DDT Signs Kaisei Takechi

June 5, 2025

DDT “ROCK IN RING 2025 ~PLAY THE STRIKES, SHOUT THE CHEERS”, 13/07/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Special Tag Match: Kosei Fujita & Takeshi Masada Vs To-y & Yuya Koroku
2. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) Vs Shinya Aoki
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Kaisei Takechi Vs Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul

Today DDT held a press conference in Tokyo to announce their newest signing, Kaisei Takechi from THE RAMPAGE! The dancer has agreed to take a pro wrestling contract with DDT to go along with his performer contract with LDH JAPAN, the entertainment company that THE RAMPAGE belongs to. Takechi’s first match as a DDT wrestler will be held on 13th July when he teams with Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata from The 37KAMIINA to take on DAMNATION T.A. It will be such a big show at Korakuen Hall that it will air live on ABEMA as well as Wrestle Universe.

CyberFight Vice President Sanshiro Takagi explained how the deal came together. He was overwhelmingly impressed by Takechi’s performances in his previous matches and strongly feels he can become a big star who will liven up the pro wrestling world. Discussions with LDH JAPAN have been happening for a while and DDT was just waiting for the time to be right for the deal to be made. The plan is to have DDT develop him into a star and when the time comes he will start competing against wrestlers from other companies to explore his potential on a wider stage. CyberFight Director Akito added that by working together, DDT and LDH JAPAN can achieve amazing results the likes of which have never been seen in the pro wrestling industry before.

Takechi said ever since he stepped foot in the ring for his debut match he felt like he wanted to do more. He took what he learned in wrestling and brought it over to his performances with THE RAMPAGE to shine on stage in a different way. The synergy made his desire to perform on stage and in the ring grow stronger. He understands there will be an increased risk of injury but challenges always comes with risks. He believes he can overcome them and dispel everyone’s worries when he proves himself.

Yuki Ueno was also in attendance and he spoke about how quickly everyone in DDT considered Takechi a friend because of his personality and approach to pro wrestling. Now Ueno is looking forward to seeing what kind of ego Takechi will show as a pro wrestler. And one day the two of them will become opponents. Ueno hopes when that does happen it they will be fighting each other for a championship. He also suggested DDT book Kaisei Takechi Vs Danshoku Dieno somewhere down the line.

DAMNATION T.A were purposely chosen for the other team because they are the complete opposite of The 37KAMIINA and will do anything evil to win. Takechi has not forgotten the beating Hideki Okatani gave him in his debut match last year and he is aware that Okatani has become a different person since then. Ueno warned Daisuke Sasaki, Okatani & MJ Paul not to underestimate his team.

From the Autumn onwards Takechi will be taking a dual schedule swapping back and forth between wrestling and his entertainment gigs. The DDT dates have not been decided yet but Akito promises he will be wrestling more consistently than fans might think. Takagi wants to explore all possibilities and book Takechi for shows big and small, from big arenas right down to local venues.

When asked about his goals, Takechi said he wants to spread pro wrestling to the world. He gets moved by watching it and the more he learns about it the more beautiful it becomes. His dream is to let people who never experienced pro wrestling get to know how good it is. At the end of the press conference he received a video message from LDH JAPAN’s chairman HIRO (Hiroyuki Igarashi). The chairman promised Takechi has the company’s full support and tells fans Takechi will soar high with a hybrid performance that only he can do.


DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025” Results

June 3, 2025

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 03/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. 1 Vs 4 Handicap Match: Danshoku Dieno defeated Yuya Koroku, Yuni, Yuki Ishida & Kazuma Sumi when Dieno pinned Sumi with the Gaydo Clutch (7:57).
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 4: HARASHIMA & Yuki Ueno defeated Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata when Ueno submitted Hirata with a Sleeper Hold (12:05).
3. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya defeated Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato when Higuchi pinned Sato with the Claw Hold (7:18).
4. Referee Daisuke Kiso 15th Anniversary Match ~Special 6-Man Tag Match~: MAZADA, Minoru Fujta & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Yasu Urano, Akito & Shoko Nakajima when Fujita pinned Urano with the Modified Samson Clutch (12:34).
5. Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Sasaki submitted Honda with the Crossface Lock with the Crocodile in the Pool (12:51).
6. STRANGE LOVE CONNECTION Vs The 37KAMIINA!: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated Shunma Katsumata & To-y when MAO pinned Katsumata with a Running Palm Strike (19:00).

MAO has come back from spreading the word of DDT to New Japan as part of the Best Of The Super Jr. tournament. KANON was there with him for parts of the tour but today was the first time in a month that Strange Love Connection were teaming together. When To-y tried to get the fans to chant “T.O.Y”, MAO countered with the “Shikaku” chants he started doing during BOSJ. The match soon left the ring where KANON put To-y in the Cobra Twist 2.0 beneath the stage platform while MAO knocked Shunma Katsumata onto a pile of chairs below. Back in the ring MAO gave Katsumata the Michinoku Driver II and then got the win after hitting a Running Palm Strike. After the match KIMIHIRO talked up The 37KAMIINA because MAO wouldn’t be who he is today without them. He also brought up KANON making it to the King Of DDT final recently. MAO talked about finishing tied for first place in his BOSJ block and while he couldn’t reach the final, he tried his best to attract New Japan fans to DDT. For that reason he wants everyone here to make DDT more exciting so they can create a new good era and all get rich together.

The Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match was one big excuse for SCHADENFREUDE International and DAMNATION T.A to have a massive water fight against each other. There were some rubber pools filled with water placed around ringside and everyone walked out wearing summer outfits and also armed with water pistols. There was also a biting crocodile toy game placed nearby which Daisuke Sasaki used to dig into Antonio Honda’s head Crossface style to make him give up.

Six wrestlers who all have some sort of connection to Daisuke Kiso gathered together to celebrate his 15th anniversary in the business. Shoko Nakajima and Yoshiko Hasegawa were there from Tokyo Joshi Pro where Kiso also works. MAZADA & Minoru Fujita made sure Kiso wasn’t getting an easy day on the job. They pulled some dirty tricks on Akito & Yasu Urano that ended with Fujita grabbing the ropes for leverage to pin Urano without Kiso seeing it. Both teams congratulated Kiso backstage and he said he is looking forward to working hard for the next 16 or 17 years!


DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025” Results

June 1, 2025

DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall & Conference
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Yasu Urano defeated Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida when HARASHIMA pinned Ishida with the Somato (8:54).
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 3: Antonio Honda defeated Toru Owashi, Danshoku Dieno and Kazuki Hirata when Honda submitted Hirata with an Ankle Lock (6:58).
3. Akito defeated Yuya Koroku with a Cradle (9:59).
4. Jun Akiyama & Yuni defeated Daichi Sato & Kazuma Sumi when Yuni pinned Sumi with the Messiah DDT (8:46).
5. After KING OF DDT 2025! Special Single Match: KANON defeated Takeshi Masada with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (7:56).
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Minoru Suzuki defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya when Brookes pinned Higuchi with the Praying Mantis Bomb (13:22).
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (c) defeated Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y when Okatani pinned Katsumata with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (18:31).
*V2 for DAMNATION T.A.

Shunma Katsumata’s second straight shot at the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles ended in failure again. DAMNATION T.A attacked The 37KAMIINA from the jump, Daisuke Sasaki hit Katumata with a chair and MJ Paul interfered too. Ilusion did the Swanton Bomb and Hideki Okatani hit the Skewered Claymore but Yuki Ueno & To-y came to their partner’s rescue. The three of them wanted to give Okatani the Everybody’s MADMAX but Sasaki came back with the chair to break them up. From there Okatani gave Katsumata an Avalanche Double Arm Suplex, Sasaki followed up with Diving Elbow Drops and Okatani scored the pin with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster.

After the match Ilusion rubbed salt on his opponent’s wounds by yelling “Fuck!” at Ueno. Then SCHADENFREUDE International walked out to the ring. Takeshi Masada joked that nobody in DAMNATION T.A is good enough to become SCHADENFREUDE’s mascot so now it’s SCHADENFREUDE’s turn to get a title shot. Ilusion pointed out that Masada lost his match earlier and shouldn’t be relying on some weird, shitty and creepy mascot. However Antonio Honda then pointed out that he pinned Ilusion at Korakuen Hall last week so Ilusion would be a chickenshit to turn down the challenge! Ilusion claimed he doesn’t remember that match but DAMNATION T.A will give them the next title shot. It will happen on 5th July.

The two champions are looking strong going at the moment. Chris Brookes & Minoru Suzuki teamed up as the KO-D Openweight Champion and DDT Universal Champion. Brookes’s next challenger Kazusada Higuchi was on the other team and Suzuki didn’t care that he had to fight Yukio Naya instead of Shinya Aoki. While Suzuki dealt with Naya, Brookes tried to put down Higuchi but found himself in danger instead. Suzuki came to the rescue by putting Higuchi in the Sleeper Hold, wearing him down for Brookes to beat him with a High Kick and the Praying Mantis Bomb. Suzuki called Brookes a strong wrestler but warned that as long as he holds the KO-D Title, Suzuki will always be nearby because one championship is not enough for him!

Upcoming KO-D Tag Team Title contenders Akito and Yuya Koroku were pitted against each other so they could test each other’s strength. They spent the match using a lot of grappling and mat work. It was an even contest until Koroku went for the Triangle Lancer. Akito ended up trapping Koroku’s arms in a Cradle and sat down with all of his weight to pin him for the victory. Koroku said he always wanted to wrestle Akito and felt he was able to show his own true self this way. Akito thinks Koroku has the desire to try out a new kind of wrestling. He also thinks they won’t be able to beat Astronauts if they just use normal wrestling. The path that will bring them to victory is to do what they want that is unique. That’s the DDT way.

One of the matches today was put together so everyone could show their appreciation for Toru Owashi. That meant the audience had to cheer and chant for Owashi as hard as they could whenever Kazuki Hirata raised his hand. Owashi didn’t suspect anything at first but caught on to the trick and didn’t appreciate the insincere cheering. So Hirata, Honda & Danshoku Dieno all ganged up on him. But when Dieno went to the corner in the Hell Gate position, Hirata Body Slammed Honda in the middle of the ring and encouraged Owashi to climb the top rope. Owashi did so but Honda then rolled up Hirata and put him in an Ankle Lock to make him tap out. A dumbfounded Owashi stood still on the top rope afterward. He was given the microphone where he thanked the fans for supporting DDT and told them to enjoy the rest of the show.


Did Itoh Replace Mizuki With Takami? Next KO-D & Universal Title Defences

May 26, 2025

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN NERIMA”, 31/05/2025
Tokyo Nerima Coconeri Hall

1. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: Mahiro Kiryu Vs Moka Miyamoto
2. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: Wakana Uehara Vs Kira Summer
3. Miu Watanabe, Haruna Neko & Ivy Steele Vs Pom Harajuku, HIMAWARI & Haru Kazashiro
4. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Arai & Mifu Ashida
5. Shoko Nakajima, Arisu Endo & Chika Nanase Vs Kaya Toribami, Toga & Shino Suzuki
6. Mizuki & Jada Stone Vs Maki Itoh & Uta Takami
7. International Princess Title: Suzume (c) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa

Jada Stone’s return to Tokyo Joshi Pro begins with her teaming up with Mizuki to face what is apparently the new and improved Itoh Respect Army. How will Mizuki react to Uta Takami singing her part of “Setsunairo” with Maki Itoh?

The Preliminary League for this year’s Tokyo Princess Cup begins with two opening round qualifying matches. Mahiro Kiryu, Moka Miyamoto, Wakana Uehara and Kira Summer are the first four up. Two go through, two go out.

Both Yuki Kamifuku and Raku will be missing the show because they will be wrestling overseas that weekend. Kamifuku will be in Singapore for SPW while Raku is in Thailand for SETUP.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN NAGOYA”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall

1. Konatsu Debut Match: Suzume Vs Konatsu
2. Yoshiko Hasegawa, Kira Summer & Ivy Steele Vs Moka Miyamoto, Toga & Chika Nanase
3. Rika Tatsumi, Wakana Uehara & Mifu Ashida Vs Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko & Shino Suzuki
4. Shoko Nakajima & Haru Kazashiro Vs Kaya Toribami Vs HIMAWARI
5. Mizuki Vs Uta Takami
6. Last One Standing 8-Woman Tag Team Elimination Match: Miu Watanabe Vs Maki Itoh Vs Yuki Kamifuku Vs Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku Vs Arisu Endo Vs Jada Stone

Well if Mizuki is feeling like Takami replaced her in the Itoh Respect Army she doesn’t have to wait long to get her alone in the ring.

There is also another prelim tag match for Shoko Nakajima and Kaya Toribami to get them ready for their MLW Women’s Title bout.

The trainee Konatsu’s debut match will be against Suzume! Konatsu’s official ring name will be revealed soon.

Raku will miss this show but Kamifuku will have returned in time to take part.

DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall & Conference

1. Akito Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Jun Akiyama & Yuni Vs Daichi Sato & Kazuma Sumi
3. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 3: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata
4. Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Yasu Urano Vs Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida
5. After KING OF DDT 2025! Special Single Match: KANON Vs Takeshi Masada
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Minoru Suzuki Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (c) Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

The KO-D Openweight Champion and DDT Universal Champion are teaming up again! The last time Chris Brookes & Minoru Suzuki were tag partners was last November when they fought Yuki Ueno & MAO to a time limit draw. This time they will be taking on Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya.

DDT “MY LOVE LETTER 2025”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. Antonio Honda 20th Anniversary Match ~ Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda
2. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) Vs Akito & Yuya Koroku

The KO-D Tag Team Titles have been away from DDT for the last month because Astronauts have been defending the belts in other promotions to build up victories on the long road to breaking the current record. With successful title defences in Big Japan and BURST, Astronauts have now retained the championship four times in this reign. Only Akito & Yuya Koroku seemed to have noticed the title’s absence from DDT. They also enjoyed teaming up together over the weekend and would like to continue doing that so they’re going to challenge Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura to bring the titles back home.

DDT “MACHIDA KANSAI PRO WRESTLING FESTIVAL 2025”, 21/06/2025
Tokyo Machida GION Stadium Glass Garden Special Ring

1. Danshoku Dieno, Kazuki Hirata & Pokotan Vs Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. MAO & KANON Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida
3. Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

DDT are holding a few matches outside the stadium of a FC Machida Zelvia home game.

A reminder that Pokotan’s Head is currently the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion. Not Pokotan, just his detached head.

DDT “KING OF KINGS ~ARASHI’S JUNE SHOWDOWN~”, 29/06/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Kazusada Higuchi

This year’s King Of DDT is getting his KO-D Title shot at the end of June. Higuchi can give his comeback the ultimate happy ending if he can beat Brookes to become the champion of DDT again.

Both Minoru Suzuki and Shinya Aoki will be on the show. Speaking of which…

DDT “ROCK IN RING 2025 ~PLAY THE STRIKES, SHOUT THE CHEERS”, 13/07/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) Vs Shinya Aoki

Suzuki is now getting his kind of fighter for his next title defence. Aoki is tired of seeing Suzuki being treated like an invincible warrior who cannot be defeated so he is stepping forward to face him for the Universal Title. Suzuki is done fighting the likes of Yoshihiko and Danshoku Dieno. He will be happy if the Aoki facing him is the real deal and not somebody who has succumbed to DDT’s silliness.

Haruto Sakuraba will be on the show taking part in his second wrestling match. He is specifically targeting KANON with the goal of destroying him for good so KANON will never get in DAMNATION T.A’s way again.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!” Results

May 25, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!”, 25/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada defeated Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Ilusion when Honda pinned Ilusion with the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (9:59).
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Yuki Ueno with the Claw Slam (12:10).
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: KANON defeated Hideki Okatani with the LONELY DEZIRES (9:41).
4. 4 Way Tag Match: Akito & Yuya Koroku defeated HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata, Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida and Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Koroku submitted Akito with the Modified Triangle Lancer (9:47).
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Shinya Aoki, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato when Aoki pinned Sato with a Modified Crucific Pin (8:45).
6. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) defeated Danshoku Dieno with the Gotch-Style Piledriver (12:50).
*V2 for Minoru Suzuki.
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Final: Kazusada Higuchi defeated KANON with the Claw Slam (19:09).

Any lingering doubt that Kazusada Higuchi had returned to action in perfect condition can now be laid to rest because he has won this year’s King Of DDT tournament! He came back to the ring with something to prove and meeting him in the final was KANON, who had his own eventful journey to get here. When KANON put Higuchi in the Cobra Twist 2.0, Higuchi grabbed him by the jaw and countered the hold into the Claw Slam. KANON used the Lariat many times to hit back against Higuchi’s Double Chops. But Higuchi hit him back with Headbutts, Lariats and the Doctor Bomb for a nearfall. Higuchi was then able to apply the Claw once more and used another Claw Slam to get the three count and be crowned King Of DDT for the second time in his career.

Higuchi was filled with joy when he received his trophy. He told the fans when he was away recovering from his neck injury he thought he wouldn’t be able to survive in the ring anymore. But he took things one step at a time and is happy to be standing here today talking to everyone as the tournament champion. He thanked the other members of Harimao at ringside for always standing by him and later spoke about how grateful he is towards each of his opponents in this year’s tournament. But there’s one more thing he wants. As King Of DDT he now qualifies for a shot for the KO-D Openweight Title! Meanwhile KANON said this month has been the most fulfilling period of his career since coming to DDT and he is really glad he joined the promotion. He wants to earn a KO-D Title shot by himself and said he will definitely get it at the next opportunity.

KANON had to overcome a grudge with Hideki Okatani to reach the final. Okatani was KANON’s replacement in DAMNATION T.A after KANON was kicked out of the unit. Okatani attacked KANON with the bamboo stick at the start and had Ilusion interfere for him but KANON built up a comeback that included him blocking those attacks. Okatani turned the tables again by doing a Sling Blade style Crucifix Pin and also the Skewer-Style Claymore for a nearfall. KANON got things back on track with a Brainbuster, followed up with a Lariats and then got the victory by pinning Okatani with the LONELY DEZIRES.

Higuchi had to survive against everything Yuki Ueno could throw at him in the other semi final. Ueno used everything in his arsenal including a Springboard Hurricanrana, the Blackout Sleeper, the Jul.2 and also the Dropkick aimed for Higuchi’s face. But Ueno didn’t expect Higuchi to grab him in the Claw Hold straight after kicking out of a pin. He also didn’t expect Higuchi to run through the WR and Shining Wizard with Lariat counters that knocked Ueno senseless. Ueno had enough awareness to block Higuchi from giving him the Claw Slam except Higuchi then grabbed him from the back of the head to squeeze the life out of him before finishing him off with the Claw Slam. Ueno backstage said he wanted to win but admits that is the Higuchi everyone loves to see. While Konosuke Takeshita and MAO are showing everyone how great they are in other promotions, Ueno thinks it is up to him to show the wrestling world that you can still find power and dreams in DDT too.

Maybe Strong Style isn’t the right fit for Danshoku Dieno after all. He tried living up to his promise to give Minoru Suzuki the most serious fight of his life for the DDT Universal Title and wore plain black trunks to prove it. But the gap between them was too large for him to overcome so he had to unlock his Danshoku style for his best chance at surviving. When Suzuki had him trapped in a Cobra Twist, Dieno used the Lip Lock to break out of it. Then Jun Akiyama showed up to hand Dieno back his regular costume so Dieno was fully himself again. A deep Lip Lock almost had Suzuki down for the count but he kicked out in time and stopped Dieno from hitting a Moonsault. But even he couldn’t fight off the gravity pulling power of the Danshoku Driver. When Dieno had the move all set up he chose to do it Gotch-Style but Suzuki struggled his way out of it and Headbutted Dieno to stop him from doing another Lip Lock. Suzuki then applied his Sleeper Hold to weaken Dieno enough for the Gotch-Style Piledriver, ending the match with Suzuki retaining the Universal Title.

After the match Suzuki said Dieno was messing around a little bit but he accepts Dieno’s Strong Style. He explained pro wrestling is not just about grabbing holds, stretching limbs and punching each other. Suzuki won today but he wanted Dieno to know one more thing. He would like to do a match with him again. Shinya Aoki then walked down to the ring as Dieno was making his exit. The two hugged and high fived each other as they crossed paths. Aoki then got into the ring and said he cannot let Suzuki look this strong forever. He wants to be his next challenger! Suzuki wants an opponent just like Aoki but isn’t sure if it will be treated like a joke. Hisaya Imabayashi understands Suzuki is suspicious after taking on such difficult challengers like Yoshihiko and Dieno so far in his reign but this is the real deal Shinya Aoki stepping up to him next! Suzuki accepted the challenge and the title match will take place on the 13th July Korakuen Hall show.

Maybe Aoki was in a relaxed mood today by teaming up with members of The 37KAMIINA? He joined forces with Shunma Katsumata & To-y to face the heavyweight trio of Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato. To-y took a beating outside the ring thanks to Akiyama and Naya Body Slamming him onto the floor. The heavyweights looked to have the match in control until Sato got in the ring with Aoki. The rookie was smothered Aoki’s skills on the mat and was easily pinned with a Modified Crucifix Hold that came from an Aoki Clutch attempt that didn’t go right.

A 4 Way Tag Match ended up sorting out who the next challengers for the KO-D Tag Team Titles are going to be. The match was a free for all with Yuni & Kazuma Sumi using their NωA Jr. music to power themselves up. It was interrupted by Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida doing a Dosukoi pose to the beat of sumo drums. HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata danced while wearing the Hirata GO! glasses but that caused HARASHIMA to take Hirata style pratfalls. The only team that were fully on the same page was Akito & Yuya Koroku. Their teamwork outclassed everyone else’s and the finish was set up from Akito giving Sumi an Ankle Lock. While the hold was locked in, Koroku kicked Sumi’s arm and then applied the Triangle Lancer to the damaged limb to make Sumi give up.

Backstage Koroku asked Akito where are the KO-D Tag Titles currently? Akito answered they are being defended by Astronauts in other promotions. Koroku finds it weird that nobody in DDT has said anything about this and he wants to bring the belts back. Akito agreed and is happy to keep teaming with Koroku so they get the tag titles back to DDT. They want the message sent out to Astronauts. Akito & Koroku are coming after them!

The latest battle between SCHADENFREUDE International and DAMNATION T.A saw Bunbun getting thrown around like a toy. When Daisuke Sasaki cut off the rubber band spot he tied the band around Bunbun, spun him around in the air and threw him into the crowd. DAMNATION T.A then worked over Antonio Honda until Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada made the comeback. Honda returned to attack his opponents with Gongitsune but he was soon flattened by a Double Body Press from MJ Paul & Ilusion. Honda dodged Ilusion’s Swanton Bomb though and rolled him up in the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch to escape with the victory.

A video played during the show announcing the return of “THE MONSTER” Haruto Sakuraba to DDT! The muscular stage actor had his debut wrestling match last October and is still a member of DAMNATION T.A. While he’s been away he heard about them recently kicking out a pathetic guy from the group. He isn’t impressed to hear what KANON has been up to since then, making stupid heart signs with his hands. Sakuraba is coming back to DDT on 13th July to crush KANON’s heart so hard that he’ll never be able to get back up again!


Takashimaya Vol. 3, Kiso Anniversary Match, Honda Has An Anniversary Match Too

May 16, 2025

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAMS! VOL. 12 ~GIVE IT TO THE CLOUDS THE MOUNTAIN CUCKOO~”, 17/05/2025
Osaka City Sumiyoshi Civic Center

1. Naomi Yoshimura’s Osaka Return Match ~REGGAE TOWN is back in OSAKA!~: Ryota Nakatsu & Naomi Yoshimura Vs Yasu Urano & Akito
2. The Anthem Of Geniuses ~The Battle To Decide The Strongest Variety Warrior~: Danshoku Dieno, Billy Ken Kid & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Soma Takao
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match Tecnico Vs Rudo Osaka War! ~The Code Of Justice, The Pride Of Evil~: Tsubasa, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi Vs HUB, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (w/ MJ Paul)
4. Special Tag Match – Muscle Buraikan Vs D GENERATIONS ~You Guys, You’ll Know It When You See It! It’s Me!~: Magnitude Kishiwada & Naruki Doi Vs To-y & Yuki Ishida
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~Laughter Leads To Hell~: Kuishinbo Kamen, Shunma Katsumata & Ram Kaichow Vs Kikutaro, Antonio Honda & No Name
6. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~Heavyweight Super Carnival~: Jun Akiyama, KANON & Daichi Sato Vs Shuji Ishikawa, Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada
7. Koyo Daiichi Consultants Presents ~Break Through The Top Of DDT! From Osaka To The World, A Terrifying Challenge For The Real Life Crowd!~: Chris Brookes Vs Kohei Kinoshita
8. Special Tag Match ~Head-To-Head Battle! One-Hit, Soul-Filled Attack!! Frontal Breakthrough!!!~: HARASHIMA & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Shuji Kondo & Shigehiro Irie
9. Shosho Kogyo Co., Ltd. Presents Special Tag Match ~Sakuyakonohana Dramatic Dreams Vs Superhuman Teacher & Student Wrestling Masters~: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & Yuki Ueno Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Dick Togo

Tomorrow belongs to Yukinori Matsui as he produces his annual Osaka show.

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 2”, 21/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion Vs Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
2. No English Match: HARASHIMA, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yuya Koroku Vs Yukio Naya, Daichi Sato & Yuki Ishida
3. 3 Count Vs 1 Count! Count Handicap Match: Jun Akiyama Vs Kazuma Sumi
4. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 2: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno
5. Takeshi Masada Produce Match – Hardcore Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Shunma Katsumata & To-y
6. Road To KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!! Special 4 Way Match: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yuki Ueno Vs KANON Vs Hideki Okatani

Director duties are calling Akito away from the ring next week so he is no longer able to take part in the No English Match. Tomomitsu Matsunaga will take his place.

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TAKASHIMAYA VOL. 3”, 31/05/2025
Tokyo Shinjuku Takashimaya 1st Floor JR Exit Special Venue

1. Time Delayed Entry Battle Royal For Shinjuku Takashimaya’s Half Day Promotional Ambassador: Poison Sawada JULIE Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs KANON Vs Yukio Naya Vs Yuni Vs Yuki Ishida Vs Kazuma Sumi Vs Pokotan
2. Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuya Koroku & Daichi Sato
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, HARASHIMA & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

It’s approaching that time of the year when DDT continues to establish a promotional show at Shinjuku Takashimaya to attract shoppers to the building. It is a short show but there will be little segments going on in between the matches. One of them will be a talk event with Saki Akai as the special guest.

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 03/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Referee Daisuke Kiso 15th Anniversary Match ~Special 6-Man Tag Match~: MAZADA, Minoru Fujta & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Yasu Urano, Akito & Shoko Nakajima

For 15 years Daisuke Kiso has been doing his best to officiate the chaos and nonsense that happens in DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro rings. To celebrate he is gathering together six wrestlers who all mean a lot to him in some way for a 6-Man Tag Match. According to Kiso, MAZADA taught him the foundations of the wrestling world while Minoru Fujita once faced him in them middle of the crossroads between wrestling and life. Yasu Urano has already pointed him down the right path and Akito has been incredibly helpful to him ever since they started working together. Since TJPW means so much to him too he picked Shoko Nakajima to be in the match because she always puts her life on the line for the company. Last but not least he wants to be a part of Yoshiko Hasegawa’s retirement road and do everything he can to help her even if it’s just this little bit.

DDT “MY LOVE LETTER 2025”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. Antonio Honda 20th Anniversary Match ~ Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda

Another important milestone happening this year is Antonio Honda’s 20th anniversary. Chris Brookes asked him if he wanted to do an entire show to celebrate it. Honda considered it would be suitable for a Baka Gaijin + Friends sized show but he doesn’t have the desire to run an event himself. Brookes then asked Honda who he would like his opponent to be and he answered maybe Daisuke Sasaki. Word eventually made its way to DDT and they went and booked the match just for him. He is grateful for it.

DDT “D GENERATIONS 3 ~ACCELERATING BATTLE, UNSTOPPABLE AMBITION~”, 12/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Shota Vs Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi

So far the D GENERATIONS shows have seen the home side getting beaten and humiliated by the Young Communication wrestlers. For the third show the Young Generation are now thinking about taking the entire series over for themselves. Can’t blame Shota, Shigehiro Irie and Keisuke Ishii for acting that way if Takeshi Masada, Kazuma Sumi and Yuya Koroku can’t beat them.


DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1” Results

May 13, 2025

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1”, 13/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans

1. 3 Way Match – Submission Rules Only: Kazusada Higuchi defeated KANON and Yuya Koroku when Higuchi submitted Koroku with a Katahajime (8:11).
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 1~ Lucha Libre Rules: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi, Soma Takao & Sumicaras when Okatani pinned Sumicaras with a School Boy (10:19).
3. Jun Akiyama & Antonio Honda defeated HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata when Honda pinned Hirata after the Exploder Suplex from Akiyama (9:54).
4. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise: Danshoku Dieno (w/ Haku) Vs Shunma Katsumata (w/ Ponta & Komachi) Vs Yuki Kamifuku (w/ Zac) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa (w/ Qoo) ended in a No Contest (18:39).
5. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno defeated To-y & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned To-y with the WR (22:35).
-. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise Insurance Match: Haku, Ponta, Komachi, Zac & Qoo defeated Akito and Yukio Naya when Naya awakened his love for animals (59:40).

A much needed break from King Of DDT begins this week so the time was right to visit the Beer Garden along with some cute critters. Danshoku Dieno came up with an idea to have a match between a bunch of dog owners so they could all bring their pets to the ring. So it ended up being him, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Kamifuku and Yoshiko Hasegawa all taking part with their beloved pets running alongside them. Dieno had the foresight to realize the wrestlers would be so preoccupied with minding their dogs at ringside that they wouldn’t actually be able to actually wrestle. So Akito and Yukio Naya were booked to have a match of their own taking place at the same time. The problem with that is they wrestled too close to the dogs which could have frightened the dogs and also blocked the fans from seeing the actual stars of the show. Hisaya Imabayashi complained to them about it on the microphone and ordered Akito and Naya to have their match first out of the ring and then backstage away from the dogs. That ended Part 1 of the match.

Part 2 took place after the main event when Akito and Naya returned to ringside, still fighting each other. By this point they had been fighting for nearly an hour. The other wrestlers with their dogs returned to the ring and Dieno asked Naya to hold Haku for him. Naya couldn’t believe how cute Haku was and he burst into tears before collapsing onto his back. The other dogs Ponta, Komachi, Zac & Qoo gathered around Naya while Imabayashi explained to him just how precious their lives are. Naya understood and apologised for caring more about his match than for the dogs. The bell then rang to end the match now that Naya discovered his new love for animals.

Kazuma Sumi decided to wrestle his match wearing a plastic bag over his head with the Dos Caras mask design drawn over it. DAMNATION T.A unmasked “Sumicaras” and choked him with the bag.

Kazusada Higuchi wrestled the Submission Match wearing a Judo outfit. Yuya Koroku had KANON in the Modified Triangle Lancer when Higuchi grabbed him in a Katahajime and forced him to give up.


King Of DDT Round 2, Ken & Mio Reunite, Yoppy’s To-Do List

May 7, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 2ND ROUND”, 10/05/2025
Shinjuku FACE

1. MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. Danshoku Dieno, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Shunma Katsumata, Soma Takao & To-y
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Akito & Antonio Honda Vs Jun Akiyama, Shinya Aoki & Daichi Sato
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Takeshi Masada
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: HARASHIMA Vs Hideki Okatani
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Yukio Naya Vs KANON
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Yuki Ueno

Round 2 for King Of DDT takes place this Saturday with eight wrestlers being whittled down to four. DAMNATION T.A have a chance to fill up half of the semi-finals if Daisuke Sasaki and Hideki Okatani both win their matches. HARASHIMA hardly broke a sweat in his 1st Round match though and Yuki Ueno is feeling pretty motivated to climb back to the top of DDT too. KANON is calling himself the “Yukio Naya Killer” because Naya has never beaten him in their previous singles matches. That also leaves Kazusada Higuchi and Takeshi Masada fighting each other over one of the remaining spots.

When Round 2 has been completed a lottery will be held to pair off the semi-final matches.

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN ABEMA SHONAN BANK HIRATSUKA KEIRIN STADIUM”, 11/05/2025
Kanagawa ABEMA Shonan Bank Hiratsuka Keirin Stadium

1. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Shinya Aoki & Takeshi Masada Vs Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y Vs HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata

The next day there will be not one but two Falls Count Anywhere matches taking place around a track cycling stadium in Kanagawa.

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1”, 13/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Jun Akiyama & Antonio Honda Vs HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata
2. 3 Way Match – Submission Rules Only: Kazusada Higuchi Vs KANON Vs Yuya Koroku
3. Thank You Toru Owashi ~Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 1~ Lucha Libre Rules: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
4. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno Vs To-y & Takeshi Masada
5. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise Insurance Match: Akito Vs Yukio Naya
6. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise: Danshoku Dieno (w/ Haku) Vs Shunma Katsumata (w/ Ponta & Komachi) Vs Yuki Kamifuku (w/ Zac) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa (w/ Qoo)

Since there is no guarantee that the dogs in the main event will behave themselves, Danshoku Dieno decided to book a stable, no nonsense singles match between Akito and Yukio Naya as an insurance plan just in case the main event goes wrong.

The Beer Garden show will also begin DDT’s celebration of Toru Owashi wrestling on their shows for 20 years. He first showed up on DDT’s doorstep in 2005 and he’s been working with the company almost ever since, save for a year long hiatus he took from wrestling in 2011.

DDT “D GENERATIONS 2 ~THERE’S NO LIMIT TO GROWING PAINS~”, 14/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Yuni Vs Ali Najima
2. Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Munetatsu Nakamura & Shota Kawakami
3. Special Single Match: Ryoma Tsukamoto Vs To-y
4. Soma Takao Vs Takumi Saito
5. Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Kazuma Sumi
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Shota Vs Takeshi Masada & Yuya Koroku

Yuki Ishida is still out of action recovering from a concussion so his match with Keisuke Ishii has to be changed. Kazuma Sumi will now be Ishii’s opponent to continue the D GENERATIONS Vs Young Communication feud. Soma Takao will now face Nagoya wrestler Takumi Saito. He can recently be seen on Tochigi Pro shows as well as HEAT-UP.

GANBARE☆PRO “BOAT RACE TODA”, 18/05/2025
Saitama Boat Race Toda

1. Ken Ohka & Mio Shirai Vs Daisuke® & YuuRI
2. Yuki Kanzaki & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Mizuki Watase & Reiya Igarashi
3. Kyoko Inoue & Moeka Haruhi Vs Yuna Manase & Ibuki Hoshi
4. The Great Sasuke & Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Shinichiro Tominaga & Shota Kawakami
5. Shuichiro Katsumura, Takuya Wada & Choun-Shiryu Vs Yumehito Imanari, Keisuke Ishii & Tatsuhito Takaiwa

It’s back to the boat races for Ganbare☆Pro with an unexpected reunion on the cards. Ken Ohka & Mio Shirai are teaming up again for the first time in 13 years! Back in the Union Pro days they had a tsundere relationship where Shirai dominated Ohka but could never quite want to get rid of him. They had a regular spot where she would submit Ohka with a Headscissors and boy did writing about that in my show reports at the time result in some readers searching my site hoping to find similar fetish wrestling content. WordPress kept track of the search terms back then you perverts!

Oh, also The Great Sasuke and Kyoko Inoue will be on the show too.

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. 22: THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”, 27/05/2025
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa

1. Special Tag Team Match: Great King Ueki & Munek Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei
2. Special Single Match: Mr. Bueno Vs Fuminori Abe
3. BK-G Openweight Title: Mr. Malo (c) Vs Antonio Honda

The last Baka Gaijin + Friends show ended with a brand new BK-G Openweight Champion. The next show sees Mr. Malo having his first defence with Antonio Honda stepping up to be his challenger.

Things aren’t going Mr. Bueno’s way lately so maybe a spiritual battle with Fuminori Abe will cure what ails him.

We also last saw Great King Ueki & Munek capture the soul of Ram Kaichow, leaving her body behind as a husk following after them. Are they satisfied with what they got or do they want more? Throwing The Brahman Brothers against them is only going to cause chaos even if no soul catching takes place.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN NERIMA”, 31/05/2025
Tokyo Nerima Coconeri Hall

1. International Princess Title: Suzume (c) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa

Before Yoshiko Hasegawa retires she still has a few things to check off her list. Most important of all is challenging Suzume for the International Princess Title. Her idea got a negative response from some fans but she decided in the end to go through with it and eventually got everyone’s approval. Suzume will earn her 4th defence if she wins this match and that’s about the level her kind of IP Title reign usually reaches.

Jada Stone is advertised for the show. Yesterday she vaguely tweeted “Sadly, All Good Things Must Come To An End…” along with a highlight video of herself. So she’s making it sound like she’s either about to call it quits or she just got signed somewhere.

DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall & Conference

1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (c) Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

After Shunma Katsumata failed to win back the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles with NωA Jr. so he gets another title shot this time with The 37KAMIINA. What’s he going to do to get a third chance if he loses to DAMNATION T.A again. Reform ALL OUT?

Minoru Suzuki will be on the show.

GANBARE☆PRO “BLUE VELVET 2025”, 22/06/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Yoshiko Hasegawa’s Last Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling Match: Moeka Haruhi, Yuna Manase & Banny Oikawa Vs YuuRI, Yoshiko Hasegawa & Riara

Also on Yoppy’s to do list is one final match in GanPro. She reunites with the Ganbare☆Joshi division for her farewell, including the return of Riara to the promotion. Riara has been busy lately doing her best over in Marigold.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW INSPIRATION”, 28/06/2025
TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi

1. 3 Minute Exhibition Match: Ai Shimizu Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa
2. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Gabai Ji-chan & Mahiro Kiryu
3. Tae Honma & Miyuki Takase Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa & Kaya Toribami
4. Mizuki & Miu Watanabe Vs Haru Kazashiro & Uta Takami

The “TJPW INSPIRATION” show is being brought back for Tokyo Joshi Pro’s first event at the new TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi venue. The main event sees the two strongest TJPW wrestlers currently in Japan taking on the two youngest members of the roster. The youthful energy of Daisy Monkey will be pitted against the combination of years old wisdom plus earnestness found in Gabai Ji-chan & Mahiro Kiryu.

Plus Hasegawa gets two special matches with special guests involved. The main one is a tag match with against Tae Honma & Miyuki Takase bringing back memories of Actwres girl’z for the three of them. But also there will be a short exhibition match against Ai Shimizu, who has not wrestled since 2017. The two of them once starred in a wrestling themed play together back when they were both actresses and Shimizu was already gone from the wrestling business by the time Hasegawa debuted so they never got to be in the ring together. Hasegawa wanted it to happen so she came up with the idea to do an exhibition match and convinced Shimizu to do it.

GANBARE☆PRO “MIZUKI WATASE 10TH ANNIVERSARY – IT’S A SUMMER FILM 2025”, 26/08/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Mizuki Watase 10th Anniversary Match – Fluorescent Lighttube Death Match: Mizuki Watase Vs Jun Kasai

This was already announced but I forgot to write about it in the news section until now. Mizuki Watase wants to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his debut match by fighting Jun Kasai with Lighttubes. He’s a nutjob.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND” Results

May 6, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND”, 06/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

0. Dark Match – 3 Way Tag Match: MJ Paul & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga and Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Ilusion pinned Sumi with a Rope-Assisted School Boy (5:31).
0. Dark Match: Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno defeated MAO & Kazuki Hirata (w/ KIMIHIRO) when Dieno submitted Hirata with a Strong Chicken Wing Sleeper Hold (8:25).
1. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Yuki Ueno defeated Antonio Honda with the Blackout Sleeper (15:05).
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Akito with the Crossover Face Lock (4:44).
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: KANON defeated Shunma Katsumata with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (9:16).
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Yukio Naya defeated Daichi Sato with The World’s Best Back Drop (12:33).
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Hideki Okatani defeated To-y with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (11:58).
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: HARASHIMA defeated Chris Brookes with the Somato (0:22).
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Takeshi Masada defeated Yuya Koroku with the Masada No Chikara KOBU Mukimuki (12:10).
8. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Shinya Aoki with the Claw (15:34).

Kazusada Higuchi sent a message loud and clear in the opening round of this year’s King Of DDT tournament. He has reached a complete recovery! The final match of the 1st Round pitted Higuchi against Shinya Aoki over two and a half years after their KO-D Openweight Title bout against each other. The rematch featured grappling from Aoki, Higuchi no selling his head hitting off the corner post, the Aoki Clutch being kicked out of and a costly mistake from Aoki after that. He gave Higuchi a Headbutt that only hurt himself, giving Higuchi the opening to clamp on the Claw and make Aoki tap out! Higuchi said he only focused on fighting Aoki and hasn’t thought about anything beyond that. He described Aoki as being frighteningly strong. Aoki admitted he felt relieved after the match because Higuchi is refreshingly strong. It is the strength of somebody regaining the ground he lost. A reporter pointed out this is the first time in a while Aoki has lost to the same fighter twice in a row. Aoki knew who the reporter is talking about and compared Higuchi to Hayato Sakurai. Aoki is also now looking to the future as an unemployed man because he is no longer under contract to ONE FC. He might follow Sayaka Unagi’s example and put together his own independent event.

Meeting Higuchi in the next round will be Takeshi Masada. He avenged the D GENERATIONS CUP final loss to Yuya Koroku thanks to his perfect calculations of how it would go this time. Koroku targeted the arm so Masada focused on leg based attacks including Dropkicking a chair into his opponent at ringside. He was also able to break out of the Modified Triangle Lancer and caught Koroku with the Masada No Chikara KOBU Mukimuki to get the win. Masada said it is one of the new formulas he came up with since the DGC so he has Koroku to thank for that. He said Higuchi has a great Japanese spirit but so does he and he will bring it out to show everyone in DDT for the next round. Koroku is really disappointed his tournament is over already but he knows he’s been through lower lows than this. He will go on as he is now.

A record was broken on today’s show. HARASHIMA defeated Chris Brookes in just 22 seconds, the fastest time ever in King Of DDT history! Brookes got the jump on HARASHIMA with a Dropkick during the entrances and quickly went for the Praying Mantis Bomb. But HARASHIMA popped out of the move and fired a short range Somato at Brookes before hitting the full on version for the shock three count! HARASHIMA said he responded calmly to the ambush and just went with his gut resulting in a perfect victory against the KO-D Champion. He hasn’t given up on winning the title again and every fan who came to the show today all know it is possible.

To-y’s hopes of finally getting to face Brookes one on one were already extinguished at this point because he was already eliminated by Hideki Okatani. There was a little bit of help from MJ Paul and Ilusion but To-y fought against the odds and almost won with the Kojima In Wonderland. Okatani hit back with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster and that was enough for him to advance to Round 2. Afterwards he said To-y is as hot headed and annoying as ever. Okatani will next face HARASHIMA. He said HARASHIMA is not an ace but a corpse fighting against the times.

There are not a lot of heavyweights in the tournament this year and now even less so when one knocked out another in the 1st Round. Yukio Naya put Daichi Sato through his paces, beating him down while withstanding the young wrestler’s return strikes. Sato kept it up though and soon Naya was breaking down. A High Kick followed by a Rolling Elbow and a Brainbuster gave Sato a nearfall. Naya turned things around with Knee Butts and Elbow Strikes before putting his opponent away with The World’s Best Back Drop. Naya said Sato will grow in DDT just like he did and the next time they fight, Sato should try to surprise him even more. Sato was thankful to compete in the tournament so soon after joining the company. His goal is to become the face of DDT’s heavyweight division but he’ll need to surpass Naya first.

One of the first round matches was a little bit awkward because it pitted MAO’s current tag partner against his ex-tag partner. KANON looked to have gotten the better of Shunma Katsumata when he put him in the Cobra Twist 2.0. Katsumata wouldn’t submit though despite having no way to escape. It led to a situation on the ring apron where Kazuma Sumi wanted to throw in the towel but Yuni wouldn’t let him. They had a tug of war over the towel until they lost their grips and accidentally threw it into the ring. This happened right when Katsumata tapped out anyway so it was still a valid win for KANON. Katsumata gave his approval to KANON afterwards because he thinks he is now on the right path. KANON said he has a lot of respect for ShunMao which is why Strange Love Connection will do things differently from MAO’s other team. He also called himself the “Yukio Naya Killer” because he has never lost to Naya in singles matches. They just so happen to be facing each other in the next round.

Akito wanted to make quick work of Daisuke Sasaki and grabbed him by the leg as he entered the ring. That advantage was ruined when Ilusion got into the ring to distract Akito by flipping him off. Akito turned back and continued going for Sasaki’s legs but a counter attack led to Sasaki trapping him in the Crossover Face Lock for the submission victory. Akito admitted he was arrogant when he said this year’s tournament might be his last chance to win King Of DDT and the KO-D Title. He has a lot to think about but he wants to be involved in the main storyline of DDT within the next year. Sasaki originally said he wanted this to be a Hair Vs Hair match but in honor of Akito’s effort he decided not to go through with the stipulation. His Round 2 match though? He wants is to be Hair Vs Hair because he gets joy in life by making his next opponent miserable.

That next opponent is Yuki Ueno. He was taking on a sentimental favorite in this year’s competition because Antonio Honda was competing on behalf of the injured Masahiro Takanashi. While Honda did pull out the Shining Gongitsune, he also used his serious techniques to try and win including the Octopus Hold, the Tenzan Tombstone Driver and the Diving Fist Drop. Unfortunately Honda ran out of steam after Ueno hit him with a Dropkick followed by the WR. He was almost counted out for a KO but got back to his feet at nine. Ueno ended up putting him in the Blackout Sleeper to choke him out for the win. Ueno promised to carry Honda’s feelings with him for the rest of the tournament as he begins his path to win back the KO-D Title and make DDT even more fun and interesting. He noticed that even though DAMNATION T.A is usually a gloomy group, Sasaki has been having more fun lately…

There were two non-tournament dark matches in the pre-show. One of them was to continue showing how Danshoku Dieno is taking pro wrestling seriously for his upcoming match with Minoru Suzuki. He proved this by trying to stop Kazuki Hirata from dancing. MAO tried to get Jun Akiyama to dance by offering him the Hirata GO! glasses but Akiyama gave him the Exploder Suplex instead. He then heard the fans chanting for him to put the glasses on so he did so. But just when he started to dance, Dieno made Hirata tap out to a Crossface Chicken Wing and the match ended.

The other dark match was meant to include Soma Takao but he was feeling unwell and was replaced by Tomomitsu Matsunaga. He and Toru Owashi worked together as best as they could in the 3 Way Tag Match but in the end DAMNATION T.A got the win over NωA Jr when Ilusion used the ropes for a leveraged pin on Sumi after Low Blowing him.

Yet again NωA Jr.’s show opening performance was hijacked by KIMIHIRO and the Strange Love Connection. This time Sumi tried to fight back by challenging KIMIHIRO to a rap battle but he quickly lost his flow and ran out of the ring feeling really embarrassed.


King Of DDT 2025 Press Conference

May 2, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND”, 06/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match – 3 Way Tag Match: MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi & Soma Takao Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
0. Dark Match: Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno Vs MAO & Kazuki Hirata (w/ KIMIHIRO)
1. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1A: Antonio Honda Vs Yuki Ueno
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1B: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Akito
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1C: KANON Vs Shunma Katsumata
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1D: Yukio Naya Vs Daichi Sato
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1E: Hideki Okatani Vs To-y
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1F: Chris Brookes Vs HARASHIMA
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1G: Takeshi Masada Vs Yuya Koroku
8. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1H: Shinya Aoki Vs Kazusada Higuchi

With the King Of DDT about to begin next week a press conference was held at Kanda Myojin Cultural Center yesterday featuring all 16 participants giving their opinions on their opening round matches. Yuki Ueno said his plan is to win the tournament and become KO-D Openweight Champion again. DDT will become a wild and fun place to be with himself at the centre. Antonio Honda is entering as the replacement for Masahiro Takanashi so he was at a loss for words at first. He will be getting into the ring with something big on his mind and will fight with all of the gratitude, respect and prayer for the people who have helped him.

Akito is entering the tournament for the first time since 2021. He explained he missed out on the last couple of tournaments not because his behind the scenes job became bigger but because DDT’s roster has grown so much that he just couldn’t make the cut. He thinks this may be his last chance to win King Of DDT which could then become his last chance to win the KO-D Title. A drunk Daisuke Sasaki changed the subject by saying when people think of him against Akito, they think Hair Vs Hair! Sasaki suggested he gets to shave every person he beats bald until he wins the tournament. Akito declined. If it was every single match in the tournament he would let the idea happen but just doing it for Sasaki Vs Akito isn’t worth the bother. Honda said he is already bald so the rule doesn’t worry him if he has to fight Sasaki in Round 2.

It’s also been a while since Shunma Katsumata took part in King Of DDT. He remembers how important the first round is so if he can get past it he knows he will win the whole thing. He has lots of friends taking part too so if they all advance to the later rounds together they can all win it too. KANON doesn’t understand Katsumata’s point but said this tournament will be meaningful for him now that he has fully joined up with DDT. He will be part of this while MAO is competing in the Best Of The Super Jr. He will aim to win and stand next to MAO as somebody worthy to team with him.

Young Daichi Sato has loudly declared his goal is to win the KO-D Title while he is still in his second year of high school. Winning the King Of DDT will be his quickest way to achieve that goal. Yukio Naya has said 2025 is going to be make or break for him. He hasn’t accomplised anyhing yet this year which means the timing is right for him to win the tournament and become KO-D Champion. Sato’s chances of making his dream come true are going to be low as long as Naya is still here!

When it was Hideki Okatani’s turn to speak he kept silent for a long time. When he finally did say something it was just “I’ll do my best.” To-y has had many singles matches with Okatani but never won any of them. When Okatani was injured To-y waited for him to come back so to hear him just say he’ll do his best leaves To-y feeling disappointed. He’ll just have to beat him and then in the next round face an opponent who will actually be hyped up to fight him. Somebody like Chris Brookes or one of his friends in The 37KAMIINA. That prompted Brookes to say something but all he put out was he will win as the KO-D Champion and nominate his next challenger afterwards.

HARASHIMA was uncharacteristically angry at To-y’s comments because it means To-y assumes Brookes will beat HARASHIMA in Round 1. So now HARASHIMA wants himself and To-y to win their matches so HARASHIMA can beat up To-y in Round 2! Brookes calmed things down by reminding everyone that HARASHIMA is the strongest wrestler in DDT so Brookes will have to be at his best against him. He then noticed the fancy looking suit that To-y was wearing and asked him how much it cost? To-y said he spent 70,000 yen on it. Brookes then asked how did he get the money to pay for it because he remembers the lines in Sapporo for To-y’s autograph were really short. To-y said he has a credit card and buy anything with it. The suit was already bought in advance so if To-y wins the tournament then he clear the debt off his card!

The D GENERATIONS CUP match between Takeshi Masada and Yuya Koroku hasn’t escaped either of their minds. Koroku’s dream now is to fight for the KO-D Title again and this time win it. He remembers his win over Masada in the DGC 1st Round was a close one so this time he is going to face him with all of his might. Masada has been eliminated from Round 1 two tournaments in a row now so Koroku doesn’t understand his feelings. This match will be the most Masada has ever committed to win just so he can reach Round 2.

It’s been a month since Kazusada Higuchi has returned from injury and he feels he’s been rebuilding his skills one step at a time. He will concentrate on each and every match in front of him, the first being against Shinya Aoki. It doesn’t matter to Aoki if this is a tournament match or not. He is just excited he gets to fight Higuchi one on one and wants to beat him by submission if it’s possible.