Saya Kamitani now holds both the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship and the World of Stardom title.
Kamitani defeated AZM today at Korakuen Hall to defend her World of Stardom title and capture the Strong title. The finish saw AZM kick out of one Star Crusher, only to take a second Star Crusher moments later and stay down for three.
After the match, Kamitani was confronted by Momo Watanabe, winner of the 2025 5Star Grand Prix. Watanabe will challenge Kamitani for both titles on November 3.
Kamitani is now the sixth champion in the Strong Women’s title lineage, which began when Willow Nightingale became the inaugural champion after defeating Mercedes Mone, who was injured during the bout, at NJPW Strong Resurgence. AZM won the belt at Resurgence 2025 in a three-way against Mina Shirakawa and then-champion Mercedes Mone. She successfully defended it once, against Bozilla, in July.
Kamitani has now successfully defended the World of Stardom Championship six times since winning it from Tam Nakano at Dream Queendom 2024 last December.
TWO 👏 TITLES 👏 SAYA 👏 SAMA 👏
Saya Kamitani has dethroned AZM to become the 6th NJPW STRONG Women's Champion in Korakuen Hall!
The World of Stardom Champion and the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion appear set to clash when Stardom heads to Korakuen Hall later this month.
Saya Kamitani retained her World of Stardom Championship against Bea Priestley at Stardom to the World in the Yokohama Budokan today. After the match, she was confronted by NJPW Strong Women’s Champion AZM, and they teased a title vs. title match for Stardom’s show on September 27.
AZM: “Do you remember losing to AZM at 5 ★ STAR GP? I came here to challenge for the red belt, and I’m fully qualified, right?”
Saya Kamitani: “You have another belt, right? That purple belt. If you’re willing to put that belt on the line, I’ll accept the challenge.”
Kamitani would later confirm the match has been set in her post-match comments, saying:
“On September 27 at Korakuen Hall, a double title match for the World and STRONG belts against AZM has been decided. I don’t care what kind of belts those are, but right now, Saya-sama needs ‘glory.’ Saya-sama’s ambition is the ‘Pro Wrestling Grand Prize MVP.’ AZM will just have to be my stepping stone.”
Priestley earned a shot at Kamitani’s title after defeating her during the round-robin portion of the 5STAR Grand Prix last month. AZM then beat Kamitani in the Red Stars semifinals of the tournament, putting her in line for a shot at the World of Stardom title as well.
During his recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ My Mom’s Basement podcast, Tony Khan listed some of his favorite active wrestlers who are not part of the AEW roster.
Khan named four wrestlers from promotions AEW is partnered with, praising NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr., Starlight Kid and AZM of Stardom, and CMLL’s Mistico.
“I just said Zack Sabre Jr,, that would be very high on the list. That’s a good answer. Starlight Kid, very good. AZM, very good,” Khan answered. “Mistico, by far. Mistico is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers.”
Khan said he’s such a big Mistico fan that he’s been booking Mistico on Dynamite since college, back when the show only existed as an e-fed that Khan would write online. He’s now gotten the chance to actually work with Mistico in AEW, booking him in a feud with MJF that’s taken place in both the United States and Mexico.
In addition to naming Sabre among his favorite non-AEW wrestlers, Khan also listed him as one of the best technical wrestlers of all time. Sabre is the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and has a title defense coming up at AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view in London later this month. That defense will be against either Daniel Garcia, Nigel McGuinness, Lee Moriarty, or Hechicero.
Stardom will have a representative at Forbidden Door competing in a four-way match for the TBS Championship. The identity of that representative has not been announced yet.
Mercedes Mone’s reign as Strong Women’s Champion has come to an end.
AZM is the new champion, defeating Mone and Mina Shirakawa in the main event of NJPW Resurgence. The finish had Shirakawa throwing Mone out of the ring as AZM gained the advantage and attempted several pinfall attempts, eventually succeeding and pinning Shirakawa to win the match and the title, ending Mone’s run after nearly one year.
After the match, a stunned Mone quickly centered her anger on Shirakawa, blaming her for the title loss. The two argued as Mone then shoved Shirakawa, who fled the ring as Shirakawa chased her to the back. In the ring, AZM closed the show by saying she was very happy and celebrated with the title, declaring it was now “AZM time.”
Mone remains the AEW TBS Champion and the Undisputed British Women’s Champion for RevPro. She will face Jamie Hayter at AEW’s Double or Nothing event later this month that will determine Toni Storm’s challenger for the AEW Women’s title at July’s All In event.
A three-way match for the Strong Women’s Championship is set for next month.
AZM and Mina Shirakawa faced off at Windy City Riot on Friday to determine a number one contender for Mercedes Mone’s championship. Both women were down on the floor after Shirakawa hit AZM with a tornado DDT outside of the ring. Neither were able to make it to the 20 count, forcing the referee to stop the match and declare a double count out. Both women were angry about the decision after the match, leaving Mone’s opponent for Ontario, California unclear.
Shortly before the main event, announcer Veda Scott said that Rocky Romero had made a decision, and the Strong Women’s title match at Resurgence would be a three-way with both Shirakawa and AZM challenging.
Mone is no stranger to either woman. She defeated Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty back on January 5 at the Tokyo Dome for Shirkawa’s Undisputed British Women’s title. At Sakura Genesis 2023, Mone defeated AZM and Hazuki to retain the IWGP Women’s title.
Another match was set up for Resurgence during Windy City Riot. The Young Bucks appeared via video and issued a challenge to the War Dogs, saying they’d be coming with “a couple of OG friends.”
A number one contender’s match is set for Windy City Riot.
NJPW announced on Sunday that AZM will face Mina Shirakawa on April 11 in a match that will determine the number one contender for the NJPW Strong Women’s title currently held by Mercedes Mone.
Shirakawa recently announced that she would be leaving Stardom in order to move to America and join AEW. She and Mone previously met at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, where Mone defeated Shirakawa to retain the Strong Women’s title and gain the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s title.
AZM challenged Mayu Iwatani for the IWGP Women’s title one day prior on January 4, but was unsuccessful.
Wintrust Arena is hosting Windy City Riot, which will air as a pay-per-view on NJPW World. Here is the updated lineup:
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last match in the United States: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Konosuke Takeshita
30-minute Iron Man match: NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defends against Tomohiro Ishii
David Finlay vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson defend against KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight
Tetsuya Naito & Titan vs. Rocky Romero & El Phantasmo
Number one contenders match for Strong Women’s title: AZM vs. Mina Shirakawa
The IWGP Women’s Championship will be defended at the Tokyo Dome at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19.
Mayu Iwatani is putting her belt on the line against AZM at the January 4 show. That match is now official after being set up over the weekend at NJPW & Stardom’s Historic X-Over event.
Iwatani made a successful title defense against Momo Watanabe at Historic X-Over and then declared that she wanted a match at Wrestle Kingdom. AZM, owning a victory over Iwatani from Stardom’s 5 Star Grand Prix tournament this year, made her way out to challenge the champion. AZM had been on the winning side of a six-woman tag match earlier in the night, teaming with Mei Seira & Miyu Amasaki to defeat Konami, Rina & Ruaka.
Following Kairi and Mercedes Mone, Iwatani is the third IWGP Women’s Champion in history. She’s held the title since April 2023. This will be the second time the championship has ever been defended at the Tokyo Dome.
Eight matches have now been confirmed for Wrestle Kingdom. The show will stream live on NJPW World.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 (Saturday, January 4) —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
IWGP Global Champion David Finlay defends against Yota Tsuji
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against El Desperado
Three-way match: NJPW World TV Champion Ren Narita defends against Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa
Four-way match: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight defend against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, TJP & Francesco Akira, and Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Konosuke Takeshita (Takeshita’s AEW International Championship will also be on the line if still champion)
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against AZM
Storm will then challenge Iwatani for the IWGP Women’s Championship at Stardom Nagoya Golden Fight on October 5. The former AEW Women’s World Champion appeared via video at Namba Grand Fight in Osaka two weeks ago and issued a challenge to the champion.
Storm has not returned to AEW since dropping the title to Mariah May at All In. May has been calling for Shirakawa to return to the company in recent weeks on AEW programming as well.
Lineup for Stardom’s event at Korakuen Hall on Saturday, October 28, 2024 —
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani & AZM vs. Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa
Goddess of Stardom Champions Momo Watanabe & Thekla defend against Syuri & Saki Kashima
Hazuki & Hanan vs. Koguma & Saya Iida
Tam Nakano, Saori Anou & Saya Kurei vs. Natsuko Tora, Saya Kamitani & Ruaka
Natsupoi, Yuna Mizumori & Sakura Aya vs. Konami, Rina & Azusa Inaba
Momo Kohgo vs. HANAKO
Maika, Xena, Waka Tsukiyama & Rin vs. Suzu Suzuki, Mei Seira, Starlight Kid & Hikari Amase vs. Tomoka Inaba, Hina, Lady C & Ran Yagami
Announced for Stardom Nagoya Golden Fight on Saturday, October 5, 2024 —
World of Stardom Champion Tam Nakano defends against Suzu Suzuki
IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against Toni Storm
A Stardom tag match is the latest addition to All Together 2024, a cross-promotional event featuring several Japanese wrestling promotions.
AZM & Miyu Amasaki vs. Starlight Kid & Natsupoi will take place at the Monday, May 6 event. Rivals Starlight Kid & Natsupoi are uniting for the bout:
A ‘supernova’ prospect for STARDOM, Amasaki made her debut in 2022, and instantly joined Queen’s Quest. On May 6 she joins a regular teammate in AZM, who is riding high from her first US tour, albeit one that saw her fall short to Stephanie Vaquer for the STRONG Women’s Championship. AZM will be more than happy to show her high speed expertise against familiar foes though, in the form of Starlight Kid and Natsupoi.
With SLK representing Oedo Tai and Natsupoi Cosmic Angels, this is certainly a team of strange bedfellows. In fact, the two women are best known for their fierce rivalry over the High Speed Championship a couple of summers ago, and have never once teamed together. Aligned against a unified and common foe, might this be an exhibition that has wide reaching influences on STARDOM at large? Find out May 6!
AZM made her AEW debut on Collision last week, losing to AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm in a title eliminator match.
All Together is the first event under the United Japan Pro-Wrestling banner. It was announced in December 2023 that NJPW, AJPW, NOAH, DDT, Ganbare, Big Japan, Dragon Gate, Stardom, and Tokyo Joshi Pro had come together to form the industry group.
The nine promotions are continuing to operate separately while collaborating to advance pro wrestling in Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic.
A portion of the proceeds from All Together are being donated to victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake that happened at the beginning of 2024. The show is taking place from Budokan Hall in Tokyo and will stream live on Abema pay-per-view.
AZM will make her AEW debut on Saturday’s Collision in a Women’s World title eliminator match against Toni Storm.
AEW’s Tony Khan announced the title eliminator match for Saturday in a social media post on Wednesday night.
A former Stardom High Speed Champion on two occasion, and a three-time Artist of Stardom trios champion as part of Queen’s Quest, AZM made her ROH debut on last Friday’s Supercard of Honor event, teaming with Saya Kamitani & Tam Nakano in a losing effort against Mina Shirakawa, Maika & Mei Seira.
Collision returns to its usual live 8 p.m. Eastern time slot on Saturday, and will be followed by the live Battle of the Belts X special at 10 p.m. Eastern time on TNT. Roderick Strong will face Rocky Romero in a title eliminator match on the Battle of the Belts show.
The lineups for AEW’s Saturday block:
AEW Collision, Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m. Eastern time —
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm vs. AZM in a title eliminator match
AEW Battle of the Belts X, Saturday, April 13, 10 p.m. Eastern time —
AEW International Champion Roderick Strong vs. Rocky Romero in a title eliminator match
Mercedes Mone will have two challengers in her first defense of the IWGP Women’s Championship.
NJPW has announced that Mone will defend the IWGP Women’s title against AZM and Hazuki in a three-way match at Sakura Genesis on Saturday, April 8. The match was made official with Mone accepting challenges that had been issued by both AZM and Hazuki.
The winner of the match will be in line to defend the IWGP Women’s Championship against Mayu Iwatani at Stardom’s event at the Yokohama Arena on Sunday, April 23.
NJPW wrote:
Since winning the IWGP Women’s Championship at Battle in the Valley, Mercedes Mone has been hitting red carpets and conventions in VIP style with the title, but has yet to make her first defense. Meanwhile, with the door open to challengers from around the world, two have stepped up from STARDOM.
First, High Speed Champion and young superstar of Queen’s Quest AZM would take to the microphone at a press conference recently to state that since Mercedes had mentioned her name as a prospective opponent, she’d be happy to step up. Later, the Wild Heart of STARS, Hazuki threw her hat into the ring as she proposed a three way match- even Mayu Iwatani said she would take on the winner April 23 at STARDOM’s Yokohama Arena event.
In a message released on social media today, Mercedes would issue her response. saying that ‘double the challenge means double the Mone’ the CEO took on the three way at Sakura Genesis April 8. Can Hazuki capture IWGP gold? Will AZM (that’s ‘A Zu Mi’), disrespected by Mercedes’ backhanded praise, make this title spectacular something more personal?
Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, returned to pro wrestling at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 this January. She made her NJPW in-ring debut at Battle in the Valley last month, defeating Kairi to win the IWGP Women’s title.
Sakura Genesis is taking place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo and will air live in English on NJPW World. The updated card for the show is listed below:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against SANADA
IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends against AZM and Hazuki in a three-way match
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against Robbie Eagles
IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defend against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)
NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino
AZM wants a shot at Mercedes Mone and the IWGP Women’s World Championship.
The High Speed Champion issued a challenge to Mone on Monday during a Stardom press conference. Mone has mentioned AZM in recent interviews as someone from the Stardom roster she would like to face.
Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the possibility of a Mone vs. AZM match on Tuesday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer said:
Azumi (AZM) was at a press conference and challenged Mercedes, so I think that’s going to be the April 8 (Sakura Genesis) match at Sumo Hall, which would be her first match in Japan.
I know they had talked about KAIRI getting a rematch but Azumi is a different match. In that sense, Azumi is a really fast, great, technical, athletic wrestler.
I really enjoy watching Azumi, as far as her matches, they are really good.
AZM has a title challenger to get through before potentially facing Mone, however. The 20-year-old is scheduled to defend her High Speed Championship against Starlight Kid on the March 4 Yoyogi PPV.
Mone and Club Venus leader, Mina Shirakawa, were also involved in a back-and-forth on Twitter recently. Shirakawa asked Mone “Who decided that you are the CEO of the women’s division of NJPW and STARDOM?”
Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
The weekend Observer radio with Bryan and I is up on the site today, talking Battle of the Belts, Smackdown, WrestleKingdom and all kinds of other news including the death of 70s star Strong Kobayashi.
For the first time in a long time, nothing related to MMA, boxing or pro wrestling cracked the top 20 searches for any day this week. I didn’t expect AEW’s Battle of the Belts to make it and WWE rarely cracks the list unless it’s a major news story or a PPV show. The biggest news story of the week I thought was the cuts in NXT but that didn’t break into the top 20.
We’re looking for your thoughts from last night’s Impact Hard to Kill and NJPW/NOAH WrestleKingdom shows, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected].
A match that a lot of people have raved about was last night’s New Japan Strong match with Eddie Kingston vs. Gabriel Kidd.
AZM being announced as injured from last night’s Stardom show from a kick by Momo Watanabe was legit. It fits into the angle they are doing so a lot of people thought it was just selling an angle. AZM being off today and tomorrow’s shows was not planned. They believe she broke her nose but that was just their doctor’s speculation at this point.
WWE
Results from Glens Falls, NY last night: Xia Li b Natalya, Sheamus b Rick Boogs, Charlotte Flair b Naomi with Sonya Deville as heel ref to keep the Smackdown title, Damien Priest kept the U.S. title over Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins, Riddle b Austin Theory, Becky Lynch kept the Raw title in a three-way over Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair, Roman Reigns & Usos b Viking Raiders & Big E. Reigns was the star of the show (thanks to Matt Watson)
Kevin Owens wasn’t in Boston for today’s show. We have reports from Martin Boulevard and Scarlett Michanco up to intermission. The first three matches were the same as last night. With Owens out, it was Bobby Lashley (babyface) & Priest over Rollins & Ziggler. The Lynch match, same as last night, was said to be the best thing so far.
AEW
The reality show “Relatively Famous, Ranch Rules” on E! that I’ve seen a lot of commercials for during wrestling shows, debuts on Wednesday at 9 p.m. There will be two episodes. The show is about kids with famous parents. Austin Gunn, the AEW wrestler and son of Billy Gunn, is one of the cast members. He’s got perhaps the least known celebrity parent since other involved are kids of Pat Benatar, David Hasselhoff, Martin Lawrence, Shaquille O’Neal, Ray Parker Jr., Billy Bob Thornton and Easy E. PWInsider reported that AEW footage will be on the show when Austin Gunn and Myles O’Neal get into a discussion.
Bryan Danielson was at the Cavalcade of Customs in Cincinnati today (thanks to Brian Henke)
UFC
Jim Miller vs. Nikolas Motta has been added to the 2/19 show.
OTHER NOTES
Stardom today at Korakuen Hall: Thelka b Saki Kashima, Mayu Iwatani & Hanan b Unagi Sayaka & Waka Tsukiyama, Mirai & Himeka & Hanan b Tam Nakano & Mina Shirakawa & Mai Sakurai, 4 on 3: Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Rina & Ruaka b Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita & Lady C, Hazuki & Koguma b Giulia & Syuri to win the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles when Hazuki pinned Giulia.
There is a gimmick boxing show in Brazil coming up and former UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who is 45 and his last MMA win was in 2012 and he retired in 2015, is coming out of retirement on the show. Guilherme Cruz has the story.
Nogueira faces former UFC fighter Leonardo Guimares in a 220-pound fight. Former WBO/WBA champion Acelino Freitas,who is 41=-2, faces Whindersson Nunes, a YouTube star who has never boxed. Esquiva Falcao (29-0) faces the debuting Yuri Fernandes who was a star on Brazil’s version of Big Brother.
MCW has a convention and a show on 2/5 in Hollywood, MD at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. The convention includes Taya Valkyrie, Kevin Nash, Jimmy Hart, Angelina Love, Lex Luger, Quinn McKay, Velvet Sky, The Headbangers, Serena Deeb, Lita Adam Cole, Thunder Rosa, Sabu, Lio Rush, Brooklyn Brawler, Kiera Hogan, Steve Keirn, Diamante, Erick Redbeard, Black Bart, Tommy Rich, J.J. Dillon, Tully Blanchard, James Ellsworth and Mandy Leon.
EPW from last night in Western Australia: Aaron Hawk b Bruno Nitro to keep Coastal championship, Kaz Jordan & Joel Hagan b Jordan Bishop & Ryan Allen, Edith Night b Tyler Jacobs in a strap match, Del Cano b Bobby Marshall, Michael Morleone & Kiel Steria & Taylor King b Casey Johns & James Hartness & Elijah Henry, Damian Slater b Davis Storm, Julian Ward b Antonio Corrado to keep the EPW title, Gavin McGavin b Marcius Pitt. Slater vs. Storm and McGavin vs Pitt both said to be great. Next show is 2/2.
Deathmatch Downunder on 1/22 in Geelong, Australia headlined by Royce Chambers vs. Edward Dusk for the Death match title,and 2/5 in Melbourne with Ritchie Taylor’s retirement match against Joel Bateman.
Aaron Henare returns home for a 2/5 show in Auckland, New Zealand for Warrior Wrestling. (thanks to Kevin Chiat).
VxS & No Peace Underground from Friday night from Westville, NJ in a death match style show with all matches no DQ: Lucky 13 won over Marcus Mathers and Akira ina barbed wire match, Masha Slamovich b Sawyer Wreck, Jordan Oliver b G-Raver, Atticus Cogar b Vincent, Casanova Valentine b Otis Cogar, Chelsea Durden, Tye Hyll, and Gory and Kit Osbourne, Parrow b JTG to keep the No Peace Underground title via ref stoppage in a bloody chairs match, Masada b Jimmy Lloyd in a death match, AJ Gray b Matt Tremont in a light tubes house of horrors match. They broke bout 100 light tubes over each other’s bodies. Good for what it was. Tremont replaced John Wayne Murdoch with less than 24 hours notice. Tremont said after taking one year off that he’s back. (thanks to Ross Blair)
