Andrew’s Stardom 5 Star GP Blue Stars Ratings & Analysis: Day 2

Blue Stars Day 2! Does anyone start to separate themselves from the pack?

Well we all know that my biases are strong with Utami and Jamie, but I’m always down for a good match.

Do we get any matches that equal the Day 1, or do we start to see a dip in quality?

Hopefully my favorites show up today. Let’s get to the show.

Blue Stars Day 2 Ratings:

• Andras Miyagi vs Jamie Hayter: Hayter wins via Falcon Arrow Neckbreaker @5:45 – **
• Natsuko Tora vs Kagetsu: Kagetsu wins via Death Valley Driver @8:50 – ***
• Bea Priestley vs Konami: Bea wins via Queen’s Landing @7:30 – *** 3/4
• Utami Hayashishita vs Arisa Hoshiki: Utami wins via Torture Rack Bomb @11:50 – *** 1/4

Blue Stars Day 2 Analysis:

Andras Miyagi vs Jamie Hayter – So there’s not a ton of build between these two, since they are in the same faction. Andras being newer to Stardom and with Jamie being in Oedo Tai, there hasn’t been much opportunity for these two to tie up. Jamie is looking to continue her momentum, and Andras could use the win as an early reset for her tournament.

This started off slowly with a little bit of mat wrestling and clean breaks. But being from the more heelish stable, yet giving one another space between breaks was a little awkward. It never really felt like this match got out of first gear. Even when they started a few more strikes and snap suplexes, it never really warmed up.

Andras attempted a Tombstone, which Jamie countered and then followed up with a Falcon Arrow Neckbreaker. Not an awful match, it just felt very slow and neither one really shined with personality either. Personally I’m looking forward to the Zombie Hot British Chancellor getting tested against Utami and Kagetsu.

Now on https://t.co/q8dHnF58vW! Jamie Hayter battles Andras Miyagi on night 2 of the 5★STAR GP 2019! pic.twitter.com/Xoh8UbJ1Za

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) August 22, 2019

Natsuko Tora vs Kagetsu – So last year when these two faced off, Natsuko was still in J.A.N. and considered to be a joke. Kagetsu said she could beat her before the Cup of Noodles was ready to eat (Hazuki actually had hot water and poured it in, with a 3 minute clock running). Natsuko lost, but showed some stubbornness and stopped Kagetsu from winning in the less than 3 minutes. This year, they are both Oedo Tai, but Natsuko has a lot to prove.

Well this year was a complete 180. Last year Natsuko sat in the corner for about 90 seconds and refused to wrestle, just to frustrate Kagetsu and basically insure not losing before the Cup of Noodles was done. This year, she charges at the bell, picks Kagetsu’s ankle and drags her to the outside. Natsuko proceeds to beat the ever loving crap out of Kagetsu.

Throwing her into chairs, hitting her with chairs, a bucket, an umbrella, hell, she even does a Kagetsu special and hangs Kagetsu from the rafters with a Blue Stars sash. Natsuko even bullied Yellow Shoes a few times, generally proving that her brawling has improved. Kagetsu really didn’t have much offense. When it got back into the ring Natsuko hit her Triple Splashes and two Guillotine Leg Drops.

However, the last Leg Drop seemed to piss off Kagetsu. So Kagetsu fires up, rag dolls Natsuko a little by the hair, and hits a Death Valley Driver for the pinfall. After the match, Kagetsu puts over Natsuko a bit and they have an embrace showing that Kagetsu is a little proud of Natsuko.

Now on https://t.co/q8dHnF58vW from Shinkiba! It's Oedo Tai vs Oedo Tai! Kagetsu vs Natsuko Tora from night 2 of the 5★STAR GP2019! pic.twitter.com/WoKauNTBTG

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) August 22, 2019

Bea Priestley vs Konami – Aside from wrestling recently, these two don’t have much of a built in story either. Of course, Bea being the Red Belt champion makes every match matter for her. Aside from the prospect of a title shot, this ain’t much more than a normal tournament match. So hey, let’s just enjoy it, right?

Konami flies in with a Body Scissors, immediately aiming for a Knee Bar. That was Konami’s bulls-eye all match, she kept focusing strikes and submissions at Bea’s left leg. We say Ankle Locks, Knee Bars, Stretch Mufflers, all those fun moves trying to take out the leg. The attack is questionable from a logic stance since Konami’s finish focuses on the neck and arm. So it seemed a little weird to be honest.

Aside from me questioning Konami’s game plan, the match was actually well wrestled. Bea tapped into her inner Kenny Omega and hit a few Knee Strikes which I’m assuming she calls Bea Triggers. And if she doesn’t…well dammit she should, it’s right there.

Anyway, Bea kept her distance with Pump Kicks and Bea Triggers until she decided to pull out a few finish attempts. She first went for the Regal Suplex, but Konami kicked out of that. So Bea then uses an Electric Chair Suplex Hold, which thanks to the We Are Stardom Twitter, I learned is called Queen’s Landing.

So the Red Belt champion is off to a fast start and in a three way tie for the lead.

Utami Hayashishita vs Arisa Hoshiki – Arisa needs to rebound from her first loss in like 9 months. Not only so she can win the block, but being the White Belt champion, a short memory is necessary. Big Rookie is looking to keep the momentum and further display why she’s a force in Stardom after only roughly a year as a professional. Brazilian Kicks or Torture Racks?

This was well contested and might actually play a part in telling part of Arisa’s story. Everything I’ve seen of Arisa’s return, she tends to like to toy with her opponent. She smiles when she kicks them and even smiles when she gets hit back. So the sadistic/masochistic streak, doesn’t really play well in 15 minute time limit matches.

Early on, the moves seemed very telegraphed and didn’t connect very well. Arisa had a big miss on a Running Knee that Utami countered into a German Suplex, but, Arisa could’ve been aiming for Germany and looked closer to landing that. Not sure if it was just unfamiliarity or whatever, but once things spilled to the outside, there was a better flow to the match. Arisa dominated a good portion with a plethora of kick variations, even hitting her Brazilian Kick, but Utami was too close to the ropes and got her foot up.

Utami really leaned on the Sleeper Hold and Sleeper Hip Toss Takeovers towards the end of the match, which was her calling card set up to the Torture Rack when she was first on the roster. This was no different, 2 Sleeper Takeovers into a Torture Rack, flourished with the Spin Out Torture Rack Bomb. Big Rookie picks up another 2 points, but definitely looked like that was no easy win. Solid, but the early goings did hurt the match.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

Well this wasn’t as good as the first day, but it was still pretty good. Even though I was a little disappointed with Andras and Jamie, the rest of Blue Stars was solid. Hell, Bea surprised the hell out of me in her match, so that’s always fun.

There is definitely a line being drawn between the three leaders and the rest of the block. But you have to assume Kagetsu will stay close and Arisa will put together a few wins, if for no other reason then the fact she’s the White Belt champion. Natsuko also looks like she will be a dangerous spoiler in this tournament.

Things are shaping up nicely for some interesting days.

Blue Stars Standings:

• Jamie Hayter 2-0 ( 4 Points)
• Utami Hayashishita 2-0 (4 Points)
• Bea Priestley 2-0 (4 Points)
• Konami 1-1 (2 Points)
• Kagetsu 1-1 (2 Points)
• Natsuko Tora 0-1 (0 Points)
• Jungle Kyona 0-1 (0 Points)
• Arisa Hoshiki 0-2 (0 Points)
• Andras Miyagi 0-2 (0 Points)