⭐STARDOM THE CONVERSION 2025 PREVIEW

Old gold World Wonder Ring Stardom logo with moving sparkles

This is a part of my blog series covering the events in STARDOM (Japanese women's pro-wrestling organization)

STARDOM WEBSITE

STARDOM YOUTUBE

Stardom World Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com Bushiroad's promotional 2 page spread for STARDOM's The Conversion 2025 featuring the STARDOM roster

CONTENTS

THE CONVERSION 2025

PPV INFO

PPV Links:
Price = 4620 JP yen including tax (around $32 USD)

The archived VOD will be avilable until June 27 (23:59). Expect the release of the full replay on STARDOM World shortly after that date.

MATCH CARD

Match card as of June, 14, 2025 (The order could change on the day)

V# = refers to their current defense number of the title reign (eg. V2 = 2nd title defense match)

STORIES

THE STRONGEST MEET AGAIN

In the main event, Syuri will be defending the IWGP Women's championship against Sareee. This will also be the 3rd singles match between the two (and the most important one) and Sareee's 2nd attempt for the title after losing to Mayu Iwatani last year.

Syuri raises the IWGP Women's Championship belt and while shaking hands with Sareee

Previously in March, the two had a hard fought battle to determine the next challenger for the IWGP title which resulted in a time limit draw. At that point, both women were in a rough point in their careers. Since losing to Mayu Iwatani for the IWGP title in January last year, Syuri didn't progress nor get any opportunities for gold as a singles competitor and focused more on rebuilding God's Eye. While Sareee won the 2024 Tokyo Sports award for the women's division, she suffered 3 big losses at the start of the year, losing the MARIGOLD World Title (to Utami Hayashishita), the Beyond The Sea Title (to VENY), and got knocked down by a retiring Meiko Satomura. This led to her dedicating the whole month of February just for training and took no wrestling bookings. Thus, this match between "the strongest" was supposed to serve as a comeback for both.

Referee Daichi raises both Syuri and Sareee's arms after their singles match resulting in a time limit draw

A month after their encounter, Syuri took the lead had managed to dethrone Mayu and claim IWGP gold with Sareee watching it all closely from the front row and was already prepared to confront as the next challenger for the title.

Sareee watches Syuri versus Mayu Iwatani in ASGQ with a serious look

Sareee may have physically confronted Syuri and got her approval first, the shot was surprisingly already reserved behind the scenes by EVE's Alex Windsor which explained why she didn't get a reply back from STARDOM as she impatiently confronted Syuri again weeks after ASGQ and left in anger as a reaction to a promise being broken.

Fortunately, Syuri successfully defended against Windsor in London (you can watch it on YouTube for free and STARDOM World) and finalized the match with Sareee after returning to Japan. That same day, Sareee taught Syuri's student Ranna Yagami a hard lesson of fighting spirit.

Sareee in the air about to land a vicious double foot stomp on Ranna Yagami who is flat on the mat

It's time to settle it all.

Which of the strongest will set the global standard of the IWGP Women's championship from here?.

BONDS

With Tam Nakano and Mayu Iwatani gone from STARDOM, STARS and COSMIC ANGELS (CA) have entered a new era. Hanan & Saya Iida have toppled FWC (Hazuki & Koguma) and sent them out of STARS as they start their leadership due to differences moving forward while Natsupoi & Saori Anou have began their 11th year in pro-wrestling now as the top 2 in CA.

The 4th defense for wing★gori's Goddesses Of Stardom title reign was decided after Natsupoi pinned Saya Iida on the 8th of June. Poi & Saori previously held the titles back in 2023 with 1 successful defense against Crazy Star (Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira) before having to vacate them due to Poi suffering a cervical hernia and forcing her out of action for a long while. They are taking back what was never lost.

Not only will this be a hot contest between two established tag teams, but also a test of strong leadership and the bonds that connect within the factions. One thing I've also heard mentioned specifically by Hanan was that this could also determine if STARS is still "the STARDOM army". The tag team record between these teams stands at 1-1-0 with 1 victory from wing★gori and 1 time limit draw during last year's tag league.

Will Poi & Saori finally get their first win against wing★gori and claim back what was theirs?

or

Will Hanan & Iida keep themselves at a strong position and lead STARS with ease into the future?

NEO GENESIS x MI VIDA LOCA

The NEO GENESIS x Mi Vida Loca saga continues with both factions now having to clash in a no disqualification no touch rules (like a tornado/lucha tag) unit war. Anything goes with no count outs outside and tag partners don't need to touch to tag in.

Since failing to capture the Artist belts, Suzu Suzuki tried to initiate faction warfare against NEO GENESIS who were not keen to accept at first. It wasn't until the 8th of June when NEO GENESIS took a big loss against H.A.T.E. with the returning Momo Watanabe picking up the win on AZM that could build into a potential NJPW Strong Women's title match.

Konami and Rina who just lost in the same 3 way Artist match as Mi Vida Loca, have also kept their interest in the trios titles as well.

Suzu confronted NEO GENESIS backstage right after, making fun of the whole unit while asking for a proper rematch. Starlight Kid accepted and will try ensure this ends quickly with Suzu regretting leaving NEO GENESIS.

Things could get very dangerous again as Suzu is still out for blood and may even unleash the same fate on Mei Seira.

AMI SOUREI RETURNS

Ami Sourei is making her return to in-ring action for the first time since having to get surgery to treat a long-term ACL tear on her left knee last July. She also had to give her 5STAR Grand Prix spot to Ranna Yagami at that time.

That same month she started her long recovery, she watched in shock as Konami betray and humiliate Syuri from home, knowing she can't do anything about it.

Ami is here to avenge the damage caused by Konami and will try build back God's Eye.

FUTURE V3

On her third defense of the Future Of Stardom title, Hina will be going against Rian.

Since making her pro debut last year in March against Starlight Kid, Rian had not won a singles match until she was given the opportunity recently by Hina. In a move intended to lift up the spirit of Rian, she tried to give her a shot for the Future Title. Akira Kurogane who debuted early this year, had already gotten her first singles win recently, and even pinned Rian in a tag match the month before. As a result, Hina called for a #1 contendership match between Rian and Akira.

Days later, Rian had finally gotten her first singles victory all by herself and even revealed a new signature move called the "Hanaguruma" to finish off Akira.

At the press conference, Hina stated that Rian has given a lot of thought into support ExV especially her seniors (Mina Shirakawa, Maika, and Xena), but not much on herself. Only Rian can change her wrestling after all. Rian gave off the impression that we are going see the new her tonight. If so, she'll have to prove it.

OTHER STORIES

NEW BLOOD TAG

In the next New Blood show on July 4, the current New Blood tag champs Rice & Bread (Waka Tsukiyama & HANAKO) will make their 4th defense against Momo Kohgo of STARS and rookie Yuria Hime.

On June 14, Yuria revealed her intention of wanting to join STARS and then requested Momo Kohgo to team up with her for the New Blood titles. This can also determine if she's going to be let into the faction or not.

She had also been training with the STARS crew for a while now and even posted some of the clips.

MAY KORAKUENS

During the month of May, STARDOM held 2 big Korakuen shows with a World and Wonder Of Stardom defense for the main events with theme on lower talent getting their first taste of competing for top gold. On the 11th of May, Saya Kamitani successfully defended the red belt for the 3rd time against Sayaka Kurara who used her Cinderella wish for a shot. Kamitani commended Kurara for her efforts, by saying that she doesn't need to replace someone and stick to being her. Kurara saw a glimpse of the Kamitani she respected, and left motivated to get back up. Things could get a little messy again with these two even though Tam Nakano is gone.

Ten days later, Starlight Kid successfully defeated HANAKO for her 4th defense of the Wonder Of Stardom Title. HANAKO earned her title shot after winning the pre-show rumble before All Star Grand Queendom. Like Kurara dedicating her fight for Tam, HANAKO did it for Mina Shirakawa who was also a white belt champ herself and even made use of her uraken and Maika's three consecutive brain busters. But the more experienced Starlight Kid who was smaller in size showcased her expertise to take down a giant.

The two new rookies named Ema Maishima and Kikyo Furusawa have also made their debuts earlier in the same show. Ema faced against the current NJPW Strong Women's champion AZM in an impressive high speed contest for a newcomer.

While Kikyo faced off against 1/2 of the Goddess champions Hanan showcasing good technical skill.

OUTSIDE STARDOM

WAVE

Currently there are 3 STARDOM talent competing in Pro Wrestling WAVE's annual Catch The Wave tournament which has 36 wrestlers in total split into 4 round-robin blocks represented by planets. Each match has a 15 minute time limit, where the winner gets 3 points, and the loser gets none. In an event of a draw, the wrestler with a longer career gets 1 point while the other gets 2 points. Whoever wins the final on July 21st will get a chance on Saya Kamitani who is currently still the Regina Di Wave champion.

As of June 15, Hazuki in the Mercury block has 6 points with 2 wins and no losses.

Ranna Yagami in the Saturn block has 3 points with 1 win and 1 loss.

Akira Kurogane in the Uranus block has 2 points with a 1 draw and 1 loss.

Upcoming STARDOM CTW matches:

VODs for these shows are currently available on Confetti for a limited time as individual PPVs (3500 JP yen each). Expect some of these matches involving STARDOM wrestlers on World in a month or two and a free release WAVE's own YouTube channel next year (lol).

SENDAI GIRLS

JUNE 20 (SENDAI PIT)

Aya Sakura defeated YUNA to make her first defense of the SENDAI GIRLS Junior title on June 20. The VOD for the show will available on June 22 in WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

JULY 19 (KORAKUEN)

Hazuki will be going against DASH Chisako in a hardcore match on July 19 in SENDAI GIRLS' Korakuen Hall show which will be streamed live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

Match graphic for Hazuki versus DASH Chisako hardcore match

This came to be after Hazuki confronted DASH Chisako after defeating Chi Chi on June 8. Hazuki has been wanting a singles match between them for a while and DASH decided that it will be a hardcore match in her turf.

Hazuki confronts DASH Chisako

SPARK

On June 29 in Texas, Hazuki will make her first defense of the SPARK Joshi World Championship against Maya World. Hazuki previously won the vacant title after defeating Lena Kross in Las Vegas last April.

Koguma has also been announced for the show making her SPARK debut. As of writing this, her match has not been announced.

You can visit SPARK's own website for more info and news.

Sanshiro Takagi's 30th Anniversary Project

Momo Kohgo will be facing Yoshiko Hasegawa in a singles match on June 25 for Sanshiro Takagi's 30th anniversary project show called "M&A Pro-Wrestling - Subtitle TBD". Both of them made their debuts at the same year in Actwres girl'Z and are friends. Hasegawa will retire very soon this July. The show will be available for streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

Sareee-ISM

At a press conference on May 22, Sareee announced the matches for the next chapter of the Sareee-ISM series of produce shows. In the main event, the AAAW Tag Team champions Sareee & Takumi Iroha will team up against Saya Kamitani and Natsuko Tora in a special tag match. This will be Sareee's first encounter of the current World Of Stardom champion. Kamitani & Tora were picked as opponents by Sareee because they are a hot topic right now and she wants to familiarize herself with them in the ring while making them taste a real fight. They also want to make this match resemble Crush Girls vs the Atrocious Alliance with Takumi Iroha being a disciple of Chigusa Nagayo and Dump Matsumoto giving Tora the right to her continue her legacy.

The planned singles match between Natsupoi and Miku Kanae of T-Hearts will also happen in this show. This match was supposed to happen in March for Sareee-ISM Chapter VII, but was changed due to Poi injuring her ankle a week before. Saori Anou took her place instead that night to fight Miku.

The show will be available for PPV (and as an archived VOD for a limited time) on the Sareee Live website.

Jaguar Yokota 49th Anniversary

Jaguar Yokota will be having her 49th anniversary show on July 29 with support from OZ Academy. A special trios match has been booked involving Saya Kamitani teaming up with Jaguar Yokota & Mayumi Ozaki against Starlight Kid, Saori Anou, and Hikaru Shida.

You can find more info about this show from OZ Academy's website.

Chihiro Hashimoto Joint Training

Chihiro Hashimoto of SENDAI GIRLS hosted a joint training session with rookies from various women's promotions (STARDOM, DIANA, SEAdLINNNG, Evo) and amateur wrestlers involved. Hashimoto's vision for this is to raise the standards for the rookies not just within SENDAI GIRLS, but also in other promotions as much as possible. She hopes to run more sessions in the future.

STARDOM talent involved were (AFAIK):

DRAGONGATE

During DRAGONGATE's Korakuen Hall show on June 5, Starlight Kid came out with El Desperado and Dragon Kid for their match against of Shun Skywalker & ISHIN.

SLK even got involved a few times in the match.

You can watch the replay on DRAGONGATE Network with Japanese or English commentary.