Tomorrow’s Big Bang, BASARA’s Hardcore Tag Match, “Jet” Reappears

September 8, 2023

DDT “DDT BIG BANG 2023”, 09/09/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium

1. Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda & Ilusion Vs Yuni, Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya
2. Pheromones Vs Subjugation Final Match! Special Single Match ~ Dissolution Contra Vice President: Yuki “Sexy” Iino (w/ Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno) Vs Akito
3. HARASHIMA, Kazusada Higuchi & Soma Takao Vs Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Takeshi Masada
4. DDT Extreme Title & Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – All Humans Are Equal! Kazuki Hirata Death Match: Kazuki Hirata (E/c) Vs Naruki Doi (I/c)
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles & AJPW TV 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani (c/c) Vs Yuko Miyamoto, Isami Kodaka & Ram Kaichow
6. First Time In History! Time Difference Scramble Bunkhouse Current Blast 6-Man Tag Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Yoshi Tatsu & Toy Kojima Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs Minoru Fujita & KANON
8. Special Tag Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & Daisuke Sasaki Vs Yuki Ueno & MAO
9. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Shigehiro Irie

This is the match order for tomorrow’s show in Ota Ward Gymnasium.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~FIRST ATTACK ON HIROSHIMA~”, 09/09/2023
Hiroshima Industrial Hall West Exhibition Hall 2nd Exhibition Hall

1. Yuki Aino Vs HIMAWARI
2. Mahiro Kiryu Vs Kaya Toribami
3. Yuki Kamifuku Vs Toga
4. Mizuki, Wakana Uehara & Shino Suzuki Vs Yuki Arai, Suzume & Arisu Endo
5. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Miyu Yamashita & Moka Miyamoto
6. Princess Tag Team Titles 1st Qualifier ~ 3 Way Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku

The first three matches are all changed around due to two wrestlers being pulled from the show on short notice. Haruna Neko is out with a knee injury and Haru Kazashiro tested positive for Covid.

BASARA “BASARA 228 ~TAKAGARI 19~”, 17/09/2023
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Daiki Shimomura Vs Takato Nakano
2. Hardcore Tag Match: Isami Kodaka & Lil’ Kraken Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & SAGAT
3. Ryota Nakatsu Vs Hijo del Alebrije
4. Ajikan International Police Vs Expendables Allied Forces: FUMA, KUBITO & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Kaminold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Uranone & Jason Abeham
5. Enter Kazato The Road To The Death Game Of Anger: Daichi Kazato Vs Choun-Shiryu

There is a Hardcore Tag Match on the show that for some reason is also being called a 6-Man Tag on the BASARA site even though only four names are mentioned with no X or empty spots next to them. Normally I think it is just a mistake but this is a show being put together by Asian Kung Fu Revolution so there may be something flying over my head.

BASARA “BASARA 229 ~TAKAGARI 20~”, 18/09/2023
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Takato Nakano Vs Yasu Urano
2. KUBITO, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato Vs Tsutomu Oosugi, Banana Senga & Fuminori Abe
3. SAGAT Vs Masato Kamino
4. Hardcore Tag Match: Isami Kodaka & Takumi Tsukamoto Vs FUMA & Ryota Nakatsu
5. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles: Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita (c) Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka

The Hardcore Tag Match on this show is definitely supposed to be 2 Vs 2. I’m certain of it.

“MASAHIRO TAKANASHI 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW”, 19/09/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. Yukio Sakaguchi, Isami Kodaka & Ken Ohka Vs MAO, Daiki Shimomura & Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Special Exhibition: Masahiro Takanashi Vs KUDO
3. Gauntlet Tag Match: Shogo “Jet” Takagi & Antonio Honda (w/ Toru Owashi) Vs Takashi Sasaki & Baliyan Akki, Choun-Shiryu & Shin Suzuki Vs Chie Koishikawa & Hagane Shinno
4. Special Single Match: Mei Suruga Vs Minoru Suzuki
5. Chris Brookes Vs Masahiro Takanashi

A Gauntlet tag match is added to the show which includes the reappearance of Shogo “Jet” Takagi! He showed up at one of the Toryumon tribute shows Dragongate put together last year but other than that he’s been away from the spotlight for a long while now. He is entering the Gauntlet teaming with Antonio Honda with the injured Toru Owashi standing in their corner.

Yasu Urano and Saki Akai will also be on the show.

BASARA “BASARA 230 ~OSAKA SUMMER SIEGE – DAITO~”, 23/09/2023
Osaka Active Square Daito

1. Sparky Final Match ~Final Battle At The Place Of Formation~ Elimination 8-Man Tag Match: Ryota Nakatsu, SAGAT, Naoki Tanizaki & Akiyori Takizawa Vs Isami Kodaka, Ryuichi Sekine, Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita
2. Union MAX Title: FUMA (c) Vs Eisa8

BASARA got word from Eisa8 that he is accepting FUMA’s challenge for the Union MAX Title.


Itoh’s Return From USA, Two Sisters Visit GanJo, Next Baka Gaijin Card, SOG Tag Title Rematch

September 6, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~RIKA TATSUMI LOCAL TRIUMPH~”, 16/09/2023
Nagano Kissei Bunka Hall Middle Hall

1. Mahiro Kiryu Vs Toga
2. 3 Way Match: Pom Harajuku Vs Haruna Neko Vs Shino Suzuki
3. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Kaya Toribami & Haru Kazashiro
4. Maki Itoh vs HIMAWARI
5. Mizuki & Hikari Noa Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Wakana Uehara
6. Aja Kong, Yuki Aino & Raku Vs Shoko Nakajima, Nao Kakuta & Moka Miyamoto
7. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Miyu Yamashita & Hyper Misao

The return of Maki Itoh to Tokyo Joshi Pro from her latest American adventure sees her take on HIMAWARI first and foremost. Aja Kong is also back to say hello to everyone by bashing a steel can over their heads.

GANBARE☆JOSHI “GANJO MINEL VATON SAGA ’23”, 17/09/2023
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. Ice Ribbon Offer Match: Ibuki Hoshi Vs Arisa Shinose
2. Alex Lee Vs Echika Miyabi
3. Sumire Natsu & Riara Vs Miyako Matsumoto & Kaho Kobayashi
4. Miyuki Takase & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Tomoka Inaba & Azusa Inaba
5. YuuRI Vs Haruka Umesaki

The next Ganbare☆Joshi features a tag team of sisters for the first time. Tomoka Inaba & Azusa Inaba from JTO are sisters and they get to team together on a GanJo event before Yuna Manase & Ami Manase can.

There were a few times around five years ago when Kaho Kobayashi wrestled on Ganbare☆Pro shows. This will be her first time in GanJo.

Ibuki Hoshi shows up in GanJo for the first time since winning the ICEx∞ Title from YuuRI. Hopefully there’s no hard feelings between them.

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. EIGHT: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT”, 20/09/2023
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa

1. Special Single Match: Yoshihiko Vs Antonio Honda
2. Special Single Match: Mecha Mummy (w/ Mad Dr. Ueki) Vs HARASHIMA
3. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs MAO & Chie Koishikawa

The high energy tag team of MAO & Chie Koishikawa faces their biggest challenge yet. What ideas can they think of against CDK?

Mad Dr. Ueki is busy reprogramming Mecha Mummy to take on the mighty force that is HARASHIMA. No amount of feeding VHS tapes to Mummy will make up for all of the training HARASHIMA does to keep himself in top condition.

After getting thrown out of a window by Chris Brookes on the last show, Yoshihiko gets a less violent opponent on this show. Although I do remember that time Antonio Honda burst Yoshihiko’s head open with a basic Knee Drop.

GANBARE☆PRO “GIRI GIRI CHOP! 2023”, 01/10/2023
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Loser Haircut Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Shota Vs Koji Doi & Kuma Arashi
2. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada (c) Vs Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi
3. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Yumehito Imanari

Former champions Hentai Punch Drunkers get a rematch with Ground Absolute for the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Titles. If Punch Drunkers ever become the champions again they will get to hold the physical title belts that never existed during their first reign.


DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN – DAY 2” Results

August 29, 2023

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN – DAY 2”, 29/08/2023
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
418 Fans – No Vacancy

1. 3 Way Tag Match ~ Pheromones Escape Rules: Toy Kojima & Kazuma Sumi defeated Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno and Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku when Sumi escaped Pheromones (10:00).
2. Different Mixed Martial Arts Special Tag Match: Shinya Aoki & Yuki Ishida defeated Thanomsak Toba & Rukiya when Aoki pinned Rukiya with the European Clutch (5:39).
3. Table Crash Match: Yuko Miyamoto defeated Hideki Okatani with the Fire Thunder from the stage through the Table (12:09).
4. Rock ‘n’ Roll 3 Way Death Match: Yuni defeated Kazuki Hirata and A.YAZAWA when Yuni pinned YAZAWA with a School Boy (9:52).
5. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Ilusion when KANON pinned Ilusion with the Sleepy Hollow (9:18).
6. Drunk Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs HARASHIMA & Akito ended in a No Contest (13:22).
7. Beer Garden Specialty Customer Lottery 6-Man Tag Match ~ Costume Change Match: Chris Brookes, Jun Akiyama & Yukio Naya defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno & Takeshi Masada when Brookes pinned Masada with the Praying Mantis Bomb (16:03).

The teams in the main event were determined by fans picking names out of a box by random fans in the audience. The result ended up being Chris Brookes, Jun Akiyama & Yukio Naya against Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno & Takeshi Masada. However as an added bonus it was the match also had all the wrestlers swapping ring gear and pretending to be each other. Brookes was Masada, Akiyama was Naya (wig included), Naya was Higuchi, Higuchi was Akiyama, Ueno was Brookes and Masada was Ueno. Brookes ended up going back to his own moveset to pin Masada with the Praying Mantis Bomb.

The rules of the Drunk Tag Match was after every two minutes every wrestler had to press down a tooth on a crocodile toy game. If the crocodile bites the wrestler’s finger then that person’s team had to drink a cup of tequila. The rule also applied to kickouts and rope breaks. HARASHIMA, Akito and Yukio Sakaguchi had already spent all day drinking beer and continued to do so while they wrestled. They also purposely lost the crocodile game so they could drink even more. Soon other people not involved in the match like Hideki Okatani and Gota Ihashi joined in the fun. Saki Akai got so drunk she fell asleep on the ring apron. Ihashi placed a towel over her body so she wouldn’t catch a cold. That accidentally woke Akai up and she freaked out seeing Ihashi stand over her. Everyone including Kazuki Hirata then calmed her down by singing until she went back to sleep. Yukinori Matsui then decided to call the match off so nobody would wake her up again.

As I expected, Antonio Honda was replaced by A.YAZAWA in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Death Match. It was also a 3 Way instead of a 4 Way because of MAO’s absence. YAZAWA, Hirata and Yuni all expected their match to be interrupted by rock music but they also got songs like Tokyo Ondo, underground idol tracks and Swan Lake. Both Yuni and Hirata piled on top of YAZAWA for the pinfall but since Yuni was the one directly pressing down on YAZAWA he was declared the winner.

Match #3 was unexpectedly announced as a Table Crash Match right before it started. Yuko Miyamoto was able to beat Okatani by putting him through a table placed over a kiddie pool at ringside with the Fire Thunder Driver. Miyamoto complained about getting his gear wet but was still happy with the result. He told Okatani they will have their decisive battle at Ota Ward Gymnasium on 9th September when Triple Six faces Eruption. He also wants that match to be for whatever trios championship Eruption are holding on the day.

The opening match was a Pheromones Escape Match. Different missions were given out by Pheromones for the other teams to accomplish while fighting each other. If a wrestler failed a mission then a piece of the ring gear would be stripped off. Also if a wrestler got their head shoved into Yuki Iino’s backside they would be instantly eliminated from the match. Whichever team had the most points (or any survivors) at the end of ten minutes will be the winner. The teams had to sell beer to fans, find hidden O-back lingerie hidden around the venue and more. By the end of the time limit Kazuma Sumi was the sole survivor, winning the match for his team. His partner Toy Kojima shoved his face into Iino’s backside after the match anyway.


DDT “MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023” Results

August 29, 2023

DDT “MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023”, 27/08/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
680 Fans

0. Dark Match – No Tag Rules: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Akito defeated Yuni & Ilusion when Iino pinned Ilusion with the Ketsugoye (8:38).
1. Minoru Fujita, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Rukiya when KANON pinned Rukiya with the Sleepy Hollow (8:49).
2. Saki Akai Photobook “GRACIA” Infomercial Match: Saki Akai Photobook “GRACIA” defeated Kazuki Hirata and Antonio Honda when “GRACIA” submitted Hirata and Honda with a Double Arm Lock (8:22).
3. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 3 ~ Special Single Match: Saki Akai defeated Danshoku Dieno by TKO with a Face Kick (6:51).
4. Kazusada Higuchi, Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada defeated Yukio Naya, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku when Okatani pinned Koroku with the Double Arm Suplex (9:57).
5. HARASHIMA Debut 22nd Anniversary Match: HARASHIMA, Yasu Urano & Ken Ohka defeated Daisuke Sekimoto, Sanshiro Takagi & Yukio Sakaguchi when HARASHIMA pinned Sakaguchi with the Somato (14:15).
6. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Toy Kojima with the Crossface Lock (10:34).
7. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno defeated Shigehiro Irie & Jun Akiyama when Brookes pinned Irie with the Praying Mantis Bomb (19:45).

Chris Brookes returned his first big blow back at Shigehiro Irie by pinning him in today’s main event at Korakuen Hall. The early part of the tag match had Irie & Jun Akiyama in control but the tides turned with Yuki Ueno helping Brookes to stop Irie’s momentum. Ueno wore down Irie with a top rope Frankensteiner followed by the BME. After that Brookes took over by hitting the Diving Double Knee Drop and Michinoku Driver II for some nearfalls. Irie was spent after that though and was pinned with the Praying Mantis Bomb. Brookes said Irie had won all of their previous warm up matches and today is the first time Brookes beat him. Irie may want to take over the world but Brookes does not care about that. He cares about DDT because he is their champion. They have time left to get ready for the KO-D Openweight Title match on 9th September. Backstage Irie took the loss to think he is not the strong challenger he thought he was. But he won’t stop believing in himself until he makes it back to the top of DDT!

The god damn injury bug that’s been haunting DDT all year struck again over the weekend, causing a few changes on this show. The big one was MAO being pulled from the show to get checked for a suspected cheekbone fracture. He ended up being diagnosed with traumatic TMJ arthritis, putting him out of action until the 9th September show at Ota Ward Gymnasium. His match with Daisuke Sasaki meant for today was changed into Sasaki against Toy Kojima, bringing back their feud from earlier this summer. Sasaki quickly tried to end the match with an immediate Pedigree and Crossface Lock but Kojima reached the ropes. Sasaki then attacked the injured Shunma Katsumata at ringside. Kojima fought back by diving onto Sasaki and other DAMNATION T.A members outside the ring. He tried using one of Katsumata’s signature moves the Totonou Splash but Sasaki blocked it with his knees. Sasaki hit a Spear and used MAO’s Michinoku Driver II but Kojima kicked out. Sasaki then applied the Crossface Lock, making Kojima give up.

Sasaki attacked Kojima with a chair afterwards, telling him he isn’t the person he wants to join his side. Yuki Ueno ran into the ring to rescue Kojima and Sasaki stopped. He told Ueno to give him an answer for his offer. Does he want to stay in The 37KAMIINA and stay where he is for the rest of his life? Or will he join Sasaki and Konosuke Takeshita so they can all change the world together? Ueno wouldn’t except a handshake so Sasaki whispered something into his ear. Whatever it was, it made Ueno pause and think before helping Kojima to the back.

HARASHIMA put together his own 6-Man Tag Match to celebrate his 22nd anniversary in pro wrestling. He teamed up with his close friends Yasu Urano & Ken Ohka but that wasn’t all. KUDO appeared with them for their entrance down to the ring and stood in their corner. Their opponents weren’t going to take it easy on them though. Yukio Sakaguchi relished in the chance to bully Ohka again, taping his arms to his side to mock him. Daisuke Sekimoto chopped and suplexed HARASHIMA around the ring. Ohka got his revenge by giving Sekimoto & Sakaguchi separate Spears Of Fire. That put Sakaguchi in position to take the Somato from HARASHIMA for the finish. HARASHIMA said 22 years seems like a long time but it went by in the blink of an eye. He got to produce his own match with wrestlers he wanted to fight but there are still many more he wants to wrestle again. He looked at KUDO as he said that. Backstage Urano also brought up Toru Owashi as someone who’s been important for HARASHIMA’s career. Sanshiro Takagi thanked Sekimoto and Urano for gathering with DDT again to celebrate HARASHIMA. Sekimoto said he could really feel HARASHIMA’s love in the match so he had to show love for HARASHIMA in his own way.

The scheduled 8-Man Tag Match was changed around into a 6-Man Tag thanks to Kojima and Ilusion both being moved around the card due to other people’s absences. Hideki Okatani was supposed to be against Kazusada Higuchi & Takeshi Masada but now found himself teaming with them. Yukio Naya & Yusuke Okada held their own against them and it was all left there for Yuya Koroku to finish the job. He put Okatani in the Triangle Lancer but Higuchi broke it up by putting him in the Brain Claw. Masada then hit Koroku with the Triangle Kick and Okatani pinned him with the Northern Lights Suplex. Okatani described the match as a warm up for later tonight. Eruption are heading over to an All Japan show in Nagoya where they are defending the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles against the AJPW TV 6-Man Tag Team Champions in a double championship match! Eruption ended up winning that match so they are all now double crown trios champions!

No injury was going to cancel Saki Akai’s match with Danshoku Dieno given how much it meant for Akai. Dieno recently had surgery on a broken nose and wore a face guard in order to let the match take place. His injury made Akai cautious to attack, which he took advantage of. He gave Akai the Danshoku Driver but she kicked out and applied a Triangle Choke. Dieno reached the ropes but then took a Superplex. Akai again hesitated to use her kicking moveset that targets the face. Dieno told her it’s okay. He currently cannot breath through his nose but he accepted this match and this only shows the weak side of Saki Akai. A pro wrestler is not supposed to show weakness so he demanded she attack him! Akai did so and kicked him in the face over and over until Yukinori Matsui stopped the match, rewarding her the victory by TKO.

After the match Dieno admitted he never told the hospital he was doing this match. However he accepts being completely defeated and he lost today because Akai has become a stronger wrestler. He encouraged her to keep getting stronger until the moment she retires. Nobody should have the same opinion about what pro wrestling is because it’s fun to throw different opinions into the ring together. Akai promised to take what he just said and keep them in her thoughts during her remaining months as a pro wrestler. She will become stronger and get more people to know about DDT! As mentioned above, Akai later went to AJPW with Eruption in the evening to win the AJPW 6-Man Tag Titles. By doing so she has become the first female champion ever in All Japan’s history!

Akai sort of got another win in the match prior. Her new photobook “GRACIA” defeated Kazuki Hirata and Antonio Honda in a 3 Way Match created to promote said book. Honda briefly fainted when Hirata showed him some of the pages inside but the book istelf started doing wrestling moves, trapping both opponents in a Double Arm Lock to make them submit. Both Hirata and Honda wondered if the book was printed in Mexico because that would explain why something called “GRACIA” is good at submission holds.

Just like with Irie in the main event, Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi suffered a setback in momentum in the opening match. KANON & Minoru Fujita along with MJ Paul beat them in a 6-Man Tag Match. Oishi tried shrugging off the result because KANON only pinned Rukiya. Hino agreed and said he doesn’t even know who Rukiya is. Backstage Ω and DAMNATION T.A signed the contract for the KO-D Tag Team Titles match on 9th September. But first KANON has to face Hino in a singles match on the 3rd.

Kazuma Sumi had to miss the show because of a fever. Ilusion took his place in the dark match. Akito wanting to team with Yuki Iino in a secret plan to infiltrate Pheromones naturally had Iino feeling suspicious. The two came to blows until Akito stripped out of his gear to reveal the costume he wore as Akito “Cochin” Nishigaki underneath! They got along from that point on until Akito tried to cost his tag partner the match. Yuni & Ilusion tried to take advantage but Iino found a way to win the match in one piece. He used the Ketsugoye, hitting Akito in the face with his groin before stuffing Ilusion’s face into his backside for the victory.

It was announced during the show that Hiromu Takahashi from New Japan will be at “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023” on 12th November! There was also a match announcement for the 18th September show in Nagoya. On that show Brookes, MAO & Honda will take on Sakaguchi, Akai & Minoru Suzuki!


Video – “BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS VOL. SEVEN”

August 24, 2023

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SEVEN: CHRISSY B’S BIRTHDAY BASH”, 24/08/2023
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa
??? Fans

1. Special Single Match: Chris Brookes Vs Yoshihiko
2. Special Single Match: Mecha Mummy (w/ Mad Dr. Ueki) Vs Takeshi Masada
3. Special Single Match: Antonio Honda Vs Ram Kaichow
4. Special Single Match: Hagane Shinno Vs Maya Yukihi


BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SEVEN: CHRISSY B’S BIRTHDAY BASH” Results

August 24, 2023

BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SEVEN: CHRISSY B’S BIRTHDAY BASH”, 24/08/2023
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa
65 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Special Single Match: Chris Brookes defeated Yoshihiko with a Stomping Texas Cloverleaf (10:53).
2. Special Single Match: Takeshi Masada defeated Mecha Mummy (w/ Mad Dr. Ueki) by Pinfall (14:36).
3. Special Single Match: Ram Kaichow defeated Antonio Honda with the Onryo Clutch (9:57).
4. Special Single Match: Hagane Shinno defeated Maya Yukihi with the Ranhei (14:28).

Oh hey, today is Chris Brookes’s birthday! What better way to celebrate it than with a Baka Gaijin + Friends show? Things were a little different this time because a lot of the usual crew were busy travelling over to England for the weekend. Brookes kept himself to the opening match so the main event instead went to Hagane Shinno and Maya Yukihi. The two kept most of the match within the black mat on the floor where Yukihi would reach out to fans in order to rope break Shinno’s submission holds. Shinno would change tactics by doing jumping attacks off of the bar counter. Yukihi’s biggest nearfall came from using the Tiger Driver. Shinno kicked out and traded different pinning combinations with his opponent until he got the three count with the Ranhei.

In the opening moments of the 3rd Match, Ram Kaichow made Antonio Honda cry, kept giving him the middle fingers and threw invisible shuriken stars at him. Honda fought back by pulling Kaichow’s hair and choking her with a folding fan. However Kaichow kicked Honda down when he started telling the Gongitsune story. Honda got to tell the story later by including things Kaichow likes such as Sanrio characters so she wouldn’t interrupt him. The Gongitsune attack missed Kaichow and hit the ref, hurting him so much he couldn’t see Kaichow pinning Honda with the Rainmaker. Honda hit the Bionic Elbow and then the Tenzan Tombstone Driver but Kaichow kicked out. Kaichow took advantage of Honda complaining to the ref by throwing Ectoplasm into his face and then rolling him over with the Onryo Clutch for the win.

Mecha Mummy performed many different wrestling references in its match against Takeshi Masada because Mad Dr. Ueki uploaded Mummy with a bunch of different wrestling tapes to ensure it would be at high performance. Mummy threw Masada around with Manami Toyota style Hair Whips, jogged on the spot like Hiroshi Hase, began speaking like Super Delphin and cut promos on the microphone like Atsushi Onita. The last one led to Mummy grabbing a bottle of water, splashing it around and pouring the bottle over its own head. Unfortunately Mecha Mummy can’t handle having any water in its system and broke down, leaving Masada to easily pin it.

Brookes took on Yoshihiko in the opener and told the fans he was going to put the KO-D Openweight Title on the line because it’s his birthday! The referee Daisuke Kiso held the title belt into the air but was suddenly interrupted by the voice of DDT’s other referee Yukinori Matsui. The voice told Brookes he isn’t allowed to suddenly defend the KO-D Title whenever he wants so the match has to be a normal non-title bout. Brookes apologised and the match began. He gave Yoshihiko a Giant Swing but Yoshihiko fought back with a Sunset Power Bomb from the top of some stools. They fought past the fans over to a window where Brookes threw Yoshihiko out of the building down several stories to the street below! Brookes wanted the match to end by countout but Yoshihiko made it back into the room still ready to fight. It almost choked out Brookes with a Sleeper Hold but Brookes escape, Dropkicked the doll into the audience and then attacked it with a stool. Brookes did a Diving Double Stomp onto Yoshihiko’s head and applied an Arm-Trapped Texas Cloverleaf to make it give up.

Intermission featured a musical performance by Kaori Masukodera. She sang a setlist of pro wrestling entrance themes. She begun with “Kaze Ni Nare” aided by Takayuki Ueki using a hairdryer to make a wind blowing effect. She then changed into a home made Jushin Liger costume to sing “Ikari no Jushin”. When she finished that she then changed clothes again, this time to impersonate Atsushi Onita, water spitting included.

At the end of the show everybody came out and sang Happy Birthday to Brookes. He then talked about Drew Parker and the recent unexpected news of his retirement from pro wrestling. Brookes told the fans he misses Parker and didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to him so he got the audience to applaud for everything Parker has done in the last four years. It takes a lot of work and pressure to put the Baka Gaijin shows together but the brand is not just about Brookes and Parker anymore. Everybody there is Baka Gaijin so the shows will continue!


DDT “SOMA TAKAO LOCAL TRIUPMH! MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023 TOUR IN OTA-KU” Results

August 19, 2023

DDT “SOMA TAKAO LOCAL TRIUPMH! MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023 TOUR IN OTA-KU”, 19/08/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Industrial Plaza PiO Small Exhibition Hall
240 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Just No Fall No Rope Match: Makoto Oishi defeated KANON by Countout (11:07).
2. 1 Vs 2 Handicap Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino defeated Akito & Yusuke Okada when Iino submitted Akito with the Judgement Of Pheromones (9:03).
3. Special Tag Match: Masamune & Yukio Naya defeated Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi when Masamune submitted Sumi with the Komoritsuri-katame (8:40).
4. Jun Akiyama, Saki Akai & Antonio Honda defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Rukiya when Honda pinned Rukiya with a Rotating Leg Hold (12:31).
5. DAMNATION T.A Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul defeated Toy Kojima & Yuya Koroku when Sasaki submitted Kojima with the Crossface Lock (12:17).
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuji Hino defeated HARASHIMA & Takeshi Masada when Brookes pinned Masada withe the Praying Mantis Bomb (14:22).
7. Special Tag Match: Soma Takao & Shota defeated Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata when Takao pinned Hirata with the Gin And Tonic (16:04).

A fired up Soma Takao went on to win in his hometown with Shota as his tag team partner. Together they beat Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata in the main event. Takao tried to get the three count by using the Endless Waltz, scoring nearfall after nearfall on Hirata. So he changed tactics and landed a Perfect Driver. That also wasn’t enough for the win. Takao had to use the Gin And Tonic in the end to pin Hirata. ROMANCE DAWN now want to win as many tag team championships as they can starting with the ones in DDT and Ganbare☆Pro. Takao will be celebrating his 15th anniversary in wrestling next year and to have it take place in Ota Ward while he is a champion would make him very happy.

Saki Akai described her trios side with Jun Akiyama and Antonio Honda as a “Triple A” tag team. She also asked Akiyama if it is possible they could wrestle against each other before she retires. Akiyama said he will do it if fate allows them.

The Just No Fall No Rope Match ended up with Makoto Oishi and KANON fighting each other outside the ring and around the room. They eventually realised the referee was counting them out so they got in each other’s way trying to make it back to the ring. Oishi kicked KANON away from the apron and climbed back in right before the count of 20 to win. Oishi is now confident he will easily defend the KO-D Tag Team Titles against KANON on 9th September. However he is still careful to treat KANON like an enemy even if right now he sees him more like a little brother.


Just No Fall No Rope, Yuki “Pretty” Kamifuku, Princess Tag Titles Mini-Tournament

August 18, 2023

DDT “SOMA TAKAO LOCAL TRIUPMH! MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023 TOUR IN OTA-KU”, 19/08/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Industrial Plaza PiO Small Exhibition Hall

1. Just No Fall No Rope Match: Makoto Oishi Vs KANON
2. 1 Vs 2 Handicap Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Akito & Yusuke Okada
3. Special Tag Match: Masamune & Yukio Naya Vs Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi
4. Jun Akiyama, Saki Akai & Antonio Honda Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Rukiya
5. DAMNATION T.A Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Toy Kojima & Yuya Koroku
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuji Hino Vs HARASHIMA & Takeshi Masada
7. Special Tag Match: Soma Takao & Shota Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata

The main event spot goes to ROMANCE DAWN since the show is Soma Takao’s homecoming.

Yuki Ueno has a fever and will miss tomorrow’s show. Yuya Koroku moves out of the Handicap Match to take Ueno’s place in Match #5.

The match between Makoto Oishi and KANON will now be a Just No Fall No Rope Match. There will be no ropes attached to the ring and the match cannot be won by pinfall. Instead either submissions, knockouts or countouts can end the match.

DDT “OSAKA BAY BLUES SPECIAL 2023”, 20/08/2023
Osaka Edion Arena #2

1. Makoto Oishi, Yuni & Rukiya Vs Yusuke Okada, Yuya Koroku & Ilusion
2. 3 Way Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Saki Akai
3. Osaka Specialty Special Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Tsutenkakka Vs Akito & Kazuma Sumi
4. BURNING Vs Harimao!: Jun Akiyama & Kotaro Suzuki Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida
5. Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya Vs KANON & MJ Paul
6. Current Blast Bat & Board 6-Man Tag Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Yoshi Tatsu & Toy Kojima Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Soma Takao
7. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Yuki Ueno
8. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Shigehiro Irie & HARASHIMA

Shigehiro Irie has the wins over Chris Brookes so far with some thanks to Jun Akiyama being on his team. This weekend Irie swaps Akiyama for HARASHIMA while Brookes is teaming with Takeshi Masada again.

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN – DAY 2”, 29/08/2023
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. 3 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Toy Kojima & Kazuma Sumi
2. Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Ilusion Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul
3. Rock ‘n’ Roll 4 Way Death Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs MAO Vs Antonio Honda Vs Yuni
4. Drunk Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs HARASHIMA & Akito
5. Different Mixed Martial Arts Special Tag Match: Shinya Aoki & Yuki Ishida Vs Thanomsak Toba & Rukiya
6. Special Single Match: Yuko Miyamoto Vs Hideki Okatani
7. Beer Garden Specialty Customer Lottery 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Jun Akiyama, Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno, Yukio Naya and Takeshi Masada

The KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles match gets a warm up bout when one third of the current champions Hideki Okatani faces Yuko Miyamoto.

A tag match built around the different martial arts of each competitor is being put together. Shinya Aoki represents Judo, Yuki Ishida represents (Sumo), Thanomsak Toba represents Kickboxing and Rukiya represents Grappiling.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Death Match returns to the Beer Garden! When music plays you must dance no matter what! Don’t know why they have faith in Antonio Honda showing up though. He often misses these things and need to be replaced by someone else. What’s A.YAZAWA up to?

BASARA “BASARA 227 ~UTAGE~”, 29/08/2023
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. SAGAT Vs Yasu Urano
2. Jacket Match: Gouma Ryu Vs Ryota Nakatsu
3. KUBITO, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato Vs Takato Nakano, Masato Kamino & Fuminori Abe
4. Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
5. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles: Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita (c) Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
6. Union MAX Title: Takumi Tsukamoto (c) Vs FUMA

The young team of Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka faces their biggest challenge yet against Isami Kodaka and a returning Ryuichi Sekine.

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN IZUKOGEN GRANILLUMI”, 02/09/2023
Shizuoka Izu Granpal Park

1. Falls Count Anywhere 4 Way 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, HARASHIMA & Saki Akai Vs Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima (w/ Shunma Katsumata) Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Shinya Aoki & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Yuki “Pretty” Kamifuku

The mystery wrestler teaming with Pheromones is Yuki Kamifuku… or as she’s being called here, Yuki “Pretty” Kamifuku! She thought her nickname was going to be “Cool” or “Sexy” but understands that it goes without saying she is already those things.

DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED EX”, 03/09/2023
Kanagawa Yokohama Skill Culture Center

1. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao
2. Yuki Ueno Birthday Commemorative Match ~ Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Toy Kojima
3. Special Single Match: Yuji Hino Vs KANON

KANON might need ropes and pinfalls in order to fight Yuji Hino.

Yuki Ueno turns 28 next month and will fight Toy Kojima to celebrate it.

Naruki Doi will be on the show. Will he still have the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title with him?

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~FIRST ATTACK ON HIROSHIMA~”, 09/09/2023
Hiroshima Industrial Hall West Exhibition Hall 2nd Exhibition Hall

1. Princess Tag Team Titles 1st Qualifier ~ 3 Way Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku

A six team mini-tournament will determine who will become the next Princess Tag Team Champions. The winners of two 3 Way Tag Matches will face off at “WRESTLE PRINCESS IV” for the vacant titles. In the first 3 Way Tag Match Kyoraku Kyomei, Free WiFi and the pairing of Raku & Pom Harajuku will all fight each other.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~YUKI ARAI LOCAL TRIUMPH~”, 10/09/2023
Kyoto KBS Hall

1. Princess Tag Team Titles 2nd Qualifier ~ 3 Way Tag Match: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo

The second 3 Way Tag Match takes place the next day. Here it will be Daydream against Toyo Mates against Daisy Monkey.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “WRESTLE PRINCESS IV”, 09/10/2023
Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe

1. Sakisama, Mei Saint-Michel, Martha & Yukio Saint Laurent Vs X, X, X & X
2. Special Single Match: Nyla Rose Vs Maki Itoh
3. Princess Tag Team Titles: Winners Of 09/09 Match Vs Winners Of 09/10 Match
4. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita

Daydream are the only previous champion team involved in the tournament so the final will feature at least one pairing who were never champions together before. However if Kyoraku Kyomei and Daydream both win then that means the final consists of all former tag champions.


DDT “SAKI AKAI 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN KORAKUEN!!” Results

August 13, 2023

DDT “SAKI AKAI 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN KORAKUEN!!”, 13/08/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
816 Fans

0. Dark Match: Yuya Koroku defeated Rukiya with the Modified Triangle Lancer (7:14).
1. Special Single Match: KANON defeated Hideki Okatani with the Vietnam Driver II (8:04).
2. Diya Diamond Presents 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Yusuke Okada defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Takeshi Masada when Naya pinned Masada with the World’s Best Back Drop (9:19).
3. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – marcheur Presents Battle Royal: Naruki Doi defeated Sanshiro Takagi (c), HARASHIMA, Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Antonio Honda, Akito and Kazuma Sumi (14:37).
3a. Naruki Doi eliminated Sanshiro Takagi (c) with a Cradle (6:58).
*Naruki Doi becomes the 1,573rd champion.
3b. Antonio Honda eliminated Kazuma Sumi by Ring Out (11:41).
3c. Naruki Doi (c) eliminated Antonio Honda by Ring Out (11:59).
*V1 for Naruki Doi.
3d. HARASHIMA eliminated Yuki “Sexy” Iino and Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno by Double Ring Out (13:24).
3e. Naruki Doi (c) eliminated HARASHIMA by Ring Out (13:54).
*V2 for Naruki Doi.
3f. Naruki Doi (c) eliminated Akito with the Bakatare Sliding Kick (14:37).
*V3 for Naruki Doi.
4. Jemile Fran Presents Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima defeated Kyusei Sakisama, Chris Saint Laurent & Martha when Ueno pinned Sakisama with a Cradle (9:58).
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi defeated Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul (c) when Oishi pinned Paul with the Jikiden Tornado Clutch (11:13).
*DAMNATION T.A fails in V1. Ω becomes the 78th KO-D Tag Team Champions!
6. DDT Extreme Title – Weakness Explosion!! Activation Conditions Are Up To You! Fall & Escape = Ghost & Balloon Explosion Death Match: Kazuki Hirata (c) defeated Yukio Sakaguchi with the Miracle One Shot Cradle from a huge balloon explosion (14:27).
*V2 for Kazuki Hirata.
7. Nivea Body Wash Presents Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 2 ~ Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Saki Akai, Maya Yukihi & Asuka defeated Takumi Iroha, Rina Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima when Akai pinned Nakajima with the Quetzalcoatl (19:01).

It came a couple of days early but Saki Akai celebrated the 10th anniversary of her debut pro wrestling match in DDT. With her retirement coming up later this year, Akai is getting several matches dedicated to her decade in the business and today gathered together a lot of women she has attachments with. In the main event Akai teamed up with Maya Yukihi & Asuka, two women who have been her biggest opponents in DDT over the last two years. Their opponents were a trio of wrestlers who all debuted in the same year as Akai. It was the first time Takumi Iroha, Rina Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima all teamed together. Iroha & Yamashita quickly thought up a move where they gave Nakajima a Double Splash Mountain onto Akai. Asuka Moonsaulted onto Iroha & Yamashita outside the ring and Akai rolled out of the way from Nakajima’s Diving Senton. Akai then hit the Rookie Award and pinned Nakajima with the Quetzalcoatl.

Akai thanked the other wrestlers for accepting her invitation, knowing how busy all of their schedules are. She wanted to show the fans all of the wonderful friends she made outside of DDT over the years. She knows they will all continue to shine a light on pro wrestling when she’s gone so everyone should keep watching them. She isn’t sure how many more matches she has left until her retirement but she is going to hone her strength and run all the way to the end. Asuka said she wished the three of them had teamed together sooner and wonders if they could have chased after one of the KO-D championships together. Yamashita overheard that idea and told them they should do it anyway, even if it’s for the KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles. Her advice to Akai is to be greedy from this point until the end because she isn’t finished yet. Yukihi feels lucky she got to do her rivalry with Akai in DDT because she didn’t expect Akai’s retirement announcement to come when it did. Akai described all of the women are a fun loving group of people with good hearts.

Kazuki Hirata’s bizarre ideas to even the playing field against his opponents are working for him. The DDT Extreme Champion is normally scared of having to fight Yukio Sakaguchi but this time he got to turn the tables against him. Hirata’s stipulation for the match was to add ghosts and balloons whenever there was a kickout or rope break. Sakaguchi hates the sound of balloons bursting and also fears ghosts so we got the unlikely sight of Sakaguchi being submissive to Hirata and fleeing in fear whenever a ghost chased after him! Sakaguchi tried to fight his fears and found his spots to kick the hell out of Hirata. But by this point there were three ghosts in the ring haunting him with one popping a gigantic balloon right in his face. The fright made Sakaguchi walk right into the Miracle One Shot Cradle and Hirata got the win.

Once all of the ghosts vanished, Sakaguchi calmed down and handed the Extreme Title over to Hirata. He then attacked him a little bit and walked off. Hirata got on the microphone, said he was feeling mentally exhausted and now wants to know who his next challenger is. Naruki Doi walked out carrying the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title he won earlier in the show. Doi said his title win makes him feel more absorbed into DDT and he now wants to win the Extreme Title to become fully immersed in the company. He especially wants to beat Hirata for the belt because Hirata is the DDT wrestler who best expresses what the company is all about. Hirata refused but Hisaya Imabayashi ignored him. A double title match between Hirata and Doi will take place on 9th September. If Doi loses the Iron Man Title before that date then the match will just be for the Extreme Title. Hirata then tried to pin Doi to win the Iron Man Title but only got a two count. Doi chased him back to the locker room.

The KO-D Tag Team Titles aren’t ready to settle down with a team yet. DAMNATION T.A’s reign ended in their first defence, losing the belts to Ω. The champions tried to isolate Makoto Oishi and also get KANON involved to interfere for them. Yuji Hino came in to make a difference but his attempt to Fuckin’ BOMB MJ Paul was cut off by Daisuke Sasaki. That left Oishi to deal with Paul by himself. Paul threw Lariats at him but Oishi caught him with the Jikiden Tornado Clutch for the flash pinfall and title change. Hino praised Oishi for winning the KO-D Tag Titles under his own strength, calling it a miracle. Oishi was too exhausted to respond so Hino encouraged the audience to give him a round of applause.

KANON then entered the ring demanding a title shot but not as a member of DAMNATION T.A. There is another wrestler out there he considers a mentor. Hino thought he meant TAKA Michinoku but KANON said it is actually someone else because TAKA is busy. KANON’s partner is going to be Minoru Fujita! Imabayashi granted the request and booked the title match for 9th September. KANON helped Oishi back up to his feet, shook his hand… and then gave him a Clothesline before leaving.

Before Match #4 could begin it was announced that Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi were not at the show because they were both too hungover to wrestle. Then “The Rose Of Versailles” began to play and what appeared to be NEO Biishiki-gun walked out. Martha was there but instead of Yukio Saint Laurent we got Chris Saint Laurent instead. Also Sakura Hirota was nowhere to be seen, seemingly replaced in the match by Kyusei Sakisama. Despite their appearance looking weirder than usual, they were still NEO Biishiki-gun through and through. The 37KAMIINA had to deal with the unit’s antics. “Saint Laurent” jabbed an injection needle into Yuki Ueno’s neck, Martha was a nuisance towards MAO and Toy Kojima ended up suffering a Kancho attack involving Martha’s mop. “Sakisama” used the Academy Award finisher on Ueno but her glamorous pin was reversed and Ueno posed on top of her for the three count instead. The 37KAMIINA celebrated with their sponsored prize after the match until all of NEO Biishiki-gun gave them Kancho attacks and took the prizes for themselves.

Doi won the Iron Man Title pretty early in the Battle Royal. In fact him pinning Sanshiro Takagi to become champion was the first elimination in the match. Doi then had to fight through the rest of the field to survive. He still got caught up in the Pheromones experience with Kazuma Sumi, fell for Antonio Honda’s Gongitsune joke and outsmarted HARASHIMA. All that was left for him was a battle with Akito that ended with the DOI 555 and the Bakatare Sliding Kick. Doi promised to raise the value of the Iron Man Title then immediately had to fight off Sumi. That was when he realised the title is defended 24/7. He will stick to his promise anyway even if there’s a risk of him losing it in another company. Rukiya then tried to pin him so Doi kicked him away.

The 2nd match was overshadowed by the appearance of Evolution from All Japan. During the week Suwama told Tokyo Sports he had tickets for this show and was going in order to confront Jun Akiyama over a grudge held going back to Akiyama’s time as AJPW president. Suwama sat in his seat along with other Evolution members Hikaru Sato & Dan Tamura to see Akiyama’s team beat Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Takeshi Masada. Then after the match Evolution approached the ring, throwing aside Yuya Koroku and Rukiya who were trying to block them. Naya then wanted to stand in Suwama’s way but Suwama said he isn’t here for him. Suwama asked “useless former president” Akiyama why he is going to do an Exploding Death Match soon when he hated the idea of Suwama doing one six years ago? He then challenged Akiyama to come to Yoyogi on 8th September when AJPW is running a show there. He can even bring along Takagi so they can do a big Evolution Vs DDT match! Akiyama called the idea crazy but agreed to do it. He then told Suwama to stop making decisions without the AJPW president’s approval! Backstage Sato told DDT to send their icons like Dieno or HARASHIMA because as a former KO-D Openweight Champion and winner of a DDT General Election himself, he thinks he should be a DDT icon too. Tamura said he wants Yusuke Okada to come over because they have unfinished business from Okada’s time in AJPW.

KANON is sticking with the Vietnam Driver II as his new finisher, using it to beat Hideki Okatani in their first singles match against each other. KANON said the match left him more tired than he expected but that’s probably because of the summer heat. Okatani didn’t like the result and warned KANON he will beat him the next time they meet.

Koroku and Rukiya probably thought their dark match was the only physicality they would both experience today. Then Evolution came along and beat them up later in the show. In the match itself Rukiya tried to win with a Running Elbow Strike but Koroku took him down into a Modified Triangle Lancer to win by submission.

Chris Brookes has been appointed as the sales manager for “DDT BIG BANG 2023” at Ota Ward Gymnasium on 9th September. Also announced was Mei Suruga being at the 30h September show in Kyoto KBS Hall. That show is part of Akai’s countdown towards her retirement.


Ghost And Balloon Death Match, Saki Akai Sponsorship Everywhere, Tominaga Faces His Union Pro Past, Final Sparky Match

August 8, 2023

DDT “SAKI AKAI 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN KORAKUEN!!”, 13/08/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match: Yuya Koroku Vs Rukiya
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – marcheur Presents Battle Royal: Sanshiro Takagi (c) Vs HARASHIMA Vs Naruki Doi Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Antonio Honda Vs Akito Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. Diya Diamond Presents 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Yusuke Okada Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Takeshi Masada
3. Special Single Match: Hideki Okatani Vs KANON
4. Jemile Fran Presents Special 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Sakura Hirota Vs Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul (c) Vs Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi
6. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 2 ~ Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Saki Akai, Maya Yukihi & Asuka Vs Takumi Iroha, Rina Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima
7. DDT Extreme Title – Weakness Explosion!! Activation Conditions Are Up To You! Fall & Escape = Ghost & Balloon Explosion Death Match: Kazuki Hirata (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi

Yesterday Kazuki Hirata and Yukio Sakaguchi met with Hisaya Imabayashi to sign the contract for their DDT Extreme Title match. Hirata admitted he could not think of a match stipulation in time but promised he would come up with something that Sakaguchi would be pleased with. Sakaguchi signed the contract and Hirata suddenly burst into laughter. He actually did come up with rules and Sakaguchi cannot back out now. The match Hirata wants is a Ghost & Balloon Death Match! The match can be won and lost as normal but whenever there is a kickout or rope break either a “Ghost” or a “Balloon” will enter the ring. It turns out that Sakaguchi does not like either ghosts or balloons so Hirata figured out he can use that information to unsettle his opponent. His point was proven when he took out a pair of rubber gloves, blew them up like balloons and then popped them, causing Sakaguchi to flee the room.

Several matches on the show are being sponsored by different beauty products and salon businesses.

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN – DAY 1”, 16/08/2023
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. The Scariest Event In History! Ghost Story New Numabukuro Death Match: Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Saki Akai Vs Yuni Vs Hideki Okatani Vs Kazuma Sumi (Ghost Story Reading Artist: Hisaya Imabayashi)
2. Blindfold Hidden Breast 4 Way Death Match: HARASHIMA Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Antonio Honda Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino
3. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & X Vs MAO & Pokotan
4. YOROKOBI BREWERY Infomercial Match: Yuji Hino, Yukio Sakaguchi & Soma Takao Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio naya & Yuki Ishida
5. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Shigehiro Irie & Jun Akiyama

The latest match added to the show has some mystery to it. Yuki Ueno’s unannounced teammate is somebody he believes can become a new rival for Pokotan. Who (or what) could it be? Another mascot?

DDT “MEMORIES OF SUMMER VACATION 2023”, 27/08/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Saki Akai Photobook “GRACIA” Infomercial Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs Antonio Honda Vs Saki Akai Photobook “GRACIA”
2. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs MAO
3. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 3 ~ Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Saki Akai
4. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno Vs Shigehiro Irie & Jun Akiyama
5. HARASHIMA Debut 22nd Anniversary Match: HARASHIMA, Yasu Urano & Ken Ohka Vs Daisuke Sekimoto, Sanshiro Takagi & Yukio Sakaguchi

Wrestlers close to HARASHIMA are being called together to celebrate his 22nd anniversary in wrestling. Daisuke Sekimoto is the big guest taking part in the match.

DDT wanted to do a match promoting Saki Akai’s new photobook “GRACIA”. Akai is already booked on the show so DDT decided to put together a 3 Way Match between Hirata, Antonio Honda and… the photobook. This is now going to be the second Saki Akai photobook to wrestle in DDT. The first one is a former Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion because of course it would be! It even beat The Young Bucks autobiography to win it.

BASARA “BASARA 227 ~UTAGE~”, 29/08/2023
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
2. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles: Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita (c) Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
3. Union MAX Title: Takumi Tsukamoto (c) Vs FUMA

Over the weekend FUMA defeated SAGAT to become the new No. 1 Contender for the Union MAX Title. On a roster as small as BASARA it is one of the strongest challengers Takumi Tsukamoto is going to get.

Part-time roster member Ryuichi Sekine returns to team with Isami Kodaka again.

GANBARE☆PRO “KAMIKAZE TAXI 2023”, 02/09/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Shinichiro Tominaga

The second challenger for Kodaka quickly made himself known over the weekend. Shinichiro Tominaga had a brief stare down with Kodaka at the Ganbare☆Pro show on Sunday afternoon and then later that evening threw out the challenge after he beat Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi in BASARA. The two wrestlers go way back to the final years of Union Pro. Tominaga came into the promotion at the beginning of 2012 as the hot new rookie with a lot of promise behind him. His run in that promotion only lasted 6 months of ring time when he fractured his forearm. Then when 2012 rolled around he declined to renew his contract and went back to the lower independents. It is a decision that has stayed on his mind ever since. Was he right or wrong to leave back then? He eventually bounced back by finding GanPro and becoming a regular part of their shows. He now thinks he is able to catch up with Kodaka. If he beats him for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title then it will prove he made the right choice all those years ago.

Soma Takao will be on the show.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~RIKA TATSUMI LOCAL TRIUMPH~”, 16/09/2023
Nagano Kissei Bunka Hall Middle Hall

1. Aja Kong Vs X

Not only is this show a homecoming for Rika Tatsumi but it is also where Maki Itoh will return from her latest overseas tour. Aja Kong is coming back to Tokyo Joshi Pro for another match too.

BASARA “BASARA 230 ~OSAKA SUMMER SIEGE – DAITO~”, 23/09/2023
Osaka Active Square Daito

1. Sparky Final Match ~Final Battle At The Place Of Formation~ Elimination 8-Man Tag Match: Ryota Nakatsu, SAGAT, Naoki Tanizaki & Akiyori Takizawa Vs Isami Kodaka, Ryuichi Sekine, Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita

As was promised by Ryota Nakatsu a few months ago, his unit Sparky is going to split up after the entire group gets together one last time. The full goodbye is happening in September due to Naoki Tanizaki & Akiyori Takizawa having their own schedules that conflict with BASARA’s dates. Sparky’s final match as a group is against the full force of Sento Minzoku in an Elimination Match.

Kohei Kinoshita will also be on the show, going along with Tanizaki as the second Dove Pro representative.