By: Jeff Brown

Photos courtesy of Actwres girl’Z

AWG was in Yokohama at the Yokohama Sanbo Hall for a special show that featured The King of Entertainment title up for grabs as champion Sakura Mizushima took on challenger Yukina Uehara. Marino Saihara had a non-title points match against ANRI. Hikari Shimizu made her return to the Actwres girl’Z ring to face The Great Asako. Natsuki fought her Midsummer Seabreeze teammate Nagisa. The ring announcer for the card was Yui Tensho.

To watch this show and many others in AWG’s vast archive, go to AWG Nets. It’s 1,000 yen per month with a very quick and easy sign-up process , or you can opt for the YouTube membership. 

Actwres girl’Z will be taking part in the Lidet/UWF, aka GLEAT, show on 8/9 as part of the company’s new initiative to have joshi involvement once again in their promotion. Rico Fukunaga will fight Chii Aoba, and Marino Saihara will take on Yukina Uehara. You can follow the action on the official YouTube channel or see updates on X.

The King of Ring Entertainment Title bout is up for free on the official AWG YouTube channel here.

Rico Fukunaga vs. Rio

Rio tried to avoid the nasty kicks of Rico and asked that they exchange elbow strikes. That didn’t last long, as Rio started using her chops. Rico was not amused and kicked Rio until she fled to the apron. Could Rico get Rio up for a bodyslam? The answer is, in fact, yes, she could. Rico got the submission win via an STF, which is a new finisher. A nice opening match.

Mari vs. Ayano Irie

Two seasoned pros going at it like old times and one of the best matches Ayano has had all year. Ayano really brought the aggression that has brought her to title challenges in the past. She had some very smooth transitions and even did a kip-up. Mari is a great performer and barely got the victory with the Gory Bomb in a match that felt like it could have gone either way.

Hikari Shimizu vs. The Great Asako

Hikari retired from being a professional wrestler this year, but that does not preclude her from participating in ACTwrestling and returning to an AWG ring. Hikari has kept herself busy selling food at events, and this match stemmed from Asako not paying Hikari for her food and owing 500 yen.

Fun match and a nice surprise this summer to see Hikari back where she started in 2017. Hikari got the win with a sleeper hold and was a welcome addition even if it was a one-off appearance. 

Act vs. MARU

Killer’z members square off as the Boss takes on the Legend. Two of the most important members in modern joshi who can still absolutely deliver in the ring.

Not wasting any time, these two went all over ringside with MARU hanging ACT from the entryway. A lot of stretch muffler attempts from MARU and ACT in a match where two of the architects of modern AWG clashed. ACT was a bit more in the babyface role here and used her wits to trap MARU in the ACT Lock for the win. 

Marino Saihara vs. ANRI (Singles Point Match)

While this was a non-title match, it felt like nobody told ANRI that, as she seemed bound and determined to get the win over the champion Marino. Marino is without a doubt one of the best entertainers in the ring and has really found her voice with these matches. Marino fights like a superhero, bravely taking on all comers but also having moments of vulnerability where she has overcome a challenge and won. Each of her victories is hard-fought and earned, much like her position at the top of AWG.

ANRI hit Marino with just about every move in her arsenal, and the champ kept kicking out. Marino powered up and hit the MRN Smash! German suplex, to get the pinfall. There is zero shame in losing to the AWG titleholder, and ANRI will come back a better fighter next time.

Natsuki vs. Nagisa Shiotsuki 

Midsummer Sea Breeze put their friendship aside and engaged in a fierce battle in the ring. Natsuki is the Ace of the company and proves it every time she walks through the crowd. It’s no mistake that she will be across the ring from Natsupoi and Anou Saori in August because she is the flagbearer of this era of ACTwrestling.

Another great performance from Nagisa, who is starting to show the fire again that made her stand out early in her career. Natsuki blasted her with repeated knees and tried to win with the Cutie Special, but Nagisa was resilient and kept kicking out. Natsuki put her tag partner down for the three-count with the Midnight Sun Suplex. 

Sakura Mizushima vs. Yukina Uehara (AWG KING of Ring Entertainment Title Match)

Mizushima is fantastic and one of the tentpoles of this company along with fellow Actress 5 unit members. Yukina only debuted in December and felt like a worthy title challenger; she does not buckle under pressure. While she is very new to AWG, she does not let her charisma and looks carry her; Yukina walked to the ring with visible bruises from the hard training she is enduring to become one of the best.

A very good match. Mizushima has another lead performance on her resume, and Yukina is exceeding all expectations of a rookie. Mizushima won with the Bloom Arch Hold for another successful defense of the KING title belt. 

Nagisa confronted Mizushima, and even though she had lost earlier, she wanted to challenge herself by going after Mizushima. These two have a long history in AWG as well as in acting and in many ways are still rivals. However, when Nagisa had her lung injury in 2023, Mizushima was on her rocket-like ascent, which created a gap that Nagisa has yet to close.

This title match would be a fine opportunity to try, as Mizushima is now one of the best in the company. Lidet and a big Korakuen Hall show are how the AWG will be finishing this summer, so keep an eye on this crew.

They wrap up the show in signature fashion and that closes out a fun event.

New fans should be sure to be following AWG on X and checking out their fun videos on TikTok.