Stardom crowns winner of 5 Star Grand Prix 2025
Momo Watanabe has won the 5 Star Grand Prix.
She defeated AZM in the finals of the tournament on Saturday, which was held in Ota, Tokyo. With the win, Watanabe earns the right to challenge for the World of Stardom Championship, currently held by Saya Kamitani.
Watanabe said after her win (via Google Translate):
“Momo Watanabe is the champion! Finally winning on my ninth appearance. To all the jerks who’ve been supporting Momo Watanabe, I kept you waiting, huh? To all the belt holders around the world, get ready because this Momo Watanabe is coming for you. From now on, it’s the era of Momo Watanabe!”
The tournament used a format similar to this year’s G1, with three wrestlers from each block advancing to the knockout round. Watanabe had the fewest points of any wrestler to advance, finishing third in the Blue Stars B Block with 8 points off a 4-3 record. She defeated Ami Sohrei in the first knockout round, Sareee in the quarterfinals, and Saori Anou in the semifinals before defeating AZM in the finals.
This was the 14th edition of the tournament. No wrestler has won the tournament more than once. Former winners include Maika, Suzu Suzuki, Giulia, Syuri, Utami Hayashishita, Hana Kimura, Mayu Iwatani, Toni Storm, Yoko Bito, Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky, Nanae Takahashi, and Yuzuki Aikawa.