☆ A Beginner's Guide to STARDOM ☆

So, you want to get into Stardom.

You may ask yourself: 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 even recently created two women's belts that regularly appear at Stardom events.

Stardom showcases a much stiffer style than what you’d see in the West, but still expect all kinds of wrestling. Storylines can range from serious, heart-wrenching drama to outrageous, comedic antics. There's something for everyone.

Don't expect to see non-wrestling segments, though. Storylines are built through multi-woman tag matches, where wrestlers can cut a promo after. 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 things like backstage interviews or segments are nonexistent.

Japanese promotions mostly enforce 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.

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 be Japanese commentary, but English may be available too. Promos will not have any subtitles, though.

Schedule

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

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 set in Korakuen Hall. These are a step above your usual non-PPV shows, as they usually feature title matches or surprises. PPVs are where you are guaranteed multiple title defenses and big matches. However, these cost extra, but they’ll be made available for all subscribers a few days after airing if you can wait. Sometimes shows in Korakuen Hall will be PPVs, and sometimes they won't. It just depends on the card's magnitude.

Championships

World of Stardom Championship: Sayaka Kurara (Won on April 26, 2026)

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

Wonder of Stardom Championship: Hanan (Won on April 26, 2026)

“The White Belt”. The Wonder and World Belts are technically equal, but the World Belt will 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: 02line (AZM and Miyu Amasaki) (Won on April 26, 2026)

Tag belts with a fancy name.

Artist of Stardom Championships: God's Eye (Hina, Ami Sohrei, and Lady C) (Won on May 26, 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: Ranna Yagami (Won on March 15, 2026)

For the rookies. Challengers must be under 20 years old or have less than 3 years of wrestling experience to challenge for this title.

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

These belts are (usually) defended at New Blood shows, which will be touched upon later in this guide.

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

This belt was created by NJPW, but since it is mostly chased and held by Stardom talent, it is included here, too.

STRONG Women's Championship: Alex Windsor (Won on March 8, 206)

Also a NJPW creation. There’s not really a key difference between this and the IWGP belt besides the STRONG belt was made with NJPW's STRONG series (shows in America) in mind. You can also argue that the IWGP is a bit more prestigious.

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 up, but here are the signed talent or people you’ll regularly see.

˚₊‧꒰აCosmic Angels໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Cosmic Angels lean cutesty, idol, and ultra face. They've won Best Unit for 5 years in a row, voted by ShuPro readers! The group has been very popular since it was created by the retired Tam Nakano in 2020.

• Natsupoi: The High Speed Fairy. Co-leader with Saori Anou. When she says "Bye-Poi", just go with it.

• Saori Anou: Co-leader with Natsupoi. Saori doesn't often show emotion, but her ultra-cool aura speaks for itself.

• Yuna Mizumori: The current high-speed champion. Yuna is very recognizable because of her bright, tropical-themed gear or pale blonde hair.

• Sayaka Kurara: Kurara has been wrestling for only about two years and has somehow already captured Stardom's top prize. What the Unicorn lacks in experience, she makes up for in heart and passion. She is often compared to Tam Nakano.

• Aya Sakura: The High Kick Angel. Aya accidentally got into pro wrestling after thinking she was auditioning to play Mayu Iwatani in her biopic, but really, she was auditioning to join Stardom's dojo!

  
  

⚞ God's Eye ⚟

God's Eye is a martial arts, kickboxing, heavy-hitters group led by Syuri.

• Syuri: One of the best in the world with the deadliest kicks in Stardom. In the ring, Syuri is a beast; however, she has a surprisingly silly and goofy side that you'll see a lot.

• Ami Sohrei: Picked as the first member of God's Eye by Syuri.

• Hina: Sister of Hanan and twin sister of Rina. In the past, Hina wasn't around much as she was focused on finishing her education. She recently graduated from high school and returned with a new level of confidence that has brought her much success.

• Lady C: A former teacher, now pro wrestler, Lady C uses her height advantage as the third-tallest wrestler on the roster (5'10). She's recently won her first title since joining the promotion 5 years ago!

• Tomoka Inaba: Sister of Azusa Inaba. She is currently signed to the JTO (Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out) but pops up in Stardom regularly.

• Ranna Yagami: The current Future of Stardom champion.

• Kiyoka Kotatsu: You won't see her as regularly as the rest of the group, but Kiyoka is still an important part of God's Eye.

H.A.T.E.

Your classic, textbook heel group who doesn't care about playing by the rules. Expect to see lots of interferences, illegal weapons, and throw into chairs spots in their matches.

• Natsuko Tora: Leader of H.A.T.E.

• Saya Kamitani: Kamitani had such a dominant run last year that she was the first woman ever to win Tokyo Sports' MVP award in 2025. She's recently lost the world title and is now being revisited by an old ghost in Utami Hayashita.

• Konami: She uses her can of black spray paint to blind and humiliate her opponents during matches.

• Momo Watanabe: Out with injury.

• Ruaka: Uses a H.A.T.E-branded box during matches.

• Rina: Sister of Hanan and twin sister of Hina. She and Hina started wrestling when they were only 11 years old!

• Fukigen Death: You may not be able to tell, but Fukigen is one of Stardom's most experienced veterans. She speaks in "DEATH!" (You'll see)

• Azusa Inaba: Sister of Tomoka Inaba. She is also signed to JTO, but she frequently appears in Stardom.

• Bea Priestley: Priestley returned to Stardom last year but was a part of STARS at first. However, she's returned to her roots by turning heel and joining H.A.T.E.

Itoh Respect Gundan

WIP, sorry!

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

• Kikyo Furusawa

• Rian

  
  

✶⋆.˚ Mi Vida Loca ✶⋆.˚

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

• Suzu Suzuki: Death match afficando, now leader of Mi Vida Loca.

• Bozillla: Out with injury.

• Rina Yamashita: Also a death match legend. Rina is a freelancer but regularly appears at Stardom.

• Itsuki Aoki: Itsuki is also a freelancer who appears in Stardom.

• Akira Kurogane: The group's rookie. Made her debut in January of 2025.

⋆˚꩜｡ Neo Genesis ⋆˚꩜｡

Led by Starlight Kid, this is a fun and colorful group of young talent.

• Starlight Kid: Stardom's only masked wrestler. Founder and leader of Neo Genesis. Fans are always impressed by SLK's top rope moves and high-speed ability.

• Mei Seira: Mei also excells in high speed wrestling!

• AZM: An 11-year veteran at only 23 years old! You pronounce her name like AH-ZOO-ME.

• Miyu Amasaki: Currently one-half of the Goddess of Stardom champion.

STARS

Classic baby face group. STARS is also Stardom’s oldest group, 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.

• Saya Iida: Don't let her height (4'9) fool you, Saya is one of Stardom's most built and strongest wrestlers!

• Momo Kohgo: Stardom's peach, who takes a lot of inspiration from lucha libre.

• Yuria Hime:

Faction-less Wrestlers

(This section is a bit of a WIP, apologies!)

• Hazuki:

• Koguma:

• 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. Her main mentor is Hazuki, so the two will team up a lot.

• Ema Maishima

• Anne Kanaya

• Matoi Hamabe

• Maika:

• Xena: Has the loudest chops in Stardom.

• HANAKO: Tied with Bozilla as Stardom's tallest wrestler at 5' 11".

• Waka Tsukiyama:

• Utami Hayashishita

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: Hanan (2026)

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

Last winners: 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

• 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 (somewhat) updated as of June 03, 2026, as I am actively updating the factions section. If you found this guide useful at all, let me know how your journey goes! DM me on Twitter (Cosmicadri_) if you have any questions, and I’ll be happy to help. Bye-Poi!