Dream Slam Monthly (Vol. 20) Returns, Retirements and Departures

Tsukasa Fujimoto wishes Arisa Nakajima well on her retirement at Korakuen Hall on August 23rd. (c) SEAdLINNNG/Ice Ribbon

I appreciate everyone’s patience in this delayed installment of DSM. First and foremost, I would like to send my thoughts to Nikki Garcia and her family about the arrest of Artem Chigvintsev. It was harrowing to read after seeing the positive comments she had for Storm/May at ALL IN.  I sincerely hope that Nikki and her child are safe and they are given the support and privacy they need during this time. 

Previously, as DSM Vol 19 was published, Meiko Satomura not only challenged Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship on July 27th at Ryogoku Sumo Hall but also announced her intent to conclude her in-ring career in April 2025. NXT Women’s Champion, Roxanne Perez expressed her interest in one final match against The Last Boss. I am very curious to see not only Satomura’s retirement road but what her plans are after in-ring retirement. Satomura wrestled at TAKAYAMANIA EMPIRE III, against Shin Sakura Hirota. If you have the means, check out this very emotional philanthropy show, which also included Minoru Suzuki vs. Katsuyori Shibata in the main event. 

Giulia finally bid adieu to Dream Star Fighting MARIGOLD, including a final match against Mai Sakurai on August 19th. The MARIGOLD roster wished her well with a wholesome send-off 60-second gauntlet, which was capped off with Ice Ribbon’s Tsukasa Fujimoto, making a surprise arrival to grant Giulia’s wish to face her one-on-one, “even if it’s just for 60 seconds.” Earlier this year, Fujimoto appeared in STARDOM, after the departure of multiple talents, suggesting a long iced over, locked door had started to thaw in a promo to Mayu Iwatani. In her final remarks, Giulia tasked Utami Hayashishita to continue the work they set out together in MARIGOLD, asking her to lead the locker room once she is gone. MARIGOLD also announced their first US show in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 41 week in April 2025.

Giulia arrived at NXT No Mercy 2024 on September 1st, and challenged Roxanne Perez for the championship two nights later, citing October 1st, NXT’s debut on the CW Network. 

Mina Shirakawa defeated Dani Luna at RevPro UK’s 12th Anniversary show to become the RPUK Undisputed Britsh Women’s Championship on August 24th. She spent most of August in the US working on AEW and ROH programming, as well as tagging with E nexus V’s HANAKO who was finishing up her short US excursion at NJPW’s Capital Collision. H.A.T.E.’s Momo Watanabe main evented Capitol Collision challenging Mercedes Mone for the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship. 

SEAdLINNNG’s Arisa Nakajima officially retired at the company’s 12th Anniversary show. 

Summer Tournament Winners

  • (7/14) Catch the WAVE 2024: Saya Kamitani
  • (8/25) TJPW Tokyo Princess Cup 2024: Ryo Mizunami
  • (8/31) STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix 2024: Maika

Quick Fire Wrap-Up


DIANA

DIANA (8/11) Post Di Amistad

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Queen Elizabeth Title Three Way: Kyoko Inoue defeated Himiko and Yuki Miyazaki (c) (15:32) 

DIANA (8/13)  Post Di Amistad

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Tag Team Championship Ayako Sato & Hanako Nakamori (c) defeated Miran & Risa Sera  (10:30) by referee’s decision

Diana (8/15) Post Di Amistad

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana World Championship: Maika Ozaki defeated Haruka Umesaki (c) (14:00)

Diana Future Sight Vol. 24 (8/23)  Post Di Amistad

  • World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana Crystal Title: Nanami (c) defeated Syan Syan (09:09)

Dream Star Fighting MARIGOLD

NOTES: The Inaugural DREAM STAR Grand Prix will run until 9/28. This is a dual-block, round-robin league format. 

Marigold Dream Star Grand Prix (8/31) (Afternoon Show) EDION Arena Osaka #2 

  • Four Way: Myla Grace defeated CHIAKI and Komomo Minami and Minami Yuuki (6:00)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix STAR League: Bozilla [2] defeated Kizuna Tanaka [0] (5:10)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: Natsumi Showzuki [1] vs. Victoria Yuzuki [1] (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: NØRI [2] defeated Kouki Amarei [0] (9:53)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix STAR League: Miku Aono [2] defeated Misa Matsui [0] (6:44)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: MIRAI [2] defeated Chika Goto [0] (9:43)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: Nagisa Nozaki [2] defeated Utami Hayashishita [0] (8:47)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix STAR League: Mai Sakurai [2] defeated Nanae Takahashi [0] (13:53)

Marigold Dream Star Grand Prix (8/31) (Evening Show) EDION Arena Osaka #2 

  • Kizuna Tanaka defeated Myla Grace (3:41)
  • Mai Sakurai & Victoria Yuzuki defeated Kouki Amarei & Minami Yuuki (6:17)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix STAR League: Bozilla [4] defeated Misa Matsui [0] (6:28)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix STAR League: Miku Aono [4] defeated CHIAKI [0] (6:31)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: MIRAI [3] vs. NØRI [3] (15:00)  – Time Limit Draw
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: Utami Hayashishita [2] defeated Chika Goto [0] (8:04)
  • DREAM STAR Grand Prix DREAM League: Natsumi Showzuki [3] defeated Nagisa Nozaki [2] (10:11)

Evolution Joshi

EvoJo Vol. 21 (8/23) Shin-Kiba 1st Ring

  • Singles Match: Emi Sakura defeated Miyuna (8:36)
  • Ennetsu Tournament First Round A Block Match: Chi Chi & Momoka Hanazono defeated RIARA & Risa Sera (10:58)
  • Ennetsu Tournament First Round B Block Match: Chanyota & ZONES defeated Aki Shizuku & Soy (7:49)
  • Singles Match: Dan Tamura defeated Tyson Maeguchi (7:46)
  • Singles Match: Yuko Miyamoto defeated Shuji Ishikawa (10:41)
  • Ennetsu Tournament Finals: Chanyota & ZONES defeated Chi Chi & Momoka Hanazono (19:34)

EvoJo Vol. 22 (9/1) Shin-Kiba 1st Ring

  • Singles Match: Honoka defeated Miyuna (8:48)
  • Singles Match: Mochi Natsumi defeated RIARA (9:04)
  • Tag Team Match: Daichi Hashimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani defeated Shuji Ishikawa & Towa Iwasaki (12:00)
  • Tag Team Match: Aki Shizuku & Ryo Mizunami defeated Soy & ZONES (14:14)
  • Singles Match: Maya Yukihi defeated Chi Chi (14:52)

Ice Ribbon

Yokohama Ribbon 2024 (7/27) Yokohama Sanbo Hall Marineria

  • Tag Match: Arisa Shinose & Misa Kagura defeated Kirari Wakana & Saran (8:25)
  • Tag Match: Sumika Yanagawa & Yuko Sakurai defeated Betty Boa & Yappy (11:03)
  • Tag Match: Ancham, Tsukina Umino & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Asuka Fujitaki, Mifu Ashida & Totoro Satsuki (15:12)
  • Triangle Ribbon Title Three Way: Kaori Yoneyama defeated Matsuzawa-san and Yuuki Mashiro (c) (9:03) 
  • Six Man Tag Match: Arisa Nakajima, Tsukasa Fujimoto & Unagi Sayaka defeated Hamuko Hoshi, Makoto & SAKI (21:28)

New Ice Ribbon #1366 ~ Ice In Wonderland 2024 (8/24) Korakuen Hall

  • Dark: Kento Kiryu defeated Akechi (8:18)
  • Ten Man Tag Match: Arisa Shinose, Kasumi Nashimura, Misa Kagura, Yappy & Yuna Manase defeated Ancham, Betty Boa, Sumika Yanagawa, Yuko Sakurai & Yuzuki (11:19)
  • Tag Match: Grizzly Fujitaki & Mifu Ashida defeated Mayuka Koike & Nanae Furukawa (9:14)
  • Triangle Ribbon Title Three Way: Kyuri defeated Nanami (c) and Saran (8:25) 
  • Maya Yukihi, Totoro Satsuki & Yuuki Mashiro defeated Kirari Wakana, Tsukasa Fujimoto & Yoshiko Hasegawa (16:49)
  • International Ribbon Tag Team Championships: Hamuko Hoshi & Makoto (c) defeated Mio Shirai & Unagi Sayaka (9:53)
  • ICExInfinity Championship: YuuRI (c) defeated Tsukina Umino (18:53)

Kitsune Women’s Wrestling 

YABAI! (8/18) – Los Angeles, CA

  • Singles Match: Maya World defeated Aleah James (9:09)
  • Tag Match: Mainey & Nina defeat Miko Alano & Savanna Stone (11:39)
  • Singles Match: Kitsune defeated Lady Pink (7:17)
  • Tag Match: Nagisa Nozaki vs. Xia Zhao (11:05) – Double Count Out 
  • Singles Match: Great Sakuya defeated Angie Savage (3:58)
  • Kitsune World Title Three Way: Yuna Manase defeated J-Rod and Megan Bayne (10:11) – TITLE CHANGE !!!
  • Tag Match: Act Yasukawa & Aspyn Rose defeated Delmi Exo & Shazza McKenzie (11:34)
  • Singles Match: Miyako Matsumoto defeated Sage Sin Supreme (8:24)
  • Tag Match: Aja Kong & Jada Stone defeated Janai Kai & Jordan Blade (12:52)

MARVELOUS

Marvelous (8/8) Korakuen Hall

  • Eight Man Tag Team Elimination: Jessy Jackson, Mio Momono, Sandra Moone & Sara Leon defeated Ai Houzan, Chikayo Nagashima, Itsuki Aoki & Unagi Sayaka [4:3] (17:55)
  • Tag Match: JAC & Titus Alexander defeated Alan Angels & Leo Isaka (15:04)
  • Singles Match:Chi Chi defeated Chigusa Nagayo [2:1]
  • AAAW Tag Team Championships: Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) defeated Magenta (Maria & Riko Kawahata) (c) (17:54) 
  • AAAW Championship: Takumi Iroha defeats Mayumi Ozaki (c) (22:58) 

OZ Academy

  • OZ Academy Plum No Hanasaku OZ No Kuni 2024 (8/18) Korakuen Hall 
  • Tag Match: Miyuki Takase & Tae Honma defeated Ozaki-gun (Kakeru & Saori Anou) (10:09)
  • Tag Match: Arisa Nakajima, Leon & Tsubasa Kuragaki defeated AKINO, Itsuki Aoki & Kohaku (10:41)
  • Tag Match: Jaguar Yokota & Yuu defeated Momoka Hanazono & Ram Kaicho (13:11)
  • OZ Academy Tag Team Championships: H2D (Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato) (c) defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto & ZONES (18:58)
  • OZ Academy Openweight Championship: Mayumi Ozaki (c) defeated Maya Yukihi (32:05)

Sareee’s Self-Produced Series

Sareee-ISM IV (7/29) Shinjuku FACE  

  • Singles Match: Chi Chi defeated Miria Koga (8:03)
  • Tag Match: Jaguar Yokota & Kaoru Ito defeated Misa Kagura & Sya (13:39)
  • Tag Match:  Best Friends (Arisa Nakajima & Tsukasa Fujimoto) defeated Mio Momono & Riko Kawahata (12:52)
  • Semi-Main (1/20): Yuu defeated Hiragi Kurumi (12:33)
  • Special Dream Tag Main Event (1/30): Natsupoi & Sareee defeated AZM & Takumi Iroha (22:20)

Sareee-ISM V (9/2) Shinjuku FACE 

  • Singles Match: Tomoka Inaba defeated Sya (5:28)
  • Tag Match: Jaguar Yokota & Megumi Yabushita defeated Chi Chi & ZONES (12:31)
  • Singles Match: Mio Momono defeated Miku Kanae (11:19)
  • 3-Way Match: Kaoru Ito defeats Hiragi Kurumi and Yuu (14:00)
  • Special Dream Tag Main Event (1/30): Mayu Iwatani & Sareee defeat Chihiro Hashimoto & VENY (23:09)

SEAdLINNNG

SEAdLINNNG 9th Anniversary ~ Arisa Nakajima’s Retirement (8/23) Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan

  • Six Man Tag Team High Speed: Ka Kedita, La Pidita & Na Tsudita defeated Maya Yukihi, Miyuki Takase & Rina Yamashita (10:35)
  • Tag Match:  Mima Shimoda & Yumiko Hotta defeated Arisa Nakajima & Miria Koga (16:09)
  • Tag Match: Sareee & VENY defeated Misa Kagura & Unagi Sayaka (10:49)
  • SEAdLINNNG Beyond The Sea Tag Team Championships: Ayame Sasamura & Itsuki Aoki defeated Makoto & Nagisa Nozaki (c) (14:41) 
  • Tag Match: Hanako Nakamori & Hiroyo Matsumoto defeated Best Friends (Arisa Nakajima & Tsukasa Fujimoto) (23:45)

Sendai Girls

Free Match: Starlight Kid & Miyu Amasaki vs. Team 200KG (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu)

MOVE! SENJO (9/13) Sendai PIT

  • Singles Match: Ryo Mizunami vs. YUNA
  • Singles Match: Kuroshiro TOKYO Japan vs. Shin Sakura Hirota
  • Tag Match: VENY & Yuu vs. Reiwa Ultema Powers (DASH Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto
  • Singles Match: Miyuki Takase vs. Manami
  • Semi-Final Tag Match: Chihiro Hashimoto & ZONES (EvoJo) vs. Mio Momono & Yurika Oka
  • Main Event Sendai Girls World Championship: Saori Anou (c) vs. Mika Iwata

STARDOM

5STAR GP Finals (8/31) Musashino Forest Sports Plaza

  • Pre-Show Match: Waka Tsukiyama defeated Rian (8:14)
  • Tag Match: STARS (Hazuki & Koguma) defeated Cosmic Angels (Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara) (10:38)
  • 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Semi-Final Match: Maika defeated Mayu Iwatani (11:44)
  • 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Semi-Final Match: Saya Kamitani defeated Hanan (10:22)
  • Singles Match: Anna Jay defeated Momo Kohgo (7:09)
  • Singles Match: Xena defeated Saya Iida (8:57)
  • Ten Man Tag Match: Neo Genesis (AZM, Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki, Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki) defeated God’s Eye (Lady C, Ranna Yagami, Saki Kashima & Syuri) & Risa Sera (13:11)
  • Six Man Tag Match: Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori) defeated HATE (Konami, Ruaka & Thekla) (8:40)
  • Future Of Stardom Championship: Rina (c) defeated Hina (14:28) – Rina breaks her older sister, Hanan’s longest consecutive defense record by defeating her twin sister. 
  • World Of Stardom Championship: Tam Nakano defeated Natsuko Tora (c) (27:12) 
  • 5STAR Grand Prix 2024 Finals: Maika defeated Saya Kamitani (27:23) – Maika challenges Tam (9/14) in Osaka

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW)

WRESTLE PRINCESS V (9/22) Makuhari Messe, Chiba – Full Card TBA

  • Tag Match: Aja Kong, Max The Impaler, & Pom Harajuku vs. TBA – Special Referee SKE48’s Shiori Aoki 
  • Tag Match: Xia Zhao & Mizuki vs. Yuki Kamifuku & VENY
  • Singles Match: Emi Sakura vs. Shoko Nakajima
  • Princess Tag Championship: Daisy Monkey (Suzume & Arisu Endo) vs. Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita – 16th Champion’s 3rd defense
  • Princess of Princes Championship: Miu Watanabe (c) vs. Ryo Mizunami (2024 Tokyo Princess Cup Winner) – 14th Champion’s 4th defense
  • Scheduled: Yuki Arai

Unagi Sayaka’s Self-Produced Shows

Unagi Sayaka’s The Lord is Crazy ~ When I Hear The Words Summer Festival My Blood Boils (9/2) Korakuen Hall

  • Tag Team Match: Takumi Iroha & Unagi Sayaka defeated Chigusa Nagayo & Shin Sakura Hirota (0:37)
  • Tag Team Match: Chigusa Nagayo & Shin Sakura Hirota defeated Takumi Iroha & Unagi Sayaka (12:11)
  • Healthy Sandals Death Match: Saori Anou & Tae Honma defeated Miyuki Takase & Risa Sera (9:25)
  • Singles Match: Super Sasadango Machine vs. Unagi Sakinoyama (SAKI) – No Contest
  • Two On One Handicap Match: Super Sasadango Machine defeated Unagi Sakinoyama (SAKI) & Unagi Sayaka (4:39)
  • Three-Way Match: Daisuke Sekimoto defeated Kengo Mashimo and Takayuki Ueki (6:50)
  • Eight Man Tag Team Match: Chikayo Nagashima, DASH Chisako, Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kyoko Inoue defeated Aoi, Haruka Umesaki, Misa Kagura & Yuuki Mashiro (15:58)
  • Hardcore Match: Jun Kasai & Minoru Fujita defeated Minoru Suzuki & Unagi Sayaka (26:05)

Dream Slam Homeroom

Recommended viewing – TAKAYAMANIA EMPIRE III 

This show is available on WRESTLE UNIVERSE as a PPV event. On this month’s edition of POST PURORESU, WH and I briefly discuss the show, its history, and the results. The show runs about 2h45m and is a who’s who of the Japanese independent scene. Much like the Hana Kimura Memorial shows, this is a philanthropy event, raising funds to help support the medical care of Yoshihiro Takayama. 

  • Tag Team Match: Hideki Suzuki & Jun Kasai defeat Hikaru Sato & Takayuki Ueki (9:50)
  • Singles Match: Meiko Satomura defeats Kyusei Sakura Hirota now known as Kyusei Yoshihiro Takayama (Sakura Hirota) (7:56)
  • Six Man Tag Team Match: Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jun Akiyama & Shuji Ishikawa defeat Team 200kg (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) & Masao Inoue (17:52)
  • Tag Team Match: Danshoku Dino & Naomichi Marufuji defeat Kikutaro & Ryota Hama (10:52)
  • Singles Match: Katsuyori Shibata defeats Minoru Suzuki (27:18)

August 2024 Coverage

Upcoming NJPW Podcast Coverage at POST

  • Podcast: POST PURORESU (10/4) w/ WH Park
  • Podcast: Destruction in Kobe (9/29)  w/ Bruce Lord on POST Wrestling Cafe

Thank you for always listening and joining me on this global learning excursion! Arrivederci, Mata, na!

About Karen Peterson 118 Articles
Occasionally drops by wrestling podcasts, but remains rather elusive. Joined the Japanese wrestling fan scene in summer 2017, and continues to work on bridging the language gap between fans. Outside of wrestling, she’s a dog mom, perpetual Japanese learner, and when conditions permit, world traveler. Never skips dessert.