Everyone loves a wrestling tournament.
Okay everyone apart from Vince McMahon loves a wrestling tournament.
But everyone who isn’t a crazy old money-grabbing lunatic likes a wrestling tournament, and Stardom are currently in the midst of their annual event the Cinderella Tournament.
For the uninitiated, the Cinderella Tournament started in 2015 and has traditionally been a knock-out tournament held over one day. Previous winners include Stardom ace Mayu Iwatani (twice) Toni Storm, Momo Watanabe and the sadly retired Arisa Hoshiki, with Giulia the current holder of the sparkly dress that the winner receives.
This year the tournament has shifted to be over two days, with the first round having taken place and already thrown up the odd surprise such as Unagi Sayaki’s victory over leader of Oedo Tai Natsuko Tora, and up-and-comer Saya Kamitani beating White Belt holder Tam Nakano.
The rest of the tournament will be taking place on 30th April 2021, and in anticipation of the event, as is tradition, I have listed the runners and riders in poetic form.
If you don’t like the poem, then you are probably a heathen, but more importantly don’t hold it against Stardom and make sure you catch what will be a superb day of wrestling.
Who Will Be Cinderella?
It’s that time of year! Stardom is here!
The Cinderella tourney begins.
Already twenty have become ten
So let’s see who will go on to win.
Syuri’s the favourite, the wisdom states,
Her kicks and screams strike fear.
Could Utami stop her? She will fight for her life,
To keep the Red Belt she holds dear.
Perhaps it’s the time of the Jumbo Princess?
To dominate with strength and power.
Or little-Sis Maika, who has all the skills,
To ensure her opponents will cower.
Rina is young, just fifteen years old!
Yet already she’s nasty and keen.
Could Starlight rule? The Kid from the skies!
Who’s heart is there to be seen.
The winner might be a Cosmic Angel,
Unagi looks set for great things.
Tall Saya has conquered the White Belt queen,
With gymnastics, great venom she brings.
Will we “love love love” the champion again?
Will it be Giulia wearing the dress?
Can The Ace overcome the turmoil within?
Once more proving that she is the best.
Whoever it is that raises that trophy,
The Cinderella of Stardom’s ball,
Will go on to greater struggles and fights,
And we’ll love each second, each kickout, each fall.
So all that is left is to give us your view.
Who will conquer and who will reign?
Ten options, ten talents, ten great warriors true,
With Stardom’s great treasures to gain.
