It’s match season in Japan, and the very best ladies’s wrestling match in all {of professional} wrestling is coming—5STAR Grand Prix 2023.

The 2023 5STAR Grand Prix formally kicks off on July 23 inside Ota Ward and can end up on September 30 on the Yokohama Budokan. The match will transfer down from the 26 members it had a yr in the past and return to the normal 20-person, two-block format that they utilized in 2021, and NJPW has used numerous instances for the G1 Climax.

In some ways, the 5STAR Grand Prix has taken over what the G1 Climax as soon as was as that match continues to develop, the GP options the very best of the very best with a lot of deserving names lacking their alternative to compete. That’s how stacked it’s this yr.

2023 has been an attention-grabbing yr for STARDOM following their most spectacular yr ever in 2022. This yr has featured STARDOM’s greatest present of all time, All Star Grand Queendom, and had worldwide celebrity Mercedes Moné compete at that very present.

STARDOM additionally noticed the second-ever two-time Cinderella Match winner in MIRAI and the second-ever Double Champion topped as Tam Nakano shockingly beat Giulia in the principle occasion of All Star Grand Queendom then defeated Mina Shirakawa to win the Marvel of Stardom Championship for the second time. Oh, and as we head into the match, we’ll have 4 prime singles champions with Tam Nakano, MIRAI, Mayu Iwatani, and Giulia all holding singles titles that might issue into some attention-grabbing tales on the conclusion of the GP.

There’s a very good probability that due to Moné’s look within the promotion,. many new followers will likely be testing this match for the primary time so we made positive to have the whole lot you’ll have to do heading into the premier two-month occasion.

Beneath is your full information to 5STAR Grand Prix 2023, that includes every competitor and champion within the blocks, the complete schedule, stats, details, tales to know, favorites, darkhorses, and the important matches to take a look at because the match begins.

5STAR Grand Prix 2023 Blocks

RED STARS BLOCK

• Tam Nakano (World of Stardom Champion)
• Mayu Iwatani (IWGP Girls’s Champion)
• Saya Kamitani
• Syuri
• Suzu Suzuki
• Starlight Child
• Natsupoi
• Hazuki
• Natsuko Tora
• Ami Sourei

BLUE STARS BLOCK

• Giulia (STRONG Girls’s Champion)
• Utami Hayashishita
• Maika
• Saori Anou*
• Momo Watanabe
• MIRAI (Marvel of Stardom Champion)
• AZM
• Mina Shirakawa
• Mariah Might*
• Hanan

* First time entrants

5STAR Grand Prix 2023 Schedule

July 23 (LIVE)

RED STARS

• Ami Sourei vs. Natsuko Tora
• Natsupoi vs. Starlight Child
• Syuri vs. Suzu Suzuki
• Mayu Iwatani vs. Hazuki
• Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani

BLUE STARS

• Maika vs. Hanan
• AZM vs. Mariah Might
• MIRAI vs. Momo Watanabe
• Utami Hayashishita vs. Mina Shirakawa
• Giulia vs. Saori Anou

July 29

BLUE STARS

• Saori Anou vs. Mariah Might
• Giulia vs. Hanan
• MIRAI vs. Mina Shirakawa

July 30

RED STARS

• Saya Kamitani vs. Natsuko Tora
• Suzu Suzuki vs. Natsupoi

BLUE STARS

August 5

RED STARS

• Suzu Suzuki vs. Starlight Child

BLUE STARS

• Saori Anou vs. Maika
• MIRAI vs. AZM

August 6

RED STARS

• Tam Nakano vs. Hazuki
• Syuri vs. Natsuko Tora

BLUE STARS

• Saori Anou vs. AZM
• Mina Shirakawa vs. Hanan

August 8

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Suzu Suzuki
• Syuri vs. Natsupoi

BLUE STARS

• Maika vs. Momo Watanabe
• Giulia vs. Mariah Might

August 10

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Natsupoi
• Saya Kamitani vs. Ami Sourei
• Suzu Suzuki vs. Natsuko Tora

August 12

BLUE STARS

• Utami Hayashishita vs. Saori Anou
• Giulia vs. Mina Shirakawa
• AZM vs. Hanan

August 13 (LIVE)

RED STARS

• Starlight Child vs. Natsuko Tora

August 15

RED STARS

• Tam Nakano vs. Mayu Iwatani
• Saya Kamitani vs. Natsupoi
• Syuri vs. Hazuki

BLUE STARS

• Utami Hayashishita vs. AZM
• Saori Anou vs. Momo Watanabe
• Mina Shirakawa vs. Mariah Might

August 20

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Natsuko Tora
• Hazuki vs. Ami Sourei

August 26

RED STARS

• Tam Nakano vs. Natsuko Tora
• Saya Kamitani vs. Starlight Child

BLUE STARS

• Giulia vs. MIRAI
• Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika

August 27

RED STARS

• Natsupoi vs. Natsuko Tora
• Ami Sourei vs. Starlight Child

BLUE STARS

• Saori Anou vs. Hanan
• Momo Watanabe vs. Mariah Might

September 2

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Ami Sourei

BLUE STARS

• Giulia vs. Momo Watanabe
• Mina Shirakawa vs. AZM
• Utami Hayashishita vs. Mariah Might

September 3 (LIVE)

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri
• Saya Kamitani vs. Hazuki
• Tam Nakano vs. Starlight Child

BLUE STARS

• Utami Hayashishita vs. Momo Watanabe

September 9

RED STARS

• Tam Nakano vs. Suzu Suzuki
• Syuri vs. Saya Kamitani
• Starlight Child vs. Hazuki

BLUE STARS

• Giulia vs. Maika
• Saori Anou vs. MIRAI

September 16

RED STARS

• Tam Nakano vs. Ami Sourei
• Hazuki vs. Natsupoi

BLUE STARS

September 17

RED STARS

• Suzu Suzuki vs. Ami Sourei

BLUE STARS

• Hanan vs. Momo Watanabe
• MIRAI vs. Mariah Might

September 18

RED STARS

BLUE STARS

• Mina Shirakawa vs. Momo Watanabe

September 20

RED STARS

BLUE STARS

• Giulia vs. AZM
• Utami Hayashishita vs. MIRAI
• Maika vs. Mariah Might

September 23

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Saya Kamitani
• Hazuki vs. Suzu Suzuki

BLUE STARS

September 24

RED STARS

BLUE STARS

• Utami Hayashishita vs. Hanan

September 30 (LIVE)

RED STARS

• Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Child
• Saya Kamitani vs. Suzu Suzuki
• Tam Nakano vs. Natsupoi
• Syuri vs. Ami Sourei
• Hazuki vs. Natsuko Tora

BLUE STARS

• Giulia vs. Utami Hayashishita
• MIRAI vs. Maika
• AZM vs. Momo Watanabe
• Hanan vs. Mariah Might
• Mina Shirakawa vs. Saori Anou

FINAL

• Pink Stars Winner vs. Blue Stars Winner

NOTABLE STATS & FACTS HEADING INTO 2023 TOURNAMENT

• Yuzuki Aikawa gained the first-ever 5STAR Grand Prix in 2012.
• There has by no means been a two-time winner within the historical past of the match
• Utami Hayashishita, Mayu Iwatani, Syuri, and Giulia are all former winners
• Toni Storm is the one wrestler in STARDOM historical past to win the Cinderella Match and 5STAR Grand Prix in the identical yr
• In 5STAR Grand Prix historical past, solely 4 of 11 winners have gone on to win the championship they’ve determined to problem for with the win, together with the final three winners—Utami Hayashishita, Syuri, and Giulia
• Out of the primary 11 winners, 9 of them challenged for the World of Stardom Championship
  • Io Shirai used her match win to problem for the Goddess of Stardom Championship in 2014
  • Mayu Iwatani used her match win to problem for the Marvel of Stardom Championship in 2018
• Utami Hayashishita and Yoko Bito are the one members in 5STAR Grand Prix historical past to be runner-up one yr and win the match in one other
• No different runner-ups have ever gone on to win
• Yoko Bito is the one wrestler to be within the finals back-to-back years, successful in 2016 and dropping in 2017
• Mayu Iwatani has essentially the most matches in match historical past with 67. In these matches, she has a document of 39-22-6.
• The final three winners (Utami Hayashishita, Syuri, and Giulia) all wrestled to a draw of their first match of the ultimate night time, happening to compete within the finals in a while

STARDOM STORIES, NOTES TO KNOW

• Utami Hayashishita left Queen’s Quest to the remainder of the group as she took a visit to America to get herself again on monitor as a singles competitor—having not held championship gold since Stardom Dream Queendom 2021
  • She has had three distinctive singles matches in GCW whereas additionally coaching with WWE’s Natalya and Io Shirai (aka IYO SKY)
  • Queen’s Quest has struggled with out Utami Hayashishita, dropping all their matches since
• The Generational Battle will proceed within the match with the third collection of matches approaching September 9 inside Korakuen Corridor
  • The veteran technology of Mayu Iwatani, Tam Nakano, Giulia, and Tam Nakano lead the collection 1-0-1 over the youthful technology (Suzu Suzuki, Maika, MIRAI, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita)
  • The three matches of the third Technology Battle collection to know on September 9 are as follows:
    • Tam Nakano vs. Suzu Suzuki
    • Syuri vs. Saya Kamitani
    • Giulia vs. Maika
• Maika has been practically unbeatable this yr however got here up brief towards Giulia within the second Generational Battle Match. She has a reference to Suzu Suzuki and Mei Seira that has led to her standing in Donna del Mondo in query.
  • Giulia and Maika face off on September 9
• Mayu Iwatani and Starlight Child will renew their troubled relationship on the ultimate night time of the 5STAR Grand Prix (Sep. 30).
  • This can mark the third yr in a row that they compete towards each other on the ultimate night time
  • Child will attempt to beat Mayu Iwatani for the primary time in her profession
• Suzu Suzuki is the one wrestler on this match with no faction.
• Saori Anou and Mariah Might are first-time rivals and can match up on July 29 as Cosmic Angels and Membership Venus proceed to battle post-Mina Shirakawa and Waka Tsukiyama’s exit from the group.

5STAR Grand Prix 2023: Favorites & Darkhorses

FAVORITES

Utami Hayashishita

As increasingly time goes on, it’s starting to really feel like this yr’s match is Utami Hayashishita and everybody else.

“The Pink Queen” has spent a yr and a half getting again on monitor since dropping the World of Stardom Championship at Stardom Dream Queendom 2021. A lot of that yr and a half has included a few of the greatest losses of her profession and watching her stablemates accomplish historical past whereas she was merely a pacesetter. A loss within the semifinals of the IWGP Girls’s Championship match, dropping to Syuri for a second straight time with the World of Stardom Championship on the road and practically watching Queen’s Quest transfer on with out her. In fact, this all modified at STARDOM SUNSHINE 2023 when she pulled off her first main win in fairly a while, ensuring nobody in Queen’s Quest needed to depart the faction as she fought till the very finish contained in the Metal Cage, bloodied and all.

The second was one of many best in STARDOM’s historical past, not to mention Hayashishita’s profession. After securing that win, the whole lot felt prefer it’d be going her method shifting ahead earlier than she dropped the bombshell on her faction that she’d be taking a visit to seek out herself as a singles competitor once more. That surprisingly meant wrestling in GCW in America and having the possibility to coach with WWE’s Natalya and former two-time World of Stardom Champion Io Shirai. Now it’s all beginning to make sense.

We don’t have any thought what this new, centered model of Utami Hayashishita goes to appear like however what we do know is that the 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 goes to be the place she exhibits the world who she is as soon as once more. Nobody has ever gained the match twice however there’s all the time room for firsts. Nobody suits that invoice greater than Utami Hayashishita, who’s my private decide to win this factor and go on to have the best World of Stardom Championship reign ever. That’s proper. The Best.

Hayashishita’s rise again to the highest has been a protracted course of but when there was ever a time for her to get again to the highest of STARDOM, that is it. She’s the whole bundle and so a lot better than she was the final time she was champion. It’s time.

Saya Kamitani

Would it not be loopy for STARDOM to go proper again to Saya Kamitani after she set a document because the Marvel of Stardom Championship? I don’t suppose so. And proper now, she’s the favourite within the Pink Stars Block.

“The Golden Phoenix” has develop into the most effective on this planet in two years’ time, going from a wrestler who appeared uncertain of herself to a wrestler who’s keen to do something to stroll out as champion—and as a rule make it look nice whereas doing so. Kamitani and Hayashishita develop into an extremely intriguing closing based mostly on this yr alone. The doubts of each other resulting in the last word embrace on the conclusion of the Metal Cage Match… there’s a narrative to be instructed.

In any case, the final time they confronted off one-on-one, it was Kamitani who obtained the victory over Utami Hayashishita at Stardom World Climax 2022 to defend her Marvel of Stardom Championship. The win looks like one the place Kamitani solely elevated extra as champion in the meantime Hayashishita appeared for solutions all of the extra.

When Kamitani lastly misplaced the Marvel of Stardom Championship towards Mina Shirakawa at All Star Grand Queendom, it was a second the place she didn’t really feel like a loser however she had come to the tip of an all-time run and it was time to maneuver on. What does shifting on appear like? The World of Stardom Championship.

Establishing a possible Kamitani vs. Hayashishita and even Maika closing feels becoming and performs to what STARDOM has constructed to over the previous couple of years. The Golden Technology is one wrestler down with Himeka having retired earlier this yr so wouldn’t or not it’s proper if we had our first Golden Technology closing since 2020—when Hayashishita defeated Himeka.

Possibly essentially the most attention-grabbing remark from Kamitani heading into the match is the concept of turning into STARDOM’s subsequent ace and it’s by defeating the earlier technology.

“I wish to defeat the earlier champions and show that I’m the unwavering ace of Stardom,” Kamitani instructed Tokyo Sports activities relating to her 5STAR matches with Mayu Iwatani and Syuri.

The battle of the brand new ace within the finals between “The Golden Phoenix” and “The Pink Queen” feels too good. Queen’s Quest on prime.

This Generational Battle has develop into the overarching story of STARDOM and the 5STAR Grand Prix appears to be like like one other degree to it with all of it closing at Stardom Dream Queendom 2023. Tam Nakano and Kamitani have the historical past becoming of that year-end essential occasion. They’ve already teased it… perhaps it’s time to make it actuality.

Maika

Dominance might be described in some ways. Successful titles, successful tournaments, or just simply successful.

Maika has had all kinds of dominance this yr, hardly ever dropping and as a rule getting the wins due to her devastating Michinoku Driver II. Should you didn’t know higher, you’d suppose Maika is gearing up for the run of her profession. She’s been nothing wanting good in her profession, however 2023 has proven that she has a degree of greatness in her that she’s attempting to point out to the world.

Possibly it’s as a result of her tag staff accomplice and different half Himeka retired that she’s had a willpower like by no means earlier than. Possibly it’s as a result of she’s had sufficient of the key title losses. Or perhaps she’s simply able to take the subsequent step.

It was within the second Generational Battle match that Maika lastly slipped up, dropping to Giulia as the ultimate two left within the match. She was indignant, fed up, and knew she wanted to maintain enhancing. It was Suzu Suzuki, Maika’s new ally who pushed her after the match questioning her loss and Maika responded by saying they’d meet within the finals of the 5STAR Grand Prix and that actually isn’t out of the realm of prospects.

Even when Maika comes up brief within the 5STAR Grand Prix, this match goes to be crucial interval of her profession as she not solely appears to be like to develop however appears to be like to determine who she’ll be from right here on out. The reference to Donna del Mondo in addition to Suzu Suzuki and Mei Seira is a narrative we’re all taking note of for good cause. Win or lose for Maikaa, we must always have that reply by the tip of it.

If Utami Hayashishita wasn’t in her block, she’d be the heavy favourite for the Blue Stars.

DARKHORSES

Suzu Suzuki

Suzu Suzuki is the one. Effectively, she will likely be. And the very fact we’re speaking a few 20-year-old who simply signed with the corporate as a attainable winner tells you all that you must learn about her potential.

Suzuki was a win away from making it to the finals of the 2022 5STAR Grand Prix earlier than going to a draw with eventual winner Giulia. She as a substitute settled for successful the Artist of Stardom Titles with PROMINENCE earlier than dropping these belts at All Star Grand Queendom earlier this yr. From that second, Suzuki turned a full-time member of the STARDOM roster and has been in purgatory ready to seek out a chance—she discovered one herself.

Due to the place the story has gone, it’d be straightforward to overlook that the Generational Battle was began by Suzu Suzuki and he or she’s constantly been the one poking to maintain the youthful technology within the recreation. She immediately jumped over AZM and Starlight Child in STARDOM which must be an indication of issues to return very, very quickly.

If STARDOM wished to make a brand new face of their firm immediately, Suzu Suzuki successful this match and beating anybody in that closing is the best way to do it. Followers know she’s going to be an simple star, it’s only a matter of when.

The 2023 5STAR Grand Prix can very nicely be when. She’ll be on the prime of STARDOM—and wrestling—for years to return.

Giulia

Why not Giulia?

The reigning 5STAR Grand Prix winner and former World of Stardom Champion enters 5STAR Grand Prix 2023 as a former World of Stardom Champion, holding the title for such a brief interval earlier than Tam Nakano defeated her for it. Getting again to the World of Stardom Championship needs to be a part of Giulia’s journey, however is it the journey proper now for the STRONG Girls’s Champion? Maybe not with an inevitable matchup towards Mercedes Moné coming, however a significant, closing match between Giulia and Tam Nakano at Stardom Dream Queendom 2023 doesn’t really feel out of the realm of prospects.

Understandably so, Giulia successful back-to-back is tough to consider. However with MIRAI having simply executed it with the Cinderella Match plus that it actually looks like a yr that we do lastly see a two-time winner, the Donna del Mondo successful feels all too proper.

Matching up with Utami Hayashishita in a first-time-ever singles match on the ultimate night time of the GP tells me that one in every of them will advance to the ultimate. It’s why Giulia no less than deserves some credit score this yr. She is a celebrity who solely continues to look at her star rise.

Mina Shirakawa

Mina Shirakawa has unfinished enterprise with Tam Nakano after dropping the Marvel of Stardom Championship in a Double Championship match and it positive looks like she must win the 5STAR Grand Prix if she desires redemption.

What has develop into a matter of reality is that the 5STAR Grand Prix, in some ways, has develop into Shirakawa’s match. The Membership Venus chief has utilized the match to enhance every yr with 2022 being the largest. That win within the match over Saya Kamitani catapulted her to a championship match, the second that made her, and one closing title match to develop into Marvel of Stardom Champion.

Getting into the 2023 Grand Prix, she’s a distinct wrestler than ever earlier than and he or she’s decided to get again to the highest of STARDOM. She’s been flawless in nearly all of her main matches since final yr’s 5STAR and he or she’s solely an choice for MVP this upcoming yr, however an choice to win the entire thing.

Possibly her Marvel of Stardom Championship win was extra for the second than a reign, however so far as anybody must be involved, she’s a star due to it. Nobody anticipated her to ever win the Marvel of Stardom Championship and he or she did. Possibly the 5STAR Grand Prix is her subsequent method of proving everybody unsuitable and getting that payback towards Tam Nakano too.

5 MATCHES EVERYONE SHOULD GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO SEE

Syuri vs. Suzu Suzuki (July 23)

First time ever—Syuri vs. Suzu Suzuki.

Does it get a lot better than that? No, no it doesn’t. And it will likely be one of many key matches on the opening night time of the match.

There’s a viciousness that these two wrestlers share that will likely be introduced out when the opening bell rings. Syuri has been saving up all her power this yr for this match and to suppose she is going to get to unleash that towards somebody like Suzuki who has executed the identical ought to have everybody on the sting of their seat already. Followers obtained to see somewhat little bit of what to anticipate within the Generational Battle match… it’s going to be large.

If this match had been the very best of the match till the ultimate day, I don’t suppose anybody could be too stunned.

Tam Nakano vs. Mayu Iwatani (August 15)

Tam Nakano and Mayu Iwatani go one-on-one on August 15—the primary time since Oct. 10, 2021.

It’s going to even be the primary time the World of Stardom Champion and IWGP Girls’s Champion face off in a singles match. It is a match that goes far deeper than their titles and it makes this must-see for anybody who desires to look at this match or is a fan of STARDOM.

Essentially the most thrilling side of this match comes within the type of their story. Citing that she wished to achieve Mayu Iwatani’s degree when leaving STARS to kind Cosmic Angels, Tam Nakano has by no means defeated her former chief and good friend, that means that she nonetheless hasn’t reached the identical degree as Mayu regardless of all the same accolades that they share.

In her profession, Nakano is 0-3-2 towards Iwatani in singles motion with their final two matches going to a draw. If I needed to guess, this could possibly be the exact same consequence because the earlier two matches but it surely’s going to be necessary regardless of the way you slice it.

Utami Hayashishita vs. Maika (August 26)

Searching for a match with large stakes previous to the ultimate night time of the match? Right here’s the one.

As I highlighted within the breakdown of favorites, each Utami Hayashishita and Maika enter as the highest two favorites within the Pink Stars Block and this match could possibly be the decider when September 30 arrives and a winner have to be topped. Their data towards each other sit a 3-3-1, displaying how equal of rivals they’re and that this match to take the collection lead has all of the that means. Maika, nevertheless, is 2-0 towards Hayashishita within the 5STAR Grand Prix. That issues.

It’s going to be a match that has plenty of HEAVY hits and the closest of falls, however whoever walks out because the winner between Maika and Hayashishita may very nicely be those successful the block.

Saya Kamitani vs. Hazuki (September 3)

The rematch from the moment traditional Marvel of Stardom Championship match must be glorious.

Final yr’s 5STAR Grand Prix was our first probability to see Hazuki and Kamitani one-on-one and it was an ideal trace of what was to return of their title match months later. Regardless of not successful any gold this yr, Hazuki has had unbelievable match after unbelievable match. She has a motor that nobody can contact in STARDOM… besides perhaps large match Saya.

Should you’re in search of a match in the course of the match that may be a 5STAR greatest, that is the one to search for.

Giulia vs. Utami Hayashishita (September 30)

Giulia goes one-on-one with Utami Hayashishita. Lastly.

The ultimate night time of this yr’s match will comply with final yr’s as it’ll function what many must agree is the match of the match. Whereas they’ve been on the prime of STARDOM for 3 years now, we’ve by no means seen them face off in a singles match and it’s even been uncommon in tag staff motion. They’ve simply missed one another however that gained’t occur any longer. September 30 marks half one in every of what must be a collection of greatness between these two rockstars.

All will likely be proper if the Blue Stars Block comes all the way down to Giulia and Utami on the ultimate night time. That is STARDOM’s greatest match and we’re going to get it. Add the stakes of being the primary two-time 5STAR Grand Prix winner if both advances to the ultimate with a win (or draw) and yeah, it’ll really feel as large because the inevitable title match that’s positive to comply with someday in 2024.

Circle this, spotlight it, star it, and put together for the match of the match. It’s going to be as particular correctly.

Honorable Mentions

• Utami Hayashishita vs. Mina Shirakawa (July 23)
• Giulia vs. Maika (August 15)
• Syuri vs. Hazuki (August 15)
• Utami Hayashishita vs. Momo Watanabe (September 3)
• MIRAI vs. Maika (September 30)
• Mayu Iwatani vs. Starlight Child (September 30)
• Saya Kamitani vs. Suzu Suzuki (September 30)

5STAR Grand Prix 2023 begins July 23 at 4:00 a.m. EST on pay-per-view. Right here’s a hyperlink to comply with alongside on the match’s outcomes, up to date standings, and extra: 5★STAR 2023 Tracker

All matches will likely be made obtainable on Stardom World

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