#14 for the Wonder of Stardom Championship: Momo Watanabe (c) vs. Utami Hayashishita
Another challenge is thrown down by a champion, this time for the championship to her own protegé part of the Queen's Quest faction.
It is beyond surprising that as the leader of the faction and a class veteran of her game, Watanabe is simply 19 years old. Making her the future prospect of not just the Stardom promotion, but the women's evolution in wrestling as well. Not that Stardom needs evolutions anyway, they've been kicking doors for ages.
A top AEW star just called one of his colleagues 'spoiled' and 'narcissistic' HERE.
The excitement of this match falls to the technical piece they weave, as Momo challenges the rookie Utami to bring it to her at every turn. It's a feisty and arrogant challenge from the champion, to put down her latest shining star in the faction but she bites off more than she can chew. Utami gives chase in a match of measured counters.
Anytime Utami does get this leverage though she gets put back in her place, barely cutting off the three count with each shot and move Momo lands her way. It's brilliant to see how this big match ballad between the two places Utami front and center, for a showcase only a queen like Momo Watanabe can give her. Eventually, all is for naught as Momo goes full throttle to eke out with the win. A rematch down the line might prove different, Queen's Quest is complete for now.
Result: Hitting a Peach Sunset, Momo Watanabe picks up the win to retain her Wonder of Stardom Championship