There are few STARDOM wrestlers to garner more international acclaim over the last year and a half than the “High-Speed Bomb Girl” AZM. The 20-year-old wrestling prodigy drew eyes due to her athleticism and ingenuity, so much so that she impressed one Mercedes Mone, whose first request upon arriving in Japan to compete for NJPW/STARDOM was for a match against the young veteran.
At the time of this writing, AZM and Mercedes did recently meet inside the ring, with Mercedes defeating both AZM and Hazuki in a three-way match at Sakura Genesis 2023. The match garnered both women plenty of new fans, many of whom were amazed by AZM’s high-speed prowess and intensity. However, as is the case for new fans of any wrestler or company, it’s difficult to know where to start with an athlete that has nearly 10 years under her belt. So, in the first entry in the Five Star Network’s newest series called Five Star Selections, let me give you a crash course on the matches you should watch to get better acquainted with STARDOM’s high-speed ace, AZM!
*Note: Each match and description is in chronological order, but there is nothing wrong with jumping to the match(es) that interest you most. AZM has grown immensely as a performer over the years, so if you want to see her most recent great performances, I suggest you check out the later entries first and go back to her earlier work afterward.
AZM vs. Hazuki II ~ STARDOM Queen’s Fest 2019 (February 17, 2019)
While AZM’s first six years of wrestling had its fair share of remarkable undercard performances and character moments, the QQ stalwart’s first major showcase came when she challenged Hazuki for the High-Speed Championship for the very first time in early 2019. Hazuki, who had fended off AZM’s longtime rival Starlight Kid just weeks prior, was bringing the High-Speed Championship back to prominence by assuring that each of her title defenses would be won in ten minutes or less. This added stipulation gave High-Speed Championship matches a unique presence on the card at this time, bringing a true “blink and you miss it” type of energy to each match.
Beyond just being her first non-rookie championship opportunity, AZM vs. Hazuki was also AZM’s first notable venture into high-speed wrestling, a style that she has mastered in the years since. From the opening sprint to the roll-up exchange, and even just the rapid aggression that both she and Hazuki presented from start to finish, the match was one of the first to put AZM on a similar level to the older members of the roster. While the action was relatively simplistic compared to what AZM would go on to produce in the years to follow, the 16-year-old’s first High-Speed Championship encounter remains a time-capsule moment that will be looked back at fondly for years to come.
Check it out on Stardom-World here
AZM vs. Mei Hoshizuki ~ STARDOM Osaka Dream Cinderella 2020 (December 20, 2020)
AZM had a very prolific year in 2020, capturing the High-Speed Championship from Riho for the first time that summer and winning the Goddesses of Stardom Tag League alongside Momo Watanabe in November. However, perhaps the most remarkable match for AZM from that year was her defense of the High-Speed Championship against Mei Hoshizuki at Osaka Dream Cinderella.
Hoshizuki, who recently returned to STARDOM with the new name of Mei Seira, was a member of Marvelous when she first appeared in STARDOM in 2020. Alongside her fellow Marvelous members Takumi Iroha and Rin Kadokura, Hoshizuki upset AZM in an inter-promotional tag team match to earn herself a shot at the High-Speed Title. The match itself was wrestled at the breakneck pace that both women are known for, never slowing down for even a second of its 10-minute runtime. If you are a fan of matches full of intricate roll-ups and unpredictable sequences, this is the match for you. Furthermore, if you are unfamiliar with Mei Seira, who makes her in-ring return to STARDOM on April 23rd, this is the perfect match to help get acquainted with her as well.
Check it out on Stardom-World here (Timestamp: 56:20)
AZM vs. Starlight Kid VI ~ STARDOM Cinderella Journey In Nagaoka (February 23, 2022)
One of the most GIFed matches in STARDOM history, Starlight Kid vs. AZM from February 2022 was as pivotal a point in AZM’s career as any. In the sixth singles encounter between the longtime rivals, AZM sought her second reign with the High-Speed Championship, a title she had lost a year prior to Natsupoi. What took place would go down in history as one of the most beloved matches of AZM’s career.
The 17-minute match was a bit longer than the typical AZM high-speed match, which traditionally stayed in line with Hazuki’s old “10 minutes or less” philosophy. However, the two young stars used those 17 minutes to amaze the wrestling world with their innovative match style and fluidity. AZM displayed renewed vigor after a year of separation from the High-Speed Division and further proved her mastery of the style. The match was a massively popular one, especially amongst Western fans, with many considering it a Match of the Year Contender for 2022. While the bout’s grandiose reputation meant that their rematch a year later struggled to live up to the hype, AZM vs. Starlight Kid VI is undoubtedly a must-watch for people wanting to see the match that made AZM the internet darling she is today.
Check it out on Stardom-World here
AZM vs. Mei Suruga ~ STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Final 2022 (April 29th, 2022)
The Insomniac to the previous entries Dookie, AZM vs. Mei Suruga was the second critically acclaimed High-Speed Championship match for AZM in 2022. While it didn’t receive as much positive fanfare as her match against Kid, AZM instantly clicked with her first-time opponent and delivered an experimental High-Speed Championship match for the ages.
Suruga, who was trained by AEW’s Emi Sakura and remains a regular fixture in the Gatoh Move promotion, appeared in STARDOM only a few times leading up to her High-Speed Championship challenge. However, it took no time to see that Suruga was capable of delivering a high-speed masterclass against the high-speed ace. In just over 13 minutes, AZM helped showcase Suruga’s quirky and comedic style to the STARDOM audience in one of her best High-Speed Championship defenses of all time. Mei Suruga’s dynamic offense and off-the-wall character work, paired with AZM’s incredible selling and agility, made this match an exciting encounter that stands out amongst the high-speed prodigy’s extraordinary body of work. If you are interested in seeing high-speed wrestling in its most absurd form, this is what you’re looking for.
Check it out on Stardom-World here
AZM vs. Syuri V ~ STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix 2022: Day 1 (July 30, 2022)
While AZM is best known for her work against other practitioners of the high-speed style, she is far from pigeonholed into that role. AZM-paisen can mix it up with practically anyone on the roster, regardless of their stylistic expertise. The best example of this is undoubtedly AZM’s performances against former UFC fighter and technical savant Syuri in recent years. Of their five singles matches since 2020, the pair’s most recent encounter in last year’s 5STAR Grand Prix stands out the most, with both women being at the top of their games on the first day of tournament action.
Due to their familiarity with one another, there was no “feeling-out process” necessary when AZM and Syuri met that Summer, meaning the two were off to the races even before the opening bell. AZM’s confidence against the then-World of Stardom Champion was remarkable, but came with good reason; entering the match with a 2-2 record, AZM had found ways to overcome her seemingly unbeatable opponent in the past. The match saw AZM really spread her legs as a competitor, showcasing her everpresent agility while also emphasizing her abilities as a technician, a striker, and a seller. While she remains focused on becoming the greatest high-speed wrestler of all time, her match against Syuri reminded fans that she will be more than capable when she inevitably begins actively pursuing the World and Wonder of Stardom Championships in the not-so-distant future.
Check it out on Stardom-World here
AZM vs. Fukigen DEATH vs. Hazuki II ~ STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix 2022: Day 19 (September 24, 2022)
Throughout her career, AZM has built a legacy of being one of the best multiperson wrestlers in the world. While that admittedly made it difficult for me to pick out just one of these matches to call her very best, this list would ultimately not be complete without the inclusion of AZM’s match against Hazuki and Fukigen DEATH from September 2022.
A rematch from a bout that took place three years prior, AZM vs. Hazuki vs. Fukigen DEATH (aka Joshi legend Kaori Yoneyama) improved on its predecessor in many ways. The match was a complete sprint, and while it included some comedic moments from the evil clown, the high-speed reunion between AZM and Hazuki took centerstage. AZM and Hazuki’s performances in this match have to be considered a contributing factor toward Hazuki’s insertion into the Sakura Genesis triple-threat in the first place. The chemistry that Hazuki and AZM share is arguably most noticeable in three-way battles, and with a legendary wildcard like Fukigen DEATH in the mix, this match was a hidden gem at the tail-end of a grueling 5STAR Grand Prix. Furthermore, as AZM’s eighth consecutive defense of the High-Speed Title, the bout saw the young queen stand out amongst two of the greatest High-Speed Champions in STARDOM history, further cementing her placement at the top of the high-speed mountain.
If your introduction to AZM was her match against Mercedes Mone and Hazuki at Sakura Genesis, and you want to see another incredible triple-threat match featuring the high-speed duo, this is a match you need to see.
Check it out on Stardom-World Here
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