The Top 5 Joshis of 2025 (So Far)

4. Utami Hayashishita

Another Joshi staying in the headlines as of late is Utami Hayashishita. Utami found significant success in STARDOM before leaving the promotion for the newly-created MARIGOLD. Since then, she has become what some say is the face of the company. Earlier this year, in January, Utami defeated Sareee to become the second-ever Marigold World Champion. Following this, Utami successfully defended the championship four times.

DREAM STAR Grand Prix

Throughout the year, Hayashishita has also put on a high-quality body of work. Most of these matches occurred this summer, mainly as part of  the DREAM STAR Grand Prix 2025 tournament. This tournament is similar to STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix and NJPW’s G1 Climax, which also took place over the summer. Participants are sorted into two blocks, where the winners of each block compete in the finals. The tournament started in 2024, which Hayashishita won. This year, Hayashishita is determined to win the tournament again. As champion, Utami will be able to choose her next challenger if she wins.

Some of these amazing matches include her match against CHIAKI on July 14th, and “super rookie,” Seri Yamaoka, on July 25. On August 30th, Utami faced Joshi icon Mayu Iwatani as a part of the tournament. This dream match has been dubbed “the match of the tournament” by some due to their amazing in-ring chemistry and performance.

Double Champion?

Furthermore, Utami faced Takumi Iroha at Burning Desire 2025 in July, which was a double title match for both the Marigold World Championship and the GHC Women’s Championship. This match ended in a double count-out, with both women retaining their respective titles. Following this match, Utami said, “I can’t let it end here. I haven’t given up on the GHC belt. It might look uncool to say this when I’m all battered and can’t move, but next time, I will absolutely win. I’ll get the three and take the GHC from Takumi Iroha.”

In 2026, it’s clear that Utami will continue to be the ace of Marigold, putting on great matches for the company. Additionally, we may see Utami become a double champion if she’s able to defeat Iroha for once and for all. Furthermore, she may be able to be a back-to-back winner of this year’s tournament, if she continues on her streak of unforgettable and impressive victories. It’s clear that this Joshi will not be slowing down in 2026.

3. Momo Watanabe

As mentioned before, STARDOM’s annual tournament, the 5 Star Grand Prix, will also take place this summer. The winner of this year’s tournament was Momo Watanabe. After defeating Saori Anou in the semi-finals earlier that night, she went on to pin AZM to win the tournament.

This victory has earned her a title shot of her choosing, and Watanabe is taking her time deciding on what belt to go for. Fans speculate Momo will get her title match at STARDOM Dream Queendom, which serves as one of STARDOM’s biggest shows of the year, and takes place on December 29th each year. Additionally, she was also featured on the Weekly Pro-Wrestling magazine cover, following her win.

Momo’s Quest For Comeuppance

Earlier this year, Momo Watanabe won the first-ever Women’s International Cup at Wrestle Dynasty, a cross-promotional show put on by AEW, NJPW, and CMLL. This win granted her a TBS Title match against Mercedes Mone at AEW Revolution. Although Momo came up short, her match against Mercedes was one of her best this year. Since Watanabe has not been featured on AEW, much to many fans’ dismay. Recently, Watanabe expressed interest in not only Kamitani’s title but also one of Mercedes Mone’s.

Watanabe stated, “…I also want to defeat Mercedes Mone. Right now, it seems like she has enough belts to cover her whole body, and I want to strip her of all those belts.”

Although Watanabe wants to even her score against Mone, she isn’t able to invoke her tournament win to challenge her. Making Saya Kamitani’s World of Stardom Championship the most likely option. In 2026, fans may expect not only a new World of Stardom Champion, but maybe another Joshi takedown of The CEO. Regardless, it’s safe to assume that 2026 is the start of the Momo era.

2. Tam Nakano

Although this Joshi retired this year, her last few months in the industry proved to be the best of her career. Tam Nakano’s short but unforgettable run will forever be remembered in wrestling history. Throughout the year, Nakano feuded with Saya Kamitani, her previous friend and, in some ways, protege.

After Saya aligns herself with the “heel” unit H.A.T.E., Tam becomes furious as to what Kamitani has become. Following this, Saya would defeat Nakano for the World of Stardom Championship in late 2024. Kamitani and Nakano’s feud would be one full of heartbreak, deceit, and intensity.

Starting in February of 2025, Nakano would team with Sayaka Kurara to defeat Saya Kamitani and Natsuko Tora. According to the stipulation, Kamitani was forced to give anything Nakano wanted, which resulted in a Loser Leaves STARDOM match on March 3rd. Nakano would come up short, forcing her to leave her group, Comic Angels, and instead freelance. Kamitani would give Tam one more chance at her title. This match took place at All Star Grand Queendom in April, and would be Tam’s final match of her nine-year career.

The match received high praise from fans all around the world. Notably, the match also received a 5.25 rating by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Marking Nakano’s third 5 Star Match in the company. There are only two other matches in STARDOM to receive this honor. Nakano’s previous bout with Kamitani in March and a six-woman tag also received 5 Star ratings. Giving Nakano three out of the six 5 Star women’s matches awarded this year.

Additionally, All-Star Grand Queendom is STARDOM’s biggest show to date. Many feel this match was a perfect sendoff, personifying Tam’s hard work, storytelling, and passion throughout her career. Tam’s future in 2026 is unclear, but she will forever be an inspiration to many fans and other Joshi.

1. Saya Kamitani

As mentioned numerous times before, no one has had a better year than Saya Kamitani. I won’t rehash her epic saga with Tam Nakano, even though I can talk about it for hours at a time. The match has been uploaded to STARDOM’s official YouTube channel. Seriously, go watch it.

Anyway, Saya continued her undefeated streak well into 2025, before being defeated by Bea Priestly in early August. Kamitani also successfully defended her championship four times this year, twice against Tam Nakano, once against Natsupoi, and once against Maika. Her match against Natsupoi not only highlighted their chemistry, but also aims to set up Saya and her faction H.A.T.E.’s future. Following the match, Saya took to the mic to warn everybody that H.A.T.E. is here to stay for a long time to come.

Outside of wrestling, Kamitani has made many media appearances. She has made appearances for different television channels such as TBS and Fuji TV. Kamitani has said that she feels that these appearances and her reign as champion are creating growth for STARDOM as a promotion and for women’s wrestling in general. She has also stated that she hopes for different challengers, ones who can “truly compete” with her.

Next year, fans can expect a new array of challengers to try their hand at The Phoenix Queen. Or will she fall to Bea Priestly or Momo Watanabe in the end stretch of 2025? Regardless, Saya will continue to fly the STARDOM banner well into 2026.

Other Joshis to look out for

Although not everyone made the Top 5, here’s some more Joshi to keep an eye out for the rest of 2025 and in 2026!

• Miyu Yamashita
• Maki Itoh
• Mayu Iwatani
• Mizuki
• Starlight Kid

How can I watch more Joshi-puroresu?

You can watch more Joshi-puroresu through streaming services like Wrestle Universe. The service is home to many promotions such as Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling, Sendai Girls, Marvelous, and Marigold. The service also offers English commentary options for a few shows. Other promotions, such as Ice Ribbon, ChocoPro, and Diana, upload their archives to YouTube and the Nico Nico service. STARDOM has its own streaming service— Stardom World.

Did you like our list? Will you be watching more Joshi-puroresu? Feel free to let us know!