Stardom announces big title match for recently returned star
Utami Hayashishita is officially back on the Stardom roster — and she has a big title match coming up before the end of June.
After returning last month, Stardom held a June 22 press conference where Hayashishita was welcomed back to Stardom and received a Stardom track jacket from company president Taro Okada. It was also announced that Hayashishita will challenge Suzu Suzuki for the World of Stardom Championship at Korakuen Hall on June 30, with the new champion Suzuki crashing Hayashishita’s press conference as she looks to kick off her title reign with a bang.
Suzuki defeated Sayaka Kurara over the weekend to win the World of Stardom Championship, which is the top prize in the promotion. It’s her first reign holding the red-colored belt.
The Stardom event that took place on Saturday also included an eight-woman tag match where Hayashishita pinned top star Saya Kamitani, potentially setting up a future title match between them if Hayashishita is able to win the championship from Suzuki.
Utami Hayashishita’s Stardom return —
On May 23, Hayashishita finished up with rival promotion Marigold before returning to Stardom just days later. She was a World Champion for Marigold and is a one-time former World of Stardom Champion.
“I used to hold the red belt myself, and I think everyone wants that belt, which is a symbol of strength and a symbol of the organization,” Hayashishita said after this upcoming match against Suzuki was announced. “I really want that belt too, so I’m really happy that I get to challenge for it.”
Suzuki pointed out how easily Hayashishita has been welcomed back into Stardom and said she wants to see the lively, fierce, and ambitious side of Hayashishita we’re used to — not the relaxed and complacent version she fears we might be getting.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
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