hall.

Kakeru Sekiguchi, Rina Amikura & YuuRI vs. Grizzly Fujitaki, Mio Shirai & Risa Sera

There was a lot of silliness to start with Sekiguchi, aka SKG, being the main target. Rin was isolated but cut off Mio, and the momentum shifted. Rina, SKG, and YuuRI did a three-person solace on Grizzly; SKG got an armbar submission on Grizzly for the win.

Ikuto Hidaka & Itsuki Aoki vs. Hikari Shimizu & SAKI (galaxyPunch!) vs. Maika Ozaki & Tae Honma (SPiCEAP)

Tae and Shimizu decided to double-team Hidaka; the crowd booed when Hidaka got offense on either of them. galaxyPunch! targeted Maika; however, SpICEAP ruined the moment when they tried to pose for the crowd. This match was a chance for the fans to see Shimizu be great on her road to retirement. SAKI got a little risqué when she swung Maika headfirst into Itsuki, but Tae put a stop to it. Itsuki and SAKI then went at it, and things started to heat up.

The match was given a lot of time; it got really good in the second half as everyone involved can go. Hidaka did a wicked spike brainbuster on Shimizu to get the three count. 

Honoka vs. Saran—Princess Of Pro Wrestling Title Match

Saran right away was stomping the feet and hands of the champ, Honoka. They had a nice back and forth and showed they are both very promising young players in Joshi. Both are well-rounded with submissions and technical moves. Honoka was favoring missile dropkicks to keep the advantage in this match. Saran started unloading a lot of moves and hit a double foot stomp off the top rope; Honoka got her hand on the rope. The champion caught Saran with a flash crucifix pin.

Honoka is a fighting champ who has to figure a way to beat and even survive against her challengers. A really solid title match.

Yuki Miyazaki & Yuko Sakurai vs. Kohaku & Mei Seira – WAVE Tag Team Title Match

A lot of changing out who will start, with Mei and Yuko finally deciding it would be them. The match was fast-paced from the start from all four, weaving in comedy throughout. Mei struggled to counter pin from the bigger Miyazaki, which was a fun spot. Miyazaki then covered Mei with a blanket and attempted to perform a levitation illusion. Yuko got kept on the outside, so Miyazaki was on her own for the final portion of the match. She hit a moonsault, but Mei made a split-second save. After multiple Death Valley drivers, Miyazaki finally put down a resilient Kohaku.

This match is very good and a major recommendation. SPiCAP are the next challengers, and Miyazaki will be retiring in 2026. 

Shin Sakura Hirota vs. Unagi Sayaka

Unagi entered the crowd, and then Rock Your Life Away played, and Hirota cosplayed as Meiko Satomura. The match was completely unhinged and everything you want from Hirota and her doppelganger antics.

Unagi is up for anything, so this match was wild from beginning to end. Two pinfalls that were mere seconds long after Hirota would try and fail to get Scorpion Rising, and Unagi would boot her in the face. A lot of shenanigans and so much of these matches are about Hirota’s comedic timing and ingenuity. In typical Hirota fashion, she fell backwards onto Unagi and got the pin. It took three tries, but she got the win eventually, a video announcement that Hirota would be facing the real Meiko Satomura on her way to retirement.

Hirota is a treasure to the entire industry.

Saya Kamitani vs. Yumi Ohka – Regina Di WAVE Title Match

Ohka was toying with Saya with finger-biting and overall mind games. They brawled out into the crowd, but neither was able to sustain an advantage. Saya used the referee to get the upper hand and did a dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Ohka got a straightjacket choke, and Saya seemed to be in danger, back to the floor for more chaotic brawling. The two have a brutal boot war that ends in a double down.

The final stretch was each hitting big moves and getting near falls; Saya with a delayed Star Crusher pinned Ohka and retained the Regina belt. Hirota confronted Saya, and Honoka walked out to issue a challenge to Saya. Honoka then led the roster in the group sign-off to send everyone home.

A really strong main event and a lot of off-kilter comedy mixed with top-level wrestling. That is sort of the calling card of Wave; they have a small roster, but they bring in a lot of like-minded guests and freelancers.

Kamitani as the outsider is very good for her, almost like an excursion where she can really expand her character; the hope also is that her involvement gets more eyes on Wave with more people checking out their shows. It’s a crowded landscape, but Wave always finds a way to offer something for everyone and is worthy of your time.