World Wonder Ring Stardom (often simply referred to as Stardom) is a Japanese joshi puroresu (women's professional wrestling) organization founded in 2010. Purchased in 2019 by Japanese card game company Bushiroad, it is now considered a sister promotion to fellow Bushiroad promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling. Since pre-pandemic in 2019, Stardom has been gaining in popularity domestically and internationally and has moved from 6th to 2nd in attendance among all Japanese pro wrestling promotions. In this thread we hope to provide a base for discussion of Stardom and it's performers as well as discussion of any other joshi wrestlers and promotions.
First, a little about Stardom. Much of this is adopted from the excellent guide on the r/stardomjoshi subreddit: Beginners Guide to Stardom 2022
Once you've decided to take the next step in your Stardom journey, the next step is a subscription to Stardom World, their premium subscription service where all of the Stardom events are posted. For 920 yen per month (charged on the 1st of the month regardless of when you sign up, so be sure to sign up early in the month to maximize your value), you have access to all events within days of their live date (with the exception of some pay per view events, which can take up to a week to be uploaded). The website unfortunately is only in Japanese, but signing up is easy if you use a web translation (like Google Chrome) and you can make automatic payments. The streaming quality is solid, but be aware that most of the events will be untranslated from Japanese without English commentary (with the exception of some promos which will have English subtitles) and many of the non-televised live events are less produced than many Western wrestling promotion shows you may be familiar with. These are still very watchable, however, and feature some great wrestling! The previous shows remain archived as well, so you can go back to check out historic matchups anytime!
Pay per views are offered via a website called PIA with links active to purchase a few days before the event on the order of ~$30USD. Follow the official Stardom Twitter account for these links as the show approaches. Typically the link once purchased is active for several days and then uploaded to Stardom World for all subscribers with English subtitles added for promos.
The 5Star Grand Prix: Similar to the G1 Climax in NJPW, a round robin tournament with two blocks and winner of each block meeting in the finals. Winner goes on to face the World of Stardom champion in a major PPV.
The Goddesses of Stardom Tag League: Similar format to the 5Star Grand Prix, but with tag teams.
Triangle Derby: New for 2023, a tournament focusing on trios tag matches.
Dream Queendom: Since 2021, this annual PPV has been Stardom's version of Wrestle Kingdom or Wrestlemania, occurring in late December and wrapping up the year's major storylines and featuring the biggest World of Stardom title match.
Stardom has 8 current titles. Here are the current champions with a brief description of what distinguishes the belts:
First, a little about Stardom. Much of this is adopted from the excellent guide on the r/stardomjoshi subreddit: Beginners Guide to Stardom 2022
How do I start watching?
An excellent starting point is the Stardom Official youtube account, which often posts promos and select matches. This is an easy way to get some exposure to the varied styles found within Stardom as well as get a sense for the range of characters found within the promotion.Once you've decided to take the next step in your Stardom journey, the next step is a subscription to Stardom World, their premium subscription service where all of the Stardom events are posted. For 920 yen per month (charged on the 1st of the month regardless of when you sign up, so be sure to sign up early in the month to maximize your value), you have access to all events within days of their live date (with the exception of some pay per view events, which can take up to a week to be uploaded). The website unfortunately is only in Japanese, but signing up is easy if you use a web translation (like Google Chrome) and you can make automatic payments. The streaming quality is solid, but be aware that most of the events will be untranslated from Japanese without English commentary (with the exception of some promos which will have English subtitles) and many of the non-televised live events are less produced than many Western wrestling promotion shows you may be familiar with. These are still very watchable, however, and feature some great wrestling! The previous shows remain archived as well, so you can go back to check out historic matchups anytime!
Pay per views are offered via a website called PIA with links active to purchase a few days before the event on the order of ~$30USD. Follow the official Stardom Twitter account for these links as the show approaches. Typically the link once purchased is active for several days and then uploaded to Stardom World for all subscribers with English subtitles added for promos.
When should I start watching?
Right now! Stardom's main storylines reset after Dream Queendom in late December, so all new storylines are beginning now in early 2023. Do I need to understand Japanese?
Not at all. While Stardom shows rarely have English commentary (although Bushiroad has mentioned this as a possibility in the future), most of the important pre and post-match promos are subtitled when they arrive on Stardom World. The storylines are also fairly easy to understand with most of the storytelling being via in-ring performance and nonverbal communication. There are also resources of fan translations for press conferences that can be found if you follow @ItsDanaNow on Twitter or visit their blog at Shine Today, Believe TomorrowHow does the schedule work?
Stardom does not have regularly scheduled weekly shows. Rather, they typically run shows on weekends and holidays, averaging 8 or 9 per month. There are also big events with more championship matches and built-up matches that are often televised specials or on pay per view, and these average at least one per month. There are also several major shows per year, for example Dream Queendom, which has occurred in late December since 2021 and is the culmination of the year's biggest storylines and the Historic X-Over event which was the first combined show with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2022. You can find the official Stardom schedule here.Major Events
The Cinderella Tournament: An elimination tournament in which the winner gets to challenge for any title. 10 minute time limit with over the top rope elimination.The 5Star Grand Prix: Similar to the G1 Climax in NJPW, a round robin tournament with two blocks and winner of each block meeting in the finals. Winner goes on to face the World of Stardom champion in a major PPV.
The Goddesses of Stardom Tag League: Similar format to the 5Star Grand Prix, but with tag teams.
Triangle Derby: New for 2023, a tournament focusing on trios tag matches.
Dream Queendom: Since 2021, this annual PPV has been Stardom's version of Wrestle Kingdom or Wrestlemania, occurring in late December and wrapping up the year's major storylines and featuring the biggest World of Stardom title match.
Let's talk titles!
Stardom has 8 current titles. Here are the current champions with a brief description of what distinguishes the belts:
World of Stardom Championship
Also referred to as the Red Belt, this title is given to a performer with great technique, generally considered to be the best in-ring wrestler in the company.
Current Champion: Giulia since 12/29/22
Wonder of Stardom Championship
Also referred to as the Red Belt, this title is given to a performer with great technique, generally considered to be the best in-ring wrestler in the company.
Current Champion: Giulia since 12/29/22
Wonder of Stardom Championship
Also referred to as the White Belt, this title can often be featured just as prominently as the Red Belt and features dramatic and emotionally charged matchups
Current Champion: Saya Kamitani since 12/29/2021
Goddess of Stardom Championship
Awarded to the best 2 person tag team
Current Champions: 7Upp (Nanae Takahashi and Yuu) since 12/29/22
Artist of Stardom Championship
Awarded to the best 3 person tag team
Current champions: Prominence (Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki and Kurumi Hiragi) since 12/29/22
High Speed Championship
Midcard title awarded to fast paced wrestlers with matches that are typically sprints
Current Champion: AZM (pronounced Ah-Zoom-Mi) since 2/23/22
Future of Stardom Championship
Rookie level title reserved for wrestlers under 20 yrs old or <3 years experience
Current Champion: Ami Sourei since 10/19/22
IWGP Women's Championship
Technically a shared title with NJPW, awarded to KAIRI at the Historic X-Over show following a tourney. Intended for defense internationally
Goddess of Stardom Championship
Awarded to the best 2 person tag team
Current Champions: 7Upp (Nanae Takahashi and Yuu) since 12/29/22
Artist of Stardom Championship
Awarded to the best 3 person tag team
Current champions: Prominence (Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki and Kurumi Hiragi) since 12/29/22
High Speed Championship
Midcard title awarded to fast paced wrestlers with matches that are typically sprints
Current Champion: AZM (pronounced Ah-Zoom-Mi) since 2/23/22
Future of Stardom Championship
Rookie level title reserved for wrestlers under 20 yrs old or <3 years experience
Current Champion: Ami Sourei since 10/19/22
IWGP Women's Championship
Technically a shared title with NJPW, awarded to KAIRI at the Historic X-Over show following a tourney. Intended for defense internationally
Current Champion: KAIRI since 11/20/22
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SWA World Championship
Highlighting international reach of Stardom, special rule in place that it has to be contested by 2 wrestlers from different nationalities. Currently vacant since 11/3/22 and unclear if it will be active since birth of IWGP Women's Championship
Factions
Much like NJPW, Stardom's roster is largely divided into factions of wrestlers with similar styles or goals that work and train together to push each other to success. Many of these factions (and by extension, wrestlers) do not fit cleanly into Western wrestling ideas of "face" or "heel" personas, instead focusing on feuds built around wrestlers vying for the same goals or relationships. Except Oeda Tai, they're totally heels. Alliances change often, current factions include:
SWA World Championship
Highlighting international reach of Stardom, special rule in place that it has to be contested by 2 wrestlers from different nationalities. Currently vacant since 11/3/22 and unclear if it will be active since birth of IWGP Women's Championship
Factions
Cosmic Angels
Members: Tam Nakano, Unagi Sayaka, Mina Shirakawa, Waka Tsukiyama, Saki, Hikari Shimizu, Yuko Sakurai, Natsupoi
Club Venus
Current members: Mina Shirakawa, Xia Brookside, Mariah May
Donna Del Mondo
Current members: Giulia, Maika, Himeka, Thekla, Mai Sakurai
God's Eye
Current members: Syuri, Mirai, Ami Sourei, Konami, Tomoka Inaba, Nanami
Neo Stardom Army
Current members: Nanae Takahashi, Yuu, Yuna Manase
Oeda Tai
Members: Tam Nakano, Unagi Sayaka, Mina Shirakawa, Waka Tsukiyama, Saki, Hikari Shimizu, Yuko Sakurai, Natsupoi
Club Venus
Current members: Mina Shirakawa, Xia Brookside, Mariah May
Donna Del Mondo
Current members: Giulia, Maika, Himeka, Thekla, Mai Sakurai
God's Eye
Current members: Syuri, Mirai, Ami Sourei, Konami, Tomoka Inaba, Nanami
Neo Stardom Army
Current members: Nanae Takahashi, Yuu, Yuna Manase
Oeda Tai
Current members: Starlight Kid, Momo Watanabe, Saki Kashima, Natsuko Toro, Ruaka, Rina , Fukigen Death, Haruka Umesaki
Prominence
Current members: Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki, Akane Fujita, Mochi Natsumi, Hiragi Kurumi
Queen's Quest
Current members: Utami Hayashishita, AZM, Saya Kamitani, Lady C, Hina, Miyu Amasaki
Stars
Current members: Mayu Iwatani, Saya Iida, Hanan, Koguma, Hazuki, Momo Kohgo
Can you recommend some matches?
The excellent members of the r/stardomjoshi subreddit have been maintaining a Google docs guide to some great matches found on Stardom World that is updated all the way through 12/24/22. It can be found here. I would also highly recommend from the most recent major PPV (Dream Queendom II on 12/29/2022) the World of Stardom title match between Giulia and Syuri (former stablemates turned competitive rivals) and the match between KAIRI and Utami Hayashishita.
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