DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2024 TOUR IN ASAKUSA”, 11/06/2024 Tokyo Asakusa Hanayashi Theater
0. Dark Match ~ Nariagari Sponsored Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Tawaramachi Kid Jr. & Super Nikuyaki Machine Vs Ariji Akinori, Shosaku Inoue & awesome Tezuka
1. Special Single Match: KANON Vs Makoto Oishi
2. Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs HARASHIMA & Keigo Nakamura
3. Asakusa Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Yoshihiko Vs Akito, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
4. MAO & To-y Vs Chris Brookes & Ilusion
5. Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata Vs Yukio Naya & Kazuma Sumi
6. Kazusada Higuchi 10th Anniversary Match ~ Harimao Vs BURNING!: Kazusada Higuchi, Ryota Nakatsu & Yuki Ishida Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku
Tomorrow DDT celebrates the 10th anniversary of Kazusada Higuchi’s debut match, even though his wrestling debut happened in November 2014 not June.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’24”, 15/06/2024 Kobe Art Center
1. Yuna Manase Vs Nao Kakuta
2. Wakana Uehara Vs Chika Nanase
3. Yuki Kamifuku & Toga Vs LA Taylor & Kira Summer
4. Shino Suzuku & Uta Takami Vs Runa Okubo & Haru Kazashiro
5. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Pom Harajuku & Mahiro Kiryu
6. Suzume, Arisu Endo & HIMAWARI Vs Rika Tatsumi, Raku & Moka Miyamoto
7. Miu Watanabe, Shoko Nakajima & Kaya Toribami Vs Mizuki, Yuki Aino & Vert Vixen
Miyu Yamashita is now back in Japan after finishing up the last of her current American dates over the weekend. Her first match back in Tokyo Joshi Pro is reviving 121000000 with Maki Itoh.
Match #4 is important because it is taking place on the same day as Runa Okubo’s 16th birthday! Her team with Haru Kazashiro is currently being called HaruRuna while Shino Suzuku & Uta Takami have been shortened down to ShinoUta.
Both Vert Vixen and LA Taylor have come out of Korakuen Hall without any championships. They can at least try to get some commiseration wins here for their troubles.
BASARA “BASARA 251 ~UTAGE~”, 21/06/2024 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Isami Kodaka Vs Yasu Urano
2. FUMA, KUBITO & Daichi Kazato vs SAGAT, Gouma Ryu & Antonio Honda
3. Ryuichi Sekine & Minoru Fujita Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & Judomaster
4. Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
5. Iron Fist Tag Team Titles: Ryota Nakatsu & Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura
The tag division in BASARA takes centre stage for the next “~UTAGE~” show. Minoru Fujita and Takumi Tsukamoto also have a prelim tag match for their upcoming Union MAX Title bout.
DDT “MACHIDA KANSAI PRO WRESTLING FESTIVAL 2024”, 22/06/2024 Tokyo Special Glass Garden Ring At Nozuta Castle In The Sky (Machida GION Stadium)
1. Yasu Urano & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Yuni & Ilusion
2. Antonio Honda Vs Gota Ihashi
3. Shinya Aoki & Super Sasadango Machine Vs Akito & Soma Takao
DDT are holding a few wrestling matches outside Machida GION Stadium during an FC Machida Zelvia home football game.
DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2024 TOUR IN OSAKA”, 22/06/2024 Osaka City Minato Civic Center
1. Osaka Specialty Special Single Match: HARASHIMA Vs Tsutenkakka
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Naya & Yuki Ishida
3. Sanshiro Takagi Indefinite Rest Road ~ Special Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi & CIMA Vs Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata
As part of Sanshiro Takagi’s final matches, he convinced CIMA to be in the same ring as Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata again.
A return to Osaka means Tsutenkakka gets to be on DDT shows again. He gets a big match against HARASHIMA to see what he is made of. I mean other than steel because he is already a tower in the body of a pro wrestler.
DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2024 TOUR IN HAMAMATSU”, 23/06/2024 Shizuoka Act City Hamamatsu
1. The 37KAMIINA Vs SCHADENFREUDE International!: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
2. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs KANON
3. Sanshiro Takagi Indefinite Rest Road ~ Special 6-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Jun Akiyama & Yoshitatsu vs Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya & Yuya Koroku
The next day Takagi teams up with Jun Akiyama & Yoshitatsu for a 6-Man Tag Match.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’24”, 20/07/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Special Single Match: Aja Kong Vs Shoko Nakajima
2. Princess Of Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi
TJPW’s big match for the summer is Daydream tearing each other apart for the Princess Of Princess Title! A match like this was always on the horizon and Rika Tatsumi thinks the time is now for it to happen. She wants to be the Princess Champion again even if it means having to take the belt from Miu Watanabe. That scenario happened before last year with the International Princess Title. Watanabe does not want history to repeat itself.
There’s been a couple of times already this year when Shoko Nakajima has been in the ring with Aja Kong. Now they get to fight each other one on one! It is a match both are looking forward too. Nakajima wants to have a wrestling career as long and illustrious as Kong’s, maybe even turn into the modern day equivalent of her. Kong meanwhile is isolating herself in the mountains in order to train for this match. That is how much she sees Nakajima as a threat to her.
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2024”, 21/07/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
1. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Masato Tanaka
2. Dramatic Dream Match: El Desperado Vs Chris Brookes
3. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino (c) Vs Go Shiozaki & Atsushi Kotoge
4. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs MAO
Earlier today Chris Brookes was one of several DDT wrestlers who were part of El Desperado’s invitational show (I’ll write a post about the show this evening). Brookes got on the microphone after his match to talk to Desperado who was at the commentary booth. He said they’ve known each other for years now but have never been in a match together. So he challenged him to a match at DDT’s Sumo Hall show next month!
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY”, 05/04/2024 Penn’s Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 750 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House
1. Suzume & Arisu Endo defeated Yuki Aino & Zara Zakher when Suzume pinned Zakher with the Twinkle Twinkle (11:01).
2. Billie Starkz defeated Hyper Misao with the Swanton Bomb (5:57).
3. Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van defeated Raku & Trish Adora when Kamifuku pinned Raku with the Famouser (8:53).
4. Mizuki & Vert Vixen defeated Aja Kong & Pom Harajuku when Mizuki pinned Harajuku with the Cutie Special (10:31).
5. Shoko Nakajima defeated Rhio with the Senton Bomb (13:24).
6. Special Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh defeated Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe when Yamashita pinned Tatsumi with the Skull Kick (19:04).
Third time’s the charm for 121000000. It took until the third Tokyo Joshi Pro show held in the USA for the team to win a main event tag match in America. That they beat Daydream only a couple of days after Miyu Yamashita lost the Princess Of Princess Title to Miu Watanabe shows that the former champion wasn’t letting that get to her. Maki Itoh was also fuelled up because she was among her GCW fanbase for the week in Philadelphia. Despite some trouble between 121000000’s teamwork, Itoh saved Yamashita from the Daydream Eternity. She then set up Rika Tatsumi with a DDT that flowed into Yamashita’s German Suplex, ending with Yamashita pinning Tatsumi with the Skull Kick to win.
As already mentioned, Itoh had her GCW fans in the venue so when it came time to promote tomorrow’s “GCW VS TJPW” show, she had no problem telling the crowd she is on Team GCW. Yamashita tried to combat the GCW chants by leading a TJP chant. It caused some tension to grow between Itoh and Yamashita but they hugged it out in the end. Itoh then gave her the middle finger and Yamashita raised her fist up to it in response. 121000000 have their own seperate plans going on in the immediate future but both of them are thinking about winning back the Princess Tag Team Titles if the timing works out for them. Meanwhile Tatsumi said a lot of swear words in English to complain about losing the match. Watanabe had to apologise to the viewers over it.
Shoko Nakajima was put to the test against the mighty power of Rhio. Her plan to combat against the Suplexes and slams was to keep it speedy and knock Rhio off base with Rider Kicks and 619s. She finally got Rhio down with the Double Arm DDT long enough to hit the Diving Senton for the victory. Nakajima described Rhio as a super ace from EVE who she has become good friends with. She was excited to have this match today and it made her even more ready to do her best at “GCW VS TJPW” tomorrow. Rhio said Nakajima has a small body packed with power and it took her beyond her limits.
Sadly there was no Pompaler reunion on the cards due to Max The Impaler suddenly falling ill. So instead Pom Harajuku was given Aja Kong as her new tag team partner! It led to a mixed bag of a challenge for Mizuki & Vert Vixen. They had to fight the undeniable power of Kong while also dealing with the childish antics of Harajuku. Mizuki’s solution was to steal Harajuku’s shoes from her feet and throw them out of the ring. Vixen gave Kong a Stunner and Mizuki followed up with a Diving Foot Stomp. She then hit Harajuku with her own shoe before pinning her with the Cutie Special. Kong tried to cheer Harajuku backstage by telling her she was more popular with the American fans than Mizuki. If they can get Max to team with them again then the trio will be unstoppable! Harajuku will have to be thrown like a weapon but she will accept that fate as long as she is the main character of the team.
There may be some longer legs to The Casual Vixens than first thought after they won their match today. Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van focused on fighting Raku while Trish Adora did what she could to keep her team in the match. Van and Adora were left scrambling outside the ring giving Kamifuku clearance to beat Raku with the Famouser. No matter how the results went, both teams were happy to have been paired together. Kamifuku said she gets to be best friends with Asia’s sexiest wrestler while Raku was happy to bring Adora along on the Oyasumi Express.
There was an unexpected surprise in Billie Starkz’s corner. Athena walked out behind her during the entrances and was there to watch her minion do battle against Hyper Misao. She also saved the match for Starkz by pulling her foot on top of the rope while Misao had her pinned with the Hypami Returns. Misao dealt with Athena by blinding her with the spray can. But the distraction allowed Starkz to hit Misao with a Topé Suicida followed by the Swanton Bomb back in the ring to win the match.
The show began with the new Princess Tag Champs in action against one-half of the former champs. Daisy Monkey fought Yuki Aino again and this time Aino had Zara Zakher as her partner. It wasn’t the teamwork of Suzume & Arisu Endo that made them stand tall in the end. In fact the champions were in trouble when Aino gave Endo the Venus DDT while Zakher hit Suzume with a Jumping Knee. Suzume fought back with and used a series of Rolling Cradles called the Twinkle Twinkle that kept going and going until Zakher was pinned for the three count. Daisy Monkey admit they are still immature and would be happy if everyone around the world continues to support them.
The show began with a mini performance from The Up Up Girls who were in attendance. Watanabe & Raku sang “Upper Kick” together. Watanabe also broke one of the cameras at ringside, making it a true TJPW experience!
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY”, 05/04/2024 Penn’s Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Hyper Misao Vs Billie Starkz
2. Shoko Nakajima Vs “The Unbreakable” Rhio
3. Yuki Aino & Raku Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van
4. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Nao Kakuta & Zara Zakher
5. Mizuki & Vert Vixen Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
6. Special Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
Back once again on American soil, Tokyo Joshi Pro is entering this year’s Wrestlemania Week as part of The Collective series of indie shows. This time around TJPW will be involved across two days: one show will be held on their own and the next day they have an inter-promotional event with GCW. It just goes to show how much DDT’s little sister has taken the international spotlight away from them in recent years. Looking at the Mania schedule this year, you can say that about the offerings of Japanese wrestling in general with the joshi shows getting more hype than what the other puroresu companies are sending over. These two shows will be happening only a few days after TJPW holds “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” at Sumo Hall so fans around the world will get to see the promotion take their next step coming out of such an important show. Have you seen the gifs of the Skull Kicks and Giant Swings? Are you curious to know curious to know why a foul mouthed ex-idol has so many simps or why that crazy woman in white likes to choke people so much? Would you like to see a superhero crash her bicycle? Do you write for a wrestling website and mistook this for a Stardom show? Are you wondering what ever happened to Hikari Noa? Well you won’t get an answer to that last question but for everything else, this guide is for you!
Where and when are the shows taking place?
Both shows will be held at Penn’s Landing Caterers Auditorium in Philadelphia. “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY” is taking place on Friday, 5th April at 11:00am Eastern time. “GCW VS TJPW” will happen on Saturday, 6th April at 2:30pm Eastern time.
Where can I watch it online?
Both shows will air live on Triller TV (or FITE as it used to be called) with English commentary through the TrillerTV+ subscription service. The on-demand versions of both shows will be available to watch on Wrestle Universe a few weeks after the live broadcast.
Is this a proper TJPW show?
Yes. On paper I would put it on the level of their B shows when it comes to the card layout just without the matches built around the younger wrestlers and rookies. This is not like last year when they put together a lineup fitting for a Korakuen Hall show. What we have here fits in more for an event at Shinjuku FACE or Ryogoku KFC Hall. That’s not to say the show quality will be low or uninteresting. It’s more that you are getting to see TJPW at its status quo. The guest wrestlers booked have all appeared in TJPW over the past few years, some on a regular basis so none of the names stick out like a sore thumb. I assure you this will be as close to a genuine TJPW experience you can get without going over to Japan.
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1. Hyper Misao Vs Billie Starkz
It’s a super hero against a Minion In Training! Hyper Misao often delights the fans with her endless crazy ideas to protect love and peace in TJPW. But the chaos she creates is the same kind of environment Billie Starkz feels most at home in. The hero and villain in this match may be more alike then they both realize.
Hyper Misao – When love and peace is under threat in TJPW, you can always rely on Hyper Misao to come to the rescue. Just don’t be surprised if her plan to save the world turns out not to be as heroic as she looks. Sometimes she will get on the microphone, greet the audience with “Hello big children!” and reveal her plans to save the day. Other times she arrives to the ring riding on the Hypami Dramatic Dream combat bike. She has the talent to win fair fights but prefers using underhanded tactics like blinding her opponents with cold spray or crashing the Hypami DD into them. Hey, the Madame Web movie showed that vehicular manslaughter is a heroic trait so it’s acceptable for Misao to do it too! Moves To Watch Out For: Hypami Returns (Final Cut), I Am A Hero (Diving Cross Body), Crossface Chickenwing, Vanitas (Double Arm Facebuster), Cold Spray Attack
Billie Starkz – Since the last time we saw her in TJPW, “Space Jesus” has gone from indie darling to a Minion In Training that you can rely on. Ring Of Honor is where you will find Starkz on most days but she still finds the time to pop up in GCW plus a few other indies every now and then. In fact this match kind of serves as a warm up for her because hours after this show is finished she will be competing in a tournament final to crown the first ever ROH Women’s World TV Champion. Moves To Watch Out For: Swanton Bomb, Sugoi Driver (Double Legged One-Winged Angel sometimes on the ring apron), Starkz Driver (Tombstone Piledriver), Star 10 (CRII)
2. Shoko Nakajima Vs “The Unbreakable” Rhio
No, that’s not a typo for those seeing the second name and thinking of somebody else. This match is Japan versus England when one of TJPW’s most decorated wrestlers Shoko Nakajima takes on “The Unbreakable” Rhio, a rising female star from the British scene. Because when a kaiju is on the loose you need to put something unbreakable in the way to keep the rampage under control.
Shoko Nakajima – Meet the Big Kaiju, all 147cm of her! Nakajima has pretty much done it all in TJPW as one of the promotion’s longest serving wrestlers. Usually quick and speedy, she also has the strength to put away opponents with the Northern Lights Suplex. The Diving Senton she uses is nothing to sneeze at either. When put in Hardcore Match situations her favourite weapon is a pile of kaiju toys that she slams her opponents onto. She’s a Swiss Army Knife that can adapt to any kind of situation wrestling can throw at her. Moves To Watch Out For: Northern Lights Suplex, Diving Senton, Unmanned Local Train Hold (Yurikamome submission hold), 619, Rider Kick (One-Legged Dropkick)
“The Unbreakable” Rhio – A working relationship between TJPW and British women’s promotion EVE opened the doors for Rhio to tour in Japan. She impressed with her power built on her background in Karate and Taekwondo. Since then she has been all over the European scene and has won the Women’s Championship in companies such as Progress and ICW (the Scottish one, not the chains one). She hasn’t been back to Japan since that tour but whenever a TJPW wrestler travels over to England you can count on her to be a likely opponent for them. Moves To Watch Out For: Dreaded End (Neck Screw Hold), Package Piledriver, Pumphandle Bomb
3. Yuki Aino & Raku Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van
Here is a battle between sweetness versus seduction, love versus desire and naps versus partying. Among the many friendships that have formed within the promotion, Yuki Aino & Raku is one that has captured a lot of the fanbase’s attention. There’s just something about a sleepy trainspotting pop singer that people just can’t deny. The team facing them have quickly become friends too. Yuki Kamifuku & Viva Van were meant to be put together as opponents but admired each other’s beauty so much they got immediately got along. When Van wanted to come up with a team name for this match, Kamifuku came up with The Casual Vixens. Let’s see if that sticks.
Yuki Aino – It happened so long ago that it’s hard to remember Aino originally debuted in TJPW as a ring announcer before turning pro so she could team with her sister. Tag team wrestling remains her forte and she is one of few wrestlers in TJPW to have held tag title gold with different partners. Love and the fiery power it can bring is what drives her as you can see from the names she gives her moves below. She also adores the woman she gets to team with on the show. Moves To Watch Out For: Venus DDT (Inverted DDT), UBV/Unlimited Burning Venus (Double Arm Side Buster), Full Nelson Of Love And Fire (Full Nelson Camel Clutch), Side Suplex
Raku – The first of two members from The Up Up Girls you will see on the show. The Up Up Girls are a pop idol group that created a pro wrestling spin off unit in TJPW. The members often perform songs at the start of the show before wrestling in matches later in the card. Raku’s entire personality can be summed down to naps and trains. She knows so much railway trivia she often has a Train Of The Day to tell the audience on every show. Will SEPTA be up to her standards? Her moveset is built around sending her opponents to sleep so she can run over them with the Oyasumi Express. Somehow this entire package has made her absolutely adored to the point where she may as well be God to some people. Moves To Watch Out For: Doctor Yellow (Jumping Neckbreaker), Hurricane Turn (Cross-Arm Backslide Pin), Oyasumi Express (running on top of the opponent over and over), Good Night Sleeper, Poppo Chop! (Brain Chop)
Yuki Kamifuku – Also known by her nickname Kamiyu, she is “The Casual Beauty” of TJPW. She knows how to get under her opponent’s skin with harsh and catty opinions. But there is another side to her where she is loyal and sympathetic to her friends. She is also proud of her modelling background because her accomplishments in the ring is proof you do not need to be a die hard pro wrestling fan to succeed in the business. Grew up in Ohio during her junior high school years so she knows the most English out of the bunch. Also really loves Zac Efron and after watching “The Iron Claw” it is now her dream to wrestle a match with him. She is currently the Queen Of Asia Champion after winning the belt in Singapore last November. Moves To Watch Out For: Famouser (Jumping Leg Drop), Big Boot, Yahoo 83cm (Headscissors DDT), Manjigatame, Thumb To The Eye
Viva Van – One of the more recent foreign guests in TJPW is nicknamed “The Hellbent Vixen”. This Vietnamese-American wrestler has gathered together a large amount of championships in recent times but her attempt to dethrone Kamifuku as the Queen Of Asia ended in failure. However even before that match took place the two of them got along anyway because of how good looking they both are. It’s no surprise the two of them are definitely happy they get to reunite in America. Kamifuku even suggested one time they go on the lookout for a third attractive Asian wrestler to join them so they can be a trio Charlie’s Angels style. But don’t let that kind of attitude fool you, Van has been climbing up the ranks high enough to get matches in AEW and AAA as well as New Japan’s USA shows. Moves To Watch Out For: Hellevator (Electric Chair spun into a Power Bomb), Ocean Cyclone Suplex, Code Red, Meteora, Butterfly Suplex
4. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Nao Kakuta & Zara Zakher
When it comes to tag teams in TJPW you can expect a lot of creative team names. Some of the names have elaborate reasons behind them, others not so much. Daisy Monkey is so called because Suzume is like a flower and Arisu Endo is like a monkey. That’s it. Simple enough. Out of all of the pairings in TJPW currently Daisy Monkey have perhaps the closest bond together. The two of them are pretty much inseparable. It’s that kind of friendship that led to them finally winning the Princess Tag Team Titles recently. Facing them is the first time pairing of Nao Kakuta & Zara Zakher. This match will likely be Kakuta’s last time wrestling in America while Zakher’s wrestling career is really only just beginning.
Suzume – As sharp as a wasp, Suzume is the Daisy half of Daisy Monkey. She begun her career as a fast learner, only spending seven months in training before making her pro debut. Just on the looks of her aesthetic alone it is of no surprise that speed is the name of her game. As part of the Daisy Monkey team she has held a desire over the last two years (if not longer) to win the Princess Tag Titles so the two of them could reach the same level as the previous champions they fought and admired. Moves To Watch Out For: Ring A Bell (RKO), Mikazuki Meteor Shower (Diving Cross Body), Twinkle (Twisting School Boy), Flying Facecrusher
Arisu Endo – The Monkey half of Daisy Monkey, please welcome Aizuwakamatsu City’s most cheerful tourism ambassador. She’s always ready to give fans the thumbs up with a smile. Endo also has a habit of constantly dying her hair in new ways, using every colour in the world you can think of. She has so much pride in where she comes from that she named many of her moves after local destinations and traditions. Together with Suzume, Daisy Monkey have established themselves as TJPW’s top tag team of the new generation. Moves To Watch Out For: Ju no Okite (Hercules Cutter), Camel Clutch, Mt. Bandai (2nd Rope Springboard Dropkick), Tsuruga Castle (Guillotine Knee Drop)
Nao Kakuta – Soon to retire from pro wrestling, Kakuta gets a chance to say goodbye to her American fans. She was previously a kindergarten teacher, a social welfare director and a camp instructor before becoming a stage actress and pro wrestler. Her wrestling career begun in the original class of Actwres girl’Z before she jumped over to TJPW, where she will stay until this July when she graduates from the industry. There are not a lot of heels in TJPW but Kakuta’s wrestling style is closer to that line than pretty much the rest of the regular roster. Moves To Watch Out For: Shiden Kai (Fireman’s Carry into a Stunner), Kamitaka (Cross-Legged Front Neck Lock), Tarantula Headscissors, Kenka Kick
Zara Zakher – This past February a new young wrestler from California was given a week long tour of Japan to compete in TJPW. With only a year of experience under her belt at that point, Zakher was thrown straight into the fire with both matches being against former champions. Short in frame but deceptively strong, Zakher had an impressive showing despite coming out on the losing end in both matches. She left enough of a good impression that TJPW fans get to see her again here in Philly. Moves To Watch Out For: Control Z (Screw Bomb), Lariat, Standing Moonsault
5. Mizuki & Vert Vixen Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
Another international tag but this one with a far wilder selection of wrestlers involved. Mizuki joins forces with Vert Vixen for the first time ever. The two were opponents in America once before now everyone gets to see how well they fare as a team. Going against them is one of the most unlikely but heartwarming friendships you will ever find. What happens when you put a wasteland warrior like Max The Impaler with the childlike innocence of Pom Harajuku? You get a buddy-buddy tag team the likes of which would leave Pixar producers seething with jealousy because they hadn’t thought of it first.
Mizuki – The Popping Sugar Rabbit did not start her wrestling career in TJPW but she has established herself as one of the company’s all time best with multiple championship reigns and big show main events to her name. Don’t trust that smiling face of hers, she is vicious when she wants to be which is often. Constantly goes viral for using the Whirling Candy as well as Diving Double Stomps that leave those who see the moves locked in a state of inspiration and amazement. She doesn’t understand what U3+4 means but she is the closest pro wrestling can get to ever creating a real life Lili from Tekken. Just watch out for the biting. She can take the rabbit stuff a bit too literally sometimes. Moves To Watch Out For: Cutie Special (Bridging Fall Away Slam), Whirling Candy (Spinning Cross Body Block), Diving Foot Stomp, Face Lock
Vert Vixen – Going from what I see online you can spell the name as either VertVixen or Vert Vixen. At last year’s American shows she made her DDT debut and took her first steps into the CyberFight universe. From there she did a month long tour in Japan with TJPW and returned in the summertime to defend the DEFY Women’s Championship, a title she still holds to this day. Obsessed with video games, her ring gear is often inspired by something gaming related. She is nicknamed Player One because Player One always wins! Moves To Watch Out For: Game Over (Ki Crusher), Blue Thunder Bomb, Rolling Stunner, Sharpshooter
Max The Impaler – Puroresu has a history of bringing over wild rampaging warriors from the western world to cause chaos in their rings. Who could have guess TJPW of all companies would join in the tradition? Whenever “The Non-Binary Nightmare” comes over to TJPW you can expect a path of chaos being left in their wake. And yet Max has ended up becoming really well liked by the roster. Sure the times they rip the building apart gets management a little worried about future bookings with those venues but Max has become a part of the family at this point. And there is one wrestler more than anyone else who Max has established a strong attachment with. Moves To Watch Out For: Welcome To The Wasteland (Canadian Backbreaker Drop), Short-Range Lariat, Body Block
Pom Harajuku – Bright and colourful costumes, loud screaming and plenty of kicks aimed at shins. Pom Harajuku’s fighting style can be most compared to that of a three year old throwing a temper tantrum. In recent years she has become the centre of Max The Impaler’s attention. Originally opponents in matches that more resembled a monster chasing down their prey, Max & Pom gradually developed respect for each other leading to them joining forces as a team called Pompaler. That is what happens when Max takes a liking to cute things and discovers just how effective it is to throw those cute things at other people. Even without Max, Harajuku can be a lot to handle by herself. And that’s just from the screaming. Moves To Watch Out For: Pom de Justice (Step-Up Guillotine Leg Drop), Laforet Harajuku (Satellite Headscissors), Shin Kick, Denden Taiko (beating the opponent’s chest like a drum)
6. Special Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
Similar to last year’s show the main event pits two of TJPW’s strongest ever tag teams against each other. 121000000 (pronounced “One To Million” because together their power increases from one to a million) consists of Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh. Both of them are feature players in the company yet in the last year they seem to spend more and more time wrestling overseas. Facing them is a team that can go by two names. Their Japanese name is Hakuchumu but I prefer using the English name Daydream. Together Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe are just as accomplished as their opponents and also have the edge of being the more established tag team. The match is also happening in the aftermath of “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” that just took place in Sumo Hall. Watanabe defeated Yamashita to become the new Princess Of Princess Champion in the main event and here they are fighting each other again. The result of this match may have the consequence of setting up the next Princess Title match back in Japan.
Miyu Yamashita – The Pink Striker has been part of TJPW since they first ran events and is never far away from the Princess Title. She is such a major part of the company that her dominance has long become a big fish in a small pond scenario. The Skull Kick she uses is one of the most deadliest looking finishers around. In recent years she has taken time away from TJPW to wrestle in America and Europe just like her tag team partner. That trend continues because after this show takes place Yamashita will begin a fresh stay in America that will last from April until June. Moves To Watch Out For: Skull Kick (Backspin High Kick to the head), Crash Rabbit Heat (Running Knee Kick), Attitude Adjustment, Return Crash (Triangle Kick off the turnbuckles)
Maki Itoh – A failed idol who won her way into the hearts of wrestling fans after she transformed into a foul mouthed psychopath with an endless appetite for fame. When she’s about to punch her opponent in the corner she always shouts “Who is the cutest in the world?” and the audience respond with “Itoh-chan!” She struggled for years to become a success in Japan only to start making it big in America wrestling for AEW and GCW. In fact, nowadays you’re more likely to see Itoh carving up opponents with a pizza cutter in GCW than you will trying to be a popstar in TJPW! She recently became the new GCW Extreme Champion. It’s only a matter of time before she takes over the whole place! Moves To Watch Out For: Itoh Special/Deluxe/Punish (Variations of the Texas Cloverleaf), Flying Big Head (Diving Headbutt), I.S.D/Itoh Suicide DDT (Flying DDT from the top rope), The Cutest Knuckle Punch In The World
Rika Tatsumi – The White Dragon originally took her name and some of her moveset from Tatsumi Fujinami and she also developed hips as hard of diamonds thanks to some special training with Shiro Koshinaka. She is one of only two grand slam champions in TJPW, having won the Princess Title, the Princess Tag Titles and the International Princess Title. But turning into such a powerful creature eventually comes at a cost and she has gradually become a little bit crazy. When you step into the ring with Tatsumi she will find a way to strangle you. She claims it is just her way of making friends. She would also happily run her opponents over with the company tour bus if she knew how to drive it. Moves To Watch Out For: White Dragon Sleeper, Twist Of Fate, Hip Attack, “Let’s Go!” Elbow Drop, Choking Opponents
Miu Watanabe – The second Up Up Girl appearing on the show and also the strongest. She has found the most success outside of the group by becoming the second ever grand slam champion along with headlining “GRAND PRINCESS ’24” in Sumo Hall just a few days ago. It is the first step towards an Up Up Girl’s ultimate goal of performing in the Nippon Budokan. Always full of energy, she uses big hand gestures to spell out L-O-V-E along with her theme song during her entrances. You need to see her doing the Giant Swing because she knows several ways to put opponents into the move. She’s no one hit wonder though. There are a variety of ways Watanabe gets to show off her strength in the ring. Everyone could see for years that she is TJPW’s next breakout star. It’s only just recently that the booking finally caught up to that opinion. Moves To Watch Out For: Tear Drop (Modified Flapjack), Laserbeam (Overhand Chop to the chest), Giant Swing, Canadian Backbreaker, Swinging Backbreaker
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GCW/TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GCW VS TJPW”, 06/04/2024 Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Suzume & Pom Harajuku Vs SAKI & Nao Kakuta
2. Session Moth Martina Vs Raku
3. Dark Sheik Vs Yuki Kamifuku
4. Steph De Lander Vs Hyper Misao
5. Shazza McKenzie Vs Arisu Endo
6. Allie Katch Vs Mizuki
7. Billie Starkz & Janai Kai Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
8. Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Rina Yamashita, Masha Slamovich & Maki Itoh Vs Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima & Yuki Aino
The next afternoon TJPW goes head to head against GCW with a show dedicated almost entirely to inter-promotion matches between the two companies. I’ve written about GCW before when DDT worked with them last year so if you don’t mind I’ll repeat my opinions of them here. GCW is a promotion I like but don’t love. I’ve gotten to attend a variety of their events before, most of them during WrestleMania week. They’re really fun to attend in person and I enjoy watching live on Triller whenever I get to chance to do so. Watching the shows on-demand a day or two later though isn’t the same because the energy never carries through the screen. It’s a promotion that does not give its viewers a lot of time to let things soak in because as soon as one show ends they go right into promoting their next events. It can make following them online a bit of a blur at times.
The “GCW Vs X” shows often come off feeling like the lesser event of their doubleshot weekends and I fear the same has happened here despite the admirable effort on GCW’s end to provide an all women’s lineup. It doesn’t help that this show will be on Saturday afternoon and ends only a couple of hours before the first night of WrestleMania opens its doors. I’ve been to other wrestling shows held the same day as WrestleMania in the past and the atmosphere was always poor because the majority of the crowd spends the show keeping an eye on the exits for the entire time. I’m trying to be polite here because the undercard has the potential to be atrocious. Matches #3 up to #6 could be an absolute slog to sit through if some of those style clashes don’t work out. The card was changed a little bit because Sawyer Wreck was originally part of it. A broken hand put her out of action and caused a small reshuffle which includes SAKI getting a last minute booking so she can team with Kakuta. I don’t know what how Allie Katch Vs Mizuki will turn out. That feels like a coin flip as to whether or not the match will be good.
There is something I like about the lineup and that’s the main event. Itoh being on the GCW side makes sense given how she’s been booked in both companies over the last two years. The GCW team consisting of three of their hardest pushed wrestlers against three of TJPW’s longest serving mainstays is a really good idea. And I don’t just mean GCW’s hardest pushed women. Itoh, Rina Yamashita and Masha Slamovich have been among the hardest pushed wrestlers out of the GCW roster in general. That trio is the GCW Ultraviolent Champion, the GCW Extreme Champion and the JCW Champion all joining forces together. Miyu and Masha are great in the ring together while Nakajima and Rina had some fun interactions teaming together during Saki Akai’s retirement road last year. The wild card of the match is Yuki Aino. She might just be there to eat the pin but stranger things have happened.
The penultimate tag match looks fine. I don’t have any complaints about it. I’m a little concerned that Billie Starkz & Janai Kai might be a little tired because of their busy schedules in Philadelphia that week. They both have a bunch of matches already booked and by the time this show happens Starkz will have had a crazy No Rules match with MAO on the DDT show, a possibly crazy match with Misao in TJPW and a championship match in ROH. That kind of schedule is sure to leave some bruises. But other than that they should do good against Daydream.
Last thing to note is the GCW side ran out of women so the opener is all TJPW, even before the card change was made to include SAKI. That is unless Suzume and Pom Harajuku were on the GCW side all along. Has Suzume been the third member of Los Macizos and Pom Harajuku part of the Second Gear Crew this entire time?!?
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There’s at least one other chance to see Maki Itoh during the week. Here is another show at The Collective she will be wrestling on.
GCW “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK 8”, 05/04/2024 Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Nick Gage & Maki Itoh Vs Danhausen & Ram Kaichow
While Itoh went back to Japan to wrestle for TJPW again, Gage went and teamed with Danhausen to challenge for the GCW Tag Team Titles. They lost and Danhausen blamed the result on Gage. That caused Gage to come up with a challenge. He and Itoh will fight Danhausen and a partner of his choice at some point during The Collective. All signs pointed towards the annual Spring Break show as the destination for the match. Then Joey Janela broke the news that Danhausen chose Ram Kaichow to be his teammate! Itoh and Kaichow have never crossed paths in the ring before because Kaichow’s TJPW appearances are often contained within the Rakuverse
I’m including this because there are apparently going to be 88 contestants entering this year’s annual Clusterfuck Match so maybe a few TJPW entries could show up in it? Perhaps Itoh will have an Extreme Title defence on the card too.
Fans of Tokyo Joshi Pro were invited to submit their votes for TJPW’s best matches of 2023. This year there were votes from over 380 fans worldwide and over 120 matches received votes.
TJPW Best Bouts 2023
1. 10th Anniversary Special 10-Woman Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Yuka Sakazaki, Rika Tatsumi & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe, Yuki Arai, Suzume, Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo 1st December @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
228 pts
2. International Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi 18th March @ Ariake Coliseum
194 pts
3. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita 9th October @ Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe
179 pts
4. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Maki Itoh 8th July @ Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
145 pts
5. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Mizuki 18th March @ Ariake Coliseum
121 pts
6. Miracle Heart Catch Shuffle Tag Tournament Final: Rika Tatsumi & Arisu Endo Vs Yuki Aino & Mahiro Kiryu 25th May @ Tokyo Kitazawa Town Hall
109 pts
7. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta 9th October @ Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe
91 pts
8. Tokyo Princess Cup – Final: Miyu Yamashita Vs Yuki Kamifuku 13th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
86 pts
9. Tokyo Princess Cup – Semi Final: Miyu Yamashita Vs Yuki Arai 12th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
64 pts
10. Saki Akai Vs Yuki Arai 27th October @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
54 pts
11. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao 11th February @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
53 pts
12. Tokyo Princess Cup – Semi Final: Rika Tatsumi Vs Yuki Kamifuku 12th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
51 pts
13. Special Single Match: Aja Kong Vs Yuki Arai 18th March @ Ariake Coliseum
46 pts
14. Yuka Sakazaki Graduation Special 3 Way Match: Miyu Yamashita Vs Shoko Nakajima Vs Yuka Sakazaki 6th December @ Tokyo Kitazawa Town Hall
39 pts
14. Next Generation Tournament ’23 – Final: Wakana Uehara Vs HIMAWARI 1st December @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
39 pts
16. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Nao Kakuta 15th April @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
32 pts
17. Moka Miyamoto Vs Arisu Endo 11th February @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
29 pts
17. Debut 10th Anniversary Memorial Match: Miyu Yamashita Vs Shoko Nakajima 17th August @ Shin-Kiba 1st RING
29 pts
19. Fluorescent Lighttube Death Match: Hikari Noa Vs Sawyer Wreck 1st May @ Shin-Kiba 1st RING
26pts
20. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Shoko Nakajima Vs Rika Tatsumi 29th July @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
25 pts
20. Princess Tag Team Titles: Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta (c) Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku 1st December @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
25 pts
Honorable Mentions
These five matches just missed out on making the Top 20.
22. Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino Vs Miu Watanabe & Yuki Arai 9th October @ Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe
23. Special Single Match: Shoko Nakajima Vs Yoshihiko 25th May @ Tokyo Kitazawa Town Hall
24. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita 4th January @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
25. 1 Vs 2 Handicap Match: Mizuki Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe 11th June @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
25. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Yuki Arai Vs Arisu Endo 29th July @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 The Vermont Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA 400 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku defeated Rika Tatsumi & Amira when Harajuku pinned Amira after the Wasteland War Justice with Max (10:20).
2. Trish Adora defeated Moka Miyamoto with the Lariat (8:42).
3. Mizuki defeated Sandra Moone with the Cutie Special (10:21).
4. Miu Watanabe defeated Hyan with the Tear Drop (8:33).
5. Princess Tag Team Titles: Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta (c) defeated Janai Kai & Shazza McKenzie when Noa pinned McKenzie with the Blizzard Suplex (9:42). *V3 for Free WiFi.
6. Taya Valkyrie defeated Shoko Nakajima with the Road To Valhalla (10:47).
7. Special Tag Match: Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly defeated Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh when Slamovich pinned Yamashita with the White Knight Driver (18:00).
The second Tokyo Joshi Pro event to be held in America this year was a co-promoted effort along with the west coast company Prestige Wrestling. The main event was a preview for 4th January with Miyu Yamashita and Masha Slamovich in the ring together. In the match 121000000 was working well as a team against MK Ultra. Yamashita & Maki Itoh got rid of Killer Kelly with a Jumping DDT followed by a German Suplex. But Masha Slamovich ducked Yamashita’s Skull Kick and landed a Backspin Kick of her own. She then scored the pin on Yamashita by giving her the White Knight Driver.
MK Ultra soaked in the victory as they welcomed the audience into their world. Slamovich warned Yamashita she will use the same move to beat her for the Princess Of Princess Title on 4th January. Yamashita got on the microphone and told Slamovich she is going to kick her ass in Tokyo! Before things could get heated up even further, Itoh grabbed everyone’s attention and called down everyone to the ring for a group photo to close out the show. Backstage Yamashita admitted the match exposed her weakness which is her overconfidence. She’s wrestled against Slamovich that she now knows how to avoid the Skull Kick. Itoh pointed out that Slamovich is wrestling in a death match for GCW at the end of the year so there is a chance she could be weak going into the title bout.
If you had a bad time watching the iPPV feed of the show then Hikari Noa takes the blame for that. The fans in attendance though were happy with the Free WiFi they got. Noa & Nao Kakuta are feeling invincible after their third successful defence of the Princess Tag Team Titles. Noa avoided a Double Brainbuster from Janai Kai & Shazza McKenzie, leaving them open for Kakuta to give them a Double Facebuster. Free WiFi then hit McKenzie with Sandwich Thrust Kicks and she was then pinned with the Blizzard Suplex. Noa said she would have definintely lost if she was alone at the end but she held on thanks to Kakuta and the support of the fans. Kakuta said Free WiFi are feeling invincible because they will enter 2024 as champions. Kai takes part of the blame for losing because the match was a team effort. She said this won’t be the last time you’ll see Demon Hearts in TJPW.
Okay so where did things stand during November? Konosuke Takeshita’s work in America was still as a background player in the Don Callis storyline. The rivalry between him and Chris Jericho was mostly focused in Japan for DDT. But with that said there was still the rest of the month for AEW to give him stuff to do and there was nothing to show for it. Shoko Nakajima got to stomp her way to America briefly but just like every American monster movie it was only for a little while. Maki Itoh seems to be booked stronger and stronger in GCW as the months go by. She won all of her matches in America this month! I think there’s going to be some gold on her way in the future. Speaking of gold there is plenty of championship news to talk about for this month.
Sadly for Miyu Yamashita she lost some of her gold after her latest appearance in England. The global triple crown she held a few months back is now long gone and she’s back to just being a champion in Japan. The International Princess Title got to be defended overseas and even made a cameo on NWA programming. The belt was also handled by James Mitchell a lot which makes me hope it got a deep clean before it was transported back to Japan. Yuki Kamifuku has always behaved like a queen and now she gets to be called one thanks to the title she won in Singapore.
So with all of this now out of the way let’s hope December ends the year with a few high notes. Tokyo Joshi Pro has their show with Prestige coming up, Shota is doing a winter excursion and MAO is spending New Year’s with the dodgy bunch of friends you’d wish your kid wouldn’t hang out with.
DAIKAIJU PRO “VOL. 1 – THE KAPPAS WALK AMONG US”, 04/11/2023 White Eagle, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
1. Shoko Nakajima Vs VENY
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 15/11/2023 Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USA
1. Like A Dragon Street Fight: Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Paul Wight Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Powerhouse Hobbs & Brian Cage
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM – SHOW 2”, 19/11/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Safire Reed
SPW “VIVA LA LUCHA!”, 24/11/2023 Foo Chow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku
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Results
GCW “PLEASE, BUDDY”, 03/11/2023 Pop’s Nightclub, Sauget, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Shazza McKenzie with the Itoh Deluxe (8:37).
Itoh can sing, she can dance, she can even carve open human skulls with a pizza cutter. But she cannot do the splits like Shazza McKenzie. The Australian used the splits as a defensive maneuver and then challenged Itoh to match it. Itoh struggled but it didn’t matter because McKenzie then kicked her aside and took control of the match. Itoh recovered and locked in the Itoh Deluxe to make her opponent tap out.
DAIKAIJU PRO “VOL. 1 – THE KAPPAS WALK AMONG US”, 04/11/2023 White Eagle, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
1. VENY defeated Shoko Nakajima with the Moonsault Press onto the pile of Kaiju Toys (12:04).
When you have a promotion called Daikaiju Pro who else is more fitting to headline their first show than the girl nicknamed Big Kaiju? Nakajima brought out a bag filled with kaiju toys that she wanted to use in her match against VENY but the referee wouldn’t allow her to use them. At least he was polite enough to stand up one of the toys on the apron. VENY wasn’t there to play games either. She spat water in Nakajima’s face while beating her down and later hit a big Moonsault onto her outside the ring. A second Moonsault missed its target allowing Nakajima to get her second wind. Things went haywire after VENY accidentally knocked out the ref with a slap. Nakajima had her beaten with the Northern Lights Suplex but no ref was there to count it. Nakajima took advantage by bringing in the bag of kaiju toys and throwing VENY onto them with a Top Rope Hurricanrana. The ref recovered but VENY kicked out of the pin. Nakajima then got a taste of her own medicine by being slammed onto the pile of toys with a Hurricane Driver. She kicked out of a Michinoku Driver but VENY finished her off with the Moonsault Press on top of the toys.
GCW “¿SI OR NO?”, 04/11/2023 Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1. Maki Itoh, Effy & Allie Katch defeated Jordan Oliver, Davey Bang & August Matthews when Itoh, Effy & Katch all pinned Matthews with a Triple Kokeshi Headbutt (11:29).
The trio known as Maki Death Bussy won again in their second outing as a team. Their opponents Young, Dumb & Bros tried to used fast paced team moves to their advantage until Allie Katch cleared house with her power. Effy then tagged in Itoh so the three of them could hit a Kokeshi Headbutt all at the same time for the win.
EVE “FRIDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING”, 10/11/2023 Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, London, England
1. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) defeated Kasey (10:36). *V1 for Max The Impaler.
The International Princess Title was defended in England for the first time in over a year when Max The Impaler stepped foot into EVE once more. EVE got permission from TJPW to have Max put the title on the line against the “Monster Of Chaos” Kasey. It was a risk to do this title defence when there was already one scheduled for Max when they returned to Japan. But it turned out not to be a problem for the champion and they left EVE with the title still over their shoulder.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 15/11/2023 Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USA
1. Like A Dragon Street Fight: Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Paul Wight defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Powerhouse Hobbs & Brian Cage when Omega pinned Cage with the One-Winged Angel (21:01).
Takeshita went full Goro Majima for AEW’s sponsorship with Sega and the new Lika A Dragon game. All that was missing was him calling Kenny Omega “Kenny-chan” while stalking him from every nook and cranny inside the building. The Street Fight was a full tribute to the street fights you get in the game including attacks involving bicycles, people getting slammed onto cars and shop signs getting smashed to bits. This was the kind of natural environments The Golden Lovers developed in and is a recommended throwback to the crazy Falls Count Anywhere Matches they used to get up to in DDT. Kota Ibushi cycling around ringside hitting people with a pipe until Brian Cage decapitated him with a Lariat is something wrestling will always need. Also Powerhouse Hobbs seemed to have killed Paul Wight in the parking lot and it didn’t matter towards the result. AEW really needs to fix that kind of story telling. Anyway, Omega dropped Kyle Fletcher with the One-Winged Angel to deliver a happy ending for this substory.
GCW “GOING AND GOING”, 17/11/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Nicole Matthews with the I.S.D. (9:19).
A first time meeting between Itoh and Nicole Matthews meant it was time for Matthews to discover first hand just how hard Itoh’s head is. She based her attacks around Cravates and Knee Strikes to the head. When that didn’t work she pushed the referee into the ropes to knock Itoh off balance from the top turnbuckle. However Itoh kicked out of a Northern Lights Suplex and lured Matthews back over to the corner. She gave her a Draping DDT onto the ring apron, a Tornado DDT on the floor outside the ring and then the I.S.D back in the ring for the victory.
HOODSLAM “RED”, 18/11/2023 Continental Club, Oakland, California, USA
1. Sawyer Wreck & Maki Itoh defeated Dark Sheik & Vipress when Itoh pinned Sheik with the I.S.D. (17:02).
When Itoh was last in Hoodslam she lost a match to Vipress thanks to interference from Dark Sheik. Itoh got her revenge this month by bringing along Sawyer Wreck so they could beat the two of them together. The match transformed into a chicken fight with Itoh sitting on Wreck’s shoulders and Vipress sitting on Sheik’s. Itoh toppled down the opposing tower with her Headbutts. Communication between Sheik & Vipress broke down and the two turned on each other. From that point they were easily picked off with Itoh hitting Sheik with the I.S.D. and Wreck Choke Slamming Vipress for the double pin.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM – SHOW 1”, 19/11/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Chantal Jordan with the Skull Kick (12:27).
Two matches in one day awaited Yamashita for EVE’s last major event of the year. The afternoon match was pretty rudimentary. She beat Chantal Jordan with the Skull Kick, no questions asked.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM – SHOW 2”, 19/11/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Safire Reed defeated Miyu Yamashita (c) with a Rolling Cradle (15:35). *Miyu Yamashita fails in V9. Safire Reed becomes the 21st EVE Champion!
The second show at night however brought an end to Yamashita’s year long reign as EVE Champion. The up and comer Safire Reed beat her in a big upset to win the title! Yamashita’s title run ends as the fifth longest in EVE’s history and also has the most successful title defences on record in a single reign. I can’t imagine this will be the last time we’ll see her in EVE too so what she and maybe more from TJPW will do with them in the future is something to watch out for.
LLL “DEEP HURTING”, 22/11/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. 3 Way Match: Maki Itoh defeated Lilith Grimm and Stormi Renee (?:??).
Itoh was back in Lucha Libre & Laughs, beating Lilith Grimm and Stormi Renee in a 3 Way Match.
SPW “VIVA LA LUCHA!”, 24/11/2023 Foo Chow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Yuki Kamifuku defeated Alexis Lee (c) with the Diving Famouser (?:??). *Alexis Lee fails in V5. Yuki Kamifuku becomes the 5th Queen Of Asia Champion!
In a rematch from January of this year, Kamifuku had a second chance of taking the Queen Of Asia Title from Alexis Lee. This time she succeeded and has brought the title championship back to Japan! The belt is managed by Singapore Pro Wrestling so they will need to sign off on any title defences Kamifuku will want to do in TJPW.
GCW “WRESTLECADE WEEKEND”, 24/11/2023 Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Kylie Alexa with the I.S.D. (5:08).
There was no Kenzie Paige on the show. Instead Itoh had to take on Paige’s sister Kylie Alexa. No matter. Itoh beat her anyway.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 29/11/2023 (Aired 01/12/2023) Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Takeshita ended his month winning a squash match with the rest of The Don Callis Family.
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Upcoming Appearances
BLACK LABEL PRO “SLAMILTON”, 02/12/2023 Berwyn Eagles Club, Berwyn, Illinois, USA
1. Rachel Armstrong Vs Maki Itoh
Itoh will still be in America while TJPW celebrates their 10th anniversary. December for her begins with Itoh taking on Rachel Armstrong in Black Label Pro.
GCW “WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?”, 03/12/2023 Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, New York, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Mike Bailey
Here’s a matchup so nutty it has to be done a week sooner! GCW originally booked a match between Itoh and Mike Bailey for their show in LA on 9th December. It had to be cancelled because Bailey had a scheduling conflict. So rather than wait until next year to do the match it’s been pushed forward to the Brooklyn show on the 3rd instead.
MLW “ONE-SHOT”, 07/12/2023 Melrose Ballroom, Queens, New York, USA
1. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Delmi Exo
2. MLW World Featherweight Title: Janai Kai (c) Vs Maki Itoh
When Yamashita was announced for MLW a war of words broke out online between her and Delmi Exo. This year Exo held the women’s titles from both MLW and wXw at the same time. She no longer has either so she now has her sights set on the Princess Of Princess Title. Yamashita appreciated the challenge but turned it down because she already has her next defence scheduled for 4th January. Exo wasn’t happy with the response and sent insulting messages to Yamashita until the champion decided to accept the challenge and put Exo in her place. It all sounds well and good for a storyline but I’m a little worried MLW will pull off some bullshit when nobody is looking. They’ve done a phantom title change before with one of the AAA championships during the pandemic and tried to play it off as a misunderstanding over wires getting crossed. Call me skeptical but you should only ever trust Court Bauer as far as you can throw him.
In September Itoh lost a No. 1 Contender match to B3CCA so you may be wondering why she is still getting an MLW World Featherweight Title shot against Janai Kai? It’s because B3CCA has since gotten a knee injury and will be on the shelf for a few months. Can Itoh make the most of this unexpected opportunity?
DREAMWAVE “UPRISING”, 08/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Shazza McKenzie Vs Miyu Yamashita
Please don’t let Sean Ross Sapp interfere in this match.
MPW “THE LONG NIGHT”, 08/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Miggy Rose & Michael Hopkins Vs Shota & J2
Shota is adding dates for his winter tour of America. The earliest match scheduled for him now is at Millenium Pro Wrestling. He will team with a former opponent from last year’s excursion, J2 Mattioli. Their opponents are a team called 24K.
DREAMWAVE “GOOD AS GOLD”, 09/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Yamashita and Emi Sakura in the same ring on the same team at the same time? They were on opposite sides once before and that was on a DPW show during the summer. Now we get to see how they will fare when they on the same page. Zayda Steel & Zamaya could be in for a rough night if their opponents gel together really well.
EWF “PRO WRESTLING LUCHA LIBRE”, 09/12/2023 VFW Post 8737, San Bernardino, California, USA
1. EWF Vs The World: Shota Vs Noah
Just like last year Shota’s trip to America has him showing up in some real obscure places on the independents. Empire Wrestling Federation is one of them and they have a wrestler called Noah ready to fight him.
GCW “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM 2”, 09/12/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Nick Gage & Maki Itoh Vs Johnny Game Changer & Taya Valkyrie
GCW has gone full blown wacky over what they’re replacing Itoh Vs Bailey in LA with. That show is now getting Maki Death Kill against Johnny Game Changer & Taya Valkyrie!
SKYFIRE PRO “NAVIDAD NIGHTMARE”, 10/12/2023 Bay City Brewing Co., San Diego, California, USA
1. Rebel Storm Vs Shota
Shota’s opponent when he comes over to Skyfire Pro is Rebel Storm.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Rika Tatsumi & Amira Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
2. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Janai Kai & Shazza McKenzie
3. Moka Miyamoto Vs Trish Adora
4. Mizuki Vs Sandra Moone
5. Shoko Nakajima Vs Taya Valkyrie
6. Miu Watanabe Vs Hyan
7. Special Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
The full card for “COMBAT PRINCESS USA” is here. Prestige have gathered together Masha Slamovich, Killer Kelly, Hyan, Taya Valkyrie, Sandra Moone, Trish Adora, Janai Kai, Shazza McKenzie (replacing an injured Johnnie Robbie) and Amira to represent their side in a bunch of inter-promotional matches against TJPW.
PANDEMONIUM PRO “HOLIDAY IN LA”, 17/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Vinnie Massaro Vs Shota
2. Mike Bailey Vs Miyu Yamashita
It’s neat to see Vinnine Massaro get to wrestle in NOAH earlier this week. I bet that was a big thrill for him.
CIRCLE 6 “KING OF THE DEATHMATCHES”, 30/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. MAO Vs X
I’m not sure if MAO is entering the actual King Of The Deathmatch tournament or if he’s there in a separate attraction match.
GCW “NO COMPADRE”, 12/01/2024 Thalia Hall, Chicago, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh has her first 2024 dates with GCW ready to go.
GCW “56 BIRDZ”, 13/01/2024 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
So far Itoh has Maki Death Kill and Maki Death Bussy under her list of alliances in GCW. Where does she go next?
DDT returns to America next year as part of The Collective in Philadelphia during Wrestlemania week. Sanshiro Takagi said on Twitter he would also like to do a Falls Count Anywhere match at the Philadelphia Museum Of Arts stairway from the Rocky movie if he is part of the crew travelling over.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE MOUNTAIN TOP 2023”, 19/11/2023 Osaka Edion Arena #2
1. Next Generation Tournament ’23 – Semi-Final: Shino Suzuki Vs HIMAWARI
2. Next Generation Tournament ’23 – Semi-Final: Wakana Uehara Vs Toga
3. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
4. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) Vs Shoko Nakajima
Later this week Max The Impaler will be defending the International Princess Title in England for EVE. Should they remain the champion then their next defence after that will be against Shoko Nakajima back in Japan. Nakajima was the last woman standing in a Battle Royal to become the No. 1 Contender.
There’s only a few matches left for Yuka Sakazaki before she graduates from Tokyo Joshi Pro. The next one is what could be the last meeting of The Magical Sugar Rabbits and Daydream. The two teams were meant to face each other for the Princess Tag Team Titles back in June but Sakazaki’s neck injury prevented it from happening. Sakazaki said her neck is back in perfect condition so she can fight with all of her heart for her remaining matches. She wants to do the match with Daydream before she goes so it is happening in Osaka.
Both HIMAWARI and Toga made it to the next round of the Next Generation Tournament. It’s now between them, Shino Suzuki and Wakana Uehara in the race to the final being held next month.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO WILL IMPRESS YOU ’23”, 23/11/2023 Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market
1. X Vs X
TJPW are putting together a variety show at the Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market. Several guests on the show include Super Sasadango Machine, Antonio Honda, Yumehito Imanari, the Bed In idols and making her return to ring announcing for one day only, Minami Momichi!
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~NAGOYA IPPONJIME~”, 26/11/2023 Aichi NGK Sports Plaza 3rd Stadium
1. Viva Van Vs X
The final week of November features the TJPW debut of Viva Van! The Vietnamese-American wrestler is nickname “The Hellbent Vixen” and she has five years of in-ring experience.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO WRESTLING 10TH ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE ~WE ARE TJPW~”, 01/12/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Next Generation Tournament ’23 – Final: X Vs X
2. 10th Anniversary Special 10-Woman Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Yuka Sakazaki, Rika Tatsumi & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe, Yuki Arai, Suzume, Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo
A big battle between generations has been added to the 10th Anniversary show. The five Princess Of Princess Champions who are still active with TJPW are all teaming up. It’s up to the team of future main eventers to do their best against TJPW’s top five!
Max The Impaler, Viva Van and Juria Nagano will all be on the show.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO WRESTLING 10TH ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE ~YUKA SAKAZAKI GRADUATION SPECIAL~”, 06/12/2023 Tokyo Kitazawa Town Hall
1. Yuka Sakazaki Graduation Match: Yuka Sakazaki Vs X
Now that Sakazaki is back in action and making up for lost time, her graduation from TJPW has been pushed back a couple of days. Her final match as a member of the promotion takes place on a special show in Kitazawa Town Hall, the same venue of TJPW’s launch show from ten years ago.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
The ten women from the regular TJPW roster who will be on the show have all been announced. They are Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh, Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta, Mizuki, Rika Tatsumi, Shoko Nakajima, Miu Watanabe, Pom Harajuku and Moka Miyamoto.
The international wrestlers booked for the show so far are Masha Slamovich, Killer Kelly, Taya Valkyrie and Sandra Moone. More talent is to be announced.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO ’24”, 04/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Masha Slamovich
Yamashita’s next challenger is one she has become familiar with on her travels over the last two years. Masha Slamovich returns to Japan and is getting a shot at the Princess Title on 4th January! She and Yamashita are currently 1-1 in singles matches against each other. Ittenyon is just the right time and place to have the rubber match.
Max The Impaler will be on the show too.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW INSPIRATION”, 06/01/2024 Shinjuku FACE
1. Death Match: Masha Slamovich Vs Hikari Noa
Slamovich has another date with danger during her stay with TJPW. She will be part of the next “TJPW INSPIRATION” taking on Hikari Noa in a Death Match! What kind of Death Match it will be has not been decided yet but Noa really liked how violent her last one went against Sawyer Wreck.
There will be four matches scheduled and Max The Impaler will be in one of them.
A messy edition this time around because I wrote most of this up a week ago before going on holiday. Then in the last seven days came the usual landslide of upcoming bookings and match announcements for the following month that I tried to catch up on. That is why some of the graphics below are outdated.
Anyway, this month Konosuke Takeshita is in the same position as he was last month in the whole Don Callis storyline. AEW has really taken a beating with reviews and criticism for their TV shows lately and rightfully so. Thankfully Takeshita got to have a few matches on the indies so he can do his thing more often. Maki Itoh was part of GCW’s visit to Japan so while this article is supposed to be everything DDT related that happens outside of Japan, this still finds a way to be included here. Miyu Yamashita did another group of bookings in America and Miu Watanabe got to join her for a bit. Yamashita also unintentionally made her on-screen WWE debut when she was seen sitting behind the commentary desk on an episode of NXT. May God have mercy on her for having to hear Booker T’s commentary that close in person. Closing out the month was CDK getting to torment the wrestling community in Thailand again.
AEW “DYNAMITE ANNIVERSARY”, 04/10/2023 Stockton Arena, Stockton, California, USA
1. Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/ Don Callis)
LLL “THE HANDS OF FATE”, 20/10/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Lilith Grimm Vs Miyu Yamashita
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 27/10/2023 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Kyle Fletcher Vs Konosuke Takeshita
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Results
AEW “WRESTLEDREAM”, 01/10/2023 Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Sammy Guevara, Will Ospreay & Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi when Guevara pinned Jericho (22:10).
The month kicked off with AEW’s latest PPV being a put together as a tribute to the late Antonio Inoki. For Takeshita, his part on the show was to team up with Sammy Guevara & Will Ospreay to defeat Chris Jericho and The Golden Lovers. Takeshita hit a wall when he went face to face with Kota Ibushi and the two more or less cancelled each other out. The result instead went to Guevara who pinned Jericho after Callis struck Jericho with a baseball bat behind the referee’s back.
AEW “DYNAMITE – ANNIVERSARY”, 04/10/2023 Stockton Arena, Stockton, California, USA
1. Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/ Don Callis) when Omega pinned Fletcher with the One-Winged Angel (15:15).
A few days later Takeshita and Guevara were meant to team up again to fight Jericho & Kenny Omega. However Guevara was not medically cleared to compete so Takeshita teamed up with Kyle Fletcher instead. Omega got Takeshita out of the way with a Snap Dragon Suplex, leaving everything open for The Golden Jets to finish off Fletcher.
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 31”, 06/10/2023 Bendix Arena, South Bend, Indiana, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Storm Grayson (w/ Frank The Clown) with the Powerdrive Knee (16:09).
Takeshita was back to being a babyface when he returned to Warrior Wrestling. Anybody going against a wrestler accompanied by Frank The Clown would be a babyface no matter what. Storm Grayson needed Frank’s interference to have a chance of winning. Frank pulled the referee out of the ring, got Takeshita to chase him around the venue and grabbed Takeshita’s leg back in the ring to stop his momentum. Grayson followed up by relying an exposed turnbuckle to damage Takeshita’s groin thanks to a missed Helluva Kick and then follow up with a kick between the legs. Takeshita however blocked a second Low Blow, threw Grayson away with the Rollover German Suplex and then pin him with the Powerdrive Knee. Given the way Takeshita was selling the low blow after the match, it does make me wonder if he got an injury that kept him away from the ring for pretty much the rest of the month.
GCW “TO LIVE AND DIE IN TOKYO”, 10/10/2023 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Maki Itoh defeated Jimmy Lloyd with the I.S.D. (9:36).
GCW returned to Japan and Itoh was along for the ride. On night one she took on Jimmy Lloyd by herself and took every big move he threw at her. She kicked out of Piledrivers and even a One-Winged Angel. She fought back violently by using a pizza cutter and also smashing a lighttube over Lloyd’s head. Itoh pulled off the upset by dropping Lloyd with the Itoh Suicide DDT.
SPARK “RISING HEAT WEST”, 11/10/2023 LA Dojo, Carson, California, USA
1. Spark Joshi World Title: Billie Starkz defeated Miyu Yamashita (c) with a Title Belt Attack (15:36). *Miyu Yamashita fails in V2. Billie Starkz becomes the 2nd Spark Joshi World Champion!
Yamashita’s reign as Spark Joshi World Champion came to an end not that long after she became an international triple crown holder. Xtinguish leader Billie Starkz relied on Sumie Sakai’s interference to hit Yamashita with the title belt and become champion.
GCW “THE WRLD ON GCW”, 12/10/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Effy, Allie Katch & Maki Itoh defeated Kikutaro, Kikutaro (Abdullah Kobayashi) & Kikutaro (Jimmy Lloyd) when Effy, Katch & Itoh all pinned Kikutaro with a Triple Kokeshi Headbutt (8:20).
Night two of GCW’s Japan tour brought them right into Korakuen Hall. Itoh’s match here was a more lighthearted affair because she teamed up with Bussy to take on not one, not two but three Kikutaros! Itoh did a full Nick Gage style entrance with the crowd. She then used a bull rope with Effy to crotch all three Kikutaros with some added rope burn for extra damage. Itoh attacked the original Kikutaro with a pizza cutter until she realised she couldn’t cut through his mask. She and Bussy then unmasked the other two revealing they were Jimmy Lloyd and Abdullah Kobayashi! The original Kikutaro was then triple teamed with Effy, Allie Katch & Itoh all hitting Kokeshi Headbutts on him at the same time for the finish.
SPARK “RISING HEAT EAST”, 14/10/2023 Engelwood Neighborhood Center, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Miu Watanabe defeated KiLynn King with the Tear Drop (14:09).
2. Miyu Yamashita defeated Jessie with the Skull Kick (13:13).
Things went off better for the Tokyo Joshi Pro side at SPARK’s next show. Jessie tried to match Yamashita kick to kick but fell to the Skull Kick like so many others.
Miu Watanabe scored a big win over KiLynn King, spinning her powerful opponent around with the Giant Swing in the process. She just about kicked out of the King’s Curse, stunned King with the Laserbeam and pinned her with the Tear Drop.
LLL “THE HANDS OF FATE”, 20/10/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Lilith Grimm with the Skull Kick (?:??).
Yamashita didn’t have to worry about Heidi Howitzer in Lucha Libre & Laughs this time around. Her opponent instead was Lilith Grimm.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 25/10/2023 (Aired 27/10/2023) Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kyle Fletcher with the Wagamama (11:17).
From tag partners to opponents. Takeshita and Fletcher last fought each other one on one in Manchester almost four years ago. Now they fight again this time on American TV. Takeshita used the Wagamama version of his Powerdrive Knee that involves pulling down his kneepad and striking the opponent with the exposed knee. After the match Fletcher attacked Takeshita with a chair in an act of frustration but was stopped by Powerhouse Hobbs and Don Callis. Callis then convinced Fletcher to join his side.
SETUP “SETUP EP.16”, 28/10/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SPW Champion Of Singapore & Gatoh Move One And Only Title & SETUP Thailand Openweight Title Unification Match: Shivam (S/c) defeated Masahiro Takanashi (T/c) and Kappa Rockstar (?:??). *???
2. Dramatic Dream Match: Chris Brookes defeated Monomoth with the Praying Mantis Bomb (?:??).
3. IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Anont Alonzo & Mister Suchart when Brookes pinned Alonzo after the Thrust Kick & Praying Mantis Bomb with Takanashi (?:??) *THE GOOD DEAL fail in V?. CDK become the 11th IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Champions!
CDK went and caused a lot of havoc in Thailand at the end of the month. Chris Brookes defeated Monomoth in what was advertised as the main event Dramatic Dream Match but cheated to do so. He gave Monomoth a Low Blow before finishing him off with the Praying Mantis Bomb. CDK then demanded an impromptu tag title match against SETUP’s tag champions THE GOOD DEAL. They beat the champs to win the IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles.
Earlier in the show Masahiro Takanashi lost his SETUP Thailand Openweight Title in a 3 Way Match. His original match against Paksa was changed on short notice to a 3 Way Match with Shivam and Kappa Rockstar. Shivam ended up winning the match and all of the championships involved in it.
REPUBLIC OF LUCHA “ROL VI VI VI: LA NOCHE DE WALPURGIS”, 30/10/2023 Republic Of Lucha, South Pasadena, California, USA
1. Penta el Zero Miedo & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sami Callihan & Shun Skywalker when Penta pinned Skywalker with the Fear Factor onto a stack of chairs (?:??).
This match was originally meant to be Takeshita and The Lucha Brothers teaming up against Shun Skywalker and La Rebellion. Well that didn’t happen. For a variety of reasons from Rey Fenix being injured and La Rebellion recently splitting up (I think? All I heard about the NWA PPV was it included a comedy scene where a bunch of wrestlers did cocaine on camera which is both the least NWA thing ever and also the most NWA thing ever), the match was changed to Takeshita & Penta el Zero Miedo taking on Skywalker & Sami Callihan. The match featured the unexpected inclusion of actor Jason Segel when Callihan found him in the crowd, threw Penta onto his lap and then Super Kicked them. Takeshita and Penta used some good teamwork together on Skywalker, leading to Penta crashing him through a bunch of chairs with a Package Piledriver for the win.
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Iron Man Title In USA
But wait, there’s more. The Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title was taken to America this month too thanks to Hiromu Takahashi. The New Japan wrestler won the belt just before his company’s return to the USA so he was obligated to bring it with him. He was targeted by Danny Limelight during the show but made it out safe and sound as champion. It wasn’t until Takahashi was back at his hotel room when he was completely defenceless. Sumie Sakai snuck into his room with a referee and they found Takahashi sleeping on his bed. However the ref noticed that Takahashi’s iPhone was lying on his chest so he treated it as a pin, counted to three and declared Yellow iPhone 14 as the new champion! Sakai immediately grabbed the phone and pinned it on the floor to win the title. Her celebration was quickly cut off when Takahashi rolled her over with a School Boy to get the belt back and send everyone out of his room. At the time of writing Takahashi is back in Japan with the title but is still getting ambushed backstage at New Japan shows by other wrestlers who want to be the Iron Man Champion.
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Upcoming Appearances
GCW “PLEASE, BUDDY”, 03/11/2023 Pop’s Nightclub, Sauget, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Shazza McKenzie
This was a match originally booked by GCW back in May but was changed into a multiple woman free for all. Itoh and Shazza McKenzie have only wrestled each other in those kind of scramble matches so if plans don’t change again then there first singles match will take place here.
DAIKAIJU PRO “VOL. 1 – THE KAPPAS WALK AMONG US”, 04/11/2023 White Eagle, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
1. Shoko Nakajima Vs VENY
America gets the first time ever Shoko Nakajima Vs VENY match. The two met in the ring for the first time earlier this year in DDT for one of Saki Akai’s 10th Anniversary celebration matches. Their next meeting is in somewhere very different, the new Daikaiju Pro group.
GCW “¿SI OR NO?”, 04/11/2023 Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1. Maki Itoh, Effy & Allie Katch Vs Jordan Oliver, Davey Bang & August Matthews
The match in Japan worked out for them so Itoh is now teaming up with Effy & Allie Katch to form the unbeatable force known as… Maki Death Bussy! Their opponents is also a trio of teams mashed up together. Jordan Oliver, Davey Bang & August Matthews are going by the name Young, Dumb & Bros.
EVE “FRIDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING”, 10/11/2023 Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, London, England
1. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) Vs Kasey
The relationship between TJPW and EVE extends even further with Max The Impaler’s arrival in England. EVE has been given permission to have Max defend the International Princess Title against their upcoming opponent Kasey. The winner will next have a title defence in Japan against Shoko Nakajima.
GCW “GOING AND GOING”, 17/11/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Maki Itoh & Nick Gage Vs X
Not a guarantee that Maki Death Kill are teaming up just because they get advertised together.
HOODSLAM “RED”, 18/11/2023 Continental Club, Oakland, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh returns to Hoodslam. I hear things in their shows are getting a bit out of control over there lately.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM”, 19/11/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Safire Reed
Yamashita will have become a year long EVE Champion by the time her next appearance and title defence on their shows takes place. The next big challenger being built up for her is Safire Reed, the winner of this year’s SHE-1 tournament. Reed got to beat two of Yamashita’s previous EVE opponents to get here too. She has wins over Emersyn Jayne and Alex Windsor.
LLL “DEEP HURTING”, 22/11/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. 3 Way Match: Lilith Grimm Vs Maki Itoh Vs Stormi Renee
Grimm gets another crack at a TJPW talent in Lucha Libre & Laughs, this time against Itoh. It’s a Triple Threat match though with Stormi Renee also in the mix.
SPW “VIVA LA LUCHA!”, 24/11/2023 Foo Chow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku
A second chance for Yuki Kamifuku. She fought Alexis Lee in Singapore Pro Wrestling for the Queen Of Asia Title back in January this year but lost. Since then Lee also successfully defended the title against Saki Akai.
GCW “WRESTLECADE WEEKEND”, 24/11/2023 Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Kenzie Paige
Now here’s something interesting. Kenzie Paige is currently the NWA World Women’s Champion. Does that play into this match against Itoh in any way shape or form? Or does GCW just ignore that and tell her that Itoh is going over, sister!
BLACK LABEL PRO “SLAMILTON”, 02/12/2023 Berwyn Eagles Club, Berwyn, Illinois, USA
1. Rachel Armstrong Vs Maki Itoh
In another era that image above would be a King Of Trios team. Instead Itoh’s appearance in Black Label Pro is fighting against Rachel Armstrong.
GCW “WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?”, 03/12/2023 Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, New York, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
You know what would be a fun idea? Sayaka Unagi is booked on GCW’s other show that weekend. Put her and Itoh in a match together for old time’s sake.
DREAMWAVE “UPRISING”, 08/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Shazza McKenzie Vs Miyu Yamashita
A rematch from ROH earlier this year. Fingers crossed we get the same result.
DREAMWAVE “GOOD AS GOLD”, 09/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Yamashita and Emi Sakura in the same ring on the same team at the same time? They were on opposite sides once before and that was on a DPW show during the summer. Now we get to see how they will fare when they on the same page. Zayda Steel & Zamaya could be in for a rough night if their opponents gel together really well.
SKYFIRE PRO “NAVIDAD NIGHTMARE”, 10/12/2023 Bay City Brewing Co., San Diego, California, USA
1. Shota Vs X
Shota is heading back to America for an end of year tour. First stop for him is at Skyfire Pro Lucha Libre in San Diego.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
Free WiFi and Pom Harajuku have been added to the show.
PANDEMONIUM PRO “HOLIDAY IN LA”, 17/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Vinnie Massaro Vs Shota
2. Mike Bailey Vs Miyu Yamashita
Shota will also be on the same Pandemonium Pro show that’s hosting Yamashita versus Mike Bailey. He takes on indy journeyman Vinnie Massaro.
CIRCLE 6 “KING OF THE DEATHMATCHES”, 30/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. MAO Vs X
Circle 6 is one of the messier deathmatch promotions going on in the scene right now but MAO likes wrestling there so he’s going back to party with them for New Year’s.
I’m going on holiday for the rest of the month so the blog might be a little quiet for the rest of the week. I’ll post results if I find the time but it might have to wait until I’m back next month. Same goes for the next DDT Around The World article. That might be delayed until I get home.
BASARA “BASARA 234 ~UTAGE~”, 24/10/2023 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Ryuichi Sekine, Minoru Fujita & KUBITO Vs Takato Nakano, Masato Kamino & Tsutomu Oosugi
2. Turnabout Pro Wrestling Trial: Yasu Urano Vs Gouma Ryu Vs Banana Senga
3. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Round 2B: Takumi Tsukamoto & SAGAT Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
4. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Round 2A: Ryota Nakatsu & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato
5. FUMA Vs Isami Kodaka
The Union MAX Title match that was supposed to take place tomorrow has been cancelled because of Daiki Shimomura’s suspension. The new main event is FUMA against Isami Kodaka in a non-title match.
DDT “UTAN FESTA 2023”, 29/10/2023 Tokyo JR Omori Station East Exit Plaza
1. Danshoku Dieno Vs Rukiya
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Yusuke Okada, Yuya Koroku & Yuni
3. Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima Vs HARASHIMA, Makoto Oishi & Yukio Naya
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Chikara Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Kazuki Hirata
5. Omori Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani Vs Aja Kong, Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi
6. World Omori Title: Soma Takao (c) Vs Antonio Honda
Antonio Honda has been chosen as Soma Takao’s next challenger for the World Omori Title. The match also serves as a preview for the KO-D Tag Team Titles bout at Sumo Hall next month.
One of Saki Akai’s early rivals meets with her one more time. Aja Kong was always a big challenge that Akai could never climb over.
Chikara returns so he can team up with BURNING.
DDT “ROAD TO ULTIMATE PARTY 2023 IN SHINJUKU”, 03/11/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. Kazusada Higuchi & Toy Kojima Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
2. Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Kazuma Sumi
3. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yukio Naya & Rukiya
4. Special Single Match: Soma Takao Vs Masahiro Takanashi
5. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Final ~ Special Single Match: Saki Akai Vs Kazuki Hirata
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki Ueno & MAO
7. All Asia Tag Team Titles: Jun Akiyama & Kotaro Suzuki (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
The final warm up match between Chris Brookes and Yuki Ueno takes place here.
Takao is also getting a singles match with Masahiro Takanashi.
DDT “DDT PRO WRESTLING IN SHINGASHI”, 04/11/2023 Shingashi Station West Exit Ekimae Street/Takashina Elementary School
1. Rojo Pro Wrestling Match: X Vs X
2. X Vs X
3. X Vs X
DDT will be holding three matches at the Shingashi Waku Festival. The first match will be a Street Wrestling match a Shingashi Station. The next two matches will be held inside a ring set up at Takashina Elementary School. HARASHIMA, Sanshiro Takagi, Makoto Oishi, Yoshiko Hasegawa and Danshoku Dieno have been announced for the event so far.
DDT “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”, 12/11/2023 Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
1. Staggered Entry Tag Rumble: KANON & MJ Paul Vs Naruki Doi & Kazuma Sumi Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Toy Kojima & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuni & Rukiya
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro Offer 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuki Arai, Moka Miyamoto & Shino Suzuki Vs Suzume, Arisu Endo & Wakana Uehara
3. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Akito, Makoto Oishi & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Yoshitatsu, Yoshihiko, Danshoku Dieno & Super Sasadango Machine
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ DDT Vs VOODOO-MURDERS: Jun Akiyama, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya Vs Jun Saito, Rei Saito & Toshizo
5. Special Single Match: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan Vs Takeshi Masada
6. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Tetsuya Endo
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Soma Takao & Shota (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda
8. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Hiromu Takahashi (c) Vs Kazuki Hirata
9. DDT Universal Title: Matt Cardona (c) (w/ Steph De Lander) Vs MAO
10. Saki Akai Retirement Match ~Strong, Noble, Beautiful~: Saki Akai, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani Vs Naomichi Marufuji, Kazusada Higuchi & Miyu Yamashita
11. Dramatic Dream Match: Chris Jericho Vs KONOSUKE TAKESHITA
12. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Yuki Ueno
A few slight changes to the card after what happened yesterday. Hiromu Takahashi is the new Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion so he should be defending the belt against Kazuki Hirata. Takahashi also asked Hirata to come up with special rules for the match.
Takeshi Masada has been taken out of the opening match because he was challenged by Kuroshio TOKYO Japan to a singles bout. Kuroshio heard from Konosuke Takeshita that Masada is really good in the ring so he wants to see it for himself.
The opening match is now a Tag Rumble instead of a 5 Way Tag Match. Yuni has been added to fill in Masada’s spot.
DDT “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023 OFFICIAL AFTER EVENT IN RYOGOKU”, 13/11/2023 Tokyo Ryogoku Pier
1. X Vs X
Former New Japan director Katsuji Nagashima will be attending the show as a “special witness”.
DDT “GET ALIVE 2023 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 16/11/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Round 1: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda Vs Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi
2. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Round 1: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul
3. DDT Extreme Title: Kazuki Hirata (c) Vs MIKAMI
4. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Final: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
Once Eruption vacates the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles a mini tournament will take place to crown new champions. The 37KAMIINA, DAMNATION T.A, CDK x The Iyasareru and the new trio D.O.A are all taking part.
The very first DDT Extreme Champion has come back wanting to reclaim the title! MIKAMI has challenged Kazuki Hirata and would prefer Hirata come up with a ruleset that involves ladders. MIKAMI loves to use ladders in his matches.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
The first match for Tokyo Joshi Pro’s return to USA is a doozy. It’s 121000000 Vs MK Ultra! The pairing of Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly joined forces earlier this year after a short rivalry and currently hold the Knockouts Tag Team Titles in Impact. They’ve also fought Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh often in singles matches this year.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA 665 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House
1. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta defeated Suzume & Arisu Endo when Noa pinned Endo after the 5G (11:38).
2. Janai Kai defeated Yuki Kamifuku with the Tornado Kick (4:57).
3. Hyper Misao & Trish Adora defeated Yuki Aino & Raku when Misao pinned Raku with the I Am A Hero (9:03).
4. Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer defeated Shoko Nakajima & Miu Watanabe when Max pinned Nakajima after the Master Blaster (11:56).
5. International Princess Title: Rika Tatsumi (c) defeated Billie Starkz with the Missile Hip (8:56). *V1 for Rika Tatsumi.
6. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki defeated Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh (c) when Mizuki pinned Itoh with the Diving Foot Stomp (15:51). *121000000 fails in V1. The Magical Sugar Rabbits becomes the 13th Princess Tag Team Champions!
A big Princess Tag Team Titles change marked Tokyo Joshi Pro’s first visit to America. 121000000 are now the first champions to end their reign with zero successful defences. The Magical Sugar Rabbits are now on their third reign, argubly cementing themselves as the most dominant Princess Tag Champions in history. It all went wrong for the defending champions when their Sandwich High Kick/Headbutt attack missed, causing Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh to hit each other. Yuka Sakazaki got rid of Yamashita with the Magical Merry-Go-Round in the ring followed by going outside to give her a Brainbuster on the floor. She came back to hit the Magical Girl Splash on Itoh, setting up Mizuki to get the three count with the Diving Foot Stomp.
An overjoyed Mizuki told the American audience how “happy happy!” she was to become a double champion. Sakazaki invited the rest of the TJPW roster in the building to come out and join them in the ring so everyone could close out the show together. Backstage Yamashita tried to console Itoh over the result. Itoh kept telling her it’s over because she can’t do it anymore. Yamashita told her she didn’t lose the belt, it was only take from her. They will get their chance some day to get the belts back, Yamashita just doesn’t know when. It was enough to change Itoh’s mind. No matter how long it takes 121000000 will become tag champions again!
The giant rabbit head Billie Starkz wears for her entrance ended up getting used against her by Rika Tatsumi during their match. Tatsumi grabbed the head and shoved it onto Starkz before giving her a Dragon Screw. She then followed up with the Twist Of Fate and then the Missile Hip to score her first International Princess Title defence. Tatsumi wants to make the title more valuable and is anticipating getting to defend it against different opponents. She thinks Starkz is awesome and now that their match is out of the way, she wants to go out and take pictures of Hollywood with her.
The Wasteland War Party returned to TJPW but something wasn’t right. Max The Impaler couldn’t find Pom Harajuku anywhere! Never mind about that, the War Party had a match to win. Shoko Nakajima & Miu Watanabe did their best and put up a good fight. Nakajima hit some dives while Watanabe Body Slammed Max. She also slammed Heidi Howitzer onto Max before spinning Howitzer around in the Giant Swing. But the War Party regained control and pinned Nakajima with the Master Blaster. Howitzer told reporters afterwards that she has to go back to the Wasteland soon so she is leaving the joshi hunting duties to Max while she is away.
Before Match #3 began the fans were introduced to a new superhero by Hyper Misao… Hyper Trish! Misao handed Trish Adora her own superhero mask so the pair can now go defend love and peace together. The mask did not provide any super powers though because Raku was able to send both of them to sleep briefly with a lullaby. Misao got her own back by spraying Raku & Yuki Aino in the eyes. Adora then took down Aino with a Lariat so Misao could pin Raku with the I Am A Hero. According to Misao, America has now been saved! Aino was frustrated to lose but also really happy she got paper streamers during her entrance.
Janai Kai defeated Yuki Kamifuku quick enough to surprise everybody. Right as the match was reaching the five minute mark, Kai dodged the Famouser and beat her opponent with the Tornado Kick. Maybe the match ended up that way because Kamifuku spent too much time daydreaming about finding the love of her life Zac Efron somewhere in LA. She also isn’t impressed with Kai’s toenails which is certainly caused by her fighting barefoot. She promises to take Kai to a nail salon the next time she visits Japan.
The wrestlers involved in the opening match could not have been happier with the crowd response. They were thrilled to hear Free WiFi and Daisy Monkey chants while they were fighting. The match ended with Hikari Noa throwing Suzume over with the Blizzard Suplex and then joining up with Nao Kakuta to finish off Arisu Endo with the 5G. Backstage Noa said when she went to wrestle in England last year she was anxious because she was by herself. But today she was with her important tag team partner along with the rest many other women from the roster.
Just like at every other TJPW show, The Up Up Girls performed their song “Upper Kick” at the start of the show. Also in the time between the venue doors opening and the show beginning, a playlist of entrance music for the wrestlers who weren’t able to come over played over the speakers.