This year I caught the Joshi Puroresu bug big time, which took up a big chunk of my free time outside of work. I have soaked in a lot of nerdy wrestling knowledge since I first started watching Stardom in 2018 and I thought I'd share that geekiness on this blog to spice things up a bit. So without further ado, here is my Joshi Top 3 Rookies of the Year list!
#1 Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon)
Age - 17 / Pro Debut - 12/31/2018
I really got into Ice Ribbon this year and when I discovered Suzu Suzuki I was immediately hooked. Just by seeing how athletically skilled she was in the ring it was a great surprise to find out she was only a rookie. Having so much wrestling talent at such a young age blows my mind, her in-ring persona is also on point and goes over with the crowd superbly. She has a lot of passion in the ring, her move set is technically evolving and I see her having another breakout year in 2020.
Photo credit: @0511masaton
#2 Saya Kamitani (Stardom)
Age - 23 / Pro Debut - 8/10/2019
I was really amped when Saya debuted in her first Stardom match and her Idol infused dance routine entrance was only the beginning. Saya towers over most of her opponents giving her an edge and her move set is quickly evolving into a lethal variety of technical prowess. I can see Saya having another breakout year in 2020 as she refines her skills and continues wowing the crowds with her running Shooting Star Press.
#3 Maria (Marvelous)
Age - 19 / Pro Debut - 12/24/2018
Maria caught my attention right away, with her small frame she is able to take massive amounts of damage in a match and still continue. Her move set is leaning more to the technical side with a heavy dose of lethal drop kicks. She has a mean side too and recently joined the (SEAdLINNNG) faction Las Fresa de Egoistas which are stacked with amazing veteran Joshi talent. With Arisa Nakajima and Mima Shimoda taking Maria under their wings, she is in great hands to have another breakout year in 2020.
