Japanese all-women’s promotion Stardom have announced their two pre-show matches for New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom event.
In the first of two tag team matches, company ace Mayu Iwatani teams with former stablemate turned rival Tam Nakano against Giulia and Syuri of the Donna del Mundo (DDM) faction.
The remaining three members of DDM, Himeka, Maika and recent recruit Natsupoi, will battle against the Queen’s Quest trio of Saya Kamitani, AZM and current World of Stardom champion Utami Hayashishita in the promotion’s second showcase match.
新日本プロレス
2021年1月5日（火）東京ドーム
🔷スターダム提供試合
岩谷麻優&中野たむ vs
ジュリア&朱里
◆スターダム提供試合
林下詩美&上谷沙弥&AZM vs
舞華&ひめか&なつぽいこの2試合が午後4時から始まります pic.twitter.com/DOn5DDSNwo
— スターダム✪STARDOM (@wwr_stardom) December 26, 2020
Bushiroad, the parent company of New Japan Pro Wrestling, purchased Stardom in 2019 and as such, the group were showcased at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom event earlier in 2020.
The match itself was another tag team affair, pitting Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki against Giulia and the late Hana Kimura.
The contest was unable to be broadcast via New Japan’s streaming service, New Japan World, due to each company’s respective television rights.
In Japan, Stardom currently airs on Tokyo MX and BS Nippon TV, whereas New Japan is broadcast via TV-Asahi, who are co-owners of the company’s streaming service.
It is expected that the same obstacles may prevent these matches from being distributed alongside the remainder of the Wrestle Kingdom card.
However, Stardom will have a presence of sorts on the main card, with Bea Priestley likely to be ringside for matches involving her Empire teammates, Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb.