☆ A Beginner's Guide to STARDOM ☆

So, you want to get into Stardom.

You may have questions. Do I need to know Japanese? What about time zone differences? What is their schedule? Worry not! Here are the basics to help you start watching immediately.

Note, it’d be impossible to cover the promotion’s entire history or highlight every major feud, 5-star match, or former member, but this will give you a glimpse into the current landscape.

STARDOM over the years

What is Stardom?

World Wonder Ring Stardom is an all-women’s pro wrestling company founded in 2010 by former head producer Rossy Ogawa. It was bought by Bushiroad in 2019, making it the sister promotion of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Stardom is not a part of NJPW, but the two promotions do collaborate. NJPW has two women's belts that have been defended many times at Stardom events.

Stardom showcases a much stiffer style than what you’d see in Western wrestling, but still expect all kinds of wrestling styles. Angles can range from serious, heart-wrenching storylines to outrageous and comedic antics. There's something here for everyone.

Japan mostly enforces a 20 count instead of a 10 count, as you’ll see in Stardom. Refs are less likely to call for a DQ, too, in hopes of getting a decisive ending. Matches have time limits, and an announcer will announce throughout how much time has passed or how much time is left.

Don't expect to see non-wrestling segments. Storylines are built through multi-woman tag matches, where wrestlers can cut a promo after if they see fit. They also sometimes give backstage comments after matches, uploaded to Stardom World's twitter. Wrestlers may even do kayfabe interviews with Tokyo Sports to build a feud, but segments outside the ring and events are mostly nonexistent.

How do I watch?

You’ll need a Stardom World subscription. A subscription is 920 yen, so convert that into your country's currency. (Currently under 6 USD!) With this, you'll have access to livestreams and years of archived content.

For most non-PPVs, there will be no commentary. For PPVs, there will usually be an English commentary option. Promos will not have English subtitles, though.

Schedule

Check the distribution schedule to see what's coming up and what shows will be live and which will be uploaded at a later date. Their website is, of course, in Japanese, so utilize Google Translate or other translators like DeepL. The English Twitter is also a great resource for reminders of shows coming up.

With a subscription, you can watch all non-PPVs. These shows will mostly contain multi-woman tag matches that are building towards a bigger show. However, look out for shows that take place in Korakuen Hall. These are a step above your usual non-PPV, as these usually have title matches or surprises. PPVs are where you are guaranteed multiple title defenses and big matches. However, PPVs cost extra, but they’ll be made available for all subscribers days after airing if you can wait. Sometimes shows in Korakuen Hall will be PPVs. It just depends on the magnitude of the card.

Championships

World of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (Won on December 29, 2024)

Nicknamed "The Red Belt". For simplicity's sake, this is the top championship.

Wonder of Stardom Championship: Konami (Won on November 3, 2025)

Nicknamed “The White Belt”. The Wonder and World Belts are technically equal, but the World Belt will mostly always main event over the Wonder belt. The World belt seems to be more of a skill belt, while the Wonder belt is more about passion and emotion. However, one can argue it is up to the champion to decide what the belt stands for.

Goddess of Stardom Championships: BMI2000 (Natsuko Tora and Ruaka) (Won on July 24, 2025)

Tag belts with a fancy name.

Artist of Stardom Championships: H.A.T.E. (Konami, Rina, and Fukigen Death) (Won on September 10, 2025)

Trios belts and also the most colorful straps in Stardom.

High Speed Championship: Yuna Mizumori (Won on December 24, 2025)

In the name. Expect fast-paced defenses.

Future of Stardom Championship: HANAKO (Won on September 27, 2025)

For the rookies of Stardom. Challengers must be under 20 years old or have less than 3 years of wrestling experience.

New Blood Tag Championship: Sakurara (Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurara) (Won on October 30, 2025)

Tag belts exclusively defended at New Blood shows.

IWGP Women’s Championship: Syuri (Won on October 13, 2025)

Created by NJPW, but since it is mostly chased by Stardom talent, it is included here, too.

STRONG Women's Championship: Syuri (Won on January 4, 2026)

Also a NJPW creation. There’s not really a key difference between this and the IWGP belt besides the STRONG belt was made with their STRONG series in mind (NJPW events in America).

Roster

Stardom hosts some of the most charismatic, colorful, and talented wrestlers on the planet. The promotion is built around its factions, so this is an introduction to all the unique groups, their members, and some of the tag teams. Freelance workers and wrestlers from other promotions sometimes pop, but here are the signed talent or people you’ll regularly see, and some background info, such as individual's title history.

Cosmic Angels

Overview: Very cutesy, idol-like group. Co-led by Natsupoi and Saori Anou.

• Natsupoi: When she says "Bye-Poi", just go with it. Wonder of Stardom, Artist of Stardom (x 3), Goddesses of Stardom (x2), High Speed

• Saori Anou: Wonder Of Stardom (2x), Goddesses Of Stardom, Artist Of Stardom (2x)

• Yuna Mizumori: High Speed

• Sayaka Kurara: Kurara is one of the few in Stardom's history to win two big tournaments in the same year. New Blood Tag Team, Cinderella Tournament winner, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Aya Sakura: New Blood Tag Team, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

God's Eye

Overview: A martial arts, kickboxing, heavy-hitters group led by Syuri.

• Syuri: One of the best in the world with the deadliest kicks in Stardom. World Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom (2x), IWGP Women's (2x), NJPW STRONG Women's, Artist Of Stardom (2x), 5STAR GP winner

• Ami Sohrei: Artist Of Stardom, Future Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom

• Hina: Sister of Hanan and twin sister of Rina. Future Of Stardom

• Saki Kashima: Sadly, Saki will be retiring this year. </3 So please enjoy her cowardly antics and surprise roll-up wins until then! Artist Of Stardom (5x), Goddesses Of Stardom, High Speed (2x)

• Lady C

• Tomoka Inaba: Sister of Azusa Inaba.

• Ranna Yagami

• Kiyoka Kotatsu

H.A.T.E.

Overview: Your classic, textbook heel group who doesn't care about playing by the rules. Expect to see lots of interference in their matches.

• Natsuko Tora: Leader of H.A.T.E. World Of Stardom, Artist Of Stardom (2x), Goddesses Of Stardom (2x)

• Saya Kamitani: Kamitani had such a dominant year that she was the first woman ever to win Tokyo Sports' MVP award. World Of Stardom, Wonder Of Stardom, NJPW STRONG Women's, Goddesses Of Stardom (2x), High Speed, Cinderella Tournament winner

• Konami: Wonder Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom (3x), Artist Of Stardom (3x)

• Momo Watanabe: Out with injury. Wonder Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom (3x), Artist Of Stardom (3x), 5STAR GP winner, Cinderella Tournament winner, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Ruaka: Future Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom x2

• Rina: Sister of Hanan and twin sister of Hina. She and Hina started wrestling when they were only 11 years old! Artist Of Stardom, Future Of Stardom, New Blood Tag Team

• Fukigen Death: "DEATH!" High Speed (3x), Artist Of Stardom (5x)

• Azusa Inaba: Sister of Tomoka Inaba.

Mi Vida Loca

Overview: Stardom's newest faction, created by Suzu Suzuki. They're all about intensity and being reckless in the ring.

• Suzu Suzuki: Artist Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom, 5STAR GP winner

• Bozillla: Out with injury. Tied with Hanako as Stardom's tallest wrestler, standing at 5'11.

• Rina Yamashita

• Itsuki Aoki

• Akira Kurogane

Neo Genesis

Overview: Led by Starlight Kid, this is a fun and colorful group.

• Starlight Kid: Stardom's only masked wrestler. Wonder Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom, Artist Of Stardom (x2), High Speed, Future Of Stardom, New Blood Tag Team

• Mei Seira: Goddesses Of Stardom, High Speed (2x)

• AZM: An 11 year veteran at only 23 years old! Artist Of Stardom (4x), High Speed (2x), NJPW STRONG Women's, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Miyu Amasaki: Artist Of Stardom, Future Of Stardom

STARS

Overview: Your classic baby face group. STARS is also Stardom’s oldest group, first formed in 2018 by Mayu Iwatani but now being led by Hanan.

• Hanan: Oldest sister of Hina and Rina. Also, one of the few in the promotion's history to win two big tournaments in the same year. Goddesses Of Stardom, Future Of Stardom, New Blood Tag Team, Cinderella Tournament winner, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Saya Iida: Future Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom, New Blood Tag Team, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Bea Priestley: World Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom(2x), Artist Of Stardom, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Momo Kohgo

• Yuria Hime

Faction-less Wrestlers

• Hazuki: Artist Of Stardom (4x), Goddesses Of Stardom (3x), High Speed, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Koguma: Artist Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom (3x), High Speed Championship, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Fuwa-Chan: Fuwa is Stardom's local celebrity, being a very popular comedian with a YouTube channel that has over a million subscribers. However, she's fully committed to pro wrestling now.

• Maki Itoh: Maki just joined Stardom this year! You may recognize her from TJPW or GCW.

• Kikyo Furusawa:

• Ema Maishima

• Anne Kanaya

• Matoi Hamabe

• Maika: World Of Stardom, Artist Of Stardom (3x), Future Of Stardom, Goddesses Of Stardom, 5STAR GP winner, Goddesses of Stardom Tag League winner

• Xena: Has the loudest chops in Stardom. Artist Of Stardom Championship

• HANAKO: Tied with Bozilla as Stardom's tallest wrestler at 5' 11". Future Of Stardom, New Blood Tag Team

• Waka Tsukiyama: New Blood Tag Team Championship

• Rian

Tournaments and more

Stardom has a bunch of cool events and tournaments you should know about!

The 5STAR Grand Prix: Stardom’s biggest tournament. Similar to NJPW's G1 Climax, it’s a robin-style tournament with the winner gaining a shot at the red belt. Begins around August.

Last winner: Momo Watanabe (2025)

Cinderella Tournament: The winner of this single-elimination tournament gets a wish granted, aka a title match. Also, they get to come out in a pretty dress and a crown! Starts around March.

Last winner: Sayaka Kurara (2025)

Goddesses of Stardom Tag League: Basically the 5STAR but with tag teams. Starts around November.

Last winners: Sakurara (Aya Sakura and Sayaka Kurara) (2025)

New Blood: A developmental sub-brand that usually hosts a show every other month. Veterans appear here, too. New Blood has one belt exclusive to it: the New Blood tag belts. The future belt is also defended here a lot.

Alright… Now what?

Now you watch! Stardom is surprisingly easy to jump right into. Whether you start at the latest show or go back a couple of days, you should be just fine. You’ll catch on to who has a history with whom or who has beef pretty easily as well. Stardom wrestlers are incredible storytellers, and their faces tell you all you need to know sometimes.

If you want to dip your toes in before committing, here is a list of incredible matches that have taken place recently:

• Hazuki vs. Mei Seira - January 11, 2026

• Saori Anou vs. Saya Kamitani - December 29, 2025

• Natsupoi vs. Sareee December 29, 2025

• Hazuki vs. Koguma - October 11, 2025

• Starlight Kid vs. Tomoka Inaba - September 06, 2025

• AZM vs. Momo Watanabe - August 23, 2025

• AZM vs. Saya Kamitani - August 20, 2025

• Natsupoi vs. Saya Kamitani - July 21, 2025

• Sareee vs. Syuri June 21, 2025 (!!)

• Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano - April 27, 2025 (!!!!)

• AZM vs. Starlight Kid - April 27, 2025

• Mei Seira vs. Suzu Suzuki - April 27, 2025

• Rina vs. Starlight Kid - February 24, 2025

• AZM, Miyu Amasaki & Starlight Kid vs. Natsupoi, Saori Anou & Tam Nakano - February 2, 2025

Stardom’s YouTube channel regularly uploads matches, highlights, and fun clips as well.

Hopefully, now you are well-equipped to dive into Stardom. Believe now! Shine tomorrow! We are STARDOM!

Saya Kamitani the Phenex Queen

Note from the Author ♡

This guide will be updated every few months! It is updated as of January 21, 2025. If you're a new fan and found this useful at all, let me know how your journey goes! DM me on Twitter (Cosmicadri_) if you have any questions too, and I’ll be happy to help. Bye-Poi!