DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINAGAWA”, 21/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX 242 Fans
1. Kazuki Hirata & Yuni defeated Akito & Ilusion when Hirata pinned Ilusion with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (11:51).
2. Special Single Match: Kazusada Higuchi defeated MJ Paul with the Brain Claw Press (10:16).
3. Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino defeated Takeshi Masada & Rukiya when Iino pinned Rukiya with a Lariat (12:09).
4. Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi defeated HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi when Oishi submitted Sumi with the Fujiyama Knee Lock (9:50).
5. Special Tag Match: Yukio Naya & Yoshitatsu defeated Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata when Naya pinned Katsumata with The World’s Best Back Drop (11:18).
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON defeated Soma Takao & Shota (c) when KANON submitted Shota with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (14:46). *ROMANCE DAWN fails in V4. DAMNATION T.A becomes the 81st KO-D Tag Team Champions!
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) defeated Bryan Keith with a Running Palm Sole (18:27). *V4 for MAO.
Two title matches highlighted today’s finale for the weekend of shows held inside Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX. The headline match was MAO defending the DDT Universal Title against Bryan Keith, the American bounty hunter who already has a win against him that happened in the USA last year. This time Keith went for a bigger plan of attack, throwing MAO into the corner post with an Exploder Suplex from the ring apron. MAO had scouted his opponent’s finisher the Emerald Tiger Driver and was able to avoid taking it. But Keith was also too tough to be pinned with the Avalanche Michinoku Driver II. MAO used his own Tiger Driver among other moves but couldn’t put Keith away. But the constant attacks took their toll and Keith was finally pinned after being hit with a Running Palm Strike.
At first Keith refused to shake MAO’s hand after the match but that was just so he could bow to him instead. MAO responded with his own bow and then they shook hands. When Keith left the ring, Hikaru Machida suddenly appeared and climbed in. MAO remembers him from a KO-D Tag Team Titles match they had together a year ago. Machida remembers it too and has unfinished business with MAO. He wants to fight him one on one with the Universal Title on the line! MAO accepted the challenge but there was no authority figure at the show today to book the match. MAO told Machida it will have to happen sometime in February because he already has a tag match with TAKA Michinoku scheduled for the next Korakuen Hall show. DDT later confirmed the title match will happen at the 25th February Korakuen show.
New KO-D Tag Champions were crowned when DAMNATION T.A defeated ROMANCE DAWN! Of course there was cheating involved throughout. MJ Paul was at ringside to give his team the numbers advantage whenever the referee couldn’t see it. That put the champions on the ropes. Daisuke Sasaki gave Soma Takao the Pedigree and then hit Shota with a Spear. Shota got a second wind but that was cut off by KANON who submitted him with the Cobra Twist 2.0. KANON bragged about DAMNATION T.A getting their revenge with a complete victory over the team that won the belts from himself and Minoru Fujita. Sasaki then called for Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino to come out and challenge them, not noticing that they had already approached the ring behind him while he was talking. Endo pointed out that he & Iino had already declared their intention to challenge for the KO-D Tag Titles after they won their match earlier in the show. They also beat Sasaki & KANON in Osaka two weeks ago and they expect the same result to happen when the titles are on the line. Backstage Sasaki told the reporters he wants the title match to happen on 7th February because it is DDT’s next show after Korakuen. DDT later confirmed the match will happen there.
Is Yukio Naya starting to figure it all out? He & Yoshitatsu defeated Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata and the finish all came down to him. He got rid of Ueno with a Choke Slam and pinned Katsumata with The World’s Best Back Drop. He said on the microphone that when he joined DDT he ended up making irreplaceable friends, meeting seniors he respects and also got to fight Ueno. Naya wants to show his gratitude to all of them by becoming the best and strongest in DDT. He thinks this is why he will beat Ueno for the KO-D Openweight Title fair and square. After listening to his speech, Ueno ignored a handshake and gave him the NeppoWER!! pose instead.
Backstage Yoshitatsu said he noticed a change in Naya from when he wrestles to when he speaks. It reminded him of the time when he was a young lion watching Yoshihiro Takayama from ringside. Takayama was the biggest monster in wrestling back then and Yoshitatsu thinks Naya can become the biggest monster in wrestling today. He sees himself as a link between both and wants to team with Naya more for that reason. Yoshitatsu also said this will not be a teacher-student relationship but a team made up of equals.
The KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions may have figured out the key to defending their titles against Hikaru Sato’s team at the end of the month. It all comes down to Danshoku Dieno’s ass! The lightbulb above Jun Akiyama’s head went off after he used the Exploder Suplex position to push HARASHIMA face first into Dieno’s rear end and then shoved Hideki Okatani’s face into the same target. Makoto Oishi was then clear to put Kazuma Sumi in the Fujiyama Knee Lock for the submission victory. D.O.A also have brand new T-shirts on sale so they are determined more than ever to retain the titles and survive as a unit otherwise DDT will get mad at them.
Both Yuni and Ilusion wanted to film the opening match on their phones while they wrestled because that’s what everybody does in 2024. Akito and Kazuki Hirata didn’t understand at first but got into the groove as the match progressed.
DDT “NEW YEAR FAN APPRECIATION DAY!”, 20/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX 354 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House
1. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: KANON defeated Yuni with the Cobra Twist (8:07).
2. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Ilusion with an Inside Cradle (10:06).
3. New Year’s Six Major Single Match ~ 30 Count Outside & Sumi Only 2 Count Fall Match: Danshoku Dieno defeated Kazuma Sumi with the Danshoku Driver (8:07).
4. 4 Way Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Kazusada Higuchi defeated Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata, Yoshitatsu & Akito and Toru Owashi & Yuki Iino when HARASHIMA pinned Hirata with the Somato (12:38).
5. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Jun Akiyama defeated Rukiya with the Knee Butt (12:04).
6. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Yukio Naya defeated Takeshi Masada with The World’s Best Back Drop (12:23).
7. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Hideki Okatani ended in a Time Limit Draw (15:00).
8. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Bryan Keith, Soma Takao & Shota defeated MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Makoto Oishi when Keith pinned Oishi with the Emerald Tiger Driver (18:57).
One of the ideas DDT put together for its Fan Appreciation Day show was to have MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Makoto Oishi bring back NωA for one night only! Unfortunately they lost their match but if you ask MAO that means nothing has changed since NωA were last around. What has changed is the first appearance of Bryan Keith in DDT. He scored the pinfall on Oishi, setting his sights on tomorrow’s match with MAO for the DDT Universal Title. MAO is calling the match an unusual battle of opposites. He is Japanese and fights with an American indies style while Keith is American and uses a Japanese Strong Style! Keith said there have been many wrestlers from Texas who made a name for themselves in Japan and he is going to be next when he gets his bounty from MAO!
Another element in the main event was ROMANCE DAWN getting to fight ShunMao. If Shota can get his way he would like to defend the KO-D Tag Team Titles against MAO & Katsumata in the future. Soma Takao told him to first focus on defending the belts against DAMNATION T.A tomorrow. They need to because Daisuke Sasaki & KANON attacked them backstage after the show! During the fight Sasaki told ROMANCE DAWN that Shinagawa is their graveyard and DAMNATION T.A will have a party tomorrow when they win the titles. However the champions stood their ground and fought off their attackers.
Out of all of the Special Single Matches that took place on today’s show Hideki Okatani was the only one one the underdog side that did not lose. He didn’t win either but getting to fight Tetsuya Endo to a 15 minute time limit draw is nothing to sneeze at. In fact the final moments of the match saw Endo miss the Burning Star Press and Okatani hit him from behind with a Lariat to the back of the head. The bell rang right as Okatani crawled over to cover Endo.
Rukiya was given a chance to show his toughness because Jun Akiyama was beating him up outside the ring. Rukiya beat the 20 count and also kicked out of the Exploder Suplex. He was finally beaten when Akiyama pulled down one of his kneepads and hit a raw Knee Butt for the win.
Kazuma Sumi really wanted to win his match so he asked Danshoku Dieno if he could only need a 2 Count pinfall to beat him. Dieno talked with Yukinori Matsui about it and agreed on the condition that he got to add a rule too. Dieno then attacked Sumi before that rule was revealed. They fought out of the ring and up to the balcony behind a curtain. Sumi reappeared holding Dieno’s tights and a bare bottom could be seen sticking out from the curtains. Sumi made it back to the ring by the time Matsui counted to 20. But instead of ending the match, Matsui kept counting. It turned out the other rule was a 30 count was applied for being outside the ring! Dieno snuck back into the ring in his thong revealing that the butt in the balcony was not his. It was Makoto Oishi’s butt! Dieno then put Sumi in the Lip Lock and pinned him with the Danshoku Driver.
Before any of the matches began there was a contract signing for the three upcoming title matches in DDT. First was MAO and Keith talking about the Universal Title bout. Keith said he beat MAO once in America and he will do it again in MAO’s home country. MAO said he will never forget the match they had in America. He had Yoshihiko by his side then but this time he cannot find the doll anywhere so he has to fight Keith on his own. He wants the fans to support him as much as he can because he admits it is possible he can lose the title to Keith.
Next up was Kazuki Hirata and Katsumata for the DDT Extreme Title. Hirata has decided on what rules the match will have. It will be a Toy Kojima Challenge Death Match! When a wrestler gets a 2 Count pin Kojima will have to take on a challenge. If Kojima succeeds then that wrestler wins the match! Katsumata convinced Hirata to let him help choose what challenges Kojima will have to do. Hirata said if he wins this match then it will be fate for him to break the record for most Extreme Title defences.
Last was the KO-D Openweight Title match between Yuki Ueno and Yukio Naya. The challenger Naya said he has a strong desire to win the title and will do so with everything he has. Ueno talked about winning the 2022 D-Ou Grand Prix and then losing his title shot against Kazusada Higuchi. He expects the strongest version of Naya to come fight him and he wants to beat him to show he is the strongest future DDT has. The two shook hands after signing the contract.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 4TH “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 20/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. Yuki Aino, Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Suzume, Arisu Endo & Shino Suzuki
2. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1A: Kaya Toribami & Haru Kazashiro Vs Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara
3. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1B: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu
4. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1C: Nao Kakuta & HIMAWARI Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku
5. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1D: Miyu Yamashita & Toga Vs Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano
This year’s Max Heart Tournament is about to begin. Tomorrow is all of the Round 1 matches.
DDT “NEW YEAR FAN APPRECIATION DAY!”, 20/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: KANON Vs Yuni
2. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Ilusion
3. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Kazuma Sumi
4. 4 Way Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata Vs HARASHIMA & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yoshitatsu & Akito Vs Toru Owashi & Yuki Iino
5. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Jun Akiyama Vs Rukiya
6. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Yukio Naya Vs Takeshi Masada
7. New Year’s Six Major Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Hideki Okatani
8. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Makoto Oishi Vs Bryan Keith, Soma Takao & Shota
The latest medical woes in the DDT locker room comes from Yusuke Okada. Just like what happened to Chris Brookes last month, Okada discovered he has a tumour in his lower abdomen and will need surgery to remove it. He will be out of action for a while. Toru Owashi is replacing him on tomorrow’s show.
Contract signings for some of the upcoming title matches will be held in the ring before the show begins. Signings will take place for the the DDT Universal Title match happening on Sunday and the KO-D Openweight Title match and DDT Extreme Title match both happening on 28th January.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 4TH “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 21/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2A: Winners Of Match 1A Vs Mizuki & Shino Suzuki
2. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2B: Winners Of Match 1B Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
3. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2C: Winners Of Match 1C Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
Round 2 of the Max Heart Tournament takes place on Sunday.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINAGAWA”, 21/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. Kazuki Hirata & Yuni Vs Akito & Ilusion
2. Special Single Match: Kazusada Higuchi Vs MJ Paul
3. Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino Vs Takeshi Masada & Rukiya
4. Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata Vs Yukio Naya & Yoshitatsu
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Soma Takao & Shota (c) Vs Daisuke Sasaki & KANON
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Bryan Keith
Bryan Keith has arrived in Japan and ready to get his bounty on MAO!
Okada will be replaced with Ilusion on Sunday’s show.
DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN OSAKA”, 11/02/2024 Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
1. Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino Vs HARASHIMA & Takeshi Masada
2. Special Single Match: Makoto Oishi Vs Yoshitatsu
3. The 37KAMIINA Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata Vs Daisuke Sasaki & KANON
A first time singles match between Makoto Oishi and Yoshitatsu is happening.
Tsutenkakka will be on the show.
GANBARE☆JOSHI “GANJO EMERALD DRAGON ’24”, 12/02/2024 Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center
1. Special Single Match: Riara Vs Kizuna Tanaka
Here comes Riara’s best chance so far at getting her first win. Kizuna Tanaka is a young wrestler from WAVE whose parents are Minoru Tanaka and Yumi Fukawa. She debuted around the same time Riara did last year so they should be seen on a similar level reputation wise. However in the time going from debut up to now Tanaka has wrestled in at least double the amount of matches that Riara has so she still has an experience advantage over her. Tanaka herself has yet to win a singles match too from what I could find about her.
DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NAGOYA”, 12/02/2024 Aichi Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center
1. The 37KAMIINA Vs SCHADENFREUDE International!: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
2. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Akito
3. Nagoya Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Yoshitatsu & Yukio Naya Vs Lowther, Jack Kennedy & Kazuma Sumi
Time to look into the local wrestling scene in Nagoya and see what they have to offer DDT. One name familiar to DDT is Lowther. He has made sporadic appearances around DDT a bunch of times through the years. Jack Kennedy is an American who has been with Yanagase Pro Wrestling since 2020. He’s been getting attention in the news this week for his debut acting role as an American soldier in the NHK historical drama “Boogie Woogie”.
DDT “PRO WRESTLING WINTER FESTIVAL 2024 IN JOETSU DAY 2 – INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NIIGATA”, 18/02/2024 Niigata Dúo CEREZO
1. Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Super Sasadango Machine
DDT needed to find an important match to put on their next Niigata show. Danshoku Dieno against the hometown hero Super Sasadango Machine fits the bill I guess.
DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 IN OSAKA”, 09/12/2023 Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
1. Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Yuki Iino & Rukiya
2. Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi Vs Akito & Kazuma Sumi
3. Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada Vs MAO, Toy Kojima & Ilusion
4. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Kazuki Hirata (0) Vs Rei Saito (2)
5. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Yukio Naya (6) Vs KANON (2)
6. All Asia Tag Team Titles: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani (c) Vs Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada
7. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Kazusada Higuchi (2) Vs HARASHIMA (2)
8. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Yuki Ueno (3) Vs Tetsuya Endo (2)
The D-Oh Grand Prix continues tomorrow. A Block still has everyone in the race so it’s only fair to have Yuki Ueno Vs Tetsuya Endo and Kazusada Higuchi Vs HARASHIMA be the top two matches of the show. But over in B Block Yukio Naya is one more step towards cleaning up the entire group if he beats KANON. The Kazuki Hirata Vs Rei Saito match is pretty much just for pride at this point. Not that Hirata has that much pride to begin with but you know what I mean.
Eruption are also back from the Real World Tag League looking to shake off their middle of the table finish. They might have a long line of challengers forming up in front of them so they need to retain the All Asia Tag Team Titles against BURNING if they have any intention of dealing with that.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO ’24”, 04/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Aja Kong Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Rina Yamashita Vs Maki Itoh
3. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) Vs Yuki Arai
4. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Masha Slamovich
Last night in the space of about half an hour there were two Tokyo Joshi Pro title matches taking place in North America. Over in Quebec, Canada Max The Impaler had a surprise International Princess Title defence at the Mystery Wrestling show put together by Evil Uno. Max defeated Jody Threat in the semi-main event. Word of the match reached back to TJPW and they officially recognize it as Max’s third successful title defence. That now means if Max beats Yuki Arai on 4th January they will tie the current record for most IP Title defences in a single reign at four wins.
Then as soon as that match had finished Miyu Yamashita was entering the ring in New York, USA to defend the Princess Of Princess Title against Delmi Exo at an MLW show. She won that match to earn her second defence in this latest title run. Maki Itoh was also on the show but she lost to Janai Kai in a match for the MLW World Featherweight Title. I’ll write more about the matches on the next DDT Around The World article at the start of next month.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 05/01/2024 Shinjuku FACE
1. Something by HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata, etc.: X Vs X
2. KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno, MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Toy Kojima & Yoshihiko (c) Vs Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda, Takeshi Masada & Mecha Mummy
The three main members of DISASTER BOX are all putting their heads together to book something for DDT’s first visit to Shinjuku FACE in 2024. Whatever it is the three of them will be involved along with others.
1. Legendary Hostess Vs The Toughest Girl In Osaka: Riara Vs Momoka Hanazono
When Ganbare☆Pro heads to Osaka in the new year Riara takes on Momoka Hanazono. This joshi wrestler’s nickname may not match with all of the flowers and bubbles she surrounds herself with but it is still accurate. Hanazono has a background in rugby before becoming a pro wrestler.
HARASHIMA, Soma Takao, Ilusion, Tyson Maeguchi and Banny Oikawa will all be on the show.
DDT “NEW YEAR FAN APPRECIATION DAY!”, 20/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs Bryan Keith, Soma Takao & Shota
Three days of DDT appearances await for Bryan Keith in the new year. He makes his Japanese wrestling debut here by teaming with ROMANCE DAWN against The 37KAMIINA. Keith was an opponent for Shota during Shota’s US excursion last year.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINAGAWA”, 21/01/2024 Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
1. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Bryan Keith
The next day Keith gets the match MAO has been demanding. The DDT Universal Title is on the line for this rematch from West Coast Pro during the summer. Keith won the first battle and MAO wants revenge! What happens to a bounty hunter when it’s time for them to repay a debt?
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024”, 28/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Naruki Doi
Keith’s third and last appearance on this tour will be at Korakuen Hall near the end of the month.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 The Vermont Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Rika Tatsumi & Amira Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
2. Moka Miyamoto Vs Trish Adora
3. Mizuki Vs Sandra Moone
4. Shoko Nakajima Vs Taya Valkyrie
5. Miu Watanabe Vs Hyan
6. Princess Tag Team Titles: Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta (c) Vs Janai Kai & Shazza McKenzie
7. Special Tag Match: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
Ok so now The Globe Theater actually is closed down. For real this time. Prestige announced the event is now taking place at The Vermont Hollywood. The show will airing as a PPV on Wrestle Universe with English commentary from Jordan Castle and Veda Scott.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT ’23 ~KASUKABE PERFORMANCE~”, 17/12/2023 Saitama Kasukabe Fureai Cube
1. 3 Way Match: Yuki Kamifuku Vs Shino Suzuki Vs Runa Okubo
2. Arisu Endo Vs Haru Kazashiro
3. Hyper Misao Vs Kaya Toribami
4. Mahiro Kiryu Vs Wakana Uehara
5. Suzume Vs HIMAWARI
6. Shoko Nakajima Vs Toga
7. Raku Vs Juria Nagano
8. Yuki Aino Vs Pom Harajuku
9. Miu Watanabe Vs Moka Miyamoto
10. Maki Itoh Vs Hikari Noa
The fan lottery was held yesterday to determine the matchups. Maki Itoh Vs Hikari Noa main events the show but the other match to take note of is Yuki Aino Vs Pom Harajuku. The two of them have spent the last year closely linked together along with Raku so that friendship needs to be pushed aside for up to seven minutes.
“NEW YEAR’S EVE PRO WRESTLING 2023 ~TOSHIWASURE! SHUFFLE 6-MAN TAG TOURNAMENT~”, 31/12/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Round 1A: HARASHIMA, Kota Sekifuda & Yuji Hino Vs Takeshi Masada, Yuya Aoki & Koji Iwamoto
2. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Round 1B: Kazusada Higuchi, Yasufumi Nakanoue & Kohei Kinoshita Vs Chris Brookes, Kazumasa Yoshida & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi
3. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Round 1C: Yukio Naya, Hideyoshi Kamitani & Minoru Suzuki Vs Danshoku Dieno, Daichi Hashimoto & Ikuto Hidaka
4. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Round 1D: Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishikawa & Brahman Shu (w/ Brahman Kei) Vs Tetsuya Endo, Daisuke Sekimoto & Fuminori Abe
5. So Daimonji, Ender Kara, Leyton Buzzard & Tempesta Vs Kazumi Kikuta, Kazuki Hashimoto, Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya
6. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Semi Final: Winners Of Match 1A Vs Winners Of Match 1B
7. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Semi Final: Winners Of Match 1C Vs Winners Of Match 1D
8. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda Vs Takuya Nomura, Abdullah Kobayashi & Kankuro Hoshino
9. Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament – Final: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
Bati Bati F’N In The Sky: Tetsuya Endo, Daisuke Sekimoto & Fuminori Abe Big Bombers Kai: Yukio Naya, Hideyoshi Kamitani & Minoru Suzuki Team Katagi Returns: Kazusada Higuchi, Yasufumi Nakanoue & Kohei Kinoshita Anal Destruction Hidaka: Danshoku Dieno, Daichi Hashimoto & Ikuto Hidaka The Kind People: Chris Brookes, Kazumasa Yoshida & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Lonely Hot College Students: Takeshi Masada, Yuya Aoki & Koji Iwamoto Smile Lizard King Kong: HARASHIMA, Kota Sekifuda & Yuji Hino Go For It! The Three Inokori Brothers: Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishikawa & Brahman Shu (w/ Brahman Kei)
The Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament is out. Round 1 has Smile Lizard King Kong versus Lonely Hot College Students first, Team Katagi Returns versus The Kind People second, Big Bombers Kai versus Anal Destruction Hidaka third and Go For It! The Three Inokori Brothers versus Bati Bati F’N In The Sky last.
There are two non-tournament matches. The big one is the DDT team of Yuki Ueno, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda against the Big Japan trio of Takuya Nomura, Abdullah Kobayashi & Kankuro Hoshino. The other match has DDT and Big Japan joining forces to fight the international unit PROJECT: HAVOC. That group has been a thorn in Big Japan’s side for a couple of months now.
DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 THE FINAL”, 03/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. New Year’s GiFt Special Single Match: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan Vs Danshoku Dieno
2. Special Tag Match ~ Shunma Katsumata Return Match: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani Vs Shunma Katsumata & Toy Kojima
3. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – Final: Winner Of A Block Vs Winner Of B Block
DDT’s gift for their fans to open up 2024 is a match between Kuroshio TOKYO Japan and Danshoku Dieno… Did they keep the receipt?
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO ’24”, 04/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Aja Kong Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Rina Yamashita Vs Maki Itoh
3. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) Vs Yuki Arai
4. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Masha Slamovich
The two new matches announced for the Tokyo Joshi Pro Ittenyon show can all be traced back to this year’s Ittenyon show. Max The Impaler will defend the International Princess Title against Yuki Arai. This past January Max took the Princess Tag Team Titles from Arai. But now one year later the roles will be reversed and Arai has a chance to beat Max to take away their championship.
On the first anniversary of her pro debut, Wakana Uehara gets to fight Aja Kong! This is the Uehara’s reward for winning the Next Generation Tournament. The two have a little bit of history going back to before Uehara’s debut. When she was on the Youtube series Yume Pro Wrestling -dream on the ring- there was an episode with Kong as the special guest trainer. Then at “WRESTLE PRINCESS IV” in October Kong beat Uehara in a 6-Woman Tag match. Uehara is still excited for the match though and wants to show Kong how much she has grown as a wrestler.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024”, 28/01/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Naruki Doi
DDT announced the first two dates for Konosuke Takeshita’s return in 2024. The first is a big singles match against Naruki Doi on DDT’s second Korakuen Hall show of the year. The second date is for “JUDGEMENT 2024” at Korakuen on 17th March.
Bryan Keith is coming to DDT in January! “The Bounty Hunter” will be at shows on 20th, 21st and 28th January. The announcement of his appearance immediately got MAO’s attention. They fought each other at West Coast Pro in America back in July with Keith coming out as the winner. MAO wants to avenge that loss and might use the DDT Universal Title as the reward to convince Keith into taking a rematch.
DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 IN SHINJUKU DAY 2”, 03/12/2023 Shinjuku FACE 266 Fans
1. Special Tag Match: KANON & Demus defeated MIKAMI & Kazuma Sumi when Demus pinned Sumi with La Valagueza (10:36).
2. HARASHIMA, Akito, Toy Kojima & Takeshi Masada defeated Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi, Yusuke Okada & Rukiya when Masada pinned Rukiya with the Masada Power KOBU Mukimuki (8:58).
3. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Yukio Naya (6) defeated Kazuki Hirata (0) with The World’s Best Back Drop (11:39).
4. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Tetsuya Endo (2) defeated Yuki Iino (0) with the Burning Star Press (13:36).
5. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Yuki Ueno (3) Vs Daisuke Sasaki (1) ended in a Time Limit Draw (30:00).
6. DDT Universal Title – D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: MAO (c) (4) defeated Chris Brookes (2) by Countout (21:34). *V2 for MAO.
1. Yukio Naya (6)
2. MAO (4)
3. Rei Saito (2)
-. Chris Brookes (2)
-. KANON (2)
6. Kazuki Hirata (0)
In an unusual turn of events MAO came out before any of the D-Oh Grand Prix matches began and demanded his bout with Chris Brookes be for the DDT Universal Title and also be moved to the main event. What prompted this was the announcement of American independent wrestler Bryan Keith coming to DDT in January. Hisaya Imabayashi was confused by MAO’s actions but when Brookes agreed to it he went through the proper channels to make it happen. The main event itself played off of last year’s D-Oh match between MAO and Brookes where they both purposely fought to win by countout. They took the action all over the room. Brookes used tape to stick MAO flat onto a table but Shunma Katsumata & Toy Kojima lifted him back to the ring. SCHADENFREUDE International then interfered after a ref bump and had to be fought off by The 37KAMIINA. Outside the ring Brookes gave MAO the Praying Mantis Bomb onto a counter but couldn’t crawl back to the ring in time because his legs were all taped together. MAO however recovered and jumped off the counter across the aisle onto the ring apron to beat the 20 count and win! It is a successful title defence and MAO now wants to have a Universal Title match against Keith when he shows up next month.
Yuki Ueno now leads the B Block in the early going but only just. He scraped a point by going to a 30 minute draw against Daisuke Sasaki. The match was a struggle for Ueno to get going because MJ Paul was there to help Sasaki when needed. He could have won when he hit the Jul.2 but Paul pulled away the ref during the pin. Sasaki got his second wind to go back and forth with Ueno. By the time Sasaki took him down with a Spear, the bell rang and the match ended without a winner. Ueno said whenever he has momentum, Sasaki is always there to get in his way and today’s result is not good enough. He wonders if the next time he fights him will the KO-D Openweight Title be on the line? Sasaki’s hopes of winning the tournament have gone the complete opposite from yesterday. He thinks if he can’t beat Tetsuya Endo in the next match it will be all over for him. So therefore Sasaki claims if he loses to Endo then that will be his retirement match! Nobody believes him so he made sure the reporters wrote that down.
It was time to see how the new and improved Yuki Iino could fare against Endo. He was fired up from the start but Endo used that eagerness against him. Iino charged around ringside but kept missing his target, instead running over Yusuke Okada or crashing into a row of seats. Back inside the ring the smaller space meant Iino was able to hit Endo with Spears and other tackles until Endo caught him with the Tetsuya In The Sky. Iino withstood the attacks for as long as he could but he was pinned with the Burning Star Press to end the match. The two shook hands afterwards. Endo credited the win to Iino’s lack of stamina being his weak point. He is sympathetic to him because they were both part of units that were forced to split up. Where the reborn Iino will end up is anyone’s guess.
The B Block is currently being ruled by Yukio Naya. With three wins out of three matches last year’s runner up must be having a good time out there. He got to party during today’s match because his opponent was Kazuki Hirata and that meant Hirata GO! glasses being used to set up a dance battle! The two danced together then started fighting along to the music. It ended with Naya pulling off his glasses and giving Hirata The World’s Best Back Drop to win. Naya said he loves this part of DDT and knew what to expect. He was one step ahead of Hirata the entire time. Hirata’s next match is with Rei Saito and he is not looking forward to that. He asks Saito to please be considerate towards him. Hirata also believes it would be impossible for him to dance in All Japan because the heels there will crush him if he makes any mistake.
America had to deal with the adventures of MAO & Yoshihiko for most of July. The two of them were inseperable and causing chaos on every wrestling show they were booked for. Meanwhile Konosuke Takeshita is fitting into his heel role nicely, bringing the act over from AEW to DDT and creating consequences in both companies. Since next month is AEW’s big week of doing Wembley in London and the United Center in Chicago one after the other you would think Takeshita will get an important match somewhere on either card.
With those topics out of the way that leaves us with Maki Itoh. The experience gained from touring America is doing wonders for her career but she didn’t win the Princess Of Princess Title back in Tokyo Joshi Pro like she hoped. Her storyline in GCW is coming to a head in August and she has her sights set on many more tours in the future. It can make you wonder if she will reach a stage where she might choose to say goodbye to TJPW some day. Her interviews on the subject have been contradictory depending on who she talks to. She would love to get a full time deal from a big American company but she also likes being signed to TJPW because they let her work this kind of international schedule. It’s nothing to fret over right now but the thought has crossed my mind when it became clear her future plans do not include the Princess Title.
CIRCLE 6 “LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE”, 16/07/2023 1720 Warehouse, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. AJ Gray Vs MAO
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 19/07/2023 TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
1. Blood & Guts: Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson & Kota Ibushi Vs Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & PAC
Video starts at 1:01:38 for the match. Go to 01:41:04 for Itoh’s birthday celebration. SMASH “CAN-US CLASSIC 2023”, 22/07/2023 Western Fair District, London, Ontario, Canada
1. Jody Threat Vs Maki Itoh
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Results
EVE “NMITB”, 02/07/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Eve Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) defeated Rhio with the Crash Rabbit Heat (21:21). *V6 for Miyu Yamashita.
Miyu Yamashita was scheduled to defend the EVE Title against Emersyn Jayne but the challenger couldn’t make the show due to travel problems. Yamashita instead had to put the belt on the line against “The Unbreakable” Rhio with both wrestlers having no time to prepare for each other. Rhio’s power was brought into the fore with her getting nearfalls from a Pumphandle Bomb and Death Valley Driver onto her knee. But Yamashita escaped from a Package Piledriver attempt and caught Rhio with the Skull Kick. Rhio fell next to the ropes so she used a rope break to avoid being pinned. Yamashita then wore her down with kicks until she could pin Rhio with the Crash Rabbit Heat.
WEST COAST PRO “CRUEL SUMMER 2023”, 08/07/2023 United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Bryan Keith defeated MAO with the Emerald Tiger Driver (15:55).
MAO’s trip to America began at West Coast Pro where Bryan Keith was waiting for him. Keith had warned MAO not to expect any moonlight on this ocassion while MAO thought he would be fine because he is a “fucked up wrestler with an empty head.” That was proven when Yoshihiko interfered to help him! Keith survived the surprise attack and fired himself up and threw Yoshihiko out of the ring with a Razor’s Edge to even the odds. After a back and forth, Keith pinned MAO with the Emerald Tiger Driver for the win.
JCW “BIG ASS EXTREME BIRTHDAY BASH”, 09/07/2023 Ridgefield Park Knights of Columbus, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA
1. MAO defeated Mike Bailey with the Avalanche Michinoku Driver (14:47).
2. Bunkhouse Stampede: Manders defeated Charles Mason by Ring Out (22:13). Order Of Elimination: Jay Sawyer, Steve Off, Steve Scott, Grim Reefer, Brogan Finlay, Marcus Mathers, Kaia McKenna, Charlie Tiger, Eddy Herrera, Bam Sullivan, CPA, Ciclope, Miedo Extremo, Yoshihiko, Yoya, John Wayne Murdoch, Parrow and Charles Mason.
Wherever MAO went in America, Yoshihiko followed him the entire way. It led to an awkward reunion with Mike Bailey in JCW. MAO and Speedball faced off in a battle between The Moonlight Express but things went sideways when MAO accidentally knocked out the referee with a Helluva Kick. Yoshihiko grabbed itself a ref shirt and went in as the replacement! However its officiating didn’t meet Bailey’s expectations so Yoshihiko was thrown out of the ring Razor’s Edge style deep into the crowd. The distraction might have led to Bailey’s undoing because MAO went on to beat him with a top rope Michinoku Driver with the original ref making the count.
Yoshihiko would reappear in a Bunkhouse Stampede match booked later in the show. It was a complete free for all where Yoshihiko appeared for a confrontation with Charles Mason and his backup muscle Parrow. The three of them have previous bad blood in the GCW/JCW system because Mason hates being embarrassed by the doll. Parrow tried to throw Yoshihiko out but Yoshihiko grabbed onto him and applied a Sleeper Hold. Mason lost his mind and hit Yoshihiko/Parrow with chairshot after chairshot before finally throwing the doll out of the ring to eliminate it.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 12/07/2023 (Aired 14/07/2023) SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Mentallo with a Diving Senton (4:07).
Don Callis went the personal route to help Takeshita prepare for Blood & Guts. The show took place in Canada so Callis got AEW to book Kenny Omega’s longtime friend and training partner Mentallo as Takeshita’s opponent. The masked wrestler put up a good effort but Takeshita was victorious in the end, using a Diving Senton to add a new high flying move to his arsenal.
IWTV “MARCUS MATHERS ALL I WANT 2”, 13/07/2023 H20 Wrestling Center, Williamstown, New Jersey, USA
1. Yoshihiko defeated Jimmy Lloyd with the Yoshihiko Destroyer (9:56).
2. MAO defeated Brandon Kirk with the Phoenix Splash through the Plastic Cases (16:14).
The bottom ring rope snapped off during the first five minutes of the opening match and couldn’t be repaired. That should tell you the kind of night waiting ahead for MAO and Yoshihiko. But that’s the kind of fucked up wrestling MAO wants so he didn’t lose a step fighting against Brandon Kirk. A lot of chairs and plastic boxes were thrown into the mix for the two to beat each other up with.
Yoshihiko was tasked with fighting Jimmy Lloyd and both were prepared to tear the place apart. Yoshihiko did a balcony dive and landed Headbutt first onto Lloyd to break him through a wooden panel. Lloyd tried using a Steiner Screwdriver, Package Piledriver and Sleeper Suplex onto chairs but couldn’t get the three count. He went desperate by taking Yoshihiko to the top rope with chairs laid out below. Yoshihiko flipped him off with a Canadian Destroyer onto the chairs and then followed up with a second Destroyer for the finish.
GCW “NOW AND FOREVER”, 14/07/2023 Melrose Ballroom, Queens, New York, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Billie Starkz with the Itoh Deluxe (15:16).
2. Mike Bailey defeated Yoshihiko with the Stormbreaker (23:28).
3. GCW World Title: Blake Christian (c) defeated MAO with a Step Up Curb Stomp (14:21) *V6 for Blake Christian.
MAO had a big chance to grab some gold in his trip to GCW proper. He took on Blake Christian for the GCW World Title but things just didn’t work out for him on this night. Christian gave him a Low Blow, a Death Valley Driver and then finished him off with a Curb Stomp for a successful title defence.
There was something familiar about Bailey Vs Yoshihiko but I just can’t quite put my finger as to what it was. In a completely original match Bailey was accompanied by MAO Callis and his bodyguards. MAO was quickly ejected backstage but later returned to hand Bailey a screwdriver to attack Yoshihiko with. He then used the One-Winged Angel but Yoshihiko kicked out at one. Bailey lost his temper so he gave Yoshihiko the Tiger Driver ’91 (maybe that should be written without the apostraphe because he slammed the doll’s head into the mat around 91 times), the Hidden Blade and the Stormbreaker to win the match. It was unlike anything anyone had seen within the space of a three week period.
In a rematch from last August, Itoh defeated Billie Starkz not just in a wrestling match but in a pose-off to see who is cuter that happened midway through. After the match Itoh celebrated with Nick Gage and they then threw out a challenge to Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander. A video message from the two played over the screen in response but it turned out to be a trap! Cardona & De Lander ran into the ring through the crowd and ambushed Maki Death Kill. When they were done with the attack they accepted the challenge for a tag match.
1. Maki Itoh defeated Vanessa Kraven with the I.S.D. (14:49).
I don’t often talk much about match quality in these articles but you’re best to avoid watching this one. It wasn’t good.
CIRCLE 6 “BARROOM BLITZ”, 15/07/2023 Knucklehead Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. MAO Vs Bobby Beverly
I couldn’t find the result for this match on a show that had no wrestling ring. What I could find was footage of MAO giving Bobby Beverly a really nasty looking Package Piledriver onto a chair with Beverly’s head clipping off of the headrest. There was also footage of MAO singing with a band so win or lose he looked like he was having a great time.
CIRCLE 6 “LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE”, 16/07/2023 1720 Warehouse, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. AJ Gray defeated MAO with a Lariat (?:??).
Yoshihiko again interfered in one of MAO’s matches to aid him, this time against AJ Gray. While Yoshihiko did not get hurled across the room into the audience, Grey overcame the 2-on-1 disadvantage to win.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 19/07/2023 TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
1. Blood & Guts: Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson & Kota Ibushi defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & PAC when Moxley gave up (23:01).
Oh what drama that has been brewing in The Elite Vs Blackpool Combat Club feud in its final month. Takeshita travelled over to Mexico to assault Omega then helped BCC launch another attack on him back in America. That was when The Elite revealed their ace in the hole for Blood & Guts. The return of Kota Ibushi! In a match that was violent as promised, the BCC team fell apart when PAC took an accidental blow from Claudio Castagnoli. PAC has no loyalty to the group so he broke out of the cage and left. When The Elite got their second wind, Callis told Takeshita to leave the cage too! Takeshita did so and The Elite went on to beat BCC to end their feud.
1. Maki Itoh defeated Jody Threat with the I.S.D. (?:??).
Itoh was having a good night in Smash to begin with when she defeated Jody Threat. Then at the end of the show she was given a surprise birthday party in the ring because everyone found out it was her birthday that day! How sweet of them.
PRESTIGE “ALL RISE”, 23/07/2023 House Of Independents, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
1. Trish Adora defeated Maki Itoh with the Lariat Tubman (13:43).
Itoh’s return to Prestige was for a semi-main event match against Trish Adora. Oddly enough this was the first time they’ve faced each other even though Adora has become a regular opponent for TJPW wrestlers. Itoh lost on this day by running straight into Adora’s Lariat. Itoh declined to shake her hand afterwards.
DEFY “SPIRIT WC”, 28/07/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. DEFY Women’s Title: Vert Vixen (c) defeated Maki Itoh with the Game Over (?:??). *V7 for Vert Vixen.
The main event of DEFY’s women only show was where Itoh had her latest chance to win an American championship. Vert Vixen defeated her, making it three successful DEFY Women’s Title defences against TJPW talent.
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Upcoming Appearances
AEW “DYNAMITE 200”, 02/08/2023 Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
1. Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita Vs Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
It was only a matter of time until Chris Jericho would latch onto the new hot act and change the story into one about himself. He got the screen time with Callis while Takeshita was back in Japan wrestling for DDT. When Takeshita returns to America he will team with Jericho to take on Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia in the latest chapter of the Jericho Appreciation Society story. It’s going to suck if the latest direction for “ALL IN” and “ALL OUT” only pushes Takeshita into the background. Maybe there is hope for him getting an important match if Omega is not going to face Will Ospreay for a third time or if Ibushi is not being a tease about showing up at Wembley.
WRESTLING REVOLVER “HEAT EM UP”, 03/08/2023 Calumet Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. Gringo Loco Vs Konosuke Takeshita
Coming in hot right as I am finishing up this article is news that Takeshita will be at this Thursday’s Wrestling REVOLVER show as a last minute replacement for Jon Moxley. According to Moxley he gave REVOLVER his approval for them to book Takeshita. The original plan was for Moxley to take on Gringo Loco in a Lucha Street Fight. Instead Loco will face Takeshita but the Street Fight stipulation seems to be dropped.
DREAMWAVE “SUMMER SPECTACULAR NIGHT 1”, 04/08/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. 6-Person Scramble: Brittnie Brooks Vs Maki Itoh Vs Zayda Steele Vs B3CCA Vs Kaia McKenna Vs Shazza McKenzie
The winner of the scramble match in DREAMWAVE earns a spot in a match on 14th October that will crown the promotion’s first Women’s Champion.
DREAMWAVE “SUMMER SPECTACULAR NIGHT 2”, 05/08/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Most likely the results on the first show will determine what Itoh is doing on the second. DREAMWAVE says there will be a second Scramble match on this second show where the winner also qualifies for October’s championship match. So if Itoh does not win the first time then maybe she can get a second chance if she demands it.
GCW “NO SIGNAL IN THE HILLS”, 11/08/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. 4 Way Match: Allie Katch Vs Steph De Lander Vs Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich
The four leading women in GCW right now are all set to collide in a 4 Way Match. Itoh has her grudge with De Lander but the likes of Allie Katch and Masha Slamovich could get in her way.
KOPW “THE NEW ERA OF CHINESE PRO WRESTLING III”, 19/08/2023 Tianyue Sports City, Nanhai Foshan, Guangdong, China
1. Mizuki Vs Nao Kakuta
TJPW is sending Mizuki and Nao Kakuta over to China to hold an offer match at the latest King Of Pro Wrestling show. The Chinese promotion has booked joshi before such as Riho, Makoto, Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga.
NJPW “LEC PRESENTS ALL STAR JR FESTIVAL USA 2023”, 19/08/2023 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. El Desperado & MAO Vs Nick Wayne & Jordan Oliver
The first “ALL STAR JR FESTIVAL” in Tokyo earlier this year was such a major success New Japan and the sponsor LEC decided to bring the concept over to America. MAO gets invited back as a result and gets to take on The East West Express again. This time however he is teaming with El Desperado, making it the first time those two will be in the same match together.
GCW “HOMECOMING – PART 1”, 19/08/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander Vs Nick Gage & Maki Itoh
The big grudge match GCW has been building up since March finally takes place near the end of the summer. Maki Death Kill have been trading blows back and forth with Cardona & De Lander ever since. Is one match enough to settle the score?
GCW “HOMECOMING – PART 2”, 20/08/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs B3CCA
If that is the end of the feud then what will be next for Itoh in GCW?
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 25/08/2023 Roundhouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1. Charli Evans Vs Maki Itoh
The answer of course is go to Australia! GCW is touring over there with a local group called Renegades Of Wrestling. First up Itoh takes on Charli Evans.
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 26/08/2023 Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1. ROW Women’s Title: Aysha (c) Vs Maki Itoh
The second Australian show gives Itoh a shot at the ROW Women’s Title held by Aysha. The promotion has only been around for a year so the championships don’t have much history behind them. I think Aysha is more of a regular with Deathmatch Downunder.
EVE/CHOCOPRO “CHOCOPRO X EVE SUPER SHOW”, 26/08/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Masahiro Takanashi Vs X
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
Well, well, well, isn’t this a surprise? ChocoPro are heading over to London the same weekend as All In to hold shows with EVE. It makes sense for Masahiro Takanashi to be one of the guests because he is linked to Gatoh Move. But Yamashita appearing on the show is something I didn’t expect even though she is EVE’s main champion. There is also a solo ChocoPro event happening that day but this is the show where you will get to see Yamashita. Do you think AEW is interested in booking her again, for the next day? I hope so but the answer is probably no. Come on, she’ll become the only person to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome and Wembley the same year if they book her!
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 27/08/2023 Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
1. Allie Katch Vs Maki Itoh
Itoh ends the Australia tour with a match against Allie Katch. Itoh already has a singles win over her in GCW. In fact that was the match where she discovered how useful a pizza cutter is against opponents.
GCW “SAY YOU WILL”, 01/09/2023 Grand Sports Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois New Jersey, USA
1. Nick Gage & Maki Itoh Vs X & X
Another tag match for Maki Death Kill? This could go anywhere from fighting The East West Express to taking on Los Macizos or anywhere in between!
MLW “FURY ROAD”, 03/09/2023 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. B3CCA Vs Maki Itoh
Now Major League Wrestling has to deal with Maki Itoh. MLW has a habit of chasing after trends but not really getting much out of them. The company also has a knack of putting out whatever news stories they want and wresting sites will report it without question. Court Bauer just has the clout to say anything and always be taken at face value I guess. The curse of that though is the attention never really pays off with anything substantial. When MLW is at its best their storylines can be really creative and different to what the other promotions are doing. But if they don’t have a plan for you you’re just there to put over people they do have plans for. Even worse is how they sometimes write people out of storylines. Itoh can kayfabe be carried out of her last show inside a body bag if they want to. Or since her opponent B3CCA has a pop singer gimmick on the show they can do a vocal injury if they want to get sinister. But that’s just me fantasy booking based on what they’ve done before.
PRESTIGE “THE RESPECT ISSUE”, 24/09/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Trish Adora Vs Shoko Nakajima
Good to see Shoko Nakajima getting international bookings again. Prestige seems to handle that sort of stuff Stateside thanks to their working relationship with TJPW. They’re trying to get her a couple other bookings while she’s over there. A match with Trish Adora is the first one on the cards for her.
One year into writing these articles and I knew it was going to be a good idea to keep track of everything. A busy idea every time the end of the month comes but a good one nonetheless. Summer is still going on but the focus on international travels is swapping some of the cast we’re following. Miyu Yamashita ended her Kick Rampage Tour with a long list of matches and companies worked for under her belt. Maki Itoh is also back in Japan gearing up for possibly the biggest match of her career before she goes touring again. The mystery of why Yuka Sakazaki went to America and not wrestle at all has been cleared up. Well, sort of. There’s a few things out there I’m asking around to clarify knowing full well I won’t be getting any answers. We even got a little bit of Mizuki in there too. Now MAO gets to be a featured part of this series going into the rest of the summer. He’s the latest wrestler to get the travel bug and take in some bookings around America.
Oh, one more thing. I put together two Youtube playlists related to this series. The first is following Takeshita’s AEW run using all of the highlight videos AEW posts on their channels. I avoided adding the episodes of Dark because of the episode lengths. One thing I noticed looking back on everything it’s cool to see how many of Takeshita’s opponents on Dynamite and Rampage early in his run have all circled together as part of feud between The Elite and the Blackpool Combat Club. Intentional or not, Takeshita’s year with the company ended up being something that connected a lot of pieces together.
The other playlist is a collection of Yamashita’s matches from her Rampage Kick Tour. All of the videos I included were posted by either the promotions themselves or the wrestlers she faced against. I avoided fancams and highlight videos unless they were official or endorsed. If there’s anything I missed then send the Youtube links my way. If there’s interest in more I’ll see if I can put a playlist together for Itoh or maybe the DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro rosters in general.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 07/06/2023 Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) Vs Damon Ace
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY “GIANT’S WOKE EYES OPEN”, 09/06/2023 The House of Anarchy, Alton, Illinois, USA
1. Billie Starkz Vs Miyu Yamashita
Video starts at 3:21. ENJOY “SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT”, 17/06/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Ray Lyn
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 30 – FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS”, 30/06/2023 Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA
1. Warhorse Vs Konosuke Takeshita
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Results
LLL “BEST WISHES WARMEST REGARDS”, 02/06/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. LLL Women’s Title – 3 Way Match: Heidi Howitzer (c) defeated Masha Slamovich and Miyu Yamashita when Howitzer pinned Yamashita with the Stunner (15:04). *V? for Heidi Howitzer.
Earlier this year Yamashita was able to win the Princess Tag Team Titles from The Wasteland War Party in TJPW. Now it was time for her to enter one of Heidi Howitzer’s haunts Lucha Libre & Laughs to try and win another championship from her. Another of Yamashita’s regular opponents Masha Slamovich was also there to make it a 3 Way Match. Yamashita rocked Slamovich with the Skull Kick but just when she thought the match was won, Howitzer came in and gave her a Stunner for the three count and a successful title defence.
BLACK LABEL PRO “FANCY WRESTLING 2”, 03/06/2023 RDS Gym, Crown Point, Indiana, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Rachel Armstrong with the Skull Kick (11:13).
The gap of experience between Yamashita and Rachel Armstrong put Yamashita firmly in the bullying veteran role for the match. She goaded her opponent into a strike exchange that she shrugged off. Armstrong caught Yamashita off guard by criss-crossing the ropes and landing a Running Elbow Smash that knocked Yamashita out of the ring to set up a dive. But back in the ring Yamashita pushed Armstrong away from doing a Shiranui and lifted her high into the air for the Attitude Adjustment. Once she hit the Skull Kick Yamashita applied a dominant pin on top of Armstrong to win the match.
GCW “CAGE OF SURVIVAL 2”, 04/06/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Janai Kai with the I.S.D. (5:43).
Itoh kicked off GCW’s second annual “CAGE OF SURVIVAL” event by beating Janai Kai but her celebration was cut off by Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander. The two of them were coming out for a tag match against Brandon Kirk & Casey Kirk but first took the time demanding Itoh to keep her nose out of their business. Itoh swore at them and told Cardona to “suck my dick!” Cardona & De Lander went on to beat the Kirks and continued to attack them after the match. Itoh then returned to the ring this time with Nick Gage alongside her. Together Maki Death Kill and The Kirks fought back and Itoh got to smash a bundle of lighttubes over Cardona’s head! If that wasn’t enough she also smeared some of Cardona’s blood she found on the mat over her face afterwards!
INSPIRE A.D. “KIDS OF THE BLACKHOLE”, 04/06/2023 Empire Control Room, Austin, Texas, USA
1. Killa Kate defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Cradle (?:??).
This is possibly the biggest upset defeat Yamashita suffered in her entire excursion. Killa Kate is nicknamed “The Submission Musician” and lived up to it by going for different holds targeting Yamashita’s arm. Yamashita put all of her focus into fighting off the submissions that Kate ended up switching a Cross Armbreaker into a Rolling Cradle to score the pin from out of nowhere.
ROH “ROH ON HONORCLUB”, 07/06/2023 (Aired ??/06/2023) Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
I’m seeing conflicting reports on whether or not this match was taped for ROH. On the night everyone at the show who tweeted about it said it was taped and images show the ROH set up in the arena. However AEW’s Japanese Twitter account made it sound like it was just a dark match only for those in attendance to see. That’s a shame if it doesn’t get shown because Itoh and Willow Nightingale together sounds like a fun pairing, Emi Sakura’s work is consistently enjoyable and Megan Bayne was building up a hot streak on the indies before getting injured last year.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 07/06/2023 Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Damon Ace with the PowerDrive Knee (1:29).
Over in AEW we get to see Konosuke Takeshita with a new attitude under the guidance of Don Callis. He gave Damon Ace a quick beating while video footage of Callis betraying Kenny Omega looped over and over on the arena screens.
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY “GIANT’S WOKE EYES OPEN”, 09/06/2023 The House of Anarchy, Alton, Illinois, USA
1. Billie Starkz defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Victory Roll Reversal (14:04).
By this point Yamashita and Billie Starkz have faced each other several times already. But this meeting in St. Louis Anarchy was one that Starkz has been looking forward to for a while. Her persistence paid off because she finally scored her first singles win over Yamashita! The finish came when she tried to use the Sugoi Driver but Yamashita countered it into a Victory Roll. Starkz reversed the hold and rolled herself back on top of Yamashita to get the three count.
SPARK “IGNITE EAST”, 11/06/2023 The Heart Ballroom, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Brittany Blake with the Itoh Deluxe (9:17).
2. Spark Joshi World Title: Miyu Yamashita defeated Rachael Ellering with the Crash Rabbit Heat (16:20). *Miyu Yamashita becomes the 1st Spark Joshi World Champion!
The debut show for Spark Joshi Puroresu was a good one for Yamashita and Itoh. In the main event Yamashita defeated Rachael Ellering to become the first Spark Joshi World Champion. However Yamashita may need to watch her back for future shows because Starkz threw her name into the hat for a future title shot. She also formed an alliance with Ellering called Xtinguish. On the undercard Itoh beat Brittany Blake.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 14/06/2023 Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C., USA
You know, this would have been a nice match to put on video somewhere. Riho, Itoh & Abadon is a King Of Trios kind of team if I ever saw one. So are Nyla Rose, Marina Shafir & Emi Sakura as a potential Team AEW Dark. Damn it, I miss King Of Trios. Can Tony Khan go do a little bit of grave robbing and grab what’s left of Chikara? Or is that going to unleash a new kind of curse on the world that nobody wants?
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 14/06/2023 (Aired 16/06/2023) Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C., USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Bandido with the PowerDrive Knee (15:11).
Now this is the good stuff! Big Lariats from Takeshita, big Hurricanranas from Bandido, big bombs everywhere else. Takeshita eventually came out on top against Bandido by hitting the Jumping Knee, an Elbow Strike to the back of the head and then the PowerDrive Knee.
SPARK “IGNITE WEST”, 16/06/2023 East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Cultural Center, West Covina, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Zeda Zhang with the I.S.D. (9:55).
2. Spark Joshi World Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) defeated Delilah Doom with the Skull Kick (19:06). *V1 for Miyu Yamashita.
The second Spark show was full of victories again for Yamashita and Itoh. Yamashita earned her first Spark Joshi Title defence by beating Delilah Doom while Itoh was victorious against Zeda Zhang. After the match Sumie Sakai entered the ring, helped Zhang to her feet and held up the Xtinguish banner with her. Itoh told both of them to “Fuck off.”
ENJOY “SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT”, 17/06/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Ray Lyn with the Skull Kick (18:06).
The final weekend of Yamashita’s tour took her to Enjoy Wrestling where she beat Ray Lyn.
GCW “THANK ME LATER”, 17/06/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Rina Yamashita defeated Maki Itoh with the Splash Mountain onto a Chair (17:37).
Well the death match stuff was going to catch up with Itoh sooner or later. When she faced Rina Yamashita in GCW she had to fight someone armed with chairs and even a loose door. Itoh had her trusty pizza cutter though and was able to slice her opponent’s head open. However Yamashita put Itoh through the door with an Air Raid Crash, attacked her over and over with the chairs and pinned her with the Splash Mountain onto a chair.
DPW “TAG FESTIVAL 2023”, 18/06/2023 Durham Armory, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1. Emi Sakura & Mizuki (w/ Yuka Sakazaki) defeated Miyu Yamashita & Vert Vixen when Sakura pinned Vixen with La Magistral Cradle (11:37).
Deadlock Pro held the final match of Yamashita’s tour along with Itoh’s last match before she went back to Japan too. A lot of changes happened in the leadup. First the match was supposed to by Yamashita & Hyan against The Magical Sugar Rabbits but Hyan had to pull out because of a schedule conflict. Vert Vixen was brought in to be Yamashita’s new partner. Then Sakazaki got her injury diagnosis and was unable to do the match. DPW decided Mizuki would now team with Emi Sakura, who just so happens to be the DPW Women’s Champion. Sakazaki was still able to attend the show and be at ringside to support Mizuki. Together the three of them became The MagiRabi Queens. Sakazaki even got involved a few times pulling some antics at ringside. Stuff like moving around the ringside railings for wrestlers to get thrown into. She even got in the way and almost had her head kicked off when Yamashita tried to do a running Penalty Kick on the apron. Yamashita stopped herself at the last second while Sakazaki froze in fear, possibly having her life flash before her eyes.
AEW/NJPW “FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023”, 25/06/2023 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1. Hangman Page, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino when Ishii pinned Yuta with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (21:29).
Hey this just about counts as DDT being part of the Forbidden Door. Takeshita through his new manager formed an alliance with the Blackpool Combat Club in the leadup to the big show. Together they all challenged The Elite along with Eddie Kingston and his choice of partner Tomohiro Ishii. Takeshita put up a big performance on the night highlighted with the incredibly rare sight of him knocking out Ishii with an Elbow Strike! Ishii recovered and went on to score the pinfall for his team but the story is ready to move on to its next chapter.
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 30 – FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS”, 30/06/2023 Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Warhorse with the PowerDrive Knee (18:06).
Takeshita’s return to Warrior Wrestling was a reminder that no matter what happens to him, there will always be that DDT DNA inside of him. Warhorse went into the match with the intentions of not just beating Takeshita but sending him to the injured list. With an entire football field at their disposal they fought everywhere they could reach. They brawled along the track where Takeshita jumped hurdles on the way to kicking Warhorse with a Big Boot. Warhorse turned the tables near the field goal by inviting Takeshita to kick a football and then doing the old Charlie Brown trick to make him fall over. Warhorse then Body Slammed a few nearby people onto Takeshita for good measure! Takeshita fought back by doing a Brainbuster on the field, leaving both feeling hurt enough to take the match back into the ring. A war of attrition took place from there ending with Takeshita pinning Warhorse with the PowerDrive Knee.
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Upcoming Appearances
EVE “NMITB”, 02/07/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Eve Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Emersyn Jayne
Yamashita’s tour is over but she isn’t finished with travelling by a long shot. Last month Emersyn Jayne defeated Rhio to become the No. 1 Contender for the EVE Title. She is arguably the most accomplished wrestler yet to challenge face Yamashita for the championship.
WEST COAST PRO “CRUEL SUMMER 2023”, 08/07/2023 United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Bryan Keith Vs MAO
MAO has his own US trip for the summer planned. First up he meets Bryan Keith in the ring for the first time over in West Coast Pro.
IWTV “MARCUS MATHERS ALL I WANT 2”, 13/07/2023 H20 Wrestling Center, Williamstown, New Jersey, USA
1. Yoshihiko Vs X
2. MAO Vs Brandon Kirk
Then MAO heads over to New Jersey to be part of a show being put together by Marcus Mathers. MAO’s opponent will be against death match wrestler Brandon Kirk. He won’t be going there alone though. Yoshihiko will be at the show too but it currently does not have a match announced.
GCW “NOW AND FOREVER”, 14/07/2023 Melrose Ballroom, Queens, New York, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Mike Bailey Vs Yoshihiko
3. GCW World Title: Blake Christian (c) Vs MAO
Some big matches await our crew in GCW the next day. MAO gets a shot at the GCW World Title facing the increasingly unpopular Blake Christian. Yoshihiko faces a great test of its abilities against Mike Bailey in a first time ever singles match. They’ve been opponents in a trios match once before but other than that Bailey didn’t interact with Yoshihiko that much while he was in DDT.
Vanessa Kraven is a long time veteran wrestler who recently returned to the scene after stepping away for a few years. She’s the size of a giant next to Itoh.
CIRCLE 6 “BARROOM BLITZ”, 15/07/2023 Knucklehead Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. MAO Vs Bobby Beverly
A new place for MAO to experience. If you thought GCW is home to a few misfit toys with nowhere else to go then oh boy you haven’t seen Circle 6 yet! The first show is a no ring show taking place inside a bar in Santa Monica where MAO will fight Bobby Beverly, no holds barred.
CIRCLE 6 “LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE”, 16/07/2023 1720 Warehouse, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. AJ Gray Vs MAO
Then the next day MAO takes on AJ Gray. Yeah let’s move on.
No update yet on who Itoh faces when she goes to Smash Wrestling.
PRESTIGE “ALL RISE”, 23/07/2023 House Of Independents, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Trish Adora
It will be around 10 months since the last time Itoh was on a Prestige show. When she returns Trish Adora will be there to fight her.
DEFY “SPIRIT WC”, 28/07/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh heads over to DEFY for the launch of their new women’s wrestling brand called Spirit WC.
DREAMWAVE “SUMMER SPECTACULAR NIGHT 1”, 04/08/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
DREAMWAVE “SUMMER SPECTACULAR NIGHT 2”, 05/08/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh has two nights at DREAMWAVE coming up in August. Something interesting to note is Mickie James is being advertised to appear at the second show. They’d probably get along if they met, right? Maybe get Itoh to sing “Hardcore Country” and James to sing “Brooklyn The Hole”?
GCW “NO SIGNAL IN THE HILLS”, 11/08/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s been with GCW for so long at this point she should get her own vanity show for the next Wrestlemania weekend.
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 25/08/2023 Roundhouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 26/08/2023 Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
ROW/GCW “GCW VS RENEGADES OF WRESTLING”, 27/08/2023 Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s heading over to Australia for the first time as part of GCW’s tour with Renegades Of Wrestling. Australians, do her a favor and teach her only the most foulest of the local swear words while she’s over there.
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Cancelled Appearances
WRESTLING REVOLVER “RING OF DESTINY”, 17/06/2023 Calumet Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. JT Dunn (w/ Allie Katch) Vs Konosuke Takeshita
Takeshita wasn’t able to make the Wrestling REVOLVER show due to travel issues. JT Dunn instead threw out an open challenge and wrestled Sami Callihan to continue their feud in the company.
The shit has hit the fan now boys and girls because Konosuke Takeshita has turned heel! What looked like a quiet month of recovery for the guy after getting injured by the Blackpool Combat Club in AEW instead ending with a bang with him betraying The Elite and solidifying his alliance with Don Callis. The angle has sent AEW fantasy booking into overdrive with fans now hoping this will lead into Kota Ibushi making his long awaited entry into the company to join the storyline. Kenny Omega is fanning the flames somewhat by telling the audience after Sunday’s PPV that he has friends from outside AEW he’s thinking about bringing in to even the numbers. Whatever happens next, it should become a big step forward for Takeshita’s AEW career.
Meanwhile May was the second full month for Miyu Yamashita in America. She has named her excursion the Kick Rampage Tour and continues to experience wins and losses across the country. She even started the month with a very busy weekend in England. Title matches in particular have been the big challenges she’s had difficulty with this month. While she’s been busy with that, Maki Itoh begun her own training excursion in America to prepare for her big Princess Of Princess Title match in July. So far her appearances have all been for GCW and she’s been thick in the action over there. Both Yamashita and Itoh will be staying in America for most of June along with Yuka Sakazaki.
Sakazaki’s story for this article is a little odd. She is currently in America travelling with AEW but has not wrestled any matches yet, as of the time I write this. That’s what happens when you get rid of Dark and Elevation but I digress. She is going to be wrestling in June but her visit seems to be more about preparations for life in America after she graduates from Tokyo Joshi Pro at the end of the year. Also I want to remind everyone she is a playable character in AEW: Fight Forever coming out at the end of June. She’s even in a photo for one of the game achievements. By the time June ends Yamashita, Itoh and Sakazaki will all be back in Japan for TJPW again but that won’t be the end of their international bookings this year by a long shot.
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Videos
NEW TEXAS PRO “SUPER TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 1”, 11/05/2023 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. New Texas Pro Women’s Title: Hyan (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
HOG “BEWARE THE FURY”, 19/05/2023 Amazura, Queens, New York, USA
1. HOG Women’s Title: The Ultra Violette (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
GCW “I CAN’T SAVE YOU”, 21/05/2023 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Steph De Lander Vs Maki Itoh
GLORY PRO “GO FOR BROKE”, 21/05/2023 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
1. Tootie Lynn Vs Miyu Yamashita
TITLE MATCH “LADIES NIGHT OUT: TRIPLE SHOT 2”, 26/05/2023 AML Wrestling Training Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Ladies Night Out Title – 3 Way Match: Janai Kai (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita Vs Angélica Risk
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 31/05/2023 Viejas Arena, San Diego, California, USA
Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita Get Booed Out Of San Diego
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Results
EVE “LUCKY 13 – NIGHT 1”, 05/05/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title – Iron Woman Match: Miyu Yamashita (c) (4) defeated Millie McKenzie (3) (30:00).
1a. Millie McKenzie (1) defeated Miyu Yamashita (0) with a German Suplex (5:05).
1b. Miyu Yamashita (1) defeated Millie McKenzie (1) with the Skull Kick (11:14).
1c. Millie McKenzie (2) defeated Miyu Yamashita (1) with an Inside Cradle (23:13).
1d. Miyu Yamashita (2) defeated Millie McKenzie (2) with a High Kick (23:20).
1e. Miyu Yamashita (3) defeated Millie McKenzie (2) with the Attitude Adjustment (24:34).
1f. Millie McKenzie (3) defeated Miyu Yamashita (3) with the Spear (26:20).
1g. Miyu Yamashita (4) defeated Millie McKenzie (3) with the Skull Kick (28:05). *V4 for Miyu Yamashita.
It’s the rivalry that went worldwide. Yamashita and Millie McKenzie have fought each other in Spain, England and Japan with a close win-loss record between them if you include their tag match in TJPW. McKenzie failed to win the EVE Title from Yamashita once before but she got a second chance on home soil. This time it was going to be a grueling 30 minute Iron Woman Match so there could be no question over who deserved to be champion. The battle left McKenzie as a bloody mess but she got the first pinfall early and was able to catch up when Yamashita took the lead. But the Skull Kick was the difference maker, giving Yamashita the winning fall and the two were left exhausted by the time the match reached its end.
EVE “LUCKY 13 – NIGHT 2”, 06/05/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) defeated Billie Starkz with the Skull Kick (12:00). *V5 for Miyu Yamashita.
With hardly even a good day’s rest, Yamashita defended the EVE Title again the next day against Billie Starkz. She and Starkz are going to have matches together in America soon enough but EVE also wanted to host one because they didn’t know if they would ever get another chance. That Yamashita was still the champion gave them the perfect opportunity to make it a title match too. The result here shows that even when Yamashita’s American excursion ends, she still has a second home with EVE in England. They haven’t seen the last of her at all.
NEW TEXAS PRO “SUPER TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 1”, 11/05/2023 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. New Texas Pro Women’s Title: Hyan (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita with the Beauty Sleep (15:05). *V4 for Hyan.
A big main event spot was given to Yamashita and Hyan over at New Texas Pro. Hyan successfully defended her Women’s Title in a back and forth match, withstanding a High Kick to give Yamashita her version of the Glam Slam for the victory.
MAW “VENDETTA”, 13/05/2023 2nd St. Depot, Hastings, Minnesota, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Sierra (?:??).
Even though Sierra holds Midwest All-Star Wrestling’s women’s title, her match with Yamashita turned out to be a non-title bout. It was in the main event however and Yamashita won it. Would have been nice if she added another belt to her collection during this tour. Two is not enough!
HOG “BEWARE THE FURY”, 19/05/2023 Amazura, Queens, New York, USA
1. HOG Women’s Title: The Ultra Violette (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita after a Chairshot (10:46). *V5 for Violette.
Yamashita has dealt with interference from a heel unit before but I don’t remember anyone from NEO Biishiki-gun ever smashing a chair over her head. That is what happened here when The Ultra Violette got help from The Bookers to defend the HOG Women’s Title. Yamashita did her best to fend off the cheaters, kicking The Bookers off of the ring apron and landing the Skull Kick on Violette. But the referee was pulled out of the ring during the pinfall, Yamashita got knocked out with a chairshot and Violette’s limp arm was placed over her to get the three count.
AIW “GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 16”, 20/05/2023 Force Sports, Eastlake, Ohio, USA
1. Joseline Navarro defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Low Cross Body (?:??).
A result like this sounds like a massive upset but looking at Joseline Navarro’s run of results in AIW, she has a pretty strong win-loss record for the company. Still, Yamashita looked to have underestimated her. She didn’t realise Navarro shook off a High Kick to the head and was German Suplexed over to the corner of the ring. Yamashita got some momentum back but missed the Skull Kick and was German Suplexed again, this time head first into the bottom turnbuckle. Navarro followed up with a Basement Cross Body into the corner and that kept Yamashita down for the three count.
GCW “THE WAY I AM”, 20/05/2023 Harpo’s Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1. GCW World Title – 5 Way Match: Masha Slamovich (c) defeated LuFisto, Shazza McKenzie, Maki Itoh and Allysin Kay when Slamovich submitted McKenzie with (12:25). *V6 for Masha Slamovich.
This was originally going to be just Itoh against Shazza McKenzie in a singles match but in the week leading up to the show GCW thankfully changed plans. It was changed to a 6 Way Match featuring Masha Slamovich defending the GCW World Title against 5 other women, Itoh included. Then it turned out to be a 5 Way Match when Allie Katch was unable to make it to the show. Unlike Yamashita, Itoh can take a chair to the head and proved it by grabbing a chair and repeatedly headbutting it. Sadly she wasn’t able to become champion in the end.
GCW “I CAN’T SAVE YOU”, 21/05/2023 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Steph De Lander (w/ Matt Cardona) defeated Maki Itoh (w/ Nick Gage) with a Sit Out F5 (8:58).
The next night Itoh went face to face with a woman who is fast becoming her international nemesis, Steph De Lander. Both Nick Gage and Matt Cardona were there for their entrances but it was Cardona who ended up interfering when he stopped Itoh from using her pizza cutter. The distraction led to De Lander getting a cheap win.
GLORY PRO “GO FOR BROKE”, 21/05/2023 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Tootie Lynn with the Skull Kick (12:26).
After a poor run of results Yamashita got things back on track by beating Tootie Lynn in the main event of a Glory Pro show. She even acted a little cheeky after the match, pulling back on a handshake only to give Lynn a hug afterwards. I think she liked wrestling her.
1. Triple Threat Match: Masahiro Takanashi defeated Big T and John Day (?:??).
2. SPW Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) defeated Saki Akai (?:??).
*V? for Alexis Lee.
3. SPW Southeast Asia Title: Aiden Rex (c) defeated Yukio Sakaguchi (?:??).
*V? for Aiden Rex.
This one slipped past me when it was announced last month. Eruption members Yukio Sakaguchi and Saki Akai went over to Singapore Pro Wrestling to challenge some of their champions. Both of them failed to win the belts with Sakaguchi losing to Aiden Rex and Saki Akai losing to Alexis Lee. The only DDT related win on the show was Masahiro Takanashi getting his hand raised after the 3 Way Match.
TITLE MATCH “LADIES NIGHT OUT: TRIPLE SHOT 2”, 26/05/2023 AML Wrestling Training Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Ladies Night Out Title – 3 Way Match: Angélica Risk defeated Janai Kai (c) and Miyu Yamashita when Risk pinned Yamashita after the Tornado Kick from Kai (?:??). *Janai Kai fails in V4. Angélica Risk becomes the 3rd Ladies Night Out Champion!
Janai Kai has become a favourite opponent for Yamashita during her tour and this time she had a chance to win a championship from her. But things got weird. Title Match were running three shows that day and promoted two matches for Yamashita. One against Kai and one against Angélica Risk. Then on the night it turned out to be just one match between all three wrestlers and it was the main event of the final show. Kai actually had Yamashita beat by hitting her with the Tornado Kick. But Risk got Kai out of the way and stole the pin to become the new champion.
GCW “LIFESTYLE”, 26/05/2023 Silver Nugget Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Sandra Moone with the I.S.D. (9:18).
Itoh’s GCW adventure bounced back from last week’s losses by beating Sandra Moone in Las Vegas. She had no time to celebrate though because Cardona & De Lander attacked her immediately after the match. Gage ran down to the rescue, leading everyone to anticipate Maki Death Kill to team up again so they can cut their enemies apart!
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Upcoming Appearances
LLL “BEST WISHES WARMEST REGARDS”, 02/06/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. 3 Way Match: Masha Slamovich Vs Heidi Howitzer Vs Miyu Yamashita
Two opponents Yamashita has gotten to know in the ring pretty well this year. Her versus Masha Slamovich should happen more often. Heidi Howitzer is showing how busy she is while she’s away from Max The Impaler.
BLACK LABEL PRO “FANCY WRESTLING 2”, 03/06/2023 RDS Gym, Crown Point, Indiana, USA
1. Rachel Armstrong Vs Miyu Yamashita
From what I could find about Rachel Armstrong, she has a deadly looking 450 Splash.
GCW “CAGE OF SURVIVAL 2”, 04/06/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s not going to fight in a Cage Match, is she?
INSPIRE A.D. “KIDS OF THE BLACKHOLE”, 04/06/2023 Empire Control Room, Austin, Texas, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Killa Kate
Yamashita says farewell to Texas by fighting “The Submission Musician” Killa Kate. The people at Inspire A.D. have such big expectations for this match they made their own instruction video teaching fans how to throw streamers into the ring.
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY “GIANT’S WOKE EYES OPEN”, 09/06/2023 The House of Anarchy, Alton, Illinois, USA
1. Billie Starkz Vs Miyu Yamashita
This is the US match between Yamashita and Starkz that I was talking about earlier.
SPARK “IGNITE EAST”, 11/06/2023 The Heart Ballroom, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Brittany Blake
2. Spark Joshi World Title: Miyu Yamashita Vs Rachael Ellering
Yamashita is one of the two wrestlers chosen to fight for the new Spark Joshi World Title with Rachael Ellering being the other. If you ever wanted to know how those zombie championships that bounce around the Japanese indies get created, maybe give this thing a follow. Am I being too harsh with that assumption? Yep!
Itoh joins Yamashita for the first two Spark shows. She takes on Brittany Blake on the debut event.
SPARK “IGNITE WEST”, 16/06/2023 East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Cultural Center, West Covina, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs Delilah Doom
Delilah Doom is a well travelled veteran of the independents, wrestling for a similar length of time Yamashita has.
ENJOY “SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT”, 17/06/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Ray Lyn
It appears that the Kick Rampage Tour will indeed end here. Yamashita’s first match back in TJPW will be on 24th June so unless something gets booked in the last week this will be it.
WRESTLING REVOLVER “RING OF DESTINY”, 17/06/2023 Calumet Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. JT Dunn (w/ Allie Katch) Vs Konosuke Takeshita
JT Dunn has had a few chances now at trying to beat Takeshita but has yet to find success. Things in Wrestling REVOLVER have been going way lately though. He and Allie Katch got engaged at the last REVOLVER show and they have been causing chaos over there as part of The Unit. Is Katch the difference maker Dunn needed all along? Will this match even make sense by the time it happens? It could become heel versus heel depending on how Takeshita will start acting in AEW after his recent actions.
GCW “THANK ME LATER”, 17/06/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Rina Yamashita Vs Maki Itoh
If there is a joshi wrestler who has taken GCW even more by storm than Itoh, it is Rina Yamashita. She is the longest reigning GCW Ultraviolent Champion and also has the most defences in a single reign. Who will the GCW audience get behind more or will there be an audible split in support?
DPW “TAG FESTIVAL 2023”, 18/06/2023 Durham Armory, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs X & X
Of course Deadlock Pro is the first place in America to book The Magical Sugar Rabbits outside of TJPW!
EVE “NMITB”, 02/07/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Eve Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Rhio or Emersyn Jayne
Last week EVE held a taping that had a No. 1 Contender’s match to determine Yamashita’s next challenger for her title. Videos of the show won’t be uploaded to their paid Youtube channel until June and the promoters asked their audience not to put any spoilers out anywhere. Those fans obliged and no results from the show can be found online. So right now I don’t know if it is Rhio or Emersyn Jane who is getting the title shot. Or even both if their match ended in a draw.
WEST COAST PRO “CRUEL SUMMER 2023”, 08/07/2023 United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Bryan Keith Vs MAO
There’s still going to be international wrestling for me to talk about after the women go back to TJPW. MAO will be going to America in July and West Coast Pro are giving him a doozy of an opponent. Bryan Keith might have the tools needed to deal with MAO’s crazy energy.
IWTV “MARCUS MATHERS ALL I WANT 2”, 13/07/2023 H20 Wrestling Center, Williamstown, New Jersey, USA
1. Yoshihiko Vs X
2. MAO Vs X
Both MAO and Yoshihiko have been invited over to a show produced by Marcus Mathers for IWTV.
GCW “NOW AND FOREVER”, 14/07/2023 Melrose Ballroom, Queens, New York, USA
1. Yoshihiko Vs X
2. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s going to be doing more GCW appearances that TJPW appearances the way things are going. Yoshihiko also returns.
Itoh’s relationship with death match wrestling is no longer just confined to GCW. She’ll be going over to Canada to make her International Wrestling Syndicate debut in July!
Boy oh boy November turned out to be an eventful month for DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro going international. Between DDT’s dealings with AEW and TJPW leaving their mark on Pro Wrestling EVE there is a lot to keep track of. Konosuke Takeshita signed his deal with AEW, Jun Akiyama made “The Last of a Dying Breed’s” dream come true, Maki Itoh is now gang affiliated and Miyu Yamashita for the second time in her career holds another country’s championship. And let’s not forget about Shota’s travels across America while CDK was out doing their thing in Singapore. Although there are signs that Shota’s excursion may be approaching its end soon he is keeping himself busy on the road and taking the time to stop and smell the roses.
I hope these posts are coming in handy and not just for following what the Japanese wrestlers are up to abroad. If you haven’t noticed yet, some of the names you see in the previous posts have been getting bookings in Japan recently. So you never know who here will show up in DDT, TJPW or Ganbare☆Pro in 2023. I have a feeling it’s only going to get crazier from there. Like maybe WWE brings back the Mae Young Classic and Mahiro Kiryu enters it. Hey, it could happen.
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Videos
Video starts at 0:00 for the match MPW “NIGHT FALL”, 04/11/2022 Nordhoff PL, Chatsworth, California, USA
1. Dustin Daniels Vs Shota
Video starts at 21:28 for the match LEVEL UP “BLINDING LIGHTS”, 05/11/2022 Attitude Brewing Company, San Diego, California, USA
1. Triple Threat Match: Hunter Freeman Vs Fabrizio Vs Shota
Video starts at 1:12:39 for an angle. Go to 1:50:07 for the match NEW TEXAS PRO “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 8”, 17/11/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Shota Vs Rudy Garza (w/ Dan Miller)
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 18/11/2022 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Eddie Kingston & Ortiz Vs Jun Akiyama & Konosuke Takeshita
Video starts at 40:15 for the match JCW “SERIES OF SURVIVALS”, 19/11/2022 Boonton Elks Lodge, Boonton, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Janai Kai
Video starts at 35:38 for the match AEW “FULL GEAR ZERO HOUR”, 19/11/2022 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Eddie Kingston (w/ Ortiz) Vs Jun Akiyama
WRESTLERAVE “IN YOUR WAREHOUSE”, 19/11/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. WrestleRave Title: Aaron Mercer (c) Vs Shota
Video starts at 2:02:35 for the match SPW “ASTRONOMICAL ANNIVERSARY – DAY 1”, 24/11/2022 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. SPW Tag Team Titles: Da Butcherman & Dr. Gore (c) Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
Video starts at 1:40 for Match #1. Go to 1:59:10 for Match #2 SPW “ASTRONOMICAL ANNIVERSARY – DAY 2”, 25/11/2022 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. Chris Brookes Vs Ho Ho Lun
2. SPW Southeast Asia Title – 4 Way Match: Aiden Rex (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi Vs Andruew Tang Vs Tajiri
Video starts at 8:49 for Match #1. Go to 16:47 for Match #2 AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 28/11/2022 Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh & Emi Sakura Vs Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir (w/ Vickie Guerrero)
2. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Ari Daivari
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Results
MPW “NIGHT FALL”, 04/11/2022 Nordhoff PL, Chatsworth, California, USA
1. Dustin Daniels defeated Shota with the Torture Rack Slam (?:??).
I’m starting to think Shota is too trusting of a human being. Take his match against Dustin Daniels at Millennium Pro Wrestling for example. Everything was going nice and well until Shota fought off Daniels from the ring apron. Daniels stumbled back into the referee and used the sudden lack of authority to kick the middle rope into Shota’s groin while Shota was stepping back into the ring. The Low Blow made Shota into dead weight but Daniels was eventually able to lift him up into a Torture Rack and then slam him down to get the win.
LEVEL UP “BLINDING LIGHTS”, 05/11/2022 Attitude Brewing Company, San Diego, California, USA
1. Triple Threat Match: Fabrizio defeated Hunter Freeman and Shota when Fabrizio with the I Am Prettier (?:??).
This match became a full circle moment for some of the people involved. Hunter Freeman originally trained to be a pro wrestler in Okinawa 17 years ago and Shota was involved in training him. That is not the only student and mentor relationship in the match because Freeman is the trainer of Fabrizio. The Triple Threat ended in an upset when Fabrizio pushed Freeman into Shota and then gave his trainer the Unprettier to win.
ROW “FALL FURY”, 12/11/2022 Booker T World Gym Arena, Texas City, Texas, USA
1. Shota Suzuki defeated Emilio Tovar (?:??).
2. Shota Suzuki defeated Jonathan Vega (?:??).
Shota returned to Reality Of Wrestling to settle the score with La Familia after they cost him a match the last time he was in the company. Shota had quite the challenge given to him on the day. He had two take part in two matches against La Familia. Against the odds, Shota ended up winning both matches against Emilio Tovar and Jonathan Vega. He won one of the matches with the Frog Splash, which meant a lot to him because a few days before the show he visited El Paso the home of Eddie Guerrero.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM V – SHOW 1”, 13/11/2022 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Tag Team Titles: Rhia O’Reilly & Skye Smitson (c) defeated Hyper Misao & Session Moth Martina when Smitson pinned Misao (10:16). *V5 for The Uprising.
2. EVE Title No. 1 Contender Match: Miyu Yamashiya defeated Millie McKenzie with the Skull Kick (12:34).
Over to England where TJPW talent was invited over to Pro Wrestling EVE. The British women’s promotion held their fifth annual “WRESTLE QUEENDOM” supershow, split into two events over the course of the day. On the afternoon show Yamashita faced Millie McKenzie in a rematch from their first meeting the month before in Spain. Yamashita had learned from her mistakes in the first match and found a way to counter McKenzie’s Regal Plex. The counter allowed Yamashita to take control from her opponent and create an opening for a High Kick followed by the Skull Kick. The win meant Yamashita was now the No. 1 Contender for the EVE Title and her title shot was happening later that day on the evening show.
Hyper Misao became fast friends with Session Moth Martina from Ireland (home of the Spice Bag) and together they fought against The Uprising for the EVE Tag Team Titles. They came close to winning until Nightshade interfered on behalf of her allies and helped The Uprising retain their titles. Misao wanted revenge on Nightshade for costing her team their chance to win a championship and challenged her to a fight on the evening show.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM V – SHOW 2”, 13/11/2022 229 The Venue, London, England
1. Hyper Misao defeated Nightshade with the Hypami Returns onto a pile of Chairs (12:16).
2. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita defeated Alex Windsor (c) with the Crash Rabbit Heat (15:08). *Alex Windsor fails in V1. Miyu Yamashita becomes the 20th EVE Champion!
Later that evening the second show took place and became a highlight for both of TJPW’s women. In the afternoon Alex Windsor won the EVE Title and now had to defend it against Yamashita. Both had already wrestled in hard fought matches so nobody had the advantage going into the match. Yamashita took Windsor’s big moves and made her crumble to the Skull Kick. The Crash Rabbit Heat found its target and Yamashita became the new EVE Champion! McKenzie met her in the ring after the match challenging her for the title. Her reasoning is they are now 1-1 against each other and their rivalry is one that now spans the entire world. Yamashita agreed and invited her back to TJPW to do the match there. Good thing McKenzie already had Japan in her upcoming travel plans, eh? Yamashita Vs McKenzie has since taken place in TJPW with Yamashita successfully defending the belt and going 2-1 against her English rival.
Misao got her justice by beating Nightshade in a crazy match. I don’t think the match was No DQ but it ended up having weapons and brawling involved anyway. Misao brought out her Hyper Cycle and crashed it into a tower of chairs on the stage. She tried the tactic again and successfully crashed into Nightshade at ringside. The finish came when Misao dropped Nightshade with the Hypami Returns onto a pile of chairs in the middle of the ring.
NEW TEXAS PRO “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 8”, 17/11/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Rudy Garza (w/ Dan Miller) defeated Shota with a Dragon Sleeper Driver (?:??).
Shota had a headline spot for his return to New Texas Pro. In his second appearance of the “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES” Shota fought Rudy Garza. Outside interference again reared its ugly head thanks to Garza’s manager Dan Miller. Shota held Garza in a Crossface Lock when Miller grabbed his wrestler’s leg and placed it on the bottom rope to break the hold. Shota got a little measure of revenge when he landed a Topé Suicida on Miller and sent him crashing through a row of ringside seats. However Miller recovered and distracted the ref so Garza could poke Shota in the eye and take his leg out with a Chop Block before hitting his finisher for the three count.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 18/11/2022 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Jun Akiyama & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Eddie Kingston & Ortiz when Akiyama pinned Ortiz with the Exploder Suplex (12:17).
For a long time now Eddie Kingston has spoken highly of Jun Akiyama and named him as a dream opponent. Well working for a place like AEW can spring plenty of surprises. Not only was Takeshita having his first match back from a month long break, he was bringing Akiyama along with him! They fought Kingston along with his buddy Ortiz on the Friday leading into a PPV weekend. Kingston wasn’t able to get much time in the ring with his hero and that very well could have been one of the reasons why the DDT team won the match. There was clearly unfinished business after the match was over and a singles bout between Akiyama and Kingston was quickly put together. The match was also the debut of Takeshita’s new AEW theme song “Face-Off”.
JCW “SERIES OF SURVIVALS”, 19/11/2022 Boonton Elks Lodge, Boonton, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Janai Kai with the I.S.D (8:41).
On the week of Thanksgiving America had Maki Itoh to be thankful for when she paid a visit to the country to wrestle on a few shows. JCW was her first stop. She beat Janai Kai thanks to her hard head deflecting one of Kai’s normally dangerous kicks. The match was a little bit more newsworthy by the end when JCW’s commentary team let slip that Kai will be going to wrestle in Japan this January, most likely for TJPW.
AEW “FULL GEAR ZERO HOUR”, 19/11/2022 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Eddie Kingston (w/ Ortiz) defeated Jun Akiyama with the Uraken (10:32).
The pre-show for “FULL GEAR” was where the much anticipated Kingston Vs Akiyama singles match took place. Akiyama had a new theme song put together by Osamu Suzuki called “FINAL EXPLODER”. Kingston not only got to fight his hero one on one but he beat him too! The match built to an exchange of Exploder Suplexes. Akiyama wanted to use the Wrist-Clutch variation but Kingston countered it with a DDT. Akiyama kicked out of the Uraken but Kingston kicked out of a Running Knee Strike too. Akiyama then tried to set up the Sternness Dust α but it was countered into the Northern Lights Bomb. Kingston then hit another Uraken to score the pin. The two showed a lot of respect to each other after the match.
WRESTLERAVE “IN YOUR WAREHOUSE”, 19/11/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. WrestleRave Title: Aaron Mercer (c) defeated Shota with the Cradle Piledriver (?:??). *V5 for Aaron Mercer.
Shota has said in a tweet that this match against Aaron Mercer is one of the most memorable not just from his excursion but his entire career. Mercer also tweeted that the match may well become one of his favorites ever too. In fact the match is getting rave reviews by just about everyone who saw it in person and tweeted about it. The Houston Premier Arena is becoming home to many good memories for Shota as time goes by.
GCW “AURA”, 20/11/2022 Fete Music Hall, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
1. Masha Slamovich defeated Maki Itoh with the Half Package Piledriver (11:56).
GCW was next on Itoh’s schedule and she went there wanting to become the centre of attention. How do you do that in GCW? You step in the ring with Nick Gage, look him right in the eyes and tell him “Where is my fucking gang at?!?” Itoh becoming MDK Gang affiliated wasn’t enough for her to beat Masha Slamovich though. She drilled Slamovich with a Top Rope DDT but a rope break stopped her from getting the three count. Instead Slamovich stunned her with a Spin Kick to the head and won with a Half Package Piledriver.
1. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir (w/ Vickie Guerrero) defeated Maki Itoh & Emi Sakura when Rose pinned Sakura with the Beast Bomb (4:17).
2. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Ari Daivari with the Rollover German Suplex (4:45).
Takeshita’s first AEW match under his new deal was against Ari Daivari of the Trustbusters stable. Takeshita won with the German Suplex but the story coming out of the match was Don Callis walking out to ringside to watch it. The man is most known in AEW to be Kenny Omega’s manager. Could he be interested in offering his services to Takeshita?
Meanwhile Itoh made her return to AEW by teaming with Emi Sakura to take on Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir. Itoh found out the hard way that getting into a strike exchange with Shafir outside the ring is a bad idea. She was taken out by that while Rose pinned Sakura with the Beast Bomb.
SPW “ASTRONOMICAL ANNIVERSARY – DAY 1”, 24/11/2022 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. SPW Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Da Butcherman & Dr. Gore when Brookes pinned Gore after the Super Kick & Praying Mantis Bomb (21:03). *CDK become the 10th SPW Tag Team Champions!
Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi collected some gold on their trip to Singapore Pro Wrestling. They beat The Horrors of Da Butcherman & Dr. Gore to win the vacant SPW Tag Team Titles in the main event of the first part of the company’s anniversary shows.
SPW “ASTRONOMICAL ANNIVERSARY – DAY 2”, 25/11/2022 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. Chris Brookes defeated Ho Ho Lun (10:33).
2. SPW Southeast Asia Title – 4 Way Match: Aiden Rex (c) defeated Masahiro Takanashi, Andruew Tang and Tajiri (12:11). *V4 for Aiden Rex.
On Day 2 Takanashi had an opportunity to win another championship when he took part in a 4 Way Match with Tajiri and Andruew Tang also among the challengers. Aiden Rex came out on top and remained the SPW Southeast Asia Champion.
Brookes sent out an open challenge for his match and it was answered by Ho Ho Lun!
LLL “POD SIX WAS JERKS!”, 25/11/2022 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Austin Reddick defeated Shota (?:??).
Denver was the next stop for Shota where he found himself wrestling in a new environment. The Lucha Libre & Laughs show was held inside a theatre and the ring was located right on the stage. Shota and Austin Reddick had their match while comedians cracked jokes on the live commentary.
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Aaron Solo with a Wheelbarrow German Suplex (3:15).
Callis was again at ringside to watch Takeshita in action. This time Takeshita beat Aaron Solo from The Factory.
ROW “SHOWCASE”, 30/11/2022 Booker T World Gym Arena, Texas City, Texas, USA
1. Shota Vs Bryan Keith
Shota’s last match of the month was at an untelevised ROW show against one of Booker T’s brightest proteges Bryan Keith.
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Upcoming Appearances
PWL “PRO WRESTLING LEGACY”, 02/12/2022 Toma Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA
1. Cosmo Orion Vs Shota
As mentioned earlier, Shota got to visit El Paso already during his excursion but it isn’t until December when he will get to wrestle there. His El Paso debut for Pro Wrestling Legacy will be for a match against Cosmo Orion.
GRAPPLE MAX “GOLD STANDARD”, 03/12/2022 GymKraft, Tampines Street, Singapore
1. Hotshot Wilson Vs Masahiro Takanashi
Takanashi last faced his opponent Hotshot Wilson three years ago when Hotshot was just a rookie. He has grown up while Takanashi was away so what kind of trouble can he cause him the next time they meet?
PWF “PREMIER RUMBLE”, 03/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Caine Carter Vs Shota
Perhaps Shota’s final visit to Premier Wrestling Federation sees him against Caine Carter. The show also has a Royal Rumble match taking place. Shota is not advertised to compete in it yet but if there’s a spot open, he’ll be sure to take it.
NEW TEXAS PRO “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 9”, 08/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Mysterious Q Vs Shota
Shota’s match against Mysterious Q is being advertised as his final match in Houston.
APAC “RISE”, 10/12/2022 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1. APAC Women’s Title Tournament – Round 1: Steph De Lander Vs Maki Itoh
2. APAC Women’s Title Tournament – Round 1: Nor “Phoenix” Diana Vs Yuki Kamifuku
The playoff matches for the APAC Women’s Title Tournament have been made. Itoh and Yuki Kamifuku are on separate sides of the bracket. Itoh meets Steph De Lander in Round 1 while Kamifuku has to get past Nor Diana.
DFW ALL PRO “SEASONS BEATINGS”, 10/12/2022 Trinity Leadership Public School, Cedar Hills, Texas, USA
1. Shota Vs X
Shota has a few more things to do in Texas like this DFW All Pro show.
DPW “1ST ANNIVERSARY”, 10/12/2022 Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Colby Corino
“Let’s fucking go!” Deadlock Pro Wrestling is bringing Takeshita back for their 1st Anniversary show. They wanted him in a crazy match so here comes Colby Corino as his opponent!
APAC “RISE”, 11/12/2022 Malaysia
1. APAC Women’s Title Tournament – Final: X Vs X
Can Itoh and Kamifuku both make it to the final?
GCW “TIL INFINITY 2022”, 31/12/2022 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
GCW “56 NIGHTS”, 01/01/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh is spending the last night of 2022 and the first day of 2023 in New Jersey for GCW.
EVE “EVE 100”, 07/01/2023 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Title?: Miyu Yamashita (c?) Vs Rhio (?)
The EVE Title scene suddenly got a bit crowded due to Yamashita winning the belt. After her successful defence against McKenzie in TJPW, EVE announced that Yamashita will return to London on 7th January as part of their 100th show celebration. “The Unbreakable” Rhio already made it clear that she wants the next title shot sooner rather than later. At the time of writing she will be going to Japan in a few weeks time and is getting the title match against Yamashita in Shizuoka on 10th December. Here’s an interesting wrinkle added to the situation. EVE announced that if Rhio becomes the champion there, Yamashita will get a rematch back in London.
PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023 The Glass House, Pomona, USA
1. Shunma Katsumata Vs Sonico
2. Kevin Blackwood Vs MAO
3. Miyu Yamashita Vs Athena
Shunma Katsumata & MAO make their debuts for Prestige Wrestling next year. MAO takes on Kevin Blackwood and Katsumata has a match against Sonico.
DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Right now there is a story developing in DDT where Takeshi Masada wants to wrestle on the shows in Hollywood. He has to beat Sanshiro Takagi in an upcoming match to convince the boss he is already ready to wrestle overseas.
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Any chance we can do Gage Vs Itoh here?
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Cancelled Appearances
MAGNUM “BATTLE ROYALE CUP”, 26/11/2022 Stocks n Bonds, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
1. Battle Royale Cup – Round 1: Shota Vs Kit Sackett
Shota was meant to be part of a one night tournament in Magnum Wrestling, taking one of their champions Kit Sackett in the first round. Unfortunately the show was cancelled on a few days notice and the promotion is ceasing operations due to the owner going through health issues. This would have been Shota’s first time wrestling in Omeha, Nebraska.
Posted by JamieOD 
Dramatic DDT 