DDT “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2011” Preview

July 23, 2011

DDT “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2011”, 24/07/2011
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

0. Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles: The Great Sasuke & Ricky Fuji (c) Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (Referee: Kyohei Wada)
1. Dramatic Next Generation Fight: Keisuke Ishii Vs Shigehiro Irie
2. Battle Royal – Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Antonio Honda (c) Vs Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Yuzuki Aikawa Vs Cherry Vs Riki Sensyu Vs Emi Sakura Vs Tanomusaku Toba Vs Gorgeous Matsuno Vs DJ Nira Vs Hoshitango Vs Daisuke Sasaki Vs Rion Mizuki Vs Makoto Oishi Vs Mr. #6 Vs YOSHIHIKO
3. Special Singles Match: MIKAMI Vs Poison Sawada JULIE
4. 4 Way – KO-D Tag Team Titles: HARASHIMA & HERO! (c) Vs GENTARO & Yasu Urano Vs Kenny Omega & Michael Nakazawa Vs Daisuke Sekimoto & Masa Takanashi
5. Summer Night Fever – 5 Vs 5 Elimination: Sanshiro Takagi, Hikaru Sato, Takao Soma, Kazuki Hirata & Akito Vs Yoshiaki Yago, Tomomitsu Matsunaga, Super Shit Machine, Kengo Ohka & Minoru Suzuki
6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) Vs Prince Devitt
7. Special Singles Match: Danshoku Dino Vs Bob Sapp
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Shuji Ishikawa (c) Vs KUDO

For the third year in a row, DDT embarks on a big adventure with the Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan, aka Sumo Hall as its final destination. The original show from 2009 was a big risk for the company but became a big success due to Japanese fans being intrigued that a small wrestling promotion was holding a show in such a large and well known building. The return show one year later was just as much as a success and cemented itself as DDT’s premier event for the year. The Sumo Hall show is now one of the more feel good shows on the puroresu calendar, mixing the usual DDT brand of sports entertainment with a major title match main event and appearances by wrestlers from all over the puroresu scene, from big name stars to indy sleaze veterens.

0. Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles: The Great Sasuke & Ricky Fuji (c) Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (Referee: Kyohei Wada)

The show will unofficially begin with a Hardcore Tag Team match for the Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles. The Championship was recently introduced to Union when New Beijing wrestlers Chou-un Shiryu & Cao Zhang won the belts during a tour in China. However, calamity struck when they lost their first defence of the title in Japan against Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa of the TKG48. Takagi & Sawa were hoping to have a long and eventful title reign similar to their “Greatest Title Reign Ever (c)” from 2009 but it was not to be. The new champs would quickly lose the belts to The Great Sasuke & Ricky Fuji in a match filled with stoppages and restarts from guest referee Kyohei Wada. The rematch is booked for Sumo Hall with Mr. Wada brought back to officiate the bout. Takagi and Sasuke have fought each other before in Sumo Hall, having a crazy match during the 2009 DDT show which led to a giant brawl/party involving the DDT and Michinoku Pro rosters.

After this, the show will officially begin with the Anal Blast opening ceremony. Michael Nakazawa has won an election to take part in the ceremony, his role will be to lie down face first onto the canvas, shove dynamite up his backside and light the fuse. As opening ceremonies go, it’s not exactly Olympic Games quality but it sets the stage up nicely and tells fans that this isn’t your ordinary pro wrestling supershow.

1. Dramatic Next Generation Fight: Keisuke Ishii Vs Shigehiro Irie

The official show opener will feature a fresh rivalry between two of the fastest rising talents under the DDT umbrella. Keisuke Ishii has been heads above the rest of the pack when it comes to DDT’s younger wrestlers. When the Belt Hunter X Hunter group went on hiatus, Ishii wrestled on his own and became the main focus of DDT’s Monthly Young Communication shows. Ishii was even able to produce his own event at Shin-Kiba 1st RING back in March. However, he has been quietly building up a rivalry with the other hot prospect, this one coming from Union. Shigehiro Irie has seen his profile rise since joining Sanshiro Takagi’s TKG48 unit. Over in Union, Irie scored a shocking pinfall victory over Shuji Ishikawa during a tag match in December. He picked up good review after good review for his performances in both DDT and Union, teaming with more experienced TKG48 stablemates like Takagi, Munenori Sawa and Genichiro Tenryu. His biggest win to date took place in May when he defeated Kota Ibushi in the KING of DDT tournament. Irie also briefly held the KO-D Tag Team Titles with Sawa. Recently, Irie has been in matches with Ishii. When their Monthly Young main event from July ended in a time limit draw, the rematch was booked for Sumo Hall. This match will pit two wrestlers with bright futures ahead of them. Which one will get to be the breakout star?

2. Battle Royal – Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Antonio Honda (c) Vs Tsuyoshi Kikuchi vs Yuzuki Aikawa Vs Cherry Vs Riki Sensyu Vs Emi Sakura Vs Tanomusaku Toba Vs Gorgeous Matsuno Vs DJ Nira Vs Hoshitango Vs Daisuke Sasaki Vs Rion Mizuki Vs Makoto Oishi Vs Mr. #6 Vs YOSHIHIKO

DDT’s most infamous creation, one which has gained the company a lot of publicity over the years, is the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title. A belt inspired by the WWF Hardcore Title back when it was defended 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, DDT took the same concept and ran with it further than it has any right to do so. You know the deal by now. Ladders, tables, puppies, baseball bats, curry, trucks, posters, inflatable dolls are among the large list of previous champions. The title became inactive for almost a year when the champ at the time, Masa Takanashi was out of action with a serious injury. It wasn’t until Takanashi announced his return to the ring in May when the Title began switching from person to person like a hot potato again. A 15 person Battle Royal is set with a wide range of contenders going after current champ Antonio Honda. Among the challengers are the Queen of Boing-Boing Yuzuki Aikawa, possibly brain damaged Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Riki Choshu parody Riki Sensyu, 9 year old masked Luchador Mr. #6, totally the youngest women in the match Cherry, yaoi flavored criminal catcher Rion Mizuki, rubbishly talented Gorgeous Matsuno, Ice Ribbon founder Emi Sakura, kickboxer Tanomusaku Toba, little annoying snot DJ Nira, Argentine sumo wrestler Hoshitango, former Italian 4 Horseman Daisuke Sasaki and last but certainly not least,  blow-up doll wrestling superstar YOSHIHIKO.

3. Special Singles Match: MIKAMI Vs Poison Sawada JULIE

A match celebrating two of DDT’s longest serving and most successful wrestlers. MIKAMI has been with DDT since the very first show in 1997 and still doesn’t show much signs of slowing down. Poison Sawada JULIE has been with DDT since 1999. However, has been out of action for almost a year due to an injured elbow. Will his vile snake magic be affected by his lack of ringtime or will he have recovered to full strength in time for his return?

4. 4 Way – KO-D Tag Team Titles: HARASHIMA & HERO! (c) Vs GENTARO & Yasu Urano Vs Kenny Omega & Michael Nakazawa Vs Daisuke Sekimoto & Masa Takanashi

A big clash between four wildly varying teams for the KO-D Tag Team Titles. Current champs HARASHIMA & HERO! have a tough time ahead as they have three pairs of wrestlers to take care of. HARASHIMA has quite a history with his alter ego. He originally debuted as HERO! in 2001 and dropped the gimmick in 2006. HERO! would sporadically appear on certain occassions but it was always HARASHIMA under the mask. That all changed in April when a 4 Way match featuring 5 wrestlers took place. HARASHIMA was left to fight off Antonio Honda, Michael Nakazawa & DJ Nira while Minoru Fujita was being kicked out of the arena for constantly showing up uninvited. When Fujita was finally gone, the match was abruptly cut short when HERO! suddenly appeared to rescue HARASHIMA from a 3-on-1 beatdown. HARASHIMA was confused to see his own alter ego in the flesh. DDT General Manager Tsurumi Amon stepped in to sort out the situation, only to mark out because HERO! is one of his favourite wrestlers. Amon’s solution was to have the two team up and go after the KO-D Tag Titles. The new team got along well but this version of HERO! was not quite right. Instead of fighting fair, HERO! began cheating to win matches.

Their first shot at the titles was against GENTARO & Yasu Urano. The GRANMA duo were the top team in DDT and were able to overcome their latest challenge but only when HARASHIMA caught his partner cheating and got him to stop right before Yasu rolled him over for a flash pin. During the next few months the belts changed hands from GENTARO & Urano to Munenori Sawa & Shigehiro Irie and then surprisingly to Kenny Omega & Michael Nakazawa. Omega and Nakazawa had become good friends during the year and the title win was a big achievement for both of them as a new team. However, the joy was short lived as HARASHIMA & HERO! won the Titles off them at a one match show a few days later.

Meanwhile as all of this was going on, Masa Takanashi made his return to wrestling after missing a year due to an injury to his right knee. Tsurumi Amon created a challenge for Takanashi and Nakazawa with the prize being a spot in the KO-D Tag Title Triple Threat match at Sumo Hall. When the match between the two ended in a draw, Amon decided to give both wrestlers the reward of choosing their own tag partners to compete in the title match. Nakazawa chose Kenny Omega while Takanashi surprised everyone by bringing in Big Japan powerhouse and former KO-D Openweight Champion, Daisuke Sekimoto! This match features the main event of last year’s show as HARASHIMA and Sekimoto will get the chance to face each other once again.

5. Summer Night Fever – 5 Vs 5 Elimination: Sanshiro Takagi, Hikaru Sato, Takao Soma, Kazuki Hirata & Akito Vs Yoshiaki Yago, Tomomitsu Matsunaga, Super Shit Machine, Kengo Ohka & Minoru Suzuki

The formation of a dark alliance leads to this 5 Vs 5 Elimination match. It all began with the creation of the Shit Heart ♥ Foundation in 2010. Hikaru Sato, Tomimitsu Matsunaga & Michael Nakazawa joined forces aiming to become the top heel group in DDT. That didn’t happen the way they expected it to. They were able to win the Sleazy Indy Trios Triple Crown and Sato did become the KO-D Champion during that time, but they weren’t that much of a dominating force. Fresh blood joined the group when Takao Soma turned heel shortly after winning the Young Drama Cup in November. Soma quickly took over the SHF and steered them towards more a heelish attitude. Sato wasn’t too happy with the SHF’s new direction and finally quit the group in disgust. Sato and Soma would then have a feud that lasted until February. The final match between them was a No DQ Hair Vs Hair match, which Soma won thanks to the appearance of the SHF’s newest member, the Super Shit Machine. Nakazawa would then be kicked out of the group, leaving Soma, Matsunaga & Machine as the only members. Soma would go on to more success by winning one of the “Anytime & Anywhere” contracts during the KO-D Title Challenge at DDT’s 14th Anniversary. However, his plan to have his title shot immediatly after Shuji Ishikawa’s win over GENTARO was not enough to steal the title. Matsunaga & Machine were pissed off at Soma failing when he had a golden opportunity to become champion, so they held a mutiny and got rid of their leader. With the Shit Heart ♥ Foundation down to just two members, they began looking elsewhere for allies.

Meanwhile over in Union, Sanshiro Takagi decided to switch brands and join DDT’s sub-promotion. His goal was to help Union in providing a more active schedule and also to use Union as the testing ground for his latest project. Taking inspiration from the AKB48 pop group, Takagi formed a super unit that combied stars from around the puro scene with his proteges and other underrated talent. The group was called the TKG48 and its 48 members included Genichiro Tenryu, Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Atsushi Aoki, Munenori Sawa, Shigehiro Irie, TAKA Michinoku, Ryuji Ito and Yuzuki Aikawa. Things were looking good for Takagi as the TKG48 were winning its matches against the Union Sekigun. Then Yoshiaki Yago showed up to spoil the fun. Yago and Takagi have never really seen eye to eye with each other and Yago saw the TKG48 as a new reason to feud with Takagi again. Yago drafted in Madoka and Kengo Mashimo (known as Kengo Ohka in Union because he looks like Ken Ohka, if Ken was fit and talented) and the trio went to battle against both the TKG48 and the Union Sekigun. As this was going on Yago became smitten with Union boss Naomi Susan. He claimed that the unit were also Naomi’s bodyguards and would now be called the Susan Guard.

The SHF and the Susan Guard announced in June that they joined forces and would now be called the Susan Shit Heart Superstars. They would make their presence felt in by attacking their enemies Sanshiro Takagi, Hikaru Sato and Takao Soma throughout the 3rd July show in Shin-Kiba. Sato and Soma would finally put there differences aside when Sato was willing to forgive Soma for his actions while leading the SHF. The attack by The Superstars just gave them more reason to team up and go after a common enemy. Takagi would join them but would be without his TKG48 comrades. Instead Sato brought in two of DDT’s rookies, Kazuki Hirata and Akito to team with them. Sato’s self-imposed trial of wrestling at the bottom of the card after losing the KO-D Title led to him regularly teaming with and facing against Hirata and Akito. He would become impressed by their performances to the point where he would give them the chance of joining his squad for Sumo Hall.

So everything was ready for the Elimination match. That was until The Superstars had one last trick up their sleeve. Madoka would not be wrestling at the show, so they had to go looking for a replacement. They found just the guy, someone who doesn’t take crap from anyone and someone who Hikaru Sato knows real well… Minoru Suzuki!

6. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) Vs Prince Devitt

The “Golden Star” and “Independent Genius” is living through his best year to date as a pro wrestler. But the last 12 months have been a rollercoaster for Kota Ibushi. He had to miss the dream match against Naomichi Marufuji on last year’s show after dislocating his shoulder in the Best Of The Super Jr. final over at New Japan Pro Wrestling. The wrestler he lost the final to was none other than Irish Jr. Heavyweight sensation Prince Devitt. The two would cross paths several more times with the Golden Lovers of Ibushi & Kenny Omega feuding with the Apollo 55 duo of Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi over the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Titles. The Golden Lovers won the belts and were even able to defend them twice in DDT before losing them back to Apollo 55. Ibushi would also challenge Devitt to an IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title match at the annual Tokyo Dome in January but suffered defeat after an Avalanche Bloody Sunday. When Apollo 55 won back the IWGP Jr. Tag belts, that seemed to be the end of the rivalry for the time being. The rivaly returned several months later with the 2011 Best Of The Super Jr. tournament. Taguchi would beat Ibushi and Devitt would defeat Omega in their group matches. But in the grand final, Ibushi would finally win the tournament by defeating Taguchi in a highly emotional match. Feeling on top of the world, Ibushi wasted no time and got his IWGP Jr. Title match against Devitt just one week later. This time Ibushi would get the better of Devitt and claim his and arguably DDT’s biggest achievement to date.

Prince Devitt will get his rematch at Sumo Hall as Ibushi’s first challenger. Their previous bouts have been more like sprints than drawn-out ‘epic’ battles. Devitt knows that great matches don’t always have to be over 15 minutes long, but this is the match most fans are looking forward to on this show. Ibushi doesn’t have any horrible injuries to worry about and he would definitly want to make up for missing last year’s show. Plus he wouldn’t want to lose the title just after winning it. This match should be one to remember.

7. Special Singles Match: Danshoku Dino Vs Bob Sapp

The big match for the big show…for better or worse. The first major announcement for this year’s Sumo Hall show was the appearance of “The Beast” Bob Sapp. Hard times have fallen on the poor Sapp. His stardom in Japan has dwindled away and his pro fighting career has become such a dud that he regularly had to beg in the street of Tokyo, pleading that he would “fight for money”. While one person was there to help him, he soon became too busy slapping masked men disguised as charity events for Sapp to rely on. Luckily, he found a poster for this show and realised he could get another chance in the ring. So Sapp travelled over to DDT HQ to plead his case to Sanshiro Takagi & Ken Ohka. They were bewildered by Sapp’s sudden appearance but happy to offer him the chance to redeem himself. Then Ohka accidentaly dumped Sapp’s begging bucket over his head. Sapp became so angry that he threatened that he would destroy DDT on 24th July.

It would take quite a man to stand up to “The Beast”. In fact, it would take a man so manly beyond your wildest expectations to stand up and defend DDT against “The Beast”. Cue Danshoku Dino. After winning the opportunity to choose an opponent for Sumo Hall, Dino nominated to take on Sapp and defend DDT’s honour. Sapp wasn’t so convinced and set forth wave upon wave of Assassins for Dino to fight. If Dino could defeat them all, Sapp would treat him as worthy enough to fight. Onward came the Assassins: Jonathan Gresham, Ryan Genesis, Choun-Shiryu, Dragon Chan, Ryoma Lee, Gaylon Summers and Sexxxy Eddy. All eventually fell to Dino. But everytime Dino was about to learn some valuable information about Sapp from an Assassin, the Assassin would be shot in the neck with a poison dart by an unknown sniper. Dino and Sapp would finally meet when Dino wiped out the Assassins. Sapp still wouldn’t take Dino seriously, thinking that the gay man was only a weakling. It was only when Sapp got to see first hand what Dino’s strengths are that he began to show fear. So Sapp’s camp demanded that they decide what the rules of the match should be. A compromise was made, the match would become a 30 round match with the rules switching between “Bob Rules” and “Gay Rules” every round. “Bob Rules” would be similar to MMA with Dino’s more perverted moves being made illegal. “Gay Rules” would be just like normal pro wrestling just with said perverted moves being legal and even encouraged.

Everything is now set. The long awaited battle between Danshoku Dino and Bob Sapp will now begin… Unless Sapp pulls out because he is unhappy about how much he will be paid for showing up. But that’s not going to happen, right?

Right?

8. KO-D Openweight Title: Shuji Ishikawa (c) Vs KUDO

The main event for the coveted KO-D Openweight Title sees Shuji Ishikawa of Union taking on KUDO from DDT. Ishikawa has been the ace of the Union brand since 2007 and has been a 3 time KO-D Champion, the first of which was when he wrestled as the masked Hawaiian God Of War, Koo. Ishikawa and KUDO were the last two wrestlers in the KO-D Openweight Title Challenge Right Fight +alpha Anytime and Anywhere Battle Royal that took place in March. Ishikawa got the better of KUDO on that occassion and he went on the win the KO-D Title from Dick Togo two months later. He has so far been able to defeat GENTARO and Takao Soma in back-to-back title defences.

KUDO has wrestling in DDT since 2001 but he has never held the KO-D Title. He earned this valuable title shot by winning the KING Of DDT tournament that took place in May, defeating Yasu Urano, Hikaru Sato, Kenny Omega along the way and then beating HARASHIMA in the final. After that, the DDT roster gave him an initiation they gave HARASHIMA the year before. They all lined up and hit KUDO with one of their trademark moves, the idea being that they were all transferring their energy into him and he will represent the entire DDT promotion in the match. This time however, Ishikawa interfered and stopped the initiation, delivering a crushing Splash Mounatin to the challenger before telling everyone KUDO has no hope of winning the title back. Will KUDO be able to prove Ishikawa wrong and finally become the top star in DDT or will Ishikawa keep the title and continue Union’s dominance over DDT?

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Posted by JamieOD

Food Up! This Weekend’s Shows

February 10, 2011

DDT “DRAMATIC 2011 FEBRUARY SPECIAL”, 11/02/2011
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Makoto Oishi & Yuki Sato Vs Rion Mizuki & Kazuki Hirata
2. Hikaru Sato & Tanomusaku Toba Vs Takao Soma & Tomomitsu Matsunaga
3. GENTARO & Yasu Urano Vs Antonio Honda & Hoshitango
4. Michael Nakazawa Vs Kenny Omega
5. Dick Togo Vs DJ Nira
6. Royal Rumble: HARASHIMA Vs Kota Ibushi Vs MIKAMI Vs KUDO Vs Danshoku Dino Vs Daisuke Sasaki Vs Keisuke Ishii Vs Minoru Fujita

It may be a small scale for a Royal Rumble but it features a good mix of potential challengers. And Minoru Fujita.

Easiest payday ever for Dick Togo.

Expect tensions between Hikaru Sato and Takao Soma to get worse as they face off in a Tag match before their Hair Vs Hair battle takes place.

NEW BEIJING “JAPAN TOUR 2011”, 11/02/2011
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. The Decisive Battle!: Liu Bei Ito (w/ Nippon Li) Vs Cao Zhang (w/ Princess Makoto)
2. Chinese Stars Gathered In Japan!: Dragon Achoooo! & Zhou Yu Vs Ranjei Lee & Jet Bar
3. Opium War!?: Queen Elizabeth & Statue Of David Vs Golden Horn & Silver Horn
4. National Scramble For The Imperial Seal!: King Andui Qin Vs Great Slave No. 643 Vs Megumi Shin Akira Ra Nuruhachi Vs Emperor Qin Vs Zen Liu
5. Rushi’s Last Play: Choun-Shiryu, Rushi Togo & Young Master Togo Vs Hazime Hutoshi, Somato & Giant Boshoku

The stories for each match aswell as who wrestles as who in New Beijing are reposted below.

1. The Decisive Battle!
Back in China, New Beijing has a popular feud between two factions, the Wei faction and the Shu faction. Every year, one wrestler from each faction is chosen to take part in a big match known as the “Northern Expedition Derby“. However, to commemorate China recently becoming recognised as the second largest economy in the world New Beijing decided to have the match take place on their Japan tour instead.

2. Chinese Stars Gathered In Japan!
Some of China’s biggest stars from the silver screen gather together in Shin-Kiba to enjoy a dream contest.

3. Opium War!?
Centuries ago, China was notorious for importing of opium across the world. It was a lucrative market for the nation, but as more and more of the global population fell ill or became degenerates due to opium addiction, China was banned from any further attempts at shipping the drug. However, opium was still smuggled outside of the country which helped grow a large black market. The illegal opium trafficking led to conflict between China and Great Britain, with a newly formed discipline committee deciding to ease tensions by having both countries compete against each other in a wrestling match. A wrestling match that happens to involve Queen Elizabeth and the Statue Of David.

4. National Scramble For The Imperial Seal!
The Imperial Seal has been handed down from generation to generation as proof of the holder’s right to be master of the world. A state of emergency in 2010 took place when the Seal went missing. This led to the sudden collapse of New Beijing Pro Wrestling. Now leaders from around the world travel to China in search of the ancient artifact and claim the absent throne. In an unexpected turn of events, word spread that the Imperial Seal was found in Japan. Now an epic battle takes place as several warriors go to war over who the artifact belongs to.

5. Rushi’s Last Play
With his retirement on the horizon, Rushi Goto takes part in one last performance. But while one legend prepares to leave wrestling, a new generation of warriors are eager to rake his place.

Rushi Togo = Dick Togo
Young Master Togo = Kenny Omega
Hazime Hutoshi = GENTARO
Somato = HARASHIMA
Giant Boshoku = Shuji Ishikawa
Great Slave No. 643 = Sanshiro Takagi
Megumi Shin Akira Ra Nuruhachi = Michael Nakazawa
Dragon Achoooo! = KUDO
Zhou Yu = Konaka = Pehlwan
Ranjei Lee = Lingerie Muto
Jet Bar = Tanomusaku Toba
Liu Bei Ito = Ryuji Ito
Nippon Li = Nikkan Lee
Princess Makoto = Makoto

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Posted by JamieOD

Upcoming DDT Cards for September & October

September 15, 2010

DDT “WHO’S GONNA TOP? 2010”
26/09/2010
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata
1. Dick Togo & GENTARO Vs KUDO & Yasu Urano
2. Trial Unit Gauntlet Match: MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba Vs Shigehiro Irie & Hoshitango Vs Rion Mizuki & Takao Soma Vs Keisuke Ishii & Yukihiro Abe
3. Michael Nakazawa, Hikaru Sato & Tomimitsu Matsunaga Vs Great Kojika, Emi Sakura & Ultraman Robin
4. Muscle Sakai DDT Last Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Muscle Sakai
5. Special Singles Match: Kota Ibushi Vs Daisuke Sasaki
6. KO-D Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino (c) Vs HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi

A pretty busy card for Korakuen Hall. The KO-D Tag Team Championships take the headline spot with Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino facing Disaster-BOX duo HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi. The result of this match might help determine the next challenger for HARASHIMA’s KO-D Openweight Title or even Dino’s DDT Extreme Title.

Kota Ibushi makes his return to the ring facing off against Daisuke Sasaki. Ibushi’s return from injury was spoiled by YOSHIHIKO at last week’s Camping Ground event. Here, Sasaki can add salt to the wounds with a major victory over the Golden Star that would springboard him back into title contention.

The last days of Muscle Sakai wrestling before his retirement now leads to his final match for the DDT brand against Sanshiro Takagi. While his retirement show won’t take place until a forthnight later, it will still be an emotional match for everyone involved.

The Shit Heart ♥ Foundation marks its first match as a group by taking on the random squad of the Great Kojika from Big Japan, Emi Sakura of Ice Ribbon and Ultraman Robin of Specialist Global Pro. Never knew Robin had his own promotion.

The fresh set of teams formed during the Battle Royal at Shin-Kiba earlier this month will all face each other in a Gauntlet match. No Engrish team names made yet though. Also Dick Togo and GENTARO have their first match together as a team against the former Tag Champs KUDO & Yasu Urano.

DDT “SAPPORO PRO-WRESTLING FESTIVAL”
10/10/2010
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Nunchucks & Nunchucks Board Death Match: Hiroki Vs Chiharu
2. Antonio Honda Vs Tomoya
3. Dick Togo & GENTARO Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Takao Soma
4. 3 Way Match: Yasu Urano Vs Keisuke Ishii Vs DJ Nira
5. Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega & Futoshi Miwa Vs Sanshiro Takagi, KUDO & Yukihiro Abe
6. Losers From 26/09 Tag Title Match Vs Michael Nakazawa & Hikaru Sato
7. KO-D Tag Team Title: KO-D Tag Team Champions After 26/09 Vs MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba

The Suicide Boyz have been given a second chance to go after the KO-D Tag Titles. MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba became the No. 1 Contenders at Sumo Hall, but their title match with Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa turned into a Three Way with Dino & Koshinaka thrown into the mix. It was Dino & Koshinaka who became champions while the Suicide Boyz were left cursing at the unfair decision of adding another team. To make it up to them, DDT has given MIKAMI & Toba another title shot and this time there will be no other teamds added to the mix. But who they face won’t be determined until the Korakuen Hall show takes place.

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Posted by JamieOD

What Came In The Mail Today?

September 6, 2010

With thanks to M World Services, I ordered some official DDT merch and the package finally arrived today. Pretty much DVDs of the most improtant 2008 shows, the first Sumo Hall show, a Best Of 2009 set and the “Best Of The Super YOSHIHIKO” release. Yes, YOSHIHIKO has a ‘best of’ DVD. A best of DVD that is 3 and a half hours long. I even got a few blank slips used to vote for the DDT48 election. Overall, I’m very happy with what I got. When this blog was first set up I got a few requests to review some of the earlier DDT shows. I don’t have much from DDT’s sleazier years but I might be able to review some of the 2008 shows in the future. And I also got an event program from around the time Daisuke Sekimoto won the KO-D Title.

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Posted by JamieOD

DDT Ryogoku Preview

July 22, 2010

This Sunday sees DDT set sail to Sumo Hall once more to present “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2010 SUMMER VACATION”. When DDT made the announcment back at the tail end of 2008 that they will go to Sumo Hall, nobody even dreamed that they could get an attendence of almost 9000 fans to see the show. Not only did they reach that number, it was gained with hardly any papering and comps. That’s right, DDT got almost 9000 people paying to see their show at Sumo Hall. It was the most unlikely pro wrestling success story in 2009 and this year DDT attempts to repeat the feat. This time the show revolved around two big matches. Daisuke Sekimoto Vs HARASHIMA for the KO-D Openweight Title and a dream match between the two “Geniuses” of puroresu. Unfortunately, the dream match had to be scrapped just a week before the show, causing a minor reshuffle of the card. It’s a big blow for DDT, but ticket sales leading up to the show are still said to be positive.

There is a lot booked for the show with 8 matches to take place overall. I will do my best explain the build up to many of the bouts in this preview. Here is the full card for Sumo Hall.

DDT “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2010 SUMMER VACATION”, 25/07/2010
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
0. KO-D Tag Team Title: Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (c) Vs Jun Kasai & Kamui
1. KO-D Tag Team Title Contendership Gauntlet: Josai International Combo (Goro Tsurumi & Tomimitsu Matsunaga) Vs Massive Brothers (Muscle Sakai & Honey Jiro) Vs Disaster-BOX (Toru Owashi & Yukihiro Abe) Vs Suicide Boyz (MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba) Vs Wild Snake (Manabu Nakanishi & Poison Sawada JULIE)
2. Daisuke Sasaki, Takao Soma & Kazuki Hirata Vs Shigehiro Irie, Tatsuhiko Yoshino & Akito
3. Captain’s Fall No DQ Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Michael Nakazawa (c) & Munenori Sawa Vs Yago Aznable (c), MA Hoshitango & Ace Pilot X
4. UWA Trios Title, Jiyugaoka Six Man Tag Team Title & Nihonkai Six Man Tag Team Title, 3 Way Match: Hikaru Sato, Keisuke Ishii & YOSHIHIKO (c) Vs KUDO, Yasu Urano & Antonio Honda (c) Vs Mr. #6 & Riho & X (c)
5. Handicap Match: Danshoku Dino Vs HG & RG
6. Dick Togo Vs TAJIRI
7. Kenny Omega Vs Naomichi Marufuji
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Daisuke Sekimoto (c) Vs HARASHIMA

KO-D Openweight Title: Daisuke Sekimoto (c) vs. HARASHIMA

We’ll start with the main event for the KO-D Openweight Title. Back in February, Daisuke Sekimoto entered into the DDT world by defeating Shuji Ishikawa and winning the KO-D Openweight Championship at a show held by Union, a sub-brand of DDT. Despite some brief appearances for DDT in the past, Sekimoto was a one-man army invading the promotion and taking its top belt. With a large target now on his back and the entire promotion focused on reclaiming the KO-D Title, Sekimoto was ready for the challenges that laid ahead. Everyone from Sanshiro Takagi & Kota Ibushi to Michael Nakazawa & Masa Takanashi tried to defeat him but all ultimately failed. The only other challenger was Ken Ohka, who at the time was in possession of DDT’s equivalent of the Money In The Bank prize. However, this is Ken Ohka we’re talking about. This is a guy who wouldn’t be much of a threat to Sekimoto even with the element of surprise. Ken threw a curveball and instead gave his title shot to Shuji Ishikawa so he could cash it in and get his rematch. Once again, Sekimoto made a successful defence and was all out of challengers. He had to wait until the King Of DDT tournament in May to find out who he would face at Sumo Hall. HARASHIMA went through the tournament, surviving one of the most disgusting head wounds in recent memory to wind up as the King Of DDT winner and Sekimoto’s next challenger.

This is not the first time Sekimoto and HARASHIMA crossed paths. HARASHIMA eliminated Sekimoto to win a Battle Royal back in April 2009. By winning that match, HARASHIMA would go on to defeat Sanshiro Takagi and become the KO-D champ. Sekimoto wrestled on that same show but disappeared from DDT until he won the KO-D belt. For HARASHIMA it will be his second year in a row headlining Sumo Hall for DDT. Last time he went in as champion but fell to Kota Ibushi. This time he is going in as the challenger. Can he be DDT’s saviour on the night of the company’s biggest event or will Sekimoto make it a clean sweep of the main event roster and cement himself as the most dominant champion in
DDT history?

Kenny Omega vs. Naomichi Marufuji

Even the best laid plans can fall apart. This was originally supposed to be Kota Ibushi Vs Naomichi Marufuji in what would be the headline match of the event. Unfortunately Ibushi’s dislocated shoulder could not be healed in time for him to compete. It’s been a heck of a year for Kota Ibushi. The “Golden Star” has had a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows since he won the KO-D Championship at Sumo Hall and earned his spot as the ace of the promotion 12 months ago. The defence against YOSHIHIKO aside, Kota’s reign as champ didn’t set the world on fire and he dropped the belt to Shuji Ishikawa in November. Following that, Kota shockingly failed to get past the first round of the Super J Cup, losing to Gedo with the always reliable Gedo Clutch. Kota built himself back up by continuing his partnership with Kenny Omega as the “Golden Lovers”, excelling in matches where wrestling rings were not required. Ibushi took some time off to cope with some injuries but returned in fine fashion by avenging his loss to Gedo in April. Ibushi stepped up to challenge Daisuke Sekimoto for the KO-D Openweight Title at Golden Week. Despite looking like DDT’s best chance to win back the belt, he failed to defeat Sekimoto. He was out of the title hunt in DDT, but looked ahead to the Best Of Super Juniors tournament in New Japan. Over there, Ibushi made up for his 1st round exits in the Super J Cup & Super J Tag by reaching the final to face Prince Devitt. The final ended in heartbreak for Ibushi as he dislocated his shoulder after doing a 450 Splash. The match was temporarily stopped but he went against the advice of medical personell to continue fighting. After the restart, Devitt quickly beat him with the Bloody Sunday to win a dramatic finale to the tournament.

When the hype for this year’s Sumo Hall show began, fans wondered who Ibushi would face. He wass out of the KO-D title race for the time being and if he was to have a single match it would have to be against someone pretty special. DDT delivered when NOAH’s very own Naomichi Marufuji sent a video message challenging Kota to a match during the June Korakuen Hall event. This was a match 15 months in the making. The two were originally supposed to face each other in DDT back in April 2009 but Marufuji went down with a serious injury that took him out of action for the rest of that year. Fifteen months later and disaster strikes again with Ibushi this time on the injury list.

The show must go on and for Kenny Omega, a golden opportunity has presented itself. Omega was set to team with wrestling wonderkids Riho & Mr. #6 but with his B.F.F. now unable to compete, a spot has opened up to take on one of the best wrestlers in Japan today, if not the entire world. Omega has won a place in the hearts of DDT fans with his exciting performances inside and outside the ring with Kota Ibushi. With Japan becoming a second home, the “Canadian Ken Masters” fired up the ranks and made his mark in the Best Of Super Juniors, defeating established NJPW talent like Koji Kanemoto and Ryusuke Taguchi. But now he finds himself at the Boss Stage against a man that hit Level 70 a long time ago. Naomichi Marufuji has never come across the video game offence of Kenny Omega before, but they don’t call him the “Genius Of Pro-Wrestling” for nothing. We won’t get the match we were promised, but these two can still produce something special to make up for it.

Dick Togo Vs TAJIRI

An intriguing matchup that takes place as part of Dick Togo’s retirement tour. Togo has been a big figure for DDT throughout the company’s life, holding the KO-D Openweight Title twice while being part of the Metal Vampire faction. He also terrorised the promotion under such foreign guises as Rey Cubano and Francesco Togo. But now with his career winding down, Togo is back to his normal self for the rest of his time in DDT. He will be taking on TAJIRI, who’s own career has been revitalised ever since he formed the SMASH promotion. The former WWE and HUSTLE star already has a loyal fanbase following his new company. In fact, TAJIRI will have a very busy weekend as SMASH will be holding two shows the day before the DDT event. With TAJIRI scheduled to wrestle on both of those shows, will he have enough energy left to take on Dick Togo afterwards?

Handicap Match: Danshoku Dino Vs HG & RG

This is a dream match for someone, right? When rumours went around that one of HUSTLE’s most memorable characters was ready to retire, a certain wrestle of the same persuasion did not react well to it. When the original HUSTLE promotion closed its doors, Razor Ramon Hard Gay never got the chance to say goodbye and officially call an end to his wrestling career. DDT offered to host his retirement match for Sumo Hall by pitting him against their own resident homosexual wrestler, Danshoku Dino. Surprisingly, Dino was furious at the news that his fellow gay wrestler was retiring. He was so upset that he locked himself in the DDT Office for 13 days (may God have mercy on whoever had to clean that place up when Dino finally left). The match was set until RG, the Scrappy Doo to HG’s Scooby Doo showed up at the May Korakuen Hall show and inserted himself (get your minds out of the gutter) into the fray. So now it will be a Handicap match featuring Japan’s two most flamboyantly gay wrestlers, and RG.

UWA Trios Title, Jiyugaoka Six Man Tag Team Title & Nihonkai Six Man Tag Team Title, 3 Way Match: Hikaru Sato, Keisuke Ishii & YOSHIHIKO (c) Vs KUDO, Yasu Urano & Antonio Honda (c) Vs Mr. #6 & Riho & X (c)

Trust DDT to find the most obscure and irrelevent Championships to reward in title matches. Following up on last year’s GAY-Crown match, Danshoku Dino wanted something similar to happen for this year’s show. This time it will be the 6-Man Tag Team belts that will be hoarded together. The UWA Trios Title has had an odd history. When its home promotion closed down in 1995 the title vanished from the face of the earth. In 2001 Toryumon adopted the championships and kept them until Toryumon morphed into Dragon Gate. The belts moved to El Dorado until they were claimed by the Italian 4 Horsemen. Since then they have mostly been defended in DDT and are currently held by the Belt Hunter X
Hunter faction.

The Jiyugaoka Six Man Tag Team Title was created by DDT in 2003 and was named after the Jiyugaoka train station in Tokyo. The championship was rarely defended over the years and was eventually vacated. KUDO, Yasu Urano & Antonio Honda won the vacant belts in June 2008 but the title’s existence has been ignored ever since. In fact, nobody including KUDO, Urano & Honda even remembered they were the champions until Dino pointed it out. With two teams of champions available to compete, the match was made.

But wait, Muscle Sakai wanted to join in the fun. He too was part of a championship calibur team. A Championship even more obscure than what is already on offer. Years ago Muscle Sakai teamed with O.K. Revolution (Ken Ohka) & Mr. Strawberry (Sanshiro Takagi) to win the Nihonkai Six Man Tag Team Title. It’s a title Sakai claimed was still active despite never being defended. Also, Mr. Strawberry was never seen again since the team won the Nihonkai titles. O.K. Revolution made his return to DDT and Mr. Strawberry was summoned back to our realm thanks to a magical pink recorder. Unfortunately for them, Kenny Omega spoiled their plans by joining forces with Riho & Mr. #6 to win the belts and take their spots at Sumo Hall.

With Kenny Omega being promoted to the semi-main event, that leaves his junior tag partners searching high and low for a replacement. We may not know who the third person will be until the day of the show or even at the very last minute. But still, Riho and Mr. #6 are two kids who should not be messed with. After all, if they are good enough to eliminate Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega in a Battle Royal then they must have a heck of a lot of talent.

Captain’s Fall No DQ Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Michael Nakazawa (c) & Munenori Sawa Vs Yago Aznable (c), MA Hoshitango & Ace Pilot X

“IT’S A GUNDAM!!!”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Gundam, DDT’s craziest storyline at the moment features parodies of the famous giant fighting robots. Yoshiaki Yago, a man so dangerous that the entire roster have to trap him in lockers so he can never challenge for the KO-D championship, went missing after the November Korakuen Hall show. Not unusual as Yago is a part-time wrestler who comes and goes when he (or the locker) pleases. Several months later, an unknown wrestler by the name of Yago Aznable, looking the spitting image of Char Aznable from the Gundam series, won a contract in a Battle Royal/Ladder match to join DDT when the contract simply fell into his arms as he was entering the ring.
Fans around the globe were wondering who this dashing and mysterious figure was. Over the coming months we were able to see through his cunning disguise. The body language, the moveset, the hair sticking out of his helmet, the tattoos covering his arm and shoulder. It could only be one of two people: Yoshiaki Yago or Randy Orton. Turns out it was Yago (Orton is more of an Evangelion fan anyway). Yago Aznable was joined by Abnormal, who turned out to be Michael Nakazawa. They proved to be a major headache for Sanshiro Takagi, who wanted to get rid of this new galactic threat to DDT. Yago gained an ally in DJ Nira and together they kicked Nakazawa out of their gang. They then convinced Hoshitango to join their cause, transforming him from an Argentinian sumo wrestler into a powerful Gundam called Enormous MA Hoshitango. The Gundam Gang gained another new member in the guise of Ace Pilot X, who in any other universe would be a man named GENTARO. Seeing the error of his ways, Nakazawa has returned to the good side while Sanshiro called over his fellow KO-D Tag Team Champion, Munenori Sawa to even the sides. This leads to a Captain’s Fall No DQ Match for Sumo Hall, where each team has a captain and the match only ends when the captain of a team is pinned or submits. Surprisingly, Sanshiro has given Nakazawa the chance to lead their team and to signify the change of leadership, he handed down the helmet of his RX-78 Gundam costume to Michael.So what should we expect from the match? Probably a lot of Gundam cosplay and wacky shenanigans. Yago’s team are already based on Gundam characters while Sanshiro Takagi will bring his Gundam suit to the fold. But it may be Nakazawa that will use that suit for the match. All that leaves out is Munenori Sawa and who knows what that guy has in mind. With his fetish for lingerie we may see a bizarre result of Gundam Rule 34 take place when he steps into the ring.

Daisuke Sasaki, Takao Soma & Kazuki Hirata Vs Shigehiro Irie, Tatsuhiko Yoshino & Akito

The DDT youngsters hit the ring for Six-Man Tag action. The only notable thing I have for this match is it takes place just over a year since Takao Soma’s debut. He holds something I don’t think any other wrestler in Japan has, and that’s a winning debut at a major Sumo Hall event. One year on we will see just how much he has progressed along with the other fresh-faced talent DDT has to offer. Only other thing to add is Daisuke Sasaki is the former Sasaki & Gabana from the Italian 4 Horsemen.

KO-D Tag Team Title Contendership Gauntlet: Josai International Combo (Goro Tsurumi & Tomimitsu Matsunaga) Vs Massive Brothers (Muscle Sakai & Honey Jiro) Vs Disaster-BOX (Toru Owashi & Yukihiro Abe) Vs Suicide Boyz (MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba) Vs Wild Snake (Manabu Nakanishi & Poison Sawada JULIE)

A Tag Team Gauntlet match is set to determine the next challengers for the KO-D Tag Team Titles. The teams are written in order of entry. The big news coming from this match is Posion Sawada JULIE’s choice for his partner, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Manabu Nakanishi. Tomimitsu Matsunaga is relying on indy sleaze legend (?) Goro Tsurumi to bring home the glory. Muscle Sakai will team with Honey Jiro from the super obscure West Gate Pro Wrestling. Both The Suicide Boyz and Disaster-BOX have the advantage of being regular tag teams but their entry orders makes things a little bit difficult. My money is on Wild Snake to win it.

KO-D Tag Team Title: Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (c) Vs Jun Kasai & Kamui

Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa continue their “Greatest Title Run Ever” ™ to welcome the fans into Sumo Hall. Ever since they won the KO-D Tag Team Championships, Sanshiro & Sawa proved their fighting spirit by defending the belts anytime, any place. Literally. Their defences have been held everywhere from factories and batting cages to shopping malls and ski resorts. Who knows where their match with Jun Kasai & Kamui will take them inside (and outisde) the Ryogoku. This will be a tough test for the champions and will definitly leave them at less than 100% for the Captain’s Tag later that night. It’s a shame that this has to be the dark match opener. But on the bright side it will be aired online through Ustream.

There’s your card for Sumo Hall, folks. The only thing missing on the show is the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship. Last I heard, Yukihiro Abe is the champion and he is in the Tag Gauntlet. Maybe an impromptu bunch of title changes will take place throughout the evening. This is now the biggest day of the year for DDT and my fingers are crossed that they get just as much success this Sunday as they did last year. Until then:

“1…2…3…FIRE!”

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