By Jeff Brown

Photos courtesy of Actwres girl’Z

Shin-Kiba was the site of a special show for Actwrest girl’Z. The KING of Ring Entertainment title was on the line as Sakura Mizushima took on unit member Rico Fukunaga. Members continued to stay sharp in preparation for the ongoing Act Game, with Marino Saihara and Naru battling Nagisa Shiotsuki and Natsuki. Rio and Yukina faced off against Asako Mia and Chii Aoba. This was the final show for Yumi Agawa as she bid farewell to the roster and fans.

To see this show and more, go to AWG Nets, which you can subscribe to here for roughly 1,000 yen a month, or you can opt for the YouTube membership.

Asako Mia & Chii Aoba vs. Rio & Yukina Uehara

The Superhuman Asako Army was in action with Rio, though Uehara has been showing interest in the Actress 5.

The match was fun, and Asako was more in the undersized good guy role for the match; while completely unpredictable, she is able to pull off just about any character. Chii was very good and is an interesting roster member; she hasn’t fully fleshed out who she is, so it’s intriguing. Rio is very good at being a monster and mowing down her opponents. Uehara is clicking and just had a big showing at the Natsu Saory produce show. Natsuki was her teammate, and early on in her career, she was also placed strategically in important matches. Uehara doesn’t have to reinvent the business; she just has to keep hitting the right notes and making incremental progress. Uehara hits a Jackhammer for the three-count and has another good showing.

The show was noteworthy because it is the final ACTwrestling with Yumi Agawa as ring announcer. Not just a ring announcer, Yumi was a member of Kaguya, and her calligraphy work is seen in ACT’s robe, logos for BE∀STZ REBELLION and Kaguya, and even for the ACT Game bracket. Her time in wrestling began at GPS Promotion as a ring announcer and then later in the initial formation of Kaguya, who were the first ARG unit. Yumi portrayed the character Kikyo for the better part of five years in ARG.

As one of the most experienced actors in the company, Yumi would often be leaned upon for dialogue-heavy parts in the various productions, including Count 2.9. 

Yumi was studying psychology at university in the early 2000s when she decided to change paths and pursue acting. With numerous stage plays (for the last decade as a member of Creative Company Colors), Yumi has honed a subtle and chameleon-like ability to become her chosen role; she has performed multiple one-person shows under the banner of Agaworld. She even had a stint in an idol/entertainment group that also included Mina Shirakawa; with her aforementioned calligraphy work and various TV and film roles (such as Mighty Lady), she has had an impressive 20 years in the entertainment industry.

Yumi has many goals left she wants to achieve, so she’s going to focus on acting more for the time being. Of all the roles she’s played, Kikyo is the closest to real-life Yumi. The big sister or maternal figure who everyone in her orbit relies upon is Yumi Agawa. Being helpful is practically her destiny because she has said, “Yumi” is “Yu (to help) and “Mi” (future). So her parents raised her to be someone who “helps the future.” Anyone who knows her will speak of her kindness and generosity; Yumi is one of the most beloved members of the roster.

Marino Saihara & Naru vs. Nagisa Shiotsuki & Natsuki

Nagisa really took it to Marino in this match; they hit each other hard while exchanging chops and kicks. Down the road when Nagisa finds that next gear, it will be a great main event. Having said that, Nagisa does bring it in the Manatsu no Shiokaze tag outing, and Natsuki is helping her refine her character.

The duo are consummate babyfaces but can dip into mischievous waters when the moment calls for it. Those are the little things that add dimensions and growth to their personas. Naru was spectacular in her exchanges with Natsuki; both started at roughly the same time and are Shellol members in ARG, so they know each other well. A lot of big tag moves and last-second saves have become a Manatsu no Shiokaze trademark. They do not have bad matches, period, and are probably the most underrated team in wrestling or entertainment today. Marino carries herself like a champion, and this run has been a huge boost for her. She is definitely making a case for being the ace of AWG, so Natsuki better keep an eye on things. Nagisa

lands a butterfly suplex to pick up the win. She got on the microphone post-match, which is another step to becoming a main player. Also another chance for Manatsu no Shiokaze to stay prepared for the ACT Game.

Sakura Mizushima vs. Rico Fukunaga – AWG KING Of Ring Entertainment Title Match

Rico really dominated a good portion of this main event; she attacked relentlessly with kicks and submissions. The opening minutes had a really compelling grappling sequence that highlighted both’s versatility.

Rico is very close to becoming a vicious shooter type who will be a struggle for anyone to overcome. Looking back at her matches from a year ago, the confidence level is night and day. Mizushima is a wonderful opponent because while she is champion, she is vulnerable and has to find ways to beat her challengers. These title defenses are never easy for her, and that is a well-earned belt she carries to the ring. Rico took this one out to the floor and then fought at ringside; it’s in contention for Rico’s best match yet. Her feud with MARU is certainly right there and was a precursor to this great performance.

Mizushima hit a locomotion northern lights suplex called the Full Bloom Arch to retain the title. It was borderline survival for Mizushina, and the next time these two meet, it could be a different outcome. 

Mizuhima ended the show and had Yumi close the closing pinkies up and the entire roster gave her a hug as tears flowed freely.

This show was in between two ARG performances where Yumi finished out her run as Kikyo and was a full day at Shin-Kiba for the entire roster and staff. Add in the previous day at STARDOM and the talk show on June 2nd, and it was a really full three-day period. As the summer will soon arrive Act Game continues on and Korakuen Hall will be in August.