AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament Japan Round 1 Results – Feb. 15, 2021

Feb 16, 2021

AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament – Japan Bracket – Round 1
Saitama, Japan – Warabi Wrestle Budokan
Commentary: Excalibur

Quick Match Results

Round 1: Yuka Sakazaki defeated Mei Suruga via Magical Girl Splash
Round 1: Emi Sakura defeated Veny via Tiger Driver
Round 1: Ryo Mizunami defeated Maki Itoh via head and arm triangle submission
Round 1: Aja Kong defeated Rin Kadokura via middle rope elbow drop

Watch:

Japan Bracket Round 1
Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mei Suruga

Cute On Purpose! @Mei_gtmv 🍎 #AEW #AEWWomensTournament

➡️ https://t.co/W4PGB4Luwk pic.twitter.com/mOSN0WY61x

— TDE Wrestling (@tde_gif) February 16, 2021

There were just a couple of people in the crowd (maybe 5 people around the ring) and there was no artificial crowd noise. Both looked impressive and Suruga had a great ring presence. After a few back and forth minutes, Sakazaki hit a Northern Lights slam, then the Magical Girl Splash (springboard 450 splash) for the win. Pretty fun match.

Winner: Yuka Sakazaki

Japan Bracket Round 1
Veny vs. Emi Sakura

.@EmiSakura_gtmv tries everything she can to beat @asuka10272140.

WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeG
Tomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women’s champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/EkuW13RCTb

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Veny hit some pretty cool high flying offense in this match and looked impressive. In the end, Veny missed a moonsault and the veteran Sakura capitalized, locking on a Dragon sleeper followed by a Tiger Driver for the win.

After the match, they appeared to shake hands, but Veny slapped Sakura in the face and walked out of the ring.

Winner: Emi Sakura

Japan Bracket Round 1
Maki Itoh vs. Ryo Mizunami

.@maki_itoh laying in her forearm strikes to @mizunami0324!
Who will advance?

WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeG
Tomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women’s champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/uOJHJkznja

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Maki Itoh sang a song and danced during her entrance. Excalibur said she used to be a Japanese idol singer, part of a musical group in her teen years. Early in the match, Mizunami punched Itoh and she started to “cry,” but was playing possum and attacked Mizunami when she showed concern. Excalibur played up that Itoh had a “hard head.” Mizunami tried to headbutt her, but hurt her own head. Itoh went for a top rope headbutt dive, but missed. Mizunami hit her with a spear, then locked on a head and arm triangle and Itoh tapped. :( Damn. Hopefully that’s not the last we see of Itoh in AEW. She could be very over. Really fun to watch.

Winner: Ryo Mizunami

I gave up…
I have shown a crappy appearance to the world. Mizunami is as strong as a monster. But I haven’t given up yet. I’ll be sure to go to AEW again!
Simps, don’t be sad. Please wait. pic.twitter.com/6CyoQmq1e7

— 伊藤麻希 Maki Itoh (@maki_itoh) February 16, 2021

Japan Bracket Round 1
Aja Kong vs. Rin Kadokura

SPIKED ON HER HEAD!
WATCH ➡️ https://t.co/wOw5j4LUeG
Tomorrow at 9am EST we will have a special Japanese commentary version w/ @MTHaruo & AEW women’s champion @shidahikaru calling the action! pic.twitter.com/uP7VxQYIK1

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 16, 2021

Kong dominated the match early, but Kadokura was able to hit a flurry of offense to take control for a bit. Kong was too much though and after a couple of near falls, hit a middle rope diving elbow for the win.

Winner: Aja Kong