In recent days, ChocoPro had proclaimed this show is the war against AEW. It felt a bit strange for me because that was the storyline that Emi Sakura described herself though Riho never referred to it.
The match itself was impressive and the most epic thing is the tag work of team AEW. From my view, they showed their best tag work in their history. Mei & Yuna proved their skills by making the scenes that they got close to the win. They are ready to go to the world!
The most great thing for me is that Riho seems to be very happy during the show. Hope we could see her in Ichigaya Chocolate Square again in the near future.
Below is the images and some transcript from the show.
The Opening segment
Mei Suruga sings “Small Monster” which is the previous entrance music of Riho. And Gatoh Move rosters do squat.
Main Event
Riho: I came back to Ichigaya Chocolate Square after long time. It’s homecoming!Yay! It’s a really nostalgic feeling, something change, and a new discovery. But I don’t come here to make you progress. I want all in Gatoh Move and Sakura-san to see who I am that a year after leaving. I’ll do my best!
Homecoming celebration with her Opponent Mei & Akki. Poor Yunamon.A very solid dropkick from Riho!Riho and Yuna showed a great tag work!A series of Soumato in the finish of the match.
Riho & Yuna win!
Riho: Back to Ichigaya after a long time, but I was relived. Here is a very relaxing place. It’s been one year since we left apart, I have no idea how each of us grew up. I don’t know whether the day our paths cross like this would come or not. Even this time, I never did think I would meet again one year ago. I had so much fun today. Thank you.
Rock Paper and Scissors tournament
Sakura: Riho, you don’t end with just having fun.
Riho: It was fun!
Sakura: Even if Riho wins, I am no longer just saying “Congratulations”. I like Mei as much as Riho and I want every Gatoh Move rosters to assimilate you. The battle will continue.
Riho: Riho: I can’t take one more match.
Sakura: Not only one but three more matches if you have will for the win. Riho, let’s do up to 3 games from now
1st Round: Riho vs Lulu Pencil
Riho: I’m looking forward to fight with Lulu. By the way, I can’t figure this out. What the hell are you doing, Sakura-san?
Sakura: It’s no problem. I belong to AEW and am listed in their website.
Riho: That’s probably right but feel awkward. What do you do if they looked?
Sakura: Not found yet.
Riho: Is that okay?
Sakura: That’s placed here because Riho appeared.
Riho: No no no! It looks like an official recognition.
Sakura: The first AEW Women’s champion has done it. It’s good at all.
Riho: For that reason, I remove it if I could win the tournament.
Riho wins over Lulu by Rock
2nd round: Riho vs Tokiko Kirihara
Riho: Somehow, I’m here just by luck.
Riho wins over Tokiko over Rock
Sakura: I really have to applogize for this. I afraid If Riho loses in the first round in our tournament, so I had an idea that she might be the seed. That was my very rude idea.
Final round: Riho vs Mei Suruga
Mei Suruga went final round on another block. Riho & Mei faced again right after the Main event.
Mei: Lost in a year ago, then lost again today. I have no idea when our next singles match, tag match, or fight would take place. I really don’t know. So, I will fight because I think it is a real last chance and I win.
Riho: We had a fight after a long time. I think I can tell Mei so many things, even though she do her best at Choco Pro. That’s the why I should stop she is going beyond.
Riho wins over Mei by scissors.
Riho: Yay!
Sakura: Is this real? It’s like a story ending.
Mei: It’s happy end!
Riho: Wait. Until now, I used to lie to Sakura-san, “I’m watching a Choco Pro.” Please tell me how this works, because it has come out.
Sakura: You can eat your chocolate.
Riho: Oh, can I eat chocolate? Yay. Wow, it’s amazing. A chocolate which eat after the match soaks the most into my body. Let’s eat!
Sakura: Do you really remove it? I want you to leave it here though I’ve no idea whether you would appear or not. Please. Girls, you do too!
Riho: I am sorry that it will be featured so much, so please leave it.
Sakura: I was really surprised. You beated Lulu that is the card fans wanted to see the most and beated the repleasent of rookies. Finally beated Mei-chan the future ace, then you’re eating chocolate with a face that looks delicious. Girls, If we can’t do like her we can’t grab a opportunity to the world.
Ending
Watching party
Riho took a part of Choco Pro Watching Party as a special guest. She & Bestbros(Mei & Akki) talked about their match and a hall show. Riho also did Q&As in the program.
Thoughts
It was unexpected that Riho’s coming back to Ichigaya Chocolate Square after one year she stepped away Gatoh Move. I think she never fights again this smallest Pro-wrestling venue with the limited cloud. But It was happened to real, and that was Choco Pro!
Choco Pro is the promotion which derived from Gatoh Move and specialized for Streaming. It seemed that their fan base around the world might push Emi Sakura to make this real.
In the main event, Riho showed her brilliance to former colleagues after one year journey. Mei, Akki, and Yuna have improved this term. But Riho is furthermore great and very sharp even she had the blank for fighting in this unique environment.
On top of that, Rock Paper and Scissors were also an awesome moment. Riho completely steals the whole show after getting 3 wins.
While She showed off her brilliant struggle, but at the end of the match, she was full of compassion, surrounded by her peers and many natural smiles. That was the happiest time for us Riho fans. I strongly recommend seeing this show.
KO-D 6men tag championship match (c) Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazusada Higuchi & Saki Akai vs HARASHIMA & Antonio Honda & Riho (王者)坂口征夫&樋口和貞&赤井沙希 vs HARASHIMA&アントーニオ本多&里歩 PM6:30 START WRESTLE UNIVERSE
7/24 STARDOM「CINDERELLA SUMMER IN NAGOYA」
里歩&中野たむ vs 刀羅ナツコ&夏すみれ Riho & Tam Nakano vs Natsuko Tora & Sumire Natsu