[2015-07-26-Stardom] Kairi Hojo vs Meiko Satomura

[JAC]

This was a really great follow-up to the previous month's match. Survival alone will not be good enough; Hojo needs a win to prove herself after barely surviving the last time these to met.

 

Even against a dangerous and vastly more experienced opponent, Hojo tries to wrestle like an ace, going toe-to-toe with Satomura. Notwithstanding a bad right arm that's been her Achilles' heel since winning the title, Hojo gives it her all and, at one point, is a single flying elbow away from successfully defending the Red Belt. But Satomura is like a force of nature. Hojo tries to weather the storm, but Satomura beats her down until she can't kick out anymore.

 

Hojo put on a great and fearless performance in this match, looking incredibly tough and full of heart in a losing effort. Satomura is her usual self. One of the great spots in the match comes when the two of them are fighting in the stands at Korakuen. Hojo goes for her running spear by Satomura outright blocks it as if she were the Immovable Object. Yet Hojo doesn't give up, and comes back to hit a flying elbow smash off of the balcony over the stairwell.

 

Kudos to Hojo for showing growth in the loss. I anticipate the day when Hojo finally manages to defeat Satomura-that will be a match worth watching. As for this match, it was a great performance all around. Check it out!