DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 ~27TH ANNIVERSARY 5 HOUR SPECIAL~” Results

March 17, 2024

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 ~27TH ANNIVERSARY 5 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 17/03/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,491 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. “Intern Wrestler” Tsubasa Suzuki Debut Match: Soma Takao defeated Tsubasa Suzuki with the Perfect Driver (9:08).
2. Yuya Koroku Return Match: To-y, Ilusion & Rukiya defeated Yuni, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi when To-y pinned Koroku with the Kojima Impact (8:42).
3. Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Kawamatsu defeated Toru Owashi & Gorgeous Matsuno when Ishii pinned Matsuno with the Double Arm Driver (9:26).
4. Special Single Match: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Akito ended in a Draw when both of them fell asleep (7:20).
5. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda when KANON submitted Honda with the Just Cobra Twist (11:21).
6. Special Single Match: Ken Ohka defeated Sanshiro Takagi with the Spear Of Flame (10:32).
7. Special Tag Match: Shuji Ishikawa & Yoshitatsu defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya when Ishikawa pinned Higuchi with the Splash Mountain (12:24).
8. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles – Belt Contra Dissolution: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi (c) defeated Kazuki Hirata, Naruki Doi & Shinya Aoki when Oishi pinned Hirata with an Egoist Driver Cutback (9:48).
*V4 for D.O.A. Zuncha♪Muscle Survivor must disband.
9. DDT Extreme Title – Painful Jungle Death Match: Shunma Katsumata (c) defeated Hideki Okatani with the Totonou Splash onto a Barbed Wire Board (13:38).
*V1 for Shunma Katsumata.
10. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino (c) defeated Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai when Endo pinned Honda with the Burning Star Press (16:57).
*V1 for BURNING.
11. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) defeated Takeshi Masada by Knockout with the Senpukyaku (4:22).
*V6 for MAO.
12. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA defeated Yuma Aoyagi with the Modified Falcon Arrow (19:16).
13. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) defeated HARASHIMA with the WR (22:50).
*V3 for Yuki Ueno.

27 years of DDT called for another marathon show at Korakuen Hall to celebrate. 13 matches took place across almost 6 hours in front of a big crowd. The big bout at the end was Yuki Ueno moving past HARASHIMA in the latest defence of his KO-D Openweight Title reign. The match called for a big performance for the champion who wants to be established as DDT’s ace against the wrestler who himself is nicknamed “Mr. DDT” for his own dominance over the company throughout the years. Ueno did a Moonsault from one of the aisle entrance ways while back in the ring HARASHIMA did an Inverted Hurricanrana off of the top rope. More action took place out of the ring and almost ended Ueno’s reign but he returned at the 19 count. HARASHIMA hit the Somato but only got a two count with it. Another attempt was countered with Ueno’s big Dropkick and when Ueno gave him the WR, HARASHIMA had no answer for it and was pinned.

After the match Ueno hugged HARASHIMA and Kenta Kobashi handed the KO-D Title to him. Ueno talked about figuring out how to put his thoughts and feelings about his relationship with HARASHIMA into words. Today his heart feels full and satisfied because he got to have a big title match with HARASHIMA. He is sure HARASHIMA will continue to be an ace and they will often be opponents again in the future. But next time Ueno will be stronger and even a little more cocky. He thanked him for always being there.

Now Ueno turns his attention to his next defence. It is scheduled for 26th April in Sumida Ward General Gymnasium. There is one more important person Ueno wants to have a title match and that is DDT’s vice president Akito! Ueno ignored Akito’s objections and called him into the ring. Akito explained it’s not right for a wrestler in his position to take on such an important challenge. He also has not won any singles matches at all this year. Ueno agreed there are other more suitable challengers out there but none of them interest him more than Akito. He has a lot of jobs as vice president and Ueno argued that being a title challenger is one of them. Akito understood but warned the champion what could happen once his filter is switched off because there is nobody who thinks more about DDT than he does! Not Sanshiro Takagi, not Danshoku Dieno, not HARASHIMA and not Yuki Ueno! 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at work, at home, no matter where he travels to, it is Akito who devotes his life to the company. When DDT has good times he has good times too. When DDT has hard times he has hard times too. Akito is betting his entire life on DDT and will use all of his poison to erase Ueno’s brilliance!

Given this match was DDT against All Japan, you’d expect it would be Konosuke Takeshita coming out doing the wacky DDT entrance. Nope, it was Yuma Aoyagi who got into the swing of things riding to the ring on the Dramatic Dream bike and wearing a crazy looking helmet. The match itself was a smash with the two living up to expectations. Takeshita hit Aoyagi with the Jumping Knee and the Wagamama but it wasn’t enough to win. So he did the deal with the same Spinning Falcon Arrow he used to win a match in AEW earlier this week to get the same result here. Backstage Takeshita sent his thanks out to Aoyagi for accepting his invitation to do the match in DDT. Takeshita respects every wrestler from his generation no matter what company they work for and if possible would like to fight all of them. However he has something to do in America next so he has limited chances to wrestle again in Japan for the time being. He said it is up to his generation in Japan to liven up the wrestling world. Aoyagi called the match refreshing. He would like a rematch once every couple of years on a schedule similar to the Olympics. He also wants to fight other DDT wrestlers from his generation, like Yuki Ueno for example. But not now. Let him take a rest first.

It was a long show and time was not wasted in the DDT Universal Title match. Fueled by the recent criticisms aimed against him by the champion, Takeshi Masada attacked MAO before the bell with a Missile Dropkick. MAO responded with a Leapfrog Stunner over the ref and the match officially began from there. In the next four minutes MAO controlled the match and had an answer for most of what Masada threw at him. Masada got hit with big strikes but was determined to keep on fighting until he was hit with the Whirlwind Kick. Masada couldn’t return to his feet in time and was counted out. MAO quickly moved on and asked for who his challenger will be in America. An image flashed on the screen showing he will defend the Universal Title at Philadelphia on 4th April against Billie Starkz in a No Rules Match! MAO loves the Universal Title so much he will use it to set the whole world on fire!

There was another DDT Vs AJPW match on the card, this one had the KO-D Tag Team Titles on the line. The champions BURNING had been trying to sort themselves out lately over some miscommunication problems. New Period were coming over to be a big distraction for them, one that could see All Japan take over one of DDT’s main championships. The challengers even allegedly got in touch with Yoshihiko to learn what weaknesses of the champions they could exploit! However BURNING in the end got to show their problems with teamwork. In fact it was a missed double team from New Period that led to Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai hitting each other by accident. Later Yuki Iino charged towards Tetsuya Endo and Endo dropped down into the splits. Iino then jumped over him to Spear Honda! Endo then gave him the Torture Rack Bomb for a nearfall and finished him off with the Burning Star Press.

Endo declared the result a victory for BURNING and the KO-D Tag Titles still belong to them. However he admits it won’t be long until New Period’s time truly arrives. When that time does come Endo & Iino will want a rematch against them. Endo also told Honda it’s fine to use Yoshihiko but he has to return DDT’s property back to their office (later Honda and Yoshihiko got into a fight backstage bringing their short lived friendship to an end). BURNING’s next title defence will be at the 7th April Korakuen Hall show. Endo asked for Jun Akiyama to be one of the opponents because he wants to defend the title against him. Akiyama accepted but none of his regular partners are available at the moment. If he or DDT can find someone suitable to team with him he will do the title match on 7th April. Iino then tried to provoke Akiyama by doing the BURNING pose in front of him. Akiyama smiled, left the ring and did the same post in the dirction towards Kobashi at the commentary table. Endo told fans to look forward to the new BURNING, one without Akiyama or Kobashi in it!

The Painful Jungle Death Match lived up to its name, providing DDT with one of its most bloodiest matches in a while. Many sharp and piercing objects were placed in the ring along with some jungle looking items. For example there was a barbed wire board with a large snake toy caught on top of it. Shunma Katsumata and Hideki Okatani proceeded to throw and slam each other onto everything with the DDT Extreme Title at stake. Okatani couldn’t get the win with either the Double Arm Suplex or Quetzalcoatl. Instead Katsumata got the upper hand and won with the Totonou Splash while the snake and barbed wire board was placed on top of Okatani. The two embraced after the match and Katsumata thanked Okatani for giving him such an intense match. A video then played on the screen. It is a message sent by Hi69 from NOAH (or TEAM NOAH to be exact). He wants to challenge the Extreme Champion to a Hardcore Match for the title on 7th April! Katsumata is happy to hear Hi69 show interest but he does not know the first thing about the Extreme Title! The champion is supposed to make the rules, not the challenger. Katsumata accepted the challenge anyway.

Zuncha♪Muscle Survivor we hardly knew ye. They went up against D.O.A in a match that had both the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles on the line as well as the future of Kazuki Hirata’s new unit. Sadly for Hirata the match ended in tragedy when he gave Makoto Oishi the Egoist Driver but left himself open for Oishi to cradle him into a suddent defeat. Naruki Doi did not mind facing the consequences. He consoled Hirata over what happened and then told Shinya Aoki it was time for them to go home. However Hirata wanted to soak in the moment knowing it would be the last time Zuncha♪Muscle Survivor would all be together. Hirata gave a speech that made Doi become impatient but sent Aoki to the brink of tears. The three then stood together for a special dissolution ceremony which included the singing of the unit’s anthem plus a narrated history of the unit. All 22 days of it. Meanwhile backstage DAMNATION T.A attacked Makoto Oishi, demanding the next shot at the KO-D 6-Man Tag Titles.

Does this kind of count as another DDT Vs AJPW match? Both Shuji Ishikawa & Yoshitatsu have called All Japan their home promotion up until very recently. They have since taken different paths away from there but those paths reunited them here for a match against two of DDT’s main heavyweights. Ishikawa had a handle of Kazusada Higuchi by the end of it. He blocked the Brain Claw Slam and turned it into the Fire Thunder for a nearfall. Ishikawa followed it up with the Kamigoye and Running Knee Strike for another two count before getting the victory by using the Splash Mountain. Yukio Naya didn’t want the fight to end though and stood toe to toe with Ishikawa afterwards. This won’t be the last we will see of Ishikawa in DDT this year. He is entering the King Of DDT tournament. He believes what he did today shows he is the only choice to win it. Both Naya & Higuchi are warning him not to mess with DDT’s heavyweight division.

The reason why DDT names its anniversary shows “JUDGEMENT” goes back to its very first show in 1997 where the audience in attendance back then judged whether or not Sanshiro Takagi and his crew would go ahead with running more shows. So it is only fitting that Takagi would himself judge whether or not Ken Ohka and Ganbare☆Pro are ready to go independent from CyberFight. GanPro’s next chapter begins in April and the entire group was in Korakuen to support Ohka at ringside while he fought his soon to be former employer. Ohka took a beating in the match and was almost counted out in the ring. But he got back to his feet all fired up, even giving Takagi a Stunner. Ohka then got the better of a strike exchange, knocking Takagi down with a Lariat. The opening was there and Ohka took it. He hit Takagi with the Spear Of Flame and beat his boss!

After the match an emotional Ohka said his life wouldn’t be like this if he never got involved with Takagi. He has changed Ohka’s life so much. Sometimes it was sad and painful but without Takagi, Ohka would not be so happy right now. From now on he will make GanPro a great wrestling company without the need to rely on Takagi and for that he thanks him. Takagi told Ohka he’s had a dramatic life but saying stuff like that makes it sound like Takagi was ruining his life! If that was true then he wouldn’t have a group of friends that all make up GanPro. Whatever happens in the future, Takagi wants to get with Ohka again whether it is to work together or fight each other. He then presented Ohka with a graduation certificate and told him to cherish his friends. Takagi hopes he will continue to give dreams to many people and have a more dramatic pro wrestling life than anyone else. Later Ohka told reporters he will continue with his goal to make pro wrestling into a major sport. Baseball has Shohei Ohtani, basketball has Michael Jordan, Formula 1 has Mika Häkkinen and football has Pelé. Ohka wants to become as great in wrestling as they are in their respective sports.

DAMNATION T.A’s path to a KO-D 6-Man Tag Titles shot started earlier in the show when they beat SCHADENFREUDE International. As always Antonio Honda was bothered by his trick knee but used Gongitsune to bounce back from it. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON hit him with the Freedom Call but CDK were there to break the pin. They got rid of Sasaki & MJ Paul but it turned out KANON could handle the 2 Vs 1 odds that were against him. The match came down to him against Honda and KANON countered the constant cradle pins into the Just Cobra Twist to make Honda submit.

Akito isn’t the only busy wrestler around here. Super Sasadango Machine has his own management problems to deal with and took valuable time out of his schedule to be at this show. So when he found out he wasn’t booked for a match despite being on the poster, Akito offered to fight him as an apology. Both of them have been feeling tired over work lately and Sasadango’s PowerPoint Presentation explained they were both going to wrestle at just 10% of their normal energy bar. However the presentation kept switching to a video of Akito being attacked backstage by all of the young DDT wrestlers so that was the actual reason why he made it to the ring in a tired state. When the match began it was as if Akito and Sasadango were already entering into the finishing stretch. Sasadango gave Akito the Lehmann Shock and went for the pin but before the count reached three everything froze. “Etuprika” began to play and the audience was shown a video of Akito’s inner monologue. Then in slow motion Akito kicked out, fought back and hit Sasadango so hard his mask peeled off. Akito slowly applied an Ankle Lock when time stood still again so everyone could hear Sasadango’s inner monologue. This time Sasadango spoke about how good and relaxed he felt. So much so that he fell asleep. Akito had run out of energy too so both men were practically out cold. Yukinori Matsui checked on both of them while they slept and had to rule the match a draw.

Did the world really need a face off between Gorgeous Matsuno and Shinichiro Kawamatsu? Well they got one. Matsuno’s offence was the weakest its been for a while even with Toru Owashi’s help. Things went from bad to worse when Keisuke Ishii got involved and did not hold back. When he lifted Matsuno up for the Double Arm Driver, Matsuno started to tap out. However the ref was standing on the other side and couldn’t see it so Ishii was free to drop him right onto the canvas for the win. Luckily Matsuno was not hurt too much. He returned at the very end of the show to sing everyone off.

Six of the young wrestlers entering the D GENERATIONS CUP were put in a 6-Man Tag together early in the show. To-y, Ilusion & Rukiya ended up beating Yuni, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi. It was also Koroku’s return match from injury but he took the losing fall to To-y in the end.

When Soma Takao had his debut match in DDT he won the bout with an Ultra Hurricanrana. So Tsubasa Suzuki trying to win his first DDT match as an intern with a Phoenix Splash isn’t that too outlandish. Too bad he missed his target. The match was going well for him up until then. He still had his wits about him to block the Gin And Tonic but Takao switched over to the Running Elbow Butt and then the Perfect Driver to win the match. He told reporters he could have used a traditional Crab Hold but he wanted to win with the finisher he used in his college club days. He is looking forward to the day Suzuki will beat him with the Phoenix Splash. Suzuki admits he is still weak and the difference between pro wrestling with student wrestling is like competing in a different sport. He hopes to grow into a stronger and better wrestler.

Keigo Nakamura appeared during the early portion of the show with some good news. He is returning to the ring on 26th April!

A guest wrestler was announced for “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2024” on 21st July. It is the return of everyone’s amigo El Desperado!

The full list of entries for the King Of DDT was revealed. Entering the tournament are Poison Sawada JULIE, Sanshiro Takagi, Danshoku Dieno, HARASHIMA, Shuji Ishikawa, Tetsuya Endo, Daisuke Sasaki, Kazusada Higuchi, Chris Brookes, Yuki Ueno, MAO, Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya, KANON, Takeshi Masada and the D GENERATIONS CUP winner.


SPORTIVA/GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆SPORTIVA VOL. 1” Results

March 17, 2024

SPORTIVA/GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆SPORTIVA VOL. 1”, 16/03/2024
Aichi Sportiva Arena
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Mari Manji & Madeline when YuuRI pinned Madeline with a Rotating Foot Hold (16:18).
2. Yuna Manase defeated Sae with the Lariat (10:30).
3. Shinya Ishida & Kengo Takai defeated Ken Ohka & Grand Passion Mask No. 4 when Ishida pinned Passion with the Kushii Drive (12:38).

I only happened to come across this show by accident because it wasn’t mentioned anywhere on the DDT website. Ganbare☆Pro held a joint show with Sportiva Entertainment in Aichi. There was also a talk show with the Ganbare☆Joshi wrestlers in the same venue later that day.


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 SPRING” Results

March 16, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 SPRING”, 16/03/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall
277 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Kaya Toribami defeated Kira Summer with the Bird Cage (6:41).
2. 3 Way Match: Rika Tatsumi defeated Mahiro Kiryu and Uta Takami when Tatsumi submitted Takami with the Dragon Sleeper (10:42).
3. Wakana Uehara & Toga defeated Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo when Uehara submitted Okubo with the Sleeper Hold (10:25).
4. Maki Itoh & Shino Suzuki defeated Moka Miyamoto & Chika Nanase when Itoh submitted Nanase with the Itoh Punish (8:30).
5. Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku defeated Suzume, Arisu Endo & HIMAWARI when Aino pinned Suzume with the UBV (13:43).
6. Miyu Yamashita, Mizuki & Shoko Nakajima defeated Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku & Nao Kakuta when Yamashita pinned Kakuta with the Skull Kick (15:42).

Today was the last preview matches for some of the upcoming title matches at “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” on 31st March. Miyu Yamashita picked up the win for her team in the main event. She hyped up the big show with Mizuki & Shoko Nakajima afterward. Mizuki said she is really, really happy to team up with Yuka Sakazaki again. She always knew to be careful around Emi Sakura but now she has to be careful of Chris Brookes too. Nakajima said working with large monsters like Aja Kong & Max The Impaler is a dream for a special effects otaku like her. Backstage Yamashita said Miu Watanabe is very strong but she isn’t going to lose to her. She and Nakajima also wished Mizuki a happy birthday. Mizuki and Nakajima then wished Yamashita a happy birthday because that is happening tomorrow.

The way the main event ended made it finally hit home for Nao Kakuta that she will be retiring soon. It is her first match since that announcement and she took the losing fall. All that did though was fire her up for her final months in wrestling. Yuki Kamifuku said she’s had a long morning because her father gave her a lift to the station, made a mistake while driving and got stopped. It reminded Kamifuku that even the slightest mistake can be fatal so she should live her life with the utmost care. Watanabe is familiar with the power of Yamashita’s kicks by now but she knows there is more to her opponent than just that. The way things stand now, Yamashita can see everything Watanabe has to offer but not vice versa.

There was an interview that Ryo Mizunami had on Shukan Puroresu’s website this week about her time in Tokyo Joshi Pro so far. One of the things she brought up is how her and Yuki Aino’s recent tag team success comes from their individual strength rather than their teamwork. An example was on show here when Aino was able to beat Suzume by herself. She had Raku & Pom Harajuku here today for support but when Sumo Hall comes around Yukiniki will be in perfect condition against Daisy Monkey! But things have changed for Daisy Monkey too. Arisu Endo said in the past a lost like this would probably make them cry but they aren’t crying anymore. HIMAWARI is also keeping herself motivated because she wants to do her best for Ami Yumoto’s debut match.

Maki Itoh returned to Japan carrying her newly won GCW Extreme Title with her. She will be fighting Minoru Suzuki at Sumo Hall but today she was teaming with Shino Suzuki. The two are not related and Itoh was disappointed with how plain Shino’s post-match comments were backstage compared to Minoru’s. So Itoh sent a message to Minoru by putting Shino in the Sleeper Hold! She promised she is going to be a woman Minoru Suzuki will never forget!

Now that Runa Okubo is back from her high school entrance exams, she got to see first hand how much all of her wrestling classmates have progressed while she was gone. She is getting a little anxious over seeing how much Haru Kazashiro is getting better than her. But even though she was gone for two months, Kazashiro thinks Okubo is as strong as ever. The two agreed to graduate from junior high and work hard together at Sumo Hall.


Judgement 2024 This Weekend

March 15, 2024

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 ~27TH ANNIVERSARY 5 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 17/03/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. “Intern Wrestler” Tsubasa Suzuki Debut Match: Soma Takao Vs Tsubasa Suzuki
2. Yuya Koroku Return Match: To-y, Ilusion & Rukiya Vs Yuni, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
3. Toru Owashi & Gorgeous Matsuno Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Kawamatsu
4. Special Single Match: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Akito
5. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul
6. Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Ken Ohka
7. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya Vs Shuji Ishikawa & Yoshitatsu
8. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles – Belt Contra Dissolution: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi (c) Vs Kazuki Hirata, Naruki Doi & Shinya Aoki
9. DDT Extreme Title – Painful Jungle Death Match: Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Hideki Okatani
10. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino (c) Vs Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai
11. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Takeshi Masada
12. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Yuma Aoyagi
13. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs HARASHIMA

Yesterday DDT held a press conference to promote this Sunday’s big show. The main event will determine who really is the strongest in DDT right now. HARASHIMA wants to win the KO-D Openweight Title not to turn back time but to show everyone a new DDT. Yuki Ueno said the previous design of the KO-D belt is in his mind attached to HARASHIMA. However the modern belt design currently belongs to Ueno and by beating HARASHIMA only then will it fit him completely. He wants to be the last one standing so whenever fans see the current KO-D Title design, they think of Ueno. HARASHIMA has never held the modern belt design as champion and thinks it would look cool on him. HARASHIMA pointed out he is over 20 years older than Ueno but that doesn’t mean anything to the champion. Ueno expects HARASHIMA to fight him with all of his might and is confident he will match his challenger’s heart and soul.

The press conference was the last chance for Takeshi Masada to talk back to MAO over recent criticisms. In the leadup to the DDT Universal Title match MAO accused Masada of not loving DDT or pro wrestling enough. Here Masada said he cannot explain in words alone how much DDT and wrestling means to him. Everyone will see just how much he loves it when he wins the Universal Title. MAO took another shot at Masada, saying his response was not a good one. He thinks the other members of SCHADENFREUDE International have shown more love than he does. MAO then explained the way he treats Sanshiro Takagi is done out of love because he is trying to bring Takagi back to his prime days. Masada is only doing this match for the glory, not for the love of it. That was proven when he challenged MAO in the first place. There could be an interesting future the two can build together but instead MAO is going to show no mercy. He has plans to defend the Universal Title around the world no matter the country he travels to or the gender of his opponents. Masada however wants to nominate wrestlers he has previously lost to as his challengers should he become the new champion.

The visiting New Period team are still enjoying their appearances in DDT. They like getting stronger opponents every time they show up and are really pleased to fight the KO-D Tag Team Champions next. Yuma Anzai claimed All Japan’s brand of bright, fun and intense pro wrestling won’t lose this challenge. Ryuki Honda has two goals in mind if they win the titles. New Period wants to elevate the KO-D Tag Titles in AJPW and also draw DDT fans over to All Japan! He then revealed he has recently become friends with Yoshihiko and the doll has told him about all of BURNING’s weaknesses! Tetsuya Endo has a similar idea to Honda because he too wants to defend KO-D championships in other companies this year. He thinks New Period is a great name because it implies a new era is coming. However BURNING are not going to give away their era yet. Yuki Iino talked about taking on training camps by himself for this title match. His team will win to show everyone it is a New BURNING rather than a New Period. After the talking stopped Iino and Honda got into a confrontation at the table when Iino wouldn’t stop chanting “BURNING!” at Honda.

The intern is getting an opponent with a similar pro wrestling background to him. Tsubasa Suzuki is currently in college and participates in the student pro wrestling scene. Soma Takao was part of the same scene before he turned professional. Suzuki would like to believe everything he’s done in the last few years will lead to him getting the win. He has wrestled Takao before and Takao wonders if he has since learned how to tell the difference between college club wrestling and actual pro wrestling. If Suzuki hasn’t then Takao will be happy to teach him the rigors of being a professional. Although Suzuki is only just starting in DDT, he said his goal is to someday win the KO-D Title. He will be entering the upcoming D GENERATIONS CUP and also has a series of trial matches coming up in the future.


Go Home Show For Grand Princess, Takeshita Vs Shunma In USA, GLEAT x DDT

March 13, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 SPRING”, 16/03/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. 3 Way Match: Rika Tatsumi Vs Mahiro Kiryu Vs Uta Takami
2. Kaya Toribami Vs Kira Summer
3. Maki Itoh & Shino Suzuki Vs Moka Miyamoto & Chika Nanase
4. Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku Vs Suzume, Arisu Endo & HIMAWARI
5. Wakana Uehara & Toga Vs Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo
6. Miyu Yamashita, Mizuki & Shoko Nakajima Vs Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku & Nao Kakuta

This will be the last proper Tokyo Joshi Pro show before “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” at the end of the month. There’s a few small scale sideshows coming up but this is pretty much the go home show. So it’s the final chance for Miyu Yamashita and Miu Watanabe to square off in non-title action as well as Yuki Aino against Daisy Monkey.

The show also has some returns. Maki Itoh will be back from America as the brand new GCW Extreme Champion. Also Runa Okubo has her first match since the start of January.

Hyper Misao is still out of action with a lower back injury. She hasn’t been booked for either of the side TJPW shows coming up so her return will be at Sumo Hall.

DDT “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!”, 04/04/2024
Penn’s Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos Vs Bryan Keith & Shota
2. Special Single Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs Yoshihiko
3. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Shunma Katsumata
4. Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Mike Bailey

Two more matches added to the DDT USA show. The big one is Konosuke Takeshita facing his old buddy Shunma Katsumata! Last year’s show was a chance for Takeshita to see what Yuki Ueno is like without him. Now it is Katsumata’s turn to step up to him.

A CCK reunion is on the card! Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos are back together for a match against the wild card pairing of Bryan Keith & Shota.

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING – DAY 2”, 17/05/2024
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Danshoku Dieno Birthday Eve Commemorative Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs X

Two Beer Garden shows will be happening right before Danshoku Dieno’s birthday. He is getting a special match on the second show to celebrate it.

GLEAT/DDT “GLEAT VER. &”, 06/06/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

This was announced earlier today during the GLEAT show at Korakuen Hall. Their 6th June show at the same venue will be a collaboration with DDT wrestlers. I’ll wait and see how much of the show will be built around GLEAT Vs DDT matches.


Nao Kakuta To Graduate From TJPW And Retire In July

March 13, 2024

A press conference was held by Tokyo Joshi Pro today for Nao Kakuta. She announced she will be graduating from TJPW and retire from pro wrestling at the end of July. It was a decision she had thought about for a while. Last year was when she made up her mind and had talks with Tetsuya Koda to finish up in 2024. Kakuta said when she discovered TJPW she was able to fall in love with wrestling even more and experienced so many things she never would have elsewhere. She has worked as a civil servant, a stage actress and a pro wrestler so now she has a new goal in life. She is going to take a break before taking her next step and moving on to accomplish that goal. She will reveal what that is when her plans surrounding it become more concrete.

There is a stage play she currently has a role in that may continue after she retires from wrestling but once that gig is finished she will not be taking any further jobs that put her in front of an audience or the public eye. When making this decision she thought about continuing her wrestling career on a part time basis but felt it would get in the way of her new goal. She made it clear that her graduation and retirement is not happening because of an injury.

Kakuta said her most memorable moments in TJPW were getting to wrestle Mizuki one on one and also winning the Princess Tag Team Titles. She believes she has done everything she could as a wrestler in TJPW. She has a few opponents in mind that she asked Koda to book her with for her last few months here. She has not decided on who her final opponent will be. Instead she is hopeful she gets to smile in the ring during the 10 bell salute for her retirement.


They Forgot About Sasadango, It’s A Battle Show, TJPW USA Card Revealed

March 11, 2024

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 ~27TH ANNIVERSARY 5 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 17/03/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. “Intern Wrestler” Tsubasa Suzuki Debut Match: Soma Takao Vs Tsubasa Suzuki
2. Yuya Koroku Return Match: To-y, Ilusion & Rukiya Vs Yuni, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
3. Toru Owashi & Gorgeous Matsuno Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Kawamatsu
4. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul
5. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya Vs Shuji Ishikawa & Yoshitatsu
6. Special Single Match: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Akito
7. Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Ken Ohka
8. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Yuma Aoyagi
9. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles – Belt Contra Dissolution: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi (c) Vs Kazuki Hirata, Naruki Doi & Shinya Aoki
10. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino (c) Vs Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai
11. DDT Extreme Title – Painful Jungle Death Match: Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Hideki Okatani
12. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Takeshi Masada
13. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs HARASHIMA

Over the weekend Super Sasadango Machine noticed something. He is on the poster for this show but hasn’t been booked for a match yet. He thought he was going to be on the show anyway because DDT is celebrating its 27th anniversary so he kept his busy schedule free for that day. Akito used his vice president duties to look into it and apologized when he found out that DDT did indeed forget to book Sasadango for the show. To make up for it one more match has been added to the 5 hour show and Akito himself will be Sasadango’s opponent. Now Keisuke Ishii is also getting booked in order to take Akito’s original spot in Match #3. Sasadango has since showed his appreciation to Akito for owning up o the mistake and apologized for giving him extra work to do. So for the first time ever we’re getting a wrestling match where the buildup involves both wrestlers constantly apologizing to each other.

BASARA “BASARA 244 ~UTAGE~”, 19/03/2024
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Isami Kosaka Vs Kazusada Higuchi
2. Union MAX Title: Minoru Fujita (c) Vs Masato Kamino

At the last BASARA show the top two members of Sento Minzoku challenged Harimao for the IRON FIST Tag Team Titles. The match cannot happen just yet because Minoru Fujita is already scheduled to defend the Union MAX Title and he does not want to take part in another championship bout on the same show. So instead Isami Kodaka will face one-half of the champions Kazusada Higuchi in a singles match to give fans a preview of the full course.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “BALLO BALLO ~ IT’S A BATTLE SHOW~”, 20/03/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Shino Suzuki & Uta Takami Vs HIMAWARI & Haru Kazashiro
2. Raku & Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu & Toga
3. Miu Watanabe & Moka Miyamoto Vs Shoko Nakajima & Wakana Uehara

The Up Up Girls (Pro Wrestling) are holding their own event that is a mixture of both wrestling matches and a concert. All currently active members will be involved. The management group behind the unit has already said Hikari Noa will not be at the show. She is gradually being mentioned or shown on promotional material again so to me that is a small but positive sign towards her eventually coming back. I think her future will be more clear next month after “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” and the American shows are out of the way. We’re more likely to see her in public again before Kate Middleton that’s for sure.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO/GANBARE☆JOSHI “SHUFFLE DATE 2024”, 22/03/2024
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Mahiro Kiryu & Haru Kazashiro Vs Toga & Chika Nanase
2. Rika Tatsumi, Runa Okubo & Uta Takami Vs Moka Miyamoto, Wakana Uehara & Kira Summer
3. HARUKAZE & Kaya Toribami Vs Raku & Shino Suzuki
4. Yuki Kamifuku & YuuRI Vs HIMAWARI & Riara
5. Yuna Manase & Nao Kakuta Vs Shoko Nakajima & Yoshiko Hasegawa

All of the Ganbare☆Joshi wrestlers have been booked already so the remaining card is filled with just Tokyo Joshi Pro girls.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY”, 05/04/2024
Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1. Hyper Misao Vs Billie Starkz
2. Shoko Nakajima Vs Rhio
3. Yuki Aino & Raku Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van
4. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Nao Kakuta & Zara Zakher
5. Mizuki & Vert Vixen Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
6. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe

This is the complete TJPW card you’re going to get in Philadelphia. Hmmm… I’m not that hot on it to be honest. If last year’s USA show was comparable to a Korakuen Hall show this one is more Ryogoku KFC Hall. I guess they’re a bit more conservative this time around because they have the second show with GCW the day after.

Speaking of GCW, Maki Itoh won the GCW Extreme Title in a 6 Way Scramble match on Saturday night! I’ll write more about it in the next DDT Around The World article at the end of the month.

BASARA “BASARA 245 ~YOKOHAMA STORY~”, 20/04/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles: Ryota Nakatsu & Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Isami Kodaka & Minoru Fujita

We’ll have to wait until the latter half of April for the IRON FIST Tag Title match to happen.


DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 TOUR IN OSAKA” Result

March 10, 2024

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 TOUR IN OSAKA”, 10/03/2024
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
203 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Toru Owashi & Akito defeated Yukio Naya & Yuni when Owashi pinned Yuni with La Magistral Cradle (8:44).
2. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Makoto Oishi when KANON submitted Oishi with the Cobra Twist (10:08).
3. Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno defeated Tsutenkakka with the Danshoku Driver (7:37).
4. Kazuki Hirata Debut 14th Anniversary Vol. 1 ~ Handi-Life Match: Kazuki Hirata (1 HP) defeated Jun Akiyama (0 HP) (7:33).
4a. Jun Akiyama (1 HP) defeated Kazuki Hirata (3 HP) with the Front Neck Lock (0:06).
4b. Jun Akiyama (1 HP) defeated Kazuki Hirata (2 HP) by Knockout with the Running Knee Butt (3:46).
4c. Kazuki Hirata (1 HP) defeated Jun Akiyama (1 HP) with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (7:33).
5. BURNING Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino defeated MAO & To-y when Endo pinned To-y with the Burning Star Press (12:56).
6. Osaka Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yoshitatsu, Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada defeated Sanshiro Takagi, Naoki Tanizaki & Rukiya when Masada pinned Rukiya with the Masada No Chikara KOBU Mukimuki (12:25).
7. Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Hideki Okatani defeated Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata when HARASHIMA submitted Ueno with a Torso Sleeper Hold (20:10).

Some of the Sumo Hall challengers showed today they are catching up to The 37KAMIINA and can do what they do just as well. HARASHIMA got one back on Yuki Ueno by using his own Torso Sleeper Hold to beat him by submission in the main event. Here HARASHIMA was able to make Ueno tap out which Ueno couldn’t do to him earlier in the week. Meanwhile Hideki Okatani went Hardcore against Shunma Katsumata with both of them digginh skewers into each other’s heads. Okatani came out looking the better while Katsumata was left bleeding over his face. Okatani took the microphone from HARASHIMA after the match and told Katsumata their DDT Extreme Title match on 17th March will be more intense, hot and bloody than it was today. HARASHIMA told Ueno he cannot afford to lose the KO-D Openweight Title match against him. He offered a handshake but Ueno slapped him instead. HARASHIMA promised the Osaka fans he will come back here as the KO-D Champion. He will also do his best even more in the title match because it is happening on a DDT anniversary show.

Takeshi Masada is also feeling more confident about his chances to win the DDT Universal Title. He picked up the fall in the semi-main event tag match and appreciates that it happened in his home of Osaka. Meanwhile Naoki Tanizaki had to console Rukiya for losing in Osaka. He realized there are actually a lot of pro wrestlers from Toyonaka City so they along with Sanshiro Takagi should go collect them all. Rukiya suggested if the three of them find two other Toyonaka wrestlers then they can challenge for the KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles.

There were no teamwork problems between Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino today. Iino is no confident BURNING can beat New Period and retain the KO-D Tag Team Titles on 17th March. Endo believes they still have problems as a team that they need to iron out but they had a good flow today and communicated well with each other.

Kazuki Hirata decided his bout against Jun Akiyama was going to be a Handi-Life Match. He was going to fight carrying the spirits of Naruki Doi and Shinya Aoki on his shoulders so Akiyama would need to beat him three times in three different ways in order to win. Hirata however only needed to beat Akiyama once with a 1-Count pin to be the winner. Akiyama hated the idea but was forced to accept them by the fans. When the match began Akiyama immediately beat Hirata in the first fall by submission. In the second fall Hirata tried to copy Aoki and Doi’s moves but failed and was knocked out by a Knee Strike. Yukinori Matsui revived him for the third and deciding fall. He was able to survive this time and catch Akiyama in the Miracle One Shot Cradle for a single second to be declared the winner of the match. Makoto Oishi couldn’t believe that both of his D.O.A partners have lost to Hirata back to back! He declared he will fight his hardest to defend the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles on 17th March. However Akiyama pointed out Oishi is the weakest one on the team! Hirata defended the rules because the skill level gap is so big between himself and Akiyama that he needs a 1-Count Fall to give him a 50-50 chance of winning. He won’t need that rule for the title match because the rest of Zuncha♪Muscle Survivor will be there.


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 SPRING” Results

March 10, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 SPRING”, 10/03/2024
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall
206 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Toga defeated Chika Nanase with the Rock Bottom (4:18).
2. Yuki Aino defeated Kira Summer with the Full Nelson Of Love And Flame (5:15).
3. Mizuki defeated Uta Takami with the Face Lock (6:00).
4. Mahiro Kiryu & HIMAWARI defeated Nao Kakuta & Haru Kazashiro when HIMAWARI submitted Kazashiro with the Half Crab Hold (11:07).
5. Irregular Tag Match: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe defeated Raku, Pom Harajuku & Shino Suzuki when Watanabe pinned Suzuki with the Tear Drop (14:57).
6. Yuki Kamifuku defeated Wakana Uehara with the Famouser (9:05).
7. Shoko Nakajima, Suzume & Arisu Endo defeated Miyu Yamashita, Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami when Suzume pinned Toribami with the Ring A Bell (17:09).

Daisy Monkey are feeling good after teaming with Shoko Nakajima to win today’s main event. Nakajima hit Miyu Yamashita with a Topé Suicida, Arisu Endo took out Moka Miyamoto with the Tsuruga Castle and Suzume pinned Kaya Toribami with the Ring A Bell. Nakajima joked that Daisy Monkey acts like a pair of cute juniors but she knows how strong they have both become. It’s enough to make her feel jealous of them. However she now has to put her focus on beating Aja Kong & Max The Impaler in Sumo Hall at the end of the month.

At the last minute Hyper Misao pulled out of the show because of lower back pain problems. Her removal turned Match #5 into a 3 Vs 2 Handicap Match with Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Shino Suzuki taking on Raku & Pom Harajuku. But before it began Harajuku complained about the other team having an unfair advantage because they had a much higher amount of ability combined compared to herself and Raku. Tatsumi agreed and literally threw Suzuki over to their side of the ring so the match turned into Daydream against Raku, Harajuku & Suzuki. It briefly became a 3 Vs 1 fight when they fought out of the ring and Tatsumi was locked outside of the room. Tatsumi found a way to break back into the room by moving two of the sliding walls apart. She then took care of Raku & Harajuku so Watanabe could beat Suzuki by herself.

The three new rookies were all given a singles match challenge for the early half of the show. Uta Takami, Kira Summer and Chika Nanase all lost but the matches were put together to help get them prepared for the “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” opening bout.


The Complete Grand Princess ’24 Lineup

March 9, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’24”, 31/03/2024
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Shino Suzuki, Chika Nanase & Kira Summer Vs Haru Kazashiro, Runa Okubo & Uta Takami
2. Nao Kakuta & Ami Yumoto Vs Mahiro Kiryu & HIMAWARI
3. Andreza Giant Panda & Kaya Toribami (w/ Haruna Neko) Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku
4. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano Vs Wakana Uehara & Toga
5. Rika Tatsumi Vs Masha Slamovich
6. Aja Kong & Max The Impaler Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
7. Special Single Match: Minoru Suzuki Vs Maki Itoh
8. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Emi Sakura & Chris Brookes
9. International Princess Title: Yuki Arai (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku
10. Princess Tag Team Titles: Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino (c) Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
11. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Miu Watanabe

Eleven matches make up the big Sumo Hall show at the end of the month. One of the big additions to the card is a match that mixes together Tokyo Joshi Pro with DDT, Gatoh Move and AEW all into one potentially massive chaotic blur. Mizuki gets to breath a sigh of relief because she gets to reunite with Yuka Sakazaki and bring back The Magical Sugar Rabbits after all. Facing them is the wild card pairing of Emi Sakura & Chris Brookes! Oddly enough it will be the first time both Sakura & Brookes are wrestling on a TJPW show despite previously being in the ring with TJPW wrestlers elsewhere. Or also in Brookes’ case doing commentary on the shows themselves.

Rika Tatsumi gets a big international singles match with Masha Slamovich. For Slamovich it’s another chance for her to leave her stamp in TJPW after matches with Miyu Yamashita and Max The Impaler back in January. Tatsumi is going to be the third high level opponent in a row for her.

This could probably be the last time Shinken Kusho get to tag together. Juria Nagano will be graduating from TJPW a few weeks later. Moka Miyamoto has been gradually climbing her way up the ladder too so far this year. Their match here looks to me like it will be a showcase for the two of them rather than their opponents Wakana Uehara & Toga.

The animals are all joining forces and it will be up to Raku & Pom Harajuku to save humanity! Or something like that. The last time Andreza Giant Panda was in TJPW he teamed with Haruna Neko. One year later Neko will still be there but she isn’t cleared to wrestle yet. So she’ll hang around ringside while Kaya Toribami fights alongside the panda.

It was already announced that the debuting Ami Yumoto will team with Nao Kakuta. We now know their opponents will be Mahiro Kiryu & HIMAWARI.

Welcome to joshi wrestling where in a match featuring six people the two teenagers are among the most experienced of the bunch. The show opens with three members of the 2023 Class against the three members of the 2024 Class.