Filling The Void by Riki Fudo, November 1st, 1998 Well Misae Suzuki is on leave of absence from R*NGSTARS and that means only one thing.  There is no Japanese National Champion.  Suzuki won the strap from Moneet Phu this summer but Ms. Suzuki's family problems have forced her to abandon the belt she's worked so hard for.  So what does R*S do? Yes children, it's time for a tournament.  The best that R*S has to offer is signed up for this little deal but who in the name of Dump Matsumoto are these girls? Match 1 Sakura Keiko vs. Mia Gaynor I only know Sakura because I interviewed her.  Gaynor, I've never seen her.  Both rookies, both making their debuts.  Sakura is the hometown favorite, no doubt.  But my gut is telling me Gaynor because she's a "Wild Card".  Then again, my gut is in constant gastric distress because of my fondness for spicy foods. Winner: Draw This takes both girls out of the tournament.  Besides Rookies need to develop and a tournament won't do that. Match 2 Erin Solie vs. Samantha Bryant Hey R*S, what's with the Gaijin?  No offense but SJPW has enough barbarian blood to suit my need for bad wrestling just fine.  Still, Solie and Bryant are tough competition.  The gut doesn't say anything so I'll go with Solie.  She's looked real good in her first couple of matches and she's shaping up nicely. Winner: Erin Solie Still don't be suprised if these two give the best match of the night. Match 3 Nakayama Mariko vs. Holley Volley Nakayama has proven herself to be aggressive.  Volley has shown herself to be perky.  Nakayama isn't afraid to get on the mat and actually wrestle.  Volley, she's cute.  But this ain't a beauty pageant.  Still, Nakayama sometimes mis-times her aerial moves and Volley knows how to capitalize.  If Nakayama sticks to the mat, she'll have this thing won. Winner: Nakayama Mariko I'll take aggressive over perky anyday. Now that's the first round.  If my predictions are right, then we'll see a Nakayama/Solie final.  Now the question is, why bother?  Misae Suzuki is so damn polished and skilled that she'll wipe the mat with whoever the champion is upon her return.  Misae was in the most dynamic elimination tag match this year and she showed just how far she's come along since her SJPW days.  People can talk up Medusa Rage, Baby Hotta and Andrea Chandler* all they want but Misae Suzuki has broken away from the pack.  She is the best talent find since Micki Duran.  So the question isn't really who will wrestle Suzuki upon her return but rather will there be anyone up to her caliber? For the sake of Women's Puroresu, I hope so. *(Note: This reporter feels that of the names mentioned, only Hotta has truly proven herself, as demonstrated by her ability to carry Terra to a 4-star match).