DDT/GCW Tomorrow, Princess Cup Final 4, F’ed Up Fest Full Match Lineup

August 11, 2024

DDT/GCW “NEVER ENDING NOISY SUMMER”, 12/08/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Masha Slamovich, Yuni & Ilusion Vs Maki Itoh, Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Marcus Mathers
2. DDT Variety Team Vs The Mothership: Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda Vs Allie Katch & Dark Sheik
3. DDT Vs GCW Special Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs Rina Yamashita & Broski Jimmy
4. DDT Vs GCW Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino Vs Gringo Loco & 1 Called Manders
5. DDT Vs GCW Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Effy
6. GCW World Title – 3 Way Hardcore Match: Mance Warner (c) Vs Shunma Katsumata Vs Joey Janela
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Alex Zayne

Tomorrow GCW will begin their tour of Japan by co-promoting a Korakuen Hall show with DDT. They will be doing two other events at Shinjuku FACE during the week. According to an article on DDT’s website that was written by the owner of the FREEBIRDS online shop*, one of the reasons GCW now works with DDT is to show the Japanese audience they have moved on from just being a death match promotion.

*The answer to the question, are there Japanese fans who are diehard into the American wrestling scene just like there are American fans who obsess over puro?

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 23/08/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Tokyo Princess Cup – Semi Final: Yuki Arai Vs Ryo Mizunami
2. Tokyo Princess Cup – Semi Final: Yuki Aino Vs Zara Zakher

What an unlikely final four we have here. The two semi-finals both feature a pair of opponents who are familiar with each other. Yuki Arai fought Ryo Mizunami in a tag match at “WRESTLE PRINCESS IV” last October and she even won that match for her team. Mizunami thinks highly of her and it will make her summer if she can make it to the Tokyo Princess Cup Final by beating Arai. Yuki Aino and Zara Zakher teamed together at “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY” this past April. Zakher already produced two shocking upsets in the tournament already but Aino claims she has already been studying her opponent.

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “FUCKED UP FEST”, 24/08/2024
Tokyo Nakano Moonstep

1. Special Single Match: Mr. Bueno Vs To-y
2. Special Tag Team Match: Munetatsu Nakamura & Kota Ibushikoshi Vs Keigo Nakamura & Kazuma Sumi
3. Special Single Match: Tyrannosaurus Inoue Vs Tyrannosaurus Morozumi
4. Special Tag Team Match: Masahiro Takanashi & Chie Koishikawa Vs Thanomsak Toba & Sayaka
5. International 4 Way Dance: Shivam Vs Dr. Gore Vs Monomoth Vs Jake De Leon
6. Triple Threat Match: Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Antonio Honda Vs Yasu Urano
7. Special Single Match: Maya Yukihi Vs Ram Kaichow
8. Hardcore 4 Way Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs MAO Vs Chris Brookes Vs Mad Dr. Ueki

Since this big festival is happening on Chris Brookes’s birthday, he gets to have a big main event match. A Hardcore 4 Way free for all pitting him against Shunma Katsumata, MAO and Mad Dr. Ueki sounds like the right way to bring the party towards its ending. The event is lasting all day with one match scheduled to happen on the hour, every hour until the final two matches take place later at night.

Tyrannosaurus Inoue is not the only inflatable wrestling dinosaur to be found in Japan these days. Tyrannosaurus Morozumi has been doing the same thing in the University Pro Wrestling scene.


DDT “OSAKA VS TOKYO ~DREAM EAST-WEST PRO WRESTLING BATTLE 2024~” Results

August 10, 2024

DDT “OSAKA VS TOKYO ~DREAM EAST-WEST PRO WRESTLING BATTLE 2024~”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2
586 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Keigo Nakamura (Iwate) & Yuya Koroku (Chiba) defeated Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto) & Kazuma Sumi (Mie) when Koroku submitted Sumi with a Modified Arm Lock (7:20).
*Yuya Koroku wins Kazuma Sumi’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield.
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Toru Owashi, Yukio Naya & Ilusion when KANON pinned Ilusion with the Sleepy Hollow (9:22).
3. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima) & Yuni (Osaka) defeated Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka) & Akito (Aichi) when Dieno pinned Oishi with the Danshoku Driver (7:12).
4. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special Tag Match: Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) & Momoka Hanazono (Osaka) defeated Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) & Riara (Miyagi) when Unagi pinned Riara with the Sliding TANAKA (10:32).
5. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special 4 Way Match: MAO (Miyagi) defeated Tsutenkakka (Osaka), The Great Koji (Osakananko) and A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima) when MAO pinned Koji with a Spinning Cradle (7:36).
6. DDT Extreme Title ~ East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Energetic!! 37 Great Battles: Shunma Katsumata (c) (Chiba) defeated Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka) when Katsumata reached the 37th Pin Count (11:28).
*V5 for Shunma Katsumata.
7. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Tokyo Vs Osaka Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno (Osaka) & Jun Akiyama (Osaka) defeated HARASHIMA (Tokyo) & Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo) when Ueno pinned Hirata with a Lariat (0:05).
7a. Rematch: Yuki Ueno (Osaka) & Jun Akiyama (Osaka) defeated HARASHIMA (Tokyo) & Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo) (w/ Yoshihiko) when Ueno pinned Hirata with the WR (11:17).
8. KO-D Tag Team Titles – East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Takeshi Masada Debut 2nd Anniversary Match: Chris Brookes (England) & Takeshi Masada (Osaka) defeated Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi) & Yuki Iino (Tokyo) (c) when Brookes submitted Endo with the Octopus Stretch (26:13).
*BURNING fails in V4. SCHADENFREUDE International becomes the 83rd KO-D Tag Team Champions!

Eastern Army: Shunma Katsumata (Chiba), HARASHIMA (Tokyo), Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo), MAO (Miyagi), Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi), Yuki Iino (Tokyo), Daisuke Sasaki (Tokyo), KANON (Ishikawa), Toru Owashi (Nagano), Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka), Akito (Aichi), Yukio Naya (Tokyo), Keigo Nakamura (Iwate), Yuya Koroku (Chiba), Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) and Riara (Miyagi)

Western Army: Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka), Yuki Ueno (Osaka), Jun Akiyama (Osaka), Chris Brookes (England), Takeshi Masada (Osaka), Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima), Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto), Yuni (Osaka), Kazuma Sumi (Mie), Tsutenkakka (Osaka), The Great Koji (Osakananko), A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima), Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) and Momoka Hanazono (Osaka)

Place Of Unknown Origin: MJ Paul, Ilusion

On the week when Takeshi Masada celebrates two years of being a pro wrestler, today he needed to get something to show for it. He and Chris Brookes were originally meant to face Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino in a non-title match that was only put together to celebrate Masada’s anniversary in his hometown. But the KO-D Tag Team Champions were confident enough to put their championship on the line to make an example of Masada and his recent slump in performance. Big mistake! Brookes & Masada brought the fight to BURNING and it ended up with Brookes putting Endo in the Octopus Stretch and Masada grabbing Iino in the same move to stop him from breaking it up. Endo reached his limit and gave up, making the SCHADENFREUDE International duo the new tag champs!

Brookes described his opponents as being strong and they are welcome to fight them again anytime. Masada brought up all the criticism other wrestlers had been saying about him. If he was missing something then the KO-D Tag Titles are the signpost that will point him towards what he is looking for! Masada is not going to be the second coming of Konosuke Takeshita like people thought he would but he will lead the way as the future of DDT! Endo took fault for losing the match. He admits they lost not because of teamwork but because he gave up. He remembers when a DDT veteran entrusted the company to him eight years ago but he isn’t ready to do the same for Masada right now. Iino thinks they have no choice but to shift gears.

Throughout the show there was a team challenge pitting wrestlers from the west side of Japan against those from the east side. The score was tied 3-3 when it came down to the last match. The west’s captain Yuki Ueno instantly defeated the east’s captain Kazuki Hirata but they agreed to restart the match because they couldn’t let the competition end like that. Hirata & HARASHIMA had some extra help from Yoshihiko in the rematch. That lasted until Jun Akiyama grabbed Yoshihiko and attacked the other team with the doll. Ueno then pinned Hirata again to confirm victory for the Western Army.

The DDT Extreme Title was on the line with a bonus rule involving the pin count. You could win the match with a three count as normal but every 1 count and 2 count gets added up. If a wrestler’s total pin count reached 37 (“sauna”) then they would automatically win the match that way. Shunma Katsumata and Kohei Kinoshita went back and forth leading them both to 36 points. Katsumata was able to roll up Kinoshita to grab the match winning 37th count. He wants to have another match with Kinoshita because neither of them have gotten a 3 count on each other yet. Katsumata discovered that winning the match with a 1 count pin doesn’t feel right. If they can’t have a rematch for the title he still wants to be in the ring with him in either DDT or Dove Pro. They can even be teammates instead of opponents next time.

The Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shields have become active and there was movement right from the start. Yuya Koroku submitted Kazuma Sumi in the opening match, taking his Shield away from him. That has to really bother Sumi because he wanted to cash in his title shot as soon as possible. Koroku told reporters he already knows what he wants to do with the Shield and will use it when the time is right.

When Ueno’s match was over KANON entered the ring to taunt him with his RTC Shield. However he wasn’t going to use it because Ueno isn’t at his worst and most worn out state yet. Keigo Nakamura and Yuya Koroku also walked out to tease cashing in but neither would do it. Finally, Antonio Honda rushed into the ring with his Shield but tripped over the ropes and decided not to cash in because he was now injured


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP” Results

August 10, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2
370 Fans

1. Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami defeated Arisu Endo & Chika Nanase when Miyamoto submitted Nanase with the Rashomon (7:40).
2. 3 Way Match: Pom Harajuku defeated Mahiro Kiryu and Runa Okubo when Harajuku pinned Okubo with a Roll Up (6:08).
3. Miu Watanabe, Raku, Shino Suzuki & Uta Takami defeated Shoko Nakajima, Wakana Uehara, Haru Kazashiro & Kira Summer when Raku pinned Kazashiro with the Doctor Yellow (12:58).
4. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh defeated Masha Slamovich & Toga when Itoh submitted Toga with the Itoh Deluxe (11:35).
5. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Zara Zakher defeated Mizuki with the Control Z (9:46).
6. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Yuki Aino defeated Yuki Kamifuku with the UBV (9:07).
7. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Yuki Arai defeated Suzume with the Finally (11:10).
8. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Ryo Mizunami defeated Rika Tatsumi with the HOT LIMIT (12:33).

Bet this wasn’t the final four you had in mind when you first looked at the Tokyo Princess Cup brackets. Only one person from last year’s semi finals has made it back to the same point and two of the three new faces joining her are outsiders. Ryo Mizunami is the most experienced of them all though, by a wide margin. Rika Tatsumi tried hiding out in the audience so she could lure Mizunami into an ambush. The plan did not cause much damage though. Tatsumi then tried to tough it out and dared Mizunami to Chop her. That ended the way you’d think it would so Tatsumi had to choke her opponent and fight back with Hip Attacks. Mizunami fought her way out of the Dragon Sleeper though, using her power to give Tatsumi the HOT LIMIT for the pinfall.

Mizunami said she never expected Tatsumi to be so scary in the ring and she praised her for her tenacity. Just like the fans, Mizunami is getting addicted to Tokyo Joshi Pro one step at a time. Tatsumi was frustrated with the loss because Mizunami was even more powerful than she thought. There is a power and energy to her that is almost invisible and it really shook Tatsumi’s soul today. Her summer is over but that just means autumn and winter are coming up. She is going to have a think about what new goals she wants to make.

Yuki Arai has made it back to the semi final for the second year in a row. The International Princess Champion got here by beating Suzume, one half of the Princess Tag Team Champions. She blocked the Ring A Bell and countered it into a Full Nelson Buster. Suzume dodged the Finally to roll her up for a nearfall. But Arai got her momentum back and hit the Finally to pin her opponent. Arai asked for a handshake after the match and Suzume hugged her instead. The two have fought each other a lot but mainly in tag matches so Arai is happy to win today. She will do her best to make it to the final. Suzume may have lost but she assures everyone she hasn’t burned out yet. After all, hornets are at their most aggressive from summer to autumn.

Do you know who is burning bright? Yuki Aino! She eliminated last year’s finalist Yuki Kamifuku to book her place in the final four. The Shoulder Blocks were scouted in advance but so too was the Famouser. Kamifuku kept going for the move but ended up getting caught in the Venus DDT. Aino then finished her off with the UBV. She couldn’t be happier or more excited to beat Kamifuku and reach the Princess Cup semi final for the first time ever. She knows it is going to be tough but she wants to make it to the final so she can headline Korakuen Hall! Kamifuku admitted she may have let her guard down because up until recently Aino was more concerned about having fun. But she’s gotten to know herself better. It turns out Kamifuku actually wants to win tournaments even though she hates competing in them.

Perhaps the Cinderella of the tournament isn’t Aino but in fact Zara Zakher? After taking out Miu Watanabe in Round 2 she has now eliminated Mizuki from the tournament in the Quarter Final! Even after Mizuki did her big dive out of the ring, used an Avalanche Cutie Special and also held onto the Face Lock for as long as she could it just wasn’t in the cards for her today. Zakher knocked her down with Lariats and pinned her with the Control Z. Mizuki took the loss in good grace though and gave Zakher a hug afterwards. With that, we have our final four.

After the show was over the four semi-finalists went through the draw to determine who will face who in the next round. We’re getting Yuki Arai Vs Ryo Mizunami and Yuki Aino Vs Zara Zakher on 23rd August. Mizunami thinks Arai is a gutsy fighter and it will make Mizunami’s summer to beat her. Arai has fought Mizunami before and was overwhelmed by her. She is going to go at her own pace and used everything she has learned up until now so she can become number one. Zakher wants to show everyone just how powerful she can get. Aino remembers teaming with her in America back in April. She is also studying her wins against Watanabe and Mizuki to learn how to beat her. She isn’t going to get eaten by this dark horse. Aino is going her eat her instead!

Masha Slamovich returned to TJPW to get back in the ring with both Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh. She had Toga teaming with her for it too. The teamwork of 121000000 was too much though. They caught Slamovich & Toga in the High Knee/Headbutt Sandwich and Itoh then made Toga submit to the Itoh Deluxe. After the match backstage Yamashita wanted to talk about her experiences with wrestling Slamovich but Itoh interrupted her to announce 121000000 want to become Princess Tag Champions again! They have spent time away from each other even when they are both in America. Yet whenever they have teamed up this year they win their tag matches. They even beat Daydream in America during Wrestlemania Week. Itoh would have wanted to get a title shot right after that happened but she thinks now is the perfect time for 121000000 to challenge Daisy Monkey for the belts.


Osaka Princess Cup, West Vs East, MAO Aiming For His 10th Defence

August 9, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2

1. 3 Way Match: Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu Vs Runa Okubo
2. Arisu Endo & Chika Nanase Vs Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami
3. Miu Watanabe, Raku, Shino Suzuki & Uta Takami Vs Shoko Nakajima, Wakana Uehara, Haru Kazashiro & Kira Summer
4. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Toga
5. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Rika Tatsumi Vs Ryo Mizunami
6. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Yuki Kamifuku Vs Yuki Aino
7. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Mizuki Vs Zara Zakher
8. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Suzume Vs Yuki Arai

Tomorrow Osaka will hosting a Tokyo Princess Cup show for the first time ever as we get through the Quarter Finals.

DDT “OSAKA VS TOKYO ~DREAM EAST-WEST PRO WRESTLING BATTLE 2024~”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2

1. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Keigo Nakamura (Iwate) & Yuya Koroku (Chiba) Vs Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto) & Kazuma Sumi (Mie)
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Toru Owashi, Yukio Naya & Ilusion
3. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka) & Akito (Aichi) Vs Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima) & Yuni (Osaka)
4. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special Tag Match: Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) & Riara (Miyagi) Vs Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) & Momoka Hanazono (Osaka)
5. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special 4 Way Match: MAO (Miyagi) Vs Tsutenkakka (Osaka) Vs The Great Koji (Osakananko) Vs A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima)
6. DDT Extreme Title ~ East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Energetic!! 37 Great Battles: Shunma Katsumata (c) (Chiba) Vs Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka)
7. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Tokyo Vs Osaka Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA (Tokyo) & Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo) Vs Yuki Ueno (Osaka) & Jun Akiyama (Osaka)
8. KO-D Tag Team Titles – East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Takeshi Masada Debut 2nd Anniversary Match: Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi) & Yuki Iino (Tokyo) (c) Vs Chris Brookes (England) & Takeshi Masada (Osaka)

Eastern Army: Shunma Katsumata (Chiba), HARASHIMA (Tokyo), Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo), MAO (Miyagi), Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi), Yuki Iino (Tokyo), Daisuke Sasaki (Tokyo), KANON (Ishikawa), Toru Owashi (Nagano), Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka), Akito (Aichi), Yukio Naya (Tokyo), Keigo Nakamura (Iwate), Yuya Koroku (Chiba), Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) and Riara (Miyagi)

Western Army: Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka), Yuki Ueno (Osaka), Jun Akiyama (Osaka), Chris Brookes (England), Takeshi Masada (Osaka), Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima), Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto), Yuni (Osaka), Kazuma Sumi (Mie), Tsutenkakka (Osaka), The Great Koji (Osakananko), A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima), Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) and Momoka Hanazono (Osaka)

Place Of Unknown Origin: MJ Paul, Ilusion

It’s time for Takeshi Masada to put up or shut up. He and Chris Brookes can become KO-D Tag Team Champions together if they can beat BURNING in the main event.

To clear up the rules for the DDT Extreme Title match, it can still be won by a traditional three count pinfall. One count and two count kickouts will be added up until either Shunma Katsumata or Kohei Kinoshita reach a total of 37 points. But if one of them gets a regular three count pin, they win the match then and there.

From tomorrow onwards the Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shields will become active. The current holders are HARASHIMA (Blue), Antonio Honda (Red), KANON (Black), Keigo Nakamura (Sky Blue) and Kazuma Sumi (White).

DDT/GCW “NEVER ENDING NOISY SUMMER”, 12/08/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Masha Slamovich, Yuni & Ilusion Vs Maki Itoh, Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Marcus Mathers
2. DDT Variety Team Vs The Mothership: Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda Vs Allie Katch & Dark Sheik
3. DDT Vs GCW Special Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs Rina Yamashita & Broski Jimmy
4. DDT Vs GCW Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino Vs Gringo Loco & 1 Called Manders
5. DDT Vs GCW Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Effy
6. GCW World Title – 3 Way Hardcore Match: Mance Warner (c) Vs Shunma Katsumata Vs Joey Janela
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Alex Zayne

If MAO defeats Alex Zayne tomorrow it will be the tenth successful DDT Universal Title defence for him. A title reign in DDT reaching a double digit amount of successful defences is really rare. It has only happened once with the KO-D Openweight Title (Konosuke Takeshita in 2017-2018), once with the Extreme Title (Sanshiro Takagi in 2020-2021) and once with the KO-D Tag Titles (Takagi & Munenori Sawa in 2010). MAO can add the Universal Title to that sort of history on Monday.


37 Major Battles, 1st F’ed Up Fest Matches, Ibushi Returns To DDT, Cavalry Reunion

August 7, 2024

DDT “OSAKA VS TOKYO ~DREAM EAST-WEST PRO WRESTLING BATTLE 2024~”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2

1. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Toru Owashi, Yukio Naya & Ilusion
2. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Keigo Nakamura (Iwate) & Yuya Koroku (Chiba) Vs Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto) & Kazuma Sumi (Mie)
3. East Vs West All-Out Competition: Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka) & Akito (Aichi) Vs Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima) & Yuni (Osaka)
4. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special Tag Match: Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) & Riara (Miyagi) Vs Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) & Momoka Hanazono (Osaka)
5. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Special 4 Way Match: MAO (Miyagi) Vs Tsutenkakka (Osaka) Vs The Great Koji (Osakananko) Vs A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima)
6. East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Tokyo Vs Osaka Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA (Tokyo) & Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo) Vs Yuki Ueno (Osaka) & Jun Akiyama (Osaka)
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles – East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Takeshi Masada Debut 2nd Anniversary Match: Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi) & Yuki Iino (Tokyo) (c) Vs Chris Brookes (England) & Takeshi Masada (Osaka)
8. DDT Extreme Title ~ East Vs West All-Out Competition ~ Energetic!! 37 Major Battles Between East And West: Shunma Katsumata (c) (Chiba) Vs Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka)

East Army: Shunma Katsumata (Chiba), HARASHIMA (Tokyo), Kazuki Hirata (Tokyo), MAO (Miyagi), Tetsuya Endo (Miyagi), Yuki Iino (Tokyo), Daisuke Sasaki (Tokyo), KANON (Ishikawa), Toru Owashi (Nagano), Makoto Oishi (Shizuoka), Akito (Aichi), Yukio Naya (Tokyo), Keigo Nakamura (Iwate), Yuya Koroku (Chiba), Yoshiko Hasegawa (Saitama) and Riara (Miyagi)

West Army: Kohei Kinoshita (Osaka), Yuki Ueno (Osaka), Jun Akiyama (Osaka), Chris Brookes (England), Takeshi Masada (Osaka), Danshoku Dieno (Hiroshima), Yuki Ishida (Kumamoto), Yuni (Osaka), Kazuma Sumi (Mie), Tsutenkakka (Osaka), The Great Koji (Osakananko), A.YAZAWA (Hiroshima), Sayaka Unagi (Osaka) and Momoka Hanazono (Osaka)

Place Of Unknown Origin: MJ Paul, Ilusion

It wasn’t possible for DDT to bring Shunma Katsumata and Kohei Kinoshita together to sign the contract for their DDT Extreme Title match so a remote press conference was held for them yesterday. Katsumata decided the rules for the match is they will score a point for every second they pin their opponent for. The first wrestler to reach 37 points in total will be the winner and champion. The reason why Katsumata chose 37 as the target number is because 37 means “sauna” and he heard Kinoshita also likes saunas.

Kinoshita said he wanted to wrestle in DDT for years but it was always difficult to get bookings because he lives in Kansai. He is excited to wrestle for a title and will use this match as a chance to expand his horizons. Katsumata had wanted to do a singles match with him ever since they fought each other in a 6-Man Tag at Yukinori Matsui’s produce show back in May. He is even happier the match gets to happen in Osaka. Even though the contract signing was done electronically, the two still found a way to almost start a brawl by arguing with each other over who is going to win.

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “FUCKED UP FEST”, 24/08/2024
Tokyo Nakano Moonstep

1. Special Tag Team Match: Masahiro Takanashi & Chie Koishikawa Vs Thanomsak Toba & Sayaka
2. International 4 Way Dance: Shivam Vs Dr. Gore Vs Monomoth Vs Jake De Leon
3. Triple Threat Match: Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Antonio Honda Vs Yasu Urano
4. Special Single Match: Maya Yukihi Vs Ram Kaichow

The first few matches for “FUCKED UP FEST” have been revealed. Maya Yukihi and Ram Kaichow are being paired off against each other. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi and Yasu Urano come to Baka Gaijin + Friends for the first time. An international 4 Way invites Shivam, Dr. Gore, Monomoth and Jake De Leon all to Japan. Also Chie Koishikawa, Thanomsak Toba and Sayaka all return to the Baka Gaijin mat.

The event is supposed to be an all day thing and so far Masahiro Takanashi is the only regular to have a match announced. A lot of the other regulars haven’t been mentioned yet so expect a lot more matches to be added soon.

DDT “MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2024”, 25/08/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Soma Takao 15th Anniversary ~ Special Single Match: Soma Takao Vs Keisuke Ishii
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kota Ibushi, Danshoku Dieno & Akito Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku
3. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs Shinya Aoki

Seven years after his last match with the company Kota Ibushi is finally going to wrestle in DDT again! His return match is being purposely put together too because one of his opponents is Tetsuya Endo. When Ibushi left DDT, Endo was one of the wrestlers he entrusted the future of the promotion to. Ibushi wants to prove to everyone he is in much better form than his NOAH match at the start of the year. He had a five minute exhibition at GLEAT recently where he looked alright but still nowhere near the image of Ibushi that we all know and love. I’d say if he’s reduced to just being the hot tag for the match he won’t embarrass himself. Heck if he just wants to goof around Korakuen Hall and fight up in the balcony again for old time’s sake that won’t be bad either. Unless his teases of going over the barrier get taken too far…

BASARA “BASARA 256 ~SOUEN~”, 27/08/2024
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Iron Fist Tag Team Titles: Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) Vs Ryuichi Sekine & Ryota Nakatsu

The “SOUEN” events are supposedly going to be the same kind of shows BASARA were already doing at Shin-Kiba 1st RING before they increased the schedule. The first match announced definitely goes into the promotion’s history because Ryuichi Sekine & Ryota Nakatsu are reuniting as Cavalry to challenge Astronauts for the Iron Fist Tag Team Titles. Cavalry was one of the first new teams established in BASARA during the brand’s debut year back in 2016. It lasted until 2018 when Nakatsu won the Union MAX Title and Sekine felt it was time for them to split up so he could challenge him for the belt. It’s only fitting that another championship is what gets them to reunite six years later.


Princess Cup Quarter Finals, Hien, Ueno And Aoki Face Off, First Few EVE X TJPW Matches

August 5, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 10/08/2024
Osaka Edion Arena #2

1. 3 Way Match: Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu Vs Runa Okubo
2. Arisu Endo & Chika Nanase Vs Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami
3. Miu Watanabe, Raku, Shino Suzuki & Uta Takami Vs Shoko Nakajima, Wakana Uehara, Haru Kazashiro & Kira Summer
4. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Toga
5. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Suzume Vs Yuki Arai
6. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Mizuki Vs Zara Zakher
7. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Yuki Kamifuku Vs Yuki Aino
8. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Rika Tatsumi Vs Ryo Mizunami

Eight women remain in the Tokyo Princess Cup. From this point onwards the bracket will get shuffled up so no one who wins will immediately know who they will face in the semi finals. Usually the lottery will happen at the end of the show.

Maki Itoh’s latest tour with GCW brings her going from Japan to America back to Japan and then to America once more. Masha Slamovich is on the Japan tour too and she is teaming with Toga to take on 121000000.

This will be the first time all four current members of The Up Up Girls (Pro Wrestling) are teaming together for an 8-Woman Tag Match.

HIMAWARI won’t be at the show because she is making a stage appearance somewhere else that day. Whatever the performance is about involves a lot of swordplay.

BASARA “BASARA 254 ~HIEN~”, 13/08/2024
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Masato Kamino Vs Kuma Arashi
2. Ryota Nakatsu Vs Daisuke Sekimoto
3. Takato Nakano Vs Kota Sekifuda
4. Isami Kodaka & Lil’ Kraken Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & Takeru Inoue
5. Ryuichi Sekine & FUMA Vs Kengo Mashimo & Fuminori Abe

The new schedule for BASARA splitting their “UTAGE” show between red and blue brandings begins here. “HIEN” shows promise to contain Hard Mode level matches. The appearances of Kengo Mashimo, Kota Sekifuda, Daisuke Sekimoto and Kuma Arashi going against the BASARA roster is a good way to start things off.

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN 2024 IN SHINJUKU – DAY 1”, 15/08/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Toru Owashi, To-y & Keigo Nakamura
2. Special 3 Way 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku Vs Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi & Yukio Naya
3. Blindfold Hidden Breast 4 Way Match: Chris Brookes Vs Antonio Honda Vs Super Sasadango Machine Vs Kazuma Sumi
4. Drunk Match: HARASHIMA Vs Masahiro Takanashi
5. International Special 4 Way Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Joey Janela Vs Effy Vs Takeshi Masada
6. International Special Single Match: Danhausen Vs Kazuki Hirata

What is more powerful than Kazuki Hirata dancing to “Tokyo GO!”? Maybe Danhausen dancing to “Tequila”? It is a Beer Garden show after all.

During the week Joey Janela revealed he has been suffering from gallstone pancreatitis. It sounded like he was going to be out of action for a while but instead he went ahead and wrestled in GCW as scheduled. He is also determined to be in Japan for the tour and DDT on their end has not said anything that suggests otherwise.

DDT “MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2024 TOUR IN YOKOHAMA”, 17/08/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Shunma Katsumata & Kazuki Hirata Vs Makoto Oishi & Yuni
2. Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Antonio Honda & Ilusion
3. Daisuke Sasaki, Ryuichi “Fire” Kawakami, KANON & MJ Paul Vs HARASHIMA, Soma Takao, Keigo Nakamura & Kazuma Sumi
4. Special Tag Match: MAO & Jun Akiyama Vs Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku
5. Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Michael Nakazawa
6. Yukio Naya’s Birthday Celebration Match ~ Special Single Match: Yukio Naya Vs Yuki Iino
7. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & To-y Vs Shinya Aoki & Akito

Before the KO-D Openweight Title match between Yuki Ueno and Shinya Aoki takes place on 25th August, they will have one prelim tag match against each other on the 17th.

EVE/TOKYO JOSHI PRO “EVE X TJPW: JAPAN & UK WRESTLING UNITE!”, 24/08/2024
Conway Hall, London, England

1. Aja Kong & Max The Impaler Vs Safire Reed & Zizi
2. EVE Title: Nina Samuels (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita

Over the weekend EVE announced the first two matches of the “EVE X TJPW” show. Miyu Yamashita gets a chance to become a two time EVE Champion when she takes on the defending champion Nina Samuels. Also Max The Impaler is coming over as an extra guest star to team with Aja Kong. Good luck to Safire Reed & Zizi because they are going to need it!


BASARA “BASARA 254 ~ICHIMIDOUSHIN~” Results

August 4, 2024

BASARA “BASARA 254 ~ICHIMIDOUSHIN~”, 04/08/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Takeru Inoue Debut Match: Isami Kodaka defeated Takeru Inoue with a Brainbuster (9:10).
2. 3 Way Tag Match: Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino defeated Daichi Kazato & Lil’ Kraken and Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga when Kamino pinned Kraken with the Lariat (9:56).
3. Ryuichi Sekine, Takumi Tsukamoto & Ryota Nakatsu defeated FUMA, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & SAGAT when Sekine submitted SAGAT with the Let’s Combine (9:56).
4. Special Single Match: Isami Kodaka defeated Yuki Ishikawa with a Vertical Drop Brainbuster (10:10).
5. Iron Fist Tag Team Titles: Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) defeated KUBITO & Daisuke Sasaki when Abe submitted KUBITO with a Sleeper Hold (16:20).
*V1 for Astronauts.
6. Union MAX Title: Minoru Fujita (c) defeated Yasu Urano with the BONEYARD (20:53).
*V6 for Minoru Fujita.

Minoru Fujita has now tied the record amount of Union MAX Title defences with six wins in this reign. He defeated Yasu Urano by dropping him with the Tombstone Piledriver and then making him submit to the Reverse Viper Hold, or BONEYARD as he likes to call it. With no clear challengers on the horizon Fujita called for a reset and will accept the challenge of anyone who comes forward. He told the fans how much he appreiciates the view because two years ago he came close to dying. He sees there is potential for growth in BASARA and he wants everyone in the promotion to reach that potential together.

Two proteges of Dick Togo challenged Astronauts for the Iron Fist Tag Team Titles but could not find a way to take the belts away from them. Takuya Nomura got rid of Daisuke Sasaki with a German Suplex and Fuminori Abe submitted KUBITO with a Sleeper Hold. After the match Abe and Sasaki had to be separated from each other. Then Ryuichi Sekine & Ryota Nakatsu entered the ring and declared themselves the next challengers for the tag titles. It’s a Cavalry reunion and the match will happen on 27th August!

It was a busy day for Isami Kodaka because he wrestled twice on the show. The match he had late in the card was against Yuki Ishikawa as part of Ishikawa’s road to retirement. Kodaka came out on top and Ishikawa praised him for having more than enough energy to wrestle twice. Ishikawa said he became the wrestler he is today thanks to Kodaka. He enjoyed wrestling him today and it makes him want to enjoy his remaining matches until his retirement on 12th August.

Kodaka’s other match on the show was against the debuting rookie Takeru Inoue. The newcomer fell to a Brainbuster but Kodaka was pleased with his performance. Since Inoue is BASARA’s first trained wrestler in over four years, Kodaka says he wants to nurture him carefully. Inoue said he joined BASARA because he admires Kodaka and his goal is to surpass him as the most unique wrestler. He also revealed his sports history is six years of volleyball and he spent a year training at the HEAT UP dojo.


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP” Results

August 3, 2024

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 03/08/2024
Shinjuku FACE
297 Fans

1. Suzume, Arisu Endo & Uta Takami defeated Shino Suzuki, Runa Okubo & Chika Nanase when Suzume pinned Nanase with the Ring A Bell (8:41).
2. Miyu Yamashita, Mahiro Kiryu, Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami defeated Mizuki, Raku, HIMAWARI & Kira Summer when Yamashita pinned HIMAWARI with the Attitude Adjustment (10:35).
3. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Rika Tatsumi defeated Toga with the Dragon Sleeper (7:58).
4. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Yuki Kamifuku defeated Pom Harajuku with the Famouser (6:58).
5. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Ryo Mizunami defeated Haru Kazashiro with the Ichijiku (7:10).
6. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Yuki Arai defeated Wakana Uehara with the Sasori-Katame (9:23).
7. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Zara Zakher defeated Miu Watanabe with the Control Z (12:45).
8. Tokyo Princess Cup – Round 2: Yuki Aino defeated Shoko Nakajima with a Shoulder Block (16:54).

Round 2 of the Tokyo Princess Cup is now complete. It could be that this year’s Cinderella run for the tournament will happen to Yuki Aino. She defeated Shoko Nakajima in the main event, the first time that has happened in Aino’s career. She blocked Nakajima from turning the Northern Lights Suplex into the Locomotive version. Nakajima however kicked out of the Venus DDT at one. She hit Aino with the Rider Kick but Aino responded with a Shoulder Block that wiped out her opponent and got her the victory. She is happy to win but it is only one victory so she wants to fight Nakajima even more. The rest of the Princess Cup is only going to get tougher from here but Aino promises to burn, burn, burn this summer!

The semi-main event is even more newsworthy. Zara Zakher, the first foreign outsider to compete in the Princess Cup has eliminated the Princess Of Princess Champion from the tournament! In a match that pitted power against power, Kazher scored the upset by beating Miu Watanabe with her Control Z finisher. She feels great after finally winning a match in Tokyo Joshi Pro, especially since she beat the champion. She moves on to face Mizuki in the Quarter Final. Zakher lost to her once before. She thinks the result will be different next time. Watanabe thinks she lose because of her own momentum and she praised Zakher for having overwhelming potential. She wants to turn this loss into a win someday to prove she is stronger than her.

It’s looking good that Yuki Arai will reach her goal of matching last year’s Princess Cup run where she reached the Semi Finals. Wakana Uehara gave her some trouble with a Brainbuster and the Banana Pillow. But Arai fought back with the Rookie Award and then the Scorpion Deathlock for the win. Arai said Uehara is ambitious and quickly growing in the ring. Beating her has given Arai confidence. She will be facing Suzume in the Quarter Final and is eager to beat her one on one after losing to her in the Princess Tag Team Titles match recently. Uehara said she had a plan ready to win but Arai was just so much stronger than she imagined.

Haru Kazashiro tried to get the jump on Ryo Mizunami early but her attack was easily dealt with. She got some more offence in with Cross Body Attacks and even attempted a Fisherman Suplex. Mizunami took over though and made Kazashiro submit to the Ichijiku Shoulder Lock. She was already looking forward to taking part in the Princess Cup but now her pespective has changed a little. It only takes one loss to get knocked out and getting jumped by Kazashiro flipped a switch. She is now fully determined to win the tournament! Kazashiro was upset after the match. She knew it was unlikely she would win but she wasn’t even a millimeter close to beating Mizunami.

The delayed match between Pom Harajuku and Yuki Kamifuku went ahead today. Harajuku kept kicking Kamifuku in the shin and Kamifuku kept poking Harajuku in the eyes. Harajuku went for a big move and charged in with the P Attack but Kamifuku cut her off with a Horizontal Chop. She then pinned her with the Famouser. Kamifuku explained she was too sick to wrestle last week but if the match went ahead it would have been on the same day as the big RIZIN show. She wants to be a winner this summer just like Ren Hiramoto. She will be facing Aino in the Quarter Final.

Toga came close to beating Rika Tatsumi but it just wasn’t to be. She landed the Rock Bottom but Tatsumi kicked out at two. Toga held on though, threw some Elbow Strikes and tried to use the move again. But Tatsumi countered it into the Dragon Sleeper and made Toga give up. Tatsumi thought the win would be a given and she is relieved with the result. She thinks Toga is a very honest person and should keep her spirits up. Tatsumi will be facing Mizunami next in the Quarter Final and she feels very lucky to be her opponent. Toga said she wanted to give it her all but knew she had to push past her limits to have a chance at winning.

It was announced that Max The Impaler’s next appearance for TJPW in Japan will be on 22nd September for “WRESTLE PRINCESS V”.


DDT “MEET & GREET & FIGHT” Results

August 2, 2024

DDT “MEET & GREET & FIGHT”, 02/08/2024
Shinjuku FACE
295 Fans

1. Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere 3 Way Match: Kazuma Sumi defeated Yuni and Ilusion when Sumi pinned Ilusion with the School Boy (10:41).
*Kazuma Sumi wins the White Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield.
2. Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Single Match: KANON defeated Yukio Naya by TKO with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (12:41).
*KANON wins the Black Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield.
3. Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Match Staggered Entry Battle Royal: Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA and Keigo Nakamura are the final three survivors (26:14).
Order Of Elimination: Tetsuya Endo, Takeshi Masada, Yuki Iino, Chris Brookes, Tomomitsu Matsunaga, Soma Takao, Yuya Koroku, To-y, Makoto Oishi, Kazuki Hirata, Toru Owashi, Masahiro Takanashi & Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul, Danshoku Dieno and Akito.
*Antonio Honda wins the Red Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield. HARASHIMA wins the Blue Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield. Keigo Nakamura wins the Light Blue Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Shield.

The Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere contract are back and this time they are in shield form! Five of the prizes were on the line across three matches today granting whoever holds them a shot at either the KO-D Openweight Title, DDT Universal Title or DDT Extreme Title whenever they want. However the shield holder risks losing his prize if they directly lose a match in DDT before they cash it in. If the shields look familiar to you then I don’t know what link you’re trying to establish. It’s not like they just went and got a certain piece of video game merch, turned it upside down, painted it a different colour and slapped a logo in the centre…

The three champions who will become potential targets got to talk about the Shields at the start of the show. Yuki Ueno, MAO and Shunma Katsumata know they have to watch their backs for the next few months but are all confident they can defend their title wherever, whenever and against whoever.

The first Shield went to Kazuma Sumi for winning a 3 Way Match against Yuni and Ilusion. Yuni missed a Moonsault so with him out of the picture, Sumi got to pin Ilusion with a School Boy to win. When he received his prize he wanted to cash it in straight away. However Hisaya Imabayashi scolded him for not knowing the rules. The Shields will not become active until 10th August and cannot be cashed in until then.

Yukio Naya’s hopes of getting a Shield was blown away thanks to Ryuichi “Fire” Kawakami interfering in his match. Naya had KANON beaten when MJ Paul distracted the ref so Kawakami could attack Naya with a Lariat. KANON then gave Naya the Sleepy Hollow and held him in the Cobra Twist 2.0 until the ref stopped the match when Naya wouldn’t repond to him.

The main event was a 19-Man Royal Rumble with the three remaining Shields on the line. The last three wrestlers left standing would be declared the winners. When the dust settled Antonio Honda, HARASHIMA and Keigo Nakamura were the survivors.

When they received their prize all five Shield holders got together in the ring to talk about their plans. HARASHIMA said he will aim for the KO-D Title. So will Honda and he promised when he cashes in while Ueno is hurt, he will approach him as if he trying to comfort him. He also threatened to do things like sneak into Ueno’s kitchen and mess with his food just to make him paranoid. KANON won’t say who he will target but it will be at the worst time possible for that champion. Sumi wants to cash in on the Universal Title because MAO has treated him kindly. He would do the match immediately if he was allowed. Nakamura has a grand goal in mind. He wants to win two more Shields so he can challenge all three champions to a 4 Way Match so when he wins he will become the DDT Triple Crown Champion!

A contract signing for the next KO-D Tag Team Titles match on 10th August took place between BURNING and SCHADENFREUDE International. The match was originally booked to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Takeshi Masada’s debut match. He talked about his recent losing streak that is getting him criticised by his peers. Akito in particular told him he is missing something and Masada is trying to figure out what it is. Winning the KO-D Tag Titles will help him find the answer. Tetsuya Endo said he won’t lose to a wrestler who is unsure of himself. Yuki Iino said he shaved his beard off for this match and he wants to fight Masada with that kind of resolve.


Tsubasa Suzuki Ends Internship With DDT Early

August 1, 2024

At the start of this year DDT announced they were bringing in student pro wrestler Tsubasa Suzuki as the world’s first ever intern pro wrestler. The plan was for him to work with DDT on a part time basis for a year and at the end the company would decide whether or not to hire him full time. He only wrestled twice in March and had a third match cancelled when he caught a fever. Since then things went quiet with him and he hasn’t been wrestling in DDT at all. Today it was announced by DDT that Suzuki decided to end his internship early and 31st July was his last day with the company.

Suzuki said he was prioritized with schoolwork as well as job hunting which prevented him from getting to spend much time in the ring. He recently received a job offer from somewhere else that made him have to choose between that or pro wrestling. Either option would have made him happy and after much deliberation he decided to go with his new career that will begin next year. He is happy he got to become a pro wrestler for DDT, even if it was only for a brief amount of time. For the remainder of 2024 he will continue to be a student pro wrestler and will support DDT from a distance.