Phenex Queen is... STRONG! (NJPW STRONG Files #1)
This blog will be a short one today as I will be doing another title reign. Unlike like the Sareee and Ober Eats ones, this will be the shortest one that I have done so far. I will be talking Saya Kamitani's 99 day reign as NJPW STRONG Women's Champion. Now that I think about it, it feels like a complete fever dream that she had this title at all.
For those who don't know, the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship is a title created by New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This title is 2nd women's title in terms of hierarchy and creation under the IWGP Women's Championship and used for New Japan's American brand, NJPW STRONG (hence the name). The title has one of the most bizarre lineages out of the many titles I've seen in wrestling.
It started out as a title made for Mercedes Mone specifically to hold since she was primarily doing shows with NJPW for a while. (She would eventually hold it later on.) That was well until she got injured in the Final which led to Willow Nightingale being the first champion. Then it would be held by the likes of Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, AZM and current holder Alex Windsor. The primary promotion that the title would used in was STARDOM.
I wished it was a title used more often, but that is a completely different conservation for a completely blog. As I said earlier, I will be going through the entirety of Saya Kamitani's reign and let's get into it.
This was a really good match and it is so accessible since you watch the match on STARDOM's YouTube Channel. AZM brings out her speed and quick grapple work to match Saya Kamitani's usual main event style. My favourite moments include when Saya Kamitani reversed AZM's La Mistica into a Star Crusher. There was also that Destroyer that AZM did on Kamitani as well prior to that. In the end, Saya Kamitani defeated AZM to retain the World Of Stardom Championship and captured the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship.
This one is a bit complicated. Momo Watanabe won the 5STAR Grand Prix less than 3 months prior. It was a moment that was a long time coming, but was so satisfying to see. The problem is after the victory. During the time of Momo Watanabe receiving much needed momentum, Saya Kamitani popularity skyrocketed into mainstream media in Japan. In September, Saya Kamitani made history with Hanan as she wrestled the first women's match on Terrestrial TV in 23 years.
It was on a morning variety show called LOVE IT! on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), which also marked the 1st women's match on that TV network for 51 years. I know it doesn't relate to this exactly, but it was a massive deal, so I'd thought to make an excuse to say it. The build-up to the title match was very poorly received. It was so poor received (from the English side) that both wrestlers were calling out the booker Taro Okada for not doing much build up.
The match itself was really good. It was what would you expect from two members from H.A.T.E. (Harass, Abuse, Terrorize & Eradicate) with the bat being of use. Both wrestlers being thrown into a crowd of chairs. A Peach Sunrise, a Star Crusher, etc. It ended with Saya Kamitani retaining both sets of titles and her dominance continued that day.
Freshly from becoming the first woman to win the Tokyo Sports MVP award of 2025, Saya Kamitani would be involved in another double title match. This time it was defending her NJPW STRONG Women's Championship as she faced IWGP Women's Champion Syuri in a double title match. This was treated as a big deal with Saya Kamitani being announced for the show months prior.
The match itself was really good. Since NJPW is notorious for their rare women's matches receiving short match lengths (besides their US shows), it is nice for both women to receive enough time to get themselves. Both Syuri and Saya Kamitani were able to fit a lot of their special maneuvers in the 12 minutes they got and treated it like it's a crucial match in the 5STAR Grand Prix. It is always a unique to watch a fight like this in a men's promotion since it's a different atmosphere to the usual Joshi promotions. Especially in an environment like the Tokyo Dome.
However, it wasn't the night for the Phenex Queen as Syuri would beat her to not only retain the IWGP Women's Championship, but also capture the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship. This was a shocking result as Syuri was the one that people expected to lose, especially with how popular Saya Kamitani is. So the end of Saya Kamitani as NJPW STRONG Women's Champion ends here.
For those who don't know, the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship is a title created by New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This title is 2nd women's title in terms of hierarchy and creation under the IWGP Women's Championship and used for New Japan's American brand, NJPW STRONG (hence the name). The title has one of the most bizarre lineages out of the many titles I've seen in wrestling.
It started out as a title made for Mercedes Mone specifically to hold since she was primarily doing shows with NJPW for a while. (She would eventually hold it later on.) That was well until she got injured in the Final which led to Willow Nightingale being the first champion. Then it would be held by the likes of Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, AZM and current holder Alex Windsor. The primary promotion that the title would used in was STARDOM.
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| Picture: Saya Kamitani and Momo Watanabe |
I wished it was a title used more often, but that is a completely different conservation for a completely blog. As I said earlier, I will be going through the entirety of Saya Kamitani's reign and let's get into it.
All Of Saya Kamitani's NJPW STRONG Women's Championship Matches:
- Saya Kamitani (c) [World] vs AZM (c) [STRONG] (23:10)
- 27/09/2025
- World Wonder Ring Stardom
- World Of Stardom & NJPW STRONG Women's Double Title Match
- Stardom (Sep 27)
- ZERO: ★★★★3/4
This was a really good match and it is so accessible since you watch the match on STARDOM's YouTube Channel. AZM brings out her speed and quick grapple work to match Saya Kamitani's usual main event style. My favourite moments include when Saya Kamitani reversed AZM's La Mistica into a Star Crusher. There was also that Destroyer that AZM did on Kamitani as well prior to that. In the end, Saya Kamitani defeated AZM to retain the World Of Stardom Championship and captured the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship.
- Saya Kamitani (c) vs Momo Watanabe (21:30) - V1
- 03/11/2025
- World Wonder Ring Stardom
- World Of Stardom & NJPW STRONG Women's Double Title Match
- Stardom Crimson Nightmare
- ZERO: ★★★★1/4
This one is a bit complicated. Momo Watanabe won the 5STAR Grand Prix less than 3 months prior. It was a moment that was a long time coming, but was so satisfying to see. The problem is after the victory. During the time of Momo Watanabe receiving much needed momentum, Saya Kamitani popularity skyrocketed into mainstream media in Japan. In September, Saya Kamitani made history with Hanan as she wrestled the first women's match on Terrestrial TV in 23 years.
 |
| Credit: Peps Wrestling |
It was on a morning variety show called LOVE IT! on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System), which also marked the 1st women's match on that TV network for 51 years. I know it doesn't relate to this exactly, but it was a massive deal, so I'd thought to make an excuse to say it. The build-up to the title match was very poorly received. It was so poor received (from the English side) that both wrestlers were calling out the booker Taro Okada for not doing much build up.
The match itself was really good. It was what would you expect from two members from H.A.T.E. (Harass, Abuse, Terrorize & Eradicate) with the bat being of use. Both wrestlers being thrown into a crowd of chairs. A Peach Sunrise, a Star Crusher, etc. It ended with Saya Kamitani retaining both sets of titles and her dominance continued that day.
- Syuri (c) [IWGP] vs Saya Kamitani (c) [STRONG] (12:09)
- 04/01/2026
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Women's & NJPW STRONG Women's Double Title Match
- NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20
- ZERO: ★★★★1/4
 |
| Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling |
Freshly from becoming the first woman to win the Tokyo Sports MVP award of 2025, Saya Kamitani would be involved in another double title match. This time it was defending her NJPW STRONG Women's Championship as she faced IWGP Women's Champion Syuri in a double title match. This was treated as a big deal with Saya Kamitani being announced for the show months prior.
 |
| Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling |
The match itself was really good. Since NJPW is notorious for their rare women's matches receiving short match lengths (besides their US shows), it is nice for both women to receive enough time to get themselves. Both Syuri and Saya Kamitani were able to fit a lot of their special maneuvers in the 12 minutes they got and treated it like it's a crucial match in the 5STAR Grand Prix. It is always a unique to watch a fight like this in a men's promotion since it's a different atmosphere to the usual Joshi promotions. Especially in an environment like the Tokyo Dome.
 |
| Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling |
However, it wasn't the night for the Phenex Queen as Syuri would beat her to not only retain the IWGP Women's Championship, but also capture the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship. This was a shocking result as Syuri was the one that people expected to lose, especially with how popular Saya Kamitani is. So the end of Saya Kamitani as NJPW STRONG Women's Champion ends here.
Post: When I was going through these NJPW STRONG Women's Title reigns, I can probably do half of them in short blogs. I didn't have much planned for today which is why I did this. I would hope for more of the best in the coming days, but I can't guarantee it's going to be fun. I'm also finished with some of my TV shows on my list of television, so this is used to fill that gap for the time being. I hope you all have good day and I'll see you next time. Golden Phenex is... DEAD!!
Kind Regards,
ZERO (or Archer)
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